Nehemiah: Heart Broken

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Nehemiah 1:1-11

Nehemiah receives word that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the gates destroyed by fire. The people he loves- his fellow Israelites with whom he and his family go way back- are in great trouble and shame. (SRT)

The people of Israel are God's chosen people and the city of Jerusalem is the chosen city. To know that the walls and gates of the city had been destroyed was an embarrassment to the Jewish people and contrary to everything that God had promised. This once great and powerful nation had been weakened and exiled.

Nehemiah is heart broken. He weeps and mourns for days upon hearing this news. He fasted, prayed, confessed on their behalf. Nehemiah confesses the sins of the Israelites as well as his own. He reminds God of his promise to redeem the Israelites if they are faithful and turn their hearts back towards Him.

Nehemiah responds with a compassionate heart towards his people. Even though he is about 1000 miles away, his heart breaks for the people he loves. Let’s follow Nehemiah’s example and pray for lost and hurting souls.

Lord, rend our hearts for the hurting today. Let us not allow our own comforts or safe distance from pain prevent us from seeing and loving others as you see and love them. Move us. Break us. And build us back up for your glory. (SRT)

Yours Truly~Freedom

Getting Started

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My experience as a Christ follower comes with many ups and downs. I've had some "high, highs" and some low, lows". But through it all, I am convinced that God has proven to be faithful time and time again in my life. I have decided to document my handwritten journal entries as an addition to my blog over the next few weeks and months. This is my personal endeavor into the Word of God.

I am a part of an online community (since the summer of 2012) called She Reads Truth (SRT). This community has been a welcomed addition to my life as I dig deeper into God's Word. We have completed a study on the book of Nehemiah. While wrapping up the study with my online group, my church announced that we would be starting a message series called "Change Your World in 52 Days: The Story of Nehemiah". I've learned a lot about Nehemiah. His story has absolutely changed the way I view myself as a follower of Christ. I have gained great knowledge and valuable insight from studying Nehemiah's life. This old testament book and SRT has been my motivation to share my insight about the Word of God and ways it applies to our daily life. 

I will always try my best to give credit where credit is due. Most of what I write will be my very own thoughts, or applications from the bible, or revelation, all of which I hold up against the Word of God for truth and understanding. However, as I study the Word, I have also found helpful insight from other sources. This could range from pastors/church leaders, bible studies, bible commentaries, fellow Christ followers and life itself. Just the basic, ordinary day-to-day grind of life can offer valuable insight into who God is, how He loves, and how He is at work in our lives. 

Lord, today I pray that if what I have to say blesses anyone's life in any way that all glory be given to you. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Yours Truly~Freedom

I Wonder...Why?

Have You Ever Wondered...

Part I

photo by: Jalal Volker

Have you ever wondered

why the death of one person can 

shatter so many lives,

why love that was so hard to find 

is so easily lost,

why a single event can

alter the path of your future,

Have you ever wondered why?

Have you ever wondered

why little girls dream of their prince charming

only to find that love is not a fairytale,

why little boys feel invincible only to find that 

 the world is not theirs alone to conquer,

why mommies and daddies find it hard to let

their little ones make mistakes of their own,

Have you ever wondered why?

Have you ever wondered

why their is so much lack in a world 

 that's filled with plenty,

why the easy way out is the way 

most often chosen,

why the values of honesty and love are

overrated but deciet and disappointment are expected,

Have your ever wondered why?

Sometimes I Wonder...... Why?


Yours Truly~Freedom