Month: June 2016

Give vs Lend

‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me

Nehemiah 5:7
I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.

Exodus 22:25
“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

Leviticus 25:36
Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.

Psalms 15:5
who does not put out his money at interest

Deuteronomy 24:14
“You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns.

Profit at the hands of the poor and needy will be judged harshly by God.  Our eyes should be open with a willing heart to those around us so that we can be used by God.  Are we living to be used by God for His purpose each day?  A willing heart with eyes open will see what God has for them to do.  God gave His only son because He loved us and wanted none to parish.  He only asked that we believe, obey and live with purpose to honor and glorify Him.  We give and serve to honor and glorify God.

Face Fear with God

Our God will fight for us

Nehemiah 4:15
When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work

Psalms 33:10
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage

Isaiah 19:3
and I will confound their counsel

Job 5:12
He frustrates the devices of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
He catches the wise in their own craftiness,
and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end

Isaiah 8:10
Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;
speak a word, but it will not stand,
for God is with us.

People are around us everyday that choose not to follow God and have schemed their own plans.  They seem to have the upper hand in what they are doing.  God’s plan is never interrupted or altered.  His plans are sure. Why then is there room for fear in our thoughts?  It is easy to see what is happening around us and have doubts and fear what is right before us.  Remember God is in control no matter what is before us.  He is our Heavenly Father who loves us. He will never leave or forsake us.  He has given us precious promises to allow us to live without fear and with joy, hope, and purpose.  When doubts and fear blindside you – remember who God is and lean not unto your own understanding but take everything to Him in prayer and the peace of God that passes all understanding will flood your soul.  Stand firm in Him alone – let Him be your strong hold and solid rock.

Mighty and Awesome

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome

Nehemiah 4:14
And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Number 14:8
If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”

Deuteronomy 1:29
Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place. ’ Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God,

Deuteronomy 7:21
You shall not be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.

 

Nehemiah had a job laid on his heart by God.  During the job, others looked on what was being done and made fun of it.  Yet Nehemiah new in his heart this plan was of God and encouraged the people with how AWESOME GOD IS.  It is common to have concerns and questions about life when something comes up against our health, finances, family…..  Yet remember – We are children of the God of god’s.  It is common to occasionally worry about tomorrow’s things that have yet to happened….. Yet remember – We are in our Fathers hands who can separate us from His love.  It is common to look to the past with regret over things long past and confessed to God…… Yet remember – If we confess our sin’s He is faithful and just to forgive us.  Live today in desire and purpose to serve God’s plan.  Listen for the quiet small voice nudging your heart.  Seek His wisdom and move forward with confidence in His awesome power, strength, and might.

Let Us Begin

but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love

Nehemiah 2:11
So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work

Ezra 5:5
But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them

Psalms 33:18
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love

Psalms 147:11
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love

Psalms 149:4
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation

The story of Nehemiah is a good reminder to us all.  He was with those who had been taken in exile yet he did not forget God.  When he heard the news of how broken Jerusalem was his heart was broken and he sought comfort bringing this to God.  His heart was all about the honor and glory of God.  Imagine living in exile and God stirring your heart to the plight of something outside of your control.  In fact the only way you would be able to move on this stirring is if God’s hand was in it.  Then the King asks you what is on your heart, you tell him not only what is on your heart but that you need the King to allow you to rebuild the city, supply safe passage back to the city, supply letters to show those in opposition of what you are about to do, and letters instructing others to supply materials for the job at hand.  Any of these questions could have been answered with your head chopped off.  Yet God’s hand was in it.  His timing, His plan, His sovereign will.  This is a good reminder for us to always keep our heart’s desire for serving God.  Without this desire we will never be willing to hear and act on what God places on our heart.  No matter how big the task is that God lays on your heart – remember God is more than able to overcome our weakness and feeling of not being equipped – who can stop what God puts into motion!

Ask God

for the hand of the Lord his God was on him

Nehemiah 2:4
Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers ‘graves, that I may rebuild it.” And the king said to me ( the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.

Ezra 7:6
this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him

Ezra 8:17
to send us ministers for the house of our God. And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion

I am reminded of how many times men prayed and sought God for a very specific need that seemed impossible.  Can you imagine going to the King who has conquered your country and taken you exile and asking him for permission to go back to rebuild your city?  Or in a time when it is clear there is no one able to meet the task at hand God supplies the person.  There is nothing greater than our God. He is able to do more than we can imagine.  Everything is possible with God – Take your burden and place it in His hands.

In His Presence

For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy

Nehemiah 1:6
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there. ’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man

1 Kings 8:29
Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive

2 Chronicles 7:15
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place

Daniel 9:18
O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy

I wonder if we seek God in the same reverence that godly men of the past.  Note how they acknowledge their own sin, the sins of their fathers, and the sins of their nation.  They come to God in awe of Him and recognize their only path to His holiness is through His great mercy and grace.  How often  do we come to God with a burden and think only about our burden.  Shouldn’t we be acknowledging His holiness, mercy, and grace and as well our unworthiness out side of this before we set our burdens at His feet.  Being humble in His presence is not an option.  Do not lose site of who God is and who we are.  We certainly are limited in our understanding of all is power because He is without limit of any kind.  His word says He can do more than we ask but even more than we can imagine.  Going before God in prayer – acknowledge Him first and your burden will seem so much less left in His presence.

Broken Hearted

take care that you be not ensnared to follow them

Nehemiah 1:2
And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments

Ezra 9:1
After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel

Daniel 9:18
O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.

Two separate trials. One the remnant of Jews who escaped exile were living in Jerusalem and the walls were broken down and the gates burned.  In the other people of Israel had not separated themselves from others who did not honor God and took wives of nations they were not allowed to marry.  In the trail spoken of in Nehemiah he mourned because the city that stood as a symbol of God’s chosen (who by the way had chosen to forsake following Him, and were allowed by God to be, taken into exile) had come to much ruin and were a shame for those who loved God.  In Ezra he mourned because of the great sin that had been committed by the Jews.  In both cases these two leaders were heart broken over what they heard.  Their response was to fast and pray.  This is a good example for each of us.  When we hear  of our culture going down a path away from God – Fast and Pray.  When we hear of brothers and sisters fallen away and following a path away from God – Fast and Pray.  When Gods word convicts our heart that we are on the wrong path – CONFESS and TURN AWAY from that which God has shown us.  Oh God open our ears and our heart to know You and hear Your voice leading us on a path that brings honor and glory to You.  Keep God first in all you do.

The Light that Teaches

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God

Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age

Isaiah 49:6
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth

John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me

Acts 13:47
The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. ’”
And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.

What does Christ mean by “Go make disciples”and “I have made you a light” and “Teach them”?  It is easy to think that teaching and making disciples is all up to the pastor or priest.  In fact this is the way our culture has evolved and it is a lie.  Think about it – Christ says make disciples and teach them – he did not say “I only want those who are called to be pastors/priests to teach and make disciples.  The rest of you can follow at a distance and the only requirement is to come to church and try to be good.”  Yet this is the very actions taken by most. We are called to be the light (live out our faith and in such a way that others see it and God is glorified). We are called to teach and make disciples (read and know what scriptures says, learn to obey it, tell others of our faith and hope, talk scripture into our daily conversations, tell of the struggles and trials we experienced and how God led us through it victoriously, tell our story of salvation and what life was like before and after being saved)  Satan wants you to believe the lie that you are not asked or not able to teach and make disciples.  He wants us to live defeated and have no effect on those around us.  Do not believe this lie – we are children of God.  Choose to start making a difference in your life by humbly serving Him.

A True Leader

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 28:16
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age

Daniel 7:13
“I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed

Ephesians 1:20
according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

All of the world leaders are either elected by the people or they have taken power by force. How should we act in the presence of a King or Ruler.  Some would say with the respect of the title which they hold.  Others would say with the respect the person holding the title deserves.  In our global information flowing world it is easy to hear reports on leaders which are on both sides of the moral/ethical coin. Any given day it is a coin toss how the media will paint them.  Much of what they do is made public but even more is not.   Christ on the other hand did everything in public.  He did not seek his own self interest but rather desired to do the will of His heavenly Father.  Scripture says that Jesus has been given all authority over heaven and earth.  He was not elected by man nor did he come to his leadership by force.  He was placed in power by God.   While on earth he led by being  humble, servant, compassionate, loving, kind, healer, and giving hope, peace, and rest to the burdened people who lacked it.  He led by sacrificing his life for those who would choose to believe and desire to live for God.  Worldly leaders are always going to disappoint us but Jesus never will.  His promises are rocks we can stand on.

 

The Curtain

the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom

Matthew 27:51
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Exodus 26:32
“And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. And you shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place

Hebrews 9:6
These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people

Hebrews 9:11
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent ( not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance

Hebrews 10:19
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works

If you think about the Holy Place and the restrictions that went with being able to go near compared to the new covenant prepared by God shouldn’t our heart be thankful?   We live in a time that is surrounded in with great grace and mercy.  In no other time prior to Christ has such grace and mercy been freely given.  This is not to be taken lightly.  How much more will we be held accountable for knowing so much and neglecting it so easily.  Paul said what manner of lives should we be living in light of what God has given.  I am certain we have so much more to forget about this world and greatly more to learn about and apply grace and mercy.