To listen to the audio version, click here.
10 Minutes with God:
Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
Do you ever have moments when you go upstairs to get something and by the time you arrive, you have completely forgotten what you were looking for? That seems to be happening to me far too often these days. Somewhere between the time that I decided that I needed something and arriving at the place to acquire it, enough has gone through my mind that I am distracted to the point where I can no longer remember my original purpose. It can be immensely frustrating.
On a spiritual level, I notice this most often in times of prayer. I can be in the middle of a conversation with God and somewhere in the middle of the prayer, a random thought pops into my head. The next thing I know, I have been thinking about my next day’s agenda, what I had for dinner last night, whether or not I remembered to DVR that new show that looks like it might be cheesy but also looks like it might have potential or if the Cubs are ever really going to be a relevant team again. Somewhere in the midst of my mental rabbit trail, I remember that I was praying and apologetically return to my conversation with God. Imagine if we did that in a conversation with a friend…we would have a lot less friends.
This week during 10 minutes with God, we have been looking at the example of Nehemiah as someone who demonstrates purposeful and focused living. We reminded ourselves that we, as the Body of Christ, have an ever-present and great calling to proclaim the gospel in our communities, our families, our schools and in our church. At the same time, there are many distractions that seek to draw our attention away from gospel living.
Today, I want to consider an example from the New Testament. The disciples were receiving some criticism because some of the widows in their community were not receiving the same care and attention as others.
Let’s take a look at Acts 6:1-7:
6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists[a] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers,[b] pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
The reply in verse 2 has always stood out to me. The disciples said “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” At first glance this almost comes across as condescending, like the work of taking care of the widows is below them. Upon further reflection, I think that quite the opposite is true. I think that the disciples understood that importance of this potential conflict and the ramifications if the matter remained unresolved. However, when determining a solution, they also understood what demanded their immediate attention: “prayer and the ministry of the word”. Their decision to appoint qualified and spirit-filled leaders wasn’t because this work was below them. They appointed these leaders because they understood and were committed to the specific responsibilities that they had in the church.
I find a bit of freedom in these verses. If it wasn't an expectation on the disciples in the early church to personally meet every need, then it probably isn’t the expectation for you or I either. Honestly, I actually think that it is my pride that gets in the way here. “If I don’t respond to this need” or “If I don’t meet with this person” then crisis will certainly ensue. The model that we see lived out by the disciples reminds of two important truths. First, the disciples had a clear understanding of the role that God had placed in their lives. Second, they were completely committed to staying focus on that call. They did not ignore the issue but they did not compromise their calling to respond to it either.
I mentioned this week in the sermon that Nehemiah was uniquely qualified to lead the effort to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem. In his position as cup-bearer to the King, God had given him influence and opportunity. Where has God given you influence and opportunity? Where ever that is in your life, you can bet (at least in part) that is where God has placed you to accomplish His Kingdom purposes. Don’t miss your opportunity for impact by losing sight of the calling that God has created specifically for you.
Tuesday, July 29th
To listen to the audio version, click here.
10 Minutes with God:
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
I don’t know if you have noticed this or not but it seems that everyone is really busy these days. I know that I am. As a matter of fact, one of the most common answers that I hear when I ask someone how they are doing is “Good, just really busy?” That is probably the most common answer that I give when I am asked the same question. We live in a seemingly perpetually overwhelmed culture.
In a men’s small group that I meet with each Wednesday morning, we recently read a book entitled Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung. As you can probably guess from the title, the book is addressing this very same issue. At the conclusion of the book I felt a little disappointed. Despite the fact that the author had warned early on that he would not be offering conclusive and simple steps on how to resolve the issue of business, that is exactly what I was looking for. I wanted someone to offer 5 easy steps to a less busy life. I am not sure that this is available.
DeYoung however does very effectively expose much of what is at the root cause the the business epidemic. One of the primary culprits is our propensity to say yes to the good at the cost of the great. There are more opportunities than we can count coming at us every day. Good, meaningful opportunities that anyone could (and they do) make a compelling case warrant our involvement. The issue is not that the opportunities are negative or destructive (although those are available as well), it just that they shrift our focus from that which is primary, “the great work” that God has set before us.
This brings us back to the book of Nehemiah. Yesterday we looked at how Nehemiah models focused and purposeful living. Look at again at the efforts that his enemies make to slow or stop the work that he is doing to restore the wall that surrounds Jerusalem:
Nehemiah 6: 1-12:
6 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem[a] also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God,[b] strengthen my hands.
10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live?[c] I will not go in.”
In these verses, Nehemiah’s enemies try three different times to distract him from the work that God had set before him. Each time Nehemiah is resolute and remains firmly where God has placed him, on top of the wall. As we discussed in yesterday’s 10 Minutes with God post, in contrast to Nehemiah’s unwavering focus on the work at hand, often times I feel like my eyes are constantly shifting between warring priorities.
Ultimately, what I am coming to understand is that the problem is not that I am busy. In many ways, I should be busy. Nehemiah was busy. You don’t rebuild a wall in 52 days that had been laying in ruins for over a century and a half by working half-days. There is a lot to do in our families, in our community and in the church. The question that I need to ask and deal with honesty is not whether or not I am busy but rather if I am busy with the right things? Have I taken my eyes off of that which is primary in the pursuit of that which is secondary? When properly ordered in our lives, we like Nehemiah, can say to all the distractions around us…”I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
10 Minutes with God:
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
I don’t know if you have noticed this or not but it seems that everyone is really busy these days. I know that I am. As a matter of fact, one of the most common answers that I hear when I ask someone how they are doing is “Good, just really busy?” That is probably the most common answer that I give when I am asked the same question. We live in a seemingly perpetually overwhelmed culture.
In a men’s small group that I meet with each Wednesday morning, we recently read a book entitled Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung. As you can probably guess from the title, the book is addressing this very same issue. At the conclusion of the book I felt a little disappointed. Despite the fact that the author had warned early on that he would not be offering conclusive and simple steps on how to resolve the issue of business, that is exactly what I was looking for. I wanted someone to offer 5 easy steps to a less busy life. I am not sure that this is available.
DeYoung however does very effectively expose much of what is at the root cause the the business epidemic. One of the primary culprits is our propensity to say yes to the good at the cost of the great. There are more opportunities than we can count coming at us every day. Good, meaningful opportunities that anyone could (and they do) make a compelling case warrant our involvement. The issue is not that the opportunities are negative or destructive (although those are available as well), it just that they shrift our focus from that which is primary, “the great work” that God has set before us.
This brings us back to the book of Nehemiah. Yesterday we looked at how Nehemiah models focused and purposeful living. Look at again at the efforts that his enemies make to slow or stop the work that he is doing to restore the wall that surrounds Jerusalem:
Nehemiah 6: 1-12:
6 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem[a] also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God,[b] strengthen my hands.
10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live?[c] I will not go in.”
In these verses, Nehemiah’s enemies try three different times to distract him from the work that God had set before him. Each time Nehemiah is resolute and remains firmly where God has placed him, on top of the wall. As we discussed in yesterday’s 10 Minutes with God post, in contrast to Nehemiah’s unwavering focus on the work at hand, often times I feel like my eyes are constantly shifting between warring priorities.
Ultimately, what I am coming to understand is that the problem is not that I am busy. In many ways, I should be busy. Nehemiah was busy. You don’t rebuild a wall in 52 days that had been laying in ruins for over a century and a half by working half-days. There is a lot to do in our families, in our community and in the church. The question that I need to ask and deal with honesty is not whether or not I am busy but rather if I am busy with the right things? Have I taken my eyes off of that which is primary in the pursuit of that which is secondary? When properly ordered in our lives, we like Nehemiah, can say to all the distractions around us…”I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
Monday, July 28th
To listen to the audio version, click here.
10 Minutes with God:
Monday, July 28th, 2014
There are reminders posted along highways and city streets informing drivers of the dangers of distracted driving. Studies have shown that distracted driving is as dangerous if not more dangerous that driving while intoxicated. It’s a pretty serious issue that we really couldn’t have imagined 20 years ago. Cell phones and ipods, while offering many benefits, have the unintended consequence of causing many people to take their eyes off that which needs their undivided and complete attention-- the road.
As dangerous as distracted driving is, distracted living has an ever greater potential for harm. One of the principal themes throughout the book of Nehemiah is that focused living produces Kingdom results.
Take a look at Nehemiah 6:1-4:
Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.
I love Nehemiah’s reply to his enemies when they attempt to stop his work: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” As we look at the example of Nehemiah, it occurs to me that that one of the critical aspects of focused living is the understanding and awareness that we are part of “a great work”.
In all honesty, I think that I live much of my life only partially aware of the reality that God has called me to be a part of a great work. As the church, we have been left with the responsibility and calling to represent Christ and his ministry to the world around us. Ephesians chapter 5 (vs 17-21) articulates the this great work this way:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
What strikes me in these verses is the fact that the calling, or great work, that we are about in our lives and in the church is as clear and it is vital. Oftentimes I look at the example of Nehemiah and think, “if only God would speak as specifically and as powerfully to me; then I could live with that degree of commitment.” But God has spoken to me just as clearly and the work is even greater than the task that was set before Nehemiah. As the church we are in fact the very ambassadors of Jesus Christ. We carry the message of the gospel- the message of life into a world that is dying. There can be no greater calling and no more important task. This is our primary calling, our great work.
As I mentioned earlier, one of the the themes that has impacted me the most from our study of Nehemiah is that focused living produces Kingdom results. As I process the example of Nehemiah, there are a few questions that have emerged for me that you may find helpful as you consider your own awareness and understanding of the calling God has placed in your life. If you are someone who likes to journal, it may help to write our your responses to these questions.
As we continue through the week, I want us to consider more specifically some of the distractions that prevent us from maintaining our focus on our great work. What causes us to take our eyes off of the gospel and to settle for something less than living as the very ambassadors of Jesus Christ?
10 Minutes with God:
Monday, July 28th, 2014
There are reminders posted along highways and city streets informing drivers of the dangers of distracted driving. Studies have shown that distracted driving is as dangerous if not more dangerous that driving while intoxicated. It’s a pretty serious issue that we really couldn’t have imagined 20 years ago. Cell phones and ipods, while offering many benefits, have the unintended consequence of causing many people to take their eyes off that which needs their undivided and complete attention-- the road.
As dangerous as distracted driving is, distracted living has an ever greater potential for harm. One of the principal themes throughout the book of Nehemiah is that focused living produces Kingdom results.
Take a look at Nehemiah 6:1-4:
Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.
I love Nehemiah’s reply to his enemies when they attempt to stop his work: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” As we look at the example of Nehemiah, it occurs to me that that one of the critical aspects of focused living is the understanding and awareness that we are part of “a great work”.
In all honesty, I think that I live much of my life only partially aware of the reality that God has called me to be a part of a great work. As the church, we have been left with the responsibility and calling to represent Christ and his ministry to the world around us. Ephesians chapter 5 (vs 17-21) articulates the this great work this way:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
What strikes me in these verses is the fact that the calling, or great work, that we are about in our lives and in the church is as clear and it is vital. Oftentimes I look at the example of Nehemiah and think, “if only God would speak as specifically and as powerfully to me; then I could live with that degree of commitment.” But God has spoken to me just as clearly and the work is even greater than the task that was set before Nehemiah. As the church we are in fact the very ambassadors of Jesus Christ. We carry the message of the gospel- the message of life into a world that is dying. There can be no greater calling and no more important task. This is our primary calling, our great work.
As I mentioned earlier, one of the the themes that has impacted me the most from our study of Nehemiah is that focused living produces Kingdom results. As I process the example of Nehemiah, there are a few questions that have emerged for me that you may find helpful as you consider your own awareness and understanding of the calling God has placed in your life. If you are someone who likes to journal, it may help to write our your responses to these questions.
- How do I define or understand the “great work” that God has placed in my life? What does it mean for me to be “Christ’s ambassador”?
- How does my awareness of God’s calling in my life to live out the Gospel and represent Him impact how I approach my life? How does it impact the way I approach today?
- What takes my eyes off of the “great work” that God has given me? What distracts me?
As we continue through the week, I want us to consider more specifically some of the distractions that prevent us from maintaining our focus on our great work. What causes us to take our eyes off of the gospel and to settle for something less than living as the very ambassadors of Jesus Christ?
Friday, July 25
Friday
Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!” At this the whole assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised. Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels[a] of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we[b] did not acquire any land. Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people. - Nehemiah 5:12-18
• Nehemiah shook out the folds of his robe, which symbolized what God would do if they broke their vow.
• Next, the congregation responded with a collective “amen” which was a solemn assent to what had been said. The word literally means, “So be it” and it made the entire assembly a part of the decision.
• Then they praised the Lord in unison. What started as a great cry of outrage led to a confrontation which led to a commitment to change and concluded with shouts of praise in a corporate worship service.
In describing his own lifestyle during this period, Nehemiah’s memoirs tell us how he behaved. He was motivated by two biblical principles during the 12 years he was the governor in the land of Judah. He was devoted to the Great Commandment as spelled out later by Jesus in Mark 12:30-31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Before thinking about how he could make a profit, he considered what was pleasing to God. In (5:15) he describes how previous governors got wealthy at the expense of the people. When comparing himself with what others did, Nehemiah stated, “But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.”
In Nehemiah 5:17-18 we see that he did not live extravagantly but instead lived generously by providing meals for others and not using his expense account to do so. Because he loved and revered God, he also loved the people he was called to serve.
That’s a great example for us to follow as well. Start first by focusing on God and your relationship to Him. As you do, you will have more love and compassion for others – even for those you have conflict with.
Jeff Frazier
Thursday, July 24
Thursday
I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. - Nehemiah 5:6-8
This passage shows us that Nehemiah, though angry, was committed to dealing with the issues in God-honoring and Biblical manner. Jesus laid out this process for us in the Nw Testament.
If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. - Matthew 18:5-7
It’s easy to get angry but then to cool off and do nothing. After all, it is difficult and uncomfortable to confront those who are causing a problem. It is especially difficult to confront those who happen to be rich and powerful, as these men were. What if they got defensive and withdrew their support of the project? What if they began to view Nehemiah as an enemy? They could use their clout to cause a lot more damage. Maybe Nehemiah should stall for time until the wall was finished. But he didn’t do that.
First, he privately confronted those guilty of mistreating the poor (5:7). We do not know whether this involved a single meeting or a series of meetings, and whether Nehemiah was alone or whether he took some trusted leaders with him. But the biblical pattern for resolving conflict is, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you” (Matt. 18:15-16a). While Nehemiah did not have our Lord’s teaching on this, he seems to have followed this pattern of private confrontation before any public confrontation.
Did Nehemiah succeed in private? We don’t know for sure, but probably not. There is no recorded response from the nobles at this point. So Nehemiah moved to public confrontation.
He called a great assembly and spelled out the problem. He rebuked the leaders (5:8) by pointing out how he and others had redeemed their Jewish brothers who had been sold to the nations, but now it was Jews themselves who were selling their brothers into slavery. They could not find a word to answer. He further stated that their behavior was not good in that their enemies would mock the Jews for their mistreatment of their own people (5:9).
Some think that Nehemiah (5:10) is admitting his own past failure in lending money at interest to his fellow Jews (based on the plural “let us leave off the usury”), but I think that he is just using the plural to identify with these men. Nehemiah had loaned money in accordance with the Law, without charging interest. He is appealing to these wealthy men to join him in doing the same. He asks them to give back to the poor their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the interest that they had charged.
There are many Christian leaders who are afraid to confront sinners with their sin, whether in private or in public. This fear in-creases when the person in sin is rich and powerful. But we must follow Nehemiah’s example of confronting those who are in sin. Nehemiah exhibited proper righteous anger under control. His anger gave him the courage to confront those who were wrong.
Jeff Frazier
Wednesday, July 23
Wednesday
I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised. - Nehemiah 5:6-13
This passage tells the story of how Nehemiah responded to the fact that some of the Jews were taking advantage of the misfortune of their brothers and sisters, and exploiting them for financial gain.
It must have been terribly discouraging to Nehemiah to see that the people could stand strong together in the face of an outside threat (Neh. 4) and then turn on each other when times got tough. After all they had been through together, were they now going to be undone by their own greed, selfishness and lack of compassion. I wonder if Nehemiah had the words of Psalm 55:12-14 in his heart when he considered how to respond...
For it is not an enemy who taunts me
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God's house we walked in the throng.
It is not at all a stretch to say that this is the most significant and dangerous threat Nehemiah and the people of God have faced yet. Even in the church today, external opposition often has the effect of rallying people together, but it is often in-fighting and internal conflict that destroys us. Sometimes, our greatest battle is not the struggle with the world outside, it is the struggle within!
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God's house we walked in the throng.
It is not at all a stretch to say that this is the most significant and dangerous threat Nehemiah and the people of God have faced yet. Even in the church today, external opposition often has the effect of rallying people together, but it is often in-fighting and internal conflict that destroys us. Sometimes, our greatest battle is not the struggle with the world outside, it is the struggle within!
Jeff Frazier
Tuesday, July 22
Tuesday
There were four different groups of people who were involved in the community crisis:
People who owned no land but needed food (Neh 5:2) The population was increasing, the families were growing, there was a famine, and the people were hungry. They were working so hard on the wall that they didn’t have time to plant or take care of their crops.
Landowners who had mortgaged their property in order to buy food (Neh 5:3). Inflation was on the rise and prices were going higher and many had their homes repossessed by the moneylenders.
Another group complained that taxes were too high (Neh 5:4). Many people were forced to borrow money just to pay their tax bills.
Finally, there were those who were exploiting the other three groups (Neh 5:5). The wealthy were making loans with exorbitant interest rates and taking land and even children as collateral. Families had to choose between starvation and servitude. When the crops failed because of the famine, the creditors took away their property and sold their children into slavery.
While it was not against God’s law to loan money to one another, they were not to act like pawn shop owners or bankers who charge high interest when lending money to fellow Jews. This is clearly stated in Deut. 23:19-20, “Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a brother Israelite, so that the Lord your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess.”
He did what Proverbs 16:32 challenges us to do - “Better a patient man than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
The first appeal Nehemiah made was to the love that should exist between brothers and sisters in God’s family. Nehemiah reminded them that they were robbing their own countrymen, and their own spiritual family members. They were actually hurting themselves. He uses the word, “brother” four different times in his speech. Psalm 133:1 must have been echoing in his mind: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”
Jeff Frazier
Monday, July 21
Monday
As we continue in our series through the Book of Nehemiah, we’ve learned that Nehemiah confronted a different challenge in each chapter:
• In chapter two, his challenge was political. When the King asked him what he needed, he prayed a “popcorn prayer” and boldly made his requests.
• In chapter three, he confronted an administrative challenge by positioning the right workers in the right place for the right reasons.
• In chapter four, he dealt with the challenge of discouragement. The workers were afraid of the enemies and convinced they couldn’t work anymore. Nehemiah rallied the troops to come together under pressure.
As we come to chapter five, this same community is starting to self-destruct because of some festering grievances. The workers now face a new enemy who is harder to conquer than the previous ones. The timing could not have been worse because the walls are almost done! Nehemiah has to put down his hard hat and turn his attention from the construction of the wall to the walls that were being put up between his workers. While their external enemies helped to rally the people, internal conflict threatened to divide and destroy them.
Most of us remember well the terrible devastation that Hurricane Katrina brought to the gulf coast. After the storm we got a glimpse of the greed of some people. While there were many who reached out to help, there were others who saw this as an opportunity to take advantage of those in need by price gouging and stealing. That’s similar to what we see in our text. The city of Jerusalem lies in ruins and people are powerless to help themselves. Taxes are high and because of a long drought there is a bad famine. Most everyone has been working with all their hearts to build the walls but there are others whose alarming acts of greed resulted in widespread poverty and injustice. Hard times can bring out the best and the worst in human nature. God’s people (both then &now) are to be marked by His grace and generosity.
Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards. Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.” - Nehemiah 5:1-5
• In chapter one, he was faced with a personal challenge. When he heard about what was happening in Jerusalem, he sat down and wept and then broke out into prayer.
• In chapter two, his challenge was political. When the King asked him what he needed, he prayed a “popcorn prayer” and boldly made his requests.
• In chapter three, he confronted an administrative challenge by positioning the right workers in the right place for the right reasons.
• In chapter four, he dealt with the challenge of discouragement. The workers were afraid of the enemies and convinced they couldn’t work anymore. Nehemiah rallied the troops to come together under pressure.
As we come to chapter five, this same community is starting to self-destruct because of some festering grievances. The workers now face a new enemy who is harder to conquer than the previous ones. The timing could not have been worse because the walls are almost done! Nehemiah has to put down his hard hat and turn his attention from the construction of the wall to the walls that were being put up between his workers. While their external enemies helped to rally the people, internal conflict threatened to divide and destroy them.
There is a direct correlation between the effectiveness of our mission and how we treat each other!
We must be the church before we can build the church. We must care for one another before we can hope to reach this community and county for Christ.
Jeff Frazier
Friday, July 18
Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” - Nehemiah 4:13-20
These verses tell us what Nehemiah did, but we can also think of what Nehemiah could have done in this situation.
He could have done nothing - and even been spiritual about it. “Well brothers, we’re just trusting in the Lord. We prayed about it, and believe the Lord will deliver us somehow.”
He could have panicked - and started thinking it was his job alone to defend against the attack.
What he did was to wisely and calmly trust God in the midst of the storm, and to do the concrete things God would have him do to obtain the victory.
Their swords, their spears, and their bows: Nehemiah commanded them to bring out their armor. It was time to get serious, to put on the full armor, and to get ready to fight with every resource they had.
Do not be afraid of them. Remember the LORD, great and awesome: Nehemiah put their mind in the right perspective. The challenge was great but there was no reason for fear. He who was in them was greater than he who was in the world.
We all returned to the wall, each to our own work: This was the victory. Defending against the attack was not the victory; the people of God would not be at peace and security until the wall was rebuilt. Getting on with the work was the victory.
When we are under spiritual attack it is easy to feel that just enduring the storm is the victory. It isn’t. The attack often comes to prevent your progress and work for the LORD. Victory is enduring the attack and continuing the progress and work for the LORD.
Whatever opposition comes our way, the best thing we can do is to turn our hearts to God and turn our hands back to doing the work that we know God has called us to do!
Jeff Frazier
Thursday, July 17
To listen to the audio version, click here.
Thursday
4:1-3: Setback
4:4-6: Advance
4:7-8: Setback
4:9: Advance
4:10-12: Setback
4:13-23: Advance
5:1-6: Setback
6:1-14: Attempted setback
6:15-16: Final advance
6:17-19: Attempted setback
Thursday
But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 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.” - Nehemiah 4:7-14
If we only read through chapter 3, we would get the impression that the work on the wall went without a snag. “So-and-so built this gate, and these people built the wall to this point, and next to them, these people built the wall further, etc.” It sounds as if there were no problems. But this was not at all the case. It never is! Chapters 4-6 show us some of the problems that had to be overcome in the process of rebuilding the wall. There is a cycle of advance and setback through chapters 3-6:
Chapter 3: Advance 4:1-3: Setback
4:4-6: Advance
4:7-8: Setback
4:9: Advance
4:10-12: Setback
4:13-23: Advance
5:1-6: Setback
6:1-14: Attempted setback
6:15-16: Final advance
6:17-19: Attempted setback
This cycle shows that the Christian life is a conflict, a struggle, a battle. There will always be opposition. The enemy will try to get you sidetracked or to give up completely. Even though it was God’s will for the wall to be rebuilt, He did not remove the opposition. God allowed the attack to go on, even though He could have instantly swept it away. Yet He allowed it to continue because He was delighted that His people drew closer to Him with a deeper trust than ever before. God did His perfect work both in building the walls and His people. Even though it is God’s will for you to grow strong in your faith and to work to advance His kingdom, God does not remove the opposition. In fact, He often uses it to strengthen our faith.
I am convinced that one of the best devices of our enemy is to get us to believe that the Christian life should be a conflict and a struggle free life. If he can get us to believe this, then when opposition and difficulty comes we will either question our faith, or we will question our God.
God does not promise His children an opposition free life. He promises us that when we face opposition, He will be with us in the midst of it and He can use it to strengthen our relationship with Him.
Jeff Frazier
Wednesday, July 16
To listen to the audio version, click here.
Wednesday
In this part of the story of Nehemiah, the work was half finished. It was an exciting, but dangerous time; much had been done, but much was left to do. Fatigue and discouragement were ready to set in, if given an opportunity.
It was also about this time that the opposition is getting organized. Instead of just a couple of critics shouting insults we have the beginnings of a conspiracy. Sanballat has gathered all the disgruntled parties to resist the rebuilding of the wall.
Sanballat and the Samaritans were in the North, the Arabs were in the south, Tobiah and the Ammonites were in the east, the men of Ashdod were in the west. The Jews were surrounded by these people who were conspiring against them. Have you noticed that negative people tend to gravitate to each other? The purpose was to fight and stir up trouble. These folks are all around. Some people, their whole purpose in life, seems to be against stuff.
This passage from Nehemiah shows us 3 major causes of discouragement:
1. Fatigue - "the strength of the laborers is giving out" Vince Lombardi once said, "Fatigue makes cowards of all of us.”
2. Frustration - "there was so much rubble" Frustration is usually a matter of perception. Actually the piles are getting smaller. The people are so discouraged by the conditions that they say, "we cannot rebuild the wall."
3. Fear - "the enemies will attack us" The opposition always has two goals. One of them is to hinder God's word and one is to stop God's work.
Perhaps nobody in history (outside of the Bible) has put this better than Winston Churchill. Against incredible odds, he led a nation to victory in World War 2. I love what he said to a group of young men at Harrow School,October 29, 1941: "Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
This is not at all unlike what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Wednesday
So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 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.” - Nehemiah 4:6-14
On the one hand, this was serious: the wall was built to protect against the attacks of violence, and now it seemed that the very building of the wall may prompt an attack to come. It would have been easy for the people to fear and to think perhaps all their work would be made useless.
On the other hand, this wasn’t serious at all. We notice that they didn’t attack - they just talked about it. Sanballat and Tobiah were hoping that the threat of attack would be enough. Satan uses the same strategy of fear against us, and if we are paralyzed by a threat the threat has worked - even when nothing actually happens against us.
Let me ask you an important question: When is discouragement most likely to occur? Notice that in verse 6 it says, "So we rebuilt the wall until all of it reached half of its height." Discouragement comes most often at or near the half way point. When you start a project you are excited and motivated, you’ve got grand plans and you can’t wait to get going. At the end of a project, you are motivated because you can see the finish line and you are excited to get it over with. But, how many of you have half finished projects around your house, and how long have those projects been half finished? Even as I write this, I’ve got an inside and an outside project that have been sitting around about half-done for several weeks.2. Frustration - "there was so much rubble" Frustration is usually a matter of perception. Actually the piles are getting smaller. The people are so discouraged by the conditions that they say, "we cannot rebuild the wall."
3. Fear - "the enemies will attack us" The opposition always has two goals. One of them is to hinder God's word and one is to stop God's work.
This is not at all unlike what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Jeff Frazier
Tuesday, July 15
To listen to the audio version, click here.
Tuesday
Nehemiah's prayer; "Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders." - Nehemiah 4:4-5
Nehemiah sounds a little hot here. He's letting off steam! This prayer seems pretty tough, but prayers in the Psalms are even tougher: Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! (Psalm 58:6). Let their dwelling place be desolate; let no one live in their tents (Psalm 69:25).
It is proper for a child of God to pray such a prayer, because they are giving their violent inclinations over to God, and letting Him deal with them. If we are angry at someone or have a real enemy, then we can go at them in prayer. Never in the sense of praying evil upon them, but in turning them over to a good and just God, because He knows exactly what to do with them. Nehemiah doesn't get caught up in a name calling game. Instead of calling names, he calls on God.
Proverbs 26:4 says, "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself." If you're getting ridiculed for your faith, or whatever, don't answer back. Then you're no better than the person who's ridiculing you. If you've got a project and people are taking pot shots at you, just rely on God and humbly go about your work, but above all, Pray!
For Nehemiah, prayer was a first resource, not a last resort. When times of opposition come, God wants us to rely on Him - and the purest way of expressing our reliance on God is through prayer.
The greater the opposition the more you need to pray, to depend on God. When you're ridiculed don't take it out on people, talk it out with God. That's what Nehemiah does. He hears this initial ridicule but basically he ignores it and goes to God. The best response to ridicule is don't respond. Instead, you go and you pray and you keep on doing what you should be doing in the first place. The first verses says - they ridiculed, they prayed, they rebuilt the wall. Ridicule can never stop you from doing what you're doing. Not unless you let it.
If you're a leader and you're under attack, the first thing you do is pray. You take it to God. Sometimes if you ignore the opposition the criticism dissipates, vanishes. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it intensifies. When Sandballat and the others realized that ridicule wasn't working, they plotted together to fight against Jerusalem. Nehemiah 4:9 shows how God’s people responded.
And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. - Nehemiah 4:9
They did the prayerful thing and then the practical thing. They did Both! It's fine to lay in bed at night and pray, "Oh God, protect me from thieves." But you also need to get up and lock your door! Oliver Cromwell is reported to have said, "Trust God and keep your powder dry."
Up to this time, Nehemiah has been doing the praying. Now all of the people are praying. Where did they get that idea? They've been watching their leader. Leaders lead by showing, not by telling. Nehemiah has been praying constantly for four chapters. The people are getting the idea that it must work. They start praying too. If you're a leader in your business and if you want other Christians to follow your lead, start praying!Nehemiah's constant prayer life had affected these people. The point I want to make is that corporate opposition requires a corporate response. Now the whole people of God are praying.
They prayed and they posted a guard. Nehemiah sets up an alarm system. He sets up 24-hour guards. He posts a watch. He knows his opposition. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. A lot of leaders have lost because they've underestimated the opposition. Don't just pray. Be aware. Know your opposition and don't be ignorant about what's happening.
In the Bible the phrase that is used over and over again is "Watch and pray". Jesus said it. Paul said it. John said it. Peter said it. Watch is the human part - post a guard. Pray is the divine part - trust God.
Tuesday
Jeff Frazier
Monday, July 14
To listen to the audio version, click here.
Monday
Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem are being attacked psychologically. We have a clear example of this here. That's a powerful, effective tool. It's still used today. There are books out today on psychological warfare in the office place. How to psych out your competition. The world continually ridicules the church. Puts it down, argues, makes fun of God's people, characterizes them as weak, ignorant, intolerant, fanatical people, all pastors are either wimps or crooks.
Why is it so effective? It's because it attacks our sense of self worth. The Jews involved in building the wall with Nehemiah had been living in disgrace for decades, and their confidence was probably still a rather fragile thing. Spiritual and psychological warfare can be very debilitating. There are many people who can overcome tremendous physical obstacles, but are defeated by psychological obstacles.
The passage says that Sandballat became extremely angry. "He became very angry and greatly incensed...." In other words, he is not rational at this point, he is enraged. Ridicule is always the substitute for reason. Laughter is always the substitute for logic. If people can't reason you out of a position they'll just try to ridicule or shame you into giving up. People who ridicule you are usually just afraid. Afraid that you're going to succeed. He uses name calling, "...those feeble Jews". He implies that they have a selfish motive. He makes fun of their beliefs. He overstates the case.
All of these are typical tools of ridicule. He says "Are they going to rebuild it in one day?" No where is there any place they say they're going to rebuild it in one day. That's typical ridicule. They overstate their case, set up a straw man and then try to knock it over. And notice this - ridicule is contagious. When Sanballat makes the initial ridicule Tobia, his side kick, chimes in and starts. There's always people who will ridicule you if somebody else will take the lead.
In this story, the character of Sandballat symbolizes our spiritual enemy today - Satan.
This might sound like a stretch to you, but let’s consider the similarities for a moment.
They oppose the work God wants to accomplish
They are angry and fearful when God’s people take action
They are skilled at twisting the truth to confuse and discourage God’s people
Their primary weapons against God’s people are deceit and shame
They recruit other weak minded people to their cause
They are ultimately unable to stop the work God is doing!
The kingdom of God on earth will never exist without opposition until the day our King returns to establish the New Jerusalem. Our enemy is real and he is active and he will do all that he can to mock, shame, distract, tempt, discourage, and ridicule us into giving up. But do not be discouraged, let the words of Scripture remind you of the truth...
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. - 1 John 4:4
Monday
When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. - Nehemiah 4:1-6
This might sound like a stretch to you, but let’s consider the similarities for a moment.
They oppose the work God wants to accomplish
They are angry and fearful when God’s people take action
They are skilled at twisting the truth to confuse and discourage God’s people
Their primary weapons against God’s people are deceit and shame
They recruit other weak minded people to their cause
They are ultimately unable to stop the work God is doing!
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. - 1 John 4:4
Jeff Frazier
Friday, July 11
To listen to the audio version, click here.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Joshua 24:15
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
The Christian bookstores have made a fortune on the various knick knacks that are embossed with the verse above. A household may have more of them than even Bibles I might suggest. They are all typically very beautiful and may even allude to your home being Christ centered. But I would ask, “Really?”
Really… are you and your family serving the Lord? Remember the Jim Carey movie the Truman Show.
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Before “reality television” was popularized there was a movie about a man played by Jim Carey, named Truman, who was being filmed 24 hours a day and he never knew it. People became addicted to watching his life on their own television. If this was happening to you and your family, would the television audience know that your priority is serving the Lord?
If I am honest with you the video camera would illustrate the importance of our meals (eating), our social and sports lives, our television habits and perhaps the priority I place on making our yard look good or my addiction to endurance running. Yet, if you filmed on the right day of the month or week and at the right time…well then you may have some great footage of our family serving the Lord. Our frequency is increasing and I am confident that the Lord delights in that, but we can do more. You can do more to!
The first reason we can do more is anchored in how one’s priorities are misplaced right from the start. We have valued other activities above serving the Lord. We have made our hobbies, social life, finances, and even going to church more important that using each day to serve the Lord.
Faith at Home Application:
Today discuss what changes are necessary with regards to your calendar for the rest of the summer. Does your calendar reflect that you are serving the Lord or simply attending programs that FBCG has created for your participation.
What are two ministry opportunities that you can move higher on your Family priority list?
BRUCE MCEVOY
Pastor of Family and Serving
Friday, July 11, 2014
Joshua 24:15
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
The Christian bookstores have made a fortune on the various knick knacks that are embossed with the verse above. A household may have more of them than even Bibles I might suggest. They are all typically very beautiful and may even allude to your home being Christ centered. But I would ask, “Really?”
Really… are you and your family serving the Lord? Remember the Jim Carey movie the Truman Show.
Before “reality television” was popularized there was a movie about a man played by Jim Carey, named Truman, who was being filmed 24 hours a day and he never knew it. People became addicted to watching his life on their own television. If this was happening to you and your family, would the television audience know that your priority is serving the Lord?
If I am honest with you the video camera would illustrate the importance of our meals (eating), our social and sports lives, our television habits and perhaps the priority I place on making our yard look good or my addiction to endurance running. Yet, if you filmed on the right day of the month or week and at the right time…well then you may have some great footage of our family serving the Lord. Our frequency is increasing and I am confident that the Lord delights in that, but we can do more. You can do more to!
The first reason we can do more is anchored in how one’s priorities are misplaced right from the start. We have valued other activities above serving the Lord. We have made our hobbies, social life, finances, and even going to church more important that using each day to serve the Lord.
Faith at Home Application:
Today discuss what changes are necessary with regards to your calendar for the rest of the summer. Does your calendar reflect that you are serving the Lord or simply attending programs that FBCG has created for your participation.
What are two ministry opportunities that you can move higher on your Family priority list?
BRUCE MCEVOY
Pastor of Family and Serving
Thursday, July 10
To listen to the audio version, click here.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Nehemiah 3:12
Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters.
Throughout the Scriptures can you think of the epic examples of women who are recorded in Biblical history that were a force?
I’ll share a clue you name the woman. (this works best with the Audio version of 10 Minutes)
She hid spies and ultimately had her life saved Rehab
She saved her people from annihilation. Esther
She gave birth to our Savior. Mary
Recorded in Judge 4, she used a tent stake to kill Sisera. Jael
Only recorded female Old Testament prophet. Deborah
Famous widow who marries her kinsman redeemer after returning with her mother in law. Ruth
Because of the oppression of women through history it inspires me to take note when God’s Word highlights them like the daughters of Shallum. It is more significant than even Lucy Li the eleven year old girl who qualified for the Women’s US Open. It’s terribly exciting to scurry through the Scripture with my eleven year old daughter and give her a vision for Kingdom impact by reflecting on the examples of God using women for his purpose and for his Glory.
The daughters of Shallum would have worked alongside their father and other men to build the fortifications needed to keep their families, their livestock and their temple (which had already been rebuilt) safe. These women wanted to see Jerusalem rebuilt like the others and were willing to do the physical labor required. They may have been especially skilled in their work, or they might simply have been moved by a need to build and protect their families, their community and their faith.
As I've thought about these unnamed daughters, I see the value in teaching girls and young women the value of hard work and getting one’s hands dirty. The daughters of Shallum had learned and developed their building skills years well before Nehemiah ever began his work on the wall. Their father and probably their mother too, had taught them and trained them so that when the time came they were able to contribute to the re-building of Jerusalem. They were READY!
I don’t think I am going too far out on a limb when I suggest that our young women in the future are going to be face a hard world. One with physical and spiritual challenges and with incredible temptations and opposition from the evil one.
Will the women in our families, the women of FBCG, be prepared, like the daughters of Shallum, to handle the trials that come? Will they be prepared with a good work ethic and valuable skills? Will they be ready to rebuild?
As I have shared previously, they will if we win home field advantage and equip our daughters (and sons) what it means to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. Not to mention the importance of teaching them how to chop wood, change a tire, load the washing machine or add window washer fluid to a car. Our young women and men need this taught and lived out in the lives of the adult faith community. Join the team!
Faith at Home Questions to Consider:
BRUCE MCEVOY
Pastor of Family and Serving
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Nehemiah 3:12
Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters.
Throughout the Scriptures can you think of the epic examples of women who are recorded in Biblical history that were a force?
I’ll share a clue you name the woman. (this works best with the Audio version of 10 Minutes)
She hid spies and ultimately had her life saved Rehab
She saved her people from annihilation. Esther
She gave birth to our Savior. Mary
Recorded in Judge 4, she used a tent stake to kill Sisera. Jael
Only recorded female Old Testament prophet. Deborah
Famous widow who marries her kinsman redeemer after returning with her mother in law. Ruth
Because of the oppression of women through history it inspires me to take note when God’s Word highlights them like the daughters of Shallum. It is more significant than even Lucy Li the eleven year old girl who qualified for the Women’s US Open. It’s terribly exciting to scurry through the Scripture with my eleven year old daughter and give her a vision for Kingdom impact by reflecting on the examples of God using women for his purpose and for his Glory.
The daughters of Shallum would have worked alongside their father and other men to build the fortifications needed to keep their families, their livestock and their temple (which had already been rebuilt) safe. These women wanted to see Jerusalem rebuilt like the others and were willing to do the physical labor required. They may have been especially skilled in their work, or they might simply have been moved by a need to build and protect their families, their community and their faith.
As I've thought about these unnamed daughters, I see the value in teaching girls and young women the value of hard work and getting one’s hands dirty. The daughters of Shallum had learned and developed their building skills years well before Nehemiah ever began his work on the wall. Their father and probably their mother too, had taught them and trained them so that when the time came they were able to contribute to the re-building of Jerusalem. They were READY!
I don’t think I am going too far out on a limb when I suggest that our young women in the future are going to be face a hard world. One with physical and spiritual challenges and with incredible temptations and opposition from the evil one.
Will the women in our families, the women of FBCG, be prepared, like the daughters of Shallum, to handle the trials that come? Will they be prepared with a good work ethic and valuable skills? Will they be ready to rebuild?
As I have shared previously, they will if we win home field advantage and equip our daughters (and sons) what it means to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. Not to mention the importance of teaching them how to chop wood, change a tire, load the washing machine or add window washer fluid to a car. Our young women and men need this taught and lived out in the lives of the adult faith community. Join the team!
Faith at Home Questions to Consider:
- Who is the "handy" one at your house? Husband or wife? Daughter or son? How were those skills developed or recognized?
- In Nehemiah 2:6 Nehemiah mentioned that when he was speaking with the King about returning to rebuild Jerusalem that the queen was also sitting by him. This queen is probably Queen Vashti, since this would have been before Esther's time. Why do you think he mentions her? Do you think perhaps she said something that influenced the King on his behalf?
BRUCE MCEVOY
Pastor of Family and Serving
Wednesday, July 9
To listen to the audio version, click here.
Nehemiah 3:23
Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.
I love this verse because of the pronoun used before “house.” Think about it for a moment. Thousands of laborers and yet Benjamin, Hasshub, and Azariah got to re-build in front of and beside their own homes. Let me ask you a question, “How faithful, excellent, or diligent would you be doing this work if it was right next to your home?
Granted I believe God has given me a heart for service…but I will always work harder at our home than I would yours. I’m just calling the spade the spade. Pun intended!
However, my encouragement with regards to this truth from Scripture is that it DOES start at HOME! Truthfully, your faith is refined more at home than it is in God’s house, eh? According to research the two most primary spiritual influencers in a person’s spiritual life are:
First – Mothers
Second – Fathers
Pastor takes third but grandparents are right there at number four! So consider the research and connect the dots. Your impact in the Kingdom occurs at home! Each one of us is called to spiritually invest in our homes…in our family. And it doesn’t matter how big or small our family is or how old you are in it! Please, this day accept the responsibility to lead courageously in your home. Serve in and outside of your home. Equip your home to know and love Jesus and shine your light as a beacon in your neighborhood.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Faith at Home Questions to Consider:
Reflecting back on Sunday’s message, what two families are your “targeting” to be praying for, caring, and sharing?
What is a something you can do as a family this week to serve in the Kingdom? If you are wrestling with finding a place don’t hesitate to reach out to Cheryl Pacilio (cpacilio@fbcg.com) our director of local serving to discover an opportunity to invest either inside the church our outside in our local communities.
BRUCE MCEVOY
Pastor of Family and Serving
Nehemiah 3:23
Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.
I love this verse because of the pronoun used before “house.” Think about it for a moment. Thousands of laborers and yet Benjamin, Hasshub, and Azariah got to re-build in front of and beside their own homes. Let me ask you a question, “How faithful, excellent, or diligent would you be doing this work if it was right next to your home?
Granted I believe God has given me a heart for service…but I will always work harder at our home than I would yours. I’m just calling the spade the spade. Pun intended!
However, my encouragement with regards to this truth from Scripture is that it DOES start at HOME! Truthfully, your faith is refined more at home than it is in God’s house, eh? According to research the two most primary spiritual influencers in a person’s spiritual life are:
First – Mothers
Second – Fathers
Pastor takes third but grandparents are right there at number four! So consider the research and connect the dots. Your impact in the Kingdom occurs at home! Each one of us is called to spiritually invest in our homes…in our family. And it doesn’t matter how big or small our family is or how old you are in it! Please, this day accept the responsibility to lead courageously in your home. Serve in and outside of your home. Equip your home to know and love Jesus and shine your light as a beacon in your neighborhood.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Faith at Home Questions to Consider:
Reflecting back on Sunday’s message, what two families are your “targeting” to be praying for, caring, and sharing?
What is a something you can do as a family this week to serve in the Kingdom? If you are wrestling with finding a place don’t hesitate to reach out to Cheryl Pacilio (cpacilio@fbcg.com) our director of local serving to discover an opportunity to invest either inside the church our outside in our local communities.
BRUCE MCEVOY
Pastor of Family and Serving
Tuesday, July 8
To listen to the audio version, click here.
Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed
evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness,
wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
All these evil things come from the heart, and defile us. All sins, which live in the heart, must die. The Holy Spirit renews our mind, and affects our desire to reject sin. We are not going to be perfect, but told to die to our flesh and grow in righteousness.
Paul writes…
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
God washes the heart of believer through faith in the Holy Spirit. When we understand that we are not perfect, and are not becoming perfect in this time, but are growing toward it, that can't be an excuse for us to sin. But the fact is…we need to grow and that there is the need to grow in righteousness. So we as Jesus' disciples, can't ever accept or support sin, but reject it and grow in the grace of God.
BRUCE MCEVOY
Pastor of Family and Serving
Let’s jump back to chapter three and
let me ask you a question: Which
location would you be least excited to serve?
Where would you feel that you drew the short straw? You’ll have to read the whole chapter over
again. Please don’t skim…remember these
people are jacked up that their families have been remembered!
Who remembers the game show Family
Feud? When I survey myself 100 times with
regards to the question – least excited to serve, I come up with verse 14 and
the location – THE DUNG GATE!
Nehemiah
3:14
The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son
of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its
doors with their bolts and bars in place.
As many of you know I spent a handful of
years in Junior High ministry but seriously Malkijah got the worst assignment
of anyone re-building! He got placed on
the wall were poo was hauled out of
the city. This was the gate where refuse
was taken from the Jewish Temple and city into the Valley of Hinnom where it was
burned.
Each of the gates surrounding the city also
has some spiritual symbolism. The Dung
Gate describes, how the flesh
will die. Through the Dung Gate, trash was taken out of Jerusalem, to the
Valley of Hinnom, in which trash was burnt. In the same way as trash couldn't
stink and smell bad in Jerusalem, but were burnt in the Valley of Hinnom, so
sins must die from the heart of believer.
The Dung Gate’s spiritual meaning is that sin, which smells bad and destroys our heart and mind, must be put away by dying of the flesh. We must face our issues concretely, by putting them away from our heart. Those issues include:
The Dung Gate’s spiritual meaning is that sin, which smells bad and destroys our heart and mind, must be put away by dying of the flesh. We must face our issues concretely, by putting them away from our heart. Those issues include:
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemies:
All these evil things come from the heart, and defile us. All sins, which live in the heart, must die. The Holy Spirit renews our mind, and affects our desire to reject sin. We are not going to be perfect, but told to die to our flesh and grow in righteousness.
Paul writes…
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
God washes the heart of believer through faith in the Holy Spirit. When we understand that we are not perfect, and are not becoming perfect in this time, but are growing toward it, that can't be an excuse for us to sin. But the fact is…we need to grow and that there is the need to grow in righteousness. So we as Jesus' disciples, can't ever accept or support sin, but reject it and grow in the grace of God.
Faith at Home:
Yesterday the challenge was to be obedient to God’s BIG and
step into it. Today…lets press pause and
look inwardly regarding what might be affecting our ability to hear God’s
BIG. Is there unconfessed sin that is
thwarting your relationship with God or others?
Stop right now and ask God to first CONVICT you of your sin
and then CONFESS your sin to Him! And
for those who want to really button this all up…bring another into the loop and
confess you sin to a brother or sister in the Lord and receive support and
encouragement to leave it in your past!
Remember the truths of I John 1:9
If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
BRUCE MCEVOY
Pastor of Family and Serving
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