Tag: faith

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time
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ased on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w2d3

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:15-23 / SOAP: 1 Peter 5:8-11

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. 10 And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.11 To him belongs the power forever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:8-11

I love the books of 1 and 2 Peter and I love the connection pointed out today between them and Nehemiah.

Distractions and interruptions can cause us to stop things we’ve started leaving us feeling defeated and important projects/jobs unfinished. This could have been the case in Nehemiah’s situation but it wasn’t. Why? Because, despite the opposition and the way it made them feel they continued the work – while remaining alert and prepared for whatever came against them. Peter points out that our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. However, he also shares one of my favorite strategies against the enemy:

  • Be sober and alert!
  • Be prepared –
  • Resist him! – Much like the people in Nehemiah’s day – who came together when the threat of their enemy was prevalent. They did not cower, nor stop the rebuilding project – instead they became more and more alert and they stayed prepared for an attack – at all times.

So, let’s let the example of the “builders” encourage us in unity of purpose and conviction. Let’s resist the enemy and stand strong in our faith.

May God open our eyes and keep us alert to the enemy and may we be prepared to resist Him – after which, the “God of all grace”

Going Further

Be sure and check out today’s LGG blog post

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Don’t Let the Enemy Deter You

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w2d2

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6-14 / SOAP: Nehemiah 4:14

God’s people were having success in the rebuilding project and their enemies were angry and sought to come against them. The enemy’s plans and words caused fear and panic and stole their enthusiasm. Still, Nehemiah was not stopped – instead He continued to lead and encourage the people.

 When I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lord, and fight on behalf of your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your families!”

Nehemiah 4:14

To understand and appreciate today’s verse and larger passage, we must remind ourselves of what’s been happening and who/what God’s people are dealing with in the rebuilding of the wall. One of my favorite Bible commentaries summarizes it like this –

Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem were three enemies of the Jews who made several attempts to stop Nehemiah from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Sanballat and Tobiah are first mentioned in Nehemiah 2:10 as upset about Nehemiah’s work: “When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.” In verse 19, they, along with Geshem the Arab, mock Nehemiah, saying, “What is this you are doing? . . . Are you rebelling against the king?” When the construction was taking place, their anger grew: “When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews” (Nehemiah 4:1; cf. verse 7).

gotquestions.org
When the Enemy is Angry

The enemy pursued their quest of stopping the rebuilding of the all, and what did Nehemiah do? He prayed. Remember our earlier reading from Nehemiah 4, where we read of Sanballat’s anger in hearing that they were rebuilding the wall – Nehemiah didn’t let that deter him instead the threat of the battle pushed him to pray

The Prayer

“Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Return their reproach on their own head. Reduce them to plunder in a land of exile! 5 Do not cover their iniquity, and do not wipe out their sin from your sight, for they have bitterly offended the builders.” (4:4-5)

The Result

6 So we rebuilt the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height. The people were enthusiastic in their work.

And Then …

Enthusiastic work in rebuilding the wall led to more anger and again this led to more praying and actually standing ready to defend their position – but not without encouragement from Nehemiah:

Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lord, and fight on behalf of your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your families!”

Nehemiah 4:14
Going Further / Making it personal

“Whatever we face, whatever battle we find ourselves in, we can take Nehemiah’s exhortation to heart: Don’t be afraid. Remember the great and awesome Lord, and fight on behalf of your families. We do not need to fear, because the great and awesome God we serve is always, always fighting on our behalf. We can fight the enemy, the powers of darkness, and the rulers of the world because of His power. May we be warriors who pray, both trusting God to fight on our behalf and willing to stand up and fight when He calls us to do so.

LGG Devotional Journal / From Broken to Restored / w2d2

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Seek God

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w2d1

“These next few chapters of Nehemiah (chapters 4-6) recount the opposition the Jews faced as they began rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The author of Nehemiah intentionally included these details, reminding his readers that opposition to God’s work is not a reason to stop.” borrowed from the LGG devotional journal, from Broken to Restored, w2d1

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-5; Genesis 13:1-18 and 19:36-38; Numbers 22:3-6; Deuteronomy 2:19, 23:3-4 / SOAP: Psalm 54:3-5

For foreigners attack me;
ruthless men, who do not respect God, seek my life. (Selah)
4 Look, God is my deliverer.
The Lord is among those who support me.
5 May those who wait to ambush me be repaid for their evil.
As a demonstration of your faithfulness, destroy them.

Psalm 54:3-5

The details of today’s passages are helpful because they let us know who was opposing the Jews in the rebuilding of the walls. You might find it interesting to know they weren’t only enemies of God but they were also from the family of God’s people – sons of Lot, one (Moab, the Moabite) through his oldest daughter and one (Ben Ammi, the Ammonite) through his youngest. (Genesis 13:1-18, 19:36-38; Numbers 22:3-6; Deuteronomy 2:19, 23:3-4).

The rebuilding of the wall meant opposition early on, as is seen in most of our passages today. Nehemiah 4:1-5 tells about one of those situations and gives us insight on handling the opposition. Nehemiah leads/teaches by example – he PRAYS. He actually prays a very bold prayer. This is also true of the Psalmists’ words in 54:3-5, who is dealing with terrorists (foreign attackers), ruthless me, who did not respect God. The Psalmist reminds the people to remember that God is His deliverer and is among His supporters. Then, he too, prays a bold prayer of faith against his attackers.

It seems we would be wise to remember God in these ways as well, One that delivers and supports His people. When we are distressed by the evil of this world or the personal attacks/battles of life — the first thing we should do is – SEEK GOD! He is our faithful deliverer.

The LGG Team wrote it like this:

Like Nehemiah, when we face opposition, we need to remember God’s faithfulness. he will help us accomplish the work He has given us, and He will guard and defend His people until His will is done. It doesn’t matter who opposes us. God may not immediately remove the opposition we face, but He is always faithful to give us endurance as we continue in His good work.

Psalm 54:3-5
Going Further

For more insight check out today’s LGG Blog

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word

Project: Rebuild and Restore

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based on the LGG Study, From Broken to Restored /w1d4

They will rebuild the perpetual ruins
and restore the places that were desolate;
they will reestablish the ruined cities,
the places that have been desolate since ancient times.

Isaiah 61:4

Don’t you just love reading/seeing the prophecies of the Scriptures fulfilled. Each one an encouragement that God’s promises are sure and certain and each one an assurance that Jesus is truly coming again!

Today’s Love God Greatly Devotional points out that more than three-hundred years passed between the promise God spoke through Isaiah and Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Actually, “when God made this promise, Jerusalem had not yet been destroyed.” However, they had been “warned” about the consequences of their disobedience. Yet, as the writer of the LGG devotion states, “God also promised that He would restore them, rebuilding what had been ruined and devastated.”

This is exactly what happens in Nehemiah 3. Gate after gate and section after section is rebuilt. Perhaps the most beautiful thing about the rebuilding for me, is that God allowed the people to participate in the rebuilding process. Seriously, go back and read the entire report. It’s worth reading every verse to see the personal involvement of God’s people – whether family units or priests, temple servants, goldsmiths, or inexperienced people – they came – one after another after another – and worked together to rebuild the walls.

Then I said to them, “You see the problem that we have—Jerusalem is desolate and its gates are burned. Come on! Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that this reproach will not continue.” 18 Then I related to them how the good hand of my God was on me and what the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let’s begin rebuilding right away!” So they readied themselves for this good project.

Nehemiah 2:17-18

If you look back to chapter two, specifically verse seventeen and eighteen, you will hear Nehemiah’s plea coupled with what I would call a cheer. After pointing out the problem they were facing was the desolation of Jerusalem he pleads for them to “come on.” He urges them, “let’s rebuild the wall;” and he cheers them on by assuring them that God’s hand was on Him. Read carefully and you will see that in large part their participation was due to the encouraging and passionate invitation of Nehemiah.

Going Further

Today’s going further is borrowed from the From Broken to Restored journal, w1d4. Read, reread, and then dwell on it for a bit. Let it soak in that no matter the season you are in – God is not only working in and on you but He invites you to join Him in the rebuilding process.

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Let’s Rebuild

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based on the Love God Greatly study, From Broken to Restored / w1d4

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:9-20 / SOAP verse 18

Then I related to them how the good hand of my God was on me and what the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let’s begin rebuilding right away!” So they readied themselves for this good project.

Nehemiah 2:18

Remember in our last reading the King of Persia gave Nehemiah the go ahead on traveling to Jerusalem to rebuild the city.

So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”

Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”

With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

6 The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.

Nehemiah 2:2-6

In today’s passage (2:9-20) Nehemiah has arrived and inspected the walls, after which he made it known to the officials, the Jews, the priests, the nobles, and the workers what he had been doing. He urged them to join him in rebuilding the walls so that Jerusalem would no longer bear such disgrace and criticism. Nehemiah told them how God’s hand was on him and about the King’s approval for his mission. His encouragement to rebuild was meant with great and eager enthusiasm of the people. However, the enemies of the Jews were not quite as receptive. The beauty and example for us is that Nehemiah paid no attention to them but sought and followed God faithfully.

Nehemiah sought God and followed through with purpose and a plan to do it right – rather than bowing to the demands of man.

Consider This Application

We have all been given a calling. The work of the gospel is before us. As followers of Christ, we are to take the gospel to the world and make disciples of all nations. We are working with God to rebuild the brokenness that is in the world because of sin. When we bring the gospel into dark places, when we share the truth of who Jesus is with others, we are engaging in this good project. The planning and preparation have already been done, and, like Nehemiah rallied the people, Jesus calls us to join Him in this important work. may we be faithful to ready ourselves and engage in this good work!

Love God Greatly Devotion / From Broken to Restored / w1d4
Prayerful Response to God’s Word

Father, again I pray that You will help strengthen us to be fully engaged in mind, heart, and action. May we be dedicated to the calling to “take the gospel”, to be Your instruments of peace and light in the dark places of this world, to share the truth of who Jesus is with others, and work with You to “rebuild the brokenness that is in the world because of sin.” Jesus has called us to join Him, may we “faithfully prepare to engage in this good work!” – Amen and Amen!!

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

The Best You Can

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w1d3

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8; SOAP / Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, 24 because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

While our SOAP verse comes from Colossians I couldn’t help but get caught up with pieces of the passage from Nehemiah. Namely, that Nehemiah sought God before seeking the King’s favor toward him; and that Nehemiah had a plan and a purpose – and God was with him.

Do then the best you can, not for reward – not for the praise of man – but for the LORD.

The instructions we find in verses twenty-three and twenty-four of Colossians chapter three are very similar to the instructions we find in Nehemiah. Paul teaches the people that when we are truly serving the Lord Jesus we will work enthusiastically for the LORD and not for the glory or pleasure of the people. We will look forward to our ‘inheritance’ as a sure and certain reward. Surely no reward or praise that man may give can be better than the inheritance of eternal life with our God.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

Going Further
Pause to Worship
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

Waiting is Difficult

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Based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Ezra 1:1-4, 7:1-10; 2 Peter 3:8-13 / SOAP: 2 Peter 3:9-10

 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes, the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare.

2 Peter 3:9-10

Part of the back story of our study is that God allowed Jerusalem to be taken captive by Babylon because of their idolatry and disobedience. During this time many people were killed, the temple was destroyed, and Jerusalem was laid to waist. It’s easy to consider this ancient history of God’s people not relevant to us today but it is – not just concerning the history of God’s people but concerning the promises and faithfulness of our God. Commentators for gotquestions.org describe it as something that Christians should be familiar with, saying:

The seventy-year period of the Babylonian captivity is an important part of Israel’s history, and Christians should be familiar with it. Like many other Old Testament events, this historical account demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His people, His judgment of sin, and the surety of His promises.

gotquestions.org

In their devotional on today’s passages the LGG team wrote the following:

The Babylonians captured Jerusalem and took the people into exile by transporting them to Babylon, where they remained for seventy years. -Nehemiah was living in Persia, not having returned to Jerusalem like many others. However, God used Nehemiah and his connections to the king of Persia to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and to turn the hearts of the people of Judah back to Him.

From Broken to Restored / week1day1

Are you waiting on something? Whether it is God’s promised return or a job, marriage, a house, a child or perhaps God’s healing hand on you or someone you know – waiting is difficult. Seventy years must have seemed like forever for the Israelites, and whatever your wait is may seem like forever – but we must remember, God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him, those who have been called according to His purpose Whether it is the redemption of His people or the strengthening of their faith – God is not waisting the time.

Father God, thank You that You do not waste time – instead You use it for good … Your good, Your glory, the good of Your people, and to accomplish Your good and holy purpose. Thank You for the hope that is ours while we wait on You God, for we see and know the truth of Your promises and the depth of Your faithfulness! In Him we pray

Going Further

What was the Babylonian captivity/exile?

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Wholehearted Engagement

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based on the LGG Study, From Broken to Restored, w1d1

Today’s Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11 / SOAP: Psalm 37:3-5

Trust in the Lord and do what is right.
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity.
4 Then you will take delight in the Lord,
and he will answer your prayers.
5 Commit your future to the Lord.
Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.

Psalm 37:3-5

I love the profound yet simplistic passages like this. David, the Psalmist, uses the if this, then that process, which is very much how my brain works. He gives us four directives:

  1. Trust
  2.  Obey
  3.  Live, or as it means here – Abide ( which is defined by bibleref.com as – more than merely existing or surviving . It is wholehearted engagement! ) This wholehearted engagement most likely looks like what Moses taught in Deuteronomy 6:5 and what Jesus Himself said summed up all of the commandments in Luke 10:27, namely – “You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.”
  4.  The fourth and final directive is, “Commit your future to the LORD.”

These directives are summed-up in verse 5, repeating where he started in verse 3 – “Trust in the LORD.” It is worth noting that unless you trust the LORD, the second, third, and fourth directives are unlikely to be done. When we trust – all the rest will follow, and we will find ourselves delighting in the LORD and seeing Him working in our lives.

The Psalmist says when we choose to live like this, not only will we take delight in the LORD, but that the LORD will answer our prayers and act on our behalf. What great motivation to trust and obey, to wholeheartedly engage as a faithful follower of Christ, and to commit our future to the LORD.

Prayer / Response to God’s Word

Father, You are worthy of our trust and obedience . We want to more than merely exist or survive – we desire to be wholeheartedly engaged with You and in Your work. Help us to faithfully abide in Your Son and find our delight in You.

Going Further

Be sure and check out today’s Love God Greatly Blog Post

Let’s Worship
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Impossible Made Possible

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Today’s Verse: Luke 1:37

 For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37

The context of this particular verse is the angel’s declaration to Mary that she would have a child. When she questioned how this could be, given that she was a virgin, Gabriel gave her this assurance – “nothing will be impossible with God.” These words were a comfort to Mary and likewise a glorious truth for believers to have in their arsenal1 for the battles and trials of this life.

When we are called to do the impossible or face the seemingly impossible situations in life, like Mary, we can say –  I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word. From the virgin birth of Christ and His victory over the grave – to the doubts and fears and temptations we face daily – nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible with God. We may be weak but He is strong enough for anything we face and will enable us to overcome the impossible! Absolutely NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE with our God!

1 Arsenal: an array of resources available for a certain purpose.

Check out the inspiration for today’s post @ “Our Daily Verse”

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Live Out Loud

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Today’s Verse: James 2:17

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

I was saved at a young age and I have witnessed God strengthening my faith through the years. Actually, He continues to strengthen it day by day, trial by trial, miracle by miracle, and unending mercy, love, and grace. I can look back now and see how God pursued me when I wasn’t pursuing Him. In His goodness He convicted me when my life’s actions did not align with my profession of faith.

Today’s verse is a reminder to stay in God’s Word and live like Jesus every day – so that our faith will continually be strengthened and always accompanied by actions that speak louder than words.

What does active faith look like?

It looks like Jesus – which includes things like …

  • loving others like He loved us
  • forgiving others who wrong us
  • showing kindness to friends, neighbors, strangers, and even enemies
  • helping a ‘neighbor’ in need
  • loving even your enemy
  • loving God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength
  • sharing with others in need
  • Sharing the Gospel message
  • and so much more, not the least of which is
    • laying down your life for your friend and
    • dying to self – daily

Wake the neighbors, get the word out
So come on crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout
This is life we’ve been given, made to be lived out loud

Steven Curtis Chapman – Live Out Loud

May we let the evidence of God and His goodness flow from our lives and words everyday – all day!

Check out today's inspiration for this post @ 'Our Daily Verse'