Tag: God

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

The Power of God’s Word

Posted on by

based on Love God Greatly, From Broken to Restored / w3d3

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:10-14; Psalm 119:9-16 / SOAP Psalm 119:10-11

With all my heart I seek you.
Do not allow me to stray from your commands.
In my heart I store up your words,
so I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:10-11

In the continuing story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall, the enemy is proving to be relentless – using a variety of tactics. This required Nehemiah and those working on the wall to be continually on guard, and not just physically but mentally. Because of this guardedness – Nehemiah was able to “recognize” the attempted trick to get him away from the wall in our passage today. Verse twelve says that he recognized that the man he was talking to and the invitation/suggestion the man made was not from God. Nehemiah knew the man was trying to scare him and have him sin by entering the temple – because Nehemiah knew God’s law and teaching. He understood that there were rules about who could enter and how that was to happen.

In our SOAP verse today we see how this knowledge and guardedness plays out in the lives of believers still today. Note how the Psalmist both poses and answers a crucial question for those who belong to God and want to “maintain a pure life” as we have been called to do. The question: “How can a young person maintain a pure life?” The answer: “By guarding it according to God’s instructions, or commands as many translations say. The Psalmist then seems to clarify that these instructions/commands come from God’s Word, and that he hides these words in his heart in order that he might not sin against God. Don’t miss verse fifteen though, for here he gives the rest of the formula for being able to recognize whether something or someone is from God or not. He doesn’t just guard his heart, he doesn’t just remember God’s commands – he meditates on God’s Word and he focuses on God’s behavior. In other words the Psalmist was intentional – and we must be too.

He hides God’s words in his heart in order that he might not sin against God.

Psalm 119:11

We may not be able to commit to memory every word in the Bible but we can read it and listen to it taught – again and again and again … until we know His voice from the world’s (Jn. 10:27) and recognize godly behavior or requests from the ungodly ones. Keep in mind this is a lifelong growth of faith and pursuit of holiness but as these begin to happen life changes, decisions are different, love and grace and mercy are richer and fuller – both when received and given away. God’

Reflection on Today’s Journey

When you receive counsel or instruction, how can you make sure it aligns with God’s Word?

Going Further

Remember you can find more insight at LoveGodGreatly.com

How to memorize the Word of God https://www.savortheword.org/

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

Knowing When to Say No

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w3d2

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-9 / SOAP verse 10

The enemies were paying attention, and they were not happy with the news that the wall had been rebuilt. The wall made them feel threatened, so they asked to meet with Nehemiah. However, he was alert and on to their plan to stop the completion of the wall. For that reason, coupled with the fact that he believed they intended to do him harm,1 he replied with a resounding ‘no’ to their invitation, saying: “I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you.?” After answering this way four more times, Nehemiah received another message from Sanballat, obviously desperate and persistent, with an accusation that he and the Jews were plotting to make Nehemiah the King. Of course, it was a scare tactic attempting to stop the construction, but Nehemiah assured his accuser that the allegations were completely false.

1Nehemiah 6:2

Love God Greatly Devotion excerpt / w3d2

Reflections on Today’s Journey

It is easy for us to think that we aren’t doing anything worthwhile to anyone else, but today’s LGG devotion writer wrote: if you are working to advance God’s kingdom, to honor and glorify Him, or to serve and equip God’s people, you too have been given important work. She goes on to write, “Like Nehemiah, we must remain steadfast in the face of difficulty. No matter if attacks come, no matter how threatening they seem, we must stay faithful and committed, not distracted or deterred by what (or who) may be trying to stop us.

Borrowed in part from LGG Devotion

What kind of focus and determination was required of Nehemiah to respond this way to his enemies (see Nehemiah 6:3)? How can you have the same focus in your work for the kingdom?

Going Further

Consider this encouragement from today’s LGG Devotion Journal

God has given us all an important work: to make disciples of all nations. Whatever role He has given you in that task, stay engaged, stay faithful, and stay focused. Do not let the enemy distract you. You are engaged in important work, work worth your time, effort, and resources. Let’s keep doing this important work until it is finished.

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

Faithful

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly study, From Broken to Restored / w3d1

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:14-19; Luke 16:10-13 / SOAP Luke 16:10

“The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches? 12 And if you haven’t been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

From a cupbearer1, who would have been in charge of “little,” to the governor, who would have been in charge of “much,” Nehemiah was faithful. He was trustworthy with the people’s needs and with what God had given him as governor. Nehemiah chose to honor God with a life of faithfulness and God blessed him for it.

God may not make us governors, but He has assigned to each of us places of service. May we be faithful with what He has given us, even if it seems small. It can be hard sometimes, especially when our ambitious nature craves the more important roles of position, honor, and influence. May we remember the words of our gracious Lord Jesus who says that God sees and is pleased even with the small acts of faithfulness that no one else might notice. May we serve exactly where God has placed us, with the people He has put around us. Whether He plans to keep us here or to use us in ways beyond what we can currently imagine, let’s stay faithful no matter what.

LGG Devotional excerpt / w3d1

1a person who serves wine, especially in a royal or noble household

Reflections on Today’s Journey

Nehemiah was faithful in small things, so God continued to give him more responsibility over His people. How important is the task you have been charged with? How can you be faithful, no matter how insignificant it may feel to you right now? [feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section]

Going Further

For more insight, check out today’s Love God Greatly Blog Post

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

Staying Focused

Posted on by

Welcome to week three! This week we will journey from the middle of Nehemiah, chapter 5, through the end of chapter seven – with some detours through portions of the Psalms, Job, and a couple of passages in the New Testament. God will be with us every step of the journey! -May He open our minds to understand the Scriptures, our eyes to see, and our ears to hear Him along the way. – Me [click the image for a better view]

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

Righteous Anger

Posted on by

Based on the LGG Study, From Broken to Restored / w2d5

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:6-13 / SOAP: Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do what is right.
Promote justice*.
Give the oppressed reason to celebrate.
Take up the cause of the orphan.
Defend the rights of the widow.

Isaiah 1:17

Isaiah’s words are a perfect example of Nehemiah’s actions on behalf of the ‘oppressed’ people. So let’s take a look at Nehemiah 5:6-13 before jumping into the SOAP passage.

 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. 7 I considered these things carefully and then registered a complaint with the wealthy and the officials. I said to them, “Each one of you is seizing the collateral from your own countrymen!” Because of them I called for a great public assembly. 8 I said to them, “To the extent possible we have bought back our fellow Jews who had been sold to the Gentiles. But now you yourselves want to sell your own countrymen, so that we can then buy them back!” They were utterly silent, and could find nothing to say.

9 Then I said, “The thing that you are doing is wrong! Should you not conduct yourselves in the fear of our God in order to avoid the reproach of the Gentiles who are our enemies? 10 Even I and my relatives and my associates are lending them money and grain. But let us abandon this practice of seizing collateral! 11 This very day return to them their fields, their vineyards, their olive trees, and their houses, along with the interest that you are exacting from them on the money, the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil.”

12 They replied, “We will return these things, and we will no longer demand anything from them. We will do just as you say.” Then I called the priests and made the wealthy and the officials swear to do what had been promised. 13 I also shook out my garment, and I said, “In this way may God shake out from his house and his property every person who does not carry out this matter. In this way may he be shaken out and emptied!” All the assembly replied, “So be it!” and they praised the Lord. Then the people did as they had promised.

Nehemiah 5:6-13
  • *the underlined portions above are to emphasize the “slow” and calculated steps of how Nehemiah handled his anger well – and undoubtedly pleasing to God –

Nehemiah’s anger was a righteous anger, meaning he was angry at a situation and actions that were not pleasing to God. You see, rather than shutting down the complaints of the people, Nehemiah listened to their “outcry”. Then he followed through by addressing those responsible for the hardship that had been brought about the people’s protest.

Nehemiah wasn’t just angry,
he was angry at a situation and actions
that were not pleasing to God

Make no mistake, when we align our will with God’s, when we address situations and actions that are not pleasing to God, the result is good and God-honoring things Pay attention to how Nehemiah dealt with his “righteous anger” and then the result:

  • He pointed out the wrong they were doing – vs 7-8
  • He used God’s standard and not his own opinion as the guide – vs 9
  • He suggested a better/right way – vs 10-11
  • The Result: ‘wrong doers’ complied, turning from their wrong behavior to the godly way – vs 12

Admittedly, we do not have the same power and authority as Nehemiah did which means we may not experience the same result when we stand up for justice. However, we can do what is right, we can promote justice, and we can give the oppressed reason to celebrate – and we can trust God to use our behavior to make a difference in the lives of others – for His glory. (italicized portions borrowed from LGG Devotional, From Broken to Restored / w2d5)

Nehemiah instructed the people to do right, he promoted justice, and he gave the oppressed reason to celebrate by taking up the cause of those who had no rights or those who could not defend themselves. Now, read Isaiah’s words again and note the striking correlation to Nehemiah’s instructions.

Learn to do what is right.
Promote justice.*
Give the oppressed reason to celebrate.
Take up the cause of the orphan.
Defend the rights of the widow.

Isaiah 1:17

*To promote or stand up for justice means to encourage or stand up for what is morally right or acceptable according to God’s Word.

Examining Ourselves

How do you respond when you see injustice? How do Nehemiah’s actions encourage you to speak out against injustice?

Note: to speak out against injustice would be to speak out against others being treated unfairly – based on what is morally right or acceptable according to God’s Word.

Going Further
  • For more insight read today’s LGG Blog
  • I love when I see God’s Word corresponding or reminding me of other portions of His Word – so check out James 1:27 for a New Testament cross reference of today’s passage from Isaiah.
    • Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27
Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Be Gracious

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w2d4

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-5; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Proverbs 3:27/ SOAP: Proverbs19:17

The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord,

and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.

Proverbs 19:17

So what does it mean to be gracious to the poor? According to some translations it is to “have pity on. The word pity is defined as compassion or expressing love. I remember reading one time that when we live like this, giving to the poor, it is like lending our money to the Lord. When we do this we can rest assured that He will repay us.

Going Further

The real meat of today is found in our continuing story from Nehemiah. In today’s portion we do not read anything about the building of the wall. I found this quite odd since our last encounter spoke of how they were continuing to work even under threat of the enemy. So why did it stop? We do not know for sure but it would appear that God’s people were fighting with each other.

They weren’t only fighting with each other, but they were having money problems. Sometimes these problems are our own doing and other times they happen because of unforeseen or uncontrollable circumstances. What we do and/or how we respond is crucial to the outcome. A famine, borrowed money, taxes, and indebtedness can turn our hearts to worry, anger, concern, grumbling, or and away from God’s work.

“The work stopped because because of strife among God’s people. The enemy could not stop the work of God by direct attack, but the work stopped when God’s people weren’t unified and working together. The group fought against one another. When God’s people fight one another they certainly are neither fighting the real enemy nor getting God’s work done.”

enduringword.com/Nehemiah5
Prayerful Response to God’s Word

Father, guard us from falling prey to the enemy – whether from within or without – don’t let our response stop the work You have called us to. Help us to be gracious, loving, and kind in all circumstances – Amen

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

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.