Looking Around and Ahead

O. T. #1070  "Looking Around and Ahead"
Sept. 29, 2017
Nehemiah 9-Part 3


LET IT GLOW

What do you see if you look around at your circumstances? If I  take a few minutes to look around at my situation, I would see two sick guys at my house, my husband and cat. Yesterday was a rough third day after hubby's knee replacement. Hopefully, it will get better from now on. As for my cat, I didn't realize he was sick until yesterday. But he ate some tuna and is looking better. Spending 2 hours on the road and my days at the hospital took my attention away from the cat. Hopefully, he is on the mend, too. I prayed for both. I know God can heal both. He has done it before. The Israelites were praying the same way.


We are taking a closer look at the structure and purposes of this faith-inspiring prayer in chapter 9, which has four dimensions, according to Charles Swindoll:

1. The first dimension of prayer is looking up (adoration and praise). verses 5-6
2. The second dimension of prayer is looking back (reflection and thanksgiving). verses 7-18
3. The third dimension of prayer is looking around (petition and confession). verses 19-31

The Israelites' prayer moved from the past to the present. They focused on confession, freely admitting tat they were facing hardships because of their sins. They pleaded with the Lord to enter into the pin they felt as they lived in their own land under the yoke of another nation.
The all-knowing knew the suffering and pain of His children long before they recognized it themselves. He understood their needs. They still brought their petition to Him, sharing their struggles and pleading with Him to intercede. The very act of placing their burdens at His feet signified their faith in His goodness and their submission to His sovereign will. (Swindoll)

Peter tells us our solution in 1 Peter 5:7:
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 

Are we making the choice of casting our care upon Jesus? It means consciously handing over our anxiety to Christ and allowing Him to carry the weight of our problem.
Is it hard to turn them over?
Is our self-reliance and worry holding us back?
Are we trying to deal with something our self?
Do we consider there to be God-sized problems and our-sized problems?
Will you let Him carry your load today?


LET IT GROW

         4. The fourth dimension of prayer is looking ahead in commitment and direction.

As the Israelites looked toward their future, they remembered the terrible consequences of disobedience  their forefathers suffered. Their future would be the same if they did not change.
They were in a predicament-slaves in their own land. The Israelites had to give a portion of their resources to a foreign king.

The Jews made a binding agreement in writing on a sealed document containing the names of their leaders, Levites, and priests. Those are listed in chapter 10.

Are we applying the four dimensions of prayer-praise, thanksgiving, petition, and commitment as we commune with our God?

LET IT GO

Praise God for ho He is.
Thank God for what He has done.
Ask His help.
Obey His will.

Where Are You Looking?

O. T. #1069  "Where Are You Looking?"
Sept. 27, 2017
Nehemiah 9-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Where are we looking-at the circumstances that surround us, discouraging us? Or are we looking up, adoring and praising our God in stead of that? Can we look back in our past and thank God for His faithfulness? Are we in need of His grace and compassion? He is ready to give it. He never runs out of them. He is ready to provide and give us peace. Israel experience that and I need to.

We looked at the outline of how the Jews prayed and worshiped God in chapter 9.

Charles Swindoll, in his study guide, Hand Me Another Brick Timeless Lessons on Leadership, takes a closer look at the structure and purposes of this faith-inspiring prayer, considering each of its four dimensions:

1. Looking up in adoration and praise to God. (verses 5-6)

• They praised the name of God.
• They praised Him for is exalted position, set on high above the mountains.
• They comprehended the grandeur of His peerless sovereignty.
• They praised God for His matchless creation, which daily heralds His omnipotence, faithfulness, mercy, and  love.

The Scriptures give the many names of God, which reveals something different about His character.

In Genesis 22:14, He is called Jehovah-Jireh, which means The LORD will provide.
We read of God providing a ram to be  offered by Abraham in the place of Isaac, his son.
Can we be thankful for all He things God has provided for us?

In Judges 6:24, He is Jehovah-Shalom, which means The LORD is Peace.
Gideon was called by God to defeat the mighty army of the Midianites. He did it with only 300 men
God gave him peace and reassurance of victory.
Can we use some peace in our situation?

LET IT GROW

2. Looking back in reflection and thanksgiving. (verses 7-18)

• Israel's past is reviewed, documenting the hand of God in each event.
• God made promises to Abraham and was faithful to him.
• God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt through signs and wonders.
• Laws were given through Moses, and God provided for His children as the wondered 40 years in the wilderness.

Israel a its ups and downs, went around in spiritual circles, forsaking God, repenting of their sins, and following Him.
In 9:31, we read Nevertheless, in Your great compassion You did not make an end of them or forsake them; for You are a gracious and compassionate God.

God would have been just and in the right to have wiped out Israel and started with another group of people as is own, but He didn't. He showed compassion and grace as He forgave them over and over again. Aren't we glad He does that for us?


LET IT GO

Jesus, You are all I need. Nothing is impossible with You.
Thank You for providing for me, all that I have and all that I need.
I need Your peace, grace, and compassion.

Praising

O. T. #1068  "Praising"
Sept. 26, 2017
Nehemiah 9


LET IT GLOW

Thank you for your prayers. My husband made it through knee surgery and now for the painful rehab.

Two days after the festival in chapter 8, the Israelites assembled together, fasting, dressed in sackclothes, and ashes upon them, a sign of mourning, ad separated themselves from all unbelievers. In their worship service, the Jews read God's Word for 3 hours, then spent 3 hours confessing their sins. The Levites led their worship, praise, and prayer The were divided into 2 groups, calling  the name of the LORD.

The Israelites sought God through praise and thanksgiving. They praised God for:

1. His supremacy-He is eternal, Creator, and His name is to be exulted above all, or He alone is God. (verse 5)
2. His creation-He made the universe, heaven and earth, and all therein. (verse 7)
3. for choosing Abraham and calling him for such a great purpose; he had a faithful heart, receiving the covenant of the Promised Land and for his descendants. God kept His promises. (verse 8)
4. for delivering His people from Egypt's slavery by diving the Red Sea and drowning the Egyptians. God made a lasting name for Himself.(verses 9-10)  Also, for guiding His people through the wilderness. (verses 11-12)
5. giving the Law and the Sabbath through Moses. (verses 13-14)
6. His provision of food and water. (verse 15)
7. forgiving the sins of a proud, stiff-necked, and disobedient people. (verses 16-18)
8. sustaining His people as they walked toward the Promised Land. (verses 19-23)
9. strength and power to conquer their enemies. (verses 24-25)
10. His mercy and forgiveness, despite continued and persistent backsliding. (verses 26-29)
11. His prophets and their warning to repent. (verses 30-31)

[Resource:The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible]


LET IT GROW

The prayer of the Israelites reached in our directions, spanning history from creation to their present day and even looking into the future through:

• praise and adoration (verses 5-6)
• thanksgiving for all God did in their past (verses 7-31)
• looking at their present situation and petitioning the Lord (verses 32-37)
• commitment to future obedience (verse 38). (Swindoll)

We will take a closer look at all of this example written down by Nehemiah. What a heart bent toward God he had as he spiritually led his people. So man lessons for us are found in this chapter.
Will we let god teach us His ways
Will we surrender to them?


LET IT GO

Lord Jesus, teach me Your ways and Your Word to live by and share.
Open my heart to hear from you.

From This Time Forward

O. T. #1067  "From This Time Forward"
Sept. 25, 2017
Nehemiah 8-Part 3
And there was very great gladness. Nehemiah 8:17b

LET IT GLOW

Perhaps it was during a revival meeting, or after a near death experience, or after God brought us through a trying time in our life, that we made the commitment from this time forward to follow Jesus with all of our heart. We decided to be faithful to reading His Word daily, praying deeper, and obeying the leading of His Spirit. Such a commitment is usually followed by repentance of our sins. Then joy comes as it did with the Israelites in this chapter.

The Jews listened to Ezra read the Law of Moses for 6 hours. Then they repented, rejoiced, and ate food and drank, sharing with others.
What happened on the second day of their gathering together?

• There was a meeting of family leaders, priests, and Levites met with Ezra the scribe to go over the Law in greater detail.  (verse 13)
• While studying the Law, they discovered the Lord commanded Israel to live in shelters, tabernacles, booths, during the festival to be held during that very month. This celebration was known as the Feast of Tabernacles, which reminded Israel of their forefathers living in such tents as they wondered in the wilderness, freed from Egyptian slavery, and entering the Promised Land (conquering it). They gathered branches from olive, pine, myrtle, and palm trees for such a temporary housing lasting 7 days. It illustrated God's provision and protection during those years.
• Word was spread in all Jerusalem and their cities-it was time for the Feast of Tabernacles to be observed. (verse 15)
• These Jews obeyed God's Word as they built shelters in the courtyards, Temple courts, on the public squared of the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate. (verse 16)
• They celebrated the festival with great joy, which had not been done since the days of Joshua.
• There was very great gladness. (verse 17)

Have we quit celebrating the Lord's Day, worshiping on Sunday our Risen Lord Jesus? We remember His birth and resurrection on days set aside for celebration, but are we thankful for them every day?

LET IT GROW

The celebration lasted 7 days as instructed in God's Word. During that time, Ezra read  in the book of the law of God daily. The long forgotten Feast of Tabernacles was faithfully reinstituted. What a spiritual awakening.

In his study guide, Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership, Charles R. Swindoll gives this overview of chapter 8:

The Israelites met for a time of corporate prayer. The celebration brought them to an understanding of both the holiness of God and the depth of their sins, which led to an expression of deep sorrow and humility. Together they prayed, offering up sincere confession as well as thanksgiving and praise. And they committed to change-to study and obey God's commands from that point forward. The Israelites' example provides guidelines for the discipline of prayer that are meaningful, logical, and relevant for us today.

Are we wandering around in our wilderness without God's Word as a guide? Will we ask others the same question?
Have we made such a faithful follower commitment to Jesus lately? If not, today is a good day for it.
Is very great gladness missing in our life?

LET IT GO

Get back to serving Jesus more faithfully.
Obey His Word.
Praise Jesus for His freedom from sin.

*Please remember my husband as he has knee replacement today. Thanks y'all. Love you.

Rejoice

O. . #1066  "Rejoice"
Sept. 22, 2017
Nehemiah 8-Part 2
And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"  Nehemiah 8:10


LET IT GLOW

Our denomination enjoys fellowshiping over a meal. We have pot luck often, using any excuse to have it. Sometimes there is no reason at all for it. Today's lesson ends with a feast.

Ezra read from the Law of Moses for 6 hours as the people listened attentively. He praised their great God. The Jews responded by raising their hands, saying "Amen," and bowing down to the ground to worship God. Then Ezra instructed the 13 Levites standing beside him to explain the meaning of the Word in  their own language.
Interestingly, the word people is mentioned 15 times and understanding is used 6 times in verses 1-13. so the focus was upon the people understanding the Word of God. The massive crowd could have contained as many as 50,000 people so not all understood the Hebrew language.

The study of God's Word produces two results-mourning over the conviction of sin and rejoicing of the heart. As the people were convicted of sin, they were weeping and mourning, which began to interrupt the service. Once they confessed and repented of their sins, the LORD forgave them. Then, instead of mourning and weeping, they were to celebrate by feasting and sharing with those who were in need. They were to stop grieving and give thanks and praise to the LORD for His forgiveness. And that the Jews did. They celebrated with great joy because they had heard God's Word and understood them. Their celebration was not self-centered because they shared with others that were without.
Did you know this Bible conference was held for a week? (verse 18)

Is the Lord the joy of our strength?
Paul said to believers in Philippians 4:13,  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. In 4:4, he said, Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, Rejoice.

Are the Scriptures making us joyful?
Do we apply all the day long, what we have learned in our Bible study?

Together we sing, holy is the Lord God Almighty, the earth is filled with His glory. As I type this, I hear this song on my radio. What great timing!

LET IT GROW

This was a special month in the life of the Israel. Three significant events were to take place during the seventh month:

1. the Feast of Trumpets was celebrated on the first day, was later celebrated as the New Year on the Jewish calendar;
2. the Day of Atonement was celebrated on the tenth day;
3. the Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated on the fifteenth day.

A thousand years elapsed between  Moses' writing of the Law and Ezra's reading of the Law. (Wiersbe)

LET IT GO

Repent of my sins.
Let the Lord fill my heart with joy.
Share with others.

Listening

O. T #1065  "Listening"
Sept. 21, 2017
Nehemiah 8

Jesus to us in these Scriptures:
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.  (John 5:39)
I am the way, the truth, and the life.  (John 14:6)

LET IT GLOW

We can learn a lot by listening, whether it is to others or to God's Word. Words reveal thoughts, feelings, and instructions. We need to listen twice as much as we talk. But do we? Did the Jews in this chapter? Read on to find out.

The scribe Ezra had been teaching the Law of God for 12 years in Jerusalem and Judah before the arrival of Nehemiah. Eventually, Ezra's teaching had made an impact on the Jews. Now that the walls around Jerusalem were rebuilt, the nation and the people needed rebuilding. This was achieved through:

• God's Word,
• a revived spirit,
• making a covenant of commitment,
• strengthening both Jerusalem and the people,
• and discipline. (The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible)

The people gathered at the Water Gate where Ezra gave a powerful and moving sermon from the law of Moses. Did they have a hungering for God's Word? Evidently so, because Ezra read it for 6 hours, as they were attentive.
How many have a problem listening to a sermon for just 30 minutes?
Are we hungering for the Word of God?

LET IT GROW

What happened during that time?

• Ezra read from a high wooden pulpit (a tower), platform.
• On his right stood 6 assistants and on his left stood 7 assistants, named in verse 4.
• When Ezra opened the book, immediately the people stood up. They honored and respected God's Word in this manner. (There were no soft cushioned pews.)
• First, Ezra praised the LORD, the great God before teaching the Word.
• Next, the people responded by saying "Amen," while raising their hands, then bowing down and worshipped God with their faces on the ground.

Do we listen attentively to God's Word?
Do we ask, "How does this apply to my life?"
Are we asking the Holy Spirit to help us understand it?


LET IT GO

Listen attentively to God's Word.
Ask how it applies to me.
Don't hesitate to praise the Lord with "amen's" and raising of my hands.

Pioneers of Faith

O. T. #1064  "Pioneers of Faith"
Sept. 20, 2017
Nehemiah 7-Part 2
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust in the LORD forever: for in the LORD Jehovah is everlasting strength. 
Isaiah 26:3-4

LET IT GLOW

Pioneers of faith. Are there people who come to your mind when it is mentioned? I can think of several in our home church, yet they have gone on to heaven now. They remained faithful to God during their lifetime. And the lasting influence they had on us. Their teachings and encouragements kept us going to where we are now. The Jews had some pioneers of faith, too. Shall we check them out?

At that time, the city was large and spacious, but the population was small, and none of the houses had been rebuilt. So God gave Nehemiah the idea (heart) to call together all the nobles and leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration (genealogy). verses 4-5, NLT/KJV

It had been 69 years since Zerrubbabel led the first group of Jews back to Jerusalem. They came out of a 70 year captivity in Babylon and Persia. Obviously, they were old or dead by this time. Then there were those who returned with Ezra. which was 12 years earlier. Those groups had rebuilt the Temple and the sacrificial system of worship, only to turn away from it during those 57 years before Ezra returned.

It was to the pioneers of faith that God wanted to rebuild His nation, have a new life, occupy the Promised Land, and experience His blessings. These people listed here were ancestors of the faith. They genuinely trusted God, believed He would fulfill His promise to send the future King and Savior, Messiah-Jesus Christ-into the world through them.
Nehemiah wanted such people as citizens of Jerusalem, people of strong faith and commitment in the promises of God. He insisted the population of Jerusalem be of pure Jewish blood or descent. (11:1-24)

Can we be called pioneers of faith within our family and church?
Do we trust God with all our heart?


LET IT GROW

Note that this census of genealogy is about the same as the one found in Ezra 2. A few names and numbers differ. The scribes copying the original may have messed up accuracy.

The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible gives us 10 points of an outline, breading down the genealogy of those registered:

1. The original leaders: Zerubbabel (the governor), Jeshua (the High Priest), and 10 others listed in verses 6-7.
2. The various families or clans in verses 8-25.
3. People from various cities and towns in verses 26-38.
4. The priests in verses 39-42.
5. Levites, including Levite singers and gatekeepers in verses 43-45.
6. Temple servants and the servants of Solomon, including descendants of various clans and of several servants of Solomon in verses 46-60.
7. People whose ancestry was questionable and could not be proven: The Babylonian town from which they came; the 3 families or clans from which they descended; the priest who had no record to prove they were true priests in verses 61-65. Those were excluded from the priesthood and not given the priests' share of sacred food until their priesthood was established.
8. The totals-of exiles or captives; the servants; the singers; the livestock found in verses 66-69.
9. The contributions given to the work-what the governor, other leaders, and other people gave is listed in verses 70-72.
10. The settlement of the returning exiles, towns from which their families had been taken into captivity and exiled to Babylon in verse 73. This was throughout Israel.

Now, that was a long list. However, God considered it important or He would not have had Nehemiah write it down. Verse 66 gives the sum total of people who returned to Judah as 42,360. (If you want it broken down, NLT gives it.)

I believe God has put us in a particular family for His purpose. Perhaps it is in order for us to be His witness. Are we a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, sharing His coming again, and our home in heaven that awaits us?


LET IT GO

Be a pioneer of faith to this generation, remaining faithful to the end.
Pray for my family members.
Pray for my church.