Greetings on this first day of a new week!  It is a joyful day to praise our Lord and gather with God’s people.  We gather to worship, honor God and read His word.  We study and pray together as those being equipped for a battle with the forces of darkness to deliver the souls of men from their clutches.  We join our church family and others around the world in every time zone who gather to praise His name.  From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, His name is praised!

God’s people are marked with joy.  We are filled with joy because we know God as our father and Jesus Christ as our savior.  We know that we are forgiven by God’s grace and free from condemnation.  God doesn’t even remember our sins that we have confessed to Him.  We know that we have a future and hope in God that far exceeds our understanding or imagination.  Death is no longer an enemy to be feared, but is a doorway to God’s presence and a glorious future.

The people of Nehemiah’s day heard the word of God read by Ezra and taught by the Levites.  When they understood it, some began to weep.  Nehemiah encouraged them to enjoy the day and share choice food with others who had none, because that day was sacred to the Lord.  The joy of the Lord was to be their strength!  Let His joy fill your lives today as you listen to God’s word in the presence of His people!  Rejoice in your God and Savior, Jesus Christ!  He was filled with joy at the thought of seeing us in God’s presence and endured the cross and shame on our behalf!  (Hebrews 12:2) May His joy be your strength!

In His Love, Pastor John

Nehemiah was known as a man of prayer and a man of integrity and action.  His faith in God and simple trust in God’s word moved him to take some strong actions.  We have a record of these actions in the closing chapters of the book of Nehemiah.

Nehemiah and the people had finished rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem in a record 52 days.  He celebrated by gathering all the people and leaders and dedicating the wall to God.  He had Levites come from all over the land to purify first themselves, and then the gates, the wall, and the people.  (Nehemiah 12:27-30)  He had all of the leaders go up on top of the wall and assembled two large choirs who would lead in the worship and thanksgiving.  There were also trumpeters and musicians to help with the celebration.  “And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy.  The women and children also rejoiced.  The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.” (Nehemiah 12:43)

The Book of the Law was also read that day and it revealed that no Moabite or Ammonite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God because of the curses of Baalam.  They took action to exclude foreigners that day.  Nehemiah found that Tobiah the Ammonite had been given a room in the temple by Eliashib the priest.  He took Tobiah’s goods and threw them out of the temple and had the room purified.  He also found that portions for the Levites were not being distributed and rebuked the officials.  These acts are recorded as a record of a legacy Nehemiah built by obedience and zeal for God’s house! (Nehemiah 13:14)

Nehemiah also saw men working on the Sabbath and desecrating the Lord’s day.  He warned them against doing what was contrary to God’s Law.  He then ordered the gates of Jerusalem shut as the Sabbath began and not opened until it was over.  The Sabbath day was to be kept holy!  Nehemiah prayed that his zeal would be remembered as a spiritual legacy!  (Nehemiah 13:22)

Zeal for God’s house and God’s word brings a spiritual legacy!  Check out your life today and see if you can confidently pray that God remember what you are doing as a spiritual legacy!  Treasures in heaven last forever!

Nehemiah knew that the real strength of God’s city would come not from walls of stone around it, but from a renewed commitment to follow the Law of the Lord.  The word of God is a sure foundation for blessing and success and also a strong source of protection when His people are walking in faith.  Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law began to read aloud to the people.  They listened attentively.  (Nehemiah 8:1-3)

As the people listened, they needed explanation.  It had been many years since they had heard God’s word and some had never heard it.  The people began to weep at the law of God.  Nehemiah told the people not to weep, but to share food and fellowship and rejoice because the “joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)

They were reading the law of God again the second day and found that the Israelites were to celebrate the Feast of Booths by making shelters and living outside for a week.  This feast commemorated their deliverance from Egypt and wandering in the wilderness.  They decided to celebrate it. They read from the Book of the Law each day for seven days and on the eighth day had a holy assembly.  There they repented and separated themselves from foreign influences and confessed sins.  A beautiful prayer of repentance is recorded in Nehemiah 9.

Following this prayer, they made vows to God to maintain purity in marriages.  (Nehemiah 10:30)  They recognized God’s desire for godly offspring and purity of living and worship.  They promised not to buy or sell on the Sabbath and to cancel debts in the seventh year.  (Nehemiah 10:31)  They promised to pay their temple alms and tithes to care for the Levites and the House of God.  (Nehemiah 10:32-37)

All this commitment was brought about by simply reading aloud the Book of the Law!  God’s word has power to bring change in our hearts.  It brings conviction of sin and reveals the love and mercy of God. The confession was public and the vows of commitment were even put in writing!  (Nehemiah 9:38)  This new commitment brought the joy of the Lord to the people and it was their strength!

Good leaders confront the issues of sin in their midst.  This is not always popular with those who are involved in the sins, but it helps those in the community by bringing justice.  Purity always results in God’s blessings on the people.  Sin brings judgment and heartaches.  Today’s reading finds Nehemiah dealing with the issue of unfair lending practices among the exiles.  Let’s learn how he confronted the issue and brought cleansing and blessing to his people.

An outcry went up to Nehemiah from people who were suffering because their brothers were taking advantage of them with high-interest loans.  They needed money to pay taxes and conduct their business and even to buy food during a famine.  The nobles with money made them put up their fields and even their children for the loans.  They lost their fields and their children went into slavery.  (Nehemiah 5:1-5)

On hearing this, Nehemiah became angry with the nobles.  He called a large meeting and confronted the problem openly.  The nobles were quiet because the charges were true.  He called them to cease the interest and return the property and interest.  He made them take an oath that they would follow through with their promise to do what he asked.  (Nehemiah 5:6-14)  This made the whole assembly rejoice and they praised the Lord!

Nehemiah was the appointed governor and could have taken supplies and taxes from the people as others had done.  But he chose to work on the wall himself. He fed his men and those helping him from his own supplies.  He was compassionate towards those he governed and trusted God for a reward for his sacrifice.  (Nehemiah 5:14-19)

As we look at this story of Nehemiah’s leadership, we see how confronting the sin of usury openly brought justice and repentance.  This resulted in the people praising the Lord.  Nehemiah did not correct the people and then set a bad example himself.  He was also mindful of his need to help them as an example of a servant leader.  He did not tell them to do one thing and then do the opposite himself.  Living consistently with your talk and walk in agreement brings great power to help others change, too.  Joy results when rulers rule with justice!

Nehemiah faced a daunting task!  After over 7o years of disrepair, rubble and burned timbers were all that was left of the wall surrounding Jerusalem.  I imagine trees might have grown up and time had taken a toll.  He had a vision of that wall being rebuilt and shared it with the leaders.  They could see it, too, and together they began to work.  Evidently, Nehemiah divided the work between families who lived in the area where the wall would protect them.  The leaders of these families were put in charge and were responsible for their section of the wall.  They found great favor and help from working with those who loved them.

We find all sorts of people helping with this wall.  You did not need to be a block or brick layer to work here.  We find many common people working together.  Goldsmiths and perfume makers worked side by side with rulers and women.  (Nehemiah 3:8-12)  Priests and Levites worked on the wall as well. (Nehemiah 3:17-22)  This was a cooperative project that took everyone’s attention and effort.

There is always opposition when God’s people work together.  We find some nobles refusing to work on the wall.  (Nehemiah 3:5)  Tobiah the Ammonite and Sandballat the Horonite were angry and ridiculed the workers, trying to cause discouragement.  (Nehemiah 4:1-3)  Some workers did become discouraged and voiced failure. (Nehemiah 4:10)  Enemies threatened to attack the workers and some Jews were fearful.  (Nehemiah 4:11-12)  Satan loves to discourage and cause division.  We must always be aware of his devices.

Nehemiah called the workers to prepare to fight as well as to build.  He armed some of the family members and posted guards.  “Don’t be afraid of them.  Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14b)  This was a good fight of faith and God gave strength and courage to the laborers.

Today we must take this same approach.  God wants each family to work together.  Each church family is also a unit that must build and fight.  There is opposition from the enemy, Satan, and from within from discouragement and criticism.  Good leaders encourage the people and focus their efforts on the mission!  Victory comes when we work with all our heart! (Nehemiah 4:6)

Greetings in the Glorious Name of Jesus Christ!  Another week begins with worship, prayer, and gathering with the people of God.  I pray that you are motivated to gather today to worship!  We need each other and God commands us to gather together, all the more as we see the day approaching of His sudden return.  It could be today!

As we look back on the last week, I am impressed by the strength of Ezra and Nehemiah as leaders of God’s people.  Their strength is evident in ways that men in our day would not easily relate to.  Ezra was strong because he was a priest and student of God’s word.  He studied and taught the law of God.  He was a man of faith who lived by what he believed and this took him into a place of leadership.  (Ezra 7:10,12)  When you study God’s word and desire to apply it, God gives you wisdom and insight.  He puts others of a like heart around you to accomplish His work.  (Ezra 7:25-28)  God gives you humility and courage to lead the people in repentance when there is a spiritual problem.  Ezra’s holy fit took humility and courage to walk through!  (Ezra 9:3-4)

Nehemiah was a man with a heart for God and for Jerusalem.  His sensitive heart and willingness to fast and pray took him into a place of leadership he never expected.  His life of prayer opened him to incredible opportunity to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls.  His focus on God’s will and direction gave him courage to face opposition and succeed!   His holy burden brought a miracle of restoration to Jerusalem and it’s discouraged people.  The work of God was quickly accomplished to His glory!

As you gather today with God’s people, listen for the word of God to show you a holy burden.  Begin to pray and seek the Lord, offering yourself to God.  Watch and see what He will do!  Praying leaders are what God is watching for!  Have a great week in the Lord!  In His Love, Pastor John

Today we find Nehemiah with a “holy burden” concerning Jerusalem and it’s people.  Nehemiah, was an exile in Babylon, held an important position.  He was cup bearer to the king.  As cup bearer, he was responsible to taste all the wine and drinks that the king received and make sure that they had not been poisoned.  His face reflected sadness as he came before the king, and the king asked him what was wrong.  Nehemiah prayed quickly to himself, then shared his holy burden with the king. (Nehemiah 2:1-5)

Nehemiah’s burden came from pondering a report about Jerusalem and it’s inhabitants.  It had been some time since Ezra had taken men back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and this work had been hindered by opposition.  As Nehemiah heard about the discouragement, the broken walls of the city and the burned gates, his heart broke for its restoration and deliverance.  He prayed and fasted, confessing sins that had brought about the terrible conditions of the once beautiful city and it’s great temple of the Lord.  (Nehemiah 1:3-7)  He reminded God of His promises to restore His people if they would return to Him.  He asked God for favor with the king as he went before Him.  (Nehemiah 1:11)  This was why Nehemiah was now able to share his burden with the king!

God graciously turned the heart of the king to allow Nehemiah to go back to his beloved city and work on the walls.  Nehemiah went quietly and surveyed the city walls for himself.  He then shared the plans with the Jews living there and told them of the provision of God and His guidance.  This sparked encouragement and the willingness to begin the work!   There was some opposition from locals who opposed both the rebuilding and the Jews themselves.  Nehemiah declared in faith to them, “The God of heaven will give us success.  We His servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.” (Nehemiah 2:20)

Prayer is always the place to start when we have a holy burden.  We lay it before the Lord, confess our sin and offer ourselves as a resource.  God takes over and leads us onward.  A holy burden is His heart’s burden placed on us.  Faith then takes us to action that lifts the burden like a balloon filled with helium.

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

After rebuilding the walls, Ezra and Nehemiah had a great church service.  They brought out the book of the Law of Moses and began reading it to all who had gathered inside the walls near a high wooden platform built for this sacred occasion.  Ezra the priest mounted the platform and those who would help with translation stood with him.   When he opened the Book, all the people stood in reverence.  (Nehemiah 8:4-5)  Ezra praised the Lord and the people responded with “Amen! Amen!” and bowed in worship.  As the word was read, the teachers instructed the people and made the meaning clear to them.  The people began to understand what God had said and how they had failed to follow God’s word.  This triggered emotions and conviction in the people and many began to weep and mourn.

Why did Nehemiah tell the people not to grieve and weep before the Lord?  I thought that repentance was needed and that God would be pleased to see them with broken hearts for their sins.  Godly sorrow that leads to true change is commended in Scripture.  (2nd Corinthians 7:8-11)  Nehemiah actually sent the people away to enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and share with those who didn’t have any.  He told them that the joy of the Lord would be their strength!  (Nehemiah 8:9-10)

Joy always follows true understanding of the grace and mercy of God.  Joy is the result of God’s mercy being revealed to us as a gift to be received by faith.  As the people understood God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness for them, they could celebrate as people who were forgiven.  The Book of the Law revealed this mercy and love of God.  They could celebrate it’s restoration to their lives and to the lives of their children.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit of God.  (Galatians 5:22)   New Testament believers can enjoy the Lord’s promise of joy as a fruit of abiding in Him and His word abiding in us.  When we understand God’s word and promises, the joy of the Lord becomes our strength!  The Holy Spirit comes into us upon our conversion and marks us internally.  We have God’s law written on our hearts and the Spirit gives us understanding of God’s word.  We can have this same joy for our strength, too!  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Wise and godly leaders stand firmly against injustice!  Our sinful tendencies lead us relentlessly towards selfishness and taking advantage of those who are in need or in crisis or weak.  They lead us to gaining an advantage for ourselves at the expense of another.  Slavery in America is an example of these selfish and sinful tendencies.  Slaves were bought and sold to build wealth for those they served.  Slaves did jobs that their owners did not want to do themselves.   Slaves were treated well by some and harshly and cruelly by others.  Injustice in this system led some leaders to take action and a civil war resulted over this issue that cost the lives of many Americans and many who named the name of Christ on both sides of this issue.

Nehemiah faced injustice in his day among his own people.  Taxes were high in Jerusalem and the Jews had to pay them to the Persian king.  Their brothers who had money were loaning to these Jews who had no money.  Mortgages were taken on the fields and vineyards and even their homes.  Even sons and daughters were being sold into slavery because of the usury that was going on among the Israelites.  An outcry because of this injustice reached Nehemiah and he pondered this problem of usury and the resulting enslavement. (Nehemiah 5:6-7)   Calling a meeting of all those involved,  he accused those with money of their sin, commanded them to stop these practices, and called them to walk in the fear of God!  (Nehemiah 5:9-11)  They publicly agreed to do so.   He charged the priests and nobles to take an oath to do what they had promised in response to his accusation.  He even shook out his own robe and prayed, “In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise.  So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!” Nehemiah 5:13

God’s people must beware of injustice, even in their own house!  Sin and selfishness can cause us to take advantage of others.  We can abuse or neglect the poor and the weak.  We must not manipulate or enslave others by our selfishness.  Spiritual leaders and pastors must guard their hearts in how they encourage giving.  Sometimes, manipulation and injustice takes place among God’s people through selfish leaders.  Slavery today comes when our sons and daughters go into captivity because of injustice in God’s house among God’s people!  Righteous leaders are watchful and take direct action when they know about it!  Pray today for those in authority and let them know of any injustice among God’s people!

We have been reading this past week about Ezra and Nehemiah, two great men in the history of Israel who relied on God and lived lives of prayer and obedience.  Ezra offered praise and thanks to the Lord for granting him favor to rebuild the temple.  (Ezra 7:27-28)  Ezra prayed for traveling mercies for his party with all the gold and silver articles for the temple. (Ezra 8:21-23)  After God brought them safely to Jerusalem, they met with others and offered sacrifices and thanked the Lord.  Ezra heard about the unfaithfulness of those who had married outside of the faith and he again humbled himself to pray and fast and confess the sins of his countrymen.  (Ezra 9:5l-15)  Others gathered with him and they sought the Lord.  God brought repentance and cleansing as they prayed together.

Nehemiah carried a burden for Jerusalem and it’s broken walls.  He began to pray to the Lord about his burden.  (Nehemiah 1:5-11)  He had opportunity to speak with the Persian king, Artaxeres, and prayed again.  (Nehemiah 2:4) God granted him favor and he was sent by this pagan king to rebuild the walls.  He was given materials and money as well as willing workers.  As he arrived, God gave him a vision and plan to put the people to work by families, assigning them personal responsibility near their own homes.  He shared his vision and God granted favor!  Prayer was offered to combat discouragement and stop opposing forces. (Nehemiah 4:4-5)   Nehemiah armed the workers and encouraged them to work and fight for their own children, homes and families!  (Nehemiah 4:14)  He had a trumpeter near him at all times to sound a call to fight (or pray) when an attack might come.  (Nehemiah 4:20)  Prayer was important for Nehemiah and those who worked together to rebuild the walls.  It brought a focus on God as the source of all help and a vision of God’s plan and purpose!

Take time today to praise the Lord, thank him for who He is, and enjoy sweet communion with Him.  Do this for yourself and for your family!  Meet with God’s people and pray and praise Him in community!  He is coming soon!