Helloooo,
WOW what a fantastic book Nehemiah is! And what a lot of ideas which get thrown out.
Now rather than talk about the usual findings in Nehemiah (impossible task of rebuilding the city's walls made possible with God) I'd like to focus in on a few particular verses which stood out to me...
1. God's word is for everyone
Nehemiah 8 v1-2
'All the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel. So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.'
So the walls have been rebuilt, opposition faced and overcome, prayers prayed and now there is a gathering of all the peoples to give glory to God and to hear his word. I LOVE the wording here. ALL of the people came together regardless of status, gender, background, skin colour and so on to hear God's word. Isn't it fantastic that we can all come together under one common purpose in Christ. Christ brings unity, togetherness and oneness. We should most definitely practise this more!
Not only this but I love the fact that those who are able to understand are separately mentioned to 'men and women' many of whom I suppose did not understand. How often do we tailor our 'church' gatherings to those who already understand? How often is our language only geared towards those who understand the 'Christian jargon'? Don't get me wrong, yes there is definitely a need to feed Christians so they can grow together and go deeper in their faith. But what about those among us who are new to the faith and who don't understand? I was shocked recently to hear that one new Christian spent the first couple of months of her new found faith not really gaining anything from church because the language was just too complicated and the ideas too deep for her to take on board. I suppose a balance is quite difficult to achieve, but definitely worth thinking about.
Let us not forget, God's word is for EVERYONE, not just those who already understand. And let's be praying for God's spirit to open our eyes and ears also to the bits we don't understand.
2. God's Word is for everyone part 2!
So again this morning, Nehemiah 13 threw out some interesting ideas. Please forgive my ignorance and my own personal lack of understanding, however there seems to be an acknowledgement that God's word was just for a certain race. It seems that the Israelites were not allowed to marry into other races. Perhaps at the time that was right - and definitely was for the 'chosen' people of Israel. Now whilst I can understand the disadvantages of this in the cultural context in that some people may be pulled away from their faith and create prejudices and so on, did it not deprive other races from hearing God's word? I have no answer here and am just toying around with the idea.
What really struck me was the fact that it was Nehemiah who instituted this rule i.e. not marrying those of other races, cultures and presumably different faiths, not God. And what did Nehemiah do when this did happen? He 'rebuked them and called curses down on them. (He) beat some of the men and pulled out their hair' (v25). Which is worse? Did Nehemiah really show grace and love to his neighbour here? Now God may not want have wanted his 'chosen' race to be joined with other races. I don't know. My biblical knowledge does not go far enough to point out verses where God may say otherwise. BUT I do know that Jesus came to prove that God's word is for everyone - one look in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) proves this in that Jesus hung out with sinners, shared God's word with many, He spoke to women, He was gracious to adulterers, loving towards his enemy and graceful towards even Judas Iscariot his principal betrayer.
So often I feel we are so comfortable in our own little church bubble with our own christian friends that we don't even socialise or hang out with those who are yet to believe. We are quick to criticise and condemn those who are in Christian/non-Christian relationships (often rightly so and out of concern rather than judgement I might add), we spend our Sundays in church with Christians, and go home to our nice Christian houses, go to our nice Christian jobs and talk to our nice Christian friends. When we do go into a non-christian workplace or other environment we take a deep breath, keep our head down and come up gasping for air when we are back home in our nice Christian environments again. Ok Caroline, definitely a bit controversial here. I can totally understand why people want to do this. I've been there. I've done it.
BUT it really annoys me! Are we not called to go and make disciples of all nations? Are we not called to love our neighbour? Are we not called to be salt and light? Are we not told we have authority in Christ to stand on serpants? Are we not told that we will not be harmed when we walk through water or fire? Doesn't God's word say that no weapon formed against us will prosper? Aren't we supposed to be Christlike and hang out with those who are yet to know Him?
When was the last time you had real contact with a non-believer and by this I don't mean an exchange in a shop or an 'outreach event'. When did you last invite a non-believer out for a drink or to dinner? Our churches are too full of Christians!!! And nothing against christians whatsoever, but do you ever wonder why our Alpha courses are so empty, or our outreach coffee mornings are scarcely populated? Do you think it may be because we don't know any non-believers to invite, because our lives are so full of believers who are already saved?
Come on church. Let's get out there! The only reason God's Word isn't available to everyone is because we prevent it from being so! We attack those who are taking the word out - just like Nehemiah by attacking any attempt made to breech the gap. God's word IS for EVERYONE! Let's make it!
NB: Please don't take this as criticism - there are many wonderful people doing many wonderful things, this is intended as a motivational read, not a condemning judgement.
Be blessed today :)
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Perfect Positioning
Loving the verses from Nehemiah in the Journey with God readings at the moment. Yesterday the smallest sentence struck me at the very end of chapter 1.
v10 'I (Nehemiah) was cupbearer to the King'
So basically there is a big mess - the surviving Israelites are back in town and they are in a mess. Their home is being burnt with fire and the city walls being destroyed. They are in trouble. So Nehemiah prays and really gets a heart for them.
Yet this verse in the very end of the chapter is so significant. He is perfectly positioned for what He is called to do. He is cupbearer to the King. Therefore, Nehemiah got to see the King every day, possibly even several times. That means that he had most probably built up a good realtionship with the King. Thus he was able to ask the King if he could leave to go and help the Israelites in their distress.
Several things struck me
1 - Nehemiah was perfectly positioned. God had placed him in such a role, to have such a relationship with the King, to be able to react and assist in such a task. God places us in jobs, roles, situations often for a reason. Do we always take advantage of this? For example, as a teacher every year we have the opportunity to take the whole school assembly. So last year I volunteered to take one and talk about God. The results were fantastic. I used my position to God's advantage. Or rather, He used the position He had given me, and used me in amazing ways to spread His love. Let us use our positions and roles to God's glory - not winge, moan, and fade into the background in them.
Moving on to chapter 2
2 - Nehemiah had boldness to make his requests; not just a request for time off, but also for resources and equipment. Yet this was not done without relationship with the King. Let us also build relationships with people around us, above us and who lead us so that we can receive respect, trust and dignity. If we respect those in authority above us, they may hopefully respect us back and make life easier. But let us also be bold in making our requests known and in standing up for injustice. Additionally, note that Nehemiah did not winge and moan. He was carefuly in his approach to the King. He acknowledged the King's authority first - respected the King's dignity and then politely made his request. Let us do similar when standing up for injustice or righteousness, not gossip, talk about people behind their backs, belittle or completely go in with guns ablaze ready to bite someone's head off.
:
In conclusion...
It is incredible how God places us in the perfect places to carry out His work. We do not have to wait for a platform or a stage or a contract or a salary or a date or a deadline. We are placed right here, right now to be used by God. Are we going to let Him use us?
Be bold. Make your requests known, but do it with dignity and respect, and through relationship.
Finally, God gave Nehemiah success in not only his requests to the King, but in the rebuilding of the walls and his passions. Nehemiah was just in the right place at the right time, living out exactly what God had called him to do. We do not need to unneccessarily labour, toil, strive and burn ourselves out in doing things unto the Lord. We just need to be in the right place at the right time, obeying God and living out His calling. Then HE will grant us success. Perfect positioning.
v10 'I (Nehemiah) was cupbearer to the King'
So basically there is a big mess - the surviving Israelites are back in town and they are in a mess. Their home is being burnt with fire and the city walls being destroyed. They are in trouble. So Nehemiah prays and really gets a heart for them.
Yet this verse in the very end of the chapter is so significant. He is perfectly positioned for what He is called to do. He is cupbearer to the King. Therefore, Nehemiah got to see the King every day, possibly even several times. That means that he had most probably built up a good realtionship with the King. Thus he was able to ask the King if he could leave to go and help the Israelites in their distress.
Several things struck me
1 - Nehemiah was perfectly positioned. God had placed him in such a role, to have such a relationship with the King, to be able to react and assist in such a task. God places us in jobs, roles, situations often for a reason. Do we always take advantage of this? For example, as a teacher every year we have the opportunity to take the whole school assembly. So last year I volunteered to take one and talk about God. The results were fantastic. I used my position to God's advantage. Or rather, He used the position He had given me, and used me in amazing ways to spread His love. Let us use our positions and roles to God's glory - not winge, moan, and fade into the background in them.
Moving on to chapter 2
2 - Nehemiah had boldness to make his requests; not just a request for time off, but also for resources and equipment. Yet this was not done without relationship with the King. Let us also build relationships with people around us, above us and who lead us so that we can receive respect, trust and dignity. If we respect those in authority above us, they may hopefully respect us back and make life easier. But let us also be bold in making our requests known and in standing up for injustice. Additionally, note that Nehemiah did not winge and moan. He was carefuly in his approach to the King. He acknowledged the King's authority first - respected the King's dignity and then politely made his request. Let us do similar when standing up for injustice or righteousness, not gossip, talk about people behind their backs, belittle or completely go in with guns ablaze ready to bite someone's head off.
:
In conclusion...
It is incredible how God places us in the perfect places to carry out His work. We do not have to wait for a platform or a stage or a contract or a salary or a date or a deadline. We are placed right here, right now to be used by God. Are we going to let Him use us?
Be bold. Make your requests known, but do it with dignity and respect, and through relationship.
Finally, God gave Nehemiah success in not only his requests to the King, but in the rebuilding of the walls and his passions. Nehemiah was just in the right place at the right time, living out exactly what God had called him to do. We do not need to unneccessarily labour, toil, strive and burn ourselves out in doing things unto the Lord. We just need to be in the right place at the right time, obeying God and living out His calling. Then HE will grant us success. Perfect positioning.
Friday, 13 July 2012
A new way of evangelism
Hi there. Again long time no blog! Many apologies - lots going on at the mo still!
Anyways so Isaiah 61 I LOVE
v 1-3 says this...
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
We are 'annointed' to do these things! Not only this, but look at the order of the actions we are told we will do...
PREACH - i.e. speak good news to people and into peoples' lives - not preach AT them or shove things down their necks, but to talk to them, speak with them, care for them, communicate with them about Jesus
BIND-UP - break anything that has a hold over those who are not saved, clear the path of obstacles and chains that are getting in the person's way of salvation, bind-up any schemes satan has planned over their lives to make room for Jesus. Remember John the Baptist was the voice of one calling in the desert, making a way for the coming of the King? Shouldn't we do that in peoples' lives - make a way for the King?
PROCLAIM - proclaim salvation and goodness over their lives, bless them, proclaim freedom, joy, peace, happiness, and so on. How cool!
COMFORT - comfort those who are in need, who mourn, who are sad, who are confused about what we say, who need love and support... not belittle them or judge them for their lifestyle choices or lack of faith.
PROVIDE - many people in society (Christian and non-Christian) need provision. If we are too busy doing church stuff or busy with our own lives to notice, what good is that? What message will that give to people. We need to be helping people out, caring, loving, sharing, providing for their needs, being in relationship with them.
BESTOW - we need to bestow glory on these people and God's favour by blessing these unsaved people and telling them about the goodness of God. We need to speak God's truth over them and into their lives. We also need to ask God to bestow His goodness and pour out His love onto these people.
And then once these things have happened, look what these people will go on to do...
v4 'Rebuild ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated... renew the ruined cities...' Perhaps this is talking on a physical level in the context of the era this was written. But what about spiritual restoration? What about once they come to the Lord, their own dark, desolate places get restored and fixed, filled with happiness, joy, love, favour and so on.
Just some thoughts and a different take on a familiar passage.
:)
Anyways so Isaiah 61 I LOVE
v 1-3 says this...
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
We are 'annointed' to do these things! Not only this, but look at the order of the actions we are told we will do...
PREACH - i.e. speak good news to people and into peoples' lives - not preach AT them or shove things down their necks, but to talk to them, speak with them, care for them, communicate with them about Jesus
BIND-UP - break anything that has a hold over those who are not saved, clear the path of obstacles and chains that are getting in the person's way of salvation, bind-up any schemes satan has planned over their lives to make room for Jesus. Remember John the Baptist was the voice of one calling in the desert, making a way for the coming of the King? Shouldn't we do that in peoples' lives - make a way for the King?
PROCLAIM - proclaim salvation and goodness over their lives, bless them, proclaim freedom, joy, peace, happiness, and so on. How cool!
COMFORT - comfort those who are in need, who mourn, who are sad, who are confused about what we say, who need love and support... not belittle them or judge them for their lifestyle choices or lack of faith.
PROVIDE - many people in society (Christian and non-Christian) need provision. If we are too busy doing church stuff or busy with our own lives to notice, what good is that? What message will that give to people. We need to be helping people out, caring, loving, sharing, providing for their needs, being in relationship with them.
BESTOW - we need to bestow glory on these people and God's favour by blessing these unsaved people and telling them about the goodness of God. We need to speak God's truth over them and into their lives. We also need to ask God to bestow His goodness and pour out His love onto these people.
And then once these things have happened, look what these people will go on to do...
v4 'Rebuild ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated... renew the ruined cities...' Perhaps this is talking on a physical level in the context of the era this was written. But what about spiritual restoration? What about once they come to the Lord, their own dark, desolate places get restored and fixed, filled with happiness, joy, love, favour and so on.
Just some thoughts and a different take on a familiar passage.
:)
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