Nehemiah Chapter 5, Yea yea I know, I'm two weeks behind, my secretary took a vacation, shes sick, my computer's brother needs a kidney. But enjoy!

Chapter 5

Its hair raising that this rag tag group of Israelites, who had survived decades of captivity, acquired another chance to be safe in those walls. They acquired materials and a great leader from a God that never gave up on them. Together they filled all of the breeches and had the wall half done. They had shown the enemy that they were to be taken seriously. Its troubling that the great cry was raised not by any of these mentioned things, but by wrong doings brought on by their brethren.
I A Great Cry
A. Those involved
1. Those that owned no land and needed food.
2. Those that owned land but mortgaged it for food
3. People who owned land but could no longer pay the taxes.
4. The nobles who were making out like the Monopoly Man.
B. What do you mean Monopoly Man?
1. The Nobles were charging high interest rates on loans.
a. While not against the law they were required to do business fairly.
b. Poor families ended up selling daughters just to get enough food to eat.
c. They were family every single one could trace themselves back to Abraham.
2. They ended up owning most of the money and land.
a. Much like the Monopoly man.
b. However family and God’s people should not treat each other that way.
3. At the point their brethren began to hurt they should have forgiven the debt.
II A Great Assembly
A. Communication
A great many troubles could be solved with little pain if we would just open our mouths and talk it out. Instead of letting it fester or building up anger for that person our goal needs to be on resolving the conflict so you can act like family again. We are a family here and have a responsibility to one another.
B. Taking the lead
1. Nehemiah’s anger vs. 6
a. Injustice to God’s people made Nehemiah angry. Of the very short list of things that have the right to make us angry this one ought to be pretty high up there.
2. “And breathe, you’re in a nice mossy field, you see butterflies!”
Nehemiah took a moment to think. There’d be a great deal fewer headstones if people would stop a minute and think about what needs to be done.
a. Think
b. Pray
c. Meditate on scripture
3. Let’s do what’s right, not what you can talk the other into
- There was a right answer to this problem. It was for the greedy nobles to forgive their ridiculous fees, and return what they had taken. State court would have ruled for the nobles, arguing that since they agreed to the terms of the loan they are culpable. However God demands that we forgive our bretheren.
4. No answer. Vs. 8
a. When you are wrong, you’re wrong. Stop fighting.
b. Don’t make excuses make it better.
c. There is no excuse for our sin, so just get right. Vs. 12
III. A Great Example.
A. Nehemiah required very little for what he did
B He wouldn’t gain at the expense of the suffering people.

Lets remember that we are all in this together to serve the Lord. We don’t have awards for gains and we don’t punish for losses. We care for each other, even if that means we have to drop our pride and lose some money.

MOM DOWN!!!

Tuesday morning while I was trying to find my school folder mom called me on the phone to tell me that she was going to the hospital. Mom has only been to the hospital a few times, most of them becuase of me. So for her to go on her own, for herself, was a big deal. (And for the record that folder was under my pillow). Dad was working so I went with Mom. After all, she'd follow you there at two in the morning if you needed her. Which was a good thing I guess, because after they gave her the morphine..... well lets just say it was good someone was there to fill out her paperwork. After she fell asleep I had coffee with a nurse and had time to read a book. Things like that make you really think about that person and their effect on you. Where would i be if not for my mom. (think about it for a moment, and we're back). It sounds real cliche, but you dont notice how much someone is engrained into your life until their 7am wakeup call isnt there. Maybe its time we spend more time taking care of her. The snow is almost over. I love snow. But I miss my sandals. Bindy however is happier like this. AS for that diet thing i've been messing with for a month now. I'm not going to brag and tell you the exact number. But I will tell you that its close to 20 pounds. Is that humble enough? I was told today that the numbers will slow down. And while I can understand that. I still cant shake this great feeling that not eating bowls of junk has left me. So even if i do balance out here, I can deal with it. Sometime tomorrow I'll be posting last weeks addition to Nehemiah. See you tomorrow!

Maps,maps, every where but not a treasure to seek!

Something I could blow up and put on the screen if we had a projector! I got it from My Nelson's Bible Program. One of many pictures I would love to share. If you have trouble seeing in, double click the image and it will get bigger. I worked that out myself.

Chapter 4!!!!!!

I. Surrounded
A. Sanballet
1. Governor of Samaria
2. Typical of Government today
-they want power over you
-they dont like to be questioned.
B. Tobiah/Amonites
1. Deuteronomy 23:3 Stay away from them
a. World
b. Atheists
c. False prophets.
C. Arabians
1. Lost Family
2. They were hostile.
D. Asdodites
1. Same ones fought by Joshua
2. Philistines
3. Like the battle we have against Made up science.
E. Their intent
They wanted very much to slow the work down. They wanted to scare the Israelites from doing the work God had for them. Vs 8
II. Watch and Pray
A. Those precious words Christ said to His disciples that night in the Garden.
B. "That ye enter not into temptation"
1. We constantly must watch out for the world
a. They have a collection of sins they want to bring you down with
-Killing babies
-Smoking
-Drinking
b. If these get into your "wall" they will hinder the work.
III. Sneak Attack vs 10
A. Discouragement(wondering where Satan was in our list of enemies?)
1. Comes from taking your eyes off the Lord
Would you drive blind?
2. From Overwork
3. From weakness of the flesh
a. Feed from the word
b. Drink from the fountain
c. Excercise your faith often.
It's like running a mile for the first time in a year. Spiritually we can get out of shape.
B. Warnings 11-12
1. The enemy is coming
2. They can overtake you any minute
C. These warnings were more harm then good.
1. These informers
a. could have been enemy sent
b. could have been real and honest
c. but their pessimism was spreading doubt.
2. They opened the doors and let Satan right in.
a. We do that to often today.
b. Why would you intentionally carry Satan in on your back?
IV. Again I say, Watch and Pray vs 13
A. Set a watch
1 It helps to have friends watching with you.
2. They keep you accountable.
B. Enforce the watch 14.
1. We boast about owning guns on the off chance someone comes in but in reality we should use that .357 on our television from time to time.
2. Protect your family from the world.
a. music
b. television
c. books/magazines
C.Call their bluff.
V. But don't forget to be working.
A. Much like Terrorists, they win if they can get you to stop working.
B. They want you to lose your temper and fight on their level
1.mudfight!!
C. Be working together
D.Don't ever stop
-Only remove your armor long enough to check it.

I have Not Forgotten!

I know that it has been two weeks since I last posted notes on the Nehemiah Series. Partially its because internet access and time have been scarce. But more interestingly its because we are still on chapter 4. I hope to see everyone there as we FINALLY finish this eventful chapter.

The stomach problems come and go, and my doctor still isnt returning my phone calls. When he finally does I'm going to tell him to transfer my files to another Doctor. And if my condition is serious sue him for negligence. And if I win enough, buy a Starbucks. After all I'm known by name in about four of them.

Speaking of my stomach one interesting thing I can tell you about it is that its smaller. I've been on a diet for about two weeks now and have already lost 10 pounds. Thats a back pack, with a small child in it. Or all four of our small dogs, plus the bone bindy keeps chewing on.

The list of things that add up to ten pounds can go on forever, I'm just glad that I'm finally on a roll. An unbuttered, wheat roll, but a roll none the less.
I'm also in the market for another back to use for sermon in the sack. It needs to be made of some kind of cloth and have either a clasp or a draw string. So if you see one out at the store, or you have one collecting dust, let me know!! It's about time the frog bag retires.


Thats it for now, God Bless

From our relaxation department

I've had a lot going this past week. From emergency room visits, doctor's offices and filling in for pastor, I'm exhausted.
But I've found that sometimes when I'm trying to relax I'm doing the exact opposite.
Notice how in this picture no one is making a facial expression they will thank me for.



But I've found that those best moments are found when it's just me, some soft music, a good book or more preferably the Bible, and the Lord. Dr. Matt highly recomends some time of rest for everyone! GO!

1-23-08

Nehemiah prospers in the work
“A great many people have got a false idea about the church. They’ve got an idea that the church is a place to rest in…to get into a nicely cushioned pew, and contrivute to the charities, listen to the minister, and do their share to keep the church out of bankruptcy, is all they want. The idea of work for them-actual work in the church- never enters their minds.” In 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 Paul compares church members to parts of the body. We all have a job and a part in God’s plan for this church. But we must make sure that that work is done properly. We see that typified here in the third chapter of our study.
The pattern
A. Leaders
1. most of them Priests
2. More of them of the tribe of Levi
B. Specific Jobs
1. Not formulated for who can do what
No amount of training will make you a teacher if there are no pupils.
2. But what needs to be done
a. rocks and mud, its not the spot light
- it’s the way of it, sometimes you are up to your knees in dirt, other times you’re pulling rubber chickens out of frog covered sacks
b. Evangelism in your home, family and work
c. changing those lights
d. praying for those who are weak
We do the work that needs doing, this isn’t our 15 minutes of fame.
C. The materials
Some of the materials needed were right there on scene. To build this church we have all the materials we need. The Bible, soul winners, teachers and a God led pastor. Are we willing to do it the way God planned?
The people
A. Commitment
1. What’s worth venturing out on that limb?
2. Saying no to the devil’s IRS agent. Internal Restriction Service
3. Only being satisfied when the job is done.
B. Devotion
1. What rolls you out of bed in the morning?
2. What pulls on your heart strings enough to make you act.
3. Some wanted to do extra work

C. Some Refused to do any work at all vs5

The places
1. Sheep Gate-Without sacrifice there is no salvation, without the basics, no building
2. Fish Gate- Fishers of men, people are the building blocks
3. Old Gate- Old paths and old truths of God’s word, not searching for the new
4. Valley Gate- Humility
5. Dung Gate- Cleansing
6. Gate of the fountain- filling of the Holy Spirit
7. Water Gate- Word of God that cleanses
8. Horse Gate- denotes war, spiritual in our case.
9. East Gate- Speaks of the Lord’s Second coming
10. Miphkad Gate – Assembly, for them the place of the soldiers, for us up in Heaven.