The Simple Life

And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law Nehemiah 8:1-3 (ESV)   The people wanted to understand God's commandments. They seemed to realize that the broken wall and years of oppression had slain their spirits, and they wanted a Spiritual Revival to match the physical revival.   This was no small task or short meeting. This was not about asking people about their opinions on God and His expectations. This was about learning what was right and aligning t...

Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. And I said to them, "Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes." The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. Nehemiah 7:1-4 (ESV)   Part of the job was finished. Before one focused on their own residence, they needed to make certain the wall surrounding it was finished and secure.   We, too, should concentrate on securing our environment before we work on enjoying it, for the breeches in our walls will always make our lives unsafe. First thing...

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. Nehemiah  6:15-16  (ESV)   A problem that plagued a nation for quite some time was solved in fifty-two days by one who loved and walked with God and used his power and position for the good of the people. People had gotten used to the idea of being defeated until Nehemiah showed up.   We need more Nehemiahs today. We need people who love God, walk with Him, and want to use their resources to honor Him by helping others. Nehemiah did not use his privileged position for himself, but for the good of others. He was a vessel that God could and would use. His choices were easy, even though the results of those choices were painful. He endured the pain because he focused on the purpose of the pai...

Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night." But I said, "Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in." Nehemiah  6:10-11  (ESV)   Those who love God and are yielded to His will face all sorts of dangers—threats, innuendos, accusations, and more. One can focus on these and spend his/her capital trying to correct them, or one can focus on the job God has given them. With one focus, God will guide and protect. With the other, we are on our own.   Those who love and walk with God can expect pain in this life. Those who refuse to walk with God will experience pain in this life and the next. For now, the choice is ours.   https://www.podbean.com/relate365

Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind." For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done." But now, O God, strengthen my hands. Nehemiah 6:8-9 (ESV)   What would frighten us? Whatever it is, Satan will use it if he has the opportunity. We are not dependent upon our strength to battle his lies; those who focus on their strength will fail.   Those who know and love God and who live in God's grace are not frightened, for there is no fear in love. It is not that those who love God would not sweat drops of blood over the assignments given them, or enjoy being spiked to a cross, but it does mean there will eventually be a "joy of the cross" experience if they remain true to their calling.   Being faithful when there is no adversity would not be considered a test of our beliefs.     https://www.podbean.com/relate365

In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, "It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, 'There is a king in Judah.' And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together." Nehemiah 6:5-7 (ESV)   When other forms of discouragement fail, lies or innuendos spread amongst many to accomplish the goal. If many will believe the lie, then perhaps the lie is true. (Obviously not!)   Lying is Satan's native language. In the end, all that destroys stems from a lie somewhere. Truth sets us free; lies make us captives to the liar. The only way to see the difference is to know the truth.   Jesus is truth. Satan is lies. Jesus says it the way...