The Simple Life

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:9-10 (ESV)   Is this what conviction looks like? When was the last time we saw someone weep over reading the Word of God? I imagine one could fake weeping to look spiritual, but I do not think that was happening in this case. Honest and genuine repentance took place, and genuine repentance involves our whole being, no matter what that may look like. (For each, that would be different.)   Maybe we need more pastors to read the Word of God without comment. Then again, to Americans, this may be...

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...

And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. Nehemiah 6:3-4 (ESV)   Evil is persistent. Saying no once to it does not make you a conqueror.   In American football, you could lose if you are out of position once and they score on you. You might have been where you belonged for every other play, but the victory goes to the one in the correct position every play, especially when you forgot, were distracted, or were just lazy. The quarterback, like Satan, is watching you and is ready to change the play to take advantage of any weakness you present. You may not be able to be taken advantage of today, but you are being watched, and plays will be drawn up to take advantage of you tomorrow in some way.   Those who are ultimately victorious understand that the battle is daily.     h...

Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono." But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" Nehemiah 6:1-3 (ESV)   Knowing what you are about is essential. Keeping what you are about is critical. Accomplishing what you are about is easy because it involves something we can all do. We can all allow God to lead us. How much simpler can it get?   I do not speak of simple in the sense that we would not take a beating, but simple in the sense that it is not hard to understand. The ways of God are not difficult to know unless we filter them through the Godles...

Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people. Nehemiah  5:18-19  (ESV)   Nehemiah had "skin" in the game. He was not a talker but a doer, a manager/worker, and one who was elevated because of the low position he took. He did not desire honor, wealth, power, or fame. He was broken-hearted because of the people's neglect, and he was leading by example. The best way to correct neglect is to demonstrate responsibility.   It is incredible how many people "judged" Nehemiah wrongly. He was doing something noble, and those around him gave him a hard time. Outsiders were sure he was out to get something, and insiders, I am sure, were skeptical.   Nehemiah needed to be motivated by doing wh...

I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. Nehemiah 5:16 (ESV)   Ministry is costly. Dedication and commitment are closely related in concept. If one is truly dedicated to something, they are committed to it. This means that no matter the cost, they will see it through. Dedication and commitment are easily tested.   In our modern era, we seem to be only dedicated to ourselves. We like arrangements more than dedication and commitment, and we use the terms while ignoring the meaning. It makes us feel good when we speak of such things, and since feeling good is what seems to be the goal, we stop short of living them out because that would ruin the good feelings.   Successful leaders are dedicated to using their position, power, and personal resources for the good of the people and the mission's success. Taking from the people or making a personal gain at the expense of those we are to serve creat...

Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. Nehemiah  5:14-15  (ESV)   Does the fear of the Lord motivate me? Would I pass up something to which I am entitled? Would I pass up something that others have taken, that others have "deserved," and that I also "deserve," for the sake of the people I am serving and my love for God?   It is effortless to get into the mind frame of entitlement. We can even look at it through the lens of teaching others to be responsible for their behavior and make it about us. Often, it's a "smoke screen,...

I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, "You are exacting interest, each from his brother." And I held a great assembly against them. Nehemiah 5:6-7 (ESV) Those who help people because they gain have not helped anyone but themselves. They have masked their greed with public kindness and generosity. They appear to care for others, when clearly, they are caring for themselves and using others.   Using other people's money has always been essential to business plans, because, if done correctly, both parties win. Loaning money to those you will own or who will struggle for the rest of their lives to pay it back is not love, kindness, or Christianity. Those who are irresponsible need to be taught responsibility. Those who do not work should not eat, and those who have much need not lord it over the needy. Wisdom is needed to know what is best to do.   The...

So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time, "Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day." So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand. Nehemiah  4:21-23  (ESV)   God's work, as often mentioned, is more challenging than we think it should be. Opposition is normal. Criticism is normal. Pain is inevitable. Work is endless. The reward is eternal.   When there is a job, we need to do it. Circumstances should not dictate purpose, and the problems we encounter should create opportunities.   The modern church has lost leaders willing to do whatever is needed to accomplish God's purposes. Instead, the attitude has often become that "opportunities" must happen in a schedu...

When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other… Nehemiah  4:15-17  (ESV)   God's work is always harder than we think it should be, but at the same time, it is a privilege to be a part of it. The work is hard, but the burden is light. This is because the results are not left up to us. Working for our King is a privilege and a responsibility to enjoy; the results always rest in Him, not us. Therefore, the work is hard, but the burden of the work to produce is light.   The athlete and the farmer work hard, but are not responsible for the final result. ...