The Simple Life

After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. Esther 3:1-2 (ESV)   God has made some things very clear, and bowing to anyone other than God is one of them. Mordecai was loyal to God first and foremost, and this loyalty affected his daily decisions.   Our intimate relationships shape all other relationships. When one gets married, there is a new union that dictates all the others. When we become members of God's family, we have our first loyalty to God, then to our family, and then to our friends.   In essence, there can be only one relationship that controls our lives. In this case, God controls all the relationships; therefore, all the relationships, at least those that matt...

After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. Esther 2:1(ESV)   We should practice foresight more than hindsight, because foresight protects us. However, the problem with foresight is that sometimes we cannot see that clearly.   To have foresight, we need to spend time developing our foresight skills. Since experience is the best teacher, we can either gain experience ourselves or learn from the experience of others. Learning from our own experiences, as valuable as that is, can also be painful. Learning from others can be equally beneficial and far less painful.   We need to learn from others, whether those whose lives are outlined in the Bible or those we intentionally seek out in our daily lives. Kings had a hard time learning from anyone. Part of their problem was listening to the advice of those who wanted to please the king rather than giving the king good advice. Th...

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him. Esther  1:10-12  (ESV) When one's heart is merry with wine, all sorts of evil can happen. The prisons are full of those who were under alcohol's influence while committing crimes. Emergency Medical Personnel are busy every day tending to the emergencies caused by the overindulgence in alcohol.   The king was reduced to a powerful animal who wanted to show off the spoils of wealth and power by using rather than loving his wife. Queen Vashti was right to refuse him and was even ...

Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. And drinking was according to this edict: "There is no compulsion." For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired. Esther 1:7-8 (ESV)   Ordering each man to do as he pleases is an order to bring disaster upon all who participate. It is never healthy to tell men to cast off all restraints and "enjoy" themselves, and anyone who is ever involved in "casting off restraint" will be proven a fool.   The king's wealth and power were on display, as was his lack of restraint so that all in his presence could legally and rightfully indulge. This is a formula for disaster. Drunk, wealthy, and influential people who define a good time as overindulging in anything is a formula for disaster.   The Godless cannot enjoy a life about others, and they long for a time when they can eat, drink, and ...

Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. Esther 1:1-3 (ESV)   Ahasuerus was a Godless king with resources, power, and authority, and who wanted to party. The Godless can have wealth, power, and health, but lack the means of truly enjoying what they have. Usually, when the Godless attempt to have a good time, it becomes so about them that they begin to use others rather than love others. Using people is not loving people.   It is evident that rain falls on both the Godly and the Godless, but the Godly can find purpose and contentment in both, for it is a gift from their Father.   Those who love God and people will use their power, authority, and influence to demonstrate who God is and improve others' lives. Those who don't love God waste a valuable resourc...

I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field. So I confronted the officials and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their stations. Nehemiah  13:10-11  (ESV) We need to care for those who take care of us. Some individuals should be free of concern when it comes to daily provision so that they can concentrate on leading us to the throne and thinking of God.   We pay mechanics, carpenters, doctors, and lawyers hefty fees to fix or prevent problems, and we expect those who do the most important work, helping us sort out our spiritual struggles or mentoring us to keep us from straying, to do so at no expense to us.   The neediest among us indeed are, well, the neediest. This group has often lacked sufficient means or has mishandled their resources, so they cannot care for those who minister to them. That is w...

While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after some time I asked leave of the king and came to Jerusalem, and I then discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber. Nehemiah 13:6-8 (ESV)   Who gets upset in the face of evil? Nehemiah did, and so do real leaders. Evil has no upside. It needs exposure. It is evident to all, yet many remain silent about it and pretend it does not exist. Evil destroys all it touches; one cannot love another and tolerate the very thing that destroys the one they love.   We cannot choose what is right and wrong; we must discover what is right and evaluate all other ideas against what is already established.   https://www.podbean.com/relate365

On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing. As soon as the people heard the law, they separated from Israel all those of foreign descent. Nehemiah 13:1-3 (ESV)   Immediate obedience to God's Word is the only correct response. Those who wait and think about what this obedience would mean will miss out on God's blessings. Those who mix human understanding and perspective with God's omniscience will be confused, for there are many times when faith alone must guide our actions.   The world often relies upon its collective wisdom to guide its actions when it should be relying on God's Word. Trying to devise "collective" wisdom is much tougher than being obedient to what is already revealed...

"The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes. We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. Nehemiah 10:28-30 (ESV) When you walk in God's ways, you separate yourself from those who do not. You cannot "accept" what they do, for what they do is destructive. To normalize evil is to be evil. The Bible consistently teaches that we need to love God and each other and that this quality will distinguish us from the Godless cultures in which we live. https://www.podbe...

"But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them." Nehemiah  9:16-17  (ESV)   A stiff neck or a refusal to listen to God never ends well. It's ludicrous to think that someone who knows that there is a God would refuse to listen to Him. The only way someone would refuse to listen to God would be to have forgotten or ignored Him over time to the point where, in his mind, He exists in academic ways, but not in reality.   Each of us should take time daily to remember. We need to place reminders in our lives and take the time to look at and think of those reminders, or we will be in danger of missing the grace,...

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. ...

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome,   and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”  Nehemiah 4:14   Do not be afraid. Why? Remember the Lord. This seems like something simple, yet we make it so difficult. When David faced Goliath, he could not focus on Goliath's size and strength, or his ability with the slingshot. The trained army was acting untrained, and the current king was a coward.    David moved ahead with great boldness, and God won the victory through him. Anytime the problem eclipses God’s love, power, and provision, we will be hopeless. For now, the choice is ours.  https://www.podbean.com/relate365

In Judah it was said, "The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall." And our enemies said, "They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work." At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, "You must return to us." So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes." Nehemiah  4:10-14  (ESV)   God's work is always opposed. The work in and of itself can be difficult, and the enemy, Satan, will do all he can to make it impossi...

Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision." And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. Nehemiah  2:17-18  (ESV)   Successful leaders say "Let us" not "You should." Effective leaders lead by doing, not just by talking. They make disciples through lifestyle and reinforce the concept with words.   Nehemiah owned this project. He put his reputation, time, and money on the line to see this happen. He gave up a lifestyle that was rather plush to be put in a position where he would be misunderstood, sweaty, and eventually attacked by the leaders around him. He did not shy away from hard work or expect anything out of anyone that he did not first expect of himself.   Today, we often see leaders attempting to influence people by words, ad campaig...

And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it." And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), "How long will you be gone, and when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy." And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. Nehemiah 2:5-8 (ESV)   Real leaders have a plan when they pray, and the plan is always bigger than their own capabilities. https:/...