"Where's My Sword?"
Nehemiah 4
Opposition to the Rebuilding
1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?"3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, "What they are building—if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!"4 Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of [a] the builders.6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."11 Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work."12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us."13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work.16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!"21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, "Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and workmen by day." 23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water. [b]
Observation:
It is an ever constant reality that over time we have seen and will continue to see things change. From the way we guide our households to the way the "Church" is to grow in an ever changing society. I am an expert at building the wall. I am motivated by "The Task" at hand and therefore can establish myself as a person of greatness in getting it done, but what happens when I'm attacked? With my head down constantly building, how can I see where the arrow came from that pierced my back. Where is my shield? Where is my sword? Where are the guards keeping watch? I love the picture this paints:
13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
To me this is a perfect picture of how we are to live as the body of Chirst and how the work get's accomplished. It was a diversity of resources and tasks unified to accompish a common goal. Not all built, not all fought, but everyone played their part to build the wall and the re-build the city. There are many of us who have our hand to the plow in our own church and let me urge everyone who reads this to make sure we encourage those who can't build, to keep watch over us and to fight for us through prayer and support so that the building don't get hindered. But always remember as we build, to keep your own sword at your side, even as you go for water. :)
Application:
I just want to see the body fight for one another so that the mission God has given us can get accomplished.
Prayer:
Lord,You are the God of everything and nothing has purpose and meaning outside of you. Lord, grant us the ability to keep watch over our brothers and sisters. To keep judgements and condemnations out of your house, so that the house can be built. Father bring us intercessors who can join the battle to shield us from the enemy, and bring out that gift in those who are already inside the gates. Lord, I pray that we would be constantly clothed with the armor of God so that whether we are building, or whether we are keeping watch, we are always ready and determined to battle the enemy for what we hold dear.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Monday, October 13, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
SOAP 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Observation: If struggle is a vessel that God uses to teach His children, I must be a brain trust by now......Yes, many of my struggles are 'self-inflicted", but God always gives me the grace to see me through. This verse in 2 Cor. is what I have come to believe is my life verse, as if God wrote it just for me. The truth is clear. Every struggle I go through is always used by God to help another. Which in turn builds my faith. My prayer is not that I would not struggle, but that my heart would always be turned to the 'what" God is doing in me, versus the 'why' would God allow this to happen to me.
Application: Very simply to be in constant observation of my surroundings and circumstances to see what God may be doing in my life, so that I can learn His ways and gain his direction. "For I know His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts".
Prayer:
Father,
I am so glad that your mercies are new every single day. That your grace is sufficient for me, and that all things do work together for good, to those who love You and are called according to Your pupose. I praise You because you have removed the scales from my eyes so that I can see what You are doing around me that draws me toward knowing and loving You more. I thank you that in my walk, you have always given me an affection for the brokenhearted, the judged, the condemed, and the downtrodden. To always allow others the same grace that has been afforded me, and to not ridicule others regardless of where they are in their walk. I thank you that is was for freedom you have set us free, and not for the rules of man. Take me and mold me into a usefull servant so that I might be willing as in the words of Paul, " 1 Cor. 9:19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Observation: If struggle is a vessel that God uses to teach His children, I must be a brain trust by now......Yes, many of my struggles are 'self-inflicted", but God always gives me the grace to see me through. This verse in 2 Cor. is what I have come to believe is my life verse, as if God wrote it just for me. The truth is clear. Every struggle I go through is always used by God to help another. Which in turn builds my faith. My prayer is not that I would not struggle, but that my heart would always be turned to the 'what" God is doing in me, versus the 'why' would God allow this to happen to me.
Application: Very simply to be in constant observation of my surroundings and circumstances to see what God may be doing in my life, so that I can learn His ways and gain his direction. "For I know His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts".
Prayer:
Father,
I am so glad that your mercies are new every single day. That your grace is sufficient for me, and that all things do work together for good, to those who love You and are called according to Your pupose. I praise You because you have removed the scales from my eyes so that I can see what You are doing around me that draws me toward knowing and loving You more. I thank you that in my walk, you have always given me an affection for the brokenhearted, the judged, the condemed, and the downtrodden. To always allow others the same grace that has been afforded me, and to not ridicule others regardless of where they are in their walk. I thank you that is was for freedom you have set us free, and not for the rules of man. Take me and mold me into a usefull servant so that I might be willing as in the words of Paul, " 1 Cor. 9:19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Relax...It's the Gospel, not brain surgery!!!!!!!
I entitle this SOAP "Relax".........This is my opinion only and not meant to overspiritualize or underspiritualize anybody else's interpretation of scripture...this is just how I see it :) Most of the time, my opinion and 25 cents won't by you a cup of coffee :)
Scripture: Taken from Mark 6:7-12
Observation: I have seen over the years the rise of what has come to be known as the "Mega Church Mentality". Though we all know that we should not judge, lest we be judged, it amazes me that we can take something so simple as spreading the Gospel, and being the "Church", and make it so complicated. I have a dear friend from my old church that used to go witness with me in the Olive Branch park on Saturday's. Recently I was in the park with my daughter and he and another young man was there sharing. As I went over to give him a hug, two young men walked buy. He stopped our conversation and I stood by in amazement and excitement as old memories came over me. I watched him strike up a conversation with them and about ten minutes later, both those young men prayed to recieve Christ standing right there on the sidewalk. Do you know how much money it cost to add those two precious souls to the Lambs Book of Life? $0...Absolutely nothing!!!!!!! All it took was following the standard Jesus set for the disciples:
Mark 6:7.... Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil[b] spirits.
8These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."
12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
I am all about using today's technology to be relevant to today's generation, but we as Christians can't abandon the fundamental's for the sake of relevancy. Never expect technology to accomplish what loving on someone face to face will do. A computer can't put arms around someone and hold them through a crisis, and projectors are only a light with a prism portraying a picture, and all is worthless if not prefaced by a loving spirit. So don't over complicate spreading the message of Chirst. It's the Gospel, not brain surgery!!!!!
Application: Guess I need to get back in the park :) My butts been on the bench long enough!!!!
Prayer: Lord, today and everyday you bless me more than I deserve. I thank you that you still use sinfull people to accomplish your perfect purpose. I stand here willing to get back in the game and ask you to cleanse me that I may be a usefull vessel for your spirit to flow through.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Scripture: Taken from Mark 6:7-12
Observation: I have seen over the years the rise of what has come to be known as the "Mega Church Mentality". Though we all know that we should not judge, lest we be judged, it amazes me that we can take something so simple as spreading the Gospel, and being the "Church", and make it so complicated. I have a dear friend from my old church that used to go witness with me in the Olive Branch park on Saturday's. Recently I was in the park with my daughter and he and another young man was there sharing. As I went over to give him a hug, two young men walked buy. He stopped our conversation and I stood by in amazement and excitement as old memories came over me. I watched him strike up a conversation with them and about ten minutes later, both those young men prayed to recieve Christ standing right there on the sidewalk. Do you know how much money it cost to add those two precious souls to the Lambs Book of Life? $0...Absolutely nothing!!!!!!! All it took was following the standard Jesus set for the disciples:
Mark 6:7.... Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil[b] spirits.
8These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."
12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
I am all about using today's technology to be relevant to today's generation, but we as Christians can't abandon the fundamental's for the sake of relevancy. Never expect technology to accomplish what loving on someone face to face will do. A computer can't put arms around someone and hold them through a crisis, and projectors are only a light with a prism portraying a picture, and all is worthless if not prefaced by a loving spirit. So don't over complicate spreading the message of Chirst. It's the Gospel, not brain surgery!!!!!
Application: Guess I need to get back in the park :) My butts been on the bench long enough!!!!
Prayer: Lord, today and everyday you bless me more than I deserve. I thank you that you still use sinfull people to accomplish your perfect purpose. I stand here willing to get back in the game and ask you to cleanse me that I may be a usefull vessel for your spirit to flow through.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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