Good Morning “Self Sacrificers.”  Today we are in Nehemiah 5.  Selfishness reigns in the land of Judah.  Wall building consumes a lot of time and energy.  Service often leaves less time for typical daily work.  Less time working = less resources to make ends meet.  The temptation is to turn to self seeking, “take things into our own hands”.The larger clans were hoarding grain, some mortgaged their...  Read More

Good Morning “Standing United.”  Today we are in Nehemiah 4.United we stand, divided we fall!  That moto is not from Scripture but does carry some Biblical principle.  In this chapter we see an example of just that.  Anytime Gods people endeavor to carry out His will the evil one is threatened.  When he is threatened, he attacks.  Therefore; if we are going to live obediently, we ought to expect a...  Read More

Good Morning “Wall Builders.”  Today we are in Nehemiah 3.Yesterday we looked at the fact that Nehemiah came to serve.  He was intent on being used by God to rebuild the wall.  In chapter 2 we saw that he did not come with a lot of fanfare.  In fact, he waited 3 days once in Jerusalem, surveyed the wall at night, then publicly announced his plan to everyone at once.  Think of the strategy here - n...  Read More

Good Morning “Followers of The Way Maker.”  Today we are in Nehemiah Chapter 2We pick up in the month of Nisan.  Which means it’s been about 4 months since chapter 1.  Nehemiah was burdened and diligently seeking an answer from The Lord for 4 months… 1st lesson for us - don’t grow weary but be patient for Gods’ timing (Galatians 6:9).In Vs 1 Nehemiah also states “Now I had not been sad in his pres...  Read More

Good Morning “Spiritual Leaders.”  Today we start Nehemiah with chapter 1.  First a little context, let’s set the stage.  It is said that Nehemiah was likely written by Ezra from Nehemiahs perspective.  At any rate, chapter 1 of Nehemiah picks up 12 years after the last chapter of Ezra.  Chronologically Nehemiah is the last book of the Old Testament.  Malachi prophesied during the time of Nehemiah...  Read More

Good Morning “Those Who Put Distance Between Themselves and Their Sin.”  Today we are in Ezra 10.  Ideas and philosophies are contagious… good and bad.  Thus, sin is contagious (1 Corinthians 15:33, Galatians 5:9).  Guess what, so is repentance.  In the process of Ezra’s mourning the sin of Judah he draws a crowd.  With Ezra’s evident brokenness, they too are convicted.  Their sin, our sin separat...  Read More

Good Morning “Tunic Tear-ers.”  Today we are in Ezra 9.  As we come to terms with how far we have fallen, with the depravity of our nation, and the part we have played in it - falling on our face as Ezra did, is the appropriate response before our Holy God.  Ezra is not including his prayer here as if to say, “Look at how spiritual I am.”  No, Ezra was a teacher - he’s teaching.  The words of this...  Read More

Good Morning “Believers that God Can, and Will.”  Today we are in Ezra 8.For 3 days Ezra pauses at the canal and considers the journey back to Jerusalem, he knew just how dangerous the journey was.  So… where does he start?  Humility, prayer, fasting.“There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our child...  Read More

Good Morning “Disciple Makers.”  Today we are in Ezra 7.  The move back into Jerusalem, and restoration of a right relationship with God was a 3 part process for Judah.  The same goes for us.- Ezra began with restoration of the Altar of Sacrifice.  As we talked before, Jesus is our Altar of Sacrifice.  Restoration of right and proper worship begins with our return to The Altar.  Confession and rep...  Read More

Good Morning “Faithfully Protected.”  Today we are in Ezra 6.Testing and trial provide us with an opportunity to demonstrate faith.  True Faith isn’t demonstrated until it’s tested.  Yesterday I suggested that perhaps God would have protected Judah had they continued temple construction. The text wasn’t clear in chapter 4 and 5 so we can’t really make that definite assertion.  However; we saw that...  Read More

Good Morning “Strengthened When Tested”.  Today we are in Ezra 5.  Zerubbabel wasn’t fooled when  the Assyrians wanted to join in the rebuilding of The Temple.  He knew they were not true worshippers, and likely had ulterior motives.  We must always be on guard remembering that we are easily deceived and that those heading another direction can easily corrupt our righteous intentions (1 Corinthian...  Read More

Good Morning “Steadfast, Not Distracted or Discouraged.”  Today we are in Ezra 4.As Judah begins reconstruction of the Temple, first with the Altar of Sacrifice, then to the foundation - they are met with opposition.  The same will always be true for us.  As we begin efforts to put away our sin as individuals and as a nation, and to rebuild The Temple of The Living God… we begin first with the Alt...  Read More