Monday, August 17, 2009

Nehemiah

Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them. Nehemiah 8:12

While they stood in their places, they red from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day, and spent another fourth of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God. Nehemiah 9:3


You really should read Nehemiah. It's refreshing and challenging my spirit in a big way right now. This morning, God used a few chapters in this book to give me a fresh perspective on sharing and living the gospel in this dark world.

From my journal, as I read a few chapters this morning: "They obeyed happily. Before this, they truly did not even know what God expected of them [because their fathers had not taught them]. And isn't that our world today? We see all the sin and sorrow, and isn't it probably true that the vast majority of it is born out of true ignorance (+ sinful nature)?


I think so many people simply do not know what God desires/requires of them! How happy and joyful people might be if they just knew and then the Spirit enabled them to obey and to believe!" And this all made me think about how what our land needs is the Truth of God! My neighbors, the strangers I meet, and the rest of the world needs to know about our God, about His actions through history and in the present. They need to hear the whole truth.

All around us there is such a great need for the whole counsel of God to be taught. That whole counsel inevitably and purposely comes to a point in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This made me see that there is much value in sharing with others what we are learning from the Word and in our walk with Christ!

God, give us grace and the power of Your Holy Spirit to live out loud as we seek You and follow You!

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Acts 4:29

Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. Acts 19:8

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Photos - From our trip to Canada. I love the way the flowers seem to be craning their necks to look at the mountain!

1 comment:

  1. And, because so many simply "do not know" isn't it all the more vital that we live boldly and "out loud". To whom much has been given much will be expected.

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