Nehemiah 6 - 10.21.22
Scripture
Nehemiah 6:16
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.
Observation – What does it say?
Nehemiah faced great opposition. His enemies attempted to intimidate him to prevent his completion of the wall. So, Nehemiah asked God to strengthen him. And God did! As a result, the project God gave him to do was completed. When his enemies and the nations around heard about it they not only became afraid but they recognized the project’s completion wasn’t just because Nehemiah and the Israelites worked hard. They realized God helped them.
Understanding – What does it mean?
When I was 18, young but passionate in my relationship with God, my mentor asked me, “What do you want written on your tombstone?” I sat with God as I contemplated the question. I asked God what he wanted written on it. I listened but didn’t hear God give me anything specific in that moment. So I prayed a prayer of surrender and told God,
“God, I don’t care what is written on my tombstone. But whatever it is, I pray that when people read it they would know that there is no way it could have happened without a powerful move of God in my life.”
That prayer is still on the inside cover of my Bible. I believe God desires to glorify himself through us. As his followers, there should be something in our lives that causes the world to see and not be impressed with us, but be impressed with God and praise him.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Life Application
I want to live a life that points people to God. I don’t believe God saved me to be average. And if you’re reading this, I believe the same is true for you.
God, help us to live a life like Nehemiah. A life where we are about your mission, where we rely on your strength to accomplish it, and where you move in power through us to accomplish something much greater than we could in our own strength. Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Revelation 1-10.20.22
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1: 5-6 NKJV
“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
OBSERVATION:
John was an elderly man exiled on the island of Patmos when Jesus CHRIST came to meet him in the midst of his circumstances to bring this Revelation of Himself. Unveiling this awesome Truth—that was to be shared with us all in its richness and splendor.
UNDERSTANDING:
The Unveiling of Jesus Christ…Who HE is…and What HE Does…Part 1
HE IS…CHRIST.
Christ is not Jesus last name. We use it so often we can become mistaken in this. It IS His Title. He is The CHRIST. He is Savior—The Promised Messiah that was to come from the moment sin entered the world (Gen. 3:15).
HE IS..The FAITHFUL Witness.
A witness testifies to what they SEE and KNOW.
Jesus Faithfully testified to who God the Father was by How He lived AND how He honored God all the way to the Cross.
Jesus wants to make us His Faithful Witnesses as well—by demonstrating Jesus’s Love AND sharing the Good News.
This is our MOST important agenda.
HE IS…the FIRSTBORN from the dead.
Jesus was the Firstborn from the dead—EVERYTHING in Humanity Changed with Jesus Resurrection! AND…Resurrection is not just something that happens to believers after they die. God is in the resurrection business THIS side of eternity as well! Are there things you are asking God to resurrect in your life? A relationship, finances, job, dream? Maybe an attitude needs new resurrection life. Jesus IS the God of resurrection—and in the midst of the journey—HE can Bring new resurrection Life now!
HE IS the RULER over the kings of the earth.
Jesus IS the RULER over every single President, King, Queen, Prime Minister, Politician, and Leader in the World. Jesus Knows their names and every single move they are making even BEFORE they make it. We have NO need to worry, doubt, or fear. Jesus is in Charge! He is King of Kings! Sovereignly working out His Perfect Plan according to His Perfect Will.
LIFE APPLICATION:
Our Response—
As Believers we have been privileged to have been WASHED in His Blood and Forgiven of our sins. Jesus has made us Kings and Priests to SERVE in His Kingdom.
Follow Jesus example and BE a Faithful Witness. Share God’s Love and Share the Good News.
LIVE in the Amazing Reality of Christ’s Resurrection Power! This is a Hope that is Life Changing! God is in the business of redeeming Lives!
Don’t fret over the news. Jesus IS in Charge! “Take Courage! Jesus has Overcome the World”.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)
LORD Jesus,
Thank you for giving us this amazing Revelation of Yourself. You are deeply Loving and all Powerful. Forgive me for the times I look around me and at circumstances and become concerned. There is absolutely Nothing happening that you are not fully aware of. I pray You give me Your Wisdom and Understanding to navigate these times you have placed me in. May my eyes Remain Steadfast on You who never change. I pray for courage to rise in this season and have great Love to be Your Faithful Witness wherever You send me. In Jesus Name I pray. amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Psalm 97-10.19.22
Scripture
Psalm 97:7; 11-12
7All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols—worship him, all you gods!….11Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. 12Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
Observation-What does it say?
This Psalm covers the “greatness and wisdom of God.” “Considering the greatness of God and His goodness to His people, it is proper for them to rejoice in Him. The rejoicing should not be primarily in what He has given, but in the LORD Himself—with plenty of thanksgiving at even the remembrance of His holy name.” (The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik-enduringword.com)
Understanding-What does it mean?
Praise and Worship to God is not dependent on circumstances or situations or even based on what He has given us. True worship comes from thanksgiving just for Who He is…Holy, Good, Righteous, Loving, Creator, Faithful, etc. (fill in the blank).
Life Application
Worship happens anywhere and everywhere!
Today (which would be yesterday by the time you read this), I finally scheduled a physical exam for myself after a couple of years. Because it had been so long since I’ve been to the doctor for an overall physical, there were several exams, tests and shots that I was behind on and I agreed to have it all done yesterday. As I was sitting in the room on the exam bed, I started getting anxious and scared. So, you know what I did? I quietly sang a worship song to Jesus and automatically His peace and calm washed over me.
Wherever we are…in the doctor’s office, store, on a walk, doing chores, at our work desk or in the car, let’s worship the Lord for Who He is! No need to wait until Worship Wednesday, a Sunday morning, our circumstances to change or when He gives us something. He is worthy of our worship all the time!
-Michelle Gaddi