Vacation Time

We are leaving for vacation in just a couple of days. We will be spending the week back home in Florida. I will begin posting again after next week.

Lessons from Nehemiah 6

This morning, I was thankful for the timeliness of the passage. In verse 9 "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed."

The context of this passage is Sanballat is trying to discourage the completion of the wall. As a leader in the church, I am all too familiar with discouragement. Discouragement comes from many different places. In my life it has come from people within the church. It has come through a personal battle with depression. It has come from many other places.

When persons decide to step up for leadership it is important to know and expect discouragement. One note, just because you are discouraged doesn't mean you are on the wrong path. It may simply mean that it's time to refocus or in the case of my church repackage what you are planning to do.

Just my thoughts this morning

Lessons from Nehemiah 5

This morning, my post will be brief. We are in the midst of Vacation Bible School. It's our most successful year ever so far.

Here is what I saw. In Nehemiah 5 there is a struggle going on regarding the poor having to be enslaved and sell their properties. As governor Nehemiah faced a great challenge. In verse 16 though it reveals his heart and the heart that is necessary for leaders in the church and outside of the church.

Vs. 16 "...We did not acquire land." Nehemiah's behavior as governor was based on service not opportunism. I think that too often we get this changed around. We focus on the opportunity to get rather than joy of serving.

Just my thoughts!

Let's Get Naked!

This morning, I am preaching on two passages...Luke 7:36-50 & Psalm 5. My message is entitled...Let's Get Naked! (Or as we say here in the south...neckid) :)

It's a simple premise...God desires that we live authentically before him. When we live authentically, then and only then can we live a life of purpose. Then and only then can we experience the joy of life. Unfortunately, too many of us often stop short. We settle for a routine faith, a routine life.

David said "Give ear to my words..." The woman wept at Christ's feet. Both were dissatisfied with the routine of life. They wanted more. They refused to hide from God their true selves. Unlike Adam and Eve. They hid their brokenness. These two persons refused. Their lives were transformed.

I find it interesting that many of us try to live in such a way to protect God from our true selves. As if God doesn't know our struggles. When we live in this inauthentic way we move from a dynamic faith to a routine faith.

It's my belief that the more we reveal to God; the more we celebrate life.
It's my belief that the more we reveal to God; the more our earthly relationships will be changed.
It's my belief that the more we reveal to God; the more our lives transforms inwardly and outwardly.

Don't settle for the routine. Routinely get naked before God.

Just a few thoughts

Lessons from Nehemiah 4

This mornings devotional came from Nehemiah 4. While I read the entire chapter, verses 10-14 stood out to me. This is what I noticed...as a leader in the church there will be times when the forces fighting against you will be just as strong on the inside as they are on the outside.

In this portion; Judah is speaking against their abilities to continue building the wall. Too often in the church growth arena many persons give up far too quickly. They give up quickly because they either don't see the response to their efforts; they haven't fully embraced the vision or they don't understand the necessity of laying a solid foundation before moving forward.

As a leader it is vital to continually share the vision. If the people see the vision it will help tune their eyes to a future goal where they will begin to see the fruits of their labor. It will also help them connect to the building of the foundation.

These are just my thoughts.

Lessons from Nehemiah 3

This morning, I spent some time looking at Nehemiah 3. At first, there doesn't seem to be much in this chapter to grab a hold of. It is simply about the organization of the work. However, when I read through it the 2nd time, the words from verse 5 jumped out to me.

"...but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord."

It's my belief that we often view the work of the church is to be done by the paid professionals. Of course, being a paid professional, I recognize my responsibility to work. However, the work of the church is for all people.

I have been reading the book Ultimate Responsibility by Sue Nilson Kibbey. It's a great book that details the importance of all persons working and serving through the church. If every person would take this charge seriously we would see churches growing at a greater rate. The work of the church is for all people.

Lessons from Nehemiah

This morning, I have just another brief thought from Nehemiah 2. To summarize this chapter, Nehemiah addressed the king about his desire to return to Judah and rebuild the walls.

As a leader in the church, Nehemiah has many applicable lessons. For some reason, I can't seem to get past the beginning of this chapter. Nehemiah seized the opportunity to begin making a change. The King asks him what's wrong and he immediately takes the opportunity to express his desire to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

How many opportunities do we waste when it comes to doing Kingdom work? How many hungry people do we pass by before we offer one of them a meal? How many marginalized persons have to feel the sting of alienation before we welcome them in our midst?

It's my belief that we miss far too many opportunities. We miss these opportunities playing church instead of being the church.

Don't miss your opportunity to be a part of the realization of the Kingdom of God on earth.

Just My Thoughts.

Lessons from Nehemiah

This morning, I began looking at the book of Nehemiah for my morning devotions. It wasn't long until I was struck by a powerful verse. It comes from Nehemiah 1:4. "When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

Nehemiah was weeping because the survivors that remained in Jerusalem were in great peril. They had endured so much but now it seemed as if they would be destroyed.

As I think about Nehemiah's heart; it reminds me of how our heart must be in regards to people that are in great peril.

I think about the people in Darfur -- a day can hardly go by without some news source mentioning the pain they have been enduring. Are we weeping and pleading to God? Are we praying; but still unwilling to help?

One of the greatest downfalls of the church today is our unwillingness to take our faith the next step. We become too consumed with our own lives that we fail to recognize the plight of others. Only when we become serious about this will God bless our lives.

Just my thoughts for the morning!

Deepened Walk

The purpose of my blog is to share a little bit of what God gives me throughout my devotional life. My goal is to attempt to post something daily. Hopefully, it will encourage you on your faith journey. One thing that I ask is that as you post please be courteous to others who have different opinions.