Nehemiah 13 - Giving Way To The Adversary

I remember writing a blog some time ago, titled "Keep Your Friends Close, Enemies Closer."  It was about David's kindness to Mephibosheth from 2 Samuel.  The thing to remember is that keeping them closer is with the hopes of knowing their strategy against you, if they have one, and to maybe open their hearts and minds to another way of being through love and generosity. However, the point is not to let them run you over, control your life, or change your heart and mind.  If mingling with the adversary means that you are going to allow a change in your lifestyle so that God is not honored, that His will is not followed, then you probably should really look at the people you are associating with.

Eliashib, the high priest has given space in the temple courts to the adversary, Tobiah, to live.  Tobiah is not a priest.  He doesn't appear to be a Levite.  Tobiah does everything in his power to thwart the attempts to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.  Yet, he is so close that it is apparent that at least he knows about keeping your friends close and enemies closer.  The Israelites, it appears, are still straying.  They are not keeping the Sabbath!  In fact, they are profaning it. 

But, God has sent Nehemiah, to remind them and, with a firm voice and hand, to guide them in the way that they should be going.  In the end, God's will is done.  But, by compromising with the adversary, all could have been lost. 

The safest way to know God's will is to actually read the Holy Scriptures.  Whenever the priests or prophets would read the scriptures, the hearts of the people would turn once again to God.  If you're going to consort with the enemy, it's kind of good - actually, it is necessary - to know God's will and that, my friend, comes from His Word.  Stand firm.  Be strong in the LORD.  Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is His Word.  (Eph 6:17)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Nehemiah 9 - Recall What God Has Done

The people confess their sins and remember what God has done for them.  They celebrate and give thanks for His mercy is great. 

It is important to recall who God is, what He has done for us.  But, you cannot remember or recall what you have not learned or acknowledged.  I know I have talked about this before and will probably do so again.  But, there are days when I want to shout:  "Quit following in the ways of the world and follow in "The Way" of the LORD.  When worship, which includes hearing the word and the Word, and bible study are neglected, what and from whom are we learning?  The answer is simple - the world.  There are 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week.  If we were to tithe our time to focusing on God's Word, to giving God thanks, that would be 2.4 hours per day or 16.8 hours per week.  2.4 hours per day and how many, who say they are Christian, even give that many hours per week?  This must be said:  Christians desire to hear God's word for them.  They desire to worship and give Him thanks.  He has shown us great mercy through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus the Christ.  Do you rejoice and give thanks for that gift of life even weekly, let alone daily? 

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life."  (John 14:6) Christians follow in that way and that way is indeed to the cross and through it, unto eternal life.  Times will not always be easy as a Christian.  But, as the Christian confesses that they have not been faithful to God and remembers, recalls, the mercy that God has bestowed on us, we remember and we give thanks!  We do this by devoting time for the devotion of God and the study of His Word. 

Please, don't buy into the various religions (self, money, ego, etc) of the world by thinking that separting yourself from the church on earth is the way a Christian should go.  Hear the example from Nehemiah:  "Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers."  (vs 2 NIV)  Take the time to separate yourself from the world, even if it is only one hour a week, and join with your brothers and sisters in Christ to give thanks to God, for His mercy is great.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  (1 Peter 2:8-10)

Put aside the ways of this world and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Walk with Him, that you might know His peace.  If you want a deeper relationship with Jesus, you really need to get to know Him. Recall the stories - but - in order to do that you have to know them - read them - hear them as they are read to you, as the people of God gather as a community to give thanks for His great mercy.  It is Sunday morning... See you in a few hours!  And if you don't live near - find someplace to worship and hear God's word, His will for you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Nehemiah 8 - Faith Comes By Hearing

I love it... "...all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law." (vs 3 NIV) and "Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground." (vs 6)

These people gathered together to hear the word.  They took it seriously.  They bowed before the LORD and they wept.  But, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites told them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep." (vs 9)

So often, I hear others say that you don't have to attend worship to believe.  Well, here we have the children of God and until they gathered together to hear the word found in the book; until they heard it proclaimed; they did not, seriously, take it to heart.  But, when they hear it, they wept.  But, this news that they hear is for their edification.  They are to rejoice that the LORD cares for them so much. 

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (Rom 10:17 NKJV) 

Please, wherever you are, find a place to worship the LORD, in the community of God's people.  Hear His Word.  Hear the Good News of the kingdom, so that you too may rejoice in what the LORD has done for you.

Nehemiah 6

Troubles will come... but do no be tempted to sin.  Stay on the course that the LORD has laid out for you.  Follow in His way.  Sometimes troubles come because of the LORD - because the LORD is with you.  Not everyone appreciates how the LORD leads His people.  They become jealous or envious, even fearful and strike out at God's people.  The adversaries were a little troubled because the work of the LORD was being accomplished so quickly.  They continued to try to sabotage what the LORD was doing through Nehemiah.
So far they are unsuccessful.

It seems that there will always be adversaries in the church.  There will be troubles to contend with - trouble that is intended to halt the progress of the mission.  Do not be troubled.  It is by the LORD's hand that the work will be accomplished.

God's Peace be with you.  Pr. J

Nehemiah 4 - Right to Build Walls

Defending their right to rebuild the wall, the men wore their swords at all times, even as they continued to work on the wall.

Of course there were adversaries.  There will always be adversaries to come up against those who try to build up something for themselves and for the people they love.  One doesn't have to protect oneself unless you anticipate or already have adversaries.  One doesn't have to build walls if you are safe.  And, this it seems to me, was/is a very good reason for a wall.  It is a safety feature that will enable the people to better monitor who will come and go within the confines of the city.  The gates can be shut, if need be, to guard against wolves who would enter, steal, and destroy.

Why do we live in square homes with walls?  Is it not to protect ourselves from nature, from people, and to keep our property safe?  Do most of us (in America) not lock our doors? How many fences and gates have you seen?  And... why?  To protect not only their property, but the people who live on that property as well?  Walls and gates...  It would be nice if we lived in a society, in a world, where neither were necessary.  It would be awesome if things like greed, jealousy, anger did not exist.  But, we do not live in Paradise.  And... the people who built the wall around Jerusalem did not, either.  It was tough going for those who had just returned from exile to a city that had been destroyed.  There were those who wanted the city to stay destroyed.  That was evident by the fact that in order to build it, they had to be armed.

Ok.... So I've done my best this morning not to show my bias'.  I think I may have failed.  My point is (and it is only my point - you may very well disagree with me - and that, too, is your right):  who are we to judge if people build walls to protect themselves and their property? 

Nehemiah 3 - Building the Church

The rebuilding of the gates in the wall...  So many men used their energy, their skills, to rebuild the walls and it's gates.  I remember stories of how the first church's, for that matter homes, businesses, etc. were built in this country.  Everyone pitched in!  The history of our church building at Zion in Skanee is not unlike that!  Every now and then we get visitors who will tell us what part their grandparents had in building the church.  Everyone used their gifts to be used in raising up that physical building.  Building a church was a community event.  Building up the Church, which is the Body of Christ, also involves community - the whole community.  The gifts and talents of everyone are necessary to the building up (to grow and edify) of the Body of Christ, which is the Church.  But, I have to add it is not we who build the Church, but Christ in and through and around us.  (Heb 13:21 NIV)

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph 4:15-17)

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb 12:20-21)

Nehemiah 2 - Building and Rebuilding

The city had been burned.  The people exiled from Jerusalem, the temple, their place of worship.  Years later, they return.  Nehemiah returns, with King Artaxerxes' blessing, they will rebuild.

I have just read the obituary of Rev. Antti Lepisto.  He lovingly and faithfully served as President of Suomi Conference, USA since 1993 (after retirement).  Our primary (but, not only) mission was/is, with the help of God, to help rebuild and grow the Ingrian Lutheran Church in Russia.  He had a deep love for the people and a great desire to see the Gospel proclaimed throughout the region, as well as here.  At least once a year he would include in his travels, a visit with me (and other members of the Sumi Conference board) for purposes of soul care.  He was about building and rebuilding the Body of Christ by sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.   

As a young Pastor, Antti, served at Wainola Lutheran Church, MI.  Very many things have changed over the years.  Attendance dwindled down to about a dozen or so as the population of the whole area declined.  The congregation felt that they needed to do something different in order to more fully proclaim the Gospel - to more fully do God's will.  They are now an Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ (LCMC) congregation.  I have volunteered as their interim.  At least that is what they call me.  I am more like a mentor as I am working with three lay men (Joe, Mike and Mark) from Wainola to train them to lead worship, preside at Communion, visit shut-ins, bury the dead....  The congregation is growing once again.  The building is there.  It is intact.  The rebuilding of the Church that is needed there includes much soul care.  Our goal is, with the help of God, to build up the Body of Christ in Wainola.

Please keep Antti's family in your prayers and say an extra prayer or two for one of his first congregation's, Wainola Lutheran Church, as they rebuild their church, their congregation, with the help of God.

Nehemiah 1 - Walls Are Down

What an awesome prayer to an awesome God!

God's people had sinned and were sent into the wilderness in exile.  They finally return, but find that the walls had broken down.  They are in trouble and disgrace.   Nehemiah prays daily for Israel.  He confesses their sins and asks God to bless them.  

Walls have been torn down.  By our own sinful desires, walls that should be standing no longer exist.  God's people have turned their backs on Him and find themselves alone and in exile.  What is to be done?  Pray...

Open your ears, dear LORD.  Hear the prayers lifted before you daily for all who have been scattered into the wilderness.  Bring them back, gather your people, and bless them by your almighty hand, your great power.