Working...together, again and again...
How very appropriate!!!!!!!
God has this wonderful sense of humor and encouragement ....it is just unfathomable .....
This morning as we were to pick a huge UHAUL truck to move office paraphernalia, lifelong geologist collections of two men, hiring three energetic college men, sorting yet again...this devotional came upon my screen...
I was reminded yet again how God cares for his people in little and big ways...
We all had the opportunity to work together, side by side, until, like the wall, it was finished...although there were no slackers in this group..and how I appreciated that...our energy was flagging, our time was limited. But He multiplied...and gave us grace to finish with this days tasks...unmerited favor...
Thank YOU for your watchcare, your prayer warriors who come along side even at a distance to build up and strengthen with their prayer....
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| Working Together |
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| A daily devotion for August 6th |
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| From your friends at RayStedman.org |
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| The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them (Nehemiah 3:2). |
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Chapter 3 is one of those chapters that consists largely of unpronounceable names and long-forgotten people! It can be discouraging to come to a chapter like this. But it tells the story of the work of repairing the gates and walls of Jerusalem that Nehemiah had been sent there to do.
They worked together. All through this account you will find the phrase next to him worked so and so, and next to them worked others. The writer takes note not only of the workers but also the shirkers, however. Verse 5 says of the men of Tekoa: their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors. Did you know that God records slackers too? When people will not take up their ministry, God puts their name down in that column as well. But the rest all worked together. They helped one another. Nehemiah had so marvelously organized this that each one had a section of the wall or a gate assigned to him.
Notice also they worked near their home. Look at verse 10: Jedaiah made repairs opposite his house. Verse 23 tells of certain men who made repairs in front of their house. The important truth that emerges is that this is God's design for ministry. God has placed us all strategically where He wants us to be. Your neighborhood, office, or home is where your ministry should be. That is why God put you there. In John 15 Jesus said to His disciples that He had appointed them, and the word means strategically placed them. He had put them in the place where He wanted them to be. This is brought out beautifully here as we watch these people laboring in their own neighborhood.
Finally, each one completed his assigned task. They kept on until they had finished the work. Some had more to do than others, but no one failed--except the nobles of Tekoa who would not dirty their hands. I have learned through the years that responsibility is always the mark of spiritual maturity. The most mature members in a congregation are those who stay with the work that has been assigned to them until it is done.
Lord, help me to discover the place I have in Your great work. Grant that I might be faithful in the assignment You have given me in cooperation with others in the body of Christ.
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| Life Application |
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| We enjoy going on mission trips, but how well do we work together to spend time with our neighbors? Do our excuses reveal a shirking of responsibility? |
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| Related Message |
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| For more on this portion of Scripture read the message: |
| Don't be Paralyzed -- Get Organized! |
| or listen to the audio by clicking: |
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| Copyright © 2014 Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book The Power of His Presence: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman, compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet. |
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