Facing the opposition…

 Facing the opposition….

I have known struggling addicts of several kinds of addictions…alcohol, drugs, food, porn, etc….they know what to do and do it…but, it is not without a battle….the rewards are great in following what they know is right…but it is not easy…there seems to always be someone who holds out a carrot of temptation…”just this once won’t matter” or “they’ll never know”…

Whenever I read this chapter 4 of Nehemiah, it reminds me of this…the enemy does not want us to succeed in God’s calling.  He will taunt us, ridicule, tear down, temp, call names , etc,etc….he doesn’t want to give up “his” territory in our lives…

I so appreciate Nehemiah through this time…

 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. 

And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. 

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. 

Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” 

In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”Neh.4.4,Neh.4.5,Neh.4.9,Neh.4.14,Neh.4.20

He kept bringing the people back to God’s calling…

David…

 O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge;save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,rending it in pieces, with none to deliver. 

Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end,and may you establish the righteous—you who test the minds and hearts,O righteous God! 

My shield is with God,who saves the upright in heart.

Ps.7.1,Ps.7.2,Ps.7.9,Ps.7.10

Isaiah….

 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning,the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;that they may be called oaks of righteousness,the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.Isa.61.3

Paul…

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. 

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Eph.6.10-18

The enemy hasn’t given up over the ages, We have the Same God who fights for us…stands behind, with and before us…

Thank YOU…

Surrounded…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBl84oZxnJ4&list=RDYBl84oZxnJ4&start_radio=1

Gates…

 

Gates….

I have always enjoyed Nehemiah…I like how he narrated this piece of his life…the gates and who did what…on he surface it seems like a daily diary…but, he prayed long and hard, short and sweet, about what he did and what to say…seeking wisdom along the way…how to speak to the king, how to build, how to speak to the people, how to organize…everything…just a reminder that God is there all the time, a word away…and that he gives answers, wisdom in whatever we ask or seek..

In chapter 3 he talks about 10 gates and who did what…

He starts with the Sheep Gate…the priests rebuilt this one…a reminder that our spiritual leaders take the initiative to lead the way…

  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb.2.17,Heb.4.14-16

Not only was it the Priest’s gate to build…Jesus was the Lamb of God…the priests  brought the sacrificial lambs through this gate to the temple…

And not only that…Jesus called himself the door of the sheep and the good shepherd…

 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John.1.29

 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John.10.7,John.10.8,John.10.11

And much more…So much symbolism…love it…

Okay , let’s go to the Fish gate…

The fish market was apparently close to this gate, hence fish gate…one commentator wrote that the merchants from Tyre, the Sea of Galilee, and other fishing areas came through gate to sell their fish…so fresh water and salt water fish…there are 18 types of native fish in the Sea of Galilee…tilapia being the best known…

Some of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen…he called them to be fishers of men…

 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matt.4.18-22

Jesus fed multitudes with a few fish…

He told the disciples to cast for fish and they got so many , they could hardly bring them in..,

He fed the disciples fish …

 

It is really  interesting about the gates and lots is written about them…

The chapter starts and ends with the Sheep gate…our priority…worship, the Shepherd,  the Lamb of God…

  “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Rev.1.8

Thank YOU…

Lamb of God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QGNUDsQ6fI&list=RD2QGNUDsQ6fI&start_radio=1

https://jesusplusnothing.com/series/post/nehem3

https://fishingandfish.com/what-kind-of-fish-are-in-the-sea-of-galille/

https://jesusplusnothing.com/series/post/

https://firmisrael.org/learn/gates-old-city-jerusalem-meaning/

and there is a lot more!!!

 

I spy with my little eye…

 I spy with my little eye…

We used to play the game, “I spy with my little eye” especially when we were traveling…each person taking turns to find something and then the other would guess wheat they were spying…

Another “ spy” event is one which I watch sporadically, is a restaurant spy show…a well known restauranteur is requested to spy out various restaurants with the goal of helping the owners upgrade in their service, menus,cleaning…in general just help them…he goes in at night looking at everything, has cameras placed to view via remote to see the everyday workings to find out the information he needs to help…

In Nehemiah 2 , Nehemiah does exactly the same thing…he spies out brokenness of Jerusalem by night to see how he is to help…

 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. 

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

Neh.2.11-20

Just as in the tv series, the goal is to build up…not to tear down…

Nehemiah says “the God of heaven will make us prosper “…God sent him to do a work…and he began by evaluating the problem to  come  up with a solution and go forward…he knew before he got there that the gates needed replacing, so he gathered those supplies along the way, with the letters from the king…

 Commit your work to the Lord,and your plans will be established.

Prov.16.3

 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

Luke.14.28

Nehemiah had built his life on the Rock…God his foundation…

Thank YOU…

Restore…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KITZDpuNf4I&list=RDKITZDpuNf4I&start_radio=1

Guardianship….

 Guardianship….

Who is the shortest man in the Bible.?

“Guardianship: The cupbearer often acted as a protector, safeguarding the king from potential threats.

Symbolism of the Role

The cupbearer symbolizes service, sacrifice, and vigilance in biblical texts. This role illustrates themes of faithfulness and divine purpose. It highlights the importance of being prepared for challenges and serving others faithfully, reflecting broader spiritual principles. Understanding the cupbearer’s significance enriches the appreciation for biblical teachings and the individuals who played critical roles in biblical narratives.”

https://biblicalchronology.com/biblical-meaning-of-cupbearer/

Chapter 1 of Nehemiah ends with, “I was the cupbearer to the king”….it comes after hearing about hearing about Jerusalem, it’s downfall, it’s ruined state with walls falling down, gates burned with fire…

It comes after his prayer for the city, the people, the direction he discerns God would have him follow…  

It is interesting that the very definition of cupbearer defines who he is and will become to the Jewish people in the building of the wall… protector, safeguarder…first to the king and then to the  Jewish people upon returning the the fallen city of Jerusalem…his trustworthiness, his organizational skills, etc all play into his new calling of wall building…

How God uses us…uses who we are, uses our skills, calls us to do various things…His plan all along…He has a grand plan…

Thank YOU….

 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” 

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 

And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Neh.1.3-11

Make me a servant…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJTjpHTMxEg&list=RDLJTjpHTMxEg&start_radio=1

Answer—-Knee high, Miah….(sorry, couldn’t help it…one corny joke I actually remembered!)

A review…

 A review…

I just finished a series of books written by Linda Nichols.. written in the early 2000’s, each has a theme to deal with…my favorite was , “At the Scent of Water”…the theme to me was grief, forgiveness, restoration….I kept turning down pages, thinking this sentence, paragraph or page was soooo good…I would love to share, but alas there is a copyright and needs to be permitted to share…so ….

You will have to get the book or series of books…to do your own reading…just as I did…

The Christ of Calvary still changes lives…

A classic poem, The Weaver, written by Benjamin M. Franklin and quoted frequently by Corrie ten Boom speaks to the age-old quandry of contentment amidst uncertainty…

My life is just a weaving
Between my Lord and me.
I cannot change the color
For He works most steadily.

Oft times He weaves the sorrow
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Until the loom is silent
And the shuttle cease to fly,
Will God roll back the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the skillful Weaver’s Hand
As the golden threads of silver
He has patterned in His Plan.  C. 

Some scripture she quoted…

 Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Ps.51.8,Ps.51.12

 For the Lord will not forsake his people;he will not abandon his heritage;

Ps.94.14

 Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things,and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,things too wonderful for me, which I did not know…

Job.42.1-3

 For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”

Jer.31.25

Songs included….

There is a balm…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ3EjnKs1Zo&list=RDTQ3EjnKs1Zo&start_radio=1

Softly and tenderly…

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Softly+and+tenderly

Eastern Gate…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukowp1faado&list=RDukowp1faado&start_radio=1

Holy Spirit, rain down…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnW_1HpPZQ4&list=RDhnW_1HpPZQ4&start_radio=1

Thank YOU…

 Divine intervention…..

How many times can we think of in our personal lives when God performed miracles that we can actually see or that we know of…?

I imagine that there are so many that we don’t of …and many that we do…they are not the natural order of things God set in place…bit things he does to surprise us, to bless us and show that he cares and loves  us with an everlasting love…

I remember traveling with my children, going through an intersection, then looking in my rear view mirror only to see that a big truck had blown through his red light micro seconds after we had gone through. I was so grateful and thankful that God, who goes before us and behind us had protected our family. I praised God then and still do for that reminder that he does protect…

There have been so many encounters…God cares for his people and wants only good…

Finishing the book of Esther, there are so many lessons…But, God  saved his people… he brought them through the death threats, by the prayers and fasting and intercessions…God’s name was not mentioned in the book of Esther..but by the very name, “Jew “, they were known as a people who prayed to their God… and that people group still celebrate those days with the celebration of Purim…we can celebrate our deliverance from  the throes of captivity into our Salvation…rejoice, again I say rejoice…

Thank YOU…

Purim means "lots." Like a lottery, which is not rational or predictable, Purim expresses that which is above nature and human understanding.

There are four main mitzvot — religious duties — associated with the Purim observation . 

The first mitzvah (the singular form of mitzvot) is the public reading of the Megillah, the scroll containing the Book of Esther, once on Purim eve and again on Purim day. During this reading at the synagogue, Jews boo, hiss, stomp their feet, and rattle groggers (noisemakers) whenever Haman’s name is mentioned, as a way to blot out his name.

The next mitzvah is festivity and rejoicing. In fact, Jews are required to be happy on Purim. They accomplish this by dressing in costume, holding carnival-like celebrations, gathering with family and friends, and eating the traditional Hamantaschen treats — triangular fruit-filled cookies that represent the villain Haman’s three-cornered hat.

The third mitzvah is sending food to friends. Typically on Purim morning, Jews bustle about town visiting loved ones and delivering specially prepared food baskets. This gift is to symbolize the spirit of kinship and love that will help prevent the appearance of any future Hamans.

The final mitzvah of Purim is giving gifts to the poor. Tradition holds that observant Jews are to give charity to at least two needy people. The intent is to ensure that all Jews are able to experience the joy of Purim.

Many Jews also observe a fast prior to Purim commemorating Esther’s three days of fasting in preparation for meeting with the king. Called the “Fast of Esther,” it is usually observed the day before Purim. Unlike some other Jewish fasts, it is not a time of sadness, but rather of elevation and inspiration.

https://www.ifcj.org/learn/jewish-holidays/what-is-purim

 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. What then shall we say to these things? 

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 

As it is written,“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom.8.28,Rom.8.31-39

Amazing grace…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkHgxKemCRk&list=RDY-4NFvI5U9w&start_radio=1

https://thewisebeliever.com/lessons-from-the-book-of-esther/

https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/645309/jewish/What-Is-Purim.htm

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Purim

Leaders in a foreign land…

 Leaders in a foreign land…

There are times when we may feel like a duck out of water, out of place, out of our comfort zone….a place that 

God has specifically put us…and we may complain, wonder what is the world we doing in this situation…but it was not mistake …When God calls, he provides…he is the one to give peace through it all…

Reading the last chapter of Esther, finding Mordecai second in rank to the  king….his reputation, trustworthiness in a foreign land stood out, serving a pagan king…he “bloomed where God Called”…

King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.

Esth.10.1-3

But, two other men rose to the occasion like Mordecai…Joseph and Daniel…men who serve faithfully pagan kings and rose to prominence because they were faithful God…

 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. 

So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Gen.41.39-45,Gen.41.51-52

 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.

Dan.2.46-49

These three men had some characteristics that we can cling to…my Bible study notes listed these…

Faithful service to God …in a place they may not have wanted to be…

Trusting in God to weave together the events of life for our best, even though we may not see the overall picture…

The rewards for doing right are sometimes delayed, but they are guaranteed by God himself…

With God’s help, any situation can be used for good, even when others intend it for evil…

Our response matters…

Don’t wait until you are in a tough situation to learn about prayer..

God can use people wherever they are….

Thank YOU…

Leaning on the everlasting arms…

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=leaning+on+the+everlasting+arms+lyrics