June 16, 2006 - Nehemiah 4-6 and Acts 2:22-47
We had a wonderful time at the Southern Baptist Convention this week. The Lord showed me many things through the messages and other exhortations. One thing the Lord showed me again was how easy it is to be distracted from the work of building the kingdom. These distractions come from every side, because Satan is good at causing us to get our focus off of God's work. In this passage in Nehemiah the Lord reveals many of the distractions that came to Nehemiah and the Israelites as they worked on the wall. We can learn a lot from these examples.
Sometimes, the enemies of the Lord attack us or threaten to attack us to get us to stop the work. This is what happened in chapter 4. However, Nehemiah urged the people not to quit. He told them to pray and trust God for His protection, while taking up their weapons, too. This is a great example for us, because sometimes God defeats the enemies without us fighting at all. Other times, we have to fight in His strength. Therefore, we must be ready, but we must not let the threats of attack stop us.
In chapter 5 the discouragement comes from within. The people are not treating each other well. The rich people are oppressing the poor people by charging interest on the loans and causing them to lose their houses and lands, and even to have to sell their children into slavery. How could that happen? Sometimes, God's people forget we are all on the same team, and we are to help each other out, not hurt each other. When we hurt each other, we cause the work of God to be hindered. We must love each other, and help each one to be able to be used by God to the maximum.
In chapter 6 the enemy tries to trick Nehemiah into an ambush or into a sin. Either way, he would be removed as the leader. Satan is good at attacking leaders and in leading them into sin, so they are disgraced. We must pray for our leaders to stay strong and focused. We must allow them to lead us as God directs, so God's work is done well.
Acts 2 ends with great results. Satan's opposition to the Gospel is defeated. There are 3,000 people saved. The truth goes froth from the disciples and from Peter's message, and the hearts of the people are open to receive it. Why? They had been praying. The Holy Spirit has come in power. They are yielded to the Spirit, so that they obey His command to share. The result is victory. In both of these cases the opposition is overcome, and there is victory. I pray that we will all see the lesson here. We are all on the same team. We are fighting Satan and his team. We must allow God to give us the strength to overcome the distractions. We must not fight each other or hurt each other. We must go forth in God's power to deliver His message, and we will see the victory of the kingdom being built up.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 7-9 and Acts 3.
Sometimes, the enemies of the Lord attack us or threaten to attack us to get us to stop the work. This is what happened in chapter 4. However, Nehemiah urged the people not to quit. He told them to pray and trust God for His protection, while taking up their weapons, too. This is a great example for us, because sometimes God defeats the enemies without us fighting at all. Other times, we have to fight in His strength. Therefore, we must be ready, but we must not let the threats of attack stop us.
In chapter 5 the discouragement comes from within. The people are not treating each other well. The rich people are oppressing the poor people by charging interest on the loans and causing them to lose their houses and lands, and even to have to sell their children into slavery. How could that happen? Sometimes, God's people forget we are all on the same team, and we are to help each other out, not hurt each other. When we hurt each other, we cause the work of God to be hindered. We must love each other, and help each one to be able to be used by God to the maximum.
In chapter 6 the enemy tries to trick Nehemiah into an ambush or into a sin. Either way, he would be removed as the leader. Satan is good at attacking leaders and in leading them into sin, so they are disgraced. We must pray for our leaders to stay strong and focused. We must allow them to lead us as God directs, so God's work is done well.
Acts 2 ends with great results. Satan's opposition to the Gospel is defeated. There are 3,000 people saved. The truth goes froth from the disciples and from Peter's message, and the hearts of the people are open to receive it. Why? They had been praying. The Holy Spirit has come in power. They are yielded to the Spirit, so that they obey His command to share. The result is victory. In both of these cases the opposition is overcome, and there is victory. I pray that we will all see the lesson here. We are all on the same team. We are fighting Satan and his team. We must allow God to give us the strength to overcome the distractions. We must not fight each other or hurt each other. We must go forth in God's power to deliver His message, and we will see the victory of the kingdom being built up.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 7-9 and Acts 3.