June 18, 2006 - Nehemiah 10-11 and Acts 4:1-22
We all need the boldness and the determination to do God's will no matter what. That is what we see in these two passages. I pray that we will all be honest with ourselves and with God as we reflect on these important qualities. I think it is especially significant that this would be our theme on Fathers' Day. I know it is so important for our fathers to be bold leaders who are determined to lead their families in God's way. I hope all of you have a great Fathers' Day, too.
Chapter 10 spells out the terms of the covenant between the people and God. The names are listed of all of the leaders who signed the written document making these commitments. Then, all of the people came together to make the same bold steps. They would not intermarry. They would keep the Sabbath each week. They would keep the Sabbath year each 7 years. They would give their tithes and offerings for God's work. It was a great show of commitment, and writing it down made it even more bold. Maybe, you need to make a written covenant between you and God. That way you are aware of the commitment each time you look at the written words, and you can't forget it as easily.
Chapter 11 tells us about the leaders and the other people who agreed to live in Jerusalem instead of residing in one of the surrounding villages. This took a special commitment, too. There was more work to be done in the city, and it was not as nice to live in the urban environment. However, some people were willing to make this sacrifice to lead the people in the right way, and to do God's will themselves. I pray that all of us are willing to do whatever God leads us to do for His glory, even if it means living in a less desirable place.
Acts 4 tells us about the boldness of Peter and John when they were brought before the Jewish leaders. They would not back down from their preaching in the name of Jesus. The leaders were at a total loss as to what to do in the face of such boldness and such a great miracle. We need to ask God for that kind of Holy Spirit boldness today. It is the only way we can do His will in the face of opposition from the world. However, another thing that struck we when I read this was that these people who were against Peter and John were probably descendants of the men from Nehemiah's time. They had started off wanting to do God's will, but they had strayed from God's course. We need to make sure we are not going our way, but God's way. It is easy to get off track.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 12-13 and Acts 4:23-37.
Chapter 10 spells out the terms of the covenant between the people and God. The names are listed of all of the leaders who signed the written document making these commitments. Then, all of the people came together to make the same bold steps. They would not intermarry. They would keep the Sabbath each week. They would keep the Sabbath year each 7 years. They would give their tithes and offerings for God's work. It was a great show of commitment, and writing it down made it even more bold. Maybe, you need to make a written covenant between you and God. That way you are aware of the commitment each time you look at the written words, and you can't forget it as easily.
Chapter 11 tells us about the leaders and the other people who agreed to live in Jerusalem instead of residing in one of the surrounding villages. This took a special commitment, too. There was more work to be done in the city, and it was not as nice to live in the urban environment. However, some people were willing to make this sacrifice to lead the people in the right way, and to do God's will themselves. I pray that all of us are willing to do whatever God leads us to do for His glory, even if it means living in a less desirable place.
Acts 4 tells us about the boldness of Peter and John when they were brought before the Jewish leaders. They would not back down from their preaching in the name of Jesus. The leaders were at a total loss as to what to do in the face of such boldness and such a great miracle. We need to ask God for that kind of Holy Spirit boldness today. It is the only way we can do His will in the face of opposition from the world. However, another thing that struck we when I read this was that these people who were against Peter and John were probably descendants of the men from Nehemiah's time. They had started off wanting to do God's will, but they had strayed from God's course. We need to make sure we are not going our way, but God's way. It is easy to get off track.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 12-13 and Acts 4:23-37.