Tag: Nehemiah

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How to Handle Naysayers

Nehemiah 6 Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer, had been given permission to return to Jerusalem. He knew from being in the king’s presence that day after day, challengers arose. Nehemiah watched stored insights and became astute in how to handle these challengers. What a great learning environment that God had planned for Nehemiah. Have you stopped and thought about how God has placed you where you can learn and hone those skills for the work God planned in eternity past just for you?

Challengers did greet Nehemiah, but he not only had the skills to defuse their arguments, but he knew what the proper answer should be. Nehemiah told them I am engaged in an important work. No arguments, just I am busy doing God’s work! The enemies tried again and again to wear Nehemiah down, even to the point of trying to instill fear. But Nehemiah has seen it all, and he just went to God and laid it out before him. Because Nehemiah was clear in his purpose and knew God was on his side, the wall was completed in just 52 days. Nehemiah then journaled; when they heard this news, they were greatly disheartened. [Nehemiah 6:16] How about you? Can you see how God has worked for you?

Do a character analysis on Nehemiah and glean truths for your life. 

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Nehemiah: A Good Role Model

Nehemiah our role model

Nehemiah 7 to 9 The Marks of a Good Leader     

The marks of a good leader are the ability to see ourselves as God’s servant whose sole desire is for a heavenly, not an earthly reward and a sure focus on the task God has presented to us as a “great work.”  

Nehemiah governed through wisdom and practical means. As we read more about him, we can see that he was a man chosen by God because he demonstrated real honor and submission to Him. We can learn much from his example of persistence and wisdom, which is applicable today in our present-day culture. His excellence is one to follow for the church as well as in the secular world.

We need men like Nehemiah. These men are faithful with a proper belief in God; devoted to the interests of God, along with faithfully discharging the duties of his office. Nehemiah is an example to follow as he governed according to the laws as well as taking care of the interests of pure religion. He acted in all things as one who had a fear of God continually before his eyes.

Are we good leaders?

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“The Trilogy”

The Trilogy ...Ezra. Esther, Nehemiah examples of prayer

Nehemiah 1 to 5 Ezra, Esther, Nehemiah all lived in or around the palace in Susa, yet as Moses taught, they were separated religiously from the pagan idolatry of the land. They were examples of fasting and prayer before executing their duties, and God blessed them to serve.

We live in a land that idolizes celebrities who do not live a life pleasing to God. John wrote: “They are from the world; therefore, they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them.” [1Jo 4:5]  Yet, Ezra-Esther-Nehemiah chose to live “in the world but not of the world,” which is a paraphrase of Jesus’ words; Joh 17:16 “They do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world.”

A page out of Nehemiah’s diary might have read; today, I read from the Word, prayed from the Word, and lived by the Word. Nehemiah did nothing until he prayed before he entered the king’s presence, prayed as he faced the enemies, prayed and thanked God for the work he was doing.

What does our prayer life look like?

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Got a problem? Try Nehemiah’s Solution

Nehemiah 4 – 6 With the king’s seal of approval, Nehemiah set off to the city of his ancestors. He quietly took time away from the peering eyes of those who could be the “naysayers” or those who perhaps wore the cloaks of legalese. He took time to scope out the scene. Then he called the leaders together and said “we” have to fix this problem! Amazingly, they agreed. But…just because the majority agreed doesn’t mean that “all” agreed. Satan has his servants both inside and outside. He controls them through fear.

Satan also uses scoffers to deceive with Pharisaical self-righteousness. Maybe you have met them. They are known by their outward piousness. They said Nehemiah is a buffoon to fix a problem that has been with us for over a hundred years!  Remember, scoffers are known by their fruits; they do what they scoff about! They hadn’t fixed the problem and they didn’t want it fixed either! So they scoffed.

Then they sought to distract Nehemiah and his workers through angry words. They even stooped to hire Jews who were more fearful of them than of God. When all those backfired, these enemies hired an insider to get Nehemiah to sin by entering the Temple reserved for those anointed.

Each time Nehemiah went to the Lord in prayer and each time God gave him a discerning spirit.neh 4 prayer2

Remember go to God with your problems and He will give you the answers.

 

 

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Let’s face it; some days are just the pits…

And when those days come around we have only way to handle them and it is in fasting and prayer. Enter Nehemiah and his diary to show us how.

neh 1 prayer2

Nehemiah 1 to 3 “A.C.T.S Prayer”

Nehemiah is a man whose soft heart becomes visible in his reaction to news and in his prayer life. He lived in Babylon serving the king–but his heart was in Jerusalem where his ancestors were buried. He knew the history of the city yet never lived there or even visited there. Had he read the scroll of Ezekiel? Perhaps he read how the false prophets had led the people astray and had not helped to repair the breaches in the wall. But that was then and this is now; 140 yrs. later. The temple is rebuilt but the city remains vulnerable because of these breached walls just as his brother reported to him upon his return from there. What he learned devastated his heart.

When you learn bad news what do you do? Nehemiah did four things: he sat down abruptly, cried and mourned for several days. Then he dried his tears and set about to do just as Paul did; telling God what was on his heart. [Phil 4:6] He praised God and asked that his ear be attentive and his eyes open to hear his prayer. Then he confessed the sins of his people and of himself. Lastly, he asked God to grant his request.  This is the “ACTS” picture of prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication.

Today you may have received news that breaks your heart. Take a page out of Nehemiah’s diary and do as he did; tell God the whole story, step out in faith and watch God work!

 

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