Neh. 8, 9 [TheMessage]

Freddy Bolinger married Jamie Kennedy, a young lady that had been a member of Living Praise at Christ For The Nations Institute. Because of our close relationship with Jamie (we were the directors of the group) Freddy became close to us also. He had one of the most infectious personalities I’ve ever known. He unexpectedly passed from this life last week. Tomorrow is the memorial service for him.

I will never forget their wedding. It was held at a big prestigious church near Stone Mountain. I remember hanging out with the church’s soundman assigned to the rehearsal. He said, “This is the most disorganized wedding rehearsal I’ve ever seen.” He predicted that the wedding would be a disaster. HOWEVER, I personally knew the talent and experience of all the musicians involved. The wedding was one of the most glorious displays of Christian music to be heard. The highlight was Freddy and Jamie singing to each other.

Freddy will be greatly missed!

Neh. 7 [The Message]

Just try to be accurate about the past without a record of the details.

I confess … I am not a detail person, but I MARRIED ONE. I am so grateful for her when tax season rolls around. She has saved my bacon many times.

Nehemiah was obviously a detail person. He kept good records (or assigned the task to someone else who was capable). Because of his record keeping, we have the names of those responsible for rebuilding the wall. He is traditionally the best example in the Bible of an administrative, organized person.

Matthew was also obviously a detail person. He and Luke left us with accurate genealogies and facts from the days Jesus walked the earth. Hint: Matthew was a tax man.

So, if you are a detail person, WE NEED YOU. If you are not a detail person, YOU NEED ONE.

Neh. 5, 6 [The Message]

It’s almost humorous how many different ways Nehemiah’s enemies tried to deter him. They lied to him, fabricated fictitious accusations about treasonous acts to blame him with, and even tried to kill him. In every threat, Nehemiah WOULD NOT BE STOPPED. He knew he was doing a great work for God and considered every distraction a ploy of the enemy to prevent him from his task.

The devil came to Jesus and tried to do the same. He falsely offered momentary pleasures and fame to Christ to try to get Him to abandon His mission. Finally, Christ Jesus commanded, “,Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve … thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” [Luke 4]

Your enemies will try to draw you off your obedience to God’s will for your life. Be careful NOT to bow down to nor give in to their devices.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Heb. 12:2]

Neh. 4 [The Message]

When Nehemiah heard about how the officials were lining their pockets with benefits at the expense of the common people, he was incensed. He called a meeting and challenged them all to STOP squeezing their fellow Isrealites; He himself emptied his pockets in their presence signifying his contempt for their corruption.

Quite often, the common people have no idea of how they are being ripped off. It’s usually when their conditions become so dire that it is in flagrant contrast to the lifestyle of their leaders.

 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. [Phil. 2:3-5]

Neh. 4 [The Message]

Because of the threats from their enemies, Nehemiah instructed the workers on the wall to be armed. They worked and defended their work simultaneously to make progress. They would not be deterred.

The Psalmist declared, “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;” [Ps. 149:6]

Our defense is not a carnal weapon. It’s the Word of God. We learn and use God’s Word to defend and sustain everything we do. With the knowledge that we are doing the Lord’s Will, we fight on. We are very careful to give God praise continuously because He becomes our defense.

Neh. 3 [The Message]

As I listened to chapter three, the record of the families that worked together to repair all the sections of Jerusalem’s broken-down wall, I was amazed to hear of this man whose daughters were involved in the construction. I got to thinking of how my daughters and I (sons too) are working to build up the walls of our family.

I was speaking to my daughter Ashley of this principle just yesterday. It had to do with training her daughters (my granddaughters) about the importance of family as God wants it. The worldly view of family is becoming so distorted. Christians need to both model and train up children how God wants a family to look like and function.

When our culture is so rapidly changing, the Christian family and home is the last and most important bastion for preserving and restoring Biblical family values. I guess that’s why Dr. James Dobson named his ministry “Focus on the Family.”

Nehemiah 2 [TheMessage]

Pastor Moses Vegh, my mentor, would always say, “What makes you GLAD makes others MAD.” This was true of the resistance Nehemiah experienced when Sanballat and Tobiah found out that he wanted to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. They were incensed that he wanted to repair and restore the city he loved. God wanted to build … they wanted to tear down.

When you serve the Lord, you will usually have some haters that are against your spiritual progress. They don’t want you to be more spiritual than they are. They don’t want you to find fulfillment in Godliness and impacting lives for Christ. They want to drag you down to their level. Sanballat and Tobiah laughed at Nehemiah. They actually despised him.

Know anybody like that?

Nehemiah 1 [The Message]

Both Ezra and Nehemiah carried a spiritual burden for the nation of Israel. Both wept and fasted over the sinful condition and destruction of the City of God, Jerusalem. Their contrition affected their fellow countrymen. They were leaders by rank, position, and example. They both grieved greatly, and then did something about it. Ezra was a great teacher. Nehemiah was a great organizer. They used their gifts to bring about revival and restoration to the city and people they both loved. Two righteous men assumed the grief incurred by their unrighteous fellow countrymen.

OUR NATION is likewise in a state of severe spiritual disrepair. As Christians who stand not in our own righteousness, but in the Righteousness of Christ our King, we too can grieve and assume the burden for our nation.

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [2 Chron. 7:14]

Ezra 9, 10 [The Message]

Ezra is the classic Biblical example of grieving over sin. Because of how Israel had been cross-polluted by the evil practices of the neighboring cultures, he lay prostrate in front of the Temple, openly weeping in grief. He attracted others who joined him in weeping and confessing sin. His repentance actually led to a mighty revival among the Israelites.

Nowadays, people usually justify their sin, or casually allow it to destroy them and their families with progressive decay. Of note is the way he treated his fellow countrymen … HE repented for THEIR sin … he took upon himself the pain of those around him. Sound like anyOne else we know of?

Ezra 8 [The Message]

Ezra required fasting of the priests preparing to do their service in the new Temple. He was a scripture scholar and understood the value of fasting in spiritual matters.

My grandson will be serving as a counsellor at a Christian youth camp this summer. The leadership is requiring that prospective counselors participate in a phone meeting this week. They are also requiring that each participant fast for 24hours leading up to the call. When I heard that, I thought, “This will be good for him.” He’s learning. God is getting him ready for a life of Christian service. Nothing could make me happier.