Friday, May 29, 2015

Look at the Situation and Take Action




Ne 1:7-10 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.  Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:  But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.  Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

This week we have looked at one of the great leaders of all times, Nehemiah, who, in my opinion, sits right there with Moses and Daniel.  We have gleaned spiritual truths that may have literally changed our thinking about accomplishing the impossible. I despise the thought of quitting something or just giving up. I love a good challenge, don’t you? Right before our grandson left for his journey to Pensacola Christian College, my husband had planned to have some man to man talks for which I am thankful. The last thing he told Wyatt, our grandson, was this, “Think, THINK, THINK! before you make a decision that will bring shame to you, your mom and dad and to us.” We often talk to our adult children and to their children that we ALL represent the Lord Jesus Christ and when one messes up, we all suffer to some degree. It is important to remind our children and grandchildren that sin is no respecter of persons especially when that person determines in the heart to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Nehemiah prayed to God, confessing sin as if he was the one who committed it.  He says, “WE have dealt very corruptly against thee….” He took ownership and pleaded with God to honor His covenant promises made to Moses.  Nehemiah not only knew this Word of God, but lived this Word of God. Our children and grandchildren must see us “know God.” How in the world can this be possible if we do not study, memorize and use it daily around them in the home and outside the home? When we use more quotes from Dr. So and So rather than from the Words of God, something is wrong, folks! Children are not fooled for long, are they? If we live a double life by saying one thing but living another, it will come back to us and haunt us day in and day out and the sad fact is that our hypocrisy will unfold in the daily actions of our own flesh and blood. Who wants that kind of burden dropped at our front door?
1.   Nehemiah got a hold of himself first, and then got a hold of God. The altar can never be too full. It would do us good to fall upon it REGULARLY!
2.   He fasted and prayed. Maybe, it is time for you to fast and pray.  Seek God about this matter.
3.   He got up and got busy sorting out his plan. Look over your situation. Keep your family’s matters in the family. Don’t gossip about it. I’m sorry, but most people do not care.  This is a hard saying, but think about what you want to say, and then don’t tell it! SAY IT TO GOD!
4.   Remind God of His own promises. He already knows….but He loves it when you give HIM credit. He waits for us to open His mouth and hear Him.  If you don’t know where to find His promises, then go on a desperate hunt until you locate them. Begin in Psalms, but also remember that according to Psalm 66:18, God will not hear you or me without first confession of our own iniquities. Also, read John 9:31 and be comforted in this passage:

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Learn from God’s man and become the woman God intended for you to be.  Please read all of Nehemiah. It will thrill your heart and energize your weary soul. Don’t be defeated today but claim the last few words of Nehemiah 13: 31 “Remember me, O my God, for good.”

Until next time, Lord willing….
Sharon

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