Hello My Dear Family, Thank you for standing by me throughout this 13 journey into the book of Nehemiah. I believe that God has spoken to us, through this book of His past faithfulness, on steps we ought to take to rebuild and commit to our own damaged wall.
Today we finish our challenge with chapter 13 and it is the perfect conclusion. Nehemiah has struggled and persevered to inspire the people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Now, with the wall rebuilt and the nation reestablished he looks around and sees the people already returning to the sins which led to their expulsion to begin with. Oh how quickly we forget! Please let us all learn from their mistakes and not have to make them ourselves.
When Nehemiah discovered the complacency of the Jews regarding certain of God's commandments and even their direct disobedience regarding His laws of holiness, he corrected the matters immediately. Let us do the same! Let us remain vigilant and not allow sin to enter our midst. Let us encourage one another in Godly wisdom toward Godly choices. Now is the time we must stand apart more than ever, be above reproach more than ever. God is rebuilding our house! Let's choose to honor Him for it.
Thank you again, my dear family and friends. I stand united with you as your friend and servant. Elise
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Friday, July 30, 2010
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Twelve
My Dear Family,
We're almost there! Thank you for sticking with me this far. We have learned about God's faithfulness in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and we have remembered how to rejoice in His goodness and faithfulness.
Today we ready chapter 12, when the Jews dedicate their newly rebuilt wall to the Lord.
Verse 30 tells us that "The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall."
It is time for us to purify ourselves, my friends. The wall can be rebuilt, our family can remain intact, but the future will only be what God truly desires it to be if we will purify ourselves and commit to live lives of holiness.
If we will make that leap, trusting that God will meet us at every point of weakness, then we will also be able to celebrate as the Jews did. Verse 43 "and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.
Wouldn't you like our celebration to be so loud that it can be heard from afar? That will only happen if we will choose today to purify ourselves.
Tomorrow we will conclude our Nehemiah Challenge with chapter 13.
Your friend and servant,
Elise
We're almost there! Thank you for sticking with me this far. We have learned about God's faithfulness in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and we have remembered how to rejoice in His goodness and faithfulness.
Today we ready chapter 12, when the Jews dedicate their newly rebuilt wall to the Lord.
Verse 30 tells us that "The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall."
It is time for us to purify ourselves, my friends. The wall can be rebuilt, our family can remain intact, but the future will only be what God truly desires it to be if we will purify ourselves and commit to live lives of holiness.
If we will make that leap, trusting that God will meet us at every point of weakness, then we will also be able to celebrate as the Jews did. Verse 43 "and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.
Wouldn't you like our celebration to be so loud that it can be heard from afar? That will only happen if we will choose today to purify ourselves.
Tomorrow we will conclude our Nehemiah Challenge with chapter 13.
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Eleven
Hello My Dear Family,
Today we read chapter 11 in the book of Nehemiah. I would like to direct your attention to verse two. "And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem."
Jerusalem has always been a hot bed of insurrection, division, and political conflict. If a rebellion was going to occur, it started in Jerusalem. If another nation chose to make war with Israel, they would attack Jerusalem. So, those who volunteered to live in the city of Jerusalem were volunteering for an honor, to live in the Holy City, but they also were making a commitment to be on the front lines of any struggle or battle that might come.
How does this apply to our church's current circumstances? Well, who is on the front lines? The leaders of the church. We, as members, must support and bless the current leaders of our church now more than ever. These leaders have not run from our current adversity but they have chosen to stand and fight head on.
Let us follow the example of the Jews in Nehemiah's day and "bless all the men who volunteer to live in Jerusalem." Bless, encourage, and support those leaders who have not fallen back from their responsibilities just because the job has become more difficult. Bless, encourage and support the leaders who have risen to this challenge and fight now on your behalf.
You can support your leaders with words of encouragement, prayer and even by rising up as leaders yourselves.
Let's stand together. No one is insignificant. No one is unnecessary. We are, each and every one of us, part of the Body of Christ.
Our Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow with chapter 12!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Today we read chapter 11 in the book of Nehemiah. I would like to direct your attention to verse two. "And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem."
Jerusalem has always been a hot bed of insurrection, division, and political conflict. If a rebellion was going to occur, it started in Jerusalem. If another nation chose to make war with Israel, they would attack Jerusalem. So, those who volunteered to live in the city of Jerusalem were volunteering for an honor, to live in the Holy City, but they also were making a commitment to be on the front lines of any struggle or battle that might come.
How does this apply to our church's current circumstances? Well, who is on the front lines? The leaders of the church. We, as members, must support and bless the current leaders of our church now more than ever. These leaders have not run from our current adversity but they have chosen to stand and fight head on.
Let us follow the example of the Jews in Nehemiah's day and "bless all the men who volunteer to live in Jerusalem." Bless, encourage, and support those leaders who have not fallen back from their responsibilities just because the job has become more difficult. Bless, encourage and support the leaders who have risen to this challenge and fight now on your behalf.
You can support your leaders with words of encouragement, prayer and even by rising up as leaders yourselves.
Let's stand together. No one is insignificant. No one is unnecessary. We are, each and every one of us, part of the Body of Christ.
Our Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow with chapter 12!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Ten
Hello My Dear Family,
We are nearing the end of this Nehemiah Challenge but we cannot fail or falter. Now, more than ever, we must remain strong, vigilant, and single-minded as a body of believers.
Today we read chapter 10 and it is an amazing chapter! The first several verses might seem unnecessary, but don’t just skip over them…realize what you are reading. You are reading the names of every family who covenanted together to live according to the law of the Lord. They wrote their names down on a signed and sealed document. There was no escaping this covenant!
We will not live like the nations around us. We will stand separate and apart, holy before our God. The names listed are those of the priests and leaders, but even below that, in verses 28-30, we read that “the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding, are joining with their kinsmen, their nobles, and are taking on themselves a curse and an oath to walk in God's law, which was given through Moses, God's servant, and to keep and to observe all the commandments of GOD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes; and that we will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons.”
In one voice, as one nation, they declared that with this new beginning they would follow God’s commands. At any cost they would obey His word.
This is where we stand now, my friends. It is time to start over. We have an incredible opportunity to set out strong, with a newly constructed firm foundation beneath our feet. Will we choose to follow the ways of the world around us or will we choose to honor the Lord our God with all that we have?
I follow the words of Joshua, “Choose for yourselves this day who you will serve, but as for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!”
If we will all agree, making that commitment in one voice, then we will be able to echo the covenant of the Jews in Nehemiah’s day, “we will not neglect the house of our God.” (verse 39)
That is my heart’s desire. Join with me now to surrender and follow Him with devotion and abandon. If you will do that, I guarantee that He will not disappoint!
The Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow with chapter 11.
Your friend and servant,
Elise
We are nearing the end of this Nehemiah Challenge but we cannot fail or falter. Now, more than ever, we must remain strong, vigilant, and single-minded as a body of believers.
Today we read chapter 10 and it is an amazing chapter! The first several verses might seem unnecessary, but don’t just skip over them…realize what you are reading. You are reading the names of every family who covenanted together to live according to the law of the Lord. They wrote their names down on a signed and sealed document. There was no escaping this covenant!
We will not live like the nations around us. We will stand separate and apart, holy before our God. The names listed are those of the priests and leaders, but even below that, in verses 28-30, we read that “the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding, are joining with their kinsmen, their nobles, and are taking on themselves a curse and an oath to walk in God's law, which was given through Moses, God's servant, and to keep and to observe all the commandments of GOD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes; and that we will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons.”
In one voice, as one nation, they declared that with this new beginning they would follow God’s commands. At any cost they would obey His word.
This is where we stand now, my friends. It is time to start over. We have an incredible opportunity to set out strong, with a newly constructed firm foundation beneath our feet. Will we choose to follow the ways of the world around us or will we choose to honor the Lord our God with all that we have?
I follow the words of Joshua, “Choose for yourselves this day who you will serve, but as for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!”
If we will all agree, making that commitment in one voice, then we will be able to echo the covenant of the Jews in Nehemiah’s day, “we will not neglect the house of our God.” (verse 39)
That is my heart’s desire. Join with me now to surrender and follow Him with devotion and abandon. If you will do that, I guarantee that He will not disappoint!
The Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow with chapter 11.
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Nine
Hello my dear family,
We learned yesterday about how the Israelites moved forward, with God's law as their guide. They began by celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, as He had commanded them. Rejoicing, as one nation, for all that God had yet to accomplish.
Today we read about their reflections of the past. It can often be hard to move forward during uncertain times. Which way should we go? How should we proceed? How can we prevent these same mistakes in the future? Then more and more questions pile up...what will become of us now? What is going to happen? What is this going to look like when the dust settles?
Of course, only God knows the answer to any of these questions, yet He asks us to move forward with our faith and confidence firmly in Him.
How can we do that? Only with full knowledge of His past faithfulness, of His past victories on our behalf can we move ahead in boldness.
So, with the immediate work on the wall complete, a restored nation asks "Where do we go from here?" And the answer? Let's look back at all that God has done for us. Look back at all the times He saved us from our enemies. Remember how He miraculously provided for our physical needs? We never went hungry or thirsty...our clothes and shoes lasted for 40 years! Don't forget how He delivered us from slavery.
With this knowledge fresh in their minds, what could they fear? God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. So, if He met our needs then He will do it again.
Likewise, my friends, as God has guarded and protected, healed and delivered, saved and guided us in the past, He will continue to do so. With the full assurance of His continued love and faithfulness we can look ahead to a future of promise. The best is yet to come!
The Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow as we will read chapter 10. Keep running with me...the race is not yet won!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
We learned yesterday about how the Israelites moved forward, with God's law as their guide. They began by celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, as He had commanded them. Rejoicing, as one nation, for all that God had yet to accomplish.
Today we read about their reflections of the past. It can often be hard to move forward during uncertain times. Which way should we go? How should we proceed? How can we prevent these same mistakes in the future? Then more and more questions pile up...what will become of us now? What is going to happen? What is this going to look like when the dust settles?
Of course, only God knows the answer to any of these questions, yet He asks us to move forward with our faith and confidence firmly in Him.
How can we do that? Only with full knowledge of His past faithfulness, of His past victories on our behalf can we move ahead in boldness.
So, with the immediate work on the wall complete, a restored nation asks "Where do we go from here?" And the answer? Let's look back at all that God has done for us. Look back at all the times He saved us from our enemies. Remember how He miraculously provided for our physical needs? We never went hungry or thirsty...our clothes and shoes lasted for 40 years! Don't forget how He delivered us from slavery.
With this knowledge fresh in their minds, what could they fear? God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. So, if He met our needs then He will do it again.
Likewise, my friends, as God has guarded and protected, healed and delivered, saved and guided us in the past, He will continue to do so. With the full assurance of His continued love and faithfulness we can look ahead to a future of promise. The best is yet to come!
The Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow as we will read chapter 10. Keep running with me...the race is not yet won!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Eight
Hello my dear family,
I enjoy this chapter because it reminds us to keep everything in proper order. God was faithful to the Jews, enable and empowering them to rebuild their city wall and the first thing they did once their labor was completed was read HIS law and rejoice as HE had instructed them.
They spent a day listening to the law of the Lord and when they found areas where they had strayed from His commands they wept. Then, their priest and leader encouraged them, the time for weeping is past. Let's start over and start right from here on out. So, according to the word of God they restored the feast of booths.
The feast of booths (also known as the feast of tabernacles or sukkot) is our great earthly rehearsal for that time when we rejoice at the wedding feast of our Savior. It is a time when we celebrate the harvest God has given us as a symbol of the harvest of all souls which we will celebrate with Him in heaven.
What a perfect way to rejoice in God's work! As they Israelites celebrated God's faithfulness to them, they in turn, rejoiced in all He has yet to accomplish. They turned their back on the mistakes and rebellions of their past and moved fully and completely, as one nation with one purpose, toward our God.
This is where we stand, as a family of believers. What's done is done. What's past is past. Let us move together now, in one accord, in the center of God's will. Let's return to His word, to His promises and follow where He leads.
"...this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10b)
The Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow with chapter 9. Don't give up now. Let's keep running the race!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
I enjoy this chapter because it reminds us to keep everything in proper order. God was faithful to the Jews, enable and empowering them to rebuild their city wall and the first thing they did once their labor was completed was read HIS law and rejoice as HE had instructed them.
They spent a day listening to the law of the Lord and when they found areas where they had strayed from His commands they wept. Then, their priest and leader encouraged them, the time for weeping is past. Let's start over and start right from here on out. So, according to the word of God they restored the feast of booths.
The feast of booths (also known as the feast of tabernacles or sukkot) is our great earthly rehearsal for that time when we rejoice at the wedding feast of our Savior. It is a time when we celebrate the harvest God has given us as a symbol of the harvest of all souls which we will celebrate with Him in heaven.
What a perfect way to rejoice in God's work! As they Israelites celebrated God's faithfulness to them, they in turn, rejoiced in all He has yet to accomplish. They turned their back on the mistakes and rebellions of their past and moved fully and completely, as one nation with one purpose, toward our God.
This is where we stand, as a family of believers. What's done is done. What's past is past. Let us move together now, in one accord, in the center of God's will. Let's return to His word, to His promises and follow where He leads.
"...this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10b)
The Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow with chapter 9. Don't give up now. Let's keep running the race!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Seven
My dear family,
Today was difficult. Who knew what to expect? Who knew what was going to happen? But we got through…in fact, we triumphed through!
Now, it’s time to regroup.
In Nehemiah’s day, by the time we hit chapter 7, the eminent dangers of a breeched wall have been repaired. In this chapter they take a census of all of the families who have returned to Jerusalem from exile. This is what I’m calling “regrouping.” They take stock of the resources at their disposal so that they can move forward in strength.
How can we relate this chapter to our current circumstances? Well, our immediate questions have been answered. Now, with a still uncertain or unknown future before us, it’s time to regroup! It’s time to pull together and figure out what our strengths are. Where can we maximize those strengths? Where are their still weaknesses in our wall?
Every one of us has something to offer this family of believers. NOW is the time to stand up and share the burden of ministry. NOW is the time to jump into action. Use your gifts to serve, to support, to encourage the people of God.
At the end of chapter 7 we read “ And when the seventh month came, the sons of Israel were in their cities.” Being in their cities is powerful here. It indicates permanency, being at rest.
If we will join together now and pool our resources of time and gifts then when our “seventh month” comes, we, too, will be in our cities!
The Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow with chapter 8!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Today was difficult. Who knew what to expect? Who knew what was going to happen? But we got through…in fact, we triumphed through!
Now, it’s time to regroup.
In Nehemiah’s day, by the time we hit chapter 7, the eminent dangers of a breeched wall have been repaired. In this chapter they take a census of all of the families who have returned to Jerusalem from exile. This is what I’m calling “regrouping.” They take stock of the resources at their disposal so that they can move forward in strength.
How can we relate this chapter to our current circumstances? Well, our immediate questions have been answered. Now, with a still uncertain or unknown future before us, it’s time to regroup! It’s time to pull together and figure out what our strengths are. Where can we maximize those strengths? Where are their still weaknesses in our wall?
Every one of us has something to offer this family of believers. NOW is the time to stand up and share the burden of ministry. NOW is the time to jump into action. Use your gifts to serve, to support, to encourage the people of God.
At the end of chapter 7 we read “ And when the seventh month came, the sons of Israel were in their cities.” Being in their cities is powerful here. It indicates permanency, being at rest.
If we will join together now and pool our resources of time and gifts then when our “seventh month” comes, we, too, will be in our cities!
The Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow with chapter 8!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Six
My dear family,
As the wall of Jerusalem was nearing completion, Nehemiah and his people are met with challenges, false accusations and deception.
Throughout this book of the Bible I am continually amazed at Nehemiah’s strength, singleness of mind, and perseverance. His faith in his purpose was so strong that nothing anyone said or did stopped, swayed or deterred him. He never lost faith. He never even paused!
When met with false accusations he did not become ashamed or dance around the charges because he knew he had nothing to hide. He had done nothing but follow the purpose God gave him. He called the accusers out point blank, v. 8 “Such things as you are saying have not been done, but you are inventing them in your own mind.”
With the determination of Nehemiah as their driving force, the wall was completed. The people, working together with single purpose repaired the wall around the whole city of Jerusalem in just 52 days! (Looking back to yesterday’s chapter, remember, their minds were set to work!)
So the wall was completed and all of the enemies who had tried to come against Nehemiah personally and the Jews collectively lost their motivation to battle the people of God. Verse 16 reads, “When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”
If we will stand strong and rebuild our church with confidence found in God, then even our enemies, those who try to cause us to lose our faith and give up, will come face to face with the power of God moving among us. If we will yield ourselves to Him then HE will enable us to rebuild and stand strong in the end. In HIM we live. In HIM we move. In HIM we have our begin. And now, in HIM, we rebuild.
Tomorrow we continue our Nehemiah Challenge with Chapter 7!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
As the wall of Jerusalem was nearing completion, Nehemiah and his people are met with challenges, false accusations and deception.
Throughout this book of the Bible I am continually amazed at Nehemiah’s strength, singleness of mind, and perseverance. His faith in his purpose was so strong that nothing anyone said or did stopped, swayed or deterred him. He never lost faith. He never even paused!
When met with false accusations he did not become ashamed or dance around the charges because he knew he had nothing to hide. He had done nothing but follow the purpose God gave him. He called the accusers out point blank, v. 8 “Such things as you are saying have not been done, but you are inventing them in your own mind.”
With the determination of Nehemiah as their driving force, the wall was completed. The people, working together with single purpose repaired the wall around the whole city of Jerusalem in just 52 days! (Looking back to yesterday’s chapter, remember, their minds were set to work!)
So the wall was completed and all of the enemies who had tried to come against Nehemiah personally and the Jews collectively lost their motivation to battle the people of God. Verse 16 reads, “When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”
If we will stand strong and rebuild our church with confidence found in God, then even our enemies, those who try to cause us to lose our faith and give up, will come face to face with the power of God moving among us. If we will yield ourselves to Him then HE will enable us to rebuild and stand strong in the end. In HIM we live. In HIM we move. In HIM we have our begin. And now, in HIM, we rebuild.
Tomorrow we continue our Nehemiah Challenge with Chapter 7!
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Five
Hello my dear family,
I am so grateful that so many of you have agreed to join me in the Nehemiah Challenge. I truly believe that we will see God's hand moving among us in response to our cries for His help.
Today we dive into chapter five of Nehemiah. There is a theme running throughout this chapter...being above reproach.
It came to Nehemiah's attention that the wealthy Jews were taking advantage of the Jews returning from captivity. They were using this trial as a means of increasing their own wealth.
We can draw a parallel between that and our own current circumstances. This is not the time for posturing, for trying to place ourselves above or apart from one another. This is the time to stand together. As Nehemiah admonished the wealthy people of his day to stand WITH their brothers, so we must put aside our differences and stand together.
The time for taking sides and bickering amongst ourselves is over. The time to stand united together has come.
During this time, when all eyes are focused on us and what we will do or say, how we will handle ourselves through this "scandal", we must remain above reproach. We must keep our eyes focused on our goal...the health of our community of believers.
Let us now accept what has come, and turn to the future. Join with me, my friends, my family, to rebuild this wall, one brick at a time.
Your friend and servant,
Elise
I am so grateful that so many of you have agreed to join me in the Nehemiah Challenge. I truly believe that we will see God's hand moving among us in response to our cries for His help.
Today we dive into chapter five of Nehemiah. There is a theme running throughout this chapter...being above reproach.
It came to Nehemiah's attention that the wealthy Jews were taking advantage of the Jews returning from captivity. They were using this trial as a means of increasing their own wealth.
We can draw a parallel between that and our own current circumstances. This is not the time for posturing, for trying to place ourselves above or apart from one another. This is the time to stand together. As Nehemiah admonished the wealthy people of his day to stand WITH their brothers, so we must put aside our differences and stand together.
The time for taking sides and bickering amongst ourselves is over. The time to stand united together has come.
During this time, when all eyes are focused on us and what we will do or say, how we will handle ourselves through this "scandal", we must remain above reproach. We must keep our eyes focused on our goal...the health of our community of believers.
Let us now accept what has come, and turn to the future. Join with me, my friends, my family, to rebuild this wall, one brick at a time.
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Four
Hello my dear family,
I am sitting at a library in Wisconsin while my heart is bound to you, my Living Word family. So...even from a distance, let us continue with our Nehemiah Challenge - Day 4!
This is a hard chapter. It's not hard to understand, but it is hard to digest...trials are never easy and never fun.
At the beginning of the chapter we learn that Nehemiah's work is being mocked and ridiculed. The Jewish people are being criticized and insulted.
In times like this it is so very easy to jump to one side or another and to start accusing and defending. This is not what the Jews did, though. They cried out to God for HIS justice. They asked HIM to defend them and move on their behalf. And then what did they do right after they prayed to God for His help? Verse 6: “So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”
Isn’t that amazing?! It gets me excited just thinking about it! They asked God for help and then left their concerns in HIS hands so that their minds were clear, unencumbered, ready to focus wholly on the task at hand. They were not running around worried or confused, “they had a mind to work.”
The assaults continued to come, and my friends, we surely can expect the same. We live in a small town and we are an easy target, but let us continue to follow Nehemiah’s example in verse 9 and pray to our God, and because of our accusers, set up a guard against them day and night.
Guard your hearts and minds right now from the verbal and emotional attacks that will come. “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”
This is the time for us to rise up, stand together and continue the work God has set before us. I stand with you, following the path God has laid before us. This will be our finest hour.
Your friend and servant,
Elise
I am sitting at a library in Wisconsin while my heart is bound to you, my Living Word family. So...even from a distance, let us continue with our Nehemiah Challenge - Day 4!
This is a hard chapter. It's not hard to understand, but it is hard to digest...trials are never easy and never fun.
At the beginning of the chapter we learn that Nehemiah's work is being mocked and ridiculed. The Jewish people are being criticized and insulted.
In times like this it is so very easy to jump to one side or another and to start accusing and defending. This is not what the Jews did, though. They cried out to God for HIS justice. They asked HIM to defend them and move on their behalf. And then what did they do right after they prayed to God for His help? Verse 6: “So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”
Isn’t that amazing?! It gets me excited just thinking about it! They asked God for help and then left their concerns in HIS hands so that their minds were clear, unencumbered, ready to focus wholly on the task at hand. They were not running around worried or confused, “they had a mind to work.”
The assaults continued to come, and my friends, we surely can expect the same. We live in a small town and we are an easy target, but let us continue to follow Nehemiah’s example in verse 9 and pray to our God, and because of our accusers, set up a guard against them day and night.
Guard your hearts and minds right now from the verbal and emotional attacks that will come. “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”
This is the time for us to rise up, stand together and continue the work God has set before us. I stand with you, following the path God has laid before us. This will be our finest hour.
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge - Day Three
My dear family,
Nehemiah Challenge – Day 3
I love this chapter! Here we read the detailed account of the process of repairing and rebuilding the city gate. These are the very chapters in the Bible that it is so easy to skim over, wondering why they are there in such detail. Why did I really need to know all of this construction information? Let’s take a moment together and look a little deeper though.
As each man is named, so is the job to which he was assigned. The picture is painted of many, many families, many individuals, working together toward one common end, the completed, whole wall of Jerusalem.
How does this apply to our life and our church’s current circumstances? Each individual represents each family or each ministry of the church. We all must take charge of different “gates” or different segments. What are you passionate about? What breaks or heart or drives you to action? Then go! Repair the breach within that ministry! Rebuild the faith of those in that sphere! Someone needs you right now to step up and rebuild.
Right now, my dear friends, I am hearing stories of families accepting this Nehemiah Challenge and reading this book together for the first time in their family history. I am hearing stories of the book of Nehemiah being read and discussed publicly in local businesses. When was the last time that we were so united? Let us stop and praise God for this one great victory that He has already brought forth from our struggle!
Begin rebuilding within your marriages, your families and bring your stronger marriages and united families to the house of God ready to fight, to rebuild the breaches within the walls of our temple. We have a tremendous opportunity to receive this challenge as a war drum, an alarm to wake up and get ready. I, for one, will answer with my own war cry. “Let us arise and build!”
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Nehemiah Challenge – Day 3
I love this chapter! Here we read the detailed account of the process of repairing and rebuilding the city gate. These are the very chapters in the Bible that it is so easy to skim over, wondering why they are there in such detail. Why did I really need to know all of this construction information? Let’s take a moment together and look a little deeper though.
As each man is named, so is the job to which he was assigned. The picture is painted of many, many families, many individuals, working together toward one common end, the completed, whole wall of Jerusalem.
How does this apply to our life and our church’s current circumstances? Each individual represents each family or each ministry of the church. We all must take charge of different “gates” or different segments. What are you passionate about? What breaks or heart or drives you to action? Then go! Repair the breach within that ministry! Rebuild the faith of those in that sphere! Someone needs you right now to step up and rebuild.
Right now, my dear friends, I am hearing stories of families accepting this Nehemiah Challenge and reading this book together for the first time in their family history. I am hearing stories of the book of Nehemiah being read and discussed publicly in local businesses. When was the last time that we were so united? Let us stop and praise God for this one great victory that He has already brought forth from our struggle!
Begin rebuilding within your marriages, your families and bring your stronger marriages and united families to the house of God ready to fight, to rebuild the breaches within the walls of our temple. We have a tremendous opportunity to receive this challenge as a war drum, an alarm to wake up and get ready. I, for one, will answer with my own war cry. “Let us arise and build!”
Your friend and servant,
Elise
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Escaping From Prison
Acts 16:25-30
25But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. 27And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." 29Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?""
In the scripture above we read that the chains and walls that imprisoned Paul and Silas were broken when they worshiped God, and this is something I have often heard taught. We ought to praise God under all circumstances and in all places for He is more than able to come to our rescue. However, there is an interesting aside to this story that I have never specifically heard taught.
If the scene above had been written for a Hollywood movie then the chains would have broken, the walls come down, and Paul and Silas would have quickly and quietly snuck away to their smuggled freedom. They would no longer be confined but they would have remained fugitives.
However, Hollywood didn't write the story, God did. In His perfect version, Paul and Silas stayed, despite the opportunity for freedom, and a man and his entire household were saved through their testimony.
What can we learn from this? When I find myself in a prison situation, a season when I feel trapped with no way out. A scenario where I have been falsely accused and/or even convicted of crimes I did not commit. Or, like Paul and Silas, perhaps I am indeed guilty of that which they accuse me, but the action was not wrong. What do I do? Do I sit in my isolation and weep, "Why, God? Why?" Or do I choose to praise Him in the midst of my darkness?
Let's assume for the sake of continuing that I have made the better choice. I have praised God from the depth of my despair and He has heard my cries for help. The doors to my proverbial cell swing open and God whispers, "You are free to leave, my child, but if you choose to stay you will be a part of something amazing."
That is the great challenge. When I have been accused, and imprisoned. When evil people say hateful things against me. When the very deck of my life seems stacked against me God offers me freedom, but asks for my sacrifice. Then the question becomes, "How far will you follow me, My child?" I stand in my cell at the edge of my open door, ready to run when again His voice whispers, "How much of yourself are you willing to give for My sake?"
If I choose to make a run for it, He cannot be angry. After all, it is a freedom He, Himself granted. In fact, many of us would run out the doors glorifying God for His faithfulness. But if I am willing to be still and trust Him, might He use me to accomplish something even more miraculous? What might happen if I am willing to lay my own interests aside and wait for Him, despite my own discomfort?
In the story above, not only was the prison guard saved, along with every member of his household, but Paul and Silas were set free as truly free men, not fugitives who had miraculously broken their bonds. If I will only wait and listen for Him, might God do more for me than tear down a few walls? If I will take a chance based on my confidence in Him, if I will surrender to His will over my own fears and preferences, might He tear down those walls and then use me to begin to rebuild beyond my greatest expectation?
This is a valuable lesson for me, and I believe I am not so very different than anyone else. Too often I seek whatever will bring me comfort and make me happy, but my perception is off. I see such a small corner of the larger picture He is painting. Oh if I will only be content to wait for Him, what might He be able to do in and through me!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Freaked Out Blessedness
I realize that it has been far too long since my last post and I cannot thank enough those people who enjoy my blog enough to contact me and tell me you've missed it. Our beautiful life has been a bit of a multi-tasking circus and I've been the Ring Master trying to juggle all the acts. This brings me to today's inspiration.
While chatting with a friend who is praying about some choices in her life she said she feels a bit "freaked out" by the possible changes. I laughed, knowing well the feeling, and then replied that I live in a perpetual state of "freaked out blessedness."
My son brings so much joy into my life, and into our family. He makes me laugh and he makes my heart flutter. But with all of this joy and energy comes the greatest responsibility I've ever had. That responsibility can seem incredibly daunting. This little life is waiting to be shaped. He is looking to me to teach him, train him, and enable him to succeed. It is a tremendous honor and a heavy burden. But, God promises that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and He has called me to shape, teach, train, and enable this little man so that can only mean that He will carry me through.
A few months ago I was beginning to pray for and about my family. I was deciding what to pray for and about and as I thought through the various possibilities I realized something quite simple that has revolutionized my thinking. It was simple, and apparently I've been missing it for years.
Why am I so concerned about praying for more children but not too many children? I have a boy now, should I pray for a brother to be his playmate or a sister to "complete" our family. (Isn't that part of the American dream?) It all sounds so ridiculous as I type these words, but this is exactly what I've done throughout my life on any number of subjects. I decide what I believe is best for me and then I pray for God to make it happen.
On the aforementioned night, that changed. If God wills me to have a child every two years for as long as I'm able, probably totalling about eight, then I need to pray that God gives me patience; that He helps me to find and hold on to peace amidst the sometimes chaos that surely would frequent our home; that He enables me to always make my husband my top priority, never neglecting that most important relationship. What is, on the other hand, my son was a singularly wonderful gift from God? If he is the only child that God grants us biologically then I need to pray that I use my time wisely, for surely I will have more of it than the mother He grants many children. I need to pray for contentment with the beautiful child He has already given me. I need to pray that I find my fulfillment in Him, not in my family.
Don't you see? It has nothing to do with what I want or desire or prefer. My prayer has become "God help me to become the woman that I need to be in order to walk out the path that You've laid before me. Help me to be who You've created me to be."
Jesus prayed "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." (John 17:4)
Let me live my life able to say the same when my years have ended. Let me not claim that I have done everything I ever wanted to do, or that my plans have succeeded. Let me live my life and finally declare that I have brought God glory on earth by completing the work He gave me to do, by becoming the creation He always intended me to be.
So, there are moments when more children seems perfect, and there are moments when I can hardly manage the one I have. God knows that. He also knows exactly what I am truly capable of.
After almost six years of marriage, I still get butterflies in my stomach when I hear my husband pull into the driveway after being away at work. He still makes my heart pound. For no reason whatsoever, my little boy runs up to me from behind and wraps his arms around me, squeezing me tightly. I am, indeed, blessed to be living this life.
Maybe I'm supposed to be a little freaked out. It keeps my eyes on Him.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Why "Twilight" is So Popular and Why We Should Care
OK, I recently succumbed to my own curiosity and watched "Twilight." While I understand that according to book fans the movie was somewhat disappointing (as nearly all movie adaptations are) it definitely gave me enough of an idea of what the series is about to think deeply about the larger implications of the franchises popularity.
In the book "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge they define the primary questions in every woman's heart to be one, "Am I lovely," and two, "Am I worth fighting for?"
Recent generations of women have grown up sorely lacking the affirmation that they need from their fathers. Little girls need to be told that they're beautiful when they spin in their princess dresses. They need to know that they are worth the sacrifice of time for their father's to sit down to a tea party with Mr. Bear and Mrs. Snuggles. In the absence of this necessary validation, girls will seek comfort and pleasing words wherever they find them. This is one tragic reason there is so much sexual activity among today's youth.
In the Twilight series you have every girl's dream come true. The hero, Edward, so deeply desires Bella's company that he is willing to torture himself and deny everything in his nature just to be near her. His desire for her is all consuming and, quite literally, ravenous. He risks his comfort, his secrets, and even his life to protect and defend her. And she, being able to do nothing to defend herself, is able to allow him to protect her.
Now let's look at it from his side. In "Wild At Heart" John Eldredge sites the prevailing questions in a man's heart to be "Am I strong enough? Do I have what t takes?" I hate to revisit the old argument of all that is wrong in society, but...we are so messed up! Little boys are not allowed to be tough anymore! They are supposed to be sensitive and gentle, sit quietly and calmly. The very nature of what defines them as boys, different and wonderfully unique from girls, is criticized and called into question by society at large.
"Twilight" presents us with a hero who is fierce and impossibly strong, but in control of his faculties. He is driven to protect the object of his love no matter the danger to himself. This is a man that a boy would desire to emulate.
Now look at the heroine from a man's perspective. Of course she is beautiful but we'll leave that alone. Bella is devoted to Edward, knowing all his flaws and failings she is devoted to him. She knows he is immortal and she longs to, quite literally, send eternity with him. She honors his wishes and respects his strength, and she allows him to protect her. She is not so determined to be independent that she cannot acknowledge when he has saved her. This is a woman that a man longs to rescue, a woman he dreams of fighting for.
There has been a major androgenization of our society. Men are supposed to be more feminine, gentle, sensitive, and tender and women are supposed to be tough, fierce and driven. But these roles that society tells us we should be playing are contrary to our God-given nature. How, then, can we wonder when a story comes along that strikes a chord within us?
When a story comes along to tell a woman that she is lovely, that she is worth fighting for, she will be drawn to that message, for her heart has been crying to hear those words.
When a story comes along to tell a man that he has what it takes. He is strong enough to rescue the princess. When a man hears that he can be the hero, he will listen, for it is the validation for which he has been starving.
We cannot change the very nature God has given us. The popularity of "Twilight" is just a symptom of the great sexual identity crisis our society is facing. Men, it is not only OK to be masculine but it is remarkable, inspiring, and necessary for you to rise up and be men! Women, not only is it all right for you to be feminine, it brings beauty, grace and compassion to the world when you embrace the nature God gave you.
So, men and women of the world...be yourselves!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Trusting an Unfailing God
Genesis 25-30
Well, I am sorry to say this, but have you noticed that thus far in the book of Genesis the example that most of the women have given us is precisely what NOT to do? While Rachel was pregnant with Jacob and Esau God told her what there future would be like. "Two nations are warring within you and the younger will rule the older." In that revelation God didn't say a single thing like, "Now, Rachel, I'm gonna need your help on this one..." Did He? No, of course not.
But, like Sarah before her, and so many of us after her, she took matters into her own hands. In order to help God bring His will to pass Rachel betrayed one of her own sons and deceived her husband. I cannot even begin to imagine the long lasting impact her deception would have on her marriage, and would Esau ever speak to her again? Finally, she loses the one thing she most cared about. She has to send Jacob away to protect his life from the brother she helped, and even persuaded him to betray. She loses everything in her life that mattered in a single act of mistrust.
Reading about how prone to intervention these first women of the Bible were, Eve, Sarah, Rachel (even remember Lot's wife and daughters) it should scream out to us as a warning. GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING! If He has made you a promise, HE WILL BRING IT TO PASS. If He has told you something, HE WILL SEE IT THROUGH.
As we wait and wonder when He will act, let us remember the examples He intentionally left for us. Let us learn from their mistakes and let us not repeat them. Let us learn to trust God, His wisdom and His perfect timing. He always knows what He is doing and nothing ever takes Him by surprise.
Owen and I had determined long before this struggle that we did not personally beieve in intervening to force conception. This conviction is not for everyone and I could never pass judgment on another couple as they face this incredible difficult choice. I only know what was right for us. For our situation we both believed that our only coioce was to trust God. In His time we believed that we would conceive.
A little over two years into our struggle God allowed me to discover my intolerance to gten. That discovery brought with it not only pregnancy, but the greatest quality of life change I could have imagined. It was not merely God's will for us to have a beautiful baby boy. It was also His will for me to be in perfect health, thriving as I carried and now raise that precious child. Had we intervened and tried to force our will we might have succeeded in creating a life, for God often allows our will to prevail, even when it is contrary to His, as evidenced by the reading which inspires this entry. But, although we might have succeeded in attaining the child we desired, I would continue to be ill, and who is to say that I would have been able to sustain the pregnancy? And though any child is precious, a child created at any other time would not have been this child. He or she would not have been my beautiful Noble boy. And what joy would I now be missing in my life if this sweet boy were not a part of it?
You see, there is so much more to our faith in God's purposes than merely our own life and choices. Whose life might be depending on my faith in God's promises? Whose life might be impacted by my forcing of my own will for my own purposes?
It is not merely for myself that I must trust my God. He is Master, Creator, Lord of all creation. He holds the future in His hands - not merely my future, but all future. I must trust Him. I must believe Him. He has never failed me.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Do I Trust Him?
This week's Bible blog is inspired from Genesis chapters 19-24.There is so much in this section that it is really difficult for me to pick my usual one story to focus on so I am going to focus on a theme.
God promised Abraham and Sarai a son. For the sake of brevity I am going to skip all of their doubts along the way but let's just agree that we can hardly blame them for wondering how they were going to birth a child of their own as Centenarians. (That's my SAT word for people in their 100's.)
So, miracle of miracles occurs and they do, by natural means with no intervention, conceive and give birth to a healthy baby boy. I know that most of you have also read this story, but it helps me to summarize.
This is what I find incredible about the coming scene. Sarah asks to send Hagar and Ishmael away. Although it hurts Abraham because he loves Ishmael, who is, after all, also his flesh and blood, God tells Abraham that it will be OK. Just let them go. So Abraham gives up his first born son.
Think about this, it is so interesting. Ishmael was the child born of the flesh. God promised a miracle and Sarah didn't have enough faith to receive the miracle so she interceded and told Abraham to have a son through her maid. (Let's not even get into the way marriage worked back then!!) Through their own strength and their own efforts, apart from God's will, they brought their own will to pass. Hagar had a son, and God had to send him out of Abraham's life. They had to get rid of their own dream before God could do something with the dream HE gave to them.
Then, after Ishmael has been sent away, Abraham's only son remaining is Isaac, and God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Can't you hear the dialogue?
Abraham pleads, "But God, I waited and I waited for this promise to come true and now you want me to kill the very dream that you brought to fruition in my life?"
God replies, "You trusted me then, you need to trust me now."
Abraham: "But you already sent away my other son. I have no one left. There are no heirs to my family. Aren't my decendants supposed to outnumber the sands of the sea?"
God has only one response, "Either you trust me, or you don't. So, Abraham, do you trust me?"
Abraham packs his son up and climbs the mountain. Can't you imagine that every step of the way he was searching the woods for a lamb, a goat, anything that would let him out of this. Every step higher on that mountain he must have been trying to drown out his own agony to strain and hear God speak, for surely God was going to call this whole thing off.
Can you picture Isaac, a young boy climbing up the mountain with his father?
"Hey, Dad! Did you see that rabbit over there? I bet I can jump as high as he can! Watch me try!!" and as Abraham watches his son, who trusts him completely, try to jump off a log and onto a rock his heart aches over the choice before him. Do I trust God or do I love my so? of course the two questions are incompatible in reality. If we completely trust God then we love those around us so much more perfectly. But it is so easy to understand why Abraham would feel torn by this step of faith that God asked of him.
Now this is the cream of the story to me. Abraham ties Isaac up and places him on the alter. You have to think that if Isaac, a young, strong boy, had put up any sort of fight against his father, who was well over 100 by this time, then Abraham wouldn't have had a chance at successfully binding him. That tells me that Isaac didn't struggle. Isaac must have asked, "Why, Daddy?"
And all Abraham could say was, "God told me to, but I know that He will provide a way out of this. Isaac, do you trust me?"
Here Abraham was, asking of his son the very same faith that God had asked of him...and they BOTH passed this test. Isaac trusted Abraham and Abraham trusted God.
So after all of that I have a few questions to ask myself.
1. What has God asked me to surrender? Do I have to let go of an old dream? (Ishmael) or am I being asked to sacrifice the very dream God brought to pass in my life? (Isaac)
2. Is there anyone else whose faith is depending on whether or not I trust God to bring His promises for my life to pass?
3. Who is watching me and trusting me?
4. Whatever He has asked of me, Do I trust Him?
These are questions that I have to ask myself over and over again. But hopefully each time God asks something of me I am able to more quickly respond in faith. Each test produces greater trust as I watch him faithfully provide for every one of my needs.
He is, indeed, faithful. It is I who sometimes lack faith.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Deception, Truth, and Real Mercy
I've decided that I am going to include in my blog a weekly discussion on what I'm reading and learning from my Bible reading. So, starting with the beginning, here we go...
From that moment in the garden when we first chose to doubt God’s word, His character, and chose instead to trust the lie of the enemy; to trust our own thoughts and emotions, we have never stopped doubting.
With love staring us in the face we doubt its sincerity. With a paycheck in hand we fear or doubt whether it will be enough. With God’s words in our hearts we doubt whether His promises are really valid for us, in our lives.
From that first seed of doubt planted in the Garden of Eden has sprouted this ubiquitous and pervasive tree that squelches and shadows every area of our lives.
“Has God said…?” asks the voice of doubt. Then we have another choice. We can heed the voice and continue to doubt the very essence of God or we can shout back.
“Yes! God HAS said that I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! Yes! God has said that He has a purpose and a plan for my life! Yes! God has said that my worth is far above rubies!”
As I read the opening chapters of the Bible I am overwhelmed by God’s overflowing mercy. Despite the reality that at every step, humanity failed to trust His goodness, failed to trust His love, failed to obey His commandments, failed to heed His warnings; still He continues to invest in us. He continues to strive with us, to enable us to become all that He knows we are capable of becoming. And surely He knows all that we are capable of becoming, for it was His masterful hands which fashioned us. He never ceases helping us reach for the relationship for which we were created.
We can doubt and fuss and fight, but His mercies are new every morning just the same and He will never give up on us.
With love staring us in the face we doubt its sincerity. With a paycheck in hand we fear or doubt whether it will be enough. With God’s words in our hearts we doubt whether His promises are really valid for us, in our lives.
From that first seed of doubt planted in the Garden of Eden has sprouted this ubiquitous and pervasive tree that squelches and shadows every area of our lives.
“Has God said…?” asks the voice of doubt. Then we have another choice. We can heed the voice and continue to doubt the very essence of God or we can shout back.
“Yes! God HAS said that I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! Yes! God has said that He has a purpose and a plan for my life! Yes! God has said that my worth is far above rubies!”
As I read the opening chapters of the Bible I am overwhelmed by God’s overflowing mercy. Despite the reality that at every step, humanity failed to trust His goodness, failed to trust His love, failed to obey His commandments, failed to heed His warnings; still He continues to invest in us. He continues to strive with us, to enable us to become all that He knows we are capable of becoming. And surely He knows all that we are capable of becoming, for it was His masterful hands which fashioned us. He never ceases helping us reach for the relationship for which we were created.
We can doubt and fuss and fight, but His mercies are new every morning just the same and He will never give up on us.
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