Category: Nehemiah

Vision and Opposition

“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” Nehemiah 6:15-16 (ESV) God blessed Nehemiah’s obedience and the walls of Jerusalem were finished in fifty-two days. Nehemiah had brought his burden to the Lord in prayer and then joined God in His activity. The vision to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem became a reality as God provided for Nehemiah every step of the way. Nehemiah had to overcome obstacles and had to advance through adversity. He faced major opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. Nehemiah was falsely accused and misunderstood. “Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, ‘Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.’ But they intended to do me harm.” Nehemiah 6:1-2 (ESV) Motion causes friction. When you are on mission with God, you can anticipate the motion of obedience to generate friction from the enemy. Satan opposes God’s will and he hates God’s children. When you choose to implement the vision God has given you, be ready for opposition. Don’t come down from the wall God has called you to in order to try to alleviate the opposition. Reserve your energy for the task God has called you to so that the vision can become a reality. Remember that people are not the enemy, but the enemy uses people. Don’t allow anyone to keep you from fulfilling the vision God has given you. Keep your eyes on the prize! Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Leadership Nehemiah Vision

Can You See It?

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.’ And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” Nehemiah 2:17-18 (ESV) Nehemiah’s vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was birthed out of his burden for his people. As the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was the most trusted man in that kingdom. He had job security and a solid future serving in the palace in Susa. Upon receiving news concerning the plight of the Jews, Nehemiah brought his burdens to the Lord in prayer. After a season of praying, Nehemiah shared his burden with King Artaxerxes. God’s favor was poured out on Nehemiah as the king was prompted to finance the mission. Many people have vision, but a smaller number of people know how to implement their vision. God gave Nehemiah a clear and compelling vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and Nehemiah took action. Having a vision was not sufficient; executing the vision was essential. One of my favorite pastors and preachers, Dr. Johnny Hunt, has often said in reference to vision, “If you don’t see it, before you see it, you’ll never see it!” What vision has God given you for your life and ministry? What burden has God placed inside of you? What troubles you? What needs your attention and your leadership? Can you see it? Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Fasting Nehemiah Worship

Made to Worship

“Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.” Nehemiah 9:1-3 (ESV) The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the people of Israel had gathered for a sacred assembly. Ezra read the Book of the Law in the hearing of the people. In brokenness and humility, the people of Israel assembled with fasting and consecrated themselves before the Lord. They chose to separate themselves from all foreigners and stood to confess their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. In this sacred assembly, they experienced the reading of the law, confession, and worship. What does your worship look like in private? How do you commune with God personally and privately? Spend a few moments assessing your private worship. Do you spend time feeding on God’s Word? Do you spend unhurried time alone with God in prayer and contemplation? Now think about your public worship. When you gather with other believers to worship God, what does your worship experience entail? Are you conscious of your own sin and cognizant of the holiness of God? Is there a spirit of brokenness and humility as you worship God? Ask God to take your private and public worship to a new level of intimacy. Invite the Lord to take you on a journey in worship that enables you to encounter Him in all of His fullness and holiness. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Fasting Nehemiah Worship

Sacred Assembly

“Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. 2 And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.” Nehemiah 9:1-3 (ESV) The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the people of Israel had gathered for a sacred assembly. Ezra read the Book of the Law in the hearing of the people. In brokenness and humility, the people of Israel assembled with fasting and consecrated themselves before the Lord. They chose to separate themselves from all foreigners and stood to confess their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. In this sacred assembly, they experienced the reading of the law, confession, and worship. What does your worship look like in private? How do you commune with God personally and privately? Spend a few moments assessing your private worship. Do you spend time feeding on God’s Word? Do you spend unhurried time alone with God in prayer and contemplation? Now think about your public worship. When you gather with other believers to worship God, what does your worship experience entail? Are you conscious of your own sin and cognizant of the holiness of God? Is there a spirit of brokenness and humility as you worship God? Ask God to take your private and public worship to a new level of intimacy. Invite the Lord to take you on a journey in worship that enables you to encounter Him in all of His fullness and holiness. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 271: Nehemiah 8-10) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Nehemiah Opposition Vision

Vision and Opposition

“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” Nehemiah 6:15-16 (ESV) God blessed Nehemiah’s obedience and the walls of Jerusalem were finished in fifty-two days. Nehemiah had brought his burden to the Lord in prayer and then joined God in His activity. The vision to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem became a reality as God provided for Nehemiah every step of the way. Nehemiah had to overcome obstacles and had to advance through adversity. He faced major opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. Nehemiah was falsely accused and misunderstood. “Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, ‘Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.’ But they intended to do me harm.” Nehemiah 6:1-2 (ESV) Motion causes friction. When you are on mission with God, you can anticipate the motion of obedience to generate friction from the enemy. Satan opposes God’s will and he hates God’s children. When you choose to implement the vision God has given you, be ready for opposition. Don’t come down from the wall God has called you to in order to try to alleviate the opposition. Reserve your energy for the task God has called you to so that the vision can become a reality. Remember that people are not the enemy, but the enemy uses people. Don’t allow anyone to keep you from fulfilling the vision God has given you. Keep your eyes on the prize! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 270: Nehemiah 5-7) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Leadership Nehemiah Vision

Can You See It?

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.’ 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” Nehemiah 2:17-18 (ESV) Nehemiah’s vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was birthed out of his burden for his people. As the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was the most trusted man in that kingdom. He had job security and a solid future serving in the palace in Susa. Upon receiving news concerning the plight of the Jews, Nehemiah brought his burdens to the Lord in prayer. After a season of praying, Nehemiah shared his burden with King Artaxerxes. God’s favor was poured out on Nehemiah as the king was prompted to finance the mission. Many people have vision, but a smaller number of people know how to implement their vision. God gave Nehemiah a clear and compelling vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and Nehemiah took action. Having a vision was not sufficient; executing the vision was essential. One of my mentors, Dr. Johnny Hunt, has often said in reference to vision, “If you don’t see it, before you see it, you’ll never see it!” What vision has God given you for your life and ministry? What burden has God placed inside of you? What troubles you? What needs your attention and your leadership? Can you see it? Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 269: Nehemiah 1-4) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell