A thought from my study of Nehemiah 9:1-15 is that we should order our day with God’s help because He has the answers for us. Like the Israelites, we should praise God and pray for the day ahead. I found this video that will hopefully give a lift for your day: Lifesong – Casting Crowns. God Bless 🙂
Going to God builds momentum for each day so we are in a position to run the day and not let the day run us. Instead, putting things into order will allow small things to lead to big things and doors will be opened.
Reading in Nehemiah 9:1-15, after the eight day celebration, the Israelites assembled together where they read the Bible, confessed their sin, and worshiped. Ezra brings out in a prayer the character traits of God like being the creator, the seed of righteousness, being kind, giving direction, and providing food.
We should order our daily time with God in the same way because each day is a new day to read the Bible, come clean, worship, and pray; acknowledging that He has the answers for us as we seek to take on the challenges of each day.
As we pray today, let us seek to be attentive to God’s voice. Let us listen for activities that will help us stay on track and balance God’s purpose for our life. It may be things like regularly evaluating our spiritual health, recording progress in a personal journal, or reading and writing so that we learn and pass on to others.
Associate Pastor Su Milam gave the sermon message last Sunday titled “Babylon – Daniel’s Courage in Captivity”. Below is an outline of the message. The notes in blue print are my personal notes and the notes in black are provided by the church staff and are available to everyone at thislink. Simply click the PDF icon under each sermon.
This is Vacation Bible School week at my church and the kids will learn about the powerful story of Daniel that happened around 600 BC. Daniel and three good friends are going off to exile in Babylon. They were chosen to go through leadership training for king Nebuchadnezzar. They were strong, bright, and willing to learn but they didn’t want to conform if it meant going against God’s will.
Four Issues: Food, Dream Interpretation, Fiery Furnace, Lions
1. Food
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be trans- formed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Daniel says no to the King’s menu Are you a conformer or a transformer?
In our world today, there is a subversive or even at times, not so subversive push to conform to a certain way of doing things or to certain values. We find out in the story ofDaniel that he has the courage to stand up and be a transformer, not a conformer.
2. Dream Interpretation “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own under- standing; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Tell the King his dream. Then interpret it. Only God can do this!
Daniel has the courage to tell the king his dream and interpret the dream
Daniel worships God instead of idols so since he didn’t conform to what the king wanted, he and his three friends are forced to go into a fiery furnace.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
King makes an emotional decision Does that happen to you? Yes No Results:
4. Lion’s Den The government officials became jealous of Daniel and they make a decree that sets up Daniel. He was 86 at the time and they haul him off to prison.
“The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider Your decrees.” Psalm 119: 95 (NRSV)
Caused by jealousy Book of conviction and prophecy Daniel: 60% narrative; 40% prophecy
As we read about Daniel, we learn about many of his strengths. He was open to the Spirit of God and remained firm to his convictions. Below is a list of Daniel’s Strengths and on the right is some blanks for us to ponder or reflect on what our strengths are.
Daniel’s StrengthsMy Strengths
•Remained true to his faith •________________________
•Man of power •________________________
•Gift of prophecy •________________________
•Statesman •________________________
•Survived furnace, lion’s den •________________________
In thinking about this week’s message, I believe God has a definite purpose for each of us and to fulfill the purpose, it takes bravery to stand up to those against us. They might plot against us because it threatens their way of life but with courage, we can stand up and be a transformer rather than a conformer.
I’d like to share this video with you as it includes many of the points Pastor Milam shared with us. Simply click this link:Courageous – Casting Crownsor on the video below.
We can strive to be the best we can and work extremely hard to prepare for success but nothing is as important as knowing the way of God and going His way. God is strong enough to carry us and I’d like to share this video about our greatest strength: He Will Carry You – Gaither Vocal Band.
Keep this thought with you – this day with God will be amazing because the joy of the Lord is our strength and prayer is our greatest power 🙂
Reading in Nehemiah 7-8, the wall around Jerusalem was finished but the safety of the city depended more on the inhabitants than upon its walls so God put in Nehemiah’s heart the desire to start the process of returning the exiles to the city.
Once they had settled in, the people assembled together for the reading of God’s Word. They all prayed before the reading and instruction was given during the reading so that it would be understood; therefore applied in their life. As a result of the people’s understanding of the law, they celebrated with great joy for eight days; feasting, reading God’s Word, and proclaiming it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem.
As explained in today’s passage, each day with God can be amazing because we have a chance to study God’s Word and pray. Always remember that prayer is our greatest power because we are speaking to the ONE who already has the answer.
