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Questions for Reflection – Nehemiah 4-6

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Mark Shields

For the last few weeks I’ve studied and written about Nehemiah who returned
to Jerusalem from exile to rally the people in rebuilding the city walls. He prayed for a plan of action as he prepares for the challenge. There’s a good lesson to be learned from Nehemiah in that going to the ONE who created it all is a smart move when we want to change intangible aspirations into real plans of action.

Once Nehemiah had prayed and planed with God, the work was started. I noticed how each used their God given strengths to make sure success was assured. Each person with their various skills complemented each other so that a great purpose could be achieved.

For the next few weeks, the journey will take me into Nehemiah 4-6 as I use the reading plan below.

Nehemiah 4
Passage Lookup
Which situation receives Nehemiah’s first attention? On whom does Nehemiah focus the people’s attention?

Nehemiah 5
Passage Lookup
What triggers the outcry of the people? Who is the object of this disturbance? What kind of governor is Nehemiah? What will be the character or qualities of my life?

Nehemiah 6
Passage Lookup
What human emotions does the enemy play on? How do the enemies react to word that the Jerusalem wall is finished? Why? How does Nehemiah discern the intentions of the enemy?

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In any great purpose, there will be opponents to progress and we are sure to run into a few road blocks along the way. That’s when we have to believe that God is far greater than our enemies and He will give us courage to stand up and continue the work.

Come along with me or check up on my posts over the next couple of weeks as I write about my travels through Nehemiah 4-6. I’m praying for lessons that can be learned and applied in life. The lessons of how Nehemiah rebuilt the city walls are helpful in this project of blogging about my journey through the Bible. I’m praying that it will bring about positive change in my life and hopefully in the lives of you my readers. Thanks for following.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978

Posted in Nehemiah | Tagged Bible, Blogging, Christ, God, Jerusalem, Jerusalem City Walls, Life Lessons, Nehemiah, Positive Change, Prayer, Readers, Religion and Spirituality, Skills, United Methodist Church | 4 Comments

Shine Like the Stars

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Mark Shields

Youth Pastor Brandon Frenzel gave the sermon message last Sunday at my church titled “Shine Like the Stars”. Pastor Brandon also talked about their recent mission trip to Peru throughout the sermon since the points brought out were lived out on their mission trip.

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 by going to the podcast and clicking on the PDF icon under each sermon. There is a podcast of each sermon at this Link.

Live in Response to God’s Grace

Paul writes to the church at Philippi and the first church looks to Paul for direction.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

How do we live a life that is set apart?

We live in response to things in life. When we are going a little over the speed limit and see a police car, we put our foot on the breaks. When we become a parent for the first time, we buy life insurance. The question is, how do we respond when we accept Christ as our Savior?

Be Content, Be Different, Shine

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ….” (Philippians 2:14-15)

We should try to live and look like God. We shouldn’t complain or argue but live differently. We should serve others, shine like a star, and share about God.

Make Your Life Count

“… as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:16-18)

Ways to make your life count
1. Make a difference in the life of others
2. Live in response to grace
3. Don’t hold anything back
4. Do great things on behalf of God

As I think about the message with the intent of recording a thought to help me apply in life, it would be this: Do great things in life in response to grace. Be happy, kind, share with others, and shine like a star on behalf of God.

I’d like to share this video with you as it includes many of the points Pastor Brandon shared with us. Simply click this link: Starry Night – Chris August or on the video below:

Cause for Rejoicing (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)
New Beginnings (beingrebekah.com)

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged Applied Faith, Chris August, Christ, Contentment, Epistle to the Philippians, God, Grace, Kindness, Light, Paul, Peru, Philippi, Sermon, Shine | 2 Comments

Everyone Contributes

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Mark Shields

As written in yesterday’s post, everyone contributed to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. I remember a point made in a sermon by Pastor Steve at my church explaining that we should take what God is doing and do it with Him. Reach out and claim our identity. Tap into His resources by seeing faith, hope, and love in other believers and getting help from their talents and skills. For other points made in sermons, you can click on this link: FUMC Sermon Podcast.

Here’s a video to help inspire the need for everyone to contribute in order to achieve great purposes: We Will Stand – Larnelle Harris and Russ Taff.

All members of a group complement one another so that each talent is messed together to form an unique ability that inspires, uplifts, energizes, and helps to achieve great purposes.

russ taft (shanealfaro1.typepad.com)
Ripe Life: Sermons on the Fruit of the Spirit (Protestant Pulpit Exchange) ebook downloads (npialibi.typepad.com)
Great Purposes – Nehemiah 3 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Nehemiah | Tagged Abilities, Christianity, Faith, God, Hope, Inspiration, Jerusalem, Larnelle Harris, Love, Pastoral Resources, Podcast, Purpose, Religion and Spirituality, Russ Taff, Sermon, Skills, Talents, Teamwork | 1 Comment

Great Purposes – Nehemiah 3

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Mark Shields

The thing that leads to early success of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem is that the work was divided up so that everyone could contribute. They worked together, each doing their part without conflict or self interest.

Let us all continue to maintain and in some instances repair the broken parts that surround the universal church; laying aside petty disputes and worldly interest. Let us encourage, build up, and humbly pray for members of your family, group, work place, community, city, or country. This day with God is more amazing because of the skills and talents of people like you.

Questions for Reflection – Nehemiah 1-3 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Pray and Prepare (shilohrestoration.org)

Posted in Nehemiah | Tagged Artaxerxes I of Persia, Gifts, God, Israel, Jerusalem, Nehemiah, Skills, Talents, Teamwork, Wall of Jerusalem, Western Wall | 3 Comments

Get Up and Ready to Step Ahead

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Mark Shields

In my post yesterday at Boldly Stepping Ahead, I wrote about how Nehemiah boldly took the initiative to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. He prayed about it and God said “Go”. Many times we know what needs to be done but just lack the will or initiative. Here’s a video that encourages us to step ahead: Get Up, Get Ready – Gold City.