What's In YOUR Section Of The Wall?

The wall around Jerusalem, that Nehemiah was lead by God to rebuild, was so much more than just a fortification against adversaries, it represented the health and prosperity of the holy city. In the same way that the workers labored to build that wall, we, as Christians, are building the kingdom of God by serving Him. It shouldn't be merely a duty, but a great joy to all of us who are privileged to take part in it -- and if you are a Christian, there is a section of the "wall" for you to work on as your assignment from God.





Consider Nehemiah chapter 3. This chapter is a list of different people and families with their corresponding section of the wall to rebuild. Nehemiah 3:20 caught my eye...


After him Baruch the son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the Angle to the doorway of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Nehemiah 3:20


Of all the people, listed, this is the only one of whom it is specifically mentioned that he "zealously" worked on it. So how am I working my my section of the wall? Am I building with zeal and passion, or am I putting a mediocre effort into it? We each have section of the wall -- a part in God's kingdom; it's up to each of us how we serve!

Susanna Wesley's Prayer

Following up on my last post about prayer, I came across this prayer by Susanna Wesley -- a woman of God who lived 1669-1742. I think of a time in my Sunday School class, when my helper was praying, and one of the students intentionally belched during the prayer. It upset me considerably, and I made sure to let him know in a loving yet firm way that God is the Most High, not some kind of joke. Based on my experience with third graders, they know better than that. In these modern times when we so often do not fully appreciate the mighty God we're praying to, it was both sobering and refreshing to read the words of someone who truly had a healthy reverence and appreciation for the LORD.

"Enable me O God to collect and compose my thoughts before an immediate approach to thee in prayer.  May I be careful to have my mind in order when I take upon myself the honor to speak to the sovereign Lord of the universe, remembering that upon the temper of my soul depends in very great measure, my success. Thou art infinitely too great to be trifled with, too wise to be imposed on by a mock devotion and dost abhor a sacrifice without a heart. Help me to entertain an habitual sense of thy perfections as an admirable help against cold and formal performances. Save me from engaging in rash and precipitate prayers, and from abrupt breaking away to follow business or pleasure as though I had never prayed. Amen."

If Jesus prayed with such consistency and reverence toward the Father, who are we to do any less?

Daniel in the Lion's Den

This week the lesson for Sunday School is Daniel in the Lion's Den. I've been thinking about what aspect to emphasize to my kids, since last week we studied a very similar story -- Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace. I don't want to be too redundant by re-emphasizing the principle of choosing the LORD over all else (even our own lives).

Should I discuss Daniel's peace of knowing that his soul was in God's hands? Yes, I think I will, but something else came to mind as I read over the passage. What got him into the lion's den in the first place? He refused to stop praying three times a day as he always had! It amazes me that this man was so faithful and consistent -- with and without the possibility of persecution. He wouldn't budge. Yet I look at my comparitively feeble prayer life, and I am ashamed.

If I even saw a glimse of the LORD the way Moses did, I would never take prayer for granted again, yet I know Him and the reality of the power of prayer, so I have no excuse!

That settles it! For the craft, I am going to have the kids make a praying hands door hanger to remind them, as they enter their rooms, that they always have an awesome opportunity to pray to the Most High God! And yes, I will be making one to hang on my door as well!


Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Daniel 6:10

LAST REQUEST

They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59-60

LAST REQUEST

Perpetua followed our Good Shepherd so near,
Despite the thought of looming death with its gripping fear.

This sister they tormented with her infant just born,
Hoping to take advantage of a mother's heart torn.

But God's Spirit inside her over temptation did prevail;
She stood without regret as hungry lions did assail.

She left life to join the number of the heroes of Faith.
Someday I'll walk among them in His Presence – I can't wait!

There's nothing like this joy that's to the world so contrary –
My Lord delivers me from the empty and temporary!

May my life, long or short be glorifying my Savior.
May it be to God a sweet aroma and pleasing flavor.

So when I die, at my funeral, don't cry, mourn or grieve.
Just everybody, at that time, read one last Scripture for me...

Like Luke 23:43, because I'll be in Heaven,
How about Psalm 17:15, or Psalm 16:11!

Then please place in my coffin, before I get buried,
The love-note from the One to whom I'm forever married.

And for my name on my tombstone when it's placed at my head,
Please humbly engrave “Servant of Jesus” instead.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones.
Psalm 116:15

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Copyright © 2011 Brother Jeremy

Waiting On The Lord

For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.
Isaiah 64:4


A brother shared this verse with me when we were having fellowship the other day at Jack in the Box. The verse made me think about how many times I have come across the "wait on the Lord" theme in my reading of the Bible -- more than I can count. For reasons and in ways that we don't always understand, we have to wait patiently for God to act on our behalf. This is oftentimes part of His perfect plan. I get impatient...I've got to trust Him and know that He is God, and knows what's best. You can't crack an egg open to get a chick until the time is right for the chick to emerge.

Are you frustrated and discontent with something that is happening in your circumstances? Take courage! God sees the big picture, and has a plan for you -- He is for you and not against you! Take one day at a time, and rejoice in its beauty from the Lord.


²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard?
         The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
         Does not become weary or tired
         His understanding is inscrutable.
²⁹He gives strength to the weary,
         And to him who lacks might He increases power.
³⁰Though youths grow weary and tired,
         And vigorous young men stumble badly,
³¹Yet those who wait for the LORD
         Will gain new strength;
         They will mount up with wings like eagles,
         They will run and not get tired,
         They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:28-31


Feel free to share a testimony about a time when your patience was rewarded in waiting upon the Lord.

Silent Prayer

I went through a season of doubt recently. I knew in my mind that God hears my thoughts when I pray to Him silently, but I was having trouble convincing my heart of the same. Sometimes it is good to pray aloud, sometimes it is good to even write a prayer, but sometimes it is refreshing to simply silently meditate on and to the Lord! Although it was obvious to me intellectually that God knows our thoughts, what helped me overcome this doubt, was being reminded of some of the Scriptures that confirm this truth...


Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14


For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind
And declares to man what are His thoughts,
He who makes dawn into darkness
And treads on the high places of the earth,
The LORD God of hosts is His name.
Amos 4:13


O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
Psalm 139:1-4


I know that there are more Scriptures like this. Perhaps, for instance, when Hannah prayed to the Lord in her deep distress (1 Samuel 1:10-13), although her mouth was moving. Do you know of any other Scriptures along these lines? If so, please feel free to post them in a comment. Thanks, and may our awesome God be with you!

The Great Commandment

³⁵One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him,
³⁶"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
³⁷And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
³⁸"This is the great and foremost commandment.
³⁹"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
⁴⁰"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 22:35-40


Isn't this awesome! In all the complexity of life, Jesus makes it all rather simple! If you strive to follow these two commandments, everything falls into place.


What I wanted to address, however, is the idea that some have come up with saying that there is a third commandment here: "... love your neighbor as yourself..." Some have tried to say that there is a commandment to love one's self in this Scripture. Do you have to command a bird to fly, or a fish to swim? We naturally love ourselves, therefore no command of that nature is necessary. In fact, if you think about it, all sin is ultimately rooted in love of self. We can deceive others, and even ourselves, but we can't deceive God -- we all love ourselves plenty!

There are clearly only two commandments in this Scripture; Jesus even said "the second", therefore:

⁵Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
⁶Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6 
An accurate paraphrase of verse 39 would be: "...love your neighbor as you [already] love yourself..."

²⁹for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,
Ephesians 5:29