Restoration

  Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved! O LORD God of hosts, How long will You be angry with the prayer of Your people?  Psalms 80:3-4

You removed a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and planted it.  You cleared the ground before it, and it took deep root and filled the land. Psalms 80:8-9

Restoration

Of all the nations of the world, Israel was God's crown jewel. For hundreds of years, she had enjoyed the unmatched favor of God; she had experienced undivided fellowship with God; she had been enriched with the unparalleled fortune of God.  But golden dreams had disintegrated into filthy ashes because Israel forgot God. When Israel forgot God, God forsook Israel. 

Overnight Israel had gone from being a nation of conquerors to a nation of captives. She had gone from blessing to bondage.  No longer was she laughing in the sunlight of glee, she was weeping in the darkness of gloom. She had exchanged the gold bracelets of freedom for the iron shackles of slavery, and buckets of tears. Asaph was an Israelite man who pleaded with God to save his country.  

Remind us – God had already planned this beautiful land, flowing with milk and honey, especially for Israel.  It was no coincidence - they did not accidentally stumble upon it.  God planted them there, and He prepared for them way ahead of time.  They were plucked out of Egypt by the sovereign hand of God and planted in a land flowing with milk and honey.  Now they had distanced themselves from Him and the consequences were tough. But they learned.  They were quickly reminded that all they had was because of Him and without Him, life was awful, and deadly.  They had stepped outside of God’s good graces and the protective barrier between them and their enemies was gone.  God took it away.  He removed Himself from their lives and they were attacked.  They pleaded for Him to return and “shine His face on them again” - Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!  Let your face shine, that we may be saved!  Psalm 80:18-19  

God's chosen people had become the laughingstock among the nations of the world. The same thing is really happening to America today. When God is minimized, sin is maximized, and we have minimized Him and maximized ourselves. 

Why have You broken down its hedges, so that all who pass that way pick its fruit?  Psalms 80:12 

A word about restoration – 

The word restore literally means "to turn." 

As long as our back is to God, we will never see His face shine. Notice it was not that God's back was turned toward them, their back was turned toward God. They were the ones who needed to turn around, not God.

They turned, they remembered, and they pleaded.  They had to be reminded of how good God had been and how safe they were in His will.  We all have to be reminded sometimes.  We wander out of the bounds of God’s protection and grace and get stung.  If we are smart, we learn quickly and get back to the place that God’s face shines on us as fast as we can go. There is nothing, nothing, nothing outside of God’s bounds for our lives that is worth the price we pay if we go after it. The greatest place to ever be is basking in His shining face. That is the promised land.  

Fertile Soil = Abundant Growth

 Tuesday, January 20, 2026

 Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Mark 4:3-8

 Fertile Soil = Abundant Growth

Jesus told many parables - or stories - to help tell others all about the His Father’s kingdom and the Gospel story. One such parable was the parable of the sower, in the verses above. He described what the parable meant to His disciples - 

 

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;  but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.  Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” 
Mark 4:13-20

 

By using this parable, Jesus wanted to impress the importance of the state of our hearts when we read, hear, and study His Word. We decide what kind of soil we have. It is not a matter of chance. If you are not intentional, Satan will take every opportunity he can get to snatch the seeds that have been planted in our lives before they can take root.

 

If we do things that help us to grow in our relationship with Christ, such as going to Bible study and church, or having a quiet time every day, without planting what we learn in fertile soil and continuing to nurture it, we will lose it. Without roots it will not last and we quickly fall away from what we started. 

 

Sometimes we hear and learn and know, but we let the circumstances of our lives dictate what we believe to be true, or we let the idols of our lives remain in first place without giving God the throne of our hearts that He deserves. As long as we are holding onto idols, there is no room for God to come into our hearts. We may have seeds and a little bit of nutrients, but we won’t have fruit. 

 

Like a beautiful garden, when we plant our seeds in good soil, and intentionally take care of them with nutrients (reading the Bible, church, worship), and keep the weeds (sin) out, God will produce abundant crops from our relationship with Him. Again, we make the choice. It comes down to what we want in our lives. How much of your life do you want to give Him? The only way we experience all He has planned for us and grow, and in turn help others grow, is to choose to give it all to Him. When we hand over our hearts and allow Him to cultivate His word in fertile soil, we will experience the abundant life He has planned for us. 

Abundant Obedience = Abundant Life

Monday, January 19, 2026

 

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews before his colleagues and the powerful men of Samaria and said, “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!” Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from your sight, because they have angered the builders. So we rebuilt the wall until the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had the will to keep working. Nehemiah 4:1-6 CSB

Abundant Obedience = Abundant Life

Yesterday Pastor Jim concluded our series on Nehemiah called Abundant. Our Key Truth is God is an abundant God and calls His people to live out of His abundance for His glory and the good of others. In the book of Nehemiah, we see the abundant, God-sized vision that God gave Nehemiah in the face of the sorrow as he found out about the destruction and desolation in Jerusalem, his homeland.  In Chapter two we saw the abundant generosity of the Israelites as Nemiah arrives in his homeland and starts rebuilding. Yesterday we learned of the abundant obedience of the Israelites, pressing on in the face of ridicule and threats. 

The Israelites faced opposition from three powerful local men as they build. They had likely been intimidated by these men many times, including the scorn and intimidation used to prevent the rebuilding from starting. Now that the work underway they were angered and annoyed, exhibiting rage and ridicule against the Israelites as they worked. The three men had been bullying through fear and intimidation and now Nehemiah shows up, rallies the Israelites and leads an incredibly productive crew of people successfully. The three bullies’ poor leadership skills are exposed, and their false sense of power is threatened. 

The three men also cast doubt against the Israelites, filling their minds with words of discouragement about their quality of work and ability to finish. They purposefully set out to create doubt in the minds of the Israelites that they could do the job. The Israelites became discouraged, but Nehemiah rallied them again - for the people had the will to keep working. Despite the opposition and the testing of their obedience, their faith was evidenced in their perseverance. Pastor Jim said they worked with one hand and held a weapon in the other because the Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion. But the Israelites rebuilt the wall until the entire wall was joined together up to half its height... 

In the face of their obedience, they faced resistance. They were ridiculed and mocked, bullied and intimidated. They persisted in their obedience and finished the wall. Like the enemies of the Israelites Satan will do whatever he can to stop us from doing the work of the Lord. He will ridicule and mock our obedience, cast doubt and try to stop us in our tracks. He will try to tear down what has been built in the name of the Lord. He will try to create confusion in the body of Christ and in our personal lives that cause us to freeze, distracted by his lies so that we are not focusing on our faith, trust and obedience to keep moving forward, especially when we are proving effective to the Kingdom of God.               

What can we do when we feel stuck, ridiculed, mocked and doubt our ability to carry out the work of the vision? from stepping out in faith? Like the Israelites our first line of defense in every scenario is to pray – above all else. After they rebuilt the wall, there was a national confession and sin and dedication to God. There was renewal in their community and revival in their hearts. While they stood in their places, they read from the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day and spent another fourth of the day in confession and worship of the Lord their God. Nehemiah 9:3

.How does obedience lead to an abundant life with God?

The true reward of a life of obedience comes with the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Bill Hull said “Obedience is where the Holy Spirit meets us.” When we step out in faith the Holy Spirit meets us with the resources we need to keep walking the path that leads to abundant life. An abundant life with God only comes with trust and obedience, and it leads to renewal and revival.  Abundant life is ours as children of God but only through abundant obedience – surrender in every area of our lives as we live obediently for him in all we do and say. 

Abundant: A Study in Nehemiah “Abundant Obedience"

Abundant: A Study in Nehemiah
 “Abundant Obedience"
Nehemiah 4:1-17; 5:1-13:31 (CSB)

 

Key Truth: God is an abundant God and calls His people to live out of His abundance for His glory and the good of others. 

Main Question: How does obedience lead to an abundant life with God?

1.        Obedience will always face resistance.  (4:1-3; 7-8)

How did these men oppose Nehemiah and the Jews? 

a.         Through rage and ridicule. (vs. 1-2a)

b.         By casting doubt. (vs. 2b-3)

c.         By plotting against them. (vs. 7-8)

2.        Obedience is seen in dependence.  (4:4-6, 9-17)

3.        Obedience brings renewal and revival. (5:1-13:31)

After the Message: 
Read the entire Book of Nehemiah and prayerfully read through the “God’s Abundance” Capital Campaign Guide. What is God asking you to do regarding participation in the “God’s Abundance” Capital Campaign. How will you respond to Him in obedience?  

Live Like You Are A Leader – Because You Are

Friday, January16, 2026

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up!  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 CSB

Live Like You Are A Leader – Because You Are

In Nehemiah 3 we find Nehemiah and the Israelites hard at work. We see a model of what it looks like when the family of God pitches in and words together under the guidance of a strong leader. 

The first people mentioned in Chapter 3 are Eliashib and his fellow priests. I love how The Message translation says it in verse 1: The high priest Eliashib and his fellow priests were up and at it: They went to work on the Sheep Gate; they repaired it and hung its doors, continuing on as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. The CSB translation talks about how they dedicated everything they did along the way:  The high priest Eliashib and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it. They were excited and inspired by the leadership of Nehemiah, and ready to work. They were mindful of dedicating everything to God who gets all the glory for rebuilding the ruins. 

The high priest was already a leader in that community. He got to work right alongside his fellow priests, leading  as a godly leader should, all for the glory of God. They started with the Sheep Gate which was located in the northeast corner of the temple. The name is thought to have come from the fact that it was close to the temple and used for bringing in sheep and other animals for sacrifices. Rebuilding the Sheep Gate would help the people of Israel to be closer to returning to their past ways of worship – the most important place to start! 

So many people were working together, in close proximity with each other, it was imperative they have the same goals, complimentary to each other. The wall needed to be strong and well made for defending the city. Nehemiah’s effective leadership skills came straight from God and is an example of godly leadership for us today. He gave them all responsibility and held them accountable. He organized the jobs that needed to be done according to priority. He started with the spiritual aspect of the work and dedicating everything to God. He incorporated the high and low of the community and got them to work together. 

God is pleased when his people work together in unity and for his glory. As his children we should have the same vision – to build up the Kingdom of God. We can let ourselves and our selfish ambitions get in the way if we are not careful. Satan loves that. He thrives on creating disunity in the body of Christ and a building project can create the perfect environment for people to believe their way is the best way. But Nehemiah successfully kept the bond tight as he led them through to the end and they all saw the fruits of their unified labor. When believers work together in unity, but with each offering their unique gifts, the work of God gets done in a glorious way.

If you are a leader, others are looking hard at you and they follow your example. Eliashib was the first mentioned, and the rest of the chapter is filled with the names of more than 50 others that followed his example. Even if you are not in a “leadership” role, you are always influencing someone around you. Work like a leader. Give of yourself like a leader. Live like a leader for the Kingdom of God. 

Are you avoiding God’s call on you to lead?

Are you afraid to step out in faith and lead where you know you should because you feel inadequate?

Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the King living in a posh palace and overnight God turned him into the manager of a construction site. Those don’t really match up but God instantly equipped him to fulfill his calling on his life, and he does the same for us. He gives us everything we need to do the work he calls us to do.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Be Inconvenienced

 Thursday, January 15, 2026

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’  “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40 CSB

Be Inconvenienced 

Sometimes real ministry is not convenient, and we want everything in our lives to be convenient. We can even justify not doing something God is leading us to do by telling ourselves that it is not our responsibility. Nehemiah was greatly inconvenienced. He gave up his very prominent career as a cup bearer for the king. He left the land where he was born, the posh palace where he lived, and went to the messy destruction of the land of his ancestors because God gave him the vision and called him to go. 

We may not have the same story or even the same calling as Nehemiah, but opportunities for ministry are discovered in the everyday places of our lives. They are right under our noses, in our churches, in our own homes, in our neighborhoods, in the workplace, on the bus, in the grocery store, etc.  They are there and if we have eyes to see, we will see them. 

If we pray for eyes to see, how can we turn away? God will put people with needs in our path. It may be physical needs, spiritual needs and/or emotional needs. If we walk on by because we feel like it is not our responsibility, we miss the blessing. God may send someone else to help them, but we will have missed an opportunity for growth that He wanted us to have – because it is our responsibility. If God puts it in our path we need to seriously evaluate how He would want us to respond.

Not only are there opportunities for ministry in our daily lives, but there are disasters (ruins) happening all around us where we can minister to people.  Whose responsibility is it? When we see disasters, we can be the people helping to pick up the pieces and clean up. We can help rebuild the ruins. We can help organize and galvanize people to help rebuild like Nehemiah did. We can minister and show God’s love to hurting people in a very tragic time. 

Ministry – real ministry – is not glamourous. We won’t find real ministry on a big stage with bright lights. You can reach people that way, but real ministry happens in the ruins. It happens in the streets, in the food banks and homeless shelters, as well as in the everyday grind of our own lives. While we wait for someone to call us to some specific service, it is possible we walk by the very ones God has placed in our lives for our care. Is it your children? Is it your spouse? Is it the man you pass on the corner every day on your way to work? The survivors of a city ravished by a natural disaster – or war? 

Jesus’ love was the same for everyone, and His compassion was evident when He encountered the needy. He spent time with the sinners and the outcasts, the poor and the hungry. He gave us an example with His very life of how we are to love and minister to others.  His life was our example of abundant generosity.

What or who has God placed in your path? Where is He calling you to minister? What ruins are there to be rebuilt? Do you need to get the spiritual needs in your home and in your heart taken care of so you are ready to minister in whatever way He leads? Pray for vision to see those around you that you can reach out to with a kind word, a casserole, a prayer, or even a bottle of water. He gives us the opportunities and leads us. We will hear and see if we open our hearts to be everyday ministers right where we are. 

Make A Difference - Finish Faithful

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  Acts 20:22-24 

Make A Difference - Finish Faithful

People are hungry and thirsty for something to make their lives different – better.  Continually searching for that in what the world offers leads to a dead end every time. We need to spend our lives working for something greater than ourselves. Jesus gave us the Great Commission to go and make disciples - to make a difference. To be light and salt. To step out in faith like Nehemiah when God gives a vision and a plan. To step up and be a leader when the walls need to be rebuilt. Having a strong relationship with Christ and trusting him are imperative to follow his leading and live out his will in our lives.  

Having a strong relationship with Christ is imperative to following the spirit closely because the lines of communication have to be open both ways. Communication with Jesus Christ happens when you have a relationship with Him. You need to pray - a lot - for His direction and leading and you need to be listening always for His voice to lead you in the direction He has for you. Then, you must be willing to trust Him in wherever He sends you and whatever He has for you to do.  He does put us in situations we would rather not be in sometimes and with people we would rather not spend time with, but we can rest assured that He has a plan and a purpose for us wherever He leads.  If you have no communication from the Spirit, maybe the lines are crossed or closed altogether. Are you ignoring His plan for you because you don’t want to do it or are you too distracted by the rest of life to open you ears and your heart and receive His word? Or maybe you are afraid? If you are, then you are in good company because some of the greatest people in the Bible were afraid when they realized what God was calling them to do. God gives us what we need to do the work He has laid out for us. 

In the verses above, Paul talks about how the Spirit is leading him to go to Jerusalem and he has no idea what awaits him. He goes on to say except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.  The only thing he does know is that he will have afflictions and be imprisoned. Would you be willing to go? The only thing you know for sure is that it will be hard, you may get thrown in jail and have afflictions which can mean any number of things. We have no idea what it means to be persecuted for sharing the gospel the way Paul and others at that time did - many even being killed because of their witness.

Paul then goes on to say But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Which brings us to the last point:

Make A Difference - Finish Your Task Faithfully

Paul said his life was of little value except that he shares the gospel and finishes the job God gave him to do. If God brings someone into your life that you develop a relationship with, speak truth into their life, and disciple on a regular basis, don’t drop the ball. God has the plan. If you suddenly stop meeting this person, you may miss the harvest moment. Whether it is making disciples or rebuilding the ruins, keep going. Work through the difficulties and stay faithful to his leading and the process. Finish the task he gives you faithfully.  It doesn’t matter how you start, but it matters how you finish.

Rebuilding the Ruins

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and their hands were strengthened to do this good work. Nehemiah 2:18 CSB

 Rebuilding the Ruins

We are currently in a series on Nehemiah called Abundant. Our Key Truth is God is an abundant God and calls His people to live out of His abundance for His glory and the good of others. Last week we saw the abundant, God-sized vision that God gave Nehemiah in the face of the sorrow he had when he found out about the destruction and desolation in Jerusalem.  In Chapter two we see Nemiah in action after God answers his prayer and the King gives him permission, protection, and supplies to go to the homeland of his people and start rebuilding.  

Nehemiah traveled to Jerusalem, unsure of what he was about to find. He had a letter from King Artaxerxes, but not everyone was welcoming. Some were displeased that he was there to help the Israelites and he kept his plans to himself.  He went out at night, so not to be seen, to get a look at the destruction of the walls of Jerusalem that had been torn down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire. After he had assessed the damage and the work to be done, he gathered the priests, nobles, and officials of the city and told them that his desire was to organize the people and rebuild the walls and gates. He was confident in the hand of the Lord on this plan, and he told them of his vision from the Lord and the permission from the King to use the trees in the forest for lumber.

Pastor Jim gave us three points this past Sunday:

Generosity begins with a shared vision.  Nehemiah shared the vision God gave him with the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, and the rest of those who would be doing the work. He is asking them for their physical commitment along with a commitment to unity. They caught the vision and were inspired and rallied to start working. They had hope for the first time in a long time.  

Generosity is a shared work. When they respond positively, saying, “Let’s start rebuilding,” it marked the beginning of their united effort to restore Jerusalem. …And their hands were strengthened to do this good work,” tells of the strength given by God for them to face the tasks ahead. This would not be easy, so unity and solidarity were important. They rallied together and split the work.  

Generosity produces a shared result. The wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul. When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God. Nehemiah 6:15-19 The people finished the wall in fifty-two days! They were strengthened by God – fortified to fortify Jerusalem again. Their enemies were terrified at what they saw. They knew that God’s strength and help was the only way they could ever have accomplished what they had in such a short amount of time. 

Most of us have sadly experienced ruin in our lives – physical ruin of our bodies and possessions, financial ruin, or emotional ruins of a failed marriage or relationship. Have you wept among the ruins in some area of your life? Have you despaired in the ashes having no vision whatsoever about what the next right thing is or how you were ever going to be able to recover? The Israelites could never have done what they did in their own power. God is a God of resurrection. He is the God that makes a way and does a new thing in the desert. He does those same things for us when we are buried in the rubble. When our lives are rooted in him, our strength flows from him. When God is in the center of our hearts and lives, there is always an opportunity for him to rebuild what lies in ruins at our feet. 

What does it mean to be generous and how do we live a life of generosity every day?

As Christians all that we do, say, and all that we are begins and ends in Him. We live a life of generosity every day with our whole lives surrendered to him. Generosity is the result when God invites us into his work. He invites us in to serve and grow and to give freely in any way he asks us to. When he asks us, all in is the only right answer. 

Are there ruins in your life that you are still holding in your hand? Are you desperately trying to tape everything back together again instead of letting it go and rebuilding with the strength and fortification from God?  Trust him with your ruins, the path to rebuilding and the future he already has planned for you. 

How Can God Transform Us?

Monday, January 12, 2026

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB

Every day that we live is a day of transformation.  There is not a day that goes by that God is not doing something in our lives, even though we not feel like anything is happening.  Some days it even feels like God has left us altogether, but that is never the case. 

God loves us unconditionally, no matter what.  He died for us before we even knew who He was.  But His heart for us is to be changed.  It is what He can do for us that no one else can – not in the same way.  He can help us grow and become more like His Son, Jesus. 

How Can God Transform Us?

New Thinking – The way we think affects the way we feel and the way we feel affects the way we act.  Sometimes instead of changing our thinking, we just change our actions.  When we do this without allowing God to change our way of thinking, we are just putting a band aid on the problem. True change happens from the inside out.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  ...to be made new in the attitude of your minds; Ephesians 4:23  

The Right Community – We need a community that will encourage and enable us.  The right community will make a difference in our lives and will be a direct source of growth for us. 

Truth - Truth is not simply a principle – it is a person.  Jesus said, “I am the truth.” (John 14:6) Because Jesus is the truth you can trust what He says.  Why does God say you’ve got to know the truth if your life is going to be transformed?  Because Every self-defeating behavior in your life, is based on a lie you’re believing.  It may be a lie about my past, worth, present or future.  It may be a lie a lie about God other people.  But what Jesus says is truth we can build our lives on and if He loves us and thinks we are worthy, then we are worthy.  That truth has to drown out every lie of Satan and the world. 

Make Room - throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Ephesians 4:22 NLT 

We have to clean out our mind, body, and spirit, and make room for the new thoughts and ways we must adopt for true transformation to happen. We need to get rid of old ways of thinking and also take a look at the people and situations that we allow to take up our time.  Are they godly influences?  

Faith - Transformation begins with faith.  We must believe we can be different - with God’s help – or we won’t be different.  Motivation is an emotion and like other emotions it is fed by fear or faith. Fear produces negative motivation responses - restricts, inhibits, tightens, protects.  Desire is positive - opens, reaches, encourages plans, achieves.  Fear looks to the past and desire to the future.

Here’s what the Bible tells us in Ephesians: Now, by his mighty power at work within us, God is to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.  All good things in us come from God. Only His power is strong enough to transform us. In our own power we cannot change anything. Notice none of that has anything to do with will power; you are not forcing yourself to change - this is God working in your life! 

We get to choose how much God blesses our lives. You get to choose. What will you choose?   

Abundant: A Study in Nehemiah “Abundant Generosity"

 

Abundant: A Study in Nehemiah
 “Abundant Generosity"
Nehemiah 2:11-18 (CSB)

 

Key Truth: God is an abundant God and calls His people to live out of His abundance for His glory and the good of others. 

Main Question: What does it mean to be generous and how do we live a life of generosity every day?

 

1.        Generosity begins with a shared vision.  (2:11-18)

2.        Generosity is a shared work.  (3:1-32)

3.        Generosity produces a shared result. (6:15-19)

Two Specific Outcomes:

a.         The surrounding nations were intimidated. (vs. 16a)

b.         The power of God was demonstrated. (vs. 16b)

 

 

 

After the Message: 
Read Nehemiah 2:11-18. Where have you served with others to help accomplish a greater vision? What happened? What is God calling you to do now to accomplish His vision for NSBC and His Kingdom in the world? What will be your first step?  

The Gate

Friday, January 9, 2026                                 

Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never follow a stranger; instead, they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.  John 10:1-5 CSB

I am the gate. If anyone enters me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.  John 10: 9 CSB

The Gate

Jesus had been talking to the Pharisees about a man that had been born blind, and was healed by Jesus. Jesus continues his conversation with them using a parable about a sheep fold -  to show them the difference between the heart of a true shepherd for the people and the religious leaders of the day.  Jesus tells them, “I am the gate”.  What did He mean since a sheepfold in that day had no “gate” but only an opening?  In this kind of sheepfold, after the sheep had entered it, the shepherd would sleep at the entrance.  The shepherd became, effectively, the “gate” of the sheepfold.  When Jesus said, “I am the gate”, he was saying, “Inside my sheepfold, my sheep are always safe. I guard the entrance so that no danger can come in. I am the door of my sheep.” There is nothing more peaceful than knowing not only does he literally go before us, but we can “hide” behind him as he stands between us and the wolves.

This analogy was not lost on the Jews He spoke to on that day.  They were well aware of the presence of spiritual shepherds or pastors provided to care for God’s people.  But the Prophet Jeremiah denounced the selfish and damaging roles these shepherds had played.  The sheep had scattered throughout the land and become lost in the peoples of the world.  They had abused the people (the sheep) by coming in through the unprotected gate and feeding them with food that had no eternal value and stealing them away.  

We are his sheep, and when have an intimate relationship with him we will know his voice so well that we can distinguish it from the many other voices around us. How do we learn His voice? We immerse ourselves in his word and ask His Spirit to guide us in the truth as we read. That way, we will learn and know our Shepherd's voice above all others.

What a comfort it is to know that Jesus is our gate - standing between us and the world. He is the gate to our very hearts and everything that goes in and goes out of our hearts and minds goes through him. When we allow him to be the gate, we will bring glory to God and point others to him with our lives, not to mention have the greatest peace we will ever have – the very thing we are always seeking.