Laugh N Learn

Laugh N Learn Message--TACKLE Your Problems

2012-02-05T15:02:49Z

[formatted PDF Version Attached]

LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
February 5, 2012
LAUGH
BROWN PAPER JAKE
A sheriff walks into a saloon and shouts for everyone's attention. "Has anyone seen Brown Paper Jake?" he asks.
"What's he look like?" asks one shoddy-looking cowboy.
"Well", replies the Sheriff, "he wears a brown paper hat, a brown paper waistcoat, a brown paper shirt, brown paper boots, brown paper pants, and a brown paper jacket."
"So what's he wanted for?" asks the same cowboy.
"Rustlin'."

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
February 5, 2012
“TACKLE Your Problems!”
Nehemiah Series
Text: Chapter 13

I chose the word “tackle” today not just because it is Super Bowl Sunday. I chose the word tackle because sometimes you have to be that aggressive with problems. With many problems you can’t tip toe around them or merely tag them; you have to tackle so that they stop running away with your life.

I also chose the title “Tackle Your Problems!” because Nehemiah shows us how to do this in the last chapter of Nehemiah. He doesn’t dance around a subject. He doesn’t call a committee meeting to talk about problems. He gets aggressive and tackles 4 big problems in the last chapter. Since this is Super Bowl Sunday, I want you to think of these 4 problems as 4 plays the enemy was running successfully the whole time Nehemiah was gone. But once Nehemiah was back, this linebacker stopped tackled all 4 plays in just 4 downs. The enemy had to punt, and Israel was back up and running in the right direction with their lives. Turn to Nehemiah chapter 13.

Focus: Don’t tip toe around or merely tag problems when they are running away with your life; tackle them!

The 4 plays the enemy was gaining such yardage with.
I. Compromising Relationships (13:1-9; 1 Corinthians 15:33)
Nehemiah 13… (NIV)
{1} On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God, {2} because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.) {3} When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent. {4} Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah,
[a compromising relationship] {5} and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests. {6} But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission {7} and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God. {8} I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah's household goods out of the room. {9} I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense.

They say, when the cat leaves, the mice begin to play… that is what happened when Nehemiah left.

{6} But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission {7} and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.

They say, when the cat leaves, the mice begin to play…and in this case the mouse invited a rat! We’ve met Tobiah before. He was himself an Ammonite enemy and he was constantly opposing Nehemiah (see Nehemiah 2:10, 19; 4:3, 7; 6:1, 12, 14, 17, 19).

So how did an Ammonite enemy gain residency in the Temple precinct? He had “friends” in high places.

Nehemiah 13:4 (NIV) …Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah,

He was married to the daughter of an important Jewish official.

Nehemiah 6:17-18 (NIV)
{17} Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them. {18} For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.

I want us to focus on a couple things here.

First, let’s focus on the powerful role of a leader. When a visionary leader stops overseeing the vision, many things are often overlooked, and the vision begins to veer off course. Nehemiah was not gone that long, (I have no idea how long) but in the short time he was gone, we see in chapter 13 that problem after problem had cropped up as a result. The visionary leader looks at the big picture and course direction.

The mice look for the cheese—what’s in it for me. They don’t usually see the big picture and how their selfishness affects the whole, and those around them.

Parents, please watch your children. Watch the big picture. Watch for and explain long term consequences of behaviors.

Second, let’s recognize the danger of a compromising relationship.
{4} Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah,
[a compromising relationship]

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

So often, people compromise their character because they are hanging around and influenced by a bad character. It is something we need to watch out for. If you want godly character, make sure you have some godly companions. If you want to see your character fail rapidly, hang around with characters who care little about God, and neglect the fellowship of believers.

Parents, know your children’s friends. Know who they associate with. Watch carefully who is influencing whom. So many times, the wrong turn starts with the wrong companion.

I am not saying we should never associate with any non believers. You need to follow in the steps of Christ who became a friend to sinners. But beware. Watch yourself. See who is influencing whom. All of Jesus’ relationships were secondary to his primary relationship—and that to his heavenly Father. And his relationship to others was secondary to his relationship to his disciples.

Don’t tip toe around this one, it can be costly! Tackle the problem.
II. Financial Neglect (13:10-14; Matthew 6:20)
{10} I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. {11} So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts. {12} All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and oil into the storerooms. {13} I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because these men were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their brothers. {14} Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.

Do you know how much money John D. Rockefeller left when he died?
His accountant was actually asked this question. And the accountant didn’t have to calculate long to give an answer. He said, “He left all of it.”

You’ll never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul. You can’t take it with you.

But Jesus tells us a surprising truth. And this is what Randy Alcorn calls the Treasure principle. You can’t take it with you, but you CAN send it on ahead! Anything we try to hang on to will be lost. Anything we put in God’s hands will be ours for eternity. And it is insured for infinitely more than $100,000 by the real FDIC, the Father’s Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Adapted from Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle p. 18
Randy Alcorn: The Treasure Principle
Imagine you’re alive at the end of the Civil War. You’re living in the South, but you are a Northerner. You plan to move home as soon as the war is over. While in the South you’ve accumulated lots of Confederate currency. Now, suppose you know for a fact that the North is going to win the war and the end is imminent. What will you do with your Confederate money?

If you’re smart, there’s only one answer. You should immediately cash your Confederate currency for U.S. currency—the only money that will have value once the war is over. Keep only enough Confederate currency to meet your short-term needs.
As a Christian, you have inside knowledge of an eventual worldwide upheaval caused by Christ’s return. This is the ultimate insider-trading tip: Earth’s currency will become worthless when Christ returns—or when you die, whichever comes first. (And either event could happen at any time.”
…
[Jesus tells us to switch investment vehicles.] The funds we use now are volatile and ready to take a permanent dive. He asks us to switch to heaven’s currency which is totally dependable, insured by God Himself, and is coming soon to forever replace earth’s economy. Christ’s financial forecast for earth is bleak—but He’s unreservedly bullish about investing in heaven, where every market indicator is eternally positive!
There is nothing wrong with Confederate money, as long as you understand its limits. Realizing its value is temporary should radically affect your investment strategy. To accumulate vast earthly treasures that you can’t possibly hold on to for long is equivalent to stockpiling Confederate money even though you know it’s about to become worthless.
According to Jesus, storing up earthly treasures isn’t simply wrong. It’s just plain stupid.
Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle p. 13-14
A treasure Mentality
Jesus doesn’t just tell us where not to put our treasures. He also gives the best investment advice you’ll ever hear: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20).
If you stopped reading too soon you would have thought Christ was against our storing up treasures for ourselves. No. He’s all for it! I fact, He commands it. Jesus has a treasure mentality. He wants us to store up treasures. He’s just telling us to stop soring them in the wrong place and start storing them in the right place!
“Store up for yourselves.” Doesn’t it seem strange that Jesus commands us to do what’s in our own best interests? Wouldn’t that be selfish? No. God expects and commands us to act out of enlightened self-interest. He wants us to live to His glory, but what is to His glory is always to our good. As John Piper puts it, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle p. 15

What is this “Treasure in heaven”? It includes power (Luke 19:15-19), possessions (Matthew 19:21), and pleasures (Psalm 16:11). Jesus promises that those who sacrifice on earth will receive “a hundred times as much” in heaven (Matthew 19:29). That’s 10,000 percent—an impressive return!
Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle p. 16

If we give instead of keep, if we invest in the eternal instead of in the temporal, we store up treasures in heaven that will never stop paying dividends. Whatever treasures we store up on earth will be left behind when we leave. Whatever treasures we store up in heaven will be waiting for us when we arrive.
…Every day is an opportunity s in His kingdom.
Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle p. 18-19

Don’t tip toe around this one, it can be costly! Tackle the problem.
III. Ignoring Priority Principles (13:15-22; Matthew 6:33)
{15} In those days I saw men in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day. {16} Men from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah. {17} I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing--desecrating the Sabbath day? {18} Didn't your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath." {19} When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so t
hat no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. {20} Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. {21} But I warned them and said, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath. {22} Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.

Nehemiah didn’t shake his head and passively say, “Hey guys, we need to have a meeting and talk about the Sabbath problem.”
{17} I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing--desecrating the Sabbath day?

He did not tip toe around this one, he knew how costly such compromises were!
{18} Didn't your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath."

He tackled the problem! Was he nice? Being tackled does not feel nice.
{20} Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. {21} But I warned them and said, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath.

Why is Nehemiah so aggressive? The whole kingdom is at stake! This is not just a personal matter. These are not merely personal choices and personal preferences. The kingdom of God is being damaged by the lack of obedience to kingdom principles.

The Old Covenant kingdom was different than the New Covenant Kingdom. In the Old Covenant, the nation was being damaged at a critical rebuilding period. Wrong precedents would destroy them, and Nehemiah knew it.

We have kingdom principles and kingdom priorities also. The people in Nehemiah’s day were wanting to make money on the Sabbath. It was part of what they thought was their survival strategy. God said it doesn’t work that way. Put me first then you will put me in a position where I can bless you and take care of you. When you don’t put me first, you get what you are asking for…a life without me. Is that what you want?

Jesus said the same thing,
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
IV. Yoked Together With Unbelievers (13:23-31; 2 Corinthians 6:14)
{23} Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. {24} Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah. {25} I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. {26} Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women. {27} Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?" {28} One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high p
riest was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. And I drove him away from me. {29} Remember them, O my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. {30} So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign, and assigned them duties, each to his own task. {31} I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, O my God.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NIV) {14} Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? {15} What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? {16} What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." {17} "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." {18} "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

If you are a believer, don’t marry a non believer!

In the case before Nehemiah, the children were not raised in the faith. They were raised with paganism, pagan values, and a foreign language.
{24} Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah.

He did not tip toe around this one, he knew how costly such compromises were! The safety and integrity of their whole nation was at stake.

{26} Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women. {27} Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?"
Do you think you are smarter than Solomon? Do you think you can avoid compromise here? He couldn’t, and you won’t. This is disastrous. Don’t do it.

He didn’t just talk…He Tackled!!!
{25} I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.

Is this a good example or a bad example? Is this violence really necessary? Is Nehemiah wrong here?

There is nothing in the text to indicate that Nehemiah is overreacting. There is nothing in the text that indicates that a more gentle approach was more appropriate.

In fact, the zeal I see here is similar to the zeal Jesus demonstrated in the Temple when he expressed anger for turning the house of worship into a marketplace den of thieves.

Jesus was not passive.

Why is Nehemiah so aggressive? The whole kingdom is at stake! This is not just a personal matter. These are not merely personal choices and personal preferences. The kingdom of God is being damaged by the lack of obedience to kingdom principles.

The Old Covenant kingdom was different than the New Covenant Kingdom. In the Old Covenant, the nation was being damaged at a critical rebuilding period. Wrong precedents would destroy them, and Nehemiah knew it.

John Ortberg spoke on the damaging power of entropy. Neglect and passivity is very dangerous to our faith.
John Ortberg: Lessons from Vineyard
A little while ago, my wife kidnapped me and took me to Napa Valley for a romantic, overnight getaway for just the two of us. I had never been to Napa Valley before. It's lovely. What struck me as I was going past the vineyards was all of the thought and action that went into the rows of vines. A fruitful, productive vineyard is a thing of beauty. But here's the thing about vineyards: they don't just happen by themselves. Vineyards don't just spring up by accident. Someone is behind them.
The writer of Proverbs 24:30–34 says: I was going past a vineyard, and it was a mess. There were thorns all over the place, the grounds were covered with weeds, and the walls were falling down.
To understand the angst behind this proverb … you have to understand that in the ancient Middle East, a piece of land capable of growing crops was one of the most valuable things in the world. To be the owner of a vineyard was to be blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime. …
Everybody gets a vineyard. When you were born, you got a vineyard. You got your body, your mind, your will, and some relationships. You got financial resources and the chance to do some good work. You got a soul. Everybody gets a vineyard, and that vineyard is your one and only shot on this planet. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, and you don't even have to care for it on your own. God will partner with you.
Nonetheless, God never forces anybody to take action and care for their vineyard. The writer of this Proverb says, "I was walking past a vineyard, and I thought of what it might have been." He sees that the vineyard could have been a thing of beauty. It could have been a source of pride, joy, and income to the owner. It could have been a blessing to everybody around it, because in ancient cultures, a place that grew things that people could eat or drink from was a blessing to everybody. But the vineyard the writer observed wasn't any of those things. It fell tragically short of what it might have been. The writer wonders why: Was there some catastrophe? Was there a drought, flood, fire, or some other disaster? No. It was just sheer negligence on the part of the owner of the vineyard. He had no idea what he had. He was throwing away the opportunity of a lifetime. That's the strange power of entropy. It's not even a thing. It's sheer neglect, and people throw their lives away b
ecause of it everyday. …
People have these fantasies: I want the perfect marriage, I want the perfect circle of friends, I want the perfect career and the perfect education; if I can't have that, then I won't do anything. The writer of Proverbs says we must start with reality. Work the land that is your land—your body, your life, your relationships, your work—because that vineyard is all you have. If it's ever going to be different, it won't be because the vineyard fairy comes and sprinkles fairy dust on it. It will be because you asked God to help you. It will be because you've asked him, "What's the next step that you want me to take?"
John Ortberg, in his sermon "Intercepting Entropy," www.preachingtoday.com

(C) Jim Hammond
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Laugh N Learn Message--"Walls Of Joy"

2012-01-29T15:20:48Z

[PDF FORMATTED VERSION ATTACHED]

LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
January 29, 2012
LAUGH
DISORDER IN THE COURT

Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A: No.

Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.

Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.

Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
A: No.

Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.

Q: But could the patient have still been alive nevertheless?
A: It is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
January 29, 2012
“Walls Of Joy”
Nehemiah Series
Text: Chapters 11 and 12

We have been on quite a journey together, and Nehemiah has been our tour guide for 3 months. We are on the last stretch of our journey with Nehemiah. There is only 13 chapters and we are doing chapters 11 and 12 today.

Focus: Let us thank God exuberantly for our completed walls!
6th Street Celebration Dedication (Newsletter Article)
We’ve been studying Nehemiah, and the vision God placed on his heart to see the walls of the city of Jerusalem reconstructed. After the walls were completed, Nehemiah 12 tells us that the Israelites had a huge celebration dedication service.
Our new church building walls are up now also, at least the 4 exterior walls, floor, and ceiling is up in our new 52,000 square foot church building space on 6th Street. The Israelites celebrated their accomplishment even before the interior of the city was rebuilt. We also will celebrate even before the church interior is built out. We also are going to celebrate the accomplishment God has enabled for us. I’m excited—our walls are already up! Their 52 day miracle is not unlike the miracles we have experienced with the walls we now have.
We plan to have our 6th Street Celebration Dedication on Sunday afternoon, February 12th at 3:00 PM. It will not be like a typical service at all. In fact, we are encouraging everyone to show up with felt tip permanent marking pens to write your statements of praise and thanksgiving to God on one of the walls of the building. You may also want to bring a favorite verse or promise that you want to write as a thank you to God or as a memorial dedication. When we build the church out, the wall we write on will be covered, but God will still see and know what is there. Nothing is hidden to him. Our praises will remain permanently on the building as a testimony of praise and thanksgiving to God.
In addition to the “writing on the wall” we will enjoy sneak previews of the plans for the building, a time of prayer, and a song of two of praise. This will not be a “sit down” service, so the official events will start promptly and end quickly, allowing for more flexible time to write and pray, enjoy fellowship together, and perhaps to take a tour of the offices that we have now occupied, with some of the changes that have been made.
Please plan now on attending a wonderful celebration together of the goodness of our God.
Jim Hammond -- VVCC February 2011 Newsletter
Chapter 11 (2 Lessons)
Cooperative Population Distribution
Nehemiah 11:1-36 (NIV)
{1} Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns. {2} The people commended all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. {3} These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem (now some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants and descendants of Solomon's servants lived in the towns of Judah, each on his own property in the various towns, {4} while other people from both Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem): From the descendants of Judah:
There are only descendants of the 2 tribes left. Only Benjamin and Judah came back from Babylon. The 10 northern tribes had long since disappeared in the Assyrian conquest of 722 b.c. and had never returned.

See “From the descendants of Judah” (11:4) and “From the descendants of Benjamin (11:7).

Why are they asking for people to live in the city? Why are they recruiting people from other neighboring towns?

The population of Jerusalem is too sparse to sustain itself.

The remnant is much smaller than the nation was previously. There is a sad reminder here, and a lesson to us.

The nation dramatically demonstrates for us a principle that I believe is also true for individuals. Here is the principle:
Only a small fraction of those who rebelliously disobey return.
Lesson 1: Think Again Before You Veer Off Course
Today’s emphasis on grace sometimes gives marginal followers the wrong idea. The idea comes from the enemy and it goes something like this. “I can do this [sin] and ask for forgiveness later…” It often doesn’t work out this way. Often the rebellion is a fork in the road, and people leave the road a go downhill into a destructive pattern. Soon, hearts are hardened to the point that there is no desire to return.

11:1ff The exiles who returned were few in number compared to Jerusalem's population in the days of the kings. And because the walls had been rebuilt on their original foundations, the city seemed sparsely populated. Nehemiah asked one-tenth of the people from the outlying areas to move inside the city walls to keep large areas of the city from being vacant. Apparently these people did not want to move into the city. Only a few people volunteered (11:1, 2), and Nehemiah determined by sacred lot who among the remaining people would have to move.
Many of them may not have wanted to live in the city because (1) non-Jews attached a stigma to Jerusalem residents, often excluding them from trade because of their religious beliefs; (2) moving into the city meant rebuilding their homes and reestablishing their businesses, a major investment of time and money; (3) living in Jerusalem required stricter obedience to God's Word because of greater social pressure and proximity to the Temple.
Life Application Study Bible.
Lesson 2: Go Where You Are Needed Most
Nations and Churches Thrive when People Are Willing to Go Where They are Needed.
In the resettling of Jerusalem, there is a strong lesson for us: we must serve in the most-needed places. Within the church, all kinds of needs exist. There is a need for ministers of the gospel and a host of associate workers. There is a constant need for people to count the offerings, to maintain the property and buildings, and to serve as technicians, musicians, and security men. In addition, office staff, ministerial staff, teachers, and volunteers are needed. Think of all who serve on the committees of the church and reach out to visit the shut-ins, the hospitalized, and the lost and unchurched of the community. Just within the local church, a great range of needs exist that must be filled by both volunteers and professional ministers.
Within society in general, the number and diversity of needs are mind-boggling, never-ending. Think of the orphans, widows, widowers, prisoners, brokenhearted, backslidden, diseased, suffering, hungry, and dying. Think of the lawless, the abusers, and the violent within society. Think of those who are without Christ and have no personal relationship with God. When all the needs within a society are heaped together, the weight is staggering. And the number of people in need makes the task overwhelming. But the needs can be met if enough of us will step forth to serve in the most-needed places.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary -– Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.
Chapter 12 (3 Lessons)
Lesson 3: Be R.E.A.D.Y. To Do What Is Most Needed
Priests, Levites, (12:1) and Associates (12:7, 24), gatekeepers (12:25), singers (12:28)

Nehemiah 12:1 (NIV) …These were the priests and Levites who returned…
Nehemiah 12:7 (NIV) … These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua.
Nehemiah 12:24 (NIV) And the leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.
Nehemiah 12:25 (NIV) Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.
Nehemiah 12:28 (NIV) The singers also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem--from the villages of the Netophathites,

With all their varied duties, the Levites are a reminder that associates are essential in the house of God. Without assistants, co-workers, or laborers to keep an operation running smoothly, no organization could keep its doors open, not even the church. For this reason, the Lord has given very special gifts to His people. The challenge of the hour is for us to use our gifts and abilities to the fullest in all our efforts, at our jobs, in the church, and in our homes. Every laborer for the Lord, every associate who serves within the church, has been especially gifted with certain abilities.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary -– Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

READY
Recognize Your Spiritual Gift
Examine Your Experiences
APPLY Your Abilities
Discern Your Desires (your passion and personality)
Yield Yourself To Service

That was a sneak peak into our READY Life…coming soon.
THE HONOR OF SERVING GOD
Pediatrician David Cerqueira shares a story of how a dying girl showed his church the honor of serving God:
One Sunday my wife had prepared a lesson on being useful. She taught the children that everyone can be useful—that usefulness is serving God, and that doing so is worthy of honor. The kids quietly soaked up my wife's words, and as the lesson ended, there was a short moment of silence. [A little girl named] Sarah spoke up. "Teacher, what can I do? I don't know how do to many useful things."
Not anticipating that kind of response, my wife quickly looked around and spotted an empty flower vase on the windowsill. "Sarah, you can bring in a flower and put it in the vase. That would be a useful thing."
Sarah frowned. "But that's not important."
"It is," replied my wife, "if you are helping someone."
Sure enough, the next Sunday Sarah brought in a dandelion and placed it in the vase. In fact, she continued to do so each week. Without reminders or help, she made sure the vase was filled with a bright yellow flower, Sunday after Sunday. When my wife told our pastor about Sarah's faithfulness, he placed the vase upstairs in the main sanctuary next to the pulpit. That Sunday he gave a sermon on the honor of serving others, using Sarah's vase as an example. The congregation was touched by the message, and the week started on a good note. …
During that same week I got a call from Sarah's mother. She worried that Sarah seemed to have less energy than usual and that she didn't have an appetite. Offering her some reassurances, I made room in my schedule to see Sarah the following day. After Sarah had a battery of tests and days of examinations, I sat numbly in my office, Sarah's paperwork on my lap. The results were tragic. [She had leukemia.]
On the way home, I stopped to see Sarah's parents so that I could personally give them the sad news. Sarah's genetics and the leukemia that was attacking her small body were a horrible mix. Sitting at their kitchen table, I did my best to explain to Sarah's parents that nothing could be done to save her life. I don't think I have ever had a more difficult conversation than the one that night. …
Time pressed on. Sarah became confined to bed and to the visits that many people gave her. She lost her smile. She lost most of her weight. And then it came: another telephone call. Sarah's mother asked me to come see her. I dropped everything and ran to the house. There she was, a small bundle that barely moved. After a short examination, I knew that Sarah would soon be leaving this world. I urged her parents to spend as much time as possible with her.
That was a Friday afternoon. On Sunday morning church started as usual. The singing, the sermon—it all seemed meaningless when I thought of Sarah. I felt enveloped in sadness. At the end of the sermon, the pastor suddenly stopped speaking. His eyes wide, he stared at the back of the church with utter amazement. Everyone turned to see what he was looking at. It was Sarah! Her parents had brought her for one last visit. She was bundled in a blanket, a dandelion in one little hand.
She didn't sit in the back row. Instead she slowly walked to the front of the church where her vase still perched by the pulpit. She put her flower in the vase and a piece of paper beside it. Then she returned to her parents. Seeing little Sarah place her flower in the vase for the last time moved everyone. At the end of the service, people gathered around Sarah and her parents, trying to offer as much love and support as possible. I could hardly bear to watch.
Four days later, Sarah died. …
I wasn't expecting it, but our pastor asked to see me after the funeral. We stood at the cemetery near our cars as people walked past us. In a low voice he said, "Dave, I've got something you ought to see." He pulled out of his pocket the piece of paper that Sarah had left by the vase. Holding it out to me, he said, "You'd better keep this; it may help you in your line of work."
I opened the folded paper to read, in pink crayon, what Sarah had written:
Dear God,
This vase has been the biggest honor of my life.
Sarah
Sarah's note and her vase have helped me to understand. I now realize in a new way that life is an opportunity to serve God by serving people. And, as Sarah put it, that is the biggest honor of all.
Condensed from an article in Today's Christian © 2008 Christianity Today International. For more articles like this, visit Today's Christian
Lesson 4: Joy Fuels Service and Visa Versa
The Dedication of the Wall
{27} At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out
A Joyful Celebration
from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication
with Songs of thanksgiving
with songs of thanksgiving and
with instruments
with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.
With Singers
{28} The singers also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem--from the villages of the Netophathites, {29} from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem.
With Ceremonial Purifications
{30} When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.
From the Top of the Walls
{31} I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of the wall to the right, …
antiphonal Celebration All Around the Wall (2 choirs and the people)
{38} The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top of the wall, together with half the people--past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall, {39} over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. At the Gate of the Guard they stopped. {40} The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, {41} as well as the priests--Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets-- {42} and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah.
They had 2 choirs…We have ….
Did you know that we have 2 choirs too! First service and second service!
I really do think of our whole audience as choirs lifting up our voices to God. We are not performers, we are worshippers. And we are not the audience listening to the worship team. We are the worshippers led by the leaders, just like these 2 choirs in Nehemiah!
Great Sacrifices, & Great Joy, and the LOUD Sound of Rejoicing
{43} And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

Lesson 5: Music Helps!
David has been working with our worship teams not only musically, but they are working through important matters about worship. In fact they are studying together a book entitled “Worship Matters” by Bob Kauflin. I’d like to read some excerpts that help us understand why music is important.

Music can be deceptive. I once heard of a Christian woman who spent time serving God in South Africa. While visiting a health clinic, she was deeply moved by the sound of the local Zulu women singing. Their harmonies were hauntingly beautiful. With tears in her eyes, she asked a friend if she knew the translation of the words.
“Sure,” her friend replied. “'If you boil the water, you won't get 'dysentery.'”
Now if that doesn't make you want to worship, what does?
Being emotionally affected by music and actually worshiping God aren't the same thing, and no one should know this better than worship leaders. All by itself, music—even instrumental music—can make us cry, motivate us to cheer for our team, provoke us to protest, or fill us with joy.
It's part of the way God designed music to work in his creation. Now if we could only figure out how it works in worship.
A Sad History
Christians have been arguing about music in worship for centuries. And it hasn't always been pretty. Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer, had strong opinions about music and wasn't afraid to express them. In an introduction to a sixteenth-century collection of chorale motets, he wrote that anyone who didn't appreciate the beauty of these multipart pieces and view them as a gift from God “must be a clod hopper indeed and does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs.”
What Luther lacked in tact and diplomacy, he made up for in his commitment to congregational singing. But battles persisted long after Luther left the scene. Two hundred years later, churches in the American colonies were debating the relative merits of singing by ear and by note. At the same time, British churches argued about using hymns “of human composure,” particularly by Isaac Watts. One hundred years after Watts died, people would still walk out of a meeting if someone started singing something other than a Psalm set to music.
Since then, the music wars have been fueled by Christian publishing houses, revivalism, charismatic outpourings, cultural shifts, sound amplification, electronic instruments, and of course, our own sinful hearts.
Does God even care whether or not we use music to worship him? Apparently so. The Bible's longest book is a collection of songs. God commands both instrumental and vocal praise in Scripture. Psalm 150 says we're to praise the Lord with horns, cymbals, and strings. Over fifty times in the book of Psalms we're told to sing God's praise. Psalm 47 is particularly clear: “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” (v. 6). The Bible is filled with references to music, from the dawn of creation to the final scenes in Revelation (Job 38:7; Revelation 15:3).
But if we don't understand God's purpose for music in worship, we can misuse it. Even worse, it can rob God of the glory we want to give him.
God wants us to use music to worship him in spite of the problems that can arise. Apparently God thinks it's worth the effort. Here are four reasons why.
Music stirs up and expresses God-glorifying emotion. Our deepest, strongest, purest affections should be reserved for God himself, and he gave us singing to help us express them. Halfhearted praise is an oxymoron. It doesn't make any sense. Listen to Jonathan Edwards on this:
The duty of singing praises to God seems to be given wholly to excite and express religious affections. There is no other reason why we should express ourselves to God in verse rather than in prose and with music, except that these things have a tendency to move our affections.
Some Christians repress their emotions as they sing. They fear feeling anything too strongly and think maturity means holding back. But the problem is emotionalism, not emotions. Emotionalism pursues feelings as an end in themselves. It's wanting to feel something with no regard for how that feeling is produced or its ultimate purpose. Emotionalism can also view heightened emotions as the infallible sign that God is present.
In contrast, the emotions that singing is meant to evoke are a response to who God is and what he's done. Vibrant singing enables us to combine truth about God seamlessly with passion for God. Doctrine and devotion. Mind and heart.
Music helps us reflect the glory and activity of the triune God. God is a singing God. We read in Zephaniah 3:17 that he will rejoice over us with singing. Jesus sang a hymn with his disciples on the night before he died (Matthew 26:30). And Ephesians 5:18–19 indicates that the Holy Spirit inspires songs in believers' hearts as he fills them. That's one reason we often sense God's presence in a more pronounced way when we gather to sing his praises. The Holy Spirit is in our midst, inspiring our songs.
It's a source of profound encouragement to realize that God gave us music to deepen and develop our relationship with him. The Father sings, the Son sings, and the Spirit sings. How can we keep from singing?
Music helps us remember truth about God. A year after we recorded a CD of Scripture songs from Galatians, a man in our church lost his memory due to a stroke. His wife emailed me later to say that though he had no memory of the sermon series, he remembered every song on the CD.
God himself used music as a means to help people remember his Word. As the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, God told Moses to teach them a song so that “when many evils and troubles have come up on them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring)” (Deuteronomy 31:21).
We remember what we sing, and nothing is more important to remember than God's Word. Music produced feelings will fade, but God's living and active Word will continue working in our hearts, renewing our minds, and strengthening our faith.
Finally, music helps us express our unity in the gospel. In Scripture, the overwhelming majority of references to singing are corporate. People aren't singing alone but together. In the New Testament two of the most specific passages on singing refer to “addressing one another” and “teaching and admonishing one another” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). We've become a family, “a chosen race,” “a holy nation,” through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 John 3:1; 1 Peter 2:9). Singing glorifies God by expressing the unity we enjoy through the gospel.
… the church can be taught that setting aside their musical preferences for the sake of others is obeying Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Taking this path will probably require patient instruction, but over time the congregation will begin to see that the determining factor in our unity is not musical styles—it's the gospel.
“Worship Matters” by Bob Kauflin, p 98-100

(C) Jim Hammond
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Laugh N Learn Message--"Formula For Fortifying Joy"

2012-01-22T15:38:55Z

[PDF Formatted Version Attached]

LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
January 22, 2012
LAUGH
The Church Picnic
On Monday the minister's little daughter was very naughty, so her mother told her she couldn't go to the Sunday School picnic on Saturday.

For the next few days the girl behaved so nicely the mother changed her mind and said she could go to the picnic after all. Surprisingly, the child's reaction was one of gloom and unhappiness.

"What's the matter?" asked her mother. "I thought you'd be glad to go to the picnic."

"It's too late," said the little girl. "I've already prayed for rain!"

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
January 22, 2012
“Formula For Fortifying Joy”
Nehemiah Series
Text: Chapters 9 and 10

Two weeks ago, you remember, that the message was “Say No To Ono” and it was all about learning how to say no to distractions. After preaching that week, I had SO MANY distractions, and distractions that I could not say “No” to.

Then last week I preached a message “The Fortification of Joy”. By Wednesday, I knew I was being robbed of joy. I was having a really tough day, and my wife knew about it.

I was telling my Wednesday night group about it. I mentioned that that night, it was my responsibility to prepare the dinner. My wife was not scheduled to get home from work till 6:00 PM. and we had Care Group that night at 7:00 PM. So it was my goal to have the dinner ready right at 6 PM when she walked in the door. I had everything cooked except for the sliced and buttered buns that I was going to toast under the broiler. I had the broiler going, but I wanted that toast to be hot right when Gina arrived. So I was waiting till the timing was right.

When the timing was right, I set the timer, put the buns under the broiler, and began reading the mail. I was reading right in front of the oven when suddenly the smoke alarm began screaming! I quickly threw down the mail, grabbed the oven mit, opened the door and pulled out the flaming toast, frantically trying to blow out the flames. Smoke filled the kitchen, and in walked Gina. She took one look at the toast, and I said, “I’m not having a very good day.” She responded in a manner that helped tremendously. She laughed, which helped turn the whole thing into a humorous event.

As I mentioned, I was telling our Care Group about this episode, and telling them how I was struggling with a message, this message, which was supposed to be a message about “The Formula for Fortifying Joy” and I myself was having difficulty with my own joy.

The next morning, one of the members of our Care Group showed up at my office and knocked on my office door window. She had this in her hand. It looked like contraband in a small paper lunch sack. She said, “I brought something for you that might encourage you, with a mischievous smile.”

She waited for me to open it. And here it is, and this is what it was. [Pull out the “Joy” dishwashing liquid]. She brought me Joy. Then I looked closer and the brand of “Joy” was “non-ultra Joy”. Now who is going to name their product “non-ultra Joy”. But they did. This was as if to say to me. Now, Jim, here is “Joy”, but it is “Non-Ultra Joy”. It helps you, but you are going to be speaking about “Ultra Joy” on Sunday. The real help.

I’m like you. I know about Joy. But it isn’t always easy to live with the Joy of the Lord, fully fortified in your life. Today, we are going to learn what to do when you are being robbed of the Joy God wants to give you.

Focus: There are things we can do to receive and maintain the joy of the Lord.

Last week we learned in Nehemiah 8:10 where we are told that “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” A reconstructed wall now fortified the city of Jerusalem, but the real fortification, was the Joy of the Lord. If you want strength, you need the Joy of the Lord. So, last week was kind of general.

We saw that the first 6 chapters of Nehemiah were about Reconstruction.
We saw that chapters 7 through 13 are about Reinstruction.
We continue in the reinstruction section in 9 and 10 today.
We saw that The Word of God brought Revival, conviction, and correction.
Rejoicing was the order of the day. God was restoring them.
We saw that…
The Joy of the Lord comes from Him not happenings.
The Joy of the Lord is based on Forgiveness
The Joy of the Lord is contagious.
Today, we learn even more about how to maintain that joy, and keep that joy.

So I’ve entitled today’s message, “Formula for Fortifying Joy”

Like last week, again we start with brokenness. This should not surprise us, as Jesus showed us in the Sermon on the Mount, that the starting place for renewal of life is mourning. He began the “beatitudes” or the ethics of the kingdom with “Blessed are those who mourn.” It seems strange that for joy, true joy, we must begin here, but this is always the case. Why? Because we are spiritually bankrupt, spiritually sick, and the physician cannot heal someone who is sick, if he does not recognize the fact that he is sick. It does not good to offer the “formula” or the “prescription” for health, if the person believes he does not need it. So the starting place for real joy is recognition of your own brokenness. However, you don’t just stay there in a state of mourning. There is a way to cash in, or redeem your brokenness. That is what this formula is all about.
I. Redeem Your Brokenness…
Broken-heartedness is a prerequisite to experiencing the Joy of the Lord
You have to begin with broken-heartedness over your condition apart from God.
A Field is Prepared By Plowing (breaking the ground).
The hard ground of the soil of your heart must be broken up by the plowing of repentance and broken-heartedness for the good seeds of God to be planted.

A. With FASTING
We see the gathered people in Nehemiah turn from feasting immediately to fasting. They are on the fast track applying the spiritual principles, or the “Formula for Fortifying Joy” This fasting was plowing the ground and preparing them for sustained Joy of the Lord.
Nehemiah 9:1-38 (NIV)
{1} On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and
B. With Humility
wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads. {2} Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners.
C. With Confession
They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers.
• Guided by Truth (More Reading)
{3} They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession.
At first I thought in vague terms that a quarter of the day was about 3 hours, a quarter of the daylight hours. I noticed some scholars however consider it a quarter of the whole 24 hour day, not just day light hours. If this is the case they spent six hours in the morning reading God’s word during this time of fasting, and they spent six hours in the evening in confession, during this time of fasting. I’m not sure which it is. Regardless, let’s just say it is the shorter quarter, about 3 hours of reading and 3 hours of confession, that’s a long church service! They were spiritually hungry. God was at work reviving his people! And the people were responding appropriately with their hunger and brokenness.

When was the last time you set aside 1 hour to get away from ALL other distractions, to spend time with God. Do you want to set up such an appointment? If so, why don’t you write down a possible time or day in your calendar, or on your outline to transfer to your appointment calendar. If you don’t do this, how long do you think it will be before you make such an appointment with God? How hungry are you for joy?
D. With Worship
and in worshiping the LORD their God.

Maybe you will want to gather your Bible, a notebook, a lawn chair and head to the foothills or dessert somewhere, or Mingus mountain. Plan to cash in on the benefits of Brokenness. With Fasting, and with humility, and with confession, while being guided by the Truth and more reading, and with worship you can trade your sorrows for the Joy of the Lord. You won’t be sorry you did.

Nehemiah gives us more practical clues on how such an appointment should go.
II. Reflect And Relate Praise And Adoration
When we take time to REFLECT, we will find it easier to RELATE to God.

I chose the word “Relate” because that is what God wants most from us. He wants a relationship with us. He desires interaction. He wants us to want interaction with him. Sin has a way of cutting off any of this relating which God desires. Sin is choosing not to relate to God on his terms.

God had gathered the Israelites back. They had been listening to his Word again. They realized God was relating to them. God was on the move for them. It was time for them to speak, to choose to interact with God, to choose to relate to him. When you relate praise and adoration, you will be speaking directly to God. Praise and adoration are intimate expressions.
A Call To Praise
{4} Standing on the stairs were the Levites--Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani--who called with loud voices to the LORD their God. {5} And the Levites--Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah--said: "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting." "Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.
Praise and Adoration is filled with “YOU” messages
{6} You alone are the LORD.
You made the heavens, even the highest heavens,
and all their starry host,
the earth and all that is on it,
the seas and all that is in them.
You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
{7} "You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham.
{8} You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. You have kept your promise because you are righteous. {9} "You saw the suffering of our forefathers in Egypt; you heard their cry at the Red Sea. {10} You sent miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his officials and all the people of his land, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians treated them. You made a name for yourself, which remains to this day. {11} You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters. {12} By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take. {13} "You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and laws that are just and right, a
nd decrees and commands that are good. {14} You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws through your servant Moses. {15} In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.
The YOU Messages are AMPLIFIED in contrast to the THEY statements
{16} "But they, our forefathers, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and did not obey your commands. {17} They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, {18} even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, 'This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,' or when they committed awful blasphemies. {19} "Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. {20} You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. {21} For forty years you sustained them in
the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. {22} "You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan. {23} You made their sons as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their fathers to enter and possess. {24} Their sons went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you handed the Canaanites over to them, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. {25} They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness. {26} "But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they put your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had admonished them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. {27} So you handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies. {28} "But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time. {29} "You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. {30} For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. {31} But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

When you pray, you might find yourself addressing God, and making “You statements”, then you might be making a lot of “they” statements about a situation. In those times of interaction, God has a way of turning our hearts. It isn’t just about “God” fixing the situation, and dealing with the “them”. The spotlight often honestly, and authentically, turns from “God” and “Them” to ourselves, and our prayer reaches a personal place, and we speak “I” and “we” messages.

This Contrast between the “you” and the “they” helps bring them to a more accurate and specific “I/We” message appealing To God’s Mercy which is based on HIM!

{32} "Now therefore, O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes--the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings and leaders, upon our priests and prophets, upon our fathers and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. {33} In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong. {34} Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the warnings you gave them. {35} Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways. {36} "But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. {37} Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the k
ings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.

When God’s children are seeking a spirit of revival, two acts are absolutely essential: genuine confession and genuine repentance of sin. Repentance means that we turn away from our sins. God cannot accept sin, for He is holy, righteous, and perfect in all His being. Sin is unacceptable to Him. In view of that, before we can ever approach God, our sins have to be removed. Sin can be removed only through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore when we approach God, we must come to God through the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, confessing our faith in Him and asking God to forgive our sins. We must turn away from our sin and turn back to God, following Him and living righteous and moral lives. Once we have confessed and repented of our sin, God gives us a spirit of revival. Our spirits are stirred with praise and thanksgiving, aroused to live righteous, productive, and fruitful lives, lives that are triumphant and that overcome all the trials and temptations of this world
. The privilege of living such victorious, successful lives comes only through Jesus Christ, confessing our sins and receiving His forgiveness.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary -– Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

III. Recognize Your Own Personal Responsibility
On March 10, 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure known as the "cheeseburger bill." The bill is designed to protect the fast food industry from potential lawsuits filed by overweight customers.
Caesar Barber, 56, pointed the finger at McDonald's, Wendy's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Burger King for his two heart attacks, diabetes, and weight problem.
Gregory Rhymes, a 15-year-old high school student, joined his mother in blaming fast food restaurants for his obesity. Rhymes's mother stood before a judge and stated she "always believed McDonald's was healthy for my son." Gregory weighs nearly 400 pounds.
The purpose of the "cheeseburger bill" is to stop these kinds of lawsuits. As Representative F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. says, "Don't run off and file a lawsuit if you are fat. Look in the mirror because you're the one to blame."
John Beukema, Western Springs, Illinois

Joy is not merely and emotional feeling that comes and goes… It comes out of renewing your love for God in very specific measurable ways! It begins with these interactions of prayer, and confessions, but it will move beyond mere reflections.

Interactions with God will lead to action.

You can commit yourself to a path of Joy. Some of the steps on this path may be initially difficult. Repentance is difficult. But it is the right steps, or formula if you will, for finding joy!

For fifteen months journalist Sebastian Junger followed a single platoon of U.S. soldiers stationed in a dangerous part of Afghanistan. Living and working in the midst of a warzone made Junger realize how much the soldiers had to rely on each other. What you do or don't do as a soldier affects everyone else in your platoon. Junger writes:
Margins were so small and errors potentially so catastrophic that every soldier had a kind of de facto authority to reprimand others—in some cases even officers. And because combat can hinge on [small] details, there was nothing in a soldier's daily routine that fell outside the group's purview. Whether you tied your shoes or cleaned your weapon or drank enough water or secured your night vision gear were all matters of public concern and so were open to public scrutiny.
Once I watched a private accost another private whose bootlaces were trailing on the ground. Not that he cared what it looked like, but if something happened out there—and out there, everything happened suddenly—the guy with the loose laces couldn't be counted on to keep his feet at a crucial moment. It was the other man's life he was risking, not just his own …. There was no such thing as personal safety out there; what happened to you happened to everyone.
Sebastian Junger, War (Twelve, 2010), p. 160

IV. Renew Your Commitment To Obedience

{38} "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it."

Nehemiah 10:1-39 (NIV)
The Names of Those Who Committed Themselves To A Binding Agreement
{1} Those who sealed it were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah. Zedekiah, {2} Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, {3} Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah, {4} Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, {5} Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, {6} Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, {7} Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, {8} Maaziah, Bilgai and Shemaiah. These were the priests. {9} The Levites: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel, {10} and their associates: Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, {11} Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, {12} Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, {13} Hodiah, Bani and Beninu. {14} The leaders of the people: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, {15} Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, {16} Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, {17} Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, {18} Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, {19} Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, {20} Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, {21} Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, {22} Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, {23} Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, {24} Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, {25} Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, {26} Ahiah
, Hanan, Anan, {27} Malluch, Harim and Baanah. {28} "The rest of the people--priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand-- {29} all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord.

Whereas the Old Covenant impelled obedience by LAW, the New Covenant inspires it by LOVE.

However, many have disregarded obedience altogether for their own version of spirituality with no personal responsibility.

God holds us responsible to the royal law of love.

{30} "We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons. {31} "When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts. {32} "We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: {33} for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and appointed feasts; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God. {34} "We--the priests, the Levites and the people--have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the
LORD our God, as it is written in the Law. {35} "We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree. {36} "As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there. {37} "Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our [grain] offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work. {38} A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury. {39} The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and oil to the storerooms where the articles for the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the singers stay. "We will not neglect the house of our God."

In his Books & Culture article "A Lot of Lattés," Ron Sider reviews Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don't Give Away More Money, a book "about the pitifully small charitable donations of the richest Christians in history." Sider offers a synopsis of some of the authors' findings:
If just the "committed Christians" (defined as those who attend church at least a few times a month or profess to be "strong" or "very strong" Christians) would tithe, there would be an extra 46 billion dollars a year available for kingdom work. To make that figure more concrete, the authors suggest dozens of different things that $46 billion would fund each year: for example, 150,000 new indigenous missionaries; 50,000 additional theological students in the developing world; 5 million more micro loans to poor entrepreneurs; the food, clothing and shelter for all 6,500,000 current refugees in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East; all the money for a global campaign to prevent and treat malaria; resources to sponsor 20 million needy children worldwide. [The conclusion of the authors] is surely right: "Reasonably generous financial giving of ordinary American Christians would generate staggering amounts of money that could literally change the world."
Twenty percent of American Christians (19 percent of Protestants; 28 percent of Catholics) give nothing to the church. Among Protestants, 10 percent of evangelicals, 28 percent of mainliners, 33 percent of fundamentalists, and 40 percent of liberal Protestants give nothing. The vast majority of American Christians give very little—the mean average is 2.9 percent. Only 12 percent of Protestants and 4 percent of Catholics tithe.
A small minority of American Christians give most of the total donated. Twenty percent of all Christians give 86.4 percent of the total. The most generous five percent give well over half (59.6 percent) of all contributions. But higher-income American Christians give less as a percentage of household income than poorer American Christians. In the course of the 20th century, as our personal disposable income quadrupled, the percentage donated by American Christians actually declined.
Ron Sider, "A Lot of Lattés," Books & Culture (November/December 2008)

GIVING ISN’T Just about Money, although giving MONEY IS one of the great Measuring Sticks of our faith.

SUMMARY / CONCLUSION / CALL:
• Redeem Your Brokenness with Fasting, Humility, Confession, guided by truth (more reading), and with Worship…
• Reflect and Relate Praise and Adoration
• Recognize your own Responsibility! And
• Renew Your Commitment to Obedience!

What do you need to do to shore up the broken walls of YOUR JOY?

The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength!

(C) Jim Hammond
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Laugh N Learn Message--The Fortification of Joy

2012-01-15T15:04:31Z

[PDF formatted version Attached]

LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
January 15, 2012
LAUGH
QUICK KIDS

TEACHER: Why are you late?
WEBSTER: Because of the sign.
TEACHER: What sign?
WEBSTER: The one that says, "School Ahead - Go Slow."
_____________

TEACHER: Where would we be today if no one had ever been curious?"
JOHN: In the garden of Eden?
_____________

TEACHER: Cindy, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
CINDY: You told me to do it without using tables!
_____________

TEACHER: John, how do you spell "crocodile?"
JOHN: K-R-O-K-O-D-A-I-L"
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
JOHN: Maybe it s wrong, but you asked me how I spell it!
_____________

TEACHER: What is the chemical formula for water?
SARAH: H I J K L M N O!!
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
SARAH: Yesterday you said it's H to O!
______________

TEACHER: George, go to the map and find North America.
GEORGE: Here it is!
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?
CLASS: George!
______________

TEACHER: Willie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WILLIE: Me!

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
January 15, 2012
“The Fortification Of Joy”
Nehemiah Series
Text: Chapter 7 and 8

I’d like to begin this morning with two one line quotes, the first from John Steinbeck and the second from the Bible, specifically Nehemiah:
Author, John Steinbeck said, “A sad soul will kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.”
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength”, and that is our focus this morning.
Focus: The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Now what exactly does that mean?
What is the “Joy of the Lord”
Is that the joy we feel that comes from him?
Is that His Joy that affects us?
How does the Joy of the Lord give us strength? What kind of strength?
Let me begin this message with the Title I chose, “The Fortification of Joy”. I was specific with the choice of words. Nehemiah is a book about the re-fortification of a city, God’s chosen city, Jerusalem. So far we have been learning about how Nehemiah took on the daunting task of rebuilding the walls. It was a re-fortification effort. When we finished chapter 6, those walls were completed, however, the re-fortification of the city was not yet complete. In chapter 7 we begin to see how the city is re-organized. The people are back and to be re-organized they must register according to their tribal ancestry. They must determine which tribes they belong to, and this is especially true as it relates to assignments related to the Temple administration.
The Re-fortification efforts did not stop when the walls were finished. Perhaps the Israelites thought they were now fortified because the walls were finished. Their city was fortified. They would learn from Nehemiah that there is a greater strength than city walls. The Joy of the LORD is their strength!
What gives you a sense of security and well being? I hope you will discover the joy of the Lord, that is your strength. That is where the real sense of security, spiritual strength, and well being comes from.
Do you have the joy of the Lord? Do you have that sense of security and well being?
Rejoicing In Haitian Tent Camp
Richard Stearns, the president of World Vision, reflected on his visit to a church in Port-au-Prince, Haiti nearly a year after the devastating earthquake. The church's building consisted of a tent made from white tarps and duct tape, pitched in the midst of a sprawling camp for thousands of people still homeless from the earthquake. This is how he describes the church and the lesson he learned in Haiti:
In the front row sat six amputees ranging in age from 6 to 60. They were clapping and smiling as they sang song after song and lifted their prayers to God. The worship was full of hope … [and] with thanksgiving to the Lord.
No one was singing louder or praying more fervently than Demosi Louphine, a 32-year-old unemployed single mother of two. During the earthquake, a collapsed building crushed her right arm and left leg. After four days both limbs had to be amputated.
She was leading the choir, leading prayers, standing on her prosthesis and lifting her one hand high in praise to God .… Following the service, I met Demosi's two daughters, ages eight and ten. The three of them now live in a tent five feet tall and perhaps eight feet wide. Despite losing her job, her home, and two limbs, she is deeply grateful because God spared her life on January 12th last year … "He brought me back like Lazarus, giving me the gift of life," says Demosi … [who] believes she survived the devastating quake for two reasons: to raise her girls and to serve her Lord for a few more years.
It makes no sense to me as an "entitled American" who grouses at the smallest inconveniences—a clogged drain or a slow wi-fi connection in my home. Yet here in this place, many people who had lost everything … expressed nothing but praise.
I find my own sense of charity for people like Demosi inadequate. They have so much more to offer me than I to them. I feel pity and sadness for them, but it is they who might better pity me for the shallowness of my own walk with Christ.
Richard Stearns, "Suffering and Rejoicing in a Haitian Tent Camp," Christianitytoday.com (1-12-11)
I. Reconstruction (chp 1 – 6)
II. Reinstruction (chp 7 – 13)
After the wall was rebuilt (chapters 1-6), and the people were reorganized (chapter 7), they gathered for worship before God, and they brought out the Book! (chapter 8)
Nehemiah 8:1-18 (NIV)
{1} all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. {2} So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. {3} He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. {4} Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. {5} Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. {6} Ezra praised
the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. {7} The Levites--Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah--instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. {8} They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read. {9} Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. {10} Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." {11} The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve." {12} Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. {13} On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law. {14} They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month {15} and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: "Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths"--as it is written. {16} So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. {17} The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great. {18} Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.

III. Revival
A. The Word of God Brought Conviction
They were made conscious of their own failure and sin, and they wept (8:9). Their day of great victory celebrating the completion of the wall and their independence again was also the day of great conviction, and sadness, when they realized how far they had drifted!

Jesus told us that “Blessed are those who mourn, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3).

What Makes You Happy Or Sad?
What makes you sad and what makes you happy are telling. It tells us where our heart is.

I’m reading the Ted Dekker story, “Heaven’s Wager”. In it Kent is a programmer who made it big and is expecting to make millions. He thinks he has arrived. He is swimming in happiness. Before he has the chance to spend any of his new found money his wife is stricken and hospitalized. Making him and the reader realize that millions of dollars is not what makes us happy. Kent had thrown out his faith in the pursuit of his dream. He had achieved his vision of making millions, but suddenly realizes he leaned the ladder of his vision on the wrong wall. His dream wall collapsed overnight! It cannot deliver what he really wants and needs.

Does what makes you happy or sad match with what makes God happy or sad? Or is your heart fixated on things far afield? The Word of God has a way of leading our heart and emotions into the right direction. Instead of being sad about who lost the game, or the increase on our own waistlines, we might be more sad that we have been drifting from God, and are not experiencing him the way we used to. Our emotions can tell us something about our heart. What makes us happy? Is it that we can finally smell that new car smell, or is what makes us happy the new character Christ is developing inside of us, and we are feeling his joy inside?
B. The Word of God Brought Correction
Conviction and Sadness is not where God wants to leave us. There is no strength there. The devil can use sadness, even conviction to his own ends if we are not careful. He wants to keep us in a place of continual defeat, and depression, continual failure and frustration.

He tempts us to say, “It is no use, I might as well forget it altogether. I will never change. I might as well give in.”

He loves to make us think, “See, this Christianity thing just doesn’t work.”

The devil likes to keep us down and defeated. He loves to heap God against us. Satan uses guilt against us. Satan will suggest that God is mad at you and cannot accept you.

There used to be bumper stickers and billboards saying things like, “God is coming back, and boy is he mad.”

There is one problem with that. God is not the one that left. WE did. And God LOVES to see any sinner come back!! He loves to run to the prodigal to receive him.

And that is not just a New Covenant Picture. We see that picture here in Nehemiah!

IV. Rejoicing
{10} …. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
{11} …. Do not grieve."
{12} …. to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
{17} …. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great. {18} Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated …

A. The Joy Of The Lord Comes From Him Not Happenings
B. The Joy Of The Lord Is Based On Forgiveness
C. The Joy Of The Lord Is Contagious

Illustration idea:
It is so much easier to get a fire going in our wood burning stove when there are a couple of dimly lit embers left.
Stay Inside The Joy
While attending a 2008 awards presentation at the Strathmore Music Center, a concert hall just outside of Washington, D.C., author Mark Gauvreau Judge witnessed what can only be described as unashamed joy—something we don't often get to see in a broken world, let alone the church. The scene was made all the more powerful because it included different people from different cultural backgrounds—a Nimiipuu Indian, a saddle maker from Idaho, a Brazilian street dancer, a leader of the music liturgy of the Ethiopian Christian church, an Iroquois choir, a bluegrass band, a master of Peruvian folk art, a quilter from Alabama, a Korean dancer from New York, and a jazz musician specializing in the traditional New Orleans style. Judge writes:
After almost three hours, it was time for a curtain call—one last bow to end the evening. As [the host of the event] reintroduced everyone, [the] featured jazz band played "When the Saints Go Marching In." That's when something happened.
The audience at the Strathmore rose to its feet to acknowledge the fellowship winners—it seemed at the time like one last blast of applause before the exit. But as they—we—clapped in time to "When the Saints Go Marching In," the performers onstage began to dance. … The jazz band, sensing something in the air, got louder, and kept playing. And playing. And playing. Onstage, the performers formed a conga line, led by one of the jazz musicians, then a circle, each person taking his or her turn in the center. The invisible line between performers and audience evaporated. It had turned into one big party—or revival meeting.
The spiritual writer Stephen Mitchell once described a holy joy "so large that it is no longer inside of you, but you are inside of it." I used to work at a record store and wrote music reviews for newspapers and websites, and I've been to hundreds of concerts over the years. I have never seen anything like what happened on that stage at the Strathmore. It was the most totally unselfconscious explosion of bliss I have ever seen in performance; the people onstage were not hamming for the crowd or blowing kisses. They were as lost in abandon as we were. I wouldn't be surprised if they had forgotten we were there. This was a spontaneous eruption of happiness. …
After about thirty bars of saints marching in, [the host] shut things down. No one wanted to leave; I honestly believe the band could have played for an hour and no one would have moved for the exits. Staggering outside, I heard a woman say she was "swimming in joy." I myself was speechless. Then I heard someone say, "I hope there was someone from the media there." I thought of saying that I was in the media. But then I had the decency to admit there were times when language failed. Like everyone else, I just wanted to stay inside the joy.
Mark Gauvreau Judge, "Concert of the Year," BooksAndCulture.com (10-13-08)

(C) Jim Hammond
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Laugh N Learn Message--"Say No to Ono"

2012-01-08T15:02:43Z

[PDF Version Attached]

LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
January 8, 2012
LAUGH
TOUGH Teacher
A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all.
On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible and then busied himself with desk work.
When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he took the desk stapler and stapled the tie to his chest.
Discipline was not a problem from that day forth!

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
January 8, 2012
“Say No To Ono”
Nehemiah Series (Part 6)
Text: Chapter 6

Watch how Nehemiah says “No” to Ono.
Nehemiah 6:1-3 (NIV)
{1} When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it--though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates-- {2} Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono." But they were scheming to harm me; {3} so I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"

Focus: To accomplish a great work (your vision) you must learn to say no to many distractions.

Ono was an effort to stop the great work. There are many “OH NO’s” we have to learn to say no to. Nehemiah shows us how in chapter 6!
I. Say No to Derailing Distractions (6:1-3)
How did Nehemiah know he was being Sabotaged? I do not discount the fact that the Lord gave him discernment. However, when someone has acted like a rat, looked like a rat, and smelled like a rat, just because he now purrs, doesn’t mean he’s a cat!

Nehemiah said “no” because of God given wisdom, insight, and leading. Keep yourself fully connected to the God who leads you and protects you. Say no to “ono” Sabatage schemes.

II. Say No To Repeating Distractions (6:4)
Nehemiah 6:4 (NIV)
Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.
What does it take to be able to say no to the lesser things?
It takes a commitment to greater things.
Nehemiah 6:3 (ESV)
And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

Repeat after me. “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down”.
Again.
Repeat after me. “Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
Again.

You must give yourself permission to stay focused on the important things. Important things are not always the urgent things. Family is important, but rarely is regular relational connectivity as urgent as the many other distractions of our lives.

Do you know when it gets really difficult to say no to distractions?

Sometimes distractions are not sinister or insidious. Sometimes distractions are dangerous because they seem like good opportunities. Good opportunities makes saying no difficult. And people will keep pressuring you with their good reasons for you to do what THEY want you to do.

However, if a good opportunity derails your vision then no matter how good it is, let’s call it what it is. These are “OH NO!...Opportunities”. We must learn to say no to the dangers in the valley of Oh No. The death of a vision takes place there.

III. Say No To Distracting Opportunities (6:1-3)

Every day of your life, every day of my life, opportunities come along that have the potential to distract us from the main things that God has called us to do. Entertainment opportunities, athletic opportunities, financial opportunities, relational opportunities, religious opportunities, investment opportunities, career opportunities, vacation opportunities. This list is endless.
In my world, the opportunities with the greatest potential to distract me are almost always good opportunities. Things I can easily justify: planning meetings, counseling, speaking engagements, community functions, conferences. I could be out six nights a week taking advantage of “good” opportunities. Like you, I could be even busier than I already am, making even less progress toward accomplishing the few things I know God has set before me to do.
To accomplish the important things you must learn to say no to some good things.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 204

It is the good things that have the greatest potential to distract you from the best things.

If Nehemiah had accepted Sanballat’s invitation, his enemies would have killed him. IN the same way there are appointments, hobbies, relationships, and invitations that, if taken advantage of, will kill your chances of accomplishing your vision.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 205
Grant’s Story (illust: p. 205-206)
I have a good friend whom I’ll refer to as Grant. I consider him a mentor as well as a friend. Grant is fifty-six. When he was ain his early twenties, he went to work for a fellow in the outdoor advertising business. Grrant is the kind of guy who could sell just about anything to anybody. So he did quite well in that job. But there was a problem.
The fellow he worked for expected his employees to work six days a week. The owner lived for his business, and he figured everybody else ought to as well. If you weren’t in the office Monday through Saturday, there was something wrong. You weren’t a company man. As an incentive, the owner promised the inner circle of employees a significant cut of the profits if he ever sold the company, which he eventually did.
Now Grant didn’t mind working hard. And he certainly didn’t mind being well compensated for his labor. But he and his wife had a vision for their family that went beyond owning a big house and a couple of new cars. And working every Saturday pretty much eliminated any hopes they had of creating the family environment they were envisioning. So grant decided to forgo this “excellent” opportunity.
When Grant turned in his resignation, his boss asked him what he was going to do. Grant told him he didn’t know. And he didn’t. But he knew on thing: Whatever he did next would support rather than compete with his vision of what could be and should be regarding his family.
Grant went on to begin his own outdoor company in a different part of the country. God blessed his courage and commitment. His businesses have thrived. But more importantly, he and his wife saw their vision for their children become a reality.
As I mentioned, his former employer did finally sell his company. The men who stayed with him all those years received a big check. But most of them had lost their families along the way. A coupe of them went bankrupt a few years after they received their compensation.
The owner of the company paid a price relationally as well. His children are grown and gone. His interaction with them is infrequent and superficial.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 205-206

A Positive Trend (illust: p. 206)
I am meeting more and more men and women who are choosing to forgo “good” career opportunities for the sake of their families. That’s a wonderful trend. In many cases I have watched as God has blessed these families financially as well as relationally.
Don’t allow “good” opportunities to rob you of your family vision. When you tuck your children in at night, just whisper to yourself, “I am doing a great work, I cannot come down.” Men, when you are tempted to pick up the phone and tell your wife you will be home late from work (again), just look over at her picture on your credenza and whisper, “I am doing a great work, I cannot come down.” Then stand up, grab your keys, and head for the car.
Ladies, as you struggle with the temptation to squeeze one more “good” activity into a schedule that is bursting at the seams, think about your family and whisper to yourself, “I am doing a great work, I cannot come down.” Don’t allow yourself to get distracted by events, organizations, hobbies, and activities that do nothing to further the vision God gave you when you said “I do” and when he blessed you with children.
If you are single, don’t get distracted from your vision of what could be and should be relationally. Allowing God to shape your character while you wait for him to bring the right person into your life is a great work. Guard you purity and integrity at all costs. You are too busy to come down.
It is not just family that gets sacrificed on the altar of opportunity. I know people who have a vision of being out of debt but who are continually distracted by the allurement of more stuff. I have seen lake houses distract men and women from their vision for ministry. Many Christians catch a vision for teaching their unbelieving friends and neighbors and then allow hobbies and various forms of entertainment to distract them.
For every vision, there are dozens of potential distractions. Be careful that you don’t let good opportunities rob you of the joy of seeing your vision become a reality. Work hard to distinguish between the good things and the main things, good opportunities and the thing to which you feel called.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 206-207

Keep Saying YES To A Great Work (6:3)
Repeat after me. “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down”.
Again.
Repeat after me. “Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
Again.

IV. Say No To Distracting Accusations or Criticisms (6:5-9)

When you say no to repeating pressures you are going to receive accusations and or criticisms.

We have a crafty enemy who will try to pull you off mission. He may use false accusation to do it. That’s what happens next to Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 6:5-9 (NIV)
{5} Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter {6} in which was written: "It is reported among the nations--and Geshem says it is true--that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king {7} and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: 'There is a king in Judah!' Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us confer together." {8} I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head." {9} They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed." [But I prayed,] "Now strengthen my hands."

Explain how an open letter without a seal was spreading the rumor they wanted to spread.

Nothing could be further from the truth. But people are not interested in truth. This accusation hurts. It is a false accusation. But it hits Nehemiah where it hurts. Nehemiah was NOT in this for himself. Yet, that is what the accusation says. The enemy has struck a powerful blow here, a dangerous one.

Anger is distracting. If Nehemiah reacts in anger, the work gets derailed. Anger itself can pull you off Mission. Defensiveness can pull you off mission. Such a discouraging blow, can pull you off mission.

Nehemiah shows us how to avoid falling into the trap of false accusations. He didn’t take time off from his work, to go on the defensive.

Instead of chasing rumors, Nehemiah turned his attention to the One who had led him into this thing in the first place. “But now, O God, strengthen my hands” (v.9a).
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 208

Misdirected Reactions…

Time will tell who is right.

Don’t be distracted by criticism. Take your anger to God. Don’t let your anger shift your focus away from the work.

REMEMBER HOW Dirty Lenses Work

The current of society always moves in the direction of conformity, but men and women with a vision stand out, and make others feel uncomfortable as a result.

The criticisms you will receive: examples p. 210

Criticisms are often the result of the critic’s own dirty lenses.
V. Say No to Distracting Fears (6:10-19)
Nehemiah 6:10-14 (NIV)
{10} One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you--by night they are coming to kill you." {11} But I said, "Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!" {12} I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. {13} He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me. {14} Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me.

KISSES from Katie (Book) illustrates the power of saying yes to God.

How does one say no to all these things, to schemes, repeating distractions, opportunities, accusations and fears? How?

Kisses From Katie (p. 98f)
I am not one to step back from or fear much, but one situation is always certain to evoke the human emotion of fear in me. It isn’t the rampant disease I encounter multiple times each day or the threat of war in a fragile nation. It is much simpler than that: a rat. One night, I had the very human need to go to the bathroom, but before I could crawl out of bed, I heard the unmistakable sound of little feet scratching around. I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed with fear.
Most of the time, I am fearless; I’ve always been that way. But the thought, sound, or sight of a rat just does me in. So I lay there, in the sweltering darkness of my room, unable to get out of bed. I had to ask myself why I was so afraid of a relatively small animal. I’m not sure I ever answered that, but I did begin to think about how often, as human beings, we are crippled by our fears. We are afraid of change, of loss, of being hurt. We cling so tightly to what we have because we are afraid of what would happen if we didn’t have these things anymore.
…
I had recently been back to the States and seen and realized this fear. A very real fear that if we gave everything away, we wouldn’t have enough for ourselves. Back in my new home I saw the consequences. Children starving to death, sleeping under rags and in chicken feces, withering away from disease. In our fear, even many of us who clamed to believe in Christ were failing to do what He said for the least of His people.
Fear. It’s part of human nature, but it’s not something we got from God. Second Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” When I imagine God creating each one of us and planting a purpose deep in our hearts, I never imagine that purpose being mediocrity. While the Bible doesn’t tell every person on earth specifically what his or her life’s calling will be, it does include a lot of general direction.
“You are to find me in the least of these.” Yes.
“You are to leave your earthly possessions and come follow me.”
Yes.
“You Are to love and serve the Lord God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.” Yes.
“You are to go and make disciples of all nations.” Yes.
“You are to entertain strangers and lepers and tax collectors.” Yes.
“You are to show mercy.” Yes.
“You are to live a life of mediocrity and abundance, holding on tight to your comfortable lifestyle., lest you lose it.” No.
I don’t think so. “Mediocrity and abundance” aren’t there. However, mediocrity and abundance, comfort and ease, do seem to be safe choices for many people, myself included. In stark contrast, leaving our possessions, following Jesus when we don’t have a well-defined plan, and entertaining strangers—well, that does sound a little scary. But what if, just beyond that risk, just beyond the fear is a life better than anything we have ever imagined: life to the fullest.
I certainly don’t believe everyone should sell all of their belongings and pack a suitcase and move to Africa. I don’t think people all over the planet should drop everything to go somewhere far from everything familiar and be missionaries. In fact, I believe anyone can be a missionary right where they are.
Every day, we have a choice. We can stay nestled in our safe comfortable places, as I did when the rat was in my room. We can let fear of something that is really small compared to the greatness of God cripple us. Or we can take a risk, do something to help someone else, make a persona smile, change someone’s world. Life to the fullest exists. It’s available. All we have to do is decide to get up and embrace it.
I don’t always want to help other people. Generally speaking, I do. But there are certain days when I, like everyone else in the world, simply want to do what I need to do and keep moving. It’s part of being human. But so often, when we stop to be kind when we don’t really want to, that’s when the sacrifice becomes most rewarding.
The night in 2007 was cold and rainy. I was walking out of the supermarket on Main Street in downtown Jinja, on my way home. Then I saw him. Huddled on the street corner, drenched and shivering, was a little boy. At that moment, all I really wanted to think about was getting home, getting dry, and crawling into my warm bed. But a voice inside told me to stop.
I took the little boy inside the supermarket to dry him off a bit and bought him some biscuits and juice. I gave him my sweatshirt, a small wooden cross I carried in my pocket, and some change so he could get a ride home.
As he left, he called out, “what is your name?”
“Katie,” I responded, “Auntie Katie.”
“Me, I am Daniel,” he shouted and disappeared into the wet, chilly night.
About a year later, I walked into the supermarket to buy food for my family and got caught in a big hug. Two small brown arms wrapped around me as a child’s voice excitedly proclaimed, “Auntie Katie!”
I looked down to see Daniel. Beaming.
“Wait,” he urged me.
He hurried to the nearest street vendor and bought me a popsicle with the little pocket change he had. He then dug his little hand in his pocket and pulled out the small woden cross. Looking at me with a wide grin, he spoke words that pierced my heart: “I have never stopped praying for you every day.”
Tho this day, I think of that story and stand amazed at the goodness of our God and the enormous things He can accomplish if I am obedient to His command to stop and love the person in front of me. That rainy night, I really just wanted to hop on a piki and go home. But I stopped, because that’s what my heart told me to do. I only gave him a sweatshirt (I’m sure I have eight more). I only gave him some cheap biscuits (I can eat biscuits anytime I want to). I only gave him enough money for his ride home (probably less than the equivalent of fifty cents). But Jesus gave him hope that night. And he remembered. He didn’t just remember my face; he remembered my name. He prayed for me. He prayed for my safety and for the opportunity to see me again. I blessed him just one cold night, and he blessed me every day after that for an entire year.

Katie Davis excerpts, Kisses From Katie, p. 98-102

Nehemiah 6:15-19 (NIV)
{15} So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. {16} When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. {17} Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them. {18} For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. {19} Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
From an Email Forward, unknown source

(C) Jim Hammond
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Laugh N Learn Message--When God Calls You To Something BIG

2011-12-18T15:34:55Z

[PDF Formatted Version Attached]

LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
December 18, 2011
LAUGH
Christmas Prayer
Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents the week before Christmas. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs.

"I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE! AND AN XBOX 360! AND I PRAY FOR THE NEW IRON MAN COMIC BOOK!"

His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf."

To which the little brother replied, "No, but Grandma is!"

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
December 18, 2011
“When God Calls You To Something BIG”
Text: Luke 1:26-38

We have been studying Nehemiah together, and learning from his life what it is like to follow the vision God has given you. Today, because Christmas is only a week away, we will learn the lessons of what it is like to follow God’s vision for your life, but this time not from Nehemiah, but by considering a young Jewish girl by the name of Mary.

Focus: God calls each of us to something BIG, and we need to learn the A, B, C’s of accepting that call.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, it startled her. He said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” It wasn’t his appearance that troubled her as much as his greetings. What could this mean? How could she be highly favored? Who was she but a humble girl in Nazareth of Galilee?
She thought that was strange, the Angel’s next announcement was even more disturbing. He announced to the young virgin Mary that she was going to become pregnant supernaturally, and would bear the Son of the Most High. When she asked how this was even possible. The angel explained that God can do anything. He also explained that even her relative Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant, even though she was old. Now this was something! Mary believed the angel. If God could do that, he could do whatever he wanted to do. Hadn’t he created the world from nothing?

There is a powerful verse tucked away in the story that I want to begin with. This is the foundation point.
When God Calls You To Something Big….Remember 1:37, and Believe It!
{37} For nothing is impossible with God."

So many people on earth are just going through the daily meaningless grind. God offers more than that.

“Why do you work?”
“So I can eat.”
“Why do you eat?”
“So I can work.”

That’s not life. That’s just breathing. Real life has purpose. That purpose is for the kingdom. It is living with eternal significance each and every day. When we are following God’s calling and purpose for our lives, we find ourselves really living. Most people only think of God’s calling for the “clergy”. Let me remind you again…

The book of Ephesians was a general letter circulated throughout the churches. The contents are for all Christians, and this is what we read in Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

When we participate with God and allow God to handicraft his workmanship in us, we will be amazed, and we will also enjoy life to the full! (see John 10:10)

All we need to do is to be faithful to God, cooperate with him and trust him. There are risks, but God makes it all worth it.
What’s BIG?
The world’s definitions and God’s definitions are so different.
What’s really big may not catch the news. Mary’s experience didn’t. Often what is big in God’s kingdom news, isn’t news the world values. Angels rejoice when one sinner accepts the Lord and transfers kingdom allegiances. It’s news in heaven, but on earth the world doesn’t care. Hopefully with our “God is Good” reports we are catching some of the kinds of news that heaven celebrates too!

But perhaps everyone can agree to this. Something big, is something significant! I thought about that for the title, “When God Calls You To Something Significant!” but an already long title just got longer.

If something is significant, it has lasting impact. There are things with lasting impact that people don’t even notice! What lasts the longest? If there is anything that makes a difference in eternity, that lasts longest. There are many things that make a difference for eternity that don’t even rank on the charts in this world’s estimation. For example, a parent’s investments of time deposited into little lives are foundational. These deposits have the potential to grow with compounding dividends for eternity. So don’t assume that something BIG is obviously big to everyone. Often what is important and significant also seems mundane to the world.

There’s 2 things I want to say about something BIG.

1. The REALLY BIG things make a difference for eternity, and
2. God often doesn’t give REALLY BIG assignments until we are faithful with regular eternity impacting assignments.

“When God Calls You To Something BIG…”
Your responses will go through similar stages that Mary went through when she was called to something big.

When God Calls You to something Big…
A. You Will Be Afraid (1:29-30)
Luke 1:26-30 (NIV)
{26} In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, {27} to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. {28} The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." {29} Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. {30} But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

I imagine Mary’s initial fear of the Angel pales in comparison with the fears she would experience in the coming nights, and months after she accepted her calling.

When God Calls You to something Big…
B. You Will Be Bewildered (1:34)
Luke 1:31-34 (NIV)
{31} You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. {32} He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, {33} and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." {34} "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

Mary was confused. She was bewildered. She was not doubting or unbelieving as Zechariah was earlier in this chapter when Gabriel revealed himself to him.

A new vision was being born in Mary. Again, the “How” question comes up. God answers the “How.” The “How” part is not up to Mary to figure out, or work out.

Even though she was frightened, and then bewildered…she believed Gabriel. That’s the pattern God wants for us also.
Believe Anyway
Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

When God Calls You to something Big…
C. Be Committed (1:38)
Luke 1:35-38 (NIV)
{35} The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. {36} Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. {37} For nothing is impossible with God." {38} "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Mary gave the OK. She signed on. She committed. She yielded or surrendered to the Lord and crossed the line. She was committed. Committed to what? She was a young unmarried girl who was committed to be pregnant without ever having been with a man. How would she explain? She didn’t know. Yet, she agreed to serve the Lord’s purposes.

If God said to you, I want you to run through that wall, and you were convinced God really said it, would you ask a bunch of questions? Hhhhmmmm. I’m afraid, I would have difficulty committing the way Mary did.

I’d say, “What!? Run though that wall? That’s impossible.”

And God would say, “Any more impossible than Moses going through the dead sea? Or Peter walking on water? Or Jesus appearing in a closed, and locked room?”

Oh yeah.

Mary was committing to the impossible and believing God would make it possible. She wasn’t the only one who believed this. It isn’t just some country bumpkin uneducated girl who believes this. Luke was a doctor. Luke is recording this. Luke knew perfectly well how babies are formed from a scientific standpoint. This was every bit as hard for Luke to believe as any modern person today. These are not gullible people. Luke interviewed Mary personally. I believe he did this while his traveling companion Paul was long in prison in the area before going to Rome. Remember that? While we were wondering why God allowed Paul’s imprisonment to go on and on, Luke was interviewing people and the Gospel was being prepared by a historian. Luke is one of the best ancient historians. Luke also believed. And Luke also committed himself to that which he believed. He believed Mary. He believed Paul. He believed the evidence all around him that this Jesus who was Virgin born, was
also the Jesus Paul preached as crucified and risen from the dead! Once you really believe this, you are not far from commitment.

These aren’t just stories that are made up after the fact. These are stories from the people first hand! Luke believed both Peter, Paul, and Mary… You are wishing I could break out some old sixties music now, Huh!?

Mary Committed to the impossible. That’s like saying it’s my job to run at the wall, and it is God’s job to get me through it, if that what God said I was to do. That’s how committed Mary was. OK God, here we go. I will serve you this way. I have no idea how you are going to do it, but ok. She signed on. There is no commitment without belief. She believed God was able to do the humanly impossible thing, and she committed.

How committed are you to the things you already KNOW God is calling you to. We already KNOW a lot of things he calls us to. How committed are we?

When God Calls You to something Big…
D. Let Christ Be Developed In You (1:31)
{31} You will be with child and give birth
Deliver Christ To Others
Who are we delivering?

His name is Jesus (v. 31). His name means Savior. In Greek it is Jesus. In Hebrew it would have been Joshua. As Joshua (God Saves), led the Israelites into the physical promised land, Jesus (God Saves) leads us into the spiritual and permanent promised land, his kingdom, the kingdom of heaven.

He is the Son of the Most High (v. 32)—that is SON OF GOD.
{32} He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Christ Who Rules On David’s Throne (v. 32)
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
He is LORD of LORDs and will RULE forever! (v. 33)
{33} and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Will you let him rule your life for ever. This is the Jesus I wish to deliver to you today!
E. Exalt God (1:46-55)
Long before any of all this was complete, Mary gives us the example of what to do. Exalt God now. Praise him now. Don’t wait for the calling to be complete. Praise him as you go. This BIG thing he calls you to. It isn’t about you. It isn’t so you will be exalted. It is about exalting God. Let’s get to it.

That’s what Mary did. You can read about it in 1:46-55.
Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)
{46} And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord {47} and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, {48} for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, {49} for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. {50} His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. {51} He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. {52} He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. {53} He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. {54} He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful {55} to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."
F. Faith Finds Favor With God (1:28)
{28} The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." {30} But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

Rich Campbell: Tim Tebow story rivals greatest sports stories of my generation
• By Rich Campbell TCPalm (Florida’s Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches Newspaper, )
• Posted December 18, 2011 at 4 a.m.
One columnist recently dubbed it "The Greatest Gridiron Story Ever Told."
I have to agree. As an avid football fan and former quarterback in the National Football League (Green Bay Packers, 1981-84), I have never witnessed a more compelling, entertaining, unbelievable, dramatic — and emotionally satisfying — football story than the one unfolding this season in Denver.
In fact, the Tim Tebow story arguably is one of the greatest sports stories in my lifetime (I'm 52), rivaling the victory by the U.S. men's hockey team over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics, Jack Nicklaus' climactic final round charge and subsequent victory (at age 46) in the 1986 Masters, and the stunning, come-from-behind victory by the Boston Red Sox over the New York Yankees to win the 2004 American League championship (and then the World Series).
If that sounds like an exaggeration, you haven't been paying attention, sports fans.
All great sports stories have four things in common: an underdog, overwhelming odds, high drama and jaw-dropping outcomes. The Tebow story has it all. Factor in Tebow's unabashed proclamation of the Christian faith and you've got a storyline that is generating visceral reactions from coast to coast.
The general consensus by football experts before the 2010 NFL draft was that Tebow lacked the passing skills to succeed as a quarterback. We were told, ad nauseam, his throwing motion was too elongated, he wasn't accurate, he couldn't master the complexities of NFL defenses, and so on.
The jury still is out on some of Tebow's supposed deficiencies. But one thing is incontrovertible — he wins football games. Since being named the Broncos' starting quarterback in Week 7, Tebow has led the team to a 7-1 record, including a six-game winning streak.
Along the way, a predictable pattern has emerged: For three quarters Tebow and the offense are highly ineffective. Then, in the fourth quarter, Tebow suddenly becomes Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers and orchestrates an improbable victory. The first, against the Miami Dolphins, defied belief. Down 15-0 with about two minutes to play, Tebow spearheaded two touchdowns to send the game into overtime, where the Broncos won on a field goal.
I watched the Broncos-Dolphins game from beginning to end. Tebow's performance for 58 minutes was excruciatingly painful to watch — kind of like undergoing a colonoscopy and a root canal at the same time. If the game had ended at the 58-minute mark, Tebow may never have been given another opportunity in the NFL. It was that bad.
Instead, a legend was born.
The experts have been rendered speechless by Tebow's improbable success. How fun is that?
Here's the beauty of Tebow: He doesn't care what anyone thinks or says about him. He plays football — and lives his life — to please only one master. Not his teammates or his coaches, his fans or even himself, but his God. I've never met the man, but I get the impression he would be just as content serving as a missionary in a Third World country as he is playing quarterback for the Broncos.
Tebow is the antithesis of the prototypical NFL quarterback. He also is the antithesis of the typical, self-absorbed professional athlete. He is an outstanding young man and a genuine role model. How refreshing in a society starved for authenticity.
The Broncos (8-5) play the New England Patriots (10-3) Sunday. Tebow has become so popular the networks are fighting with one another to televise his games.
Will the magic continue? Don't bet against him.
I love the Tebow story. But my greatest fear is a Super Bowl matchup between my beloved — and undefeated — Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos. The way this season is going for the Broncos, it would almost be as if the Packers were playing against ... God himself!
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/dec/18/rich-campbell-tim-tebow-story-rivals-greatest-of/
G. You Will Be Greeted by God (1:28-29)
{28} The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." {29} Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

Matthew 25:23 (NIV)
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Kay Warren, "The Loudest Cheers in Heaven,"
Heading home to California … a friend and I passed through the Dallas–Fort Worth airport. On the way to the connecting gate, we heard loud patriotic music playing and saw a group, mostly women, wearing colorful hats, cheering, and waving American flags. The troops were coming home, and here was their welcoming committee.
Two women encouraged us to grab flags and join in. We were early for our next flight, so we took places in the makeshift greeting line. At first, a few soldiers just dribbled by. We whooped and waved our flags furiously. Then the pace picked up as dozens of men and women in uniform came barreling through. We kept repeating: "Welcome home! We're glad you're back! We appreciate you!" Some soldiers wiped away tears, while others displayed huge, self-conscious smiles. …
After 45 minutes, it was time to catch our flight. We hugged the organizers and thanked the vets who had come to honor this generation of soldiers. As we sank into our seats for the flight, we felt humbled by participating in this sweet moment of coming home. It was impossible not to draw the obvious spiritual parallels. These men and women had taken oaths of faithfulness and service. They had fought courageously, lived with deprivation, danger, and disease, and took unbelievable risks, all for the good of our nation.
But as great as America is, it is a temporary place. No nation lives forever. As believers in Christ, we are all soldiers in the Lord's army. We, too, take oaths of fidelity, sacrifice, and service. Our oaths of allegiance are to a kingdom that shall never end—a country where there is never a mistake in leadership, where justice flows down like a river, where poverty, disease, terror, hunger, and greed hold no power.
Scripture teaches us about the welcome and rewards we will receive when our battle on earth is over. Artists, writers, and theologians have all taken stabs at imagining what those moments of heavenly welcome will look like. … That afternoon … we were visualizing the very moment when we would step into eternity.
As my friend Elizabeth and I looked at each other, the same thought crossed our minds. Through misty eyes, she said, "If I get there first, I'll be on your welcoming committee. I'll be jumping up and down, screaming, 'You made it! I'm so proud of you!'"
I laughed and said, "Oh, you're not going to beat me. I'll be there before you. I'm older. I'll be at the head of the line to greet you!" In that moment, heaven was more real than the smell of the stale coffee in our foam cups.
Kay Warren, "The Loudest Cheers in Heaven," www.christianitytoday.com (5-28-09)

Let’s live for the cheers of heaven!

(C) Jim Hammond
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Laugh N Learn Message--Alignment

2011-12-11T15:10:38Z

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LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
December 11, 2011
LAUGH
Gifts
“Thanks for the harmonica you gave me for Christmas, “ Johnny said to his Uncle Rodney the first time he saw him after the holidays. “It’s the best Christmas present I ever got.”
“That’s great,” said Uncle Rodney. “Do you know how to play it?”
“Oh, I don’t play it,” Johnny said. “my mom gives me a dollar a day not to play it during the day, and my dad gives me five dollars a week not to play it at night.”

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
December 11, 2011
“Alignment”
Nehemiah Series (Part 5)
Text: Chapter 5
a·lign·ment
[uh-lahyn-muh nt] noun
• the proper adjustment of the components of an electronic circuit, machine, etc., for coordinated functioning: The front wheels of the car are out of alignment.
• a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint.
Dictionary.com

Focus: Alignment to the vision must be restored after time and bumps cause components to work against themselves.

I. Team Alignment
Just as in a car, a team can come out of alignment over time or because of a jolt. In chapter 5 the team is jolted through a series of bumps that happens from within. There is a definite working against each other (or misalignment) taking place.

Let’s read about it.
Nehemiah 5:1-6 (NIV)
{1} Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers. {2} Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain." {3} Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine." {4} Still others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards. {5} Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others." {6} When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry.

As soon as Nehemiah recognized that there was a problem, he began to bring about a solution.
Before we read about his solution. Consider this.

Regardless of how effectively you cast your vision initially, eventually a team member or two will work his way out of alignment. He will develop an agenda that is off-center to the vision. Instead of working with the rest of your team, he will be pulling ever so slightly in a different direction. This usually transpires well into the implementation stage of the vision.
Worse yet, someone may develop a competing agenda. Instead of a slight pull, he may be pulling directly against you. When a team loses its alignment, it is far less efficient….It makes for an unpleasant ride. And the longer you ignore the problem, the more costly it becomes.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 166
This happens with time and or bumps.

Happy Marriages have alignment, two people with the same picture for finances, parenting, and working toward the goals of arranging reality to match that picture. When people have different pictures, or different visions, that is where the ride gets really bumpy and problematic.
• We must learn how to solve Vision Stopping Problems
• Visions Thrive In Environments Of Unity
• Visions Die In An Environment of Division
A. Locate the Problem
• In Verse one we discover that the problem is an Internal Problems
{1} Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers.
• In Verse 2 we see that there is a Food Supply Problem
{2} Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain."
• In Verse 3 we begin to uncover massive financial problems
{3} Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine."
• In Verse 4 we discover that people had to enter into debt to pay their taxes.
{4} Still others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards.
• In Verse 5 we see just how bad the bondage to debt had become.
{5} Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others."

Construction of the wall was challenging all by itself, but the wall was not the only thing needing repair.

The Old Covenant law forbid Jews from exploiting their fellow countrymen. Yet, by this time after the exile, these laws had been ignored and forgotten. Wealthy Jews were taking advantage of the situation and loaning money at interest, until their countrymen were ravaged by debt, and unable to pay.

For multiple reasons the situation grew suddenly acute when the wall building enterprise began. 1) There was a corresponding lack of food supply. Everyone was in the city building, and farmers and workers had left home and farm to do the work. 2) More and more people were arriving back in the home land from exile, and the farming infrastructure was so long neglected that food was scarce. 3) Add to that the fact that there was a famine (a poor harvest year). 4) The imposition of taxes owed to the dominating Persian regime, caused the struggle to be so severe for some that even after mortgaging house and farm, the beleaguered poor were driven to the last resort of selling their children’s service as slaves for a time, to attempt to repay debts. Many had lost homes, lands, and the ability to pay back their debts. Hence the “outcry” was so great, and took such a sudden turn at the hands of these wealthy people taking advantage of the new circumstances that the rebuildin
g efforts came to an abrupt standstill.

• In verse 6, Nehemiah is very angry. But he doesn’t just get angry.
{6} When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry.

B. Take Action
• The remedy required was immediate action, confrontation, and a call to repentance and restitution.
• In verse 7, Nehemiah takes some time to think about it, then he prepares his confrontation
{7} I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!" So I called together a large meeting to deal with them {8} and said: "As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!"
• THE LAW PROHIBITED SUCH PRACTICES:
• Leviticus 25:35-46; Deuteronomy 15:7-18
• Guilty As Charged
They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. {9} So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?

The great outcry…was caused by SIN!
Personal Sin Stops God’s Work In Your Life
“The better the man, the better the preacher. When he kneels by the bed of the dying or when he mounts the pulpit stairs, then every self-denial he has made, every Christian forbearance he has shown, every resistance to sin and temptation, will come back to him to strengthen his arm and give conviction to his voice. Likewise every evasion of duty, every indulgence of self, every compromise with evil, every unworthy thought, word, or deed, will be there at the head of the pulpit stairs to meet the minister on Sunday morning, to take the light from his eye, the power from his blow, the ring from his voice, and the joy from his heart.”
Clearence E. Macartney, Preaching Without Notes (1946) p. 178. As quoted by Charles Swindoll, Hand Me Another Brick (1978) p. 108-109

This is True not just for preachers…
That quote is a powerful one for preachers. God calls not just preachers but every believer to be his workmanship created for his good works prepared in advance for them to do. So, now let me paraphrase Dr. Clarence Macartney, updating his language and applying it to you! “The better the man, the better the father, husband, or employer. When he kneels by the bed for prayer with his child, or attempts to offer instruction to an employee, or when he speaks to his wife, then every self-denial he has made, every small act of patience and gentleness he has shown, every resistance to sin and temptation, will come back to him to strengthen his arm and give credibility to his words. Likewise every evasion of duty, every indulgence of self, every compromise with evil, every unworthy thought, word, or deed, will be there negating his words in the heart of those he hopes to influence.” Simply Put: Sin Follows You Around and Ruins Your Impact and Influence. If there’s sin in y
our life, get rid of it! Become a clean utensil that God can use.

Charles Swindoll
Don’t hide behind the famous cop-out: “Oh well, nobody’s perfect.”

Claim the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit and say, “God, take over. Change my attitude. I’m sick of this habit. It is sin.”

Take care of it!...Deal with it! Do whatever it takes to correct it.

Correction is carried out most effectively when we make a promise, preferably a public promise. Confess your sin to someone who knows you well and share how you plan to deal with it; or—if God leads you—publicly share your problem and solution with your discipleship group of close circle of friends…make your vow to God known to your family. Nail it down. Lay it before someone. If you don’t, operation erosion will set in.
F.B. Meyer once said, “No man suddenly becomes base.” It is a quiet and lengthy process. Erosion goes on unnoticed.

Don’t sugarcoat it. Don’t slap some whitewash on it. Stop ignoring the reality of your own sinful habits. Repent, and obey God’s instructions so that he can bless your vision.
C. Lead By Example
Nehemiah could say what he said to such effectiveness only because he had a life that could say it with authority! Moral authority.

In verse 10, we see how Nehemiah has already been setting the example.
{10} I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop!
• Nehemiah explains clearly what the Solution that needs to take place. He tells them they need to make Restitution
{11} Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them--the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil."
• How dare you charge that 1% to your brothers! Just let that one sink in a little.
• In Verse 12 we read that they didn’t fight him. The Solution was accepted.
{12} "We will give it back," they said. "And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say."
• It almost seems too easy. Too clean. What we need to do is figure out WHY Nehemiah was able to wield such great authority! We will get to that in a moment.
• First, let’s read about what he did next.
Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. {13} I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, "In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!" At this the whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
Why They Listened And Obeyed
{14} Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year--twelve years--neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.

Nehemiah stayed sensitive to the people, yes, but there is more.

We have been talking about Team Alignment … Nehemiah had a TEAM alignment problem. Not everyone was working for the same cause. The vision was veering left! It was about to crash off the road. Team Alignement requires something more! Team alignment…
II. …Requires Personal Alignment
Every vision needs a leader with personal alignment. Influence is a difficult thing to measure, but one essential ingredient is trust. If the leader is not personally aligned with the vision, he will have no ability to bring his team into alignment.

Why did Nehemiah’s confrontation work?
12 years of Integrity = Moral Authority = Influence
Nehemiah had personal alignment in 3 important ways.
A. Reverence For God
{15} But the earlier governors--those preceding me--placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.
B. Dedication To The Vision
{16} Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
C. Concern For the People
{17} Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. {18} Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people. {19} Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.

From Visioneering, By Andy Stanley
Every great leader, every successful father and mother, anybody who has ever received and followed through successfully with a God-given vision has possessed a form of authority that rests not on position or accomplishment, but on an inner conviction and the willingness to bring his or her life into alignment with that conviction. It is the alignment between a person’s convictions and his behavior that makes his life persuasive. Herein is the key to sustained influence.
The phrase that best captures this dynamic is moral authority. To gain and maintain your influence you must have moral authority. Moral authority is the critical, nonnegotiable, can’t –be-without ingredient of sustained influence. Without moral authority, your influence will be limited and short-lived.
Moral authority is the credibility you earn by walking your talk. It is the relationship other people see between what you say and what you do, between what you claim to be and what you are. A person with moral authority is beyond reproach. That is, when you look for a discrepancy between what he says he believes and what he does, you come up empty. There is alignment between conviction and action, belief and behavior.

We will not allow ourselves to be influenced by those who lack moral authority in our eyes. Inconsistency between what is said and what is done inflicts a mortal wound on a leader’s influence.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 179
Here Is An Example Of How Personal Alignment Works
Lane Jones, one of our pastors, told me about an incident that took place in a college speech class which illustrates the power of linking sacrifice with conviction.

Our assignment was to prepare a speech to persuade. The topics ran the gamut from selling products to defending Christianity. One of the girls in the class was a little older than the rest of us, probably 23 or 24. I knew her to be a Christian from other comments she had made in the class, and so it was no surprise when she chose to speak on the merits of the pro-life position.
I remember the tension. Much of her argument was from a religious perspective. And as you would imagine, the class was very diverse in moral and religious persuasion. She went through the normal arguments against abortion. Then, having made all of her theoretical points (some that had already been made in other speeches—abortion was big that quarter), she finished by challenging the “accepted” exceptions of rape, incest, and endangerment of the mother’s life. She said she didn’t even agree with abortion in these extreme cases.
At that point, even the other pro-life advocates in the class were getting uncomfortable. And I imagine the pro-choice people were thinking they had an easy target.
But after she finished making her points she concluded by sharing how her own world had been shattered a couple of years earlier when she had been raped. The rape resulted in a pregnancy. She then produced a 5x7 picture of a small child of obvious mixed racial makeup and introduced him by name.
She said her son was the joy of her life and she couldn’t imagine life without him. Then she reiterated her position that she believed that abortion under any circumstances was unacceptable.
As she finished I remember the silence that followed. Most of the other “controversial” speeches had been followed by more debate and partisan attacks. But not this time. There was nothing to debate. There was nothing theoretical about her position.
My professor made his way back up to the front of the class. Paused. And then made this comment. “The most powerful argument a speaker can make is one from personal experience.” I was reminded once again of the truth that an audience can disagree with a position, but they can’t disagree with the reality of a conviction lived out…. There is something compelling in the words of men and women who have sacrificed for what they believe in.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 193-194

(C) Jim Hammond
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Laugh N Learn Message--"Stackin' While Packin'"

2011-12-04T16:08:28Z

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Laugh N Learn Message -- Investigate

2011-11-27T15:33:45Z

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LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
November 27, 2011
LAUGH
How Does This Work?
Bob was on vacation, visiting a Las Vegas casino for the first time.
He decided to play the slots. Since he wasn't sure how to play a slot machine, he called an attendant over.
"Excuse me," Bob said. "How does this work?"
The worker showed him how to insert a bill, hit the spin button and pull the handle.
"And where does the money come out?" Bob asked.
The casino employee smiled and pointed to a far wall. "The ATM is over there."

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
November 27, 2011
“Investigate!”
Nehemiah Series (Part 3)
Text: Nehemiah 2:10-3:32

Review of last week:
• Waiting Is Essential For The Maturity Of A God Inspired Vision
• Take the Leap Of Faith!—But Not Until It’s Time
• “How” is Not A Problem to God, All He Needs Is “Who”
o The Wholly His Are The Holy “Who”
o Holy Is For A Purpose
• Finding God’s Will (Simplified)—Love God Wholly

Focus: What God put in your heart to do—Investigate!

Nehemiah 2:10-16 (NIV)
{10} When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. {11} I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days {12} I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. {13} By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. {14} Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; {15} so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. {16} The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or
the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

I. Faith Is Not A Substitute For Careful Planning; Faith and Planning Are Partners
Doing your homework behind the scenes is required for every great work. This kind of work is done in the background. It is not public. Even when God puts a vision in your heart, it is wise to investigate, and know what you are up against.

Faith and planning go together. It is not a lack of faith to investigate and know everything you can know before taking further steps.

Planning by itself, with man’s effort only, leaves God out of the picture. But planning and prayer with dependence is how God would have us move forward. God is a God of order and design. He wants us to organize, and design, and plan. But he wants us to include him in the process.

Nehemiah is just like us. He didn’t have a detailed blueprint from God. He made plans, and he prayed. When he was afraid, and didn’t know what to say, he prayed. When he had needs, he prayed, and planned. He thought through the expected difficulties, and asked the king for papers to deal with those difficulties. He didn’t just say, “God will take care of it.” He made plans. Nevertheless, he prayed through these details, and when God came through, Nehemiah gave God the glory!

Nehemiah recognized his own limitations. He had no ability to change the King’s heart. So he prayed about that. He had no ability to come up with resources to go, or build. He prayed about that. He was but one man. He would need to mobilize many, many people. He prayed about that.

He prayed and planned a lot.

He did most all of this before going public.
A. Investigate Before Going Public With Your Vision
Nehemiah 2:12 (NIV)
I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
Nehemiah 2:16 (NIV)
The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

Nehemiah investigated the walls before he said anything to the people. They had no idea why he was there, and why he came with lumber, and why he came with the cavalry. He looked like someone important, but he didn’t yet say what was on his heart until he finished his investigation.

We as a board kept silent about the property transaction possibility for nearly a month, until we did our homework, and came to the point in time where we could make no more negotiations without your support.

Telling a vision before its time can cause the untimely death of a vision.

B. Before Activity, Seek Meaningful Solitude
What the leader does in solitude is what makes him a great leader. Show me a leader who is trustworthy while he is alone, and I will show you a leader God can use. Show me an effective leader while in the limelight, and I will show you a leader who worked behind the scenes in solitude to become that effective leader you see. Show me someone you can trust, and I will show you someone who is trustworthy while nobody is watching. The behind the scenes work is so critical for successful mobilization of people behind leadership, and behind the vision a leader has shared with the people. It is the behind the scenes work, and behind the scenes integrity that secures long term respect from the people you lead or influence.
Pray Before You Act;
Walk Before You Talk;
Investigate Before You Initiate
II. Cast Your Vision
Nehemiah 2:17-20 (NIV)
{17} Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." {18} I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work. {19} But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?" {20} I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it."
No one accomplishes a God-given vision alone
A Compelling Vision Addresses 4 Components
1. The problem
Nehemiah 2:17 (NIV)
Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."

Waking people out of apathy.
The vision is usually not new information.
A new impassioned concern brought to the table, that wakes us up.
A new interpretation of an age old problem.
2. The solution
The problem is not the vision, the solution is the vision.

Nehemiah 2:17 (NIV)
Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."

3. The reason something must be done
The solution states what COULD be done. The REASON explains why is SHOULD be done! A God Inspired vision grips you as something that SHOULD be done. Zero in on WHY your vision SHOULD be done!

Make the connection between your vision and God’s charge to you as a believer. If your vision is about the preferred future of your marriage, or your family, make the bigger connection. It isn’t just about being happier. You won’t simply be raising happy children, you will be influencing a generation for God. You won’t be just holding your marriage together, you will be reestablishing God’s order in society. Make sure your vision answers that larger question, how it honors God!

WHY SHOULD I ATTEMPT THIS
Ask yourself the question, “Why Should I Attempt this?”

Don’t be content with your first answer. Answer the question repeatedly. As you do this, you will hit upon why this is important to God, not just to you!

ILLUSTRATION:
Why should I attempt this?

This is a powerful question. It is a question you should ask of every goal you set. In forcing yourself to answer this question, you will discover a great deal about your values. Don’t be content with your first answer. Ask why repeatedly.
As what’s most important to you surfaces, one of two things will happen. Either you will realize your vision is, in fact, your vision, not God’s; or you will hit upon a value that is important to your heavenly Father as well. That shared value will serve as the link between what you are attempting to accomplish and what God is up to on a universal scale.
In order to flesh this thing out, let’s have an imaginary conversation with Nehemiah:
“Nehemiah, why should you rebuild the walls around Jerusalem?”
“Because they have been broken down.”
“Why should you rebuild broken down walls?”
“Because without walls the city is defenseless against her enemies.”
“Why should a city that has been defenseless for over one hundred years be protected?”
“Because these are God’s people.”
“Why should God’s people be protected?”
“Because God has a special assignment for his people.”
Repeatedly asking why forces the dialogue to move from the realm of circumstance to one focused on values. This is not an easy process. At some point you may find yourself stumped. “I don’t really know why I should…” At that point take some time to reflect. Wrestling with the question of why will always lead you back around to your core values. And in many cases it will lead you to some valuable insights about yourself as well as your vision.
Let’s run another, more familiar scenario, through this grid.
“Young man, why should you marry Lisa?”
“Because we love each other.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Why should you marry her?”
“I want to be with her all the time and to have a family.”
“You still didn’t answer my question. Why should you marry her?”
“Because I don’t believe it is right for us to live together and have children without first being married.”
“Why is that not right?

Let’s hit pause for a moment. Do you see how the conversation is about to move from the level of circumstance to one of values and morality? It is at this juncture that the young man’s vision for his life together with the woman he loves has the potential to intersect with God’s divine plan for marriage. Let’s continue.
“It is not right because…well, God says it is not right.”
“Why should you do what God says?”
“Well, because he is God.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I want to do what God says.”
“Why?”
“I believe God knows what’s best for me.”
Now we are in a discussion about values and beliefs. This young man’s vision of his life together with his new wife has roots he may have otherwise been unaware of. Let’s take it one step further.
“Why would God care about what’s best for you?”
“He loves me.”
“Why does he love you?”
“I’m not sure. The Bible says he pretty much just decided to.”
“So what have we learned?”
“I’m marrying Lisa because I believe God, who loves me, has a plan that is best for me, and by following his plan I have the best chances of having a successful relationship with Lisa. So my vision is a life together with Lisa lived in accordance with the values of principles in God’s word.”
Now, let’s ask this fellow the first question we talked about.
“What difference will it make if you pursue this vision of life together with Lisa? What’s really at stake?”
“Our peace. Possibly, our self-esteem. If we have children, their self esteem and emotional health is at stake. Since people know we are Christians, our testimony is at stake. If our marriage fails, or if we skipped marriage and just moved in together, it would reflect poorly on God’s kingdom. We would certainly not be very useful to him or the local church. In terms of what difference it could make, it could make a big difference with Lisa’s brother who is not a Christian. We are hoping that he would see something in our relationship that would draw him to Christ.”
Even with this imaginary dialogue you can see how these two questions can serve as a link between your personal vision and God’s providential work in this world. As a believer, this is a vital link. Until you have made this critical connection, you are not ready to go public with your vision.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering p. 100-102

4. The reason something must be done now
Nehemiah 2:18 (NIV) I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

When you point out God’s divinely orchestrated timing, the motivation for doing something NOW goes up dramatically! Ask people to catch the wave God created. It is here, and it is here now! Let’s ride it!

Vineyard is going through that. We are going through that. God has moved.

Let’s buy it! That’s why with only one week’s notice we were able to raise $115,000!

There is a danger when the vision starts to take shape!

Nehemiah 2:18 (NIV) I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

Sounds so easy!

2:18 is NOT the end of the story..

Something like this usually starts out with great enthusiasm…but…there is still a long way to go to sustain the vision through to the end. The initial enthusiasm that comes with the start of something rarely carries enough momentum to complete it.
III. Even When God’s Hand Moves, There Are Many Battles Yet Ahead!

You can always expect opposition when you are making kingdom advances.

Part of the unwritten job requirements for every leader is the ability to handle criticism. That’s part of the leadership package.
Charles Swindoll, Hand Me Another Brick, p. 67

ANOTHER danger lies during success! What danger might that be? You might stop depending. The danger is when faith becomes sight. The danger is when the vision starts to take tangible shape. We must take care not to shift strategies. Whereas the strategy before was, “God got us this far” there is a subtle temptation to “take it from here”. We must avoid the temptation to take control, once we can see the vision take shape.

(C) Jim Hammond
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Laugh N Learn Message--"What" Comes Before "How"

2011-11-20T14:48:57Z

[PDF version attached]

LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
November 20, 2011
LAUGH
Wedding Plans
Although the couple was going to be married in New Hampshire, the groom wanted to add a touch of his home state, Kansas, to the wedding. The bride, explaining this to a friend, said that they were planning to have wheat rather than rice thrown after the ceremony.

The friend thought for a moment. Then said solemnly, "It's a good thing he was not from Idaho."

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
November 20, 2011
“What” Comes Before “How”
Nehemiah Series (Part 2)
Text: Nehemiah 2

The What Comes Before the How
A visionary sees the “what” long before he knows anything about the “how”.
• When the Wright brothers were boys and given a toy flying devise, this sparked an insatiable desire to fly. They had the vision to fly long before they knew how it could be done. There were many who said it could NOT be done.
• When president Kennedy announced the intention to put a man on the moon by the late 60s, the space program didn’t yet know how it was going to do it.
• When Nehemiah had it in his heart to see that the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt, he had no idea how it could be done. He had no idea how he could even leave Persia.
What About You?
Is there something God has put in your heart to do that you have no idea how it could be done? Don’t give it up just because it seems to be impossible or you don’t know how.
Focus: God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish his vision for you.

REVIEW: Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that is should be! Vision is a preferred future. A destination.
I. Waiting Is Essential For The Maturity Of A God Inspired Vision
Just as there is a long and uncomfortable wait before a baby sees the light of day, so it is God inspired visions.

What happened after Nehemiah prayed to the Lord? Nothing! At least not right away. Nehemiah’s story opened in the month of Chislev (see Neh. 1:1), and it resumes “in the month of Nisan” (Neh. 2:1.) Chislev is December; Nisan is April. For four months nothing happened.
Charles Swindoll, Hand Me another Brick, p. 46
Vision Requires Faith
Nehemiah is only one Bible character of hundreds who had a God inspired vision.
• Nehemiah’s vision was to see the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt, based on the promise and purposes of God.
• Noah’s vision was to see an Ark built, based on the same.
• Abraham’s vision was about a family, and a land, and it required faith to leave Haran, and go and follow God into the unknown future.
• Moses was given the vision to lead the people out of Egypt. Did he know how? No.
• Joshua pursued the vision that began with Abraham, but was now at the door step.

We could go on and on. The point is, vision requires faith, and Great vision requires great faith.

Waiting Strengthens Faith
Although nothing happened from Nehemiah’s perspective, something was happening. At least 2 things were happening.
1. God was preparing the metal of Nehemiah’s faith. His faith and resolve were being strengthened. His initial sadness over the ruins did not go away. He still believed he should be praying about it, and asking God to grant him favor with the King. But he did not want to go in charging forward without an indication from God that God had granted him his favor.
2. God was preparing the heart of the King, getting ready to move it in the direction he wanted it to move.
• Hudson Taylor believed prayer was all that was needed to move people in the direction they need to move. And his life supplies many examples of how this worked!
Vision also Fuels Faith
When God inspires a vision, the vision fuels faith. A God inspired vision is bigger than you can accomplish on your own. This means you have to be brought to a place of a strong faith that will see the vision through. This faith is marked by dependency, and prayer, asking God to bring about God’s inspired purposes that are now placed on the heart of the vision carrier.
“What” always precedes “How”
You will know what God has put in your heart to do before you know how he intends to bring it about. The “How” is usually surprising!
Summarize the story of Chris and Mark, p 51-55

For Nehemiah, for four months, nothing happened.

He knew what God had called him to do, but he had no idea how he was to do it.

He had no idea how he would get out of his job circumstances.
He had no idea how he would get to Jerusalem.
He had no idea how he would fund the trip, or the rebuilding efforts.

Humanly speaking, he was at a standstill, and there was nothing he could do to make his vision happen. All he could do was pray, and position himself. Part of the positioning included plans if God gave him the favor he was asking for.

God KNOWS HOW.

How is never a problem with God.

Example: Virgin Mary and Luke 1:34, AND 1:37

It is dangerous to become too preoccupied with trying to figure out how to bring about your vision. Plan the best you can. But remember, a divine vision necessitates divine intervention.

You are not responsible for figuring out HOW to pull of God’s vision for your life. You are responsible to do what you know to do, what you can do,. And then you must wait.

EXAMPLE: Can you remember on Old or New Testament story in which the responsibility of figuring out how a divine vision would be fulfilled fell to the men or women to whom God gave the vision? Did Moses have to come up with a way to get the Israelites out of Egypt? Across the Red Sea? Through the desert? Was it David’s responsibility to figure out how to get Saul out of the way so he could ascend the throne of Israel? When Jesus told the apostles to feed the fie thousand, were they responsible for figuring out how to make five loaves and two fish go that far? Were the Disciples responsible for figuring out how to get the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth?

Did Paul even figure out HOW to get to Rome?

No. In every situation, God orchestrated events in such a way that those involved recognized the thumbprint of God.

There is nothing worse than being bombarded with a bunch of “how” questions while your vision is still in its embryonic stage. If we aren’t careful we can how a person’s vision to death.

Here is a great answer when you get all these. “I don’t know all the answers to your questions, but we are taking a year or so to pray and plan.”

A year? Isn’t that too long. Isn’t the need more urgent than that? Don’t you want to charge right in and get started?

A divine vision is not dependent upon US making something happen. It is dependent upon GOD making something happen.

John 15:5 (NIV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

We want to respond to this statement, something like this. “Now wait, certainly I can do something!” True. But you can to nothing of any eternal consequence. God’s vision for your life however is doing something of eternal consequence, and THAT can only be done while you are connecting with him, and through him.
Don’t rely on your own ingenuity. Rely on God, and prayer. Don’t just charge ahead. See what God is up to. When you do this, guess who gets the glory? God does.
II. Take the Leap Of Faith!—But Not Until It’s Time
• Some charge forward as soon as they get a hold of the “what” and before they know “how”. They just charge forward with optimism saying, “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” But we must remember that “Where there’s God’s will, there’s God’s way.” So when he inspires a vision, don’t leave him out of the equation and charge forward.
• What God originates, He orchestrates
• Nehemiah prayed for 4 months waiting for God to orchestrate his next move.
• For 4 months he was the “wholly who” right in the middle of God’s will, but with no evidence to show for it. He was just doing his job. Loving God, praying, and waiting. God was positioning all the pieces, including Nehemiah’s heart.
• Nehemiah was wholly submitted, and wholly trusting, and as is often the case wholly…SAD and FRUSTRATED. Finally, it showed. But this too, was all part of God’s timing and plan. Nehemiah was not going to go it alone. He was not going to be the Navy Seal Christian, and CHARGE at it—regardless of the challenge and insurmountable odds. Nehemiah didn’t just charge in. He was waiting on God, and what God originates, God orchestrates.
• Then the king popped the golden question: “What do you want?”. Even then, Nehemiah didn’t go it alone. Note what he does NOT do or SAY. He does NOT say, “Thanks, God; I can Handle It From Here.
• What does he do?
Nehemiah 2:4 (NIV) The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven,
Even When The Time To Leap Came, He Prayed First
• What is it I want? -- OPPORTUNITY JUST KNOCKED! He STILL PRAYED before he charged through the door.
• He had been praying about this, and thinking about this and planning for this. Now it was time to pull the trigger.
• He prayed one more time. Then made his plans known to the king who could help him.
• God answered his prayers!
• Notice who got the credit.
Nehemiah 2:8 (NIV)
And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?" And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.
• Nehemiah knew it wasn’t his patience, preparation, skills, or personality that got him to this moment.
• Only God could have engineered these circumstances. He got more than he had asked for. He got more than he had imagined.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
{20} Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, {21} to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

III. “How” is Not A Problem to God, All He Needs Is “Who”
Just in case you missed what I’ve said over and over again, how is not the problem for God. If God has a problem, that problem is the Who! We tend to let the how question overwhelm us. Instead, what we need to do is offer God “the who”, without reservation.
A. The Wholly His Are The Holy “Who”
(Just in case you can’t see the screen… [spell it]

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV) For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. …

Offer yourself wholly to God’s purposes.

B. Holy Is For A Purpose
Being set apart is always for the purpose of bringing glory to his name. It isn’t just about being “clean”. Holy is about purpose. The goal for the Christian isn’t to become more holy, as if it is all about getting better ourselves for our own sake. That isn’t what holy is all about. Holy is about God more than it is about us. Do you remember the saying “It’s not about me, and it’s not about now”. It is all about him, and all about things that matter eternally. Holiness is not about me or now either.

Let me explain what I mean that Holy is for a purpose. Let me give you an example of being set apart, and what it means to be wholly his, or the Holy who. The example I want to talk about is the Temple. The objects of the temple were “consecrated” , that is they were “set apart”, or “Holy”. What is a “holy” object like? We don’t usually think of objects as being “holy”. After all, doesn’t holy, mean without sin? Well in the case of the temple objects, it means “clean”. But certainly, it does not mean “sinless”. Objects don’t have a will, and objects cannot commit a sin. So, in what sense are objects called “holy”. They are called holy, because these holy objects were set apart for God’s holy purpose. If you want to be the chosen “who” for God’s vision, you must be set apart.

All God needs is the “who”. Someone who is willing to be set apart by him, wholly committed to him, and made holy for a purpose. It doesn’t mean you are perfect. It means you have been set apart by God, through Jesus Christ’s perfection, and called to the good works he has prepared in advance for you to do. All this comes by faith. It comes from God. It is made available through Jesus Christ.

Are you a Christian? Then you are a saint, according to the Bible. You are set apart for a purpose. If you are “wholly his” God will use you, because now he has the “holy who” available. He will show you the what in a God inspired vision he places on your heart, and he will take care of the how.

2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV) If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

C. Finding God’s Will (Simplified)—Love God Wholly
Do you love God wholly? Are you holding anything back? If you do love God wholly and you are not holding anything back, then you are in God’s will! He will direct you all along the way. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. All of life, whether it is serving the cup to the King without knowing how that fits the big picture at all, or praying and crying out for the thing that is in your heart—God uses all of it, in his timing, orchestrating the events. The main thing for us is availability. Being the Holy Who, means we are wholly his.
A Leap of Faith
We have a brick retaining wall that runs for about sity feet behind our house. Andrew, my fire-year-old, has been dying to walk along the top of the wall since he was old enough to walk. This afternoon he took his maden voyage.
At each end, the wall is about three feet high. From there it bumps up to five feet. In the center it is eight feet tall. The highest section runs for about thirty feet before dropping back down to five fee.
After along and repetitive lecture about how he is never to climb up on the wall unless Daddy is watching, and after answering a series of questions regarding other adutls that might be acceptable supervisors, I nervously set him up on the three-foot section of wall. Without hesitation he traversed the lower section. He managed to pull himself up to the five-foot section and had no problem there, either.
When he reached the highest section of wall, I could tell his confidence and bravado were waning. He walked almost the entire length of the wall before he finally looked down at me and said, “Daddy, I don’t want to do this anymore.”
[Have you ever been there? I have. Here is what God does next. The faith that got you there is also the faith needed at that moment. Back to the story. ]
Immediately, I stretched out my arms and said, “Jump”
He looked at the wall. Then he looked down at me. Then he looked back at the wall. And again down at me. He bent his knees slightly and said, “Are you going to catch me?”
To which I responded, “No, I am going to move at the last minute and let you fall to the ground.” Just kidding.
“Yes, Andrew,” I said. “I will catch you.”
Without another moment of hesitation, he jumped into my arms. When I started to put him down, he clung to my neck. So I stood there holding him for a few precious, insightful seconds.
When he jumped he was still very much afraid. But his confidence in me was stronger than his fear of jumping. He honored me with his act of courage. There was never any question as to whether I could or would catch him. The issue was whether his confidence in me would supersede his fear. It did. And in that moment, I experienced in a small way what our Father experiences when we act on our faith in spite of our feelings and surroundings.
The higher the wall, the greater the honor.
Great visions are like high walls.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 69-70

Every step in the way of a God inspired vision must be steps of faith, we just keep jumping into his arms. Just keep looking to him. Keep saying a prayer before each step, even when you CAN see where you are about to step.

(C) Jim Hammond
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Laugh N Learn Message -- From Ruins to Rewards

2011-11-13T14:46:43Z

[PDF Version Attached]

LAUGH 'N LEARN
An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://vvchristianchurch.net
November 13, 2011
LAUGH
Flight Delay Announcement
A passenger on a Southwest flight heard the following announcement to explain their delay before boarding:
"We're sorry for the delay. The machine that normally rips the handles off your luggage is broken, so we're having to do it by hand. We should be finished and on our way shortly."

LEARN
Jim’s Manuscript
November 13, 2011
“From Ruins To Rewards”
How To Move From Where You Are…
To Where You Want to Be
Text: Nehemiah 1; Proverbs 25:28

• Would you like to know how to relate to a touchy boss?
• Would you like to know how to balance personal planning with seeking God’s will and with prayer?
• Would you like to know how to handle discouragement when all your plans are not working out?
• Would you like to know how to deal with unwarranted criticism?
• Would you like to know how to move from the ruins of where you are to the rewards of where you would like to be?
Would you like God to show you the answer to the following 2 BIG questions?
• God, What Do You Want ME To Do?
• How Do You Want Me To Do It?
We are going to find so many practical answers in our next series together. Today, we begin the book of Nehemiah.

I hope you can tell already, that although it is an ancient book, it is a very practical book. In it we will meet the main character, Nehemiah. He starts out as the cupbearer to the king, while still living in exile. He becomes the re-builder of the walls of Jerusalem in the middle of the book, and the Governor of Judah by the end of the book.

This book is about Leadership. It is about how to discover God’s plan for your life. It is about the power of following a vision that shapes your life. It is also about how to get from here to there. Where is the “there” that you’d like to go to?

Where do you believe your life ought to be in the following areas? Describe your preferred future as it relates to say, your …
• Career
• Finances
• Spouse
• Children
• Ministry

Nehemiah is the book and this is the study that can help you learn how to move from Ruins to Rewards.

Focus: A clear vision will move us emotionally, motivationally, directionally, and purposefully.

Are you ready to move from where you are to where you want to be? Turn to Nehemiah chapter 1.

Nehemiah 1:1-11 (NIV)
{1} The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, {2} Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. {3} They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." {4} When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. {5} Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, {6} let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house,
have committed against you. {7} We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. {8} "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, {9} but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.' {10} "They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. {11} O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." I was cupbearer to the king.

I. Do You Weep Over Any Ruins?
The ruined walls of Jerusalem the City of God meant trouble and disgrace for all the people of God. For the people in the city, it meant there was no protection, no strength, no defense. It also meant there was no structure or organization as a city. The temple had been rebuilt, but the worshippers were not coming. It was more than brick and mortar that was broken down in pieces. The people themselves were broken down. There was no distinction between the City of God and the world. There was no protection from the world and the enemies of God.

The walls of separation between God’s People and The World were in Ruins.

Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Do you see the ruins in America? We don’t live in a time and culture where a literal wall around a city can protect us anymore. It takes God’s walls, but these are not made with stone and mortar. We live in times where the walls of protection come in a different form.

What are the building blocks of God’s protective walls?
• Personal Prayer and Bible Study?
• Personal devotional life, and worship?
• Corporate Worship?
• Christian fellowship, being knit together to form a cohesive “house of God”?
• The Bible says we are “like living stones built into a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5).

Is God’s protective wall around you in ruins? Are there gaps in wall of protection around you?

The question moves beyond merely personal concerns, as if the walls are only personal. God’s walls are meant for whole churches, whole communities, cities, and Nations.

On a scale of Ruins to Resolute, how would you rate the protective wall of “self-control” in America?

How is the wall that separates those who claim the name of God, from those who don’t? Is there a clear separation? Would God rate us as resolute? Or would he rate us as in ruins?

First we must recognize the ruins, if we are to rebuild the walls.

Weeping over ruins is good. It is Holy dissatisfaction.

But weeping is not good enough. You don’t just stop with the sadness.
II. How To Move From Holy Dissatisfaction to Pure Satisfaction

Vision is seeing Things The Way They ARE (God’s Perspective) then Seeing Things As They Should Be (God’s Perspective)
A. The Birth Of A Vision
Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that is should be!
Vision is a preferred future. A destination. Vision always stands in contrast to the world as it is. Vision demands change. It implies movement. Vision requires someone to champion the cause.
For a vision to become a reality, someone must put his or her neck on the line. Vision requires visionaries, people who have allowed their minds and hearts to wander outside the artificial boundaries imposed by the world as it is. A vision requires an individual who has the courage to act on an idea.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 18
B. A Vision Begins As A Concern
If God is going to use you; and he wants to, because you are his workmanship created for good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
But, the first thing he will show you is your inadequacy! Your insufficiency, or unworthiness for a task. He may show you your weakness. You may weep. But this is good, because when you are weak, then his power is going to show up instead of YOUR ability, or sufficiency.

This was Nehmiah’s experience. That is how God prepares him. First he is undone. He is weeping. Despair→Dependence→Determination

If your first thought is “What CAN I ever do about it? I’m helpless. There is nothing I can do. I just as well not even try.” Don’t let that be your last thought. Stay with the thing in prayer. Keep praying about that concern that makes you sad.
C. A Vision Requires Patience and Prayer
A common mistake is immediate action before the patience and prayer

Patience and Prayer helps us sort out the GOD IDEAS from the good ideas!!!

If something concerned you yesterday but doesn’t concern you today, you are probably not laying hold of God’s vision for your life. God’s vision for your life will not be based on a whim. A clarifying vision isn’t merely a good idea, but HIS idea.

1. Weeping Then Working
Before You Do Ministry—Take a good look at the Ruins?

2. Dependence Then Determination
The weeping, the despair, the sadness from seeing the ruins AS THEY ARE, are part of the birthpains that come just before the birth of a vision.

The Vision Matures in Us.
We mature in preparation for the Vision Also
There is Good and Bad Timing – And God is also at work preparing the way.

A God Idea [God ordained Vision] will begin to feel like a moral imperative.
A God Idea [God ordained Vision] will be in line with God’s Purposes and Promises

D. Pray Based On God’s Purposes and Promises
Nehemiah’s prayers were based on God’s purposes and God’s promises.

Observe Nehemiah’s Prayer
He is a man who knows God’s word and prays accordingly.

So much prayer is prattle instead of warfare.

So much prayer is “Bless me Lord, Bless me Lord.”

So little is Kingdom building, and Kingdom expanding. Kingdom building prayers are battles.
• We have to battle for every inch of ground we gain.
• We gain ground when someone’s life turns from indifference to God, to curiosity, or interest.
• We gain ground when someone welcomes our praying for them, instead of scoffing.
• We gain ground when we pray that the eyes of the heart of a loved one be opened to the spiritual reality that God is real and wants a relationship with him.
These prayers are not merely “bless me Lord, bless me Lord” prayers, but prayers that reflect God’s heart on the matters of his concern.

E. Pray for opportunities Not just miracles
Dreamers dream about things being different. Visionaries envision themselves making a difference. Dreamers think about how nice it would be for something to be done. Visionaries look for an opportunity to do something.
Nehemiah was a man with a vision, not a dream. He wasn’t expecting God to do something independently of him. He was looking for an opportunity to work alongside God. So he prayed for an opportunity…and…God gave it to him.
Andy Stanley, Visioneering, p. 32

PROJECTS:
You have multiple visions for your life. Some are clearer than others. Begin clarifying what you believe your future should hold. Take a look at the ruins, [what is] and pray about the rebuilding of the walls [what should be].

Write a one sentence summary of how you believe life ought to be in the following areas (describe your preferred future):
• Career
• Finances
• Spouse
• Children
• Ministry

A God Idea Grips Your Soul. There is often a tension between what is and what should be. Are you gripped by a particular tension? If so, take a minute to describe your dilemma?
• What is bothering you? [What are the ruins]?
• What is the solution? [What needs to be rebuilt]?
• What “should be”?

Do any of the burdens you have feel like moral imperatives?
VIDEO—“Broken and Burned” Storytellers Nehemiah
“The God of Heaven will give us success, and we will start rebuilding”
Plan As if you expect God to answer your prayers
A Prayer
God, make us fit to work because we have wept over ruins and want things to be different.
God help us to be willing to pray, and willing to depend on you.
God, please give us hearts that bleed, eyes that are wide open to see, and minds that are clear to interpret Your purposes.
Lord, God give us wills that are obedient, and a determination that is utterly unflinching as we set about the tasks you would have us do!
Adapted from Alan Redpath, Victorious Christian Service p. 25

(C) Jim Hammond
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