Nehemiah 1, 2
Thirty-one years ago, when I uprooted my little family coming to this area, three men were instrumental in helping to make that decision.
John Haggai: “Go to a great population center.”
Vance Havenar: “Have a ministry where a little bit will go a long way.”
Luke: “...good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.”
Those were the thoughts in my mind as I decided.
1. Give yourself to something you and God agree upon. (1:3-4)
“Cry it out before God.”
2. Deal with whatever may stand between you and the Lord. (v.5-7)
Cluttered lives destroy focus, and drive.
“It is useless to ask God to help us to repair the wastes if we do not cast out the sins which have made them.” Maclaren.
Don’t hesitate because you may need to disrupt the normal flow of your life.
3. Attempt something that requires the hand of God. (1:11-2:8)
Nehemiah positioned himself under the mighty hand of God.
“If our morning supplication is “prosper thy servant this day,” and our purposes are for God’s glory, we need not fear facing the day!”
All men significantly used of God have been men of prayer.
Stay open to the surprises of God.
4. Share your dreams, goals, and vision at the right time with the right people. (2:17,18)
Stay with people who will help, guard, and goad, you on.
Enjoy God’s wonderful provision, nearly always at the last possible moment!
In all our going, doing, and preaching, we need to maintain a constant awareness, even anticipation, of the potential for God to break in on what we are doing; and thus experience supernatural results. He is there. He is available. Oh, sweet Spirit of God, we honor you and we desire your manifest presence. VWjr.
