#Ezra & Nehemiah

[whovian223]

July 2024 Gaming

July 2024 Gaming #boardgames @garphillgames @gmtgames @StrongholdGames

[steveezekiel]

TEACH THE PEOPLE AND TRAIN THE LEADERS

[Leadership style of Nehemiah 11]

8 SO they read distinctly from THE BOOK, in the Law of God [the Scripture]; and they gave the sense, AND HELPED THEM [the people] TO UNDERSTAND THE READING.

13 NOW on the second day THE HEADS OF THE FATHERS' HOUSES of all the people, with THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE WORDS OF THE LAW."

Nehemiah 8:1-3,8,13 (NKJV)

• The Word of God gives understanding and Joy to the soul of the people

- When the Word is taught and the people received it with a repentant heart, they had a godly sorrow, and accepted to follow Jesus Christ—God:

"FOR [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God PRODUCES A REPENTANCE WITHOUT REGRET, LEADING TO SALVATION; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10 AMP).

- Then the leaders would need to calm them and encourage them—direct them on how to strengthen their relationship with God:

9 AND Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; DO NOT MOURN NOR WEEP.” FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WEPT, WHEN THEY HEARD THE WORDS OF THE LAW. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH" (Nehemiah 8:9,10 (NKJV).

- Assure them of God's faithfulness, mercy, love and His willingness to forgive and accept whoever confesses his or her sins and turns back to Him: FOR “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED” (Romans 10:13 NKJV).

"IF we CONFESS our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS" (1 John 1:9 NKJV).

• Teach and train the leaders:

"ON the second day THE LEADERS OF THE FAMILIES OF ALL THE PEOPLE, including the priests and the Levites, MET WITH EZRA THE SCRIBE TO STUDY THE WORDS OF GOD'S TEACHINGS" (Nehemiah 8:13 GOD’S WORD Translation).

- You have to develop the leaders around you, those who are working with you, for the work committed to your hands can grow and be increased.

- If you can get the leaders to understand the Word of God, equip them to know the truth, the whole people or congregation would not be difficult to get.

- Train your associates and sectional HEADS in your church and Ministry.

- If you succeed in changing the leaders, to change the followers, the people, would not be an uphill task:

"AND the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, COMMIT THESE TO FAITHFUL MEN WHO WILL BE ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS ALSO" (2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV).

- Note: In developing the leaders around you, you would need to consider the following:

(a) If you are having a large congratulation, give yourself to twenty percent of the people you are leading.

(b) Develop a plan for their growth.

(c) Be transparent with them.

(d) Give them the opportunity to practice, put to work, whatever you have taught them.

• The teaching and the training of the people and the leaders had to be an ongoing programme that should NOT be stopped.

- As a leader, God's minister and His representative, you would do well to plan and organize a programme, a meeting, where the people under your leadership would gather for a number of days and be taught the Word of God (Nehemiah 8:18).

- A meeting where they would have to leave everything, their works and houses, come together in a place, and be taught the Word of God. A kind of camp MEETING:

14 AS THEY STUDIED THE LAW, they discovered that the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month. 16 So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build shelters on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God’s Temple, or in the squares just inside the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate" (Nehemiah 8:14,16 (NLT).

- In such a meeting, there minds would be away from cares and affairs of life, they would be there to learn and unburden their hearts to God.

- God delighted in such meetings and usually MOVED and made Himself known to the people.

- It could be gleaned from the pages of the Scriptures that God commanded different feasts, festivals, whereby His people are required to gather up, and be before Him for a number of days (Exodus 23:14-19).

(i) God does not want His people to always be overtaken with Care and affairs of life. He does want them to trust in Him, depend on Him, for their needs to be met (Matthew 6:27-34).

(ii) He wants the knowing of Him and the doing of His Will, that is, doing of His Word—be their utmost priority (Joshua 1:8; Colossians 3:1,2; James 1:22,25).

• Let everything you do in your ministry be based on the Scriptures.

- Whatever is not found in the Scripture should not be done or practiced.

- The Bible is our melting point and standard for all we do in the Ministry work.

- What could not be established with the Scripture should be done away with.

- Do not copy whatever someone else or other people are doing because it is popular and widely accepted. If it was not found in the Scriptures, do not do it:

"EZRA READ FROM THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF GOD ON EACH OF THE SEVEN DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL. Then on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, AS WAS REQUIRED BY LAW [the Scripture]" (Nehemiah 8:18 (NLT).

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

Peace!

TO BE CONTINUED

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Why has the way of the wicked prospered?

You, O LORD are [uncompromisingly] righteous and consistently just when I plead my case with You; Yet let me discuss issues of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are those who deal in treachery (deceit) at ease and thriving? — Jeremiah 12:1 | Amplified Bible (AMP) The Amplified Bible Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Cross References: Ezra 9:15; Nehemiah 9:33; Job 12:6; JOb 13:3; Job 21:7; Psalm 116:5; Ecclesiastes 8:14

[wheatxingmin-blog]

Search the Scriptures: A Three-Year Daily Devotional Guide to the Whole Bible

Preface

Overall Plan of the Course

Suggestions on method of study

Aim of the course

The right approach

The time required

Arrangement

Requirements

Procedure

Abbreviations

Part One

Luke 1:1 – 9:56

Genesis 1 – 26

Luke 9:57 – 19:28

Genesis 27 – 50

Luke 19:29 – 24:53

Psalms 1 – 12

Acts 1:1 – 12:24

Exodus 1 – 20

Acts 12:25 – 28:31

Amos & Hosea

Psalms 13 – 29

1 & 2 Thessalonians

Joshua

Galatians

Proverbs

Romans

Exodus 21 – 40

1 Corinthians

Psalms 30 – 41

2 Corinthians

Micah

1 Timothy

Titus

2 Timothy

Part Two

Leviticus

Hebrews

Numbers

Mark 1 – 9

Deuteronomy

Mark 10 – 16

Judges

1 Peter

Ruth

1 Samuel

Ephesians

Job

Psalms 42 – 51

2 Samuel

Psalms 52 – 72

1 Kings

John 1 – 12

2 Kings

John 13 – 21

Isaiah 1 – 39

1,2,3 John

Isaiah 40 – 66

Part Three

Matthew 1 – 7

Jonah

Joel

Zephaniah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Obadiah

Matthew 8 – 18

Jeremiah 1 – 25

Matthew 19 – 28

Jeremiah 26 – 52

Lamentations

Philippians

Ezekiel 1 – 32

Psalms 73 – 89

Ezekiel 33 – 48

Colossians

Philemon

Ezra & Nehemiah

Psalms 90 – 106

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

James

1 Chronicles

Psalms 107 – 138

2 Chronicles

Esther

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

2 Peter

Jude

Daniel

Psalms 139 – 150

Revelation

Appendix:Principles of Inductive Bible Study

Maps

[betterhomebusiness]

#BooksOfTheBible https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10216850989729232&id=1298831408&sfnsn=mo

#OldTestament

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Gen.1?interface=amp

Genesis

Describes the creation; gives the history of the old world, and of the steps taken by God toward the formation of theocracy.

EXODUS

The history of Israel's departure from Egypt; the giving of the law; the tabernacle.

LEVITICUS

The ceremonial law.

NUMBERS

The census of the people; the story of the wanderings in the wilderness.

DEUTERONOMY

The law rehearsed; the death of Moses.

JOSHUA

The story of the conquest and partition of Canaan.

JUDGES

The history of the nation from Joshua to Samson.

RUTH

The story of the ancestors of the royal family of Judah.

1 SAMUEL

The story of the nation during the judgeship of Samuel and the reign of Saul.

2 SAMUEL

Story of the reign of David.

1 AND 2 KINGS

The books of Kings form only one book in the Hebrew MSS. They contain the history of the nation from David's death and Solomon's accession to the destruction of the kingdom of Judah and the desolation of Jerusalem, with a supplemental notice of the liberation of Jehoiachin from his prison at Babylon, twenty-six years later; they comprehend the whole time of the Israelitish monarchy, exclusive of the reigns of Saul and David.

THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES

are so called as being the record made by the appointed historiographers of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel; they are the official histories of those kingdoms.

EZRA

The story of the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, and of the rebuilding of the temple.

NEHEMIAH

A further account of the rebuilding of the temple and city, and of the obstacles encountered and overcome.

ESTHER

The story of a Jewess who becomes queen of Persia and saves the Jewish people from destruction.

JOB

The story of the trials and patience of a holy man of Edom.

PSALMS

A collection of sacred poems intended for use in the worship of Jehovah. Chiefly the productions of David.

PROVERBS

The wise sayings of Solomon.

ECCLESIASTES

A poem respecting the vanity of earthly things.

SOLOMON'S SONG

An allegory relating to the church.

ISAIAH

Prophecies respecting Christ and his kingdom.

JEREMIAH

Prophecies announcing the captivity of Judah, its sufferings, and the final overthrow of its enemies.

LAMENTATIONS

The utterance of Jeremiah's sorrow upon the capture of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple.

EZEKIEL

Messages of warning and comfort to the Jews in their captivity.

DANIEL

A narrative of some of the occurrences of the captivity, and a series of prophecies concerning Christ.

HOSEA

Prophecies relating to Christ and the latter days.

JOEL

Prediction of woes upon Judah, and of the favor with which God will receive the penitent people.

AMOS

Prediction that Israel and other neighboring nations will be punished by conquerors from the north, and of the fulfillment of the Messiah's kingdom.

OBADIAH

Prediction of the desolation of Edom.

JONAH

Prophecies relating to Nineveh.

MICAH

Predictions relating to the invasions of Shalmaneser and Sennacherib, the Babylonish captivity, the establishment of a theocratic kingdom in Jerusalem, and the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem.

NAHUM

Prediction of the downfall of Assyria.

HABAKKUK

A prediction of the doom of the Chaldeans.

ZEPHANIAH

A prediction of the overthrow of Judah for its idolatry and wickedness.

HAGGAI

Prophecies concerning the rebuilding of the temple.

ZECHARIAH

Prophecies relating to the rebuilding of the temple and the Messiah.

MALACHI

Prophecies relating to the calling of the Gentiles and the coming of Christ.

#NewTestament

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.1?interface=amp

GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW

A brief history of the life of Christ.

GOSPEL OF ST. MARK

A brief history of the life of Christ, supplying some incidents omitted by St. Matthew.

GOSPEL OF ST. LUKE

The history of the life of Christ, with especial reference to his most important acts and discourses.

GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN

The life of Christ, giving important discourses not related by the other evangelists.

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The history of the labors of the apostles and of the foundation of the Christian Church.

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

A treatise by St. Paul on the doctrine of justification by Christ.

FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS

A letter from St. Paul to the Corinthians, correcting errors into which they had fallen.

SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS

St. Paul confirms his disciples in their faith, and vindicates his own character.

EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS

St. Paul maintains that we are justified by faith, and not by rites.

EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS

A treatise by St. Paul on the power of divine grace.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS

St. Paul sets forth the beauty of Christian kindness.

EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS

St. Paul warns his disciples against errors, and exhorts to certain duties.

FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS

St. Paul exhorts his disciples to continue in the faith and in holy conversation.

SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS

St. Paul corrects an error concerning the speedy coming of Christ the second time.

FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES TO TIMOTHY

St. Paul instructs Timothy in the duty of a pastor, and encourages him in the work of the ministry.

EPISTLE TO TITUS

Epistle to Titus. St. Paul encourages Titus in the performance of his ministerial duties.

EPISTLE TO PHILEMON

An appeal to a converted master to receive a converted escaped slave with kindness.

EPISTLE TO HEBREWS

St. Paul maintains that Christ is the substance of the ceremonial law.

EPISTLE OF JAMES

A treatise on the efficacy of faith united with good works.

FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES OF PETER

Exhortations to a Christian life, with various warnings and predictions.

FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN

Respecting the person of our Lord, and an exhortation to Christian love and conduct.

SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN

St. John warns a converted lady against false teachers.

THIRD EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN

A letter to Gaius, praising him for his hospitality.

EPISTLE OF ST. JUDE

Warnings against deceivers.

THE REVELATION

The future of the Church foretold.

#GENESIS #EXODUS #LEVITICUS #NUMBERS #DEUTERONOMY #JOSHUA #JUDGES #RUTH #1SAMUEL #2SAMUEL #1KINGS #2KINGS #1CHRONICLES #2CHRONICLES #EZRA #NEHEMIAH #ESTHER #JOB #PSALM #PROVERBS #ECCLESIASTES #SONGOFSOLOMON #ISAIAH #JEREMIAH #LAMENTATIONS #EZEKIEL #DANIEL #HOSEA #JOEL #AMOS #OBADIAH #JONAH #MICAH #NAHUM #HABAKKUK #ZEPHANIAH #HAGGAI #ZECHARIAH #MALACHI #MATTHEW #MARK #LUKE #JOHN #ACTS #ROMANS #1CORINTHIANS #2CORINTHIANS #GALATIANS #EPHESIANS #PHILIPPIANS #COLOSSIANS #1THESSALONIANS #2THESSALONIANS #1TIMOTHY #2TIMOTHY #TITUS #PHILEMON #HEBREWS #JAMES #1PETER #2PETER #1JOHN #2JOHN #3JOHN #JUDE #REVELATION

#Peace #Hope #Joy #Faith #Love #God #Jesus #HolySpirit #Disciples #PopeFrancis #JimmyEveritt #LordsPrayer #Twitter #Facebook #Tumblr #LinkedIn #Wix #WordPress #Instagram #Pinterest #Google #USArmedForces #USAirForce #USArmy #USMarine #USNavy #GodAndCountry #TheManFromTexas #IfYouBuildItTheyWillCome #JimmyValentine 💖

[fearless-eagle]

Search The Scriptures —Study   — Ezra & Nehemiah

Search The Scriptures —Study   — Ezra & Nehemiah

Study   From the Book of Philippians is: Ezra & Nehemiah

Introduction

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah continue the history of the Israelites from the point reached at the end of 2 Chronicles. The two books are closely linked together and cover between them a space of about one hundred years, from the first year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia (538 BC), to soon after the thirty-second year of…

[inmyanguish]

History of Nehemiah

Books 1-7 are considered his memoirs while Books 8-12 is thought to be editted later by Ezra but that is problematic because Ezra is traditionally, Ezra (Esdras I+ II) is thought to be in Jerusaleum thirteen years earlier than Nehemiah,and Ezra does not a does not mention the other.  For that matter Nehemiah does not mention Ezra much either but the “excuse” there is that Nehemiah is rather…

[patlovewash]

Nehemiah 8:5-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)

5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above them; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.  6 Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; and they knelt down and worshiped the Lord with their faces toward the ground.

[gracedman]

April 20 ~ The Path of Life

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

  Romans 9:16 (ESV)

16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

  Romans 9:16 (AMP)

16 So then [God’s gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God’s mercy. [It depends not on one’s own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God’s having mercy on him.]

 Have you ever seen a juggler? Someone who has trained themselves to keep multiple things in motion through a quick series of repetitive actions. The only problem with this type of activity is that if the juggler ever stops the cycle of motion, everything comes tumbling to the ground. The other problem with juggling is the sense that we are not going any where. Here is where David's statement cuts into our human activity:

  Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 God has a path of life for us. It lifts us from the dulling routines we can fall into. When we find it, there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. God's gracious path for our lives is not discovered by our own willingness nor by our own exertion. Religious people would apply formulated thinking to acquire the favor of God and always end up with an empty imitation. Religion and the path of life are often incompatible. Religion brings rules and quotients. You should pray x numbers of times a day or so many hours in a day. You should read your bible. This number of chapters a day etc. We can even get religious about FaceBook. I have to post every day and so on. Religion pressures us to perform and conform. God's path of life brings us into the presence of God where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. The presence of God enables us to be relaxed and fulfilled by the reality of who God is in our lives. Then we do things as we delight in the Lord and are filled with his joy. Then this verse is more than words on paper:

  Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP)

10 Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.

  Isaiah 26:7 (ESV)

7 The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous.

 This Hebrew word, "level" is rich word. It has a range that includes "truth, agreement, fairness, smoothness and uprightness." It is level because it has all these elements in it under the control of God himself.

 The path of life begins in the blessing of God's presence and the quickening of his spirit. Joy is its wonderful supply. We are lifted by his very life and grace into supernatural provisions for our earthly life. Routines become eventful adventures. We can have fun in the details of our lives as we are amazed by his supply and his presence. To stand in the presence of God is the most powerful place on the earth. We are more powerful than the highest ruler and more secure than the richest person. We have permanent connection with one who is a priest forever. He never fails us and he never loses his powers. Jesus never fails. This path he has for our lives enables us to access all the resources of his grace for every moment of our day. I don't think there could be anything more important for our lives than that. God grant that his path would be ours today:

  Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 Lord Jesus, please make us aware and sensitive to your path for our lives today. Show us your path for our lives. May this passage and its promise be our experience:

  Proverbs 4:14–18 (ESV)

14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. 15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

Amen!!!

[whovian223]

Putting Wood on the Biblical Fire

Putting Wood on the Biblical Fire @garphillgames @PlayRenegade

Reading the description of Ezra & Nehemiah when it first hit Kickstarter, I was intrigued. If you read this blog for more than just one or two posts, you know I’m a huge fan of Garphill Games and the games designed by Shem Phillips and SJ MacDonald. While I have enjoyed pretty much every “trilogy” game, I haven’t played many of their other games, including any of the “Ancients” line of games…

[whovian223]

Friday Night Shots - Should You Learn a Game Before Trying to Teach It?

Friday Night Shots - Should You Learn a Game Before Trying to Teach It? @garphillgames @PlayRenegade

Two bar visits in a row? That’s a rarity in 2024! But I’m happy to have you come in to have a drink and talk about some obscure boardgame topic that my mind has come up with. I appreciate you indulging me, and I hope you find it of some interest. I hope it’s not the drink that’s bringing you in here! Have a seat and let me get you something. Non-alcoholic for Brian, of course, but anything you…

[whovian223]

New to Me - June 2024

New to Me #boardgames - June 2024 @games_delicious @garphillgames @PlayRenegade @BitewingGames @doomlings @firstfishgames @ulible @StrongholdGames

May was a really boring month for new to me games, so much so that I was wondering how I could correct that for June. How about seven? No, that’s no my winning lotto number, though it should be. That’s how many new games were played in June, and two of them were mine. That just adds to the goodness. That being said, the Cult of the New to Me was not impressed, at least at first. The oldest…

[whovian223]

Friday Night Shots - Box Size Preference - Room for Expansions?

Friday Night Shots - Box Size Preference - Room for Expansions? @alderac @garphillgames

Yes, the bar is still open! It’s just been under renovations for the last…month, I guess. Hopefully they’ve fixed that jukebox so that it stops playing shitty music. Anyway, welcome back! I’m happy to have you stop by, have a drink, and talk a little bit about board games. I know I’ve missed you! So hop on a stool, let me get you a cold libation of some sort (or hot, if you’d like), and…

[whovian223]

Friday Night Shots - Old vs New?

Friday Night Shots - Old vs New? @garphillgames @gmtgames @_dailymagic_ @BoardAndDice

Welcome back! I know it’s been a couple of weeks, but I was taking some time putting a new bar up. With heated seats! I hope that works ok and isn’t a fire hazard. Oops. Anyway, have a seat and let me get you something to drink. We’ll just avoid that charred seat over there. I’ll also turn down the music. I’m not sure how that “Color Me Bad Greatest Hit” CD got in there, but I’ll have to…

[steveezekiel]

TEACH THE PEOPLE AND TRAIN THE LEADERS

[Leadership style of Nehemiah 11]

8 SO they read distinctly from THE BOOK, in the Law of God [the Scripture]; and they gave the sense, AND HELPED THEM [the people] TO UNDERSTAND THE READING.

13 NOW on the second day THE HEADS OF THE FATHERS' HOUSES of all the people, with THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE WORDS OF THE LAW."

Nehemiah 8:1-3,8,13 (NKJV)

• The Word of God gives understanding and Joy to the soul of the people

- When the Word is taught and the people received it with a repentant heart, they had a godly sorrow, and accepted to follow Jesus Christ—God:

"FOR [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God PRODUCES A REPENTANCE WITHOUT REGRET, LEADING TO SALVATION; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10 AMP).

- Then the leaders would need to calm them and encourage them—direct them on how to strengthen their relationship with God:

9 AND Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; DO NOT MOURN NOR WEEP.” FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WEPT, WHEN THEY HEARD THE WORDS OF THE LAW. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH" (Nehemiah 8:9,10 (NKJV).

- Assure them of God's faithfulness, mercy, love and His willingness to forgive and accept whoever confesses his or her sins and turns back to Him: FOR “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED” (Romans 10:13 NKJV).

"IF we CONFESS our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS" (1 John 1:9 NKJV).

• Teach and train the leaders:

"ON the second day THE LEADERS OF THE FAMILIES OF ALL THE PEOPLE, including the priests and the Levites, MET WITH EZRA THE SCRIBE TO STUDY THE WORDS OF GOD'S TEACHINGS" (Nehemiah 8:13 GOD’S WORD Translation).

- You have to develop the leaders around you, those who are working with you, for the work committed to your hands can grow and be increased.

- If you can get the leaders to understand the Word of God, equip them to know the truth, the whole people or congregation would not be difficult to get.

- Train your associates and sectional HEADS in your church and Ministry.

- If you succeed in changing the leaders, to change the followers, the people, would not be an uphill task:

"AND the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, COMMIT THESE TO FAITHFUL MEN WHO WILL BE ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS ALSO" (2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV).

- Note: In developing the leaders around you, you would need to consider the following:

(a) If you are having a large congratulation, give yourself to twenty percent of the people you are leading.

(b) Develop a plan for their growth.

(c) Be transparent with them.

(d) Give them the opportunity to practice, put to work, whatever you have taught them.

• The teaching and the training of the people and the leaders had to be an ongoing programme that should NOT be stopped.

- As a leader, God's minister and His representative, you would do well to plan and organize a programme, a meeting, where the people under your leadership would gather for a number of days and be taught the Word of God (Nehemiah 8:18).

- A meeting where they would have to leave everything, their works and houses, come together in a place, and be taught the Word of God. A kind of camp MEETING:

14 AS THEY STUDIED THE LAW, they discovered that the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month. 16 So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build shelters on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God’s Temple, or in the squares just inside the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate" (Nehemiah 8:14,16 (NLT).

- In such a meeting, there minds would be away from cares and affairs of life, they would be there to learn and unburden their hearts to God.

- God delighted in such meetings and usually MOVED and made Himself known to the people.

- It could be gleaned from the pages of the Scriptures that God commanded different feasts, festivals, whereby His people are required to gather up, and be before Him for a number of days (Exodus 23:14-19).

(i) God does not want His people to always be overtaken with Care and affairs of life. He does want them to trust in Him, depend on Him, for their needs to be met (Matthew 6:27-34).

(ii) He wants the knowing of Him and the doing of His Will, that is, doing of His Word—be their utmost priority (Joshua 1:8; Colossians 3:1,2; James 1:22,25).

• Let everything you do in your ministry be based on the Scriptures.

- Whatever is not found in the Scripture should not be done or practiced.

- The Bible is our melting point and standard for all we do in the Ministry work.

- What could not be established with the Scripture should be done away with.

- Do not copy whatever someone else or other people are doing because it is popular and widely accepted. If it was not found in the Scriptures, do not do it:

"EZRA READ FROM THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF GOD ON EACH OF THE SEVEN DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL. Then on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, AS WAS REQUIRED BY LAW [the Scripture]" (Nehemiah 8:18 (NLT).

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

Peace!

TO BE CONTINUED

[steveezekiel]

IN PURSUIT OF VISION

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

• Discovery of purpose is paramount to success in life. You need to know God's plan for your life as an individual, which is also known as vision.

- Knowing God plan for your life, also known as VISION, makes you a success in life.

- To whatever extent, it is not enough to know God's plan for your life: you need to fight to defend the plan, the vision, that you may fulfil it. “Fight the good fight of faith...” (1 Timothy 6:12).

- There are people who may not want you to fulfil the vision.

- There are vision killers (Genesis 37:17-20). Some would want to kill the vision while some would want you to derail, deviate, from the vision; by giving you another vision (Ezra 4:1-3).

- Not only that, some would want to talk you out of the vision, hence you need to fight to keep the vision alive and to fulfil it (Nehemiah 6:1-9).

“and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.”

Matthew 10:36 (NKJV)

“For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.”

Micah 7:6 (NKJV)

• Take note:

- Vision is in phases, it has stages. God unfolds vision gradually, systematically and progressively.

“Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.”

Exodus 23:30 (NKJV)

- At every stage or phase of your vision, assignment, the devil will always orchestrate someone or people to come your way in order to cause you to derail, or hinder you not to move forward or make progress to another level.

- You have to be dogged in your commitment to the vision.

- You need to fight, wrestle, with powers of darkness, who may want to stop you or abort the vision.

- You use weapons of prayer, fasting and the Word of God, knowing that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal—not physical.

10. “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.

11. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

13. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].

Ephesians 6:10-13 (Amp.)

• You must be resolute, determined, and stubbornly committed to the vision, for you to fulfil it.

• It is my prayer that you will not fail in Jesus' name.

Peace!