The Spirit of Counsel

Baking Tips!

For those of you that bake or have at one point attempted baking, you will know that CONSISTENCY is so important. You can bake one cake brilliantly the first time and then the next time, it turns out a bit flat, or a bit soggy, or with holes in it.

'It feels great to master a recipe and get the same result time after time...'

Nehemiah is a great example of consistency in his response to opposition. He continued to stand in the word of God and not compromise.

How consistent are you?

Do you do and say the same thing all the time? Do you keep to your word, and stay grounded in God?

Ephesians 4.14 '...tossed to and fro by the waves...'

God expects consistency from us and to let go of things that keep us inconsistent.

I am a great work!!

Nehemiah 6.3: ' I am carrying on a great work and cannot come down'

Did you know that you are a great work?

Have you thought about yourself that way?

Well, God says you are! Heb 3.6 We are the house of God..God is building us, we are the great project of God.

Things will come and try to distract the building process in our lives. This could be, friends, even family, sin, worldly music, unnecessary events and so forth.

May God give us the grace to be able to say NO to those things that distract the building process in our lives. May God give us the grace to say NO, God is doing a great work in my life which is ME and I cannot come down.

The Spirit of Knowledge - Eph. 1:17

Friend,
 When you encounter the revelation knowledge of God on any issue, you will become  a man and woman of exploits in that field or area. It is not enough to read, hear but to catch a revelation of what you are to become or solutions to your life. That is what makes the difference.

Ps. 62: 11 - God has spoken once, twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God

It is the second hearing as stated above in the scriptures that we call "Revelation". That means you have read what Paul said, you have also read what Mathew said, and  this is now what God is saying as it relates to you. This means that Revelation makes God's word personal to you which we call "Rhema" as charismatics Christian.

Eph. 1:17 - That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 


From scripture above, it shows that the spirit of knowledge is the same one called the spirit of revelation .

What is Revelation?

Revelation is ability to take instructions from God. Hosea 4:6 - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge - Not knowing what to do is the reason why many lives are frustrated and down. And another problem is not knowing how to get to the promise land - This is another challenge for most Christians. But the spirit of knowledge will help us to live a successful life and live about limitations.

From today you will receive solutions to your life in Jesus name. Amen

You will receive and manifest the God given destiny of yours in Jesus name. Amen.

This message continues ....

It's a bird..no it's a plane..no it's...Superman!

How do you mistake a man flying in the air for a blue and red bird or a plane? I am sure it was because what appeared as something normal was not.

We learn from Nehemiah, of his ability to DISCERN!!!

When you walk with God, you need to know what is Gods and what is not Gods. Many of us know truly of what is not Gods, we can quote from hear to the ends of the earth of what is the devils however we don't know or are not clear of what is Gods.

Discernment is the ability to judge matters according to Gods view of things and not the outward appearance of it.

(1st Samuel 16.7)

For us to work under discernment we have to ask God. You see, as humans we have our natural likes and dislikes but many times our personal choices are not Gods choices.  When we are not discerning we make mistakes, mistakes that have great consequences.

Why is it important?

Discernment gives us direction in Gods way through the supernatural ability of God.

So, since discernment is so important. How do we develop it?

Discernment is seeing things the way God sees them!

1.We must get to know Gods word. (2nd Timothy 3.16, Proverbs 27.6, Hebrews 4.12)

2. Discernment comes from spiritual maturity. (Heb 5.12) Are you trained in God, trained in the word of God. Spiritual Maturity has NOTHING to do with age (newsflash!). Do not be deceived that you are too young to be spiritually mature or that you are passed a certain age so you must be spiritually mature.No. Spiritual maturity comes from God and Gods word. It comes from what you feed into your life.

3.Discernment is a gift from the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12.7-11 God has given us the opportunity to seek Him for the gift of discernment.

Pray today for the spirit of discernment and see your life change!

Who are you when nobody is looking?

When your words and actions match, people know they can trust you.

Nehemiah showed a consistent level of integrity in his life. Due to his integrity, people respected him and trusted him.

Have you ever wondered why some people around you don't respect you, ever wondered why they dont trust you? Do you just pass the blame over to them...maybe you need to check yourself?Are you a person of integrity?

You ask,what is integrity?

Integrity: Integrity is about the small things; it is important to building relationships and it is the foundation upon which many other qualities for success are built; such as respect, dignity and trust.

Integrity is who you are when nobody is looking?

So who are you when nobody is looking?

With integrity, you show your personal character to others.

‘Character is made in the small amounts of our lives’

Did you smile at someone today,were you truthful today, did you forgive easily,were you on time, were you humble...what small amounts of your lie today built or destroyed your character?

Integrity is about standards; maintaining the standard of God at all times; always wanting to do the best, be the best in all situations regardless of anything. Integrity perseveres to maintain itself.

Be the kind of person that God blesses, work on your inside what God sees more than your image of what people see more. Because eventually your great inside will influence and impact your outside image.

1.    Integrity is not determined by circumstances

2.    Integrity is not based on credentials (your achievements; what you have done)

3.  Integrity is not to be confused with reputation. (Reputation is what people say about us, what they hear, what they understand or don't understand)

Credentials	Character
Turns the focus to rights	Keeps the focus on responsibilities
Adds value to only one person	Adds value to many people
Looks to past accomplishments	Builds a legacy for the future
Often evokes jealousy in others	Generates respect and integrity
Can only get you in the door	Keeps you there

Know your enemy!

Nehemiah Chapter 4 teaches us many different lessons but more specifically God teaches about how to deal with adversary.

We see the impact of discouragement of Sanballat and Tobiah, and what then can do to a believer. They used discouragement and insult to try and stop them from moving forward.As we press into the things of God and move forward in life, we might experience mockery and insults. In any aspect of your life,you will usually face some level of criticism and adversary. The question is how do you respond to it?

The closer you are to fulfilling your potential, the more the enemy will try to distract and discourage you! This discouragement in its best form will be the manipulated truth. The enemy will try the very best to take your focus away from the truth and the truth of the task.

Discouragement is a powerful weapon because it is the opposite of faith. The enemy will try everything to move you away from a life of faith!. This why we are continually called by Christ to guard our hearts, to increase our faith and live by faith. Habakkuk 2.4. When we look into our lives, we realise that we pray differently under faith and under discouragement, we move differently under discouragement than under faith.

When Sanballat and Tobiah are speaking against Nehemiah, they are also ridiculing the God in Nehemiah. When you give God complete ownership and you understand that it is not just you that will fight, but it is God that will fight for you.


Put your trust in the name of God, the attack might not stop immediately but that doesn't mean you need to give up trusting Him, because 'Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world' 1 John 4.4

Defend your family!

Gossip is almost viewed now as random and 'harmless' chitchat among believers.

Proverbs 13.3 says 'He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.'

Gossip is negative and destructive. We see from Nehemiah that the enemy will try and divide from within, and gossip will always be one of the ways of division.

When someone confides in you about somebody else's private matters, when you listen and respond, you are then trapped and ensared and you encourage the gossip.

As believers lets aim to stop gossip as soon as we here it no matter the cause. Defend your family in God. Remember that listening is also participating in the gossip. Be an encourager and look for the best in others.(1st Timothy 5.22)

So lets not 'did you hear that Pastor...' or 'let me tell you what she said...'

Gossip strives in secrecy. Gossip is stopped when the secrecy is exposed.

Nehemiah 4.14

An effective leader

From Nehemiah 3 we see that Nehemiah was an EFFECTIVE LEADER because he:

• Challenged the people around him
• He made people focus on their own house first; their own selves first. He helped people look at their inner selves;their walk with God.
• Nehemiah did not disqualify people because of past failures or past records.
• Nehemiah allowed people to try new things.
• He stood as an example of the Spirit of Excellence
• Nehemiah loved and pursued the things of God more than himself

You might think because you are not a leader in your church or group, then this doesn't pertain to you.In fact it does! News flash!You are a leader...as a child of God you are a leader!Yes, you are influencing at least 5 people around you, whether it is your family,your friends,your colleagues.You stand as a representative of Christ,a leader of Christ. Don't wait until you get a title!its by your fruits, not your title,not status. Start being the influential person God made you to be.Lead by being excellent in all your ways, lead by maintaining high integrity and honesty, lead by encouraging people around you, Lead not by power or might, but by the Spirit of God.Zech 4.6

I need you!!

Nehemiah chapter 3 reminds us of the song 'I need you to survive' by Hezekiah Walker. From previous studies we have learnt that Nehemiah grabbed hold of the vision God gave him and he ran with it, regardless of what anyone said-he possessed unique zeal and fervour for the new purpose and direction God was revealing to him.

God gave him the vision, but in order to carry it out it needed the help of other people. Nehemiah knew that he couldn't do it alone; he had wisdom enough to know that rebuilding this wall didn't just mean him doing it brick by brick! He needed the help of his people. How many times do we do it alone-and why???Pride, reluctance to involve people, secrecy, embarrassment...God called us into a BODY of Christ, where we...You...are just one part.

1 Corinthians 12.26-27
'So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation (of the parts of the body to each other), but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the parts (share) the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members (share in) the enjoyment of it. Now you (collectively) are Christs body and individually you are members of t, each part severally and distinct (each with his won place and function)'.


Next time God lays something on your heart and it needs urgent prayer, don't deal with it on your own, If you are part of a church, please speak to your pastor or leader. If you are not part of a church please join one, but in the meantime speak to someone you know can give you Godly advice. Godly is the key word.


The whole of Nehemiah 3 describes the beauty of unity. When we work together as a team, we can achieve great things and do exploits by the grace of God.
Different houses/families helped each other, supported each other, and encouraged each other in the Lord. Let us be like these people of God, instead of discouraging and passing the blame, instead of gossiping and pulling people down. Have a positive mindset towards all...Philippians 2.3-4. 


If unbelievers can be united in things not of God, why is it so difficult for us who love the same God to work together for this same King of Kings.


If you haven't done so, please do so now. Speak to your neighbour, encourage them in the Lord, and pray with your fellow brethren, your family. 


Somebody somewhere needs you!

Prayer changes

Be a person of prayer - Prayer changes things. Let God in into your daily life. Speak to Him and let Him change things.

Nehemiah 2 Study notes

In chapter 1 we saw how Nehemiah had heard of the terrible state of God’s city and how that drove him to his knees in repentance and in seeking an opportunity to be part of the solution. That should have challenged our view of the work of God in the world (are we distressed at the state of the church? Are we prayerful for it, and desiring to be used by God in it?).

In this chapter we see God answering Nehemiah’s prayer, and we see his great wisdom as he begins the work. Doing God’s work will require great courage, but knowing we serve the King of Kings will mean we fear him, and not men (see 1 Peter 3:13-15). We also see in this chapter that prayerfulness and wise careful planning/leadership are not mutually exclusive. We must be pious people (constantly prayerful), but not pietistic (only praying and never doing anything else). God worked through Nehemiah’s godly common sense as much as his quiet times!

The date given in verse 1 is significant because it shows that Nehemiah has been fasting and praying for four months since he first heard the news about the state of Jerusalem. But though sometimes God takes longer than we might like before he answers our prayers, he does answer and opens the door for Nehemiah to speak to the king (which was what he has been praying for, remember 1:11).

As cupbearer to the King Nehemiah has privileged access to the King, but it was a requirement of the job that he must not look sad before the King. We do not know whether the Kings initial statement in verse 2 was a threat or a polite inquiry, but Nehemiah takes the opportunity presented to him.

A quick prayer

But supplication was made to God. Whether it was ‘ God, thankyou for this breakthrough, give me the words to say.’, or simply, ‘God I need your help?’, it was a prayer nonetheless.

We have considered the value of prayer many times but we seem to have often de-valued the value of short prayer that is uttered between important decisions; between question and answer. The prayer that invites God into the conversation because we know that we can really mess this up if we do it on our own.

Be specific in your requests to God

Nehemiah was a man with both a vision and a plan. He knew exactly how long this was going to take, and had already thought through the requirements of the task. ‘I;l need letters for safe passage and timber for the gates.’ But those who plan out what will be required and the steps to get us there are the ones who get used by God to accomplish them.

God answers Nehemiah’s prayers in a way which is overwhelming and possibly beyond Nehemiah’s wildest hopes. However Nehemiah’s careful thought about what was needed is shown by what he requested of the King – verse 7 and 8 shows that this was no whim. He had prayed and planned and thought hard about what was needed to rebuild the walls. Nehemiah is abundantly clear about why the King acted so positively. He knew it was not because he had caught him on a good day, no – “the gracious hand of God was upon me”. He can change the heart and minds of Kings, all the wealth of the world belongs to him.

LESSONS FROM NEHEMIAH 2

Self-sufficient or God dependent (evaluate)

How dependent are you really on God? The size of your life depends on how big your dependency of God is.Jesus says in John 15.5 ' I am the vine; you are the branches. " In other words, the fruit of your life doesn't come from you; it comes from Jesus, through you, like the life of the vine comes through the branch.

Answer honestly to the questions below and asked God just like David did in Psalm 26.2 ' Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.'(NLT)

Q1. In your everyday life, what do you worry about most? (This might be something that makes you anxious when you think about it, or when it happens you feel unsettled.)

Q2. At what point in worrying do you replace your faith with worry?( As soon as you start becoming unsettled, after you have tried to settle it on your own, not really you just keep on worrying until it stops)

Q3. What are the desires that drive your life? (write down at least 5 desires that move the decisions you make...and that dictate your actions; remember...be honest)

Q4. In what ways do you put Gods Kingdom second?

Q5. How often do you mention God everyday?

God places a premium on our trust and dependence on Him in all things. It is such a high premium that he has specific outcomes for those who depend on Him and for those who don't.




Read Isaiah 40:27-31, Jeremiah 17:5-8, and Zechariah 4.

Now that you have answered those questions, have a look at them and pray on the areas you have identified that you need to depend on God more.

List the changes you want to make and make an effort to change them by His grace!

Questions from Fellowship Bible study

Please post your answers to the remaining questions from the Nehemiah Wednesday study:

Q1. What was Nehemiah's reaction when the king asked about his sadness?
     1b. Why did he react this way?

Q2. What was Nehemiah's reaction to ridicule and threat?

Thankyou

I dont mind waiting - Juanita B (Wait on God today)

Waiting on God

Nehemiah waited on God in prayer. He waited for direction, for advise, for leading about what to do about his concern. If you are tired of waiting; don't quit - Your breakthrough is just round the corner; your answer is on its way.

Wait on God for He is a faithful God.

Whos' account will you believe?

In Nehemiah 1 we learn a short but valuable lesson.
Nehemiah 1:2-3 AMP

Hanani, one of my kinsmen, came with certain men from Judah,
                and I asked them about the surviving Jews who had escaped exile, and about
                Jerusalem.  And they said to me, The remnant there in the province who
                escaped exile are in great trouble and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken
                down, and its [fortified] gates are destroyed by fire.

Nehemiah had learnt to trust in the account and report of certain people. In life,not everybody around us will speak with the same motives as ourselves.Who are the people giving you reports and accounts?What is their motive for telling you things.Is it just for idle gossip and hurtful banter.

1 Peter 2:1-2 AMP

SO BE done with every trace of wickedness (depravity,
                malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy,
                jealousy) and slander  and  evil speaking of every
                kind.  Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly
                desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured  and  grow unto [completed] salvation,

The bible advises us to get rid of every trace of gossip.Nehemiah enquired of his people out of a genuine concern for their welfare and he took that concern straight to Christ.

For every account or report you here;question the motive of the person telling you;be discerning and take it to God in prayer.

Wait (inspiring poem)

Waiting on God

Wait
by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait.""Wait?
you say wait?" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened?
Or have you not heard?By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.

"Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait.
"So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?

"He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .and He tenderly said,
"I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint."You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.

"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of my comfort late into the night,

The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.

And though often My answers seem terribly late,My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait.

© 1980 Russell Kelfer.

Are you on a diet?

Did you know that fasting without prayer and the word is just dieting and will not produce any spiritual results.

Fasting should be an essential part of every believers life. The actual practice of fasting is a great way to discipline our flesh and ontain spiritual clarity. Taking time out for fasting like Nehemiah, enables you to hear from God and receive instructions more clearly and easily.

There are diverse ways of fasting, the most common is abstaining from certain kinds of foods for a designated period of time. An absolute fast is one that involves not eating any kind of food at all and in some cases, not drinking water.

We can also declare a fast from certain things that take too much of our time and attention away from God e.g television,social networking etc. The important thing is to allow God to lead you in the details of the fast and what exactly it is that has been disrupting your fellowship with God.

Fasting powered with prayer is a combination that releases supernatural power over the enemy and seemingly possible situations.Mark 9.29 "this kind can come forth by nothing,but by prayer and fasting".

We also fast to renew our minds and bring every wrong mindset under subjection to Gods word 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 AMP

For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying
                on our warfare according to the flesh  and  using mere human
                weapons.  For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of
                flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow  and  destruction of strongholds,  [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments  and
                theories  and  reasonings and every proud  and  lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God;
                and we lead every thought  and  purpose away captive into the
                obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

We must keep in mind to enter into a fast with the right attitude.It should never be about appearances or trying to seem more spiritual. In fact as we fast, we must clean ourselves and carry on with life as usual while fasting. Fasting is personal and intimate and our motive should be fueled by a desire to be closer and closer to God. Then our fasting and praying will break chains and be more powerful and productive.

Isaiah 58:6 AMP

[Rather] is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the
                bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free,
                and that you break every [enslaving] yoke?

Pray the Nehemiah prayer today

Nehemiah prayer

Nehemiah gives us a model of how to pray taken from his first prayer in Nehemiah 1.4-11.

Nehemiah had a great concern and burden and he took it first to God.Not his friend,colleague,housemate etc.He took in prayer to God. How many times do you go to God in prayer first...be honest. Nehemiah evaluated, sat down and assessed what he should do.

Stage 1: Reverence

Nehemiah 1:5 AMP

And I said, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God,
                Who keeps covenant, loving-kindness,  and  mercy for those who
                love Him and keep His commandments,

Acknowledge the God you serve and who God is initially.

Stage 2 : Confession and Repentance

Nehemiah 1:6-7 AMP

Let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to listen to
                the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You day and night for the Israelites,
                Your servants, confessing the sins of the Israelites which we have sinned against
                You. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.  We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the
                commandments, statutes, and ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.

Though,not physically there Nehemiah acknowledged that he was a part of his peoples burden and problem. Having a heart of gwnuine repentance and coming to God broken is what God longs for.

Psalm 51:9-10 AMP

Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt  and  iniquities.  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right,
                persevering,  and  steadfast spirit within me.

Stage 3 : Promise of God

Nehemiah 1:8-9 AMP

Remember [earnestly] what You commanded Your servant Moses: If
                you transgress  and  are unfaithful, I will scatter you abroad
                among the nations;   But if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them,
                though your outcasts were in the farthest part of the heavens [the expanse of outer
                space], yet will I gather them from there and will bring them to the place in which
                I have chosen to set My Name.

Know the promises of God and refer them in prayer.

Stage 4 : prayer of petition

Ask God exactly what you need, be specific and believe that God will meet your need. Amen

IDENTIFY: What are my broken walls?

The enemy will stop you from looking and analysing what is wrong in your life-what is broken and destroyed.He will get you thinking (you will get you thinking) that "I'M ALRIGHT", "I'M FINE JUST THE WAY I AM"...."I CAN DEAL WITH THINGS ON MY OWN"

He will get you thinking you are growing in your stagnancy,when really you are stagnant in your growing.

IDENTIFY today...what are my broken walls?What are my destroyed gates?Am I concerned?

Proverbs 25:28 AMP

He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that
                is broken down and without walls.

God tells us in this verse;if you have No rule (no control,no discipline,no focus...) over certain things in your life; you are living a life without walls.

Where have you slipped? Which area have you lost zeal and control? Your finances, your relationships and friendships, your relationship with God,your dreams and vision, your career and academics...

Your walls set your boundary, they define you like a fortified wall around a city. Your walls are a means of protection.

Let God identify today,if you are living a life without walls.

Poetry:Pray now

Pray Now

By Kathleen Higham

In the moment of rage,
I prayedGod helped me through somehow
For He has never failed me yet
Draws me near when my knees bow.

Pray now through the unthinkable
Knowing His Grace is sufficient
God understands our unbelief
We were born to be deficient.

Fearful, naked and screaming, but
Unto life more precious than gold
The Father God prepared the way
For a heart He longs to mold.

Pray now through the unthinkable
Do not meander until tomorrow
Or embrace this chaotic diversion
Then bend to a weighty sorrow.

Pour yourself out and surrender
In humility you feel His Grace
Not to do great things, no
But to stand in a Holy place.
Where He will give you strength

To overcome not questioning how
Fall down be filled with His Glory
Then pray, pray, pray, pray now…

Psalm 73:26"My flesh and my heart may fail,But God is the strength of my heart And my portion forever." 

Nehemiah 1: Comment - What are your concerns?

What are your concerns?

Nehemiah shared a deep concern for his people and their future.

Nehemiah 1:2-4 AMP

Hanani, one of my kinsmen, came with certain men from Judah,
                and I asked them about the surviving Jews who had escaped exile, and about
                Jerusalem.  And they said to me, The remnant there in the province who
                escaped exile are in great trouble and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken
                down, and its [fortified] gates are destroyed by fire.  When I heard this, I sat down and wept and mourned for days and
                fasted and prayed [constantly] before the God of heaven,

He heard about the broken walls and destroyed gates and he was greatly impacted by this news. Although he was not physically present in Jerusalem, his love and concern for his people led him to a point of mourning,fasting and praying.

Have you been so deeply concerned about something like Nehemiah,and what did you do about it?

Are you concerned about the state of other nations even though you are not physically there?

Are you concerned about the recession,poverty,natural disasters,HIV epidemic...

The real question is...

Are you concerned enough to take action?
..to pray
..to fast
..to give
..to lend a hand
..to sacrifice

Be moved enough to MOVE!

Why should we study the word?

  Its not uncommon to hear the questions?

· Why do we have to do bible study?

· Is it really necessary?

Well here are a few reasons:  

· Joshua 1.8 ' Keep this book of the law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.'
Meditate means to think deeply or carefully about something and study it. What God is saying in this verse is that in order to be PROSPEROUS (meaning to flourish and to thrive in all aspects of your life) and to be SUCCESSFUL we need to carefully study and think deeply on the word of God. 

· James 1.22 also states 'But be doers of the word (obey the message), and not merely listen to it, betraying yourselves (into deception by reasoning contrary to the truth)' AMP version.

God also advises us in His word to be doers, participators and students of His word and not just listeners who listen and forget. He goes on to say in vs 25 of James 1.22 that active doers shall be blessed in his doing.

· Psalm 119.11 says 'I have stored up your word in my heart,that i might not sin against you.' To prevent us from sinning and going against God we must have the ability to store Gods word within us.

· Gods word is also alive and active (Heb 4.12). As we study the word and allow God to speak to us personally, He gives us a new interpretation of the word, a new understanding relevant for our day to day life.  

With all these reasons, how can we not take time out and read and study Gods word.  

So join in the Nehemiah study as we learn important life values and allow God to transform us.

Comment and your insights int the message.

A bit of context and history

A BIT OF CONTEXT AND HISTORY

Events in Ezra and Nehemiah occurred during the period of the Jews’ return from Babylonian  captivity.  When  the  Babylonians  had  captured  Jerusalem  and  overthrown  the  nation  of
Judah, they took the Jews into captivity away from Palestine into Babylon (see 2 Chronicles
36:11-21). But the Medes and Persians later overthrew the Babylonians and began a policy of allowing the Jews to return to Palestine.

There were actually three groups that returned. The first group returned in 536 BC under
leadership of Zerubbabel, the second group in 458 BC led by Ezra, and the third group in 445 BC
led by Nehemiah.

Consider the history of the period according to the reigns of several great Persian kings

Cyrus — He overthrew Babylon in 538 BC. The first group of Jews returned to Palestine under Zerubbabel’s leadership in 536 BC.
Darius the “Great” — During his lifetime, the temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt.
Xerxes — This is the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther. He eventually chose Esther as his
queen, and by her influence he saved the Jews from destruction.
Artaxerxes — This man was son of Xerxes and stepson of Esther. He ruled from about 465-
423 BC. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were written during his reign.

Ezra’s record begins with the first group that returned under Cyrus. But Ezra himself became personally involved in the story during the 7th year of the reign of Araxerxes, when Ezra
led a group of Jews back to Palestine (458 BC). In the 21st year of the reign, Nehemiah led another group of Jews to return, and rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.

Song of Restoration and Rebuilding

DONALD LAWRENCE

RESTORING THE YEARS

LYRICS

Lend me your ears thus said the Lord 

And know that my word, will not return void 

Your time I sustained, there's no need to fear, I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears 

Restoring the years you've sown in tears 

I am the Author, writer of time 

No matter how long, things will work out just fine 

Deposit this word, there's no need to fear 

I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears 

Restoring, the year's you've sown in tears. 

Lift up you hands, recieve from the Lord 

Your broken spirit, recieve from the Lord 

Deposit this word, there's no need to fear 

I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears 

Restoring, the year's you've sown in tears. 

I'm Healin you, I'm Healin you, Healin you (Repeat) 

I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears 

Restoring, the year's you've sown in tears.

IFCS Summer Study