Day 23 :: Nehemiah Devotions

Confident Craftsmen    

Jim Boyd, Director of Support Services
Nehemiah 4:15-23

Have you ever started a project at home, only to realize that you did not have the tools to accomplish the task? Then there is the lost time as you go back and forth either to get the correct tool, or a trip to the store to purchase one. This is a craftsman’s greatest frustration. Confidence is lost when we are unprepared for the task at hand.

In this passage we see that everyone was equipped as needed for their duties. Half were tasked to build the walls.  The others to stand guard. Some had tools to work; but all had weapons needed in defense of attack, vs. 17.  

This is the example of properly equipped workers. Each not only understood what they needed to do, but they also had the proper equipment for any eventuality that arose. This not only bred confidence they needed that they could complete the work in safety; it also produced the dedication and diligence with which they worked, vs. 22-23.

Prayer/Challenge

Thank you Father that you equip each believer with the gifts and talents to accomplish your work.  We are confident that with these, we can accomplish all things you set before us according to your plan.

Day 22 :: Nehemiah Devotions

A Mind to Work 

Steven Ackley, Associate Pastor | College & Young Adults
Nehemiah 4:6

Work, a word detested by much of our culture. But why? For some it comes from bad experiences such as having a father who worked so much he was absent; others because of laziness and a lack of motivation; still some have come to see work as necessary, but not meaningful. Contrary to this way of thinking, we find that Scripture teaches us that work isn’t only necessary and helpful, but good and honoring to God.  

In Nehemiah 4 the people of God found themselves in a unique position facing opposition and cultural mockery, (4:1-3). Their work was described as foolish and weak, yet unwavering was the mind of God’s people to work. So what motivated their work, and what must motivate ours?

Certainly there is motivation that comes in seeing God’s expectation of our work. Even embedded in the Ten Commandments is the assumption that, ‘Six days you shall labor and do your work’ (Exodus 20:9). Additionally, we perceive from creation to redemption to final consummation, the work of God is a marvelous motivator. Finally, I believe our highest form of provocation to work comes in our seeing clearly God’s purpose for work, ‘Do all to the glory of God…that they may be saved.’ (1 Cor. 10:31-33)

More often than not the longing inside of us is to return to Eden, the place of peace and perfection. Let us not forget, that even before Eden was tainted, work was enjoyed with significant meaning (Gen. 2:15).

Prayer/Challenge

Pray today for conviction where you’ve seen your work as an obstacle rather than an opportunity and invite Christ to rule your heart, mind and hands leading you to work as unto the Lord.

Day 20 :: Nehemiah Devotions

This Week in Review  

We have learned much from Nehemiah this week about how to go about accomplishing the plans that God lays out in front of us when He opens the door of opportunity to us.

Have you been challenged this week?

Has prioritizing people helped you better understand why God has placed you where you are?

Do you have a different view now of the power of delegating tasks to others?

Why is matching talents/gifts with tasks so important

for success?

How does coordinating our efforts with others multiply our success?

And, are you ready now to inspect what you have accomplished, looking for ways to achieve excellence in the things you accomplish in God’s plan for you?

All of these things help us when we face opposition; begin now to prepare your heart for tomorrow’s sermon from Nehemiah.

Day 21

Sunday 9.28.14

Use your Sermon Notes section as a point of learning, response and a prayer/challenge for the week ahead. 

Day 19 :: Nehemiah Devotions

Matching Talents & Tasks   

Dr. Guy Hipp, Sr. Associate Pastor | Coordination & Accountability
Nehemiah 3:1-12, 1 Peter 4:10

Years ago, our family decided to re-make the deck on the back of our house into a full screened porch.  We hired a contractor and started the process.  The plans had to be approved, the electrical went through two inspections, and every major division of the porch enclosure had to be inspected.  “Building inspectors” are necessary to insure the home buyer that the work is done according to “code.”  

Nehemiah 3 is a wonderful picture of the division of labor to rebuild the wall.  The beauty of Nehemiah 3 is the commitment of the people under the watchful eye of the Heavenly Father to do the work correctly and with joy. Spiritual leaders must oversee the work, evaluating as a building inspector as to the Lord.

The challenge to us today is found in 2 passages in the New Testament. 1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Find your God given place at Calvary and serve with joy.  Do everything at home, job, and at church as a steward of the grace of God.

Prayer/Challenge

Heavenly Father, show me my work for your kingdom and give me a heart that passionately does everything for the Lord Jesus.

Day 18 :: Nehemiah Devoations

Coordinating Tasks   

Al Fausch, Director of Business & Financial Administration
Nehemiah 3:1-12, 1 Peter 4:10

I like getting the job done, don’t you? That is what the Israelites did in this case. Most of the people, priests and leadership, except for a few nobles in v.5, went to work in a coordinated fashion and rebuilt their section of the wall, towers, and gates of Jerusalem.

When the task is small, coordination may not be necessary, but when you are doing a God-sized task (like rebuilding the walls of a city, or seeking God’s vision for life and ministry), the need for coordination is obvious. The work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem could not have been accomplished without everyone working together as a part of a coordinated plan.

This is also what we see in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

Each group of individuals went to work using the gift(s) the Lord had given them and faithfully administered God’s grace. As a result, the God-sized task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem proceeded in record time.

Prayer/Challenge

As we seek fresh vision for our church, as we dedicate our lives and our ministries to fulfilling our mission to make, mature, and multiply disciples of Jesus Christ, let’s accept the challenge, all of us, coordinated together, to “use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 

Day 17 :: Nehemiah Devotions

Matching Talents & Tasks   

Don Schmidt, Associate Pastor | Adult Ministries & Connections
Nehemiah 3:1-12, 1 Peter 4:10

Having been to Jerusalem, I have seen the walls of the city. I cannot imagine an undertaking of this magnitude: rebuilding the walls that had been left as piles of rubble. 

Nehemiah 3 is a testimony of what God can accomplish when His people work together under His direction to accomplish His purposes. Nehemiah 3 is also a beautiful example of Peter’s challenge to the church: “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s [multifaceted] grace” (I Pet. 4:10).

Not everyone uses their gifts to accomplish the purposes of God. In Nehemiah 3:5 we read, “And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.” Here was a group of men who failed to use their talents for the purposes of God. They failed to see they were serving God and not Nehemiah. They also failed to lead their team with their example. How would you like this as the legacy recorded as your epitaph?!

The commentary doesn’t end there; read also 3:27 where Nehemiah records, “After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.” The poor example of their leaders did not discourage the Tekoites from their work; instead they went on to complete a second assignment in the rebuilding of the wall.

Prayer/Challenge

Lord, thank You for the many at Calvary who are like the Tekoites, those who use their gifts to serve You. I pray that You would help all of us to be driven by the vision of what You want to accomplish through our lives as we serve You together.

Day 16 :: Nehemiah Devotions

Delegating

Luke Samuelson, Campus Pastor | West
Nehemiah 3:1-12, 1 Peter 4:10

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 

I once heard an illustration based on 1 Peter 4:10, that said to imagine that you went to a restaurant and right before your waiter delivered your meal, he dipped his fingers into your food and took for himself what was meant for you! I don’t know what you would do, but I might ask for the manger or leave the restaurant, but what I wouldn’t do is eat the food that someone had just put their hands into. 

What does this illustrate? We are simply servants in service to our King. We have received a gift that we might serve one another and display the grace of God. When we have an internal focus or a “me” focus, instead of an “others” focus we end up being a waiter/servant that takes for himself what was meant to be served to others. God is capable of doing everything without us, but chooses to use us. The reality is we all have a role to play on God’s team. No role is too minute on God’s team.

Prayer/Challenge

Father, thank you that you have gifted and commanded each and every one of us to serve one another. Help me today to see my time, talent, and treasures as gifts from you to be used for you.