Today’s Reading: Neh 10:28–11:36, 1 John 5:17–21, Ps 113:1–114:8

Today’s Themes:  Obligations of the Covenant

We have obligations to fulfil

join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and his rules and his statutes. Nehemiah 10:29 (ESV)

Every covenant comes with obligations that both parties need to hold to or the covenant is broken. We already know that God cannot lie or fail so he remains faithful and upholds his end of any covenant he has made with us.

We like the people need to pledge our allegiance to God, we are obligated to obey God’s word and live as he has guided. We should not live only for ourselves, we should live for God and others.

Jesus said in John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Paul told us in Romans 1:14 “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. (to preach the gospel)” and then encourages us in Romans 15:1 “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

Let’s swear our allegiance to God today, and determine to fulfil the obligations of the new covenant as revealed in God’s word.

Our obligation to God’s house

For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.” Nehemiah 10:39 (ESV)

We as God’s people have an obligation to maintain the house of God. We should all be giving freely to the Lords work and the upkeep of the Lords house with our money, time and energy.

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Give to the work of the ministry at church, and give generously to the glory of God.

We are protected

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18 (ESV)

A Christian cannot live in deliberate and habitual sin, we do not keep on sinning and feel uncomfortable sinning because we have been born of God and have a new nature.

Also we are protected by Jesus from the devil, the devil has no legal claim on us because Jesus paid the price of our redemption. (Also see John 17:12–15)

If we are preserved and protected from Satan and have been born again by God the Holy Spirit then we have a joy filled obligation to no longer walk in sin.

Jesus is the true God

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20 (ESV)

This verse is packed with truth. Jesus came to give us understanding, he does not want us to be ignorant, this is why God gave us the bible. The purpose for Jesus giving us understanding is so that we might know him.

John affirms that Jesus is the true God and eternal life. This is more clear evidence that the bible clearly teaches that Jesus is God.

God above all

The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, Psalm 113:4–5 (ESV)

Our God is above all, none can be compared to him, he is above every nation and above his own creation. Let’s worship our God the most high and only God today.

Today’s Reading: Neh 9:1–10:27, 1 John 5:13–16, Ps 111:1–10

Today’s Themes: Confess

Confess that God is the Creator

“You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you. Nehemiah 9:6 (ESV)

The Levites lead the people in praise of God the Creator of the universe. God deserves honour, praise, worship and adoration.

The UK government recently updated it’s funding guidelines for free schools and academies stating that they cannot teach creationism and instead “must” teach the theory of evolution.

In this time God as the creator and sustainer of the Universe is under severe attack. Even though the evidence clearly points to God, man in his rebellion and ignorance ingnores the evidence of intelligent design in creation, instead embracing the entirely illogical theory of evolution.

Confess that God is creator today, that he made the entire word as the bible records in just 6 days, that he sustains creation and that he alone is God. If you struggle making this confession, then cast down the idols of conventional wisdom and the approval of man and bow at the throne of the King, the Creator, God! Romans 1:25

It is our delightful duty as creatures to worship our Creator as the hosts of heaven do. Colossians 3:10 and 1 Peter 4:19

Confess that God is Sovereign

You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham. Nehemiah 9:7 (ESV)

God is free! God chooses! God does whatever he wants to do! God chooses whoever he wants to!

The above statements fly in the face of our “enlightened” western society, which exalts the choice of man above all things and our own warped ideas of fairness and equality.

Confess today that God is sovereign, that God chose Abraham, Israel and even chose to send his Son and chose to save you. James 2:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Colossians 3:12 and 1 Corinthians 1:27

If you have a problem confessing this in praise to God then cast down the idols of “mans choice and sovereignty” and fallen ides of fairness and equality. Turn and bow at the throne of the Sovereign King.

God alone is God, God alone is Sovereign, He is the King and we worship him today. The God who chose Abraham. Hebrews 11:8

Confess our sin and God’s mercy

They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. Nehemiah 9:17 (ESV)

The Levites led the people in the confession of their sins and the sins of their forefathers, at the same time they focused on Gods character as a merciful and gracious God.

We must confess our sins to God. At the same time we should also confess the truth of God’s word that God is merciful, forgiving and gracious, slow to anger and bounding in love.

With a God like this we can freely confess our sins and receive his mercy. 1 Peter 2:10

John encourages us in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. “

Hebrews also encourages us in Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Confess your shortcoming and affirm God’s mercy today.

Confess that God keeps covenant

“Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. Nehemiah 9:32 (ESV)

Our God is a covenant keeping God, we can take him at his word and trust his promises. If doubt or fear is surrounding you today, remember that God has cut covenant with you today through the cross and keeps that covenant.

Our God is mighty, he has the power and strength to keep the covenant so let our faith arise and trust in the one who has spoken and will not back down.

Confess God’s own word before him today. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Confess that you have eternal life

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 (ESV)

This whole letter was written to assure true believers that we have eternal life in Jesus Christ. This should fill us with joy and encourage us today. We are not called to doubt and fear over our eternal destiny.

In Islam it is said that Mohammed said he is not sure what Allah would do with him and that all Muslims have no guarantee that Allah will treat them favourably in the time to come, there is no security, they just do not know if all the good has outweighed the bad.

We are grateful that Yahweh the true God gives us assurance, we can trust him and take him at his word.

Walk in the confidence of one who has eternal life today.

Confess your needs to God

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:15 (ESV)

We can open our mouths and ask God about the things we need and want and have the confident faith that he hears us and grants our requests.

As Pastor said at Prayer Meeting yesterday, lets rejoice in the God who answers our prayers, not the power of our prayers.

Gods works are great

Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2 (ESV)

As we saw in today’s first note, our God is the great creator. God is our great redeemer too. If we delight in the works of the Lord we will study his great works and proclaim his glory to the ends of the earth.

Today’s Reading: Neh 7:66–8:18, 1 John 5:6–12, Ps 110:1–7

Today’s Themes: Hear, Study, Do the Bible

God desires your attention

And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 8:3 (ESV)

The people were attentive to the word of God being read to them.

Very often Jesus would say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” in places like Matthew 11:15, 13:9, Mark 4:9 and Luke 8:8.

God desires that we listen to his word (either by reading or hearing it). The Bible is Gods clearest self revelation and he desires that we come to know him and his ways through his written word (The Bible). 2 Timothy 3:16

God does not want us to read the bible without turning our hearts toward him to listen carefully and pay attention. In our media rich age, there are so many distractions. We must make up our minds to focus, listen and give attention to God’s word. Mark 4:19

God speaks today through his Son, Jesus Christ. What Jesus has said is recorded in the bible, which contains the message of the gospel. We must listen to him and act on what we hear. Matthew 17:5 and Hebrews 1:1-2

Pay attention to God’s word today!

We are called to be students

Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. Nehemiah 8:7 (ESV)

Jeshua and the other Levites helped the people understand the word.

God does not only desire that we pay attention, God desires that we understand what we hear too.

We are all called to be students of the bible. This means we must have a teachable attitude and submit to sound biblical teaching. 1 Timothy 6:3-4

Sound teaching is a necessary part of our lives as Christians. Although our relationship with the Lord is personal it is also corporate, involving the wider church community. Titus 2:1 and 1 Timothy 4:6

God placed it on Pastor Dennis’ heart that as we read through the bible reading plan as a church ,we get understanding of what we read every day and so commissioned the bible notes you are reading right now. Colossians 3:16

Lets be students of the word today, utilising the resources God has made available, to study his word and get clear understanding. 2 Timothy 2:15

Give thanks for teachers in the body of Christ but give greater thanks for the Spirit of Truth who guides and leads us. John 16:13

The necessity of expository preaching

They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. Nehemiah 8:8 (ESV)

“They gave the sense so that the people understood it”. The Levites were expositors of the word.

Bible exposition is to expound on what the bible is teaching in any particular passage. Explaining the word of God with passion, at length, in depth and in context.

Jesus explained parables making them easy to understand and apply, in Matthew 13:36–43 and Matthew 24:32–34

Apollos in the book of acts was a powerful expository preacher. Acts 18:28 reads “for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

Paul expounded on the scriptures too in Acts 17:2-3 and encourages Timothy and Titus to do the same in the pastoral letters. 2 Timothy 4:2

We give God thanks for our Pastors who faithfully give us clear understanding from God’s word, through their weekly expository preaching of the scriptures 1 Timothy 5:17-18

The application of the word brings joy

And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. Nehemiah 8:17 (ESV)

While Ezra and the others were studying the word of God as leaders of the people, they realised they had not practised the feast of booths since the days of Joshua and so set about obeying the word and applying it to their lives, which resulted in great rejoicing.

God does not want us to just listen to and understand his word, God wants us to apply it, to live it every day. Matthew 7:24

When we apply the word of God to our lives and live it out, it brings us great joy and brings God great joy too. John 15:11

Make up your mind to live out what you read and understand today. James 1:22

As we apply Gods word, the joy of the Lord will be our strength. 1 John 1:4

The Spirit is the truth

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 1 John 5:6 (ESV)

The main role of the Holy Spirit is to testify to the truth. The Holy Spirit did this in the inspiration of the scriptures and continues to do this in our lives as he leads us according to the scriptures.

John was refuting some who said Jesus had not died an atoning death, John affirms that the Spirit of God affirms this truth and all scripture because the Spirit is the truth itself just like Jesus.

As we read the bible we need the Spirit of Truth to guide and lead us.

We know when we hear the truth because the Holy Spirit bears witness. This coupled with an understanding of Gods word is how we exercise discernment.

God’s testimony is God’s word

Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 1 John 5:10 (ESV)

The bible is God’s great testimony recorded for all the world to hear.

If we do not believe God’s word recorded in the bible we are calling God a liar. God declared that eternal life is only available through his son Jesus Christ.

We must believe God’s word to partake of its promises and blessings. Jesus is the only way to eternal life. This is the word of God!

The Gospel is God’s testimony to the word, God’s great news that we boldly and publicly proclaim.

The Divinity of Christ

The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” Psalm 110:1 (ESV)

This is the very proof text Jesus used when his divine nature as the Son of God was challenged. Jesus used the word of God, so should we. Luke 20:44

Today’s Reading: Neh 6:1–7:65, 1 John 5:1–5, Ps 109:16–31

Today’s Themes: Overcoming, Faith that overcomes, overcome the world

Don’t be distracted

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?” Nehemiah 6:3 (ESV)

Nehemiah’s resolve was firm, he would not allow himself to be distracted from the Lords work.

We should have the same mentality. When the enemy comes to distract us through mockery, intimidation or even in a subtle way by pretending to lend support, we should not stop working.

Like Nehemiah, the work we are doing for the Lord is great. We must ensure we have the right perspective on the work we do for God. It is not secondary or less important than other work, it deserves our best efforts and full attention.

Let’s all agree today that the work will not stop, we will not lower our standard or come down to fall into the enemies trap or gratify the flesh. Like Paul said in Hebrews 12:1–2 “… let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…”

We overcome by not being distracted.

Strength from God

For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. Nehemiah 6:9 (ESV)

Nehemiah recognised the plan of the enemy was to fill them with fear. The enemy is the same in our lives, using fear as a weapon against our faith.

We overcome by remembering and affirming that God is our strength. God strengthens us in many ways which include the truth of his word in the bible, guidance and impartation from our leaders and encouragement from one another.

Here is a small list of just some of the New Testament verses talking about us being strengthened:

Paul strengthens the disciples Acts 14:22, 18:23
Judas and Silas strengthen with many words Acts 15:32
The churches are strengthened Acts 15:41
The churches faith was strengthened Acts 16:5
Paul wanted to impart a spiritual gift to strengthen the believers Romans 1:11
God is able to strengthen us and keep us Romans 16:25
God strengthens us with power through his Spirit Ephesians 3:16 and Colossians 1:11
We can do all things through Christ Philippians 4:13
God’s grace gives us strength 2 Timothy 2:1
The Lord stands with us 2 Timothy 4:17

Finish the work

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. Nehemiah 6:15–16 (ESV)

These few words are so powerful “so all the wall was finished”. The mission was accomplished. This is overcoming.

We need to be finishers, we should finish the work God has called us to do. Finishing the assignment will deal a massive blow to the enemy and his kingdom. The devil knows that God has helped us finish.

Getting a project over the finishing line advances the kingdom of God. We should not give ground to the enemy by wasting our lives on dreams and plans that are never fulfilled. Instead lets focus on the important work (It may not seem important, but it is) that God has given us to do and lets finish it well.

We are called to finish the mission, to the glory of God and the defeat of the enemy. See John 4:34, John 17:4, Acts 14:26 and James 2:22

Jesus taught us a lesson about finishing while teach us about counting the cost of discipleship in Luke 14:28-33 “…Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’…”

Theology matters

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 1 John 5:1 (ESV)

The word theology has fallen on hard times. When some think of the word it conjures up images of dry old men who have no passion for God, only for their books and theories. For some of us in the West it brings up images of liberals who distort God’s word to fit their sinful ideas and lifestyles.

However the fact is, theology matters and is inescapable because in some ways we are all theologians in the sense that we are called to have correct thoughts about God and thankfully God has made it clear for us in his word the bible.

Here a core part of our theology is made clear and it is something that sets us apart from other faiths namely the living confession that Jesus is the Christ and has been born of God.

Knowing in whom and what we believe helps us to overcome.

Obedience comes from love

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 (ESV)

God’s love in us is defined and expressed through our obedience to God. We must get this formula the right way around. We do not obey God to prove we love him, we love him and so naturally obey his commands.

Our obedience is proof positive that we belong to God and love God, and it is not contrived or difficult, because God’s Holy Spirit lives in us and has changed our desires so the commands of God are not a burden. We obey from a heart of love, in joy.

We love because we are born of God, we love and obey God because we are actually born again and have been given a new nature by God the Holy Spirit.

Victorious faith

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5 (ESV)

It is our victorious faith that overcomes the world. The faith is clearly defined, it is our faith in the core of our theology as believers, that Jesus is the Son of God. Holding onto this core belief will keep our faith strong and cause us to overcome the world.

Help Lord

Help me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love! Psalm 109:26 (ESV)

Whatever you have to face today, cry out to the Lord to help you

 

Today’s Reading: Neh 4:1–5:19, 1 John 4:16–21, Ps 109:1–15

Today’s Themes: Dealing with Opposition

A Mind to Work

So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6 (ESV)

The people had set their minds to work so the insults and taunts from the opposition had no effect.

To deal with the opposition of the enemy in our lives we must to set our minds to the work that God has called us to do.

In Paul’s teaching on the new life we have in Christ (found in Ephesians 4:17-32) we read that that we should put of our old selves with its bad way of thinking. We should instead be renewed in our minds and put on the new self.

We also read in Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We are called to have the same humble/serving mind that Christ had and we are encouraged that we actually do have the mind of Christ by God the Holy Spirit who brings the words of Christ to our remembrance 1 Corinthians 2:16 and Philippians 2:5

Having our minds set on God is a great weapon of defence while under attack.

Pray and Act

And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. Nehemiah 4:9 (ESV)

Nehemiah and the people prayed to God and set a guard.

We need to pray and act. There is no point in praying about something that we are not willing to do anything about. Our prayers should not be said in isolation from our action.

One of the greatest ways of dealing with the enemy (flesh, world or devil) is to pray to the Lord concerning the area of attack and act in faith according to the prayer we just made.

When we pray, God answers by his word and the Holy Spirit, we need to respond in faith and obedience. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

If we pray for God to deliver us we should not continue to walk in sin.

If we ask God to help us with our finances we should not still spend frivolously.

If we pray that God helps us forgive someone we need to go and actually forgive them.

If we are praying for souls to be saved we actually need to go and share the gospel.

Fight!

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14 (ESV)

The best defence is a good offence!

We should not be afraid of the enemy because we have a great and awe inspiring God. If God is for us, who can stand a chance against us Romans 8:31

One of the motivations for us to fight is for our own families and our family in Christ. Fight for the man standing next to you in the Lords army, fight for your children, fight for your spouse, fight for your parents, siblings, uncles, aunts and cousins.

How do we fight?

We fight by tearing down the bad thinking, philosophies, wordlviews and teaching that keep people in bondage.

We read in 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

The war is spiritual and our fight is in the spirit realm, we read in Ephesians 6:11–12 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Work!

who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. Nehemiah 4:17 (ESV)

We deal with opposition by working. We need to be like the wall rebuilders, building with one hand and holding a weapon in the other.

The opposition of the enemy is ultimately to halt the work of God in our lives and the wider church community. We need to keep the work going to the glory of God.

Jesus said in John 9:4 “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. “

God is the one who began the good work in us and will perfect it Philippians 1:6.

Be Generous

Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people. Nehemiah 5:19 (ESV)

Nehemiah was a just leader who feared the Lord and showed remarkable generosity.

We are called to be generous too. Generousity is contrary to the desires of the flesh, the ways of the words and the plans of the enemy, so just giving and serving generously serves as a blow against the enemy and a victory for the kingdom.

How can you be generous?

We read in 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

God will reward our generosity.

Abide

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16 (ESV)

We deal with opposition by abiding (staying, living, taking up residence) in God . We abide by walking in love towards God and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Again love is shown as the evidence for our relationship with God.

The Confidence of Love

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 1 John 4:17 (ESV)

Faith in God’s love for us and God’s loving nature (God is love) gives us confidence and dispels all fear concerning the day of judgement. As we read in the next verse perfect love casts out all fear.

We do not need to fear the judgment to come because we are securely held in the love of God, it is through God’s love that we have eternal security and assurance.

A Weapon Against Fear

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV)

Love is an offensive weapon in our war. We use it to cast out the fears of the enemy. God’s love is perfected in us as we walk in love and just doing this will cast out all the seeds of fear and doubt planted by the enemy.

Perfect love is perfected or worked out love. We don’t just believe in Gods love, we live it out.

The Command

And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:21 (ESV)

We are commanded to love one another, the fact that it is a command shows us that this is not God’s decreed will but his desired will so we need to actively obey this command.

We need to get to work, the work of loving one another. This is the greatest weapon we have as we resist the enemy together.

Give Yourself to Prayer

In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. Psalm 109:4 (ESV)

We should follow the example of the Lord Jesus, when facing opposition we must give ourselves over to prayer and put our trust in the Lord.

This psalm is like a prayer of spiritual warfare also know as the psalms of vengeance or Imprecatory psalm.