Month: September 2018

In Nehemiah 6:1-14 we see Nehemiah’s integrity and resolution, two qualities needed when standing in the gap. His enemies tried to get him to cower but he would not back down (v. 11). It reminded us of Uriah in 2 Samuel 11 who would not be persuaded to relax while the army was still at war. Both Nehemiah and Uriah knew what was right and abode by it even while under pressure to do otherwise.

He did not seek to justify himself when falsely accused even though there was potential harm to himself and the work. Instead he devoted his attention and energies to what God had given him to do. In the end, the miracle of accomplishing God’s work in a short time gave God glory and silenced their enemies: “So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.”

Take a look into many cross-references to various phrases in v. 1-4. You’ll be encouraged as you do so.
“They thought to do me harm”—Psa. 12:2; 37:32; Ez. 33:30-33
“Sent messangers”—Prov. 14:15; Mt. 10:16
“Why should I leave and the work cease”—Ecc. 9:10; Luke 14:30; John 9:4; 1 Tim. 4:15-16

1. Saving Faith
You must have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation before you can begin a life of faith. You can call God “my God” but you cannot call Him “my Father” until you have been born into His family.

2. Living Faith
What is Living Faith? It is taking God at His Word with complete confidence. You can’t live by faith if you don’t know the Word of God. Know the Word of God, remember it, trust it and you will be able to rise above every storm that life throws at you.

As God develops your faith, He will take you through these stages:

You must leave the world system. God cannot use you as long as you are sitting in the world system.

You must believe God’s Word.

You must sacrifice when God tests your faith (Genesis 22).

A developed faith hears the command of God and obeys without a murmur, because God has your heart. Faith and obedience are the core of worship. You exist to bring pleasure to God!

Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

• Evangelist Randy Chovan

What is learning?

To acquire knowledge through experience or instruction. The Bible teaches us about several aspects of learning:

We learn God’s ways through affliction (Psa. 119:71-73).
Those who seek the Lord can learn righteousness (Isa. 26:9-10).
A wise man will accept the instruction of wisdom, which begins with the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:5-7).
A Christ-follower must learn practical skills to help others (Titus 3:14).
Like Paul, we must learn to be content in all circumstances (Phil. 4:10-13).
Jesus had to “learn obedience by the things that He suffered” (Heb. 5:8).

What are Biblical objects of learning?
Deut. 18:9-14 is clear on what we should NOT be learning—the evil ways of the world. Psa. 106:35-39 is a portrait of those who disregarded Deut. 18 and willfully chose to learn the evil ways of their idolatrous neighbors. Instead, we must choose the fear of the Lord (Deut. 14:23, 17:19), something that does not come naturally but must be learned.

What are the sources of learning?
The Word of God was written for the purpose of our learning (Rom. 15:4). Let’s take it seriously! In Matt. 11:29, Jesus Himself invites us to learn of Him, Who is meek and lowly in heart.