CONVICTION

Have you ever done something wrong or started to do something but felt guilty about doing it?  If you don’t or didn’t, you should.  Something deep inside should tell you that you shouldn’t be doing whatever it is (whether it’s stealing, lying, cheating, etc).

Once you have the Holy Ghost, we should feel that feeling of guilt whenever we do something that is a sin.

It’s called Conviction.

A few years ago, I was listening to KLOVE and kept hearing them repeatedly play a young woman’s call-in concerning how she felt about the radio station. I didn’t pay attention to the first part of what she said, but the last part caught my attention.  She said,

“…when I listen to KLOVE, I don’t feel any conviction,
and that’s a good thing.”

Is it really a good thing?

People confuse conviction with condemnation.

Conviction means to ‘convince of error or sinfulness’.

Condemnation means ‘the expression of very strong disapproval, to blame, to pronounce guilt.

A feeling of Condemnation can cause a person to feel hopeless and want to give up.

While the feeling of conviction helps a person know they are doing something wrong.

God put within each person a conscience to give a feeling of guilt, not to condemn, but to help steer a person away from sin and prod them to do what is right.

The Holy Ghost will convict us when we’re doing wrong if we will listen.

If we don’t feel that little nudge of conviction when we’re doing something wrong, then we need to examine our prayer life a little more closely to see if we’re not praying as much or like we should. 

 

Proverbs 14:12 warns…

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death.

There is a tendency for a person to justify or excuse away bad behavior thinking it’s no big deal or God does not really care.

Many do not see anything wrong with how they’re living or what they’re doing.

Example: King David – he tried to cover his sin of committing adultery with Bathsheba by having her husband killed and then marrying her. 

The Bible does not say whether or not he felt a little guilt over what he’d done. From reading the account, it appears he was more concerned with not getting caught than about the two sins he had just committed. I can only speculate and wonder if perhaps he justified the murder of Uriah because Uriah was a Hittite. 

Uriah the Hittite was listed as one of the valiant men in David’s army (1 Chron 11:26, 41).  If he was a valiant man and fought FOR David and not against, then why would David send an order to have the army retreat and leave Uriah to be killed by the enemy?

David knew the commandment of God was that adulterers were to be killed. (Ex 20:14; Lev 20:10)  He was the King.  He couldn’t let that happen.  David also knew that God had previously commanded the children of Israel when they were conquering that land to utterly destroy every Hittite yet they didn’t. (Dt 20:17)  Perhaps this was the excuse David needed and used to justify the murder of Uriah?

When David’s sin was revealed though Nathan the prophet in a parable, he still didn’t feel the conviction he should have.  His blood boiled as Prophet Nathan told him a story of a stolen lamb…

There were two men in one city – the one rich and the other poor. 
The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds.
But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb,
which he had bought and nourished up:
and it grew up together with him, and with his children…
And there came a traveler unto the rich man,
and he (the rich man)….took the poor man’s lamb,
and dressed it (cooked to serve) for the man that was come to him.
(2 Samuel 12)

David began to think about how he would have felt if that was one of his father’s sheep that had been stolen and eaten.  King David felt condemnation in his heart toward this rich man for killing the poor man’s only lamb and wanted him to pay for this injustice!  Yet, he did not feel conviction in his heart concerning his own sins of adultery and murder.  He thought no one knew.

King David did not see himself as the man in the mirror until Prophet Nathan pointed his finger and said, “THOU art the man!”  That was when he finally felt conviction and truly repented for the wrongs he had done. (Read David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51) Two innocent lives paid for his transgression….Uriah, Bathsheba’s first husband, and the baby conceived in adultery. 

Sometimes the innocent suffer and pay the price for another person’s sin.  It’s not just. It’s not fair. But it happens unfortunately.  While God is just to forgive when a person sincerely repents, it’s also a reminder not to justify the actions of the guilty or condemn the innocent. 

Everyone thinks they are a Christian and saved nowadays, despite living a life that is completely contrary to Scripture.

They’ll smoke, drink, cuss, yell and scream violently at others, repeatedly commit fornication or adultery, and some will even steal and others have committed murder yet still insist they’re saved and on their way to Heaven. 

Many do not feel conviction over the sins they are committing.  They do not feel remorse nor do they believe there are or will be consequences for their actions. Many think they’re on the right road going the right way, but if the way they are living is opposite of the way the Bible says to live then they are not on the right path.

I saw a tombstone one time with the saying, “He did it his way.” That’s a sad way to live, yet, that’s the way so many want and choose to live. 

People today do not want anyone to tell them the way they’re living is wrong and a sin.  They don’t want anyone to say anything that may make them feel conviction concerning their sinfulness.  They love their sin, they love doing what they want to do, and do not want anyone to make them feel bad for it.

Our life is not our own.  We were bought with a price.  We are not to live life ‘our way.’ Instead, we should strive to live our life ‘God’s way.’ 

We need to pray daily so that the Holy Ghost can lead and guide us in the way we are to live.

2 Corinthians 7:10
     For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation (CONVICTION)
     not to be repented of:
     but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (CONDEMNATION)

The purpose of feeling ‘conviction’ is not to condemn us
or cause us to feel hopeless and give up.

It’s there to lead and guide us back onto the right path when we start to stray on to the wrong path.

It was conviction that caused those gathered in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost to repent of their sins and turn to serve Jesus. 

Acts 2:37
          Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart,   
          (they became convicted) and said unto Peter and to the rest
          of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
         

The Bible records that there were 3,000 souls added to the Kingdom that day as they became convicted and turned from their sins, were baptized in Jesus name and were filled with the Holy Ghost.

Jesus said in John 16:7-8

Nevertheless I tell you the truth;
it is expedient (important) for you that I go away: for if I go not away,
the Comforter (Holy Ghost) will not come unto you;
but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when He is come,
He will reprove (convict) the world of sin,
and of righteousness, and of judgment.

 

The purpose of the Holy Ghost is to convict us of sin, show us what we’re doing wrong, and then lead us into living right before God.

Jesus said in Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke (convict) and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent.

Jesus is saying in this passage of Scripture, “I convict those I love.”

It’s the love and mercy of Jesus that brings conviction to our lives.

Once we feel that conviction when we’ve sinned (done something that is wrong in God’s eyes), the next thing we need to do is acknowledge our sin to God and ask Him to forgive us.

1 John 1:9

If we confess (admit) our sins,
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Just as we forgive our children when they admit they’ve done something wrong, God does the very same.

He said He’s faithful and just to forgive us of our sins IF we confess and admit we’ve done wrong…whether it’s in feelings, thoughts, actions, or words.

Once we admit our sins and ask God to forgive us, then we must strive not to commit the sin again.

 

WHAT IF I DON’T FEEL CONVICTION
OR THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG TO DO?

We must always follow and obey what the Bible says concerning each matter regardless of whether we feel conviction about something or not.  

Our ‘feelings’ can deceive us.  And they often will.

A popular saying is to ‘follow your heart’ but the Bible says….

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked: who can know it?

We can not follow after our feelings.  We have to follow the Bible.

Because the heart is desperately wicked and will deceive a person into doing wrong while ‘feeling’ that there’s nothing wrong with what they’re doing.

Sadly, there are people who will cheat and steal and never feel bad about what they were doing although the Bible clearly says that stealing is a sin.

There are those who will fly into a rage, angrily yelling at others giving them a piece of their mind (the Bible calls them revilers) all while not feeling remorse or conviction that their temper is a sin.

People fornicate, or commit adultery, they’ll move in and live with someone they’re not married to (the Bible uses the word “chambering”) yet they do not see anything wrong with it. 

The Bible calls those that do these things unrighteous and warns over and over that anyone who does such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor 6:9-10)

Paul continues, “and such WERE some of you.” (vs 11) That is past tense.  Once you are Born Again, those old sinful ways should be something of the past, not things that keep recurring in the present and future.  

That is not to bring condemnation.  If we mess up but then repent, God is faithful to forgive.

A common problem today even within the ‘church’ is people see nothing wrong with telling what is considered ‘a little white lie.’ They do not feel conviction over it.

There is no such thing as a ‘little white lie’!  A lie is a lie whether it’s little or big, whether it’s completely fabricated or merely twisting or omitting parts of the truth to avoid a sticky situation.

The Bible says,

But the fearful, and unbelieving,
and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and idolaters,
and all liars, shall have their part
in the lake which burneth with fire  and brimstone:
which is the second death.
Rev 21:8

It is concerning and scary when someone who claims to be a Christian will twist the truth and not feel bad about lying.  I’ve heard some excuse and reason it away…. “I didn’t want them to be mad.” Or “it’s better if they don’t know the truth.” Or “it really isn’t lying.” Etc.  Yet, the Bible says ALL liars shall have their part in the lake of fire.

It’s dangerous to make excuses for sin.  It can lead a person to have a seared conscious. We need to let the Holy Ghost convict us and not ignore it.   The Bible will never direct us to do wrong. 

Conviction leads us to repentance – turning away from, shunning, forsaking sin.

 

God loves us too much to leave us the way He found us.

If a person is not feeling conviction over something the Bible clearly calls a sin, that’s NOT a ‘good thing.’

He gives us the Holy Ghost to lead us, guide us, and direct us in the paths of righteousness (right living), but we have to allow Him to convict us. Then we need to listen to the little nudges that His Spirit gives and obey Him.

We need to become more sensitive and allow God to convict us for anything we allow our eyes to see that we shouldn’t.  There will be times that you may not be able to help or avoid what comes before your eyes.  But we are responsible for what we continue to allow our eyes to look upon.  David should have looked away but instead he continued to look which led to sin.

We need to become more sensitive and allow God to convict us for anything we allow our ears to listen to that is not pleasing to God.  You may not be able to control at times what you hear as you walk past people, but you don’t have to stay and continue to listen to it whether it’s cussing, worldly music, crude speech, gossip, etc.

We need to become more sensitive and allow God to convict us for any word we may utter that is not pleasing to the ears of God. 

We need to become more sensitive and allow God to convict us for wrong thoughts.  They may pop in your head but you don’t have to allow them to take up residence there.  Cast them out and begin to think on good things.

We need to become more sensitive and allow God to convict us for any thing we may wear that He is not pleased.  Yes, God looks on the inside, but from Scripture we also find that God also looks on the outside (beginning in Genesis when God changed Adam and Eve’s clothes from skimpy fig leaves to a modest coat). How a person dresses is often a reflection of what is going on in the inside.  

We need to become more sensitive and allow God to convict us for any thing we may do or places we may go that is not pleasing to God.  

Conviction IS a ‘Good Thing’!  We need more of it!

 

REBUILDING THE WALLS - A study on the Book of Nehemiah

 

REBUILDING THE WALLS

 

Nehemiah was one of the many Israelites taken and held captive in Babylon. Somehow and at some point, Nehemiah was appointed to serve in the palace of the king.  When Babylon invaded Israel, they took many captive back to Babylon to serve in their realm while a few Jews were left in Jerusalem after the siege.

One day, his brother, Hanani, and a few other men who were left in the region of Judah came to Sushan the palace. Nehemiah describes his brother, Hanani, as a faithful man who feared God more than most did. (Neh 7:2)  Many in his day did not fear God as they should.  They sinned openly and rebelliously against God’s laws believing God either didn’t see or care.  It was their sins which brought them into captivity to their enemy.   

Nehemiah was concerned about those who were left in Jerusalem and asked Hanani and the other men how they were doing. Sadly, they did not have a good report to bring.  Nehemiah began to weep and mourn as he heard that the walls were broken down and the gates had been burned leaving the people and place vulnerable to wild animals and thieves.  Their protection was gone.

Rather than give up and give in to the thought that there is no hope, Nehemiah began to fast and to pray for several days for Jerusalem. He began to remind God that He is a covenant keeping God who shows mercy to those who love Him and keep His commandments. (Neh 1:4-5) 

Nehemiah began to ask God to hear and to see their affliction as he confessed the sins of all the people. Nehemiah was an intercessor. He stood in the gap repenting for those who were not repenting and pleading for God’s mercies.

Job did the same for his children – repenting for his children in case they were sinning. While each individual must stand before God and give account for their own sins, our prayers of intercession for our family, our children, those within our church may make a difference and bring about a turn around in their lives.  Don’t stop praying for others!

Nehemiah acknowledged that they had sinned by not keeping God’s commandments, nor His judgments or statutes as he repented for every person.   

Commandments are God’s executive order such as the 10 Commandments, keeping of the Sabbath, etc.

Judgments are instructions from God concerning how to handle situations that arise.

Statutes are the requirements God has set describing how to live in obedience to Him.

The people had not been doing what God said to do.  They had been doing what God instructed not to do.  They were not living according to how God said to live. They believed in God, but they were not following God.

Nehemiah acknowledged these sins, repented of these sins, and reminded God of His promise that if they would repent and turn back to living right before Him that He would bring them back to the place where He had set His name (Jerusalem).  He knew it was their sins that had brought them in captivity, and only God’s mercy as they turned away from their sins would bring them out of it.

Nehemiah managed to obtain favor and permission from King Artaxerxes, king of Babylon, to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.  As he inspected the walls, he was met with opposition.

Anytime you seek to repair the breeches and build the work of the Lord, the devil will stir up those who will oppose and try to stop it.

Anytime you begin to intercede and pray to see strongholds in people’s lives broken, the devil will fight you.  If he doesn’t succeed there, he will attack your family.

Sanballat and Tobiah were dwelling amongst the Jews, but they were not of God’s people.  Instead of being happy and relieved the walls were going to be rebuilt, they were GRIEVED that a man had come to see how the children of Israel were doing.  

Nehemiah became aware of it, so he secretly arose during the night taking only a few trusted men with him and began to inspect where the damage had been done and what needed to be done to repair it. The damage was great but Nehemiah began to encourage the people to work….

Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste,
and the gates thereof are burned with fire:
COME, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem!
(Neh 2:17)

Nehemiah spoke faith: Yes, it seems bleak but GOD IS WITH US!  It can be rebuilt IF we all work together! SO, THEY STRENGTHENED THEIR HANDS FOR THIS GOOD WORK.         (Neh 2:18)  At times, you will need to encourage yourself in the Lord.  Other times, you will need to encourage each other.  They began to speak faith which encouraged not only their own self but also each other. Anything you do for the work of the Lord/the furtherance of His Kingdom is a good work and worth any and every effort put forth.

 

The devil will try to stop you through discouragement…..

Sanballat and Tobiah found someone else to join with them in standing against Nehemiah.  Together, they and Geshem tried to discourage the work being done.  They laughed and mocked and despised the work being done. The Bible does not say exactly what they said but I imagine they said similar things to what people say nowadays to discourage the work of the Lord: “It’s impossible!” “It can’t be done!”  “That’s a waste of the church’s money!” “What do you think you are doing?” “You won’t succeed!”

A parallel thought to go with this: when you start living holy and consecrating yourself to God, people will make fun of and despise you for it.  They are ok if you claim to be a believer, but they do not believe you need to be a follower.  They believe you can call yourself a Christian yet still live however you want to live. That’s contrary to what the Bible teaches.  The Bible is full of instructions of how to live holy and godly in this sinful world.  We are to come out from among them and be separate.

Going back to the work that Nehemiah and all those in Jerusalem were doing: They falsely accused them of rebelling against the king (the laws of the land).  But everyone kept working, speaking faith: “God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build…” (Neh 2:20)

In chapter 3, we find that each one took a certain section of the wall and worked to ensure that the breech was repaired and the wall rebuilt in that particular section.

The Bible mainly mentions the men who worked on each section of wall, but Nehemiah mentions there were daughters born to a man named Shallum who arose to help their father repair the walls.  (Neh 3:12)  The rest of the women of the city were most likely busy taking care of the children and providing meals for the men as they worked, but there were a few (the daughters of Shallum) who rose up and said, “we can do more!  We will help rebuild the wall, too!”

We saw that happen here at Living Water last year – the men AND the women jumped in to help repair the House of the Lord after the Church flooded.  God sees every effort and every one who strengthened their hands to work, and He keeps record.

 

When God’s people begin to work together in unity, there will be those the devil stirs up to mock and spread discord ….

When Sanballat heard that the walls were beginning to go up, he became wroth (extremely angry; wrathful; violent) and full of indignation.  He began to angrily mock them, trying to stir up the army of Samaria against them…

What do these feeble Jews do?
(tried to discredit their character and ability)
Will they fortify themselves?
(They think they can protect themselves against all of us?)
Will they sacrifice?
(Do they really believe God is pleased with them?)
Will they make an end in a day?
(They think they can finish this work quickly?)
Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish
which are burned?
(It’s a mess!  There is no way they can build what has been destroyed!)

This stirred up Sanballat’s friend, Tobiah, as he began to join in the mockery, trying to weaken their hands from working and stop the work of the Lord....

Even that which they build, if a fox go up,
he shall even break down their stone wall.

Basically, he was trying to make them feel like their efforts were worthless and pitiful and not good enough. Why even try?  The devil is a sly ol’ fox but he shall not prevail.  Keep working for the Lord!  Keep living for God!  Don’t give in or back down!  Whatever you do for Jesus Christ is not in vain.

Rather than fight back with words, Nehemiah took it to God in prayer…

Hear, O our God; for we are despised:
and turn their reproach upon their own head,
and give them for a prey in the land of captivity.
And cover not their iniquity,
and let not their sin be blotted out from before Thee:
for they have provoked Thee to anger before the builders.
(Neh 4:4-5)

Many do not realize what spirit they are of when they try to discourage and stop the efforts of those working for the Lord. They do not realize what spirit they are of when they are sowing discord and gossiping and slandering against the pastor or others within the Church.  The Bible calls it an abomination because it hinders and stops unity between God’s people. (Proverbs 6:16-19) It also may cause someone to be lost.  God hears, it angers Him, and He will deal with them if they do not repent, change their ways, and make things right.

Nehemiah prayed, put it in God’s hands, then they continued to rebuild the walls BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK.

We need to have a mind to work and do whatever is needed in the House of the Lord.  Working for the Lord is not just preaching or teaching or music.  Working for the Lord also includes cleaning, mowing, helping with repairs around the building, picking up trash laying around in the yard, church cleaning days, giving of tithes and offerings, helping with fundraisers, any way you can find to help keep the House of the Lord looking nice so it does deteriorate and lie in waste.

And even beyond all that: SOULWINING (Outreach), PRAYING for others and FASTING for the Church. ß That is something each and every person in the Church can do and should be doing regularly for the Kingdom of God.

Just because we pray, doesn’t mean the opposition will give up and back down right away.  Sometimes the battle intensifies and gets worse before it gets better….

Sanballat and Tobiah could see they were not succeeding.  The walls were still going up.  The breeches were repaired. God’s people were unified and working together to rebuild what lay in ruins. Things were not going their way and this made them very angry. So, they began to stir up others to be in league with them to stop the rebuilding of the wall. 

They gathered the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites against them.  The Arabians were south of Jerusalem.  The Ammonites (Lot’s descendants) were east, and the Ashdodites (Philistines) were west.  It looked like they were surrounded by numerous armies conspiring to fight against them. 

The Jews did not let that stop them.  They prayed as they watched and continued building. (Neh 4:9)

The work you do for God/the life you live for God will make others angry.  They will plot against you and stir up others against you in efforts to try to hinder what you are doing for God.  When that happens, fight through prayer.  Watch and pray and continue doing what you’re doing for the Lord!

The devil will try to wear you down and wear you out….

Their physical bodies were already weary from the physical labors of carrying and setting stones one upon another. Now, they had the added mental and emotional stress of watching day and night, night and day to make sure their enemies did not sneak in to slay them.

The people of Judah said, “The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.”  They were basically saying they were dealing with so much extra garbage going on that they were growing weary and couldn’t continue to do what they needed to do.

Have you ever had situations arise in your life that made it difficult to focus and do what needed to get done?  Nights were sleepless and fitful?  You’re wore out physically, emotionally, and mentally?  That’s what the Jews were feeling.

Then to add to their struggle, fellow Jews from nearby came and repeatedly spoke discouraging words to them, basically saying, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” (Neh 4:12)

Don’t grow weary!  Shake yourself, arise, and fight through prayer! The enemy may attack, but he shall not prevail!

Nehemiah began to encourage and speak faith to them once again, reminding them of the power of the God we serve…

Be ye not afraid of them:
REMEMBER THE LORD, which is great and terrible,
and FIGHT FOR YOUR BRETHREN, YOUR SONS, AND YOUR DAUGHTERS, YOUR WIVES, AND YOUR HOUSES.
(Neh 4:14)

No matter how bleak it looks; no matter how bound by sin your children may seem to be; REMEMBER WHAT THE LORD CAN DO, AND FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY THROUGH PRAYER! FIGHT FOR YOUR CHURCH FAMILY THROUGH PRAYER!

2 Cor 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Romans 4:17 – God...calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Mk 11:24 – Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, BELIEVE that ye receive them, and ye SHALL have them.  

This Christian walk is a walk of FAITH.  If we go by what we SEE, we will grow weary and discouraged. We need to speak things that are not as though they are.  God operates through FAITH.  We must BELIEVE and SPEAK IN FAITH, then we shall SEE!

When the enemies round about heard what Nehemiah said, they became discouraged as God defeated their plans. (Neh 4:15)

Nehemiah kept encouraging the people as they worked for the Lord – some labored physically, others kept watch ready to fight.  He reminded them that the battle is the Lord’s and GOD SHALL FIGHT FOR US!  

And Nehemiah encouraged unity – stand together!  Have each other’s back!  Fight for each other, not against! (Neh 4:21-23)  In chapter 5, he scolded them for mistreating each other and looking at their fellow brethren as a means of monetary gain, causing some to get further in debt. He said, “it is not good that ye do!  Walk in the fear of our God!” If you walk in the fear of God, you won’t do wrong to others.

If the devil cannot stop the progress by discouraging the people, he’ll attack the leader (the pastor) through false rumors….

Nehemiah 6 - The walls were repaired.  There were no more breaches.  But the doors of the gates had not been replaced yet.  The enemy will search and look for any way he can to gain entrance and take control or our lives or the Church.

They saw the gates were not shut.  What area of your life have you left open and vulnerable for the devil to try to gain entrance and build a stronghold in your heart and mind?  Be careful what you allow your eyes to see, your ears to hear, your mind to think upon, and your heart’s emotions to feel.

The enemy came against Nehemiah four times – they knew if they could distract the leader, they could distract and stop the work being done. Nehemiah kept his focus on what needed to be done for God and would not stop.

So, they began to bring false accusations against him – writing letters of accusation and even bringing in a false witness who claimed what was said was true.  They threatened to take this accusation to higher authorities to get him in trouble.   Nehemiah denied it.  He knew they were making it up trying to make him afraid so their hands would be weakened from the work that needed to be done.

Pastors face this more often than many realize.  The devil stirs up people to try to weaken their hands and cause discouragement through gossip, slander, sowing discord, and stirring up others to stand against them. That’s what Nehemiah was dealing with. Some pastors have given up because the battle was too great. (That is one of the things Nehemiah repented for all the people for = being preacher killers! Neh 9:26) But, like Nehemiah, there are some who recognize the hand of the enemy trying to weaken and stop the work God commissioned them to do so they keep working and praying for God to fight the battle for them.  We need to pray for our pastor and all pastors.

The enemy tried to stop him through fear….

Since it did not work to discourage Nehemiah, the enemy stirred up someone to try to cause him to be afraid for his life. (Neh 6:10)  Nehemiah was able to discern that this man was not sent by God.  He knew he would be sinning if he grew afraid and stopped doing what God called him to do.  He also knew who was behind it as he prayed for God to deal with all who were trying to make him afraid. (Neh 6:14)

They continued working and the work was finally finished. All around could see that it was God’s doing. (Neh 6:16)

The city was large and great yet there were only a few people in it, but look what those few people were able to do when they had willing minds and hands that worked together in unity.

 

Many years ago, I wrote a little chorus for a play we did at Apostolic Bible College….

We’ve got one mind, working together for a common purpose.
One goal: to rebuild the House of the Lord.
We’ve got one dream – to see restored what lay in ruins.
We are one people, uniting together for the Lord.

There is power in unity!  Tobiah, Sanballat, and their accomplices united to spread discouragement, slander, and discord.  While Nehemiah spread faith and encouraged unity for the good work of our God.  Be careful what you are uniting for and who you are uniting with. 

Sin in our lives can hinder the furtherance of what God wants to do in us and through us….

God is a holy God and requires holiness from His people.

Nehemiah 7 – 9 - Nehemiah knew this so they began to search what the Word of God said.  Ezra, the priest, stood on a pulpit above the people and began to read from the Book of the Law of Moses to the people.  The Levites expounded the Word in a way that the people could understand. (Neh 8:1-8)

For seven days, the ears of the people were attentive as Ezra, the priest, read for 1/4^th part of the day to the people. Then the people spent the next 1/4^th part of the day confessing and repenting of their sins and worshipping God.  (Neh 8:3, 9:3) During this time, they were also fasting as they humbled their selves before the Lord. (Neh 9:1)

According to research, it is believed 1/4^th part of the day was estimated to be 3 hours.  So, three hours were spent listening to the preacher read from the Law, then three more hours were spent confessing, repenting, and worshipping.  That’s a total of 6 hours per day for 7 days. 

Can you imagine a six hour long Church service that went on like that for seven days?  Many may think: “that is a long time to spend listening to the Preacher and praying!” However, our life is not our own.

We were not created to ‘live life to the fullest.’ We were created to worship God! We are to give Him the attention and time He deserves, yet we all must admit we fall extremely short when we examine how we spend our time. 

 

 

NEHEMIAH CONTINUED SPEAKING FAITH….

Neh 13:1-2 – Nehemiah reminded them about Balaam who was hired to curse them “Howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing!”

God spoke these words to me in the Spring of last year: “Out of the eater came forth meat!” (Judges 14:14) What may appear to be seeking to devour and destroy us will be what strengthens and feeds us!

The water leak on Dec 24, 2022 which caused damage throughout most of the Church turned out to be a blessing.  We were able to repair, remodel, and renovate the entire Church – work that was needing to be done but the Church did not have the funds for. There were even funds left over which helped with the purchase of the house and land in front of us that blocked the view of the Church.

God turned the curse into a blessing!

There are so many lessons we can learn from the book of Nehemiah, but in summary:

·        Keep speaking faith

·        Be an intercessor  

·        Keep working for the Lord no matter the opposition or hardship

·        Strengthen each others hands by encouraging one another in the Lord

·        Stand together in faith and unity

·        Pray for our Pastor – be an Aaron and Hur holding his hands up in prayer

·        Spend more time in God’s presence

·        Get sin out of our lives

and most of all….

·        BELIEVE and SPEAK FAITH for what God is doing and continuing to do in our Church, in our families, and in our community! 

·        God operates through faith and unity!

Are You Conformed or Transformed?

 We can not win the world by being conformed to be like it. 

Definition of conform according to Oxford Dictionary: be similar in form or type; agree.

Romans 12:2 instructs: 

And be not conformed to this world: 

but be ye transformed 

(make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of)

by the renewing of your mind, 

that ye may prove what is that good, 

and acceptable, 

and perfect, will of God.

Provoke One Another - Hebrews 10:24

 

PROVOKE ONE ANOTHER

 

And let us consider one another
to provoke unto love and to good works:
Hebrews 10:24

 

The definition of provoke means:

To stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotions, typically a strong
or unwelcome one) in someone.

To stimulate or incite (cause) someone to do or feel something, especially by arousing anger in them.

Deliberately make someone annoyed or angry. (Provoking can cause someone to become annoyed which can turn to anger.)

The Biblical definition of provoke in this passage of Scripture means:
          G 3948 = incitement (cause to do good) or dispute (in anger)

Looking back over our life, I’m sure all of us can think of a time or possibly many times where we were provoked either as a child or as an adult by another person. 

It may be by a classmate, a co-worker, someone you thought was a friend, or even a family member.

Usually the memory is not a good one. 

The memories could be of someone picking on or taunting us about things we cannot help or change…

* our hair,
* or maybe our ears or nose stick out a little too much,
* perhaps they don’t like the way we smile,
* maybe because our clothes were not ‘in style’ or were very worn because we or our parents could not afford to buy new or nicer things.
* our shoes were not name brand or may have been a little worn because we or our family could not afford to buy a new pair,
* or perhaps we were made fun of concerning our religion and stand for God. 

Sadly, children and even some adults will taunt and sneer, hurling insults at another trying to provoke a reaction. I’ve seen some hurl their insults calmly while taking a jab at another with their words, trying to hurt them and arouse feelings of anger while acting innocent.  Some will even go so far as to try to get others to join in with them. 

PENINNAH PROVOKES HANNAH…

A man in the Bible named Elkanah had two wives – one was named Peninnah and the other was named Hannah. Peninnah had several children yet for some reason, Hannah could not.  Peninnah would deliberately pick at Hannah because of it. Perhaps there was jealousy between the two (the reason why God’s original design was one man and one wife).

The Bible says in 1 Samuel 1:5-7

But unto Hannah he (Elkanah) gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.  
And her adversary (Peninnah) also PROVOKED her SORE,
for to make her fret (be violently agitated; to irritate to anger),
for the LORD had shut up her womb.
And as he did so year by year,
when she went up to the House of the LORD,
So she (Peninnah) PROVOKED her (Hannah);
therefore she wept, and did not eat.

To have children was considered a blessing and believed to show a woman had favor from the Lord. Peninnah used Hannah’s barrenness to taunt and take jabs at her.  Yes, Peninnah had several children already, but what no one knew is that God was getting Hannah to the place emotionally where she was willing to give God complete control of her child’s life. God had a purpose for the barrenness.

When Hannah promised to give that child back to God if He would just give her one child is when God opened her womb and blessed her with not just one child but several after that.  God had a purpose and plan for Hannah’s firstborn.  Hannah kept her promise and left Samuel at the Tabernacle to serve the Lord. 

While Peninnah had several children, Hannah gave birth to a Prophet who anointed kings. She may not have been willing to give him back to the Lord if she had not been provoked to desperation.

A person that is provoking another is wrong for what they are doing and will stand before God for it, but sometimes we need to strive to maintain a right heart and see what God will birth from the situation.

JESUS ALSO KNOWS HOW IT FEELS TO BE PROVOKED….

The One who had done nothing but good for others.
The One who had healed the sick, opened blind eyes and deaf ears.
The One who had raised the dead back to life.

The One who performed many mighty miracles and yet in the end, nearly everyone turned against Him.

The crowds of people who once followed Him, feasting on the loaves and fishes were now jeering and screaming, “Crucify Him!”

The soldiers were mocking Him and gambling to see who would get to keep His robe. They were trying to provoke Him….and yet He opened not His mouth. 

Isaiah 53:7 describes the suffering of Jesus Christ…. 

He was oppressed (subject to harsh and authoritarian treatment)
and He was afflicted, (cause pain or suffering)
yet He opened not His mouth:
He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb (silent),
so He openeth not His mouth.

One of the hardest things to do is stay silent when we’re being provoked….. especially when it’s unjustly.   Yet, sometimes that is the best thing we can do.

While most times the word ‘provoke’ is referring to someone trying to provoke another to anger, the Bible also mentions that there is a way to provoke someone in a positive way. 

How can provoking someone be positive?  Hebrews 10:24 instructs:

And let us consider (think about) one another
to provoke (to stir up, encourage, or urge to good)
unto love and to good works:

The word ‘provoke’ in this Scripture is not meaning that we should anger someone, but rather  we should encourage and actually urge in a good way to (1) love others and (2) to do good deeds.

 

LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER

The first part of the verse says to ‘consider one another’ meaning we are to think about others.   

We live in a very self-absorbed day and time. 
People want to brag on their self and talk about their self. 
Compassion and sincere care for others is severely lacking. 

The Bible admonitions us to instead….

…Consider one another…  (Heb. 10:24) and

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour (showing dignity or esteem/respect)
preferring one another. (set forward before someone)
Romans 12:10

The definition of honor means to show dignity or respect. (strong’s G5092)
Preferring means to put or set forward before someone (according to merriam-webster.com)

Abraham was moving around and dwelling with his nephew Lot.  It was becoming contentious between Lot’s herdsmen and Abraham’s. They needed to part ways. Although Abraham was the oldest and although it was Abraham who invited Lot to come with him on his journeys, he preferred Lot above himself when he gave Lot first choice on which direction he wanted to move his family.  Unfortunately, we see the opposite from Lot when he chose the choicest land. (Genesis 13)

In a ‘Me! Me! Me!’ society the Bible admonishes us to put others first.

PROVOKE UNTO LOVE

This same verse (Romans 12:10) also instructs us to ‘be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love’ (meaning we are to have a love for the brethren).

Jesus taught that there is one important thing that will show others that we are His disciples.

He said…

By this shall men know that ye are my disciples,
IF ye have love one to another.
John 13:35

Romans 12:9 admonishes that love is to be without dissimulation - meaning it should not be fake or hypocritical.  It should be sincere. (Strong’s G505)

When we are prayed up and full of the Holy Ghost, loving others will become easier, it will be sincere, and it will be witness to a lost and dying world that Christ lives in us.  It will cause them to see something different in us and can draw them to Christ.

God knows it is human nature (the sin nature) that will struggle with loving others as they should.

Cain hated his brother, Abel, and killed him then hid the body. (Genesis 4)

Leah struggled with feeling like her husband, Jacob, didn’t really love her.  She knew that he loved her sister, Rachel, more for she was the one he wanted to marry in the first place.  Their father tricked him and forced her to pretend to be Rachel.  It wasn’t fair to Leah. Or Rachel.  (Genesis 29:32)

It appears Jacob not only had a problem loving one wife more than the other, the Bible reveals that he also loved Joseph more than any of his other children which created hard feelings between the siblings. (Genesis 37:3-4)

Perhaps this is why God gave the commandment to love (have affection for) your neighbor just as you love yourself. (Leviticus 19:18) And also warned that we are not to hate anyone in our heart. (Lev 19:17)

Proverbs 10:12 warns that hatred stirs up strifes (plural = discord/quarrels): but love covereth all sins (meaning sincere love is going to overlook a lot of faults).

A neighbor is not just the person who lives next door to you.  God used the word ‘neighbor’ to cover everyone whether they are an associate, a family member, a spouse, or a friend.  God commands us to love and show care and affection to others, even strangers, in the same way that we take care of our own self.  (Lev 19:34 + Dt 10:19)

We don’t need to ‘love ourself more’ – we need to learn to love others more. Jesus warned that because iniquity (sin) is abounding (growing and spreading), the love that many have toward others will wax cold. (Mt 24:12) Care, concern, and compassion for others are severely lacking in our world today.

Not only is there a lack of love for others but there is a lack of genuine love for God.  Several times throughout Scripture we find where God commanded that we are to love HIM and keep His commandments. (Ex 20:6 + Dt 6:5 + Dt 11:1,13,22 + Dt 19:9 + Dt 30:6,16 + Joshua 22:5,11 plus many more)

Because loving others and loving God can be a struggle to this flesh, Paul admonished that we should provoke (urge and cause) each other to feel LOVE toward OTHERS.

It sounds like he is teaching that if we see someone not being loving toward another, we should speak up and (provoke) urge them, do what we can to cause them to show love toward that person.

Question to ponder: How can we provoke (cause) someone to love others?

 

PROVOKE UNTO GOOD WORKS

Jesus instructs us to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in Heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

It was said of Tabitha, in the Bible, that she was full of good works and almsdeeds (giving).  (Acts 9:36)   Everyone who knew her recalled the good works that she had done and her acts of charity toward others.

I Timothy 5:10 lists some categories that fall under good works:

          Raising of children
          being hospitable to strangers
          washed the saints’ feet (in other words, not afraid to do the lowly or
                      dirty work)

          relieved the afflicted (comfort or help out those who are truly in need)

Jesus went around doing many good works. In John 10:32, Jesus asked them, “Many good works have I shewed you from My Father; for which of those works do you stone Me?”

Everywhere Jesus went, He healed the sick, raised the dead, delivered those who were bound and oppressed with unclean spirits, fed multitudes, and even called His betrayer ‘friend’ reaching one more time for His soul.

Paul admonished in Galatians 6:10 – As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Jesus went a step further and taught in Luke 6:27 – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.

That’s a hard thing to do = Do good to those that hate us. Yet, that was what Jesus instructed.  And a very important point was made at the beginning: “I say unto you which HEAR…” Sometimes we ‘hear’ but don’t really listen and follow what is being taught. We must hear and then obey what Jesus is teaching.

1 Timothy 6:18 – That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute (ready to give), willing to communicate (a heart that willing says, “let’s see and discuss what we can do to help someone out”).

There are so many areas that could be categorized under “good works.”

Even inviting and encouraging another to come to Church is a good work.

Hebrews 10:24 admonishes us to provoke unto good works then the following verse (vs 25) admonishes us to encourage and push each other to be faithful to Church….and even more as we see the return of Christ drawing near.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another:
and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

While we do need to be wise so that we do not push someone further away from the Church, we should not shy away from encouraging others to be faithful to Church attendance.  Jesus is coming soon.  We want to make it to heaven and we want others to make it to heaven along side us.  

In a world that is full of those who are provoking others in a negative way, let’s work to provoke (strongly encourage and cause) others to love as Christ loves and do good works.

Question to ponder: How can we provoke (cause) someone to do good works?