Aug 12 Working together

Father, what a lesson from Nehemiah!

Two things stand out for me that apply to Your people today.

1: that sometimes there is opposition when we are doing Your work, such that we must work with one hand on the task and one hand on the sword.

 2: that we must not take advantage of or hinder our own people.

Father, whatever task, circumstance or relationship I’m involved with, help me see spiritual opposition.  It may appear as overt resistance or an obstruction to what I’m trying to do.  Or be an invisible undertone of grumbling, complaining, discouragement or division.  Whatever the case, remind me that Your Word is my Sword – my weapon.

Your Word has power.  It can overcome discouragement and repair disunity.   It can change my focus, reveal truth and tear down the lies of the opposition; even change the hearts of those against me.  Ready my mind, Lord, to prepare me to fight the battle however it presents itself.

As the Jews were hindering their brothers, I see that sometimes I work against myself and may not realize that what I am doing is preventing someone else from doing their job.  Show me from Your perspective if I am in any way hindering a brother or sister.  Show me how to encourage them and free them up to do what You have called them to do.  As we work alongside each other for Your purpose, free us all to do our best.

I trust that You have prepared me for whatever comes against me, and for whatever task You have purposed for me to do.   Open my eyes to see it all clearly.

Strengthen my arm to do the work.  Sharpen my mind to know Your Word.   Embolden my Spirit to go forward.  “Instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; counsel me and watch over me.”  And “I will rejoice in You and be glad.  And “Shout for joy!”  Amen

Nehemiah 4:1–23; Psalm 32:8, 11

Aug 7 You Watch, Protect, Direct

Father, I pray You would watch over and protect me as You did those who “set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem.”   They returned to the land You had given their people after living in exile in Babylon for seventy years. 

When they returned, they were faced with opposition from the ones who had taken over their land.  Also from bureaucrats and officials who tried to stop the work of rebuilding the temple.  They tried intimidation and challenged the authority the people had to do this work.

The evil officials even wrote a letter to King Darius, with the intention of stopping the work altogether.  But Your Word says “the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews and they were not stopped…”

The response to the letter backfired on the officials!  A search was made in the records, and it was found that indeed, King Cyrus had decreed that the temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt.  Also, the costs were to be paid by the by the royal treasury.

This meant that the very people who had hoped to stop the project, and even schemed to do so; now not only had to support the Jews in their rebuilding efforts, but pay them as well!  And not just supplies for the temple, but for the offerings too, on pain of death!

Lord, I do not hear You telling me to build You a temple.  I do not even see a great plan unfolding whereby I will have a significant impact on others. But, I seek to do all You have shown me:

walk in the power of Your Spirit,
worship You,
pray, sing, make music,
write down the wisdom You share with me,
treat people with Your love,
be obedient to Your Word,
align my attitudes and behaviors with Your teachings,
share my faith,
and make time to listen to Your voice.

Grant me what You provided for these Jews in their task.  As You sent them prophets, let me hear Your voice, encouraging and guiding me.  Allow Your “eye” to watch over me so I am not stopped when being obedient to You.

Turn any opposition, intimidation or forces that come against me, back on themselves, and cause their plans against me to backfire.  And even change them from enemies into co-workers that assist me in Your work.

Father, as You did for them, “give me strength and bless me with peace.”  Amen

Ezra 5:1-6:12; Psalm29:11

Aug 12 Working together

Father, what a lesson from Nehemiah!

Two things stand out for me that apply to Your people today.

1: that sometimes there is opposition when we are doing Your work, such that we must work with one hand on the task and one hand on the sword.

 2: that we must not take advantage of or hinder our own people.

Father, whatever task, circumstance or relationship I’m involved with, help me see spiritual opposition.  It may appear as overt resistance or an obstruction to what I’m trying to do.  Or be an invisible undertone of grumbling, complaining, discouragement or division.  Whatever the case, remind me that Your Word is my Sword – my weapon.

Your Word has power.  It can overcome discouragement and repair disunity.   It can change my focus, reveal truth and tear down the lies of the opposition; even change the hearts of those against me.  Ready my mind, Lord, to prepare me to fight the battle however it presents itself.

As the Jews were hindering their brothers, I see that sometimes I work against myself and may not realize that what I am doing is preventing someone else from doing their job.  Show me from Your perspective if I am in any way hindering a brother or sister.  Show me how to encourage them and free them up to do what You have called them to do.  As we work alongside each other for Your purpose, free us all to do our best.

I trust that You have prepared me for whatever comes against me, and for whatever task You have purposed for me to do.   Open my eyes to see it all clearly.

Strengthen my arm to do the work.  Sharpen my mind to know Your Word.   Embolden my Spirit to go forward.  “Instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; counsel me and watch over me.”  And “I will rejoice in You and be glad.  And “Shout for joy!”  Amen

Nehemiah 4:1–23; Psalm 32:8, 11

Aug 7 You Watch, Protect, Direct

Father, I pray You would watch over and protect me as You did those who “set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem.”   They returned to the land You had given their people after living in exile in Babylon for seventy years. 

When they returned, they were faced with opposition from the ones who had taken over their land.  Also from bureaucrats and officials who tried to stop the work of rebuilding the temple.  They tried intimidation and challenged the authority the people had to do this work.

The evil officials even wrote a letter to King Darius, with the intention of stopping the work altogether.  But Your Word says “the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews and they were not stopped…”

The response to the letter backfired on the officials.  A search was made in the records, and it was found that indeed, King Cyrus had decreed that the temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt.  Also, the costs were to be paid by the by the royal treasury.

This meant that the very people who had hoped to stop the project, and even schemed to do so; now not only had to support the Jews in their rebuilding efforts, but pay them as well!  And not just supplies for the temple, but for the offerings too, on pain of death!

Lord, I do not hear You telling me to build You a temple.  I do not even see a great plan unfolding whereby I will have a significant impact on others. But, I seek to do all You have shown me:

walk in the power of Your Spirit,

worship You,

pray, sing, make music,

write down the wisdom You share with me,

treat people with Your love,

be obedient to Your Word,

align my attitudes and behaviors with Your teachings,

share my faith,

and make time to listen to Your voice. 

Grant me what You provided for these Jews in their task.  As You sent them prophets, let me hear Your voice, encouraging and guiding me.  Allow Your “eye” to watch over me so I am not stopped when being obedient to You.

Turn any opposition, intimidation or forces that come against me, back on themselves, and cause their plans against me to backfire.  And even change them from enemies into co-workers that assist me in Your work.

Father, as You did for them, “give me strength and bless me with peace.”  Amen

Ezra 5:1-6:12; Psalm29:11

Aug 12 Working together

 

Father, what a lesson from Nehemiah!

Two things stand out for me that apply to Your people today.

 

1: that sometimes there is opposition when we are doing Your work, such that we must work with one hand on the task and one hand on the sword.

 2: that we must not take advantage of or hinder our own people.

Father, whatever task, circumstance or relationship I’m involved with, help me see spiritual opposition.  It may appear as overt resistance or an obstruction to what I’m trying to do.  Or be an invisible undertone of grumbling, complaining, discouragement or division.  Whatever the case, remind me that Your Word is my Sword – my weapon.

Your Word has power.  It can overcome discouragement and repair disunity.   It can change my focus, reveal truth and tear down the lies of the opposition; even change the hearts of those against me.  Ready my mind, Lord, to prepare me to fight the battle however it presents itself.

As the Jews were hindering their brothers, I see that sometimes I work against myself and may not realize that what I am doing is preventing someone else from doing their job.  Show me from Your perspective if I am in any way hindering a brother or sister.  Show me how to encourage them and free them up to do what You have called them to do.  As we work alongside each other for Your purpose, free us all to do our best.

I trust that You have prepared me for whatever comes against me, and for whatever task You have purposed for me to do.   Open my eyes to see it all clearly.

Strengthen my arm to do the work.  Sharpen my mind to know Your Word.   Embolden my Spirit to go forward.  “Instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; counsel me and watch over me.”  And “I will rejoice in You and be glad.  And “Shout for joy!”  Amen

Nehemiah 4:1–23; Psalm 32:8, 11

Aug 12 Working together

Father, what a lesson from Nehemiah!

Two things stand out for me that apply to Your people today.

1: that sometimes there is opposition when we are doing Your work, such that we must work with one hand on the task and one hand on the sword.

2: that we must not take advantage of or hinder our own people.

Father, whatever task, circumstance or relationship I’m involved with, help me see spiritual opposition.  It may appear as overt resistance or an obstruction to what I’m trying to do.  Or be an invisible undertone of grumbling, complaining, discouragement or division.  Whatever the case, remind me that Your Word is my Sword – my weapon.

Your Word has power.  It can overcome discouragement and repair disunity.   It can change my focus, reveal truth and tear down the lies of the opposition; even change the hearts of those against me.  Ready my mind, Lord, to prepare me to fight the battle however it presents itself.

As the Jews were hindering their brothers, I see that sometimes I work against myself and may not realize that what I am doing is preventing someone else from doing their job.  Show me from Your perspective if I am in any way hindering a brother or sister.  Show me how to encourage them and free them up to do what You have called them to do.  As we work alongside each other for Your purpose, free us all to do our best.

I trust that You have prepared me for whatever comes against me, and for whatever task You have purposed for me to do.   Open my eyes to see it all clearly.  Strengthen my arm to do the work.  Sharpen my mind to know Your Word.   Embolden my Spirit to go forward.  “Instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; counsel me and watch over me.”  And “I will rejoice in You and be glad.  And “Shout for joy!”  Amen

Nehemiah 4:1-23; Psalm 32:8, 11

Aug 12 Working together

Father, what a lesson from Nehemiah!

Two things stand out for me that apply to Your people today.

One: that sometimes there is opposition when we are doing Your work, such that we must work with one hand on the task and one hand on the sword.

And two: that we must not take advantage of or hinder our own people.

Father, whatever task, circumstance or relationship I’m involved with, help me see spiritual opposition. It may appear as overt resistance or an obstruction to what I’m trying to do. Or be an invisible undertone of grumbling, complaining, discouragement or division. Whatever the case, remind me that Your Word is my Sword – my weapon.

Your Word has power. It can overcome discouragement and repair disunity.   It can change my focus, reveal truth and tear down the lies of the opposition; even change the hearts of those against me. Ready my mind, Lord, to prepare me to fight the battle however it presents itself.

As the Jews were hindering their brothers, I see that sometimes I work against myself and may not realize that what I am doing is preventing someone else from doing their job. Show me from Your perspective if I am in any way, hindering a brother or sister. Show me how to encourage them and free them up to do what You have called them to do. As we work alongside each other for Your purpose, free us all to do our best.

I trust that You have prepared me for whatever comes against me, and for whatever task You have purposed for me to do.   Open my eyes to see it all clearly. Strengthen my arm to do the work. Sharpen my mind to know Your Word.   Embolden my Spirit to go forward. “Instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; counsel me and watch over me.” And “I will rejoice in You and be glad. And “Shout for joy!” Amen

Nehemiah 3:15 – 5:13; Psalm 32:8, 11

Aug 7 Watching, Protecting, Directing

Father, I pray You would protect me as You protected those who “set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem.”   They returned to the land You had given their people after living in exile in Babylon for seventy years.

When they returned, they were faced with opposition from the ones who had taken over their land. Also from bureaucrats and officials who tried to stop the work of rebuilding the temple. They tried intimidation and challenged the authority the people had to do this work.

The evil officials even wrote a letter to King Darius, with the intention of stopping the work altogether. But Your Word says “the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews and they were not stopped…”

The response to the letter backfired on the officials. A search was made in the records, and it was found that indeed, King Cyrus had decreed that the temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt. Also, the costs were to be paid by the by the royal treasury.

This meant that the very people who had hoped to stop the project, and even schemed to do so; now not only had to support the Jews in their rebuilding efforts, but pay them as well! And not just supplies for the temple, but for the offerings too, on pain of death!

Lord, I do not hear You telling me to build You a temple. I do not even see a great plan unfolding whereby I will have a significant impact on others. But, I seek to do all You have shown me:

walk in the power of Your Spirit,

worship You,

pray, sing, make music,

write down the wisdom You share with me,

treat people with Your love,

be obedient to do what You show me,

align my attitudes and behaviors with Your teachings,

share my faith,

and make time to listen to Your voice.

Grant me what You provided for these Jews in their task. As You sent them prophets, let me hear Your voice, encouraging and guiding me. Allow Your “eye” to watch over me so I am not stopped in being obedient to You.

Turn any opposition, intimidation or forces that come against me, back on themselves, and cause their plans against me to backfire. And even change them from enemies into co-workers that assist me in Your work.

Father, as You did for them, “give me strength and bless me with peace.” Amen

Ezra 5:1-6:22; Psalm29:11

May 21 Family Victory

Father in heaven, as You did for David, would You do for me and my family? Would You “protect us and hand over to us the forces that come against us”.

David was fighting a real physical enemy. Life and death were in the balance. They were in hand-to-hand combat to regain what had been taken from them: their families and possessions. David “inquired of the Lord” to seek Your will before he acted, and You promised him victory.

Father, I come before You today to seek Your will for my family; to ask if You will give us victory over the forces that are at work in the world today that pull us apart and away from You.

We do not fight hand to hand with a physical enemy. But we live in a culture where family values are going by the wayside and Biblical values are not honored. Parental authority is being eroded, parents are disrespected, children are rebellious and often rude. We fight against selfishness, greed, hate, violence, immorality, materialism, the occult, witchcraft, and all the schemes of satan.

Father, especially in my family, would You give me wisdom as a parent to know when to speak and when to keep quiet, so I can offer wise counsel and not destructive comments. Set a guard over my mouth to use words that are instructive, edifying and building up according to the needs of the one I seek to help. Show me how to pray for Your perfect will in my children’s’ lives, not simply what I think will benefit them. Keep me from comparing them to other friend’s children, or even each other.

Lord, keep the lines of communication open so conversations between us will be effective and filled with love and respect. Give my children discernment so they are not swept away by the vain philosophies of men and the political schemes that do not support Biblical values. Help them recognize and turn away from temptation when it would lead to greed, immorality, the occult or anything satan would use to draw them away from You. Block their way when others entice them into ungodly activities.

Let them seek to bless with their words, and not curse. Draw them to Yourself and instruct them in the way they should go to be in the middle of Your will and Your blessing. Remind them of their need for a Savior, and the joy of having a close relationship with You.

And I will give thanks to You. You are with me and You are my Helper. Because of that, I will look triumphantly upon these foes. I take refuge in You, Lord. You are my strength and my Victory! Amen

I Samuel 30:1-25; Psalm 118:7, 14