Nehemiah

Wanted this to be in time for the Holy week but anyways... It's extremely long, so if no time, don't read this (yet)! Ming Han has an important notice below. Read that first.

My (rather inconsistent) morning devotion has a program of the same old one chapter a day thingy, alternating with a NT book (remember that incompleted assignment anyone?) with a random book from the old testament, preferably a prophet/historical book to challenge meself. So after finishing Ecclesiastes and 2 Thessalonians, I landed in Nehemiah, which i thought rhymes with Zechariah, as such should be a great continuation of the challenge and 'torture' i had back in JS - just one step harder.

And did Nehemiah speak to me indeed. Hope this sharing blesses you guys. (The reading was done in somewhere around MYPC, FYI)

I'm no bible scholar, as you all would have known by now, and such, you can read up the story yourself. Instead, i will give out the thing that hit me and what i can challenge us with.

Chapter 1
Many of us is in trouble and some even shame caused by people, our own faults and many other factors when we arrived in JS. Me, for example, was near suicide and had doubts about God. One of my problems in mixing with you all was a case that happened in August which unfortunately can't be shared over a public website. Our reaction was to pray and give God one last chance (for me, at least). We were willing to sit down and weep. And this was exactly what Nehemiah did. The result? God spoke. In individual ways to us as individuals. Like how He used you guys to speak to me.

Chapter 2
verses 10: Since we are now restored, healed, and equipped to start serving in God's Kingdom once more, Satan will get disturbed. So do keep caution on what the father of all lies has in store. He will hit us hard, as some of us are already hit by him. Do remember that God's on our side.

Inspecting the walls: Our temple, or what i would like to describe as heart, might be healed. We are filled with overflowing joy and peace, but sometimes the rest of our city, or life, is still in disarray as what v.12-15 tells us. Some of us it might be our line of defense - any intruder can enter and wreck havoc. So we must inspect it and rebuild the parts that are broken - despite mockery (v.19). Some of us it might be self-esteem. Some of us might be the ability to resist certain tempations, for example pornography or BGR. Some of us it might be anger or pride. This must be fixed, or Satan has a foothold in our lives - and can make it 7 times as bad (remember Jesus words).

Sometimes this appiles to us in our local Christmunity or TRAC youth. Something that hit me as i was typing this.

Chapter 3
As each person rebuilt the wall placed in front of their own house, we should remember to strengthen the community around us, in unity, so that Satan is kept outside. Unity, obedience to God-ordained leaders is important, or we cannot be intergrated and complete the wall of defense against the troubles and corruption of the world. Likewise, we must remember is our lives must be in intergrity (remember our course on Spritual Warfare) so that no holds is available for Satan to invade our lives. All holes must be plugged.

Chapter 4 and 6:1-14
Remember to constantly be on guard against Satan's schemes! Do pray for strength (6:9) from God to handle whatever Satan throws at us. Make sure we do not fail in anyway as stipulated by '7 steps to freedom'.

Chapter 5
We must never lose the fear of the Lord in our lives. If not, corruption and lust will set in. A lot of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, many of them leaders are now living in a lifestyle that is in a mockery to God's name. We must not follow so, or we will be judged someday - severely. A serious issue to take note of.

Chapter 6:15ono and Chapter 7
Perserverence and Patience pays. If we sow in pain, we will reap in joy. Remember that - always.
Also, do remember that the leaders who are here and that came before us did put up the rules and regulations for a purpose. Which reminds me of a book all of us Methodist people HATE... :-p
On a serious note, orderly work is important.

Chapter 8
Remember to give thanks to God no matter the circumstances. It is important as even us being alive is a miracle.

Chapter 9
Remember to confess and repent sincerely whenever we fall. We are human - let's face it.

Chapter 10
UNITY~!!!!

Chapter 11
verse 2, in context of verse 1. Read it for yourself. Note the words.

Chapter 12
Remember to base whatever we do in Christ. It's not only about us giving our all. Even in rebuilding our lives when it falls apart.

Chapter 13
STAY PURE!!!! Do not conform to the patterns of the world, and let it corrupt us. And in all things, do not find for the praise and regconition - let God do the rewarding.

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This is what i feel personally (hey, it really applies to me, ok!). Hope it blesses you guys. Amen. Sorry for being 'preachy'. That's how i 'torture' myself.

Tim