Date:
Saturday,
May 22, 2015
Chapters: Nehemiah 11-13
Message Title: Walking The Narrow Path
Hello My Friend,
Christians, we come from all walks of life, some serve God in His church, some serve God on the road or in the workplace. Some are content to live their lives the best they know how and never pick up a Bible. Oh, they are not bad people, but they are missing out on some great opportunities because they did not bother to see how God felt about how they live their lives. The decision to walk with Christ is not always the most beautiful path, but the end of the journey will be all worth it. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” - Matthew 7:13,14.
When Nehemiah left Babylon he was determined to bring the presence of God back to Jerusalem and everything was moving in the right direction. Ezra and his crew were successful at restoring the temple, Nehemiah and his crew were successful at repairing the walls that would keep the world out. For the first time in nearly a hundred years the Book of the Law had been read, the passover was observed, and thousands of people willingly promised to serve God. However, very few of the people actually lived within the walls of Jerusalem, most of them lived in the suburbs where they could make a living more easily. Because of this, there was not enough people living in Jerusalem to maintain and protect it. An account is given of the Levites who willingly offered to stay in Jerusalem. “And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.” - Nehemiah 11:1-3.
Jerusalem is the only city on earth called by God the holy city and where He chose to put His name. Only one in ten people chose to forsake the comfortable living of the world to live within the walls of Jerusalem and dwell with God. There are many people today who have called on the Lord Jesus Christ to save them, but very few give up the comforts of the world to dwell with Him, but those of us who do find a comfort in Christ find comfort that nothing in the world can give them. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:11-13.
Nehemiah went to the people and encouraged them to return to God, it was a revival, the Levites and those of Judah and Benjamin returned to God with great joy and began to rebuild the city. “So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.” - Nehemiah 12:40-45.
It can be easy to get so sidetracked when the pressures of life come knocking at the door, and sadly, it is during times like these when most lose sight of God. When we get to that point we must step back and seek our own personal spiritual revival. It's amazing what praising can do when we worship the one true God. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5-7.
After being in Jerusalem for about twelve years Nehemiah said it was time to return home to Babylon, after all the temple was in order and everyone was serving God faithfully. He went home and sadly it did not take long before they began neglecting their duties, including the spiritual leaders and temple workers. When Nehemiah arrived he was stricken with grief, how could such a small town get so out of touch with God so fast. Nehemiah quickly gathered everyone together, began upbraiding them and reminding them why they were to separate themselves from among them in the first place.
“And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?” - Nehemiah 13:22-27.
The things that people have done in the past should be a warning that we as Christians are to be separated by those who live in the world. It does not matter how strong our faith, we will fall if we are not walking with Christ daily. It's time to stop living the way we want to live and start living the way God wants us to live, we will save ourselves a lot of heartache and suffering in we kept the world out of our lives. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” - Romans 12:1-3.
Today's Prayer: God, I have spent time trying to live the way I wanted to live, and while I did have some success, it didn't last, and it always proved to be a sinking ship. I do not want to walk through the wide gate anymore, it only brings pain and suffering, I want to walk travel the narrow path, the one led by Your Son, who took my place on the cross for the sins I deserved. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to stay on the narrow path, give me the strength to separate myself from the world and let me not be tempted by it's visage of evil. Keep me in Your Word and walking with You daily so I do not fall off the narrow path. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Chapters: Nehemiah 11-13
Message Title: Walking The Narrow Path
Hello My Friend,
Christians, we come from all walks of life, some serve God in His church, some serve God on the road or in the workplace. Some are content to live their lives the best they know how and never pick up a Bible. Oh, they are not bad people, but they are missing out on some great opportunities because they did not bother to see how God felt about how they live their lives. The decision to walk with Christ is not always the most beautiful path, but the end of the journey will be all worth it. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” - Matthew 7:13,14.
When Nehemiah left Babylon he was determined to bring the presence of God back to Jerusalem and everything was moving in the right direction. Ezra and his crew were successful at restoring the temple, Nehemiah and his crew were successful at repairing the walls that would keep the world out. For the first time in nearly a hundred years the Book of the Law had been read, the passover was observed, and thousands of people willingly promised to serve God. However, very few of the people actually lived within the walls of Jerusalem, most of them lived in the suburbs where they could make a living more easily. Because of this, there was not enough people living in Jerusalem to maintain and protect it. An account is given of the Levites who willingly offered to stay in Jerusalem. “And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.” - Nehemiah 11:1-3.
Jerusalem is the only city on earth called by God the holy city and where He chose to put His name. Only one in ten people chose to forsake the comfortable living of the world to live within the walls of Jerusalem and dwell with God. There are many people today who have called on the Lord Jesus Christ to save them, but very few give up the comforts of the world to dwell with Him, but those of us who do find a comfort in Christ find comfort that nothing in the world can give them. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:11-13.
Nehemiah went to the people and encouraged them to return to God, it was a revival, the Levites and those of Judah and Benjamin returned to God with great joy and began to rebuild the city. “So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.” - Nehemiah 12:40-45.
It can be easy to get so sidetracked when the pressures of life come knocking at the door, and sadly, it is during times like these when most lose sight of God. When we get to that point we must step back and seek our own personal spiritual revival. It's amazing what praising can do when we worship the one true God. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5-7.
After being in Jerusalem for about twelve years Nehemiah said it was time to return home to Babylon, after all the temple was in order and everyone was serving God faithfully. He went home and sadly it did not take long before they began neglecting their duties, including the spiritual leaders and temple workers. When Nehemiah arrived he was stricken with grief, how could such a small town get so out of touch with God so fast. Nehemiah quickly gathered everyone together, began upbraiding them and reminding them why they were to separate themselves from among them in the first place.
“And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?” - Nehemiah 13:22-27.
The things that people have done in the past should be a warning that we as Christians are to be separated by those who live in the world. It does not matter how strong our faith, we will fall if we are not walking with Christ daily. It's time to stop living the way we want to live and start living the way God wants us to live, we will save ourselves a lot of heartache and suffering in we kept the world out of our lives. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” - Romans 12:1-3.
Today's Prayer: God, I have spent time trying to live the way I wanted to live, and while I did have some success, it didn't last, and it always proved to be a sinking ship. I do not want to walk through the wide gate anymore, it only brings pain and suffering, I want to walk travel the narrow path, the one led by Your Son, who took my place on the cross for the sins I deserved. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to stay on the narrow path, give me the strength to separate myself from the world and let me not be tempted by it's visage of evil. Keep me in Your Word and walking with You daily so I do not fall off the narrow path. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
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Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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