“Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ”Amen, Amen,“ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord, with their faces to the ground.” (Neh. 8:6)
Reflection:
This week we went into the beginning of Nehemiah chapter 8. This is a key chapter about the renewal of the covenant with God. Scholars have pointed to this being the first “revival” depicted in the Bible. This is a great book for us to be going through as a church. Scott point out in verse 3, that the people had not heard the word of God, and that they have replaced the word of God with traditions. This is a good warning for us to stay true to the truth of God and not get lost in programs. My key verse is verse 6, the people were unified in worship with their hands up and their faces down. When we come to understand the truth of who God is and who we are in light of it, we respond in this type of worship. Next week we will see the joy that accompanies this worship.
In the set list I tried to reflect verse 6, attributing to the greatness of God as a source of strength.
Set List:
Holy is the Lord
Indescribable
God of Wonders
God of this City
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Last week in Chapter 6 of Nehemiah we are encouraged to stand strong in God when we face criticism and challenged to view ourselves as someone that God can use. As I read through chapter seven a few things caught my attention.
We see that Nehemiah has a burden to count and organize the people and lands (7:5).
Are we ready to listen and act as Nehemiah did when we receive a burden from God? What can get in the way of the hearing? What prevents us from acting?
Genealogies...hugh! Believe me I am not a huge fan of genealogies either, I just read through nine chapter of them in Chronicles today for an assignment. Importance can be seen though in honoring members of our church who have ‘gone before us’ and linking this new generation with the heritage of Israel.
Lastly it was great to see the family of God ‘contribute to the work’ (v. 69, 70). They contributed to the work and the treasury. This is a reminder that as the family of God we are called to serve. This echos the first motto of the church, “Not to be ministered to, but to minister.” The challenge is that we don’t go to church to get be served but to look for the opportunities to serve.
We see that Nehemiah has a burden to count and organize the people and lands (7:5).
Are we ready to listen and act as Nehemiah did when we receive a burden from God? What can get in the way of the hearing? What prevents us from acting?
Genealogies...hugh! Believe me I am not a huge fan of genealogies either, I just read through nine chapter of them in Chronicles today for an assignment. Importance can be seen though in honoring members of our church who have ‘gone before us’ and linking this new generation with the heritage of Israel.
Lastly it was great to see the family of God ‘contribute to the work’ (v. 69, 70). They contributed to the work and the treasury. This is a reminder that as the family of God we are called to serve. This echos the first motto of the church, “Not to be ministered to, but to minister.” The challenge is that we don’t go to church to get be served but to look for the opportunities to serve.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Nehemiah 6
This week Scott is going into Nehemiah 6
Here is the run down
This is the last opportunity for our friends Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem to stop the wall from being finished. They decide to trick Nehemiah into meeting with them outside. They asked him four times and on the fifth time they made it public knowledge that they are sending reports to the Persian king that the Israelites are building a wall and planning a revolt. This message could be stopped if Nehemiah will met with them outside the wall. The purpose is to cause fear among the people of Israel. Nehemiah does not go out and encourages the people to not stop working. He also prays, “...But now, O God, strenghten my hands” (Neh 6:9b). Then the enemies bribe his friend to prophecy that they should run and hide in the temple. This would give Nehemiah a bad name and cause him to sin, Nehemiah remains a man of integrity and refuses. Then they finish the wall, which was done in an amazing 52 days.
This week I think we will focus in strength and encouragement as a theme and maybe some songs about integrity.
Songs ideas;
Everlasting God - Brown
“strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord” Ps. 123
Never let go - Redman
“I will fear no evil” Psalm 23
If you have any other ideas let me know...
Here is the run down
This is the last opportunity for our friends Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem to stop the wall from being finished. They decide to trick Nehemiah into meeting with them outside. They asked him four times and on the fifth time they made it public knowledge that they are sending reports to the Persian king that the Israelites are building a wall and planning a revolt. This message could be stopped if Nehemiah will met with them outside the wall. The purpose is to cause fear among the people of Israel. Nehemiah does not go out and encourages the people to not stop working. He also prays, “...But now, O God, strenghten my hands” (Neh 6:9b). Then the enemies bribe his friend to prophecy that they should run and hide in the temple. This would give Nehemiah a bad name and cause him to sin, Nehemiah remains a man of integrity and refuses. Then they finish the wall, which was done in an amazing 52 days.
This week I think we will focus in strength and encouragement as a theme and maybe some songs about integrity.
Songs ideas;
Everlasting God - Brown
“strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord” Ps. 123
Never let go - Redman
“I will fear no evil” Psalm 23
If you have any other ideas let me know...
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