Buddy's sermon on Nehemiah: Notes
Without walls, a city wasn't even considered to BE a city. It put Jeruasalem not only undefended, but in reproach. Nehemiah didn't charge in guns blazing and say, "I've got a plan!" He examined the city first. None of us are smarter than all of us.
Have you ever had the experience that there's no explanation of what's going on in your life but God? No, we do not say that when you follow the Lord everything you touch will turn to gold. We don't have a "health and wealth" gospel. But we also don't have a "poor and sick" gospel. God can give you joy even in the midst of trouble.
It is never a one man or one woman operation. The disciples of Jesus had each other. David, after he was anointed king, had men who followed him - they were those in debt, depressed and disgruntled, and yet they became David's mighty men. God is a God of miracles. He puts into His people His vision. It started with Him.
Jesus' first command was to go and wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon His disciples. And He gave them something they were not. The Holy Spirit is described as the Comforter.
Me: I have to make up my mind - Do I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit or do it my way? No one is up to this job. We cannot change one person. The Holy Spirit can. WE cannot say, "If I just get everything right...!"
Someone once asked me, "Do you think the Holy Spirit is still at work?" "Do you think He's retired??"
We: We cannot do everything but we can do what we can do - build the wall next to me, in front of me. But when we all work together and seek the Holy Spirit's power, there is nothing that cannot happen.
You may not realize it, but you're living in one of the greatest revival periods in history. Everywhere I have been, if you have your eyes open, you will find God at work. Ask God to open your eyes to it and get together and start praying.
First it's He, then it's me, then it's we.
Thoughts
Psalm 73:21-24,
"Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory."