TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly towards you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. Nehemiah 1:6b-7
Read: Nehemiah 1
Listen: Nehemiah 1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Nehemiah concludes his prayer by asking God to answer a specific request. Nehemiah serves the king directly. His job is to be with the king on a regular basis. Nehemiah plans to make a bold move that could cost him his life. He seeks an opportunity to approach the king with Israel’s problems and ask permission to be part of the solution. He has a unique opportunity, and he trusts God with it. He’s upset about the situation AND asks God to use him to bring restoration. He desires for God to move and work through him. He doesn’t have a plan yet, just a humble willingness for God to use him.
God often provides opportunities for us to be part of the solution. He may desire to work in AND through us to answer our prayers and those of others. It can be easy to see a problem and think God will use others to bring healing, help or restoration. Yet, God may call us as part of his plan to rebuild. We may not have the opportunity to help an entire nation, but we can impact a friend, neighbor, classmate, co-worker or community member daily. God can use us to rebuild a family, neighborhood or community—one person or family at a time.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
This sermon series provides an honest overview of what it looks like to rebuild through Nehemiah’s story over the next five weeks. Rebuilds involve starts, stops and bumps along the way. Ask God to reveal areas in your life that need rebuilding. It could be a relationship, spiritual practices, habits in his word or how you handle finances. Own your part and ask God to work in and through you to be part of the solution. Pray with open hands and a willingness to follow as he leads through this series.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
October is SERVING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
