Nehemiah 8-10
When it comes to great revivals that we read about in the Bible the book of Nehemiah may not be the first book that comes to mind. However when one reads chapters eight through ten, there is doubt a revival taking place. During Nehemiah’s day Israel was under the captivity of Babylon. Nehemiah served as a cup-bearer in the king’s court. However, Nehemiah had a burden to return to his home land, and restore the wall of Jerusalem. Despite much persecution, the wall was restored. After the wall was restored we can see revival breaking out among those that were in Jerusalem.
Economically, Israel was not in their glory. Socially, they were outcasts; slaves and captives to the Babylonians. Politically, well again they had been defeated by an enemy nation. Religiously, they were in dire straights, for the captivity was punishment from God.
It seems that there are many parallels between Nehemiah’s day and the present. Financially we are in a mess. It seems that Satan is winning and the world is creeping into churches. And as a nation the fastest growing religion is “no religion.” Many of our churches today have forgotten their purpose and that is why things seem so dire. However, we can see revival happen! read more…
The following is written on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in the crypts of the Westminster Abbey.
When I was young and free my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew in my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lie on my deathbed, read more…
Well, it is a brand new year, 2010. Time for us to reckon ourselves! The word reckon means to take inventory. When you take inventory of something, you are simply realizing what is already there, so you know what needs to be added. When setting goals or New Year resolutions it is important that we take inventory, or reckon ourselves so we know how we need to grow.
As like most people in the world, I have set some resolutions this year. Also like most people, in the past, keeping them has been a different story. So, this year, I am focusing just as much on the process as the goals themselves. read more…
