Nehemiah Chapter 1~Casting Vision with Nehemiah

I was cup bearer to the king! Nehemiah chapter one paints a picture for us of who this man was, and who God was calling him to be. The fact that he was the cup bearer to the king is very significant for us, for it gives us a clue to his status.

The cup bearer had access: It was as if he had an “all access backstage pass” to an event that is monumental in history. The cup bearer also had “top secret security clearance.” He had been through all the lie detector tests and passed all the questionnaires. After all, the cup bearer was also the one who would take a hit for the king, for often he might have to taste the wine first to ensure it had not been tampered with.

Nehemiah as the cup bearer had a good life; he had all that he needed. Why then should he bother to get involved with something that clearly was not his business? The answer to that question is three fold:

1) He got involved because God broke his heart. In the beginning we see him weep over the news that he received.

2) He got involved because God called him out. Through fervent prayer and fasting God began to reveal a plan, and that plan involved a huge change and a willingness for Nehemiah to risk it all.

3) Finally, Nehemiah was willing to risk it all because through his fervent prayer and time of fasting Nehemiah saw a vision, cast by God, for God’s people. This vision was bigger than he was and it was more than he could handle on his own. In his prayer Nehemiah admitted that God could do anything, that anything included a plan that would take Nehemiah to far away places. Like James Bond, it would lead him into danger and possible death, yet he said yes. Nehemiah moved forward to risk it all. Nehemiah asked God’s favor upon the request he was about to make to the king. We hear the end of his prayer, “Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. I was the cup bearer to the king.”

When are we willing to risk it all? When are we willing to live into God’s vision that is bigger than anything we could ever imagine? When do we experience “hearts that can break?”

This week at TUMC we begin a five week sermon series on Nehemiah entitled, “Casting Vision with Nehemiah.” I pray you can reflect on these questions this week as we prepare to dig deeper.

Personally, I have been asking God to give me a heart that can break, and I have failed miserably. We will talk more about that on Sunday. I am praying for another chance. How about you?

The Story Chapter 32

You might be saying, wait a minute, there are only 31 chapters of The Story, so why are we talking about Chapter 32? Chapter 32 is our roll in continuing the story. We are not called to be idle, but rather we have a roll to carry on the story by sharing God’s story. We have a roll to invite others to be a part of God’s story and to carry on the Good News.

I love this picture of the cat of shame. What draws shame, this cat is not participating in the God given ability of chasing mice. This cat is not fulfilling its role in using it’s gifts to rid the master’s house of mice.

How does this reflect on us? God has given us the ability and calls us to share the Good News of Jesus. How are we doing with that ability and call on our lives? Are we like the cat, watching the mouse eat the food and doing nothing? We can each do something. What can you do?

The Story Chapter 30 Introduction

Do you remember the early airline industry? Does Pan Am mean anything to you?

I used to travel around the world in a previous job. I loved my job. I loved meeting the people of other lands and learning about their culture and lives. I loved eating their food! I was blessed to have been in the international circuit for five years, in fact I had so many “points” on Pan Am that I had two free 30 day world passes on Pan Am. (Which my husband and I subsequently used.) Those were in the days when you sat for every mile earned.

I also have shame in my previous life. That shame is that I met people from every land and country, and never once shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with them.  In fact I remember one time in particular when the conversation moved towards my religious beliefs I quickly changed the subject. Like Paul, I was on fire, but for the wrong things. Like Paul I was using my talents and gifts, not for bad things, but not for the purpose which God intended them to be used for.

Praise God that we serve a God of grace who says, “I have covered your past with my blood, now let’s move into the future together.” Praise God that God has taken me with all my brokenness and pain and created something new. We are new in Christ Jesus. Transformation is possible. A resurrection of new possibilities exist in this life and beyond.

God took Paul and created something new. Paul went on his “pan-am” journeys, when journeying was not so easy, and was willing to risk everything in order to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The message was so compelling that he was willing to forgo everything:  being stoned, beaten and imprisoned for the opportunity to share the Good News. New churches were planted all over the “known world” of the Roman Empire because of the work of Paul, who ultimately gave his life for the sake of sharing the Gospel message.

God has taken me too, and created something new. I would love a “do over” for  some of the missed opportunities, but I also recognize that there are new opportunities ahead. I pray I don’t miss those new opportunities that are placed before me.

How about you? What opportunities are you facing to be like Paul and risk everything to share the Good News of Jesus?

This song reminds me of the change God works in us, and how we are to be used for God’s splendor.

The Story Chapter 28 Reflection Questions

In today’s terminology we would call them wimps or maybe men with no backbone. All the disciples, except the “Beloved disciple,” ran when the going got tough. Now Jesus was alive, they had followed marching orders and had waited in Jerusalem until “the gift” arrived. What would the gift look like?

They had no clue. They just knew that they would know it when it came. Scripture tells us it came with the rush of a mighty wind. Maybe it sounded like one of those deadly tornados that frequent the plains of the mid-west. Instead of hiding, as their pattern had been, they came out into the open. Then the most amazing thing happened to them. It seemed like tongues of fire were falling upon them, but it was the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

These men, who had literally been cowards were now empowered in ways they had never been before, and they were speaking in languages they had never learned.  The purpose of the languages–to share the Good News of the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. They were empowered by the Spirit to build the kingdom of God.

The Good News doesn’t stop there. They the Holy Spirit continues to empower us today. Have you been baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit? Wonderful things can happen and gifts of the Spirit are given when you are willing to make yourself available for God’s use.

Use these study questions (taken from the Adult Study Guide) to enhance your reading this week.

1. Look up Ex. 3:2, 3:21, and 19:18. Why do you suppose the Holy Spirit was portrayed as tongues of fire that came to rest on each believer at Pentecost and how does His relationship to believers change after this event?
2. According to Peter’s Pentecost sermon (p. 325 or Acts 2:22-24, 36), who was responsible for Jesus death?  As a group, discuss the tension we experience between God’s sovereignty and man’s free will.
3. What marked the community life of the believers (p. 326, 328)?  Discuss ways your church and small group help foster a similar community.  Share what is most meaningful to you personally.
4. The church grew rapidly from the beginning even in spite of growing opposition and persecution.  What factors might account for such growth then?
5. God the Father was the most visible person of the Trinity in the Old Testament.  Jesus, God the Son, was most visible in the gospels and now God the Holy Spirit becomes prominent in Acts.  For most Christians, the Holy Spirit is the least understood person of the Trinity.   List all you learned about the Holy Spirit from this chapter. What did you learn about the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for your own life?
6. How did Stephen’s martyrdom help fulfill God’s mandate of Acts 1:8 (p. 323) beginning with Philip?  If you are comfortable, share an example from your own life of God fulfilling an Upper Story work out of a Lower Story tragedy.
7. What accounts for the dramatic change in Saul of Tarsus from persecutor to preacher?  Do you know anyone personally who has gone from being a Christ-hater to a Christ-follower?  (Please be sensitive to privacy by refraining from mentioning names.)
8. God intended to teach Peter something even more profound than a lesson about foods through the vision of unclean animals (p. 333-334).  What was it and why was Cornelius’ conversion such a big turning point in the life of the early church?  (See Acts 11:1-3, Acts 11:15-18, Rom. 10:12-13 and Eph. 2:11-13 for further insight.)
9. What did you learn about suffering from Peter’s flogging (p. 329-330) and imprisonment (p. 334-336), and Stephen’s martyrdom (p. 330-331) that you could apply personally?

 

The Story Chapter 27 Reflection Questions

From agony of defeat to resurrection; from despair to the hope and promise of new possibilities. Everything is made new. No wonder we celebrate Easter during the spring when we see new life rising up. Jesus offers new life and new possibilities.

Use these reflection questions taken from the adult study guide when reading chapter 27 this week.

1. People have always had difficulty believing that Jesus was God in the flesh.   (Read 1 John 1:1, 2:22 and 4:2-3)   What details did John include in the crucifixion story for his readers to know for certain that Jesus, fully human, had truly died?  How does knowing that God came to live among us affect your daily life?

 

1. For whose sake did the angel roll away the stone (p. 316)?  What other major events have been announced by angels?

 

1. List everything you have learned about Jesus’ resurrection body from this chapter.  Why is Jesus’ literal, physical resurrection a non-negotiable teaching of the Christian faith?  (See Romans 1:4, 4:25 and 1 Corinthians 15:17 )

 

1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-23, 42-49.  What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for you personally and for all believers?

 

1. Thomas is frequently referred to as “doubting Thomas” because he refused to believe his fellow disciples’ testimony.  Then, a week after the resurrection, he confessed, “My Lord and My God!”  Do you think Thomas’ reputation is justified or do you think he has been labeled unjustly?  Why or why not?

 

1. What parallels can you find between Peter’s denial story (John 18:17-27) and His restoration story (p. 320, John 21:15-23)?  What does Peter’s restoration reveal about Jesus’ heart and how does it apply to you personally?

 

1. What does Jesus’ Great Commission on the mountain in Galilee require of all His disciples (p. 320)?  Discuss what is involved in “making disciples.”

The Story Chapter 27 Introduction

Our entire study of The Story revolved around this chapter, chapter 27. While this chapter gives us the story of that Easter morning, I cannot quite write about it yet, as we are still in holy week.  Today is Maundy Thursday, and for now,  I need to live in the moment of the day.

Maundy or Holy Thursday comes from the Latin root “mandate” or “command” and it is a reminder that Jesus tells us, “A new command I give you, to love one another.”

Live in this day that Christ offered us. Whom do you need to love? Is it the person who lives next door? Is it the person you buy coffee from every morning who is less than friendly? Maybe it is a relative or someone who used to be a friend, but something has come between you.

Today is a day for us to swallow our pride, as Jesus did when he washed the feet of the disciples. He  even washed the feet of the one who would hand him over to the authorities. Can we wash the feet, literally and figuratively, of the one who is going to turn against us? Can we love them and see them through the eyes of Jesus as children of God? What would that involve for me and you?

Ash Wednesday

On Ash Wednesday we burn last year’s palms and use those ashes to remind us to have penitent hearts.  What it is a penitent heart? A heart that is turned around. A heart that is asking forgiveness for things that separate us from God, and a heart that wants to become closer to God.

A great way to look at this day is to use the metaphor of cleaning house. I don’t know about you, but I am a terrible house cleaner. I don’t like dirt, although my dog does leave fur all over the place, but my problem is PILES! I have piles of papers and books and other things, and oh, yes, clean laundry too. The laundry is clean, but it is piled up!

For me, getting rid of all the piles is a good representation of what we need to do on Ash Wednesday. This is the day we clean off the piles, blow off the dust and put things in their rightful places.

So what are those proverbial piles in our lives that need cleaning off, dusting and need to be put in their proper places? It is the sin that separates us from God. It is those little habits that we hold onto that are not Godly, it is the grudge we hold that we don’t want to let go of, but rather would prefer to nurse along. It is the anger at the situations that we are in, it is the judgement we cast on our neighbor, it is the complaining that we just don’t seem to be able to stop doing. Maybe you have some others. Put they all get put together in those piles of things that separate us from God. These are the piles that need to be thrown out or cast away.

Where do we need to put those piles? Most of them we just need to get rid of. They are not helping us or empowering us to grow like Christ. Some we cannot get rid of on our own, so we need to place them at the foot of the cross and beg Christ to take this yoke, so that in turn we can take the yoke of Christ. (Matthew 11:28)

So this day, the first day of Lent is when we go through the piles. We clean out. We turn around, ask for forgiveness and accept the grace that God freely offers.

The remainder of Lent we use the practices called the means of grace, which include prayer, thanksgiving, alms giving, Scripture reading, serving others and fasting to help us grow in our relationship with God. Through the means of grace we are empowered, through the power of the Holy spirit to grow closer to God.

So how are you going to clean house? What piles need to be thrown out?  What is holding you back from casting them out?

If you need a Lenten Devotional this season, I highly recommend this one written by some UMC pastors in the Baltimore area.

Enjoy this Lenten Devotional: Journey to the Empty Tomb.