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?

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School isn’t about us, its about the community kids in the neighborhood who don’t have an opportunity to go to church. Yes, there are a variety of kids who show up, but this is an extended ministry of the church, for all children.  VBS gives a sense of belonging not only to the church, but more importantly to God. This is a time when kids get to hear the Good News: God is whispering your name; You are loved; God created you with a purpose. This is indeed not only Good News for our children, but we adults need to hear these messages over and over again as well. We are loved by God. Perhaps the most important message we can hear are the words “Jesus loves me, this I know!”

VBS at TUMC this year will be based on the theme of God’s Backyard Bible Camp Under the Stars. Kids will learn about serving and loving our neighbors. Kids will have the opportunity to learn songs, make crafts and hear about God’s love for them.

Register your child now for VBS, which begins on June 17th. We begin with a meal for the family at 6 pm. The kids will break off in their groups at 6:30. Parents are invited to have dessert with the Pastor while the kids learn how much God loves the little children.

Registration forms can be found here.

The Questions……Try to answer these questions with each reading.

Finding where God is at work in Taylorsville, MD.

Join us as we read a Psalm A Day.  Beginning in August we will be reading, blogging and twittering about each Psalm. August 1 is Psalm 101, Aug 2 is Psalm 102, etc.  Twitter hashtag is #hopeintville

With each Psalm reading try to answer these questions:

Q1) What is the key verse for you?

Q2) How does this Psalm make you feel?

Q3) How does this Psalm relate to our daily lives?

We hope you can join us for this Psalm study, no matter where you are physically located.