Nehemiah 13:1-31 V5 there is strife in the house! The priest let the enemy in when Tobiah was given a room in courts of the temple.  How does Satan was destroy?  Through the leadership -  the priests/leadership/shepherds. Not only are officials corrupt but they were allowing the people to corrupt the holy day of God.  The people were not being shepherded. If God gives you a gift and if you don't use you let down God's order; the way He has set patterns and how things are to be done. If you want to break down the Church, break down the orde;, how God set it up If you want to break down the church, get corrupt leaders! Instead of the law showing grace, the law became a burden. If people don't like the way God does things then leave; that's what Nehemiah was telling the merchants who camped outside of the gates of the city on the Sabbath. If you go into ministry without local church family, you burn out and are a lone ranger.  This is NOT how God does things

Scripture References:  John 5:39-44; Nehemiah 4 The Jews considered that eternal life was revealed to them in their Scriptures, and that they had it, because they had the word of God in their hands. Jesus urged them to search those Scriptures with more diligence and attention. “You search the Scriptures,” and you do well to do so. They did indeed search the Scriptures, but it was with a view to their own glory. It is possible for men to be very studious in the letter of the Scriptures, yet to be strangers to its power. You profess to receive and believe the Scripture, let that be the judge. It is spoken to us as advising or commanding all Christians to search the Scriptures. Not only read them, and hear them, but search them; with diligence in examining and studying them. We must search the Scriptures for heaven as our great end; eternal life For in them you think ye have eternal life. We must search the Scriptures for Christ, as the new and living Way, that leads to this end. T

Why is it important to be an overcomer? Either you set the pace or others will set your pace. We can love each other but we also have to like each other.  You can’t be married to someone and say you love them and not like them.  Once the romance wears off, and real, everyday life sets in, you make a choice daily to like and love the person you chose to be married to. Perfect love casts out fear.  Nehemiah had to step out and pick up God’s love.  This didn’t take away the circumstances or difficulties, but God’s love helped Nehemiah overcome the fear he had. How do we tell who is a born-again Christian?  See the Book of Acts.  Christians have love one for another. The lifestyle choices we choose determines how we live.  Whom we choose to serve will impact our lives - either fear or faith. If we sow envy, bitterness, strife, fear we will reap this.  If we sow mercy, patience, peace and love we will reap this.  What we sow, determines what we will reap in our lives. A lot

Scripture References:  Nehemiah Chapter 1; Ezra Chapter 10 Walls.  They are important.  Why?  Walls give protection and security. Nehemiah had inquired about how the Jewish people were faring in Jerusalem and was saddened to learn that although much had been done, the walls were not.  This meant that the people were exposed, enemies could easily strike and those living in Jerusalem had no protection. Nehemiah went before God in fasting, weeping and prayer.  He confessed the sins of his people, family and self.  He asked God for guidance and  assistance to move forward with a plan.  Nehemiah is compassionate in his care about others although he lived in a good place.  This brings to our attention that we too, should have concern for how our brothers and sisters in the Lord are living?  Do they have what they need? Although buildings are NOT the Church, they are a representation to the community of who we are.  How we care for the property we are entrusted with will be an example

Bible References:  Nehemiah Chapter 1, Book of Acts Nehemiah was a cup bearer to the King.  He was in a position of power.  But Nehemiah was concerned about his fellow Jews who had gone back to Jerusalem.  He found out that the walls had not been rebuilt and this left the inhabitants in a vulnerable position of no security.  They were exposed to be attacked and taken by the local peoples surrounding them. Ezra taught the people about their spiritual state and what God required of them.  Nehemiah was a practical man.  He first went to God so that he could then go to the King. He prayed a fervent prayer to God asking for his help.  He entrusted his concerns to God.  He set us an altar. The book of Nehemiah shows us practically how God cares for his people.  This book focuses on the “how to”, being practical in everyday life.  Nehemiah also teaches us about being humble and not promote our position. God gave Nehemiah as-surety that he was called to rebuilt the wall - he was call