REBUILDING BROKEN WALLS
July-August 2007
'Jerusalem lies in ruins ... Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem ...'
Nehemiah 2:17
Through the life of Jeremiah, God not only reconstructed the walls of Jerusalem but also re-instructed the people in His ways, resulting in right living and renewal.
In this issue Selwyn looks at the remarkable achievements of Nehemiah, showing us among other things how to make God's priorities our priorities, how to wait for God's timing, the essentials of effective leadership and the benefits of abiding in God's word.
Be inspired to take a look at your own community, identify the crumbling spiritual 'walls' – and then take action to achieve great things for God.
Friday, August 31, 2007
The final scenes
Psalms 25:6-7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Hebrews 10:15-18
1. What will God forget and what will He remember?
God will remember His great mercy and love, for they are from of old, according to His love for He is good.
God will forget the sins of our youth and rebellious ways.
God will also forget our sins and lawless acts because we are forgiven, for there be no need for anymore sacrifices for sins.
2. What should we always remember?
We commune together in remembrance of Christ. For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death and His resurrection.
1. What will God forget and what will He remember?
God will remember His great mercy and love, for they are from of old, according to His love for He is good.
God will forget the sins of our youth and rebellious ways.
God will also forget our sins and lawless acts because we are forgiven, for there be no need for anymore sacrifices for sins.
2. What should we always remember?
We commune together in remembrance of Christ. For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death and His resurrection.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
A desecrated Sabbath
Exodus 20:8, Luke 6:1-11
1. How revelant are the commandments today?
God's Word and laws stand, and we should obey his commands as of yesterday, today and forever.
2. What should we do on a Sabbath day of rest?
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
1. How revelant are the commandments today?
God's Word and laws stand, and we should obey his commands as of yesterday, today and forever.
2. What should we do on a Sabbath day of rest?
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
An intruder in God's house
Matthew 21:12-21
1. How did Jesus show judgement and grace in the Temple?
When Jesus found out that the temple has turned from a house of prayers to a den of robbers, he overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. This shows judgement in the temple.
But when the blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them, showing grace.
Matthew 24:1-2
2. Why was the Temple like the fig tree?
If the temple does not bear fruit, it will be thrown or withered away.
But if the temple has faith in the Lord, even mountains can also be moved into the seas.
1. How did Jesus show judgement and grace in the Temple?
When Jesus found out that the temple has turned from a house of prayers to a den of robbers, he overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. This shows judgement in the temple.
But when the blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them, showing grace.
Matthew 24:1-2
2. Why was the Temple like the fig tree?
If the temple does not bear fruit, it will be thrown or withered away.
But if the temple has faith in the Lord, even mountains can also be moved into the seas.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Opening up the Word
2 Kings 23:1-7
1. How did the people respond to the reading of Scripture?
After hearing the Word of God, the king renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD -to follow the LORD and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
The king ordered high priest to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts by burning them.
He did away with the pagan priests appointed—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts.
He took the Asherah pole from the temple of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people.
He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah.
2 Kings 23:21-25
2. How did Josiah inspire both holiness and celebration?
Josiah not only told everyone to celebrate the passover to the Lord, but also got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things.
This he did to fulfill the requirements of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the LORD.
Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
1. How did the people respond to the reading of Scripture?
After hearing the Word of God, the king renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD -to follow the LORD and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
The king ordered high priest to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts by burning them.
He did away with the pagan priests appointed—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts.
He took the Asherah pole from the temple of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people.
He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah.
2 Kings 23:21-25
2. How did Josiah inspire both holiness and celebration?
Josiah not only told everyone to celebrate the passover to the Lord, but also got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things.
This he did to fulfill the requirements of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the LORD.
Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
Monday, August 27, 2007
How to sustain joy
Psalms 119:105-112
1. How did the psalmist declare about God's statues?
God's statutes are his heritage forever, they are the joy of his heart.
Jeremiah 15:16
Hab 3:17-19
2. Why can we always be full of joy?
Bearing Jesus' name, we can be full of joy when we read God's word and act upon it. The sovereign Lord is our strength. Though there are times of difficulties, we can still rejoice in the Lord our God. The joy comes from Him alone. When we are right with God, other things fall into place.
1. How did the psalmist declare about God's statues?
God's statutes are his heritage forever, they are the joy of his heart.
Jeremiah 15:16
Hab 3:17-19
2. Why can we always be full of joy?
Bearing Jesus' name, we can be full of joy when we read God's word and act upon it. The sovereign Lord is our strength. Though there are times of difficulties, we can still rejoice in the Lord our God. The joy comes from Him alone. When we are right with God, other things fall into place.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Saying 'Yes'
Luke 9:57-62
1. How did Jesus stress the need for single-mindedness?
Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Luke 14:25-35
2. What may distract us?
Our personal plans, worldly goals, the people around us distract us from God.
1. How did Jesus stress the need for single-mindedness?
Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Luke 14:25-35
2. What may distract us?
Our personal plans, worldly goals, the people around us distract us from God.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
'The fear of the Lord'
Proverbs 16:6; Acts 18:1-3
1. What causes us to avoid evil?
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
2 Thess. 3:6-13
2. How and why did Paul support himself?
They worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that would not be a burden to any.
They did this, not because they do not have the right to such help, but in order to make themselves a model for others to follow.
If a man will not work, he shall not eat. Thus, never tire of doing what is right.
1. What causes us to avoid evil?
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
2 Thess. 3:6-13
2. How and why did Paul support himself?
They worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that would not be a burden to any.
They did this, not because they do not have the right to such help, but in order to make themselves a model for others to follow.
If a man will not work, he shall not eat. Thus, never tire of doing what is right.
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