Scripture Nugget 6.12.2016

“Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his cousin, for she had neither father nor mother; the girl was fair and beautiful, and when her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter. … Esther did not reveal her people or kindred, for Mordecai had charge her not to tell. Every day Mordecai would walk around in front of the court of the harem, to learn how Esther was and how she fared.” Esther 2:7,10

Mordecai loved his much younger cousin as a father loves his child. It is obvious by Esther’s obedience that she loves him in and respects him. She obeys Mordecai’s instructions from a position of love and respect gained by his loving care. We can say, Mordecai loved Esther, “as Christ loves the church.” The question for me/us is, do I/we live in obedience? Having received the love of Christ, do I/we follow Christ and carry out His instruction in willful obedience? Is my/our answer yes, sometimes or no? Lord forgive me for the times when the answer is sometimes or no…….. May I always be obedient, especially when I don’t why, when I can’t “see” into the future, don’t know the outcome. Help me to believe and to live out my life in faith. To live my life as your son, adopted into the family of faith.

Scripture Nugget 6.11.2016

“In the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah all Israel gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers. They set apart that which was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart that which was for the descendants of Aaron. … Then I gave orders and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense. I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them; so that the Levites and the singers, who had conducted the service, had gone back to their fields. So I remonstrated with the officials and said, ‘Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together and set them in their stations. Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses …and their duty was to distribute …” Nehemiah 12:47, 13:9-13a,d

Nehemiah took a business trip back to Persia. In his absence the head priest made a decision based on nepotism allowing his relative to move into the store rooms where offerings and sacrifices were kept before being used and distributed. The result was that the Levites did not receive that which they were due, since the offerings were no longer on hand. Remember the gatekeepers and the need to keep order and discipline? Nehemiah asks the question, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” Great question to ask ourselves individually and corporately as congregations! This is not a question focused only on a building, but on the entirety of the work (mission, ministry, maintenance) of the church. Do we as individuals amass great savings for our futures at the expense of those in need? Do we as congregations amass large amounts in our General Funds then balk at helping those in need? Consider this Wesleyan Core Term – Use of Money: Wesley’s famous maxim “Gain all you can . . . save all you can . . . give all you can” is often misunderstood because we tend to understand save as accumulate (Sermon 50: “The Use of Money”). Wesley, however, means economize. Christians should if possible, be gainfully employed, ethically earning as much as possible. We economize by not spending more on ourselves than necessary for a modest, useful, disciplined life. We can thus contribute liberally, giving all we can for the poor and for ministry. Wesley knew that running a business may require capital, so he was not opposed to accumulating money for this purpose. But any wealth beyond what is necessary for ethical business and modest living belongs to the poor. We rob God if we do not give it away. Our money is not really ours; it rightfully belongs to God and the poor. We are stewards. Christian discipleship requires us to “give all [we] can,” not as charity but as stewardship. By giving we grow in grace. (Wesley Study Bible, page 1223)

As stewards of God’s riches we are called, as individuals, to give to the greater good, to temporarily combine our gifts so that they may be given as any has need. Being a good steward required long-term faith – Over-the-horizon faith. O that I am always faithful, that I would distribute to those in need, faithfully believing there will always be more given. I want to be a distributor of God’s blessings not a hoarder of them.

Scripture Nugget 6.10.2016

“The gatekeepers, …who kept watch at the gates, …gatekeepers standing guard at the storehouses of the gates.” Nehemiah 11:19, 12:25

Who are these Gatekeepers? In Nehemiah we read about three distinct groups of clergy: Priests, Levites and Gatekeepers. Gatekeepers, quite simply keep order at a gate, a place of coming and going, a place where if order is not kept then chaos might cause disruption of the flow of traffic. A gate, because it is a smaller opening than the areas on either side can become clogged up if order is not kept. In Jerusalem at this time the gates leading in and out of the walled city had specific purposes controlled by the Gatekeepers and they are symbolic of our life of faith, our life of growing in grace and is a clear order:

The Sheep Gate proclaims forgiveness and grace of God. After we have been saved, we want to tell everybody about Jesus Christ we become fishers of others who come and go from the Fish Gate. We are new persons in Christ out with the old, in with the new - the Old Gate. We journey in new places and meet new people as we journey in the new life with Christ, the Valley Gate leads us off the mountaintop into the valley where we encounter others in need of Christ. On the way to accepting Christ, we realized the sin in us and needed a place to throw it away, the Dung Gate is the place to throw out the garbage. Having taken out the garbage we need someone one to fill up the spaces where the garbage had been stored, we go to the Fountain Gate – to the source of the living water (God in the Holy Spirit). Then we are purified and receive righteousness at the Water Gate so we may live obedient lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. But you know Satan isn’t happy about all this so we mount our steeds and proceed through the Horse Gate to conduct spiritual warfare. God promises Jesus will return the East Gate is the place where Messiah will return to enter the city. It is also called the Muster Gate which reminds us to be prepared to gather for Christ’s return by allowing Holy Spirit to live within us.

Thank God for those he assigns the duty to keep things ion order. My I be one who keeps my life in order, may I always respect and respond to those who hold me accountable, may I not shy away from the duties of the gate to which I’ve been assigned. To God be the glory!

Scripture Nugget 6.9.2016

“…so they ate, and were filled and became fat, and delighted themselves in your great goodness. ‘Nevertheless they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their backs and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. Therefore you gave them into the hands of their enemies, who made them suffer. Then in the time of suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hands of their enemies, but after they had rest, they again did evil before you, and you abandoned them to the hands of their enemies so that they had dominion over them; yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you rescued them according to your mercies. And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your ordinances, by the observance of which a person shall live. They turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey. Many years you were patient with them, and warned them by your spirit through your prophets; yet they would not listen. Therefore you handed them over to the peoples of the lands. Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.’” Nehemiah 9:25b-31 …so they ate, and were filled and became fat, and delighted themselves in your great goodness;

Nevertheless they were disobedient and rebelled against you in the time of suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them after they had rest, they again did evil before you, yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you rescued them according to your mercies Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your ordinances, by the observance of which a person shall live. They turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey Many years you were patient with them, and warned them by your spirit through your prophets; yet they would not listen Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God

Blessed by God what is my/your response? Filled to overflowing what do I/you do with the blessings? Hoard or share, live life abundantly with God or less than abundantly by my/your own will? Praise God for his steadfast love, mercy and grace! Cry out – God is listening, confess sins – God is forgiving, repent (turn to God) – God is welcoming, God is merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. O God that I would become as you are, that I would love you as you love me! Thank you God for mercy and grace!

Scripture Nugget 6.8.2016

“All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand, and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.” Nehemiah 8:1-3

After reconstructing the walls of the city, the people gathered safely inside those rebuilt walls to hear the word of God read from the book of the law – God’s Word, given to Moses. Renewal/re-building starts by adding on to an existing foundation. The reconstructed walls were built on top of the foundation of the original walls. Renewal of the people’s hearts starts with a reading of the word of God – the basis of the covenant between God and His people. The people broke the promises of the covenant not God, so, re-establishing that covenant starts by building upon the foundation of the words of the covenant. It is not a re-writing of the covenant. We can’t change the covenant to suit our sin, make our sin fit into God’s design for relationship. Just as the people couldn’t rebuild the walls by starting on a new foundation we can’t renew our relationship with God by attempting to re-write God’s law. Micah 6:8 sums up the Torah: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” And Jesus sums up the entirety of the Law of God by saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul mind an and strength and your neighbor as yourself”, by combining two ancient scriptures, Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 18:18. Much later Paul says, “They show that what is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness.” The foundation of God’s Word is written on our hearts; our individual consciences bear witness to having a solid original foundation or one built by humanness. O God, that I would read your Word clearly, allow your commands to stand and not reinterpret for myself in an attempt to make your word align with my sin. But that I would establish my life on the foundation that you laid!

Scripture Nugget 6.7.2016

“After I looked these things over, I stood up and said to the nobles and the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your hom Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.’” Nehemiah 4:14

Leaders must be willing to stand and expose themselves to the enemy. When one doesn’t stand up one doesn’t “see” the big picture, one doesn’t see the truth of what is actually happening. Rumors become truth, fear spreads and eyes are turned away from God. Remember the LORD! How many of us can honestly say we stand firm in Jesus’ protection? O men of God, spiritual leaders of your families, your businesses, your employees, stand up, be strong. “Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Fight for you families, don’t allow Satan to make a foothold. Watch them, but give them room to roam. Teach them the way to go, they will…...

Today, the North Georgia Annual Conference opens the 2016 session. I pray all leaders will stand up, will stand upon and continue to build upon the foundations laid by those who have gone before us. That those angry about rebuilding upon the original foundations will be overcome with the love of God, will join in the building/rebuilding process unified in God’s righteousness and grace. Let us give up hostility and take on holiness! “Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."

Scripture Nugget 6.6.2016

“They replied, ‘The survivors there is the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.’ When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, ‘O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statues, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.” They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your strong hand, O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!’” Nehemiah 1:3-11

How do I/you respond to bad news? Nehemiah gives us a great example: he stopped, he sat, he got still before God. Then he wept, he displayed his raw emotions before God. Further, Nehemiah became more still, he fasted and he prayed. I often show my emotions to God, anger, frustration and hurt but then I get busy fixing things myself. O that I would be more like Nehemiah! If only I would remember that which Nehemiah reminded God of: Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.” That I would have faith in God’s promised forgiveness and would respond faithfully to God’s desires. Confessing, repenting and following God………

Scripture Nugget 6.4.2016

“After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, ‘The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons. Thus the holy seed has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands, and in this faithlessness the officials and leaders have led the way.’ When I heard this, I tore my garment and my mantle, and pulled hair form my head and beard, and sat appalled. The all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice.” Ezra 9:1-4

Ezra is appalled, not because of the intermarriages between people groups but at the result of those intermarriages. Instead of introducing God and righteousness to others, the Jews have taken upon themselves and into their hearts the gods of those they have married and intermingled with. They have turned from God to worship idols and live unclean, unholy lives. When will I/we be appalled by those whose desire is to turn me away from Christ? Will I forgive and love them into a relationship and belief in Jesus Christ. Will I strengthen the Kingdom of God or prop up the self-esteem of sinners?

Scripture Nugget 6.3.2016

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra 7:10

Ezra, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandson (14 generations) of chief priest Aaron – brother of Moses, arrives on scene. Ezra’s lineage is that of a priest, but he is introduced as a scribe skilled in the law of Moses. According to the verse we focus on today, Ezra’s steadfast focus is on the Word of God. He not only desires to know what the law says, but to live out – to comply with God’s directions and to understand those laws well enough to be able to interpret and teach them to others. Sounds a lot like making disciples! To make disciples, one must be a disciple; to be a disciple, one must study. Ezra studies the law not for knowledge sake but to put into practice what the law says – to demonstrate that he practices what he preaches. Making disciples is all about instructing others so that they too may not just know the law but they will also do the law. God defines the boundaries of the law. Our study of the law is to lead us to live within the laws of God, not to develop interpretations that allow us to feel good about continuing in our sin. O God that I may be an Ezra for those you send me to serve; that I be an example of not only knowing your desires, but living them out.

Scripture Nugget 6.2.2016

“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the LORD with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.’ And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away.” Ezra 3:10-13

When the present leaders attempt to replicate the “good ole days” (the past) to guide the church into the future what is the response? The old had been destroyed, torn down, burned down, blown down, it doesn’t matter how, the old needs replacing. When the process begins, a new foundation is laid – what is the response? How do I/you respond? In today’s scripture old and young alike join together to worship – they give thanks and sing responsively. Some wept, some shouted for joy. Where are you in the congregation? Which are you? Do you shout for joy? Weep with joy? Or, do you weep because it’s not like it used to be, it’s not going to be a s big as it was, it’s not going to be as good as it was; the music isn’t the same…… etc. etc. Do I/you welcome the future or refuse to enter into the present to journey into the future. It is always good to remember the past, to stand on the foundation so solidly built by those who preceded us; but it is best to rely on God’s promises for the future. Over-the-Horizon Promises that stand the test of time – based on the most solid foundation, God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); do we embrace or deny the possibilities within the promise? Shout for joy – giving thanks and praising God or grumble by weeping it’s not good enough? Our response lays a future foundation for those who follow – o that we lead them into God’s best, not restrain them to the good past.