Nehemiah 1:4 3/17/2026

“Now when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying …”

Nehemiah hears that Jerusalem was in trouble, the walls were down, and his countrymen were suffering. His response was to spend days fasting and praying. Then he asked King Artaxerxes to send him to Jerusalem to restore the city. 

So, Nehemiah’s response to crisis appears to be fasting, being still and talking to God extensively, and then getting involved. Is that how you and I handle situations when friends are in trouble? Most of us will say a short prayer, a few will fast, and some will offer advice… but not many will show up and get involved.

Back when I was a Head Coach, I once attempted to run a game from the Press Box. It was easy to sit up high and see mistakes. It helped me view the field, but I could never get the “vantage point” I had on the sidelines. I couldn’t read our team’s attitude or feel momentum change. It was difficult to make good decisions because I wasn’t close to the action. 

It reminded me of a principle illustrated by a plaque my Dad had in His office. It was a speech written by Roman General Paullus about a battle he was fighting in Macedonia. It basically said, if you want to give advice on the war, come with us. We will give you a horse and weapons, but if you just want to talk, stay in the city. 

I think this principal applies to Christians.  When our brothers are in peril, we aren’t called to only give advice… we are called to stand next to each other in combat. 

Everybody has opinions… But good friends, pray hard, and then run to the battle. They don’t sit comfortably and send recommendations; they enter the skirmish. When those you love are in trouble, hit your knees and pray. Communicate with God about it. Then instead of sending your advice… suit up and bring it with you as you fight side by side for your friend.

“The city itself furnishes an abundance of staples for conversation; let it confine its passion for talking within its own precincts, and rest assured that we shall pay no attention to any councils but such as shall be framed within our camp."  - Aemilius Paullus

Ephesians 2:10 3/10/2026

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.”

The American dream conjures up pictures of retiring in a lounge chair on a beach or sitting on the back porch gazing at the mountains. We dream of working hard, making our mark, and then coasting into retirement.  

That sounds good and has been promoted to us continuously, but there is one small problem…. Retirement isn’t found anywhere in the Bible. (See Moses, Abraham, John the Apostle, etc.) Even the Levites working in the tent of the meeting, who got to stop the heavy lifting at 50, continued to labor for the Lord. 

Our verse this morning clearly says we ARE God’s work, created to DO God’s work,  and there is no expiration date on our usefulness as it is to be our way of life. So, you may be able to retire from your professional “busyness”, but that simply allows you more time to chase what matters. 

In fact, this passage indicates that your schedule for today was created before you were.  What if those of us who are “more seasoned” didn’t follow society's expectations that we rest on our achievements – and instead enthusiastically pursued the good work God still has planned for us to do.  How energizing is it to know that, by God opening your eyes this morning, He is indicating that He still has tasks for you to complete. 

Young people in our culture have been rebuked for not valuing their elders… But perhaps we older ones need a little scolding for allowing age to make us question our ability, stamina, and importance. 

There is a difference between resting and being idle. Resting temporarily is necessary; it refreshes and strengthens you. Being idle is detrimental and allows you to drift into ineffectiveness. Paul said he “finished the race.” Races are finished sprinting to the end and leaning into the tape. Quit looking for an easy chair and instead run hard after what God has specifically equipped you to do today. 

Each year that you have lived has given you more wisdom and knowledge, training you to achieve the tasks God has planned for you today. So, saddle up. You can retire when you hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant”. 

“Don’t let the Old man in” – Clint Eastwood

2 Chron 34:18-19 3/3/2026

“Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.”  

As I was reading scripture this morning I struggled to concentrate. I have lots of things to do today so I was rushing through my quiet time. Then I read this: “When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes…” and it stopped me in my tracks. It dawned on me that putting in time is irrelevant if I don’t put in passion. When King Josiah came across the book of the Lord he was devastated by its reading… It changed his heart and changed his course - and God noticed. 

It is embarrassing to contrast my response to scripture this morning with King Josiah’s reaction. We are both reading words from the one and only True God - but he reacted with emotion and commitment… while I, at best, checked a box. 

When is the last time we figuratively “tore our clothes” and wept at the reading of God’s word? Do we view the Bible as a powerful treasure and allow its sacred words to penetrate our hearts? Men have been burned at the stake for translating this book allowing us to read its divine revelations and yet we rush through it, viewing it as a discipline instead of a gift. Instead of allowing it to expose our sin and falling on our faces in repentance… We put in our time and go about our day.

That must change. The Word of The Lord should strike like lightening, pierce our core, and change our direction. Each day we should be destroyed by God’s unattainable holiness, and reborn by His unimaginable grace. 

This morning, after reading God’s love letter containing its commandments and messages of restoration, spend the rest of the day wondering why an all-powerful, all-knowing God would choose to communicate with us in the first place. Let your unworthiness drive you to figuratively “tear your clothes”. Whenever you read about God’s love, it should hit you as if you’re hearing it for the first time.

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us … let God do most of the talking.”  — D.L. Moody