Remember Me...

There was only one thing to do with him.

"He needs to be removed from the congregation." 

A couple men looked at Nehemiah like he was crazy. Maybe he was crazy - if it was indeed crazy to protect what the Lord had deemed sacred, then yes, Nehemiah was full-blown crazy.

A group of men had just approached Nehemiah, feeling a burden to share what they had learned. Nehemiah had been talking with a group of close confidants about the reforms he had been enforcing among the people. The group of men had approached Nehemiah hesitantly, and at first, he hadn't paid them much attention.

Not until something within him ordered him to turn around and listen to them.

They had awkwardly stumbled and bumbled along before finally getting to the main event. Jehoiada, the son of high priest, Eliashib, was the son-in-law to Sanballat.

Sanballat. 

Even the thought of that man brought a tight feeling to Nehemiah's stomach.

"How can we just remove him? It isn't right, is it?"

Nehemiah shook his head firmly. "Do you know what isn't right? Giving sons and daughters in marriage to nations that don't follow after the Lord. That is not right. There are consequences for such an act. These are Jehoiada's consequences."

The men exchanged looks, and Nehemiah could see it in their eyes that they all thought him to be hard of heart and plain old mean.

Nehemiah rubbed his forehead as he strode in the opposite direction to deal with Jehoiada. He had been getting that a lot lately. 

So he prayed the one thing he could pray. The one thing that had been keeping him going since this started. 

Remember me, oh my God, for good.

Based on Nehemiah 13:28-31

The thing I loved the most about this chapter, was the very end. The very last sentence.

"Remember me, O my God, for good." Nehemiah 13:31b

I just found this to be such a fitting prayer after everything that Nehemiah had done in this chapter, and really, in this book of the Bible. This man was a work horse, and he wouldn't stand for someone desecrating the law of God. 

Which I'm sure got him voted "Most Popular" among the people.

Not.

Think about it. So many of those people had to give up the "fun" things they were using to sin. Now, none of us like to give stuff up, and no one likes to be called on the carpet for something. I'm sure people were gripping left and right about Mr. Nehemiah and all his fancy new rules.

Some of those people would remember Nehemiah as the twit who took away their fun, and some of them would remember him as the man who helped lead the people back to God. 

But this heartfelt little prayer at the end of Nehemiah's story is what gets my heart.

"Remember me, O my God, for good." Nehemiah 13:31b

No matter what I do, no matter what they say about me, I want my actions to be remembered by God as good. One day, I want God to wrap his arm around me and say, "I remember this girl. She was such a faithful servant. I remember her for doing good." What an awesome thing that would be to hear! 

Let that thought be your driving action behind every one your decisions. It doesn't matter what people around you say about the things you believe, the rules you may enforce, or the Godly lifestyle that you live. What matters is that God remembers your actions as good in His sight. That's what makes it all worth while.

"Remember me, O my God, for good." Nehemiah 13:31b

V. Joy Palmer

Spiritual Match-Up

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He finally managed to sputter out, "What?"

"Go to the Temple."

He stood up quickly, knocking the chair he had been occupying to the floor. The clatter reverberated in the otherwise silent room. Nehemiah gave Delaiah a hard look. Something about this stunk more then a day old sheep carcass.

Delaiah was confined to his house. A horrid accident twenty years ago had almost cost him both his legs. While over the years his legs had healed, they had never regained their strength. Delaiah was confined to his house do to his injury, except when people were kind enough to carry him to and fro.

Point was, Delaiah hadn't gone anywhere.

So did someone come to him?

Nehemiah spoke slowly. "You want to meet in the Temple? Not here, but lock ourselves in the Temple because Sanballat and Tobiah are sending men to kill me?"

Delaiah held his harsh glare without so much as a twitch. He was perfectly believable.

Almost.

"You know I can't do that." Delaiah started to speak, but Nehemiah cut him off. "No. I am a leader among these people. I cannot and will not run away. And why would I go into the Temple and lock myself behind their doors? I'm an not consecrated for Temple service. No, the plan is to have me break God's law, and then they will spread this among the people to give me a bad name."

Delaiah didn't speak. He didn't need to. Nehemiah already knew he had hit the truth square on the tent peg.

"Sanballat and Tobiah bribed you. Just like they bribed Noadiah, the prophetess, and the other prophets."

Nehemiah studied the man he had thought he could trust.

It was abundantly clear that the Lord was not with him.

Based on Nehemiah 6:10-14

You might read this story and wonder what was wrong with going into the Temple to hid out? Surely God wouldn't mind Nehemiah hanging out if it was to save his life, right?

Well, let me just give you a little back story to the Temple. There were certain areas that the people could and couldn't go into. The restricted areas were specifically for the priest who were from the tribe of Levi. Delaiah wasn't suggesting that Nehemiah hand out in the open parts with everyone else. No, he was telling Nehemiah to find the smallest, hidden cranny that he could and camp out there.

You also need to remember that this was before Jesus died for us. His death was the ultimate sacrifice for us, and has absolved us from making further blood sacrifices for our sins. However, while Nehemiah was alive, that wasn't the case. For him to go in there, would have been bringing sin into Holy places.

Nehemiah knew all this. Instead of letting fear from this "man of God" overtake him, he compared what Delaiah was saying to God's commands.

"And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had haired him." Nehemiah 6:12

Delaiah wasn't the only one to be swayed to the dark side with bribes from the enemy. Other prophets tried to trick Nehemiah, too.

None of it worked though.

That's because Nehemiah knew what God had said.

Did any of you ever play that match-up game as kids? All the cards are lying face down, and you can only flip two at a time. If it's two horses, then you have a pair, and you set them aside for yourself as a point. If it's a duck and a rabbit, then you have to flip them back over because you've got nothing. However, on your next turn, you might get a goat and a duck. So on your next turn, you flip the duck cards over and gain another point. That is, if you remember where they are.

All kinds of people are going to tell you things about God. Some of it right, and some of it very, very wrong. You need to know God for yourself. So that when someone says something, you can get out your spiritual match-up cards and think, 'Hmm. Does that match up with what the Bible says?" If it doesn't, then leave it there. That's a snake/devil card, and it's a trap.

Sometimes, even people who look and act like Christians go against God's word. In order for you to know who's who, you need to know God and your Bible. Match it up! If it doesn't match what God says, the flip that card over because you don't want it.

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1

V. Joy Palmer

Tomorrow

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:34

I don't know about yours, but my job is fairly stressful. I run around like a crazy person, never stopping for more than a few seconds. I'm often completely and totally overwhelmed. Especially when I think about what I have to do the next day.

I have always been a little bit of a worrier. But that's pretty foolish, isn't it?

"These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs." Matthew 6:32

Don't dwell on foolish things. Remember the important things, not the (relatively) stupid things, like your job. Family, your faith, and relationship with God, these are the important things.

God knows your needs, He will take care of you. Trust Him.

"Seek the Kingdom Of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33

Sam

Good Comebacks

"Another letter."

Nehemiah turned around to greet the young man, but stopped short when he saw that Banah was not alone. "So it seems." The messenger had an open letter in his hands and a smug look on his face as he scoped the place out. Nehemiah didn't doubt that he was paying extra attention to their guards and any weaknesses they might have.

The wiry little man had a completely innocent look on his face, but Nehemiah could see the darkness in his eyes. Apparently Banah could see it, too, because he didn't move from where he stood behind the man on his right flank.

"May I sit down?" The little man gestured to one of the few cushions in Nehemiah's humble house.

"I think you are fine where you are."

"I see," The messenger said. He walked around a little bit, but stopped when Banah's hand shot to the sword fastened at his hip. Eyeing the sword, the messenger started talking. "It is reported among the nations and Geshem that you and the Jews intend to rebel, and that is why you are building the wall. According to these reports you wish to become their king. It also seems that you have set up prophets to proclaim this about you throughout Jerusalem. They are saying, 'There is a king in Judah.'" He stopped and looked at Nehemiah briefly, lowering his voice to a threatening tenor. "The king will hear of these things." Then he smiled again. "So why don't you come with me and take counsel with Sanballat and Tobiah. I'm sure that together, you can come up with a plan."

Nehemiah shook his head. He knew that they were just trying to scare him and the people. Well, he was done with it! Silently he prayed for God to strengthen his hands before responding. 

"You tell your masters that none of the things they are claiming have been done, and they know it! They are imagining things to make us stop." Nehemiah pointed at the little man," They can invent whatever stories they want to in their minds, but our hands will not drop from the work God has given us." He flicked his wrist, and Banah grabbed the messenger and dragged him out.

Based on Nehemiah 6:1-9

In this section, Sanballat and Tobiah tried to lure Nehemiah away from the people under the guise of a meeting so they could kill him. They sent letters to Nehemiah  four times, and each time Nehemiah answered that he was doing a great work, and couldn't stop it to go meet with them. Then they sent the messenger to Nehemiah, to try and scare him with rumors they had started. Only Nehemiah didn't buy it. 

I love Nehemiah's responses here:

    -I'm too busy.

    -You are full of it.

Perfect responses to the devil, eh?

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

Nehemiah had submitted to God. He trusted in God for his strength, despite what those men where saying and plotting. Because Nehemiah trusted and relied on God, he was not taken down by fear or evil plans. He was able to complete the work God had given him.

"Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house." Matthew 12:29

Seem like a random jump? It's not. The devil can't just tie you up in chains for fear and rob you of your faith in God. He has to be let into the home of your heart, first. Only then can he plunder your soul and take you down. 

Resist the devil. Don't let him into your heart, your house, or your mind! Be ready to tell him to get lost, that your too busy, and that he is full of lies. Be armed with your sword, your Bible, at your side. Have your comebacks ready, but here's one to start you off!

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57 

Amen!

V. Joy Palmer

"Because Of This Amazing Love"

   Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
   For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
   For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
   But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
   Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.   Romans 5:5-9


I happened to hear this song today and than as the Lord brought these verses to mind I really felt like someone out there really needs to hear this today. REMEMBER it is all about His amazing love!

God bless!

"A Shout Of Praise"

Psalm 100:1-5

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness; 

  Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the Lord, He is God; 

  It is He who made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

  And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

  For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, 

And His truth endures to all generations.

Lord, today, as Your people all over the world enter into Your presence, let there be a shout of praise that fills the heavens and declares the thankfulness of a people who knows the goodness and mercy of an amazing God! And Lord, we ask that it would be a shout of praise that proclaims Your goodness to this generation that they too would not only know Your goodness and mercy, but serve You with gladness as well! Lord, out of the abundance of hearts full of praise we give to You a shout that we might bless Your Holy name.

God Bless!!!

Staff of Snack Time Devotions

Grace

"God saved you by grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:8-9

Sometimes, we forget about grace. Truly, it is a simple thing, but it is just so hard for us humans to comprehend. We try to earn it. We try to deserve it. But there is nothing that we can do - It's a gift.

Many of us love to give every bit as much as we do to receive. We receive a gift, we feel obligated to give one back. But we can't in this case. So, we try to act better than we did before we received the free gift.

That's good, we know better now. But we need to be careful about our attitudes. We shouldn't be doing the good things in an attempt to earn our own salvation, or to repay God. We aren't making monthly payments of good deeds to pay off our salvation, like we would a car.

We do the right things to honor God, because we love Him. Be sure that your heart is in the right place.

"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no name under heaven by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

Remember why you do the things you do. The intent, the heart attitude behind our deeds makes all the difference in the world.

Sam