Into 2016!

Joshua 1.1-9

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Moses, my servant is dead.

The end of an era

The finality of death 

God is in control

The death of Moses did not mean the end of Plan of God for His people.

New frontiers ahead for us:

Haiti Trip March 4-18

2 more, possibly three in the making this year. I believe we are going to see that church building completed. 

Nazarene Cafe on Valentines Weekend

Live Streaming our services soon.

The equipment is in and ready.

This means that people all around the country and the world will be able to watch our Sunday Morning Worship Service Live on their computers, laptops, iPads, iPhones and Smart TVs

Homeless Ministry

Psalm 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous

How do we go into 2016?

On our knees!

Psalm 3:3-4

1. Pray!

Part of preparation for the crossing of the Jordan River into conquest of the land was consecration.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 

Prayer in our Bible Studies

Reviving our once a month prayer meetings on Sunday Evenings at the parsonage beginning next week with Haiti.

Prayer in your personal times: We prayed for over the church financial situation this past year and God answered and did immeaurably more than we could have imagined. He is taking care of this building and two churches!

Prayer when you are together for the church and its work.

2. Be strong in the Word

This particular Word this morning. 1.2

Joshua 1:2-3 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 

It is for the nation/ church

It is for each individual like it was for Joshua who makes up the Body of Christ.

*Moses, My servant is dead.

We faced the death of dear Roseanne this past year.

We are facing the soon departure of Bob Pawson.

Some have faced it personally.

I remember an encouraging note when I lost my Dad from Jay Bergers. It was appropriate that he went to be with the LORD at this time. Now i the time to allow our faith shine. Last evening with Helen and her family. Margot encouraging me to go back. 

Now is the time to apply the Book of Joshua, to claim its promises!

The whole counsel of God. 

Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 

Now...

Get ready

3. Let Go

Of

doubts

past failures

past ways of doing things

vs.6,7,9 Be strong and courageous

We have never passed this way before.

There will be obstacles that can only be overcome through prayer.

Romans 4:18-21 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 

Only one letter and an apostrophe between Let Go and Let's Go but it is huge!

Let's Go!

When the Angels Had Left Them

Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

The wise men followed the star they had seen in the east until it came over the place where Jesus was.

God directed them out by a dream.They had their instructions.

The Angel Choir sang. Then they left the shepherds. They had their announcement. The invitation to come and see came from the angels in the form of a choir. Shepherds Field today in the outskirts of Bethlehem.

The star, the angels, the dream were times of God speaking directly to hearts in supernatural ways.

We have to be careful. They are wonder filled and yet are not to be sought after. There are times when the LORD interupts our lives and does something unexplainable but that is not the normal ebb and flow of life. What happens after these exoeriences is what matters... The LORD is looking for obedience always.

He caught these men off guard. They were going about their work when God came to them in an unusual way. He does this from time to time to get our attention so we can be do works of service for Him. He comes to us to reveal something He wants us to do.

What we do after an extraordinary experience is all important.

When the Angels had left them...

1. Supernatural appearances are usually brief.

A few moments

Get our attention

Show us something ahead

The Angels in the sky that night over Bethlehem was spectacular. Wen it was over they listened to what the Angel of the LORD proclaimed.

When Jesus led Peter, James and John up Mount Hermon and was transfigured before them, Peter wanted to build three tabernacles. He wanted to keep the awesome and amazing experience going.

 Mark 9:2-7 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, they were so frightened. Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” 

Again obedience, looking to what is to follow in the form of following the LORD is so important after He comes to us in a supernatural way. Mark 9:9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 

2 Peter 1:16-18 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain. 

See Peter never forgot the experience. He even referred to it years later as Jesus told the three He would. John also wrote about it. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

2. Supernatural appearances are for a purpose.

General

Genesis 12:1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 

Specific Giving instructions as to what to next.

Obedience is always appropriate.

Sometimes it is an interuption. 

There is no way to follow Jesus without Him interfering with your life.

Sometimes we are inconvenienced.   

When God's Hand is upon us it is always right to proceed. 

Luke 2:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” straightway NASB

3. Our Obedience is often tested by adversity.

Genesis 22:1-2 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”“Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” 

For some reason our Haiti Trip next month was not coming together like it should. Kevin, Adly and I spoke last Sunday. I had been praying. Then this week it seemed like it was. Then the doors shut. We postedponed it to March- wisdom came from counsel. We are being tested. I am being tested. It is causing us to rely more on the LORD which is always good. 

We are beginning to see why. This does not always happen

Gene Edwards - A Tale Of Three Kings

How strange, is it not, what suffering begets? 

Psalms David wrote.

Spiritual Maturity.

A change in perspective.

This too will pass- James last nighgt after I spoke to him about my back pain.

4. The Adversity Makes Us Strong By Breaking Our Hearts.

Spiritual strength does not lie in the outward clothing of the power of God alone. It lies within the brokenness of spirit. It lies in taking disappointment well. It is with the crucible of life that character emerges. C.S. Lewis believed that it was not until a man was tortured that you found out the true character of the man.

How a an handles adversity alwasy shows the kind of man he is. God changes us by our daily walk with Him. During that walk there is the Valley of the Shadow of Death, there are time when we ask why are we downcast. There are times when we are in awe of God's ways because we do not understand.

Supernatural experiences are wonder filled. They are for purposes. After they occur we must follow Christ.

Acts 26:19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 

Acts 26.1-23

Psalm 119:49 Remember Your word to your servant, for You have given me hope. 

When God spoke to you, personally, when He put His Hand upon you, when He revealed Himself in a special way... could have been a long time ago. Expectation, Waiting. Let Him stir your heart this morning and follow Him.

For All The People

Matthew 2.1-12

The Magi / Wise men were the first non Jewish people to come to worship Christ. Souls from another nation were guided to Christ by God. He did it with a star. Albert Einstein said, "Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind." The star was probably a Supernatural Light sent by God to point them to the exact place. A Supernatural Star after a Supernatural Announcement of a Supernatural Birth. If they had followed the star instead of going to Jerusalem Herod would not have known about it and the slaughter of the baby boys would not have taken place. Heaven was rejoicing and hell was reeling at the Birth of Jesus.

The Wise men came from where the human race began, from what is called the cradle of civilization. 

This is where Abraham was from, where the Jews were taken into captivity, where the prophet Daniel had lived and prophesied and served in government. These men came to worship Christ the newborn king. Somewhere in between 40 days and 2 years of age they arrived.

They could have heard about the coming of Jesus through the Jewish people there in captivity or they could have studied the prophecy of Daniel which pinpoints the time of the Anointed One. It was probably both.

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. 

Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 

Luke 2:29-32 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 

The nation of Israel needed a Messiah. The whole World needed a Savior.

The Political situation of first century Israel.

Luke 2.1/ Matthew 2.2  Caesar Augustus/ Herod

The Spiritual condition of First Century Israel

2 Corinthians 3:15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 

Romans 11:25-26 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,“The Deliverer will come from Zion,He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” 

Jesus came as the Messiah to be the Savior of the world. Today a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ, the LORD.

So Jesus was born. He grew up in Nazareth. Jospeh was a carpenter there. He went about doing good, teaching and performing miracles. He died and rose again. Just before He ascended back into heaven He gave the His Disciples a commission, the Great Commission...

1. The Great Commission Sent the Disciples of Jesus Into All The World. Matthew 28.18-20

It was prophesied by the Angel of the LORD that appeared to the shepherds... A Savior... Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. Around 6am EST this morning... Two suspects have been held for questioning. Air France Flight 463 enroute to Paris made an emergency landing in Mombasa after the device was found in the plane's bathroom. Suspicious Device on Flight Confirmed as Bomb by Kenyan Authorities.  473 people were on board. Certainly the peace the world gives but Jesus Himself said that. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

 John records at the end of the first century the account of Jesus coming and mission: John 1:11-14 He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

Acts is a record of it being fulfilled.

Acts 1.8 Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.

Acts 17:6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 

Friend of Sinners and this...

Hope they can say  both of  these things about us!

This was a fulfillment of Isaiah 49:6 

Indeed He says,‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant 

To raise up the tribes of Jacob, 

And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;

I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,

That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 

The Great Commission stil sends people today... Haiti... where ever the LORD leads... India...

Our mission giving here goes to over 100 world areas where the Church of the Nazarene is.

Operation Christmas Shoe Box into world areas which are the most difficult. Prayers we send up to heaven on behalf of those suffering persecution for their faith.

God sent His Son to the Savior because

2. Everyone Needs Christ

Some people don't find out til its too late.

Some turn Him away like the inn.

Some put him off like Felix. Acts 24:25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 

 John 1:11-13 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Look at the people who became followers of Jesus, those who Jesus transformed: Tax Collectors- Matthew and Zaccheus, zealot- Simon... he touched those in the military- centurions, women whose lives were a mess- Mary Magdalene and the women at the well and men who were highly respected like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethia. He came for all the people.

Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together.For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 

What is foretold by the prophets is a visible kingdom, with the Messiah reigning on the throne of David, over a reunited Israel and the Gentile Nations in a world empire. 

The kingdom was rejected by the Jews and the King crucified. But He rose again and reigns from on high. One day His Kingdom will fully come to this earth. We wait for that day. Today the offer to entrance to the kingdom is for all the people of the earth. 

Begin thinking of people you know who need Him. Begin to pray. Think of the brokenhearted people.

Invite them to the February Event, Friday, February 12th.

The Messiahs Birthplace

Micah 5.1-5a

Micah 5:2-4 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,though you are small among the clans of Judah,out of you will come for Me, One who will be ruler over Israel,whose origins are from of old,from ancient times.” Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God.And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. 

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 

Revelation 1:1-2 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

God had Bethlehem in His heart before the creation of the world. It was always a part of His plan in sending His Son to this earth.

He is a God of Might and Power Who delights in using out of the way places and seemingly insignificant people to accomplish His purposes.

Bethlehem was perfect for this.

1. Bethlehem, the Place of David's Birth

 Bethlehem, the city of David

The place he grew up in.

The place he tended the flock of his family.

1 Samuel 16:10-12 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 

David became Israel's King after Saul died. He was of the tribe of Judah. Joseph and Mary were descendants of David. Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem, the place of His father, David's birth. They certainly did have the look of royalty- a young carpenter and his wife, humble, working class.

It is translated The House of Bread.

John 6:35, 41 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 

With Jerusalem 6 miles away, Bethlehem was a very insignificant place. Many believe the place where the temple sacrificial sheep were raised.

2. Bethlehem, Least Among the Tribes of Judah

The previous chapter is about the Daughter of Zion, Jerusalem.

God delights in using nobodies. 

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. 

Celebrity Christianity is a gross distortion.

God is using unnamed people all around the earth today who are advancing His Kingdom. Friends who are undercover missionaries in a place where it is forbidden by the government.  Friends in India running orphanages and ministering to lepers, Young pastors in Cambodia planting churches. You who put together shoeboxes going to needy parts of the world, part of millions going out. Least, small, God has chosen the weak things of the world.

Our faith in Him is used by Him to show His great power and so that no one can boast before God.

3. Bethlehem Today

Church of the Nativity

Christmas Carols About It

Philip Brookes

O Little Town of Bethlehem

After an early dinner, we took our horses and rode to Bethlehem,” so he wrote home in Christmas week of 1865. “It was only about two hours when we came to the town, situated on an eastern ridge of a range of hills, surrounded by its terraced gardens. It is a good-looking town...

Somewhere in those fields we rode through the shepherds must have been. . . . As we passed, the shepherds were still “keeping watch over their flocks or leading them home to fold.” Mr. Brooks returned in September, 1866, and it must have been while meditating at home over what he had seen that the carol took shape in his mind.

Lewis Redner writes:“As Christmas of 1868 approached, Mr. Brooks told me that he had written a simple little carol for the Christmas Sunday-school service, and he asked me to write the tune to it. The simple music was written in great haste and under great pressure. We were to practice it on the following Sunday. Mr. Brooks came to me on Friday, and said, ‘Redner, have you ground out that music yet to “O Little Town of Bethlehem”?’ I replied, ‘No,’ but that he should have it by Sunday. On the Saturday night previous my brain was all confused about the tune. I thought more about my Sunday-school lesson than I did about the music. But I was roused from sleep late in the night hearing an angel-strain whispering in my ear, and seizing a piece of music paper I jotted down the treble of the tune as we now have it, and on Sunday morning before going to church I filled in the harmony. Neither Mr. Brooks nor I ever thought the carol or the music to it would live beyond that Christmas of 1868.

In our lives- how He works

God is looking for us to offer ourselves to Him.

Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 

A person who has fully given his life over to Jesus will be used in way more wonderful than he can imagine in the work of the kingdom of God on earth.

We think so far ahead at times or we think too much.

We need to be like Isaiah who said when God asked for someone to send. Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 

Great prayer for these times in our church. Rough week. God is purging us. This is the way He strengthens us. Cut back- make us stronger so we will bear even more fruit.

Jesus Here Am I please use me.

A Son Is Born

Matthew 1.18-25

Matthew 1:21, 23, 25 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. 

Luke 3:38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. 

Luke, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, describes Adam as the son of God. He was created without a mother. God formed him.

1 Corinthians 15:45-49 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 

Adam was formed and created by God. Jesus is eternal and was sent from God the Father to this earth. Adam had no mother on earth because he was the first human being. Jesus had no father on earth because He was conceived of the Holy Spirit. Both Jesus and Adam are refered to as the son of God, Jesus with a capital S because He is God, God the Son. Adam was created by Him. He has no beginning or end.

The Old Testament is a geneology of Adam. The New Testament is the geneology of Jesus Christ. Interesting verse in Isaiah's prophecy in the 53rd chapter concerning Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer,and though the Lord makes His life an offering for sin, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand. Jesus will see His offspring. He was not married. Who are His offspring? John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Jesus' offspring are those who believe. His family is comprised of those who believe.

Hebrews 2:11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given.

Matthew goes back to Abraham in his geneology.

Luke goes back to Adam.

John goes back into eternity.

1. The Virgin Birth

He came miraculously.

Isaiah prophesied this. 7.14

God the Father sent His Son. Mary with child by the Holy Spirit.

John 3.16

The virgin birth is a mystery. To those of us who believe we are familiar with the mysteries of the faith. One of the biggest ones for me is why He chose me. 

Mysteries of God are to be adored. There are mysteries in a normal birth. How much more is this supernatural one! A miraculous conception. Son of God and Son of man.

There is the finite and the Infinite, there is the mortal and the Immortal, corruption and Incorruption, the manhood and the Godhead, time married to eternity!- Spurgeon  

There was a short time when, as far as we can see, no one except Mary herself, believed what the angel had told her. Talk about lonliness! 

Virgin Birth- unlike any other birth involving a man and a woman.

*Jesus is from eternity. He had no beginning. He was with the Father in Heaven before He came to earth.

*He was given by His Father (John 3.16) 

*He was born of Mary which was the way He came into this world

Joseph must have been filled with a strange and agonizing perplexity as he pondered this. 

So Mary had a problem. She knew the truth but also knew no one would believe her. They would assume the worse. People often do. Joseph is an example for us. Even though he feared the worse he did not act in an exteme manner. He could have pushed for the full extent of the law. John 8:5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 

Joseph was acting in mercy like God. Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice

Marrying Mary was to protect her and the secret would be kept for sometime.

Matthew 1:24-25 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. 

2. His Name is Jesus

Why this name?

Joshua, son of Nun rescued his people, Israel, from their enemies.

Jesus, the Son of God, came to rescue people from their sins.

Jesus, the Name Above all names.

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and  gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father. 

1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. 

John 20:30-31 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 

3. He is the Savior of the World.

He shall save His people from their sins.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 

Go and tell this week, this month

Come and see... this week... this Friday night.

Wonderful Counselor

Isaiah 9.1-7

Wonderful Counselor and the other titles were not just nice sounding words. The Jews named their children to describe what they were. Ex/ Esau, Jacob, John

Wonderful Counselor or Counselor of Wonder describes Who Jesus is and what He does. He is not just called that. That is Who He is. The word "name" means reputation or fame. It comes from the root word "to ordain".

We live in a time of great change, a time of terror, a time of great uncertainty  Things that were once dependable are no longer there for us. 

We are seeing such incredible changes sociologically. They are bringing stress to all age levels.

We are seeing more complication today with relationships inside of families. A holiday like Thanksgiving brings this out, augments it. Christmas even more so.

America’s notorious Thanksgiving sales descended into violence with many renaming it Whack Friday after fights broke out among bargain hunters.

Shocking scenes erupted in Louisville, Kentucky, the home of Muhammad Ali, after two men began punching each other as hundreds of shoppers looked on.

As the fight erupted, a woman was knocked to the ground as the men are seen grappling with each other in an effort to subdue one another.

Police were forced to intervene to break up the pair after the men had gone toe-to-toe with their bags lying nearby.

In the Florence Mall, in Florence, Kentucky, a huge brawl broke out off involving more than dozen youths.

Other things are happening which lets us know we are in a new reality. Law enforcers  with bullet proff vesrs holding machine guns at the base of the Christmas Tree in Rockerfeller Center.

Times are a changing!

We  are facing the holidays with pain this year.

We grieve the loss of our dear Roseanne this morning. Some of us have received heart breaking news this week. Other are faced with overwhelming decisions while still others see things coming ahead that will be life changing. We need Him as our Grief Counselor today. And what a Help He is!!!

Jesus! what a help in sorrow!

While the billows o'er me roll,

Even when my heart is breaking,

He, my comfort, helps my soul. 

Jesus! what a guide and keeper!

While the tempest still is high,

Storms about me, night o'ertakes me,

He, my pilot, hears my cry

There are times when we need expert advice on a moment's notice. There are times when emotions rise and we need wisdom, counsel. There is One Who stands with us for this today and always. in these times we have an Anchor for the Soul.

Because of these things we need The Wonderful Counselor. We need His help today. He is with us to give us 

1. Jesus is the Counselor Extraordinaire

He is always available.

Ever Present

We go to a Counselor when we are troubled or have questions. Take a Counselor at law. If we having no trouble with legal issues we generally so not call a lawyer and say that everything is fine. We consult a Financial Counselor when have questions about our money, investments or taxes. 

All of these require an appointment and sometimes a long wait. Jesus does not!

He can be all over the earth at the same time.

Omnipresent

He knows everything.

Omniscience

I do not think we think about this enough and thus we worry. I am a work in progress here. The LORD has been teaching me His ways on this. 

Listen to this wonderful advice: Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 

He is compassionate.

Come let us reason together...

He consults with us

Lets us into His confidence.

Proverbs 3:32 For the LORD detests the perverse but takes the upright into His confidence. 

His counsel makes us marvel. Just on how to treat our enemies... so freeing, so powerful, so good. 

There are many things that are hard to understand in this life. The question why is often in our minds. He is such a wise Counselor, The Wonderful Counselor that He does not explain all things to us. It would be more than we can bear. He come to us in those overwhelming times and whispers things to our hearts to help us through them. He comes to us in special ways. The wisest thing you can do today is to trust Him. Commit your life fully into His Hands.

2. Jesus is the Holy Conspirator. 

He is familiar with our ways.

He knows the number of our days.

Teaching us

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

He works all things together for our good.

Romans 8.28

He has ordained things  for us.

Good works.  Ephesians 2.8-9

good= joyful, excellent, distinguished, honorable

All our days written in His Book.

Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your bookbefore one of them came to be. 

all the days ordained for me... all- right up to the end... I remember Mrs. Quinn... she prayed for me each Sunday fro her bed in her home on Union Boulevard.

I marvel at the way the LORD works all things together for our good and His glory. 

Indeed He is the Master Weaver/ the Master Designer.

When we were stressing and trying to figure out the financial situation in the church the past year the LORD had the solution. 

They have done what has needed to be done for a long time in the building, that is bringing it up into the 21st Century. For instance when you walk in the lobby now on the south wall is a large flat screen Samsung TV. It will be used by both churches to play things when people come in. I will be able to use it for Bible Studies like to show pictures of the recent Haiti Trip... all good. We are having an arcade sign out on the Pine Acres side that will feature upcoming events, service times for both churches. The roof (which I have been pushing to get done) will be done within a few weeks. The grounds look great (they worked on them yesterday). 

My prayer is that we will take full advantage of this time and see the LORD work miracles in our church. This is our day, our time. If we miss it, it will be our doom. God help us.

May God help us in this time we have been given.

A word about the finances. While the church operating costs will be paid by the Spanish Church this is not the time for us to hold back on giving. We give primarily to honor God, to store up treasure in heaven. Continue to decide what to give in your heart. Practice tithing as the floor not the ceiling of your giving. Consider going to Haiti to help. 

He is Haiti this morning. Pastor Joes Mother died suddenly on Moday of this week. He is helping them. What we have seen happen there with the building is a miracle. What we are seeing happen here is a miracle as well. God continues to work.

Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,And new things I declare;Before they spring forth I tell you of them.” 

3. He works out the Purpose of His Father for Us.

He makes masterpieces.

You are in the process.

He has a plan devised just for you and the people around you.

He has you here at this time in human history. 

He has purposes for you in His Plan fo this time.

He is the Wonderful Counselor.

 

The Work Was Done By God

Nehemiah 6:15-16 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. 

God was the One Who had done the work. This does not mean that Nehemiah and his men and the people of Jerusalem sat around and did nothing. On the contrary they worked with all their heart. The people had a heart to work. (4.6) They started work a the first light of dawn and worked until the stars came out. (4.21)

This was an amazing feat. That the work too place at all was amazing but if that was not enough it was completed in in 52 days!

Nehemiah had a vision of what needed to be done. Visions can be symbolic or they can be realistic. Sometimes God shows in a dream the finished product (Brooklyn Tabernacle/Carol Cymbala)

He heard about the pitiful situation of Jerusalem from his brother: Nehemiah 1:3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”  Later he would appoint his brother, governor over the rebuilt city. (7.2)

This was difficult work in and of itself. Rebuilding is often more difficult than building something new. Renovations are more challenging at times than new construction. From all the way to the excitement that accompanies brand new construction to the field being cleared and ready for materials to be brought in.

Nehemiah encountered opposition as soon as he arrived. Sanballet and Tobiah went to great lengths to disuade him from thr work.

He had problems within the workers.

I have heard some things about the decision with the Spanish Church. I may have failed in communicating this to you properly.

1. They are not taking over. We still hold the deed to this church and property. We can terminate the agreement anytime we wish with a 90 day notice.

2. No one is moving into the parsonage with me. The house owned by the church as wel is ours. I will be moving my study completely back to 1312 Pine Acres Blvd. 

3. We will continue to worship upstairs at 10am. The Bible Studies will continue at their regular time. 

4. The Spanish Church will completely take care of our building, grounds and expenses in this building. For instance they have several roofers in their congregation and the roof will be repaired by them at no cost to us.

5. I fully expect both congregations to flourish. Already movement has begun... I stopped in last evening on a group of half a dozen young adults who will begin to minister to the needy in the downtown Bay Shore area soon. More to come. December 11th... invite people to come to this dinner.

Catered by Exit 42 Deli...

There were even attempts to take him out- to kill him.

How is the work of God  done? Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. 

It was the LORD Who had brought Nehemiah into a position in the Court of the King. Just like Moses and Joseph and Daniel and Esther, the LORD brings HIs people to a place where they can deliver thei people.

It was the LORD in answer to Nehemiah's prayers along with fastings for 4 months that moved the heart of King Artaxerses to let Nehemiah go and send him with letters for materials for the rebuilding.

It was the LORD Who gave the people a heart to work.

It is His Work and with Him doing it through us certain things happen.

1. We see it.

What did Nehemiah see?

He saw God answer prayer as he went before King Artaxerses. He had prayed for 4 months. 

He saw God open the door for him to speak.

He saw God open the heart of the king to allow  him to go.

He saw God open heaven and pour out blessing through the king for materials for the wall.

He saw the people work.

He heard the opposiition and continued with the work.

He listened to and acted upon the people's complaint. 

He saw the work completed.

He kept his focus on why he went to Jerusalem in the first place. It is easy to lose sight of the goal if we pay attention to the disturbances and annoyances. 

He remained very humble before the LORD.

We have been thinking of rebuilding a lot around here. It is amazing to me to see the plan of the LORD unfold. We began a year ago this September with rebuilding the house of God in Haiti and here. Both buildings have been worked on. More work will come... the roof will be done by the Spanish Church- they have roofers in their church! 

The spiritual rebuilding has begun. We are thinking more about the future of our fellowship. The danger is now that we have relief financially we are tempted to relax. Let us turn the prayers for help with the finances  to giving thanks for answering this prayer and then asking the Holy Spirit to continue now to bring in a harvest of souls. Let us seek the LORD to be all He desires for this portion of the Island. Opportunities abound!!! So does His grace and his Spirit! 

John 7:38-39 Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. 

It is crucial for us to allow the Spirit to flow freely from our lives to others. So many Christians have the Holy Spirit all bottled up inside of them. Let Him gush forth!

2. We colabor with the LORD.

This is a way of God.

This is how He works.

He wants us involved.

He wants others to join in. 

He is building up His family.

Spiritually

Numerically

Eternally

3. The enemies of God see it!

They perceive it=to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider, discern, distinguish, give attention to.

Things that are said by our enemies about the work of God before it is done:

*How will they ever do this?

*Who do they think they are?

*They will never be able to this!

*This has never been done before.

"Anything God has ever done, He can do now. Anything God has ever done anywhere, He can do here. Anything God has ever done for anyone, He can do for you." - A.W. Tozer

After it is done:

Nehemiah 6:15-16 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. 

Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 

Acts 4:14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 

Dedication To The Work of God

Nehemiah 5:14-19 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land. Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people. Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people. 

I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work..

Nehemiah and those with him were dedicated to the work of God. He was clear in his mission. He went there to  rebuild the walls around Jerusalem and restore its gates. There were 12 gates. The walls were over 2 miles in length. Today the walls are 40 feet high and several feet thick.

Nehemiah 4:6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. 

Nehemiah had a clear mission. He knew why he went to Jerusalem and what he was to do. He was like the men of Issachar, I Chronicles 12:32 men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do... They had a specific mission. What is our mission as a church? We are here to be light in the world, the salt of the earth. God has us here to be a lighthouse. Now we cannot be that unless we love each other, pray, stay in His Word... He wants us to be fruitful fishers of men.

Rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem would enable them to be the city God intended them to be. Look at what was said concerning Jerusalem in the Psalms of Ascents:

Psalm 122

Psalm 125:1-2 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people both now and forevermore. 

Psalm 128:5 May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 

Psalm 137:5-6 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. 

Jerusalem in Nehemiah's time was the center of worship, in the Temple the place of the Golden Lampstand burning to proclaim they were the light for the world.

Now it is in ruins, its walls are broken down and its gates burned. Nehemiah has come to rebuild and restore it.

As I have mentioned this was very difficult work. The debris and rubble from the destruction of Jerusalem was in the way at times. They were working on a mountain, making it much more challenging. Jerusalem is dry and at times hot. Not much rainfall or even cloud cover. Yet as we just read, at this point in Nehemiah,  they rebuilt the wall to half its height. Amazing to see the progress God brings about on projects for His glory. When a building is going up dedicated to the LORD, and you have qualified people directing it and willing workers, miracles happen.

This book serves as a guidebook for anyone wanting to serve the LORD. It is a classic on the subject of personal service for Christ and the kingdom. It shows how to dedicate oneself to the work of God.

Serving Christ today is a challenge. It requires total dedication. Too many approach the work of God with a careless atttitude, not with the passion we ought to have for it. We let other things interefere. 

1. Dedication to the Work of God requires sacrifice.

Work for the LORD costs us something.

For Nehemiah he left the comfortable position of cupbearer to King Artexerxes and the beauty of the palce of the Persian Empire to go to the city of Jerusalem which lied in ruins. He gave up many creature comforts. Are we willing to do that?

It also can mean ridicule by the enemy. There is a spiriutal battle we take on when we begin to do spiritual work. There are spiritual battles that every worker for the LORD will encounter as he or she seeks to do the Work of God. This can only be fought through prayer.

A deep prayer life means sacrifice. 

Sleep was even sacrificed.

Pleasure- look at Nehemiah's personal testimony of this!

2. Dedication to the Work of God requires reverence.

It is a holy work.

It is His Work.

It is the most important work.

We will live with our involvement in it for eternity.

Storing up riches in heaven... as Jesus spoke about in Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

We  are His Workmanship. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

3. Dedication to the Work of God reveals character.

What an example Nehemiah was!

He refused the luxuries. Moses did this as well. 

Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 

If we are dedicated to the LORD we are going to have to reject the country club Christianity of America. We are going to have to seek His Kingdom above all else.

Nehemiah refused the luxuries. He embraced the work. He faced the opposition and did all he could to complete the task of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem and restoring its gates.

Our church is going through some restoration. We have prayed for help with the finances and the LORD has answered. December 6th the Spanish Church we began in 1990 will return to share the facilities with us. They will shoulder the cost of the church. The long struggle of trying to pay bills is finally over. This will give us enormous freedom. There will be changes. The biggest change immediately will be our service time. We will move it to 10am on Sunday Mornings beginning December 6th. Let me say a few words... it will mean an adjustment. I am even asking more than half an hour from some of us. I really need you all here upstairs ready to worship at 10 sharp. It will take effort but we can do it. 

It is my hope that we will work together with them and they with us. For instance in talking to Pastor Mauricio we discovered that next year his oldest daughter and my oldest grandson will attend Gardiner Manor School together. This is a new time. A new generation emerging. Way back in the early 1990s our youth group had a significant impact on the schools and when Billy Graham was here a number of their friends came to Christ. I am looking for the LORD to do something like that again!

If we look at this whole package as the Spanish Church bailing us out we will not only miss a great blessing but a golden opportunity. We simply cannot continue as we are. We will fall into a hole financially we never get out of. Something must change. God is freeing us up to be sent out, to be free from a great deal of stuff of maintanence and so giving time to ministry. We can and should flourish.

A number of years ago a Chinese Church had me come and share with their young people once a month. The youth wanted their service in English. Then every three months they would combine the two groups of adults who spoke Mandarin Chinese and the young people who prefered English. They rented a Lutheran Church in Hicksville. I told them that they had a great opprtunity... to share the gospel  without having to care for a church. their priority could be like the early church... we are being handed that today! This is a gift.

They will be meeting around our schedule and us around theirs. Our Bible Studies will continue. Our service and fellowship time as well. Knowing that there is no perfect solution to any problem we will face issues that arise with sharing the facilities with love and grace. 

Bay Shore is changing. Today 45% of our community is White American. 30% is Spanish. This population will continue to increase.  We are going to reflect the change here. We are going to flourish in the change! God will help us!

Martin Luther King spoke these words in 1967 in New York City:

"We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. 

President Ronaold Reagan:

“You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. If we fail, at least let our children and our children’s children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done.”

We have a rendezvous with destiny. It is the future of the Bay Shore Church of the Nazarene. If we continue with our current situation and make no change we will go under, if we seek to maintain or just survive we will fail. If we look at this as an answer to prayer and a gift from God and change our thinking and look to the fields that are ripe for harvest then more prayers will be answered, prayers our youth are praying, that God would bring this church into a new day, fill it to overflowing with souls.

Moses said to Israel: Deuteronomy 11:26-28 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. 

Let us go with God. Let us look at the opportunity we have been given. Let us seize this time and make a difference in this portion of the Island and to the uttermost parts of the earth for the sake of the Kingdom of God and for His glory. With God before us who can stand against us?

The Hand of My God Upon Me

Nehemiah 2:8-9 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. 

Walls and gates of cities mean nothing today but in Bible times they meant almost everything. Torn down walls left the people open to attack and plundering by vicious neighbors. The walls of the city were its security, protection, pride and honor. They were synonymous to locks on our doors and radar in our country to detect an incoming attack.

With this understanding, Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house,the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain, takes on even greater meaning.

The walls of Jerusalem were not only significant to the the city itself, but since the city was the place the LORD had chosen for the temple and worship of Him there, since it was the city David captured for that purpose, and that it was the seat of governent for the nation under its kings, the walls knocked down put the city in disgrace and all these things with it.

This news moved Nehemiah to his depths. Whenever the Name of God, the holy things or the people of God are in disgrace we should react the same as Nehemiah did. It hurts deeply when I hear of moral failure among God's people. It hurts when the Word of God is mocked by unbelievers- deepy upsets my soul. When I read of His people in need I want to respond in whatever way I can, even if it seems insignificant. 

Nehemiah heard the news. He prayed and waited upon God. Then when the opportunity came he acted fully. God gave him great success (not without opposition) because of Good Hand of His God upon him. There are two Hebrew words for hand. One means closed hand. The word used here is the one which means Open Hand. When the Hand of God is open and upon us we can expect to receive one blessing after another.

It is important to draw a disticntion and it is a huge distinction between personal blessings of God and the blessings of God which are to be given directly to others, in which we are channels, conduits, transmitters. In one way all blessings come under this umbrella. They all come from God and are His. Perhaps it can be better understood as those blessings He gives us the choice to use as we desire (all for His glory) and those blessings which in which we are His Hand extended to others. Those have a specific purpose and we are being entrusted to us to see that they are delivered to the ones God intends for them to go to.

The good Hand of God upon Nehemiah was not for personal gain or pleasure. It was not like winning Lotto or a prize or even a windfall. It was for him to accomplish the will of God in rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. The good Hand of his God was upon him to do a work for the glory of God. It was about the kingdom of God.  The Good Hand of our God upon us to work through us and do wonders to help others in need.

When the Open Hand of our God is upon us we discover...

1. The Hand of God is a Gracious Hand. -v.8

 Good, Gracious= beautiful, bountiful, glad, joyful, prosperity 

To sense His Hand upon you is an awesome thing!

To experience the blessings that come from and see how they are blessing others is often beyond words.

His good Hand is:

-Beautiful. There is a holy beauty that comes from the Hand of God upon His servant. The wall that Nehemiah built was beautiful. There was even a gate called this, the one Jesus rode through. In a way Nehemiah was preparing the way for the LORD... literally through the gate which was built. That is part of what I was trying to say last week... through planting seeds, watering where others have planted, through our good deeds, we are preparing a heart to receive the LORD. His work on these walls prepared the nation and the world for the presentation of the Messiah.

-Bountiful

God is a God of abundance. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine.

He is God of miracles and wonders!

When His Hand is upon us He works wonders.

It is expressed here in Deuteronomy 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. 

-Joyful

The results of Gods Hand being upon Nehemiah and Ezra brought great joy to Jerusalem. The temple and the walls around the city were rebuilt. 

Psalm 126:1-3 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter,our tongues with songs of joy.Then it was said among the nations,“The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us,and we are filled with joy. 

The accounts in Ezra and Nehemiah tell of the joy of the people as the work was completed and dedicated.

2. The Hand of God is Mighty.

The throne of God is more powerful than any throne or kingdom on earth (Ephesians 1.15-23)

Deuteronomy 4:34 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? 

Deuteronomy 11:2-3 Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the LORD your God: His majesty, His mighty hand, His outstretched arm; the signs He performed and the things He did in the heart of Egypt, both to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his whole country; 

You saw them! You have seen the Hand of God upon things, His mighty Hand! Let your faith rise up and push away doubt in your life today! Remember wonderful answers to prayer you have received! Keep those victories in mind, meditate upon His wonderful works (Psalm 77.12)

The name for God here is what we translate Almighty God.

 

Remember today the things He has done! 

In His Word

In Your Life

In Answer to your prayers

We are in a season of Thanksgiving. Part of Thanksgiving is remembering. 

We give thanks for the blessings of today.

We are also thankful for the goodness of God in the past.

-He has been with us.

-He has protected us.

-He has helped us.

There have been times in all of our lives when we wondered how we were going to make it, perhaps even if we were going to make it, but here we are!!!

3. The Hand of God is Provisional.

Philippians 4.19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

He provided for Nehemiah.

He even used King Artarxeres. 

He is providing for us.

He will provide for you!

4. The Hand of God is Precise.

Deuteronomy 11:4 what he did to the Egyptian army, to its horses and chariots, how he overwhelmed them with the waters of the Red Sea as they were pursuing you, and how the Lord brought lasting ruin on them. 

His Timing is perfect.

Just as the army of Pharaoh gto in the middle of the Red Sea God let it go. Perfect timing. We balk at times about why God is not intervening.... why Jesus does not come back today... 

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 

His Touch is Divine.

The good hand of My God upon me... this is one of the ways heaven connects with earth. With precison design He causes all things to work together for my good. He is working all things together for His glory.

Nehemiah experienced the good Hand of His God upon him and he was able to accomplish the impossible for the Glory of God. 

II Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.