Sunday Words of Encouragement January 7, 2024 - Burden and Prayer.

We shared in worship and giving and then our Pastor shared the message: A Burden and a Prayer from Nehemiah 1. The message of Nehemiah is to “Revive and Rebuild”. We are beginning a time of fasting and we need to understand how and why.

Take stock of who and where you are. Make an accurate assessment of your condition. Get a real, realistic, report of where you are.
A lost soul can’t be saved until they admit they need a savior.
A change can’t be made until you admit there is a need for a change.
If we look realistically, most of us will realize that we are not where we ought to be. The Church, locally, nationally, and globally, is not where it needs to be. People need to see that they need God.

Don’t focus on what you are hungry for but focus on what God wants. Revival comes when we seek the face and will of God, the Kingdom of God. If you are ready to stop being a “status quo” Christian, fast and seek God’s will.

Nehemiah 1:5-11. Nehimiah prayed day and night. First Nehimiah acknowledges God’s power and greatness. Then he acknowledges the sin of the people, including himself. Then he reminds God of His own word - that God agreed to be merciful and deliver those who turn back to God and obey His commands.

Nehimiah recognized that the Israelites had been scattered due to their unfaithfulness. Now he wants to lead the remnant in being obedient. Nehimiah went to the eternal king before he went to the earthly king to ask permission to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Stand on the promises of God. Ask God to work in you to remove the disobedient and renew the right spirit. When we mean business with God, He is ready to mean business with us.
God does more abundantly than we can even ask. Ephesians 3:20.
God has more for us and our community than we know.

Declare a Holy fast.
1. God search me and convict me of things to remove from my life.
2. Consecrate our fast to God. God show me what sacrifice you want from me.
3. Ask God for your personal needs and for revival in our church and community.

If God is going to do it, take your hand off of it!

I like this song video for today: God of Revival.

Verses for Today:
Nehemiah 1:4-9 NIV
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said:
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’


Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, please show me what to sacrifice in my life for you and show me Your will!