Something old...

The Old Testament reading in the One Year Bible yesterday was Nehemiah 1 - 3:14. I encourage you to check it out! It has the most remarkable blueprint for how to pursue a dream, challenge, or issue in our lives.

1. Nehemiah enjoyed security and prestige as a cup bearer - he had no reason to worry about others, but he stepped out of his comfort zone in concern for those in Jerusalem. In our comfortable, happy lives we need to have soft hearts for the needs of others.
2. Nehemiah models for us how to respond to people who are hurting: he made himself available. He didn't just weep and pray, he offered himself to the Lord to get the job done, depending on God's great power to work through him.
3. Nehemiah was not content to just get answers to his prayers, he was ready to BE THE ANSWER to his prayers.
4. We need to ask ourselves if we are available for God to use us to be an answer to someone's prayers.
5. As we walk through the passage we see: his concern (1 v.2); his empathy (1 v.4); his constant prayer (1 v.4); his confession to God (1 v.6); he knows God's words and promises (1 v.8); he delights in God (1 v.11); he is a good worker (2 v. 1); was afraid but brave (2 v.32&3); sought help from those in authority (2 v. 5); had a plan (2 v.6); knew what he needed (2 v.8); got protection (2 v.9); and worked through resistance from others (2 v.10). He then did research privately(2 v.14); developed a plan and presented it to the people(2 v.16); and weathered the contempt/disbelief of others (2 v.19); he remained confident (2 v.20); he got the help of others (3 v.1-); and the work was done by teams in sections so that the work was shared and not overwhelming (3 v.6-).

That Nehemiah, he's one smart guy!