Nehemiah...sharing how the hand of God is moving!! Part 7

Have you ever been a part of something where you can clearly look at it and say "this is the hand of God!!!"?

Over the last few weeks I can clearly say that I know and see the hand of God on what I am doing. I see the leadership team God has put in place for our native outreach. I receive the phone calls from people I do not know who are in need. I am asked by people I do not know to come on board and assist in their communities. I am seeing and sensing a move of God in my life and ministry.

Last night we had a meeting on one of our local reserves with our leadership team. We talked about how clearly we saw God raise up those around the table. We also talked about the reality of the outreach we are doing. It might sound cliche, but it is true. If we are going to see this ministry take off, we need to follow the Lord very closely. We need Him to bless us and give us continued wisdom and orchestrate events we could never do.

Nehemiah in 2:17-18, shows us the proper way to go about beginning to build a ministry/project or anything. He rallies people around a cause and also reveals to them how "the hand of God was upon Him!!" I love the response of the people, "Let us start rebuilding." The message was simple, we need to do this and God is with us!!!

I believe that if there are things the Lord has laid on our heart to do, we need to be able to show others that God is clearly "in it". If others can see God moving they will want to get on board. Conversely, if it is just a good idea maybe we need to evaluate our involvement. Often we are surprised when a good idea falls flat on its face, sometimes that is because it was not of God and sometimes it is not the right timing.

I am reminded of the story of a wise man in Acts named Gamaliel. The people brought accusation against Peter and some of the other apostles and wanted then persecuted. They brought them before Gamaliel who uttered these words, "Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if there purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men, you will only find yourself fighting against God."

May we all sense how and where God is moving!!!

Great first outreach

As we met in the school gymnasium on Saturday afternoon our leaders discussed how many teens we thought would come out to our kickoff event. We were not sure what would take place. We thought anywhere from two to twenty five. We were pleased to have 15 teens attend.

The teens really seemed to enjoy our time together. We had games to keep them busy, a short video and sharing time and then of course we had to eat. Pizza, chips and soda.

The first two teens that arrived were Shania and Maria, sisters. I had worked with these girls before at a different reserve and had not seen the girls in two years or more. It was exciting to see how God allowed our paths to cross again.

One of our goals in this outreach was to build friendships and to determine who some of the leaders were amongst the teens. All of our adult leadership team were able to identify the same two people. We see the potential to build an outreach through the influence of these key teens.

One of the most exciting things for me personally on this day was to have my son Ryne give assistance at the outreach. Ryne is feeling the call of God on his life into full time ministry. He was a natural and the kids really accepted him. It is such a blessing to do ministry with other family.

Please continue to pray for Shelby and her family. I am asking God to show me the best way to reach out to this precious family. I am asking for the favor of God, asking Him to go before me to prepare the way and trusting Him to speak clearly to me.

Native outreach

This past month we have been working hard to put into place a youth group on one of our local Indian reserves. I have seen the hand of God move and I want bo share some of those developments with you.

In order to launch this outreach we needed to have adults on board with us. They need to have a heart for teens and for God. At our first meeting there were three of us. This past Thursday we had four people including two parents who are going to be a part of the leadership team. We also have a Christian police officer who is assigned to the reserve who is part of our team. It was wonderful to share with one another our hearts for the native community and to see the quality of people God is raising up to join in this important work.

Our first actual youth outreach is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. We are all excited about the potential and more importantly what God has placed in our hearts and how He is moving in our midst. We are expecting great things and the Lord has given us a vision of what it can be.

Yesterday was a great day of ministry for me. One of the teens, Shelby, from another reserve in town had run away from a group home. No one really knew where she was. I was able to track her down and spend some time talking with her and her mom. Last night we were able to get her back in the group home. I have been approved to be directly involved in Shelby's life by her mom and by the social worker attending to this case.

During our time of getting this teen back in the group home, her mom was asked a question by one of the directors of the group home. She asked the mom, what is Scott's relation to your family? Her response was "Christian mentor." I can't tell you how thrilled I was to have this family acknowledge me in this way.

Please continue to pray for our outreach on Saturday and for Shelby and her family.

Nehemiah...knowing what God put in his heart Part 6

I just came from a meeting with a couple, where I was able to share what God had placed in my heart to do regarding native outreach to/with teens. I have spent months praying and writing down what God had placed within me on paper. I then had the first opportunity to really share the passion and the direction God has given me for this type of outreach. I have been burdened by this for over three years and the time is now right to begin.

I have shared this prompting in my heart with just a few people. I have known what God was stirring but I continued to wait on God. I could have started long ago, but I really needed to understand in my heart the condition of the teens and their hearts. I needed to get a proper perspective before taking the next step.

In Nehemiah, (2:11-16) we see that Nehemiah had not shared with anyone(with the exception of the king) what God had placed in his heart. He went and took a first hand look at the situation. He waited on God. He rode out alone to see te big picture.

We also understand that he did not even tell the people that were going to be doing the work what God was stirring in his heart. Why? I think it is possible that there would have been a number of people who would have said it couldn't be done. Others would have seen the size of the problem and not the size of God. Others would have told him how and what to do and when and where to start. Yet, Nehemiah wanted to hear straight from God.

I can tell you that it is not always easy to wait on God. Often times we tell other peole what we are going to do and then never follow through. Other times we think we should do something because it is a good idea. Other times people want to move forward at a much faster or slower pace than what God has intended.

I was talking with a young man today who shared that for the last two months he has felt the Lord leading him to start a Bible study for young men his age. He said, "I just can't get away from it." I know I need to do this." My encouragement was, if God is telling you to do it, do it!!!

What is it that God is stirring in your heart to do? Have you really prayed about it? If so, and you feel led, what are you going to do?

Nehemiah...shares his needs Part 5

Ruth and I went out to supper last evening with a couple who are involved in native ministry. They have a summer camp for kids that has been reaching out for a number of years to native children. We had a great time together as we talked about how to be effective in ministry. We talked about things like patience and commitment and being steadfast in how we work with the native community.

I was able to share with them some of the things I felt the Lord was laying on my heart to be involved in, teen ministry and sports ministry topped the list. I shared about some of the teens that I have a burden for.

In turn they shared what the Lord was laying on their hearts. They talked about things like discipleship and follow up with kids from camp. They talked about their challenges and victories. They also shared what their needs were as they head into 2007.

One of the things we discovered is that we could really be able to support one another. We have gifts that could help them meet some of their needs, and they have gifts and insight that could be of benefit to us. I am so glad we took the time to share.

Nehemiah had to share with the king what God had laid on his heart. We can see that Nehemiah was fearful to talk with the king 2.2 We see the king ask Nehemiah a question, "What is it you want?" 2.4 We see Nehemiah pray to God one more time before he answered in 2.5

Nehemiah then proceeds to share his needs with the king. Here is what he shares : I need to go to Judah; I need to rebuild the wall; I need a letter for the governor so I can travel with safety; and I need another letter for Asaph so he can supply me with the necessary lumber.

The kings response is yes!!! Yes, I will supply what you need. Why? The answer is found in 2.8. The gracious hand of the Lord was upon me. It was not because Nehemiah was an eloquent speaker. It was not because Nehemiah used convincing arguments. It was not because Nehemiah was a man of tremendous charisma. It was because God's hand was upon him.

Nehemiah had prayed for God's favor with the king and with man. That is what he received. In fact we see in 2.9 that the king even went beyond what he asked by sending along army officers and the cavalry. Amazing!!! God is good!!!

Nehemiah...understands who God is Part 4

Willim Carey is considered to be the father of modern missions. He is often quoted for saying, "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." Maybe Carey gained this insight from the study of God's Word and from looking at people like Nehemiah.

Nehemiah has been broken for the things of God and the conditon of the people and the city. He has been moved to tears and prayer and fasting. He has repented of the sins of the people. He knows what he needs to do next. Attempt something great. Rebuild the wall and the people.

Nehemiah has a clear understanding of the need for God to move if he is going to have any success. He is reminded of the power of God (Neh 1:10) He is aware that God is going to have to move others on his behalf. He is especially in need of God preparing the heart of the king before he approaches him.

Have you ever prayed a prayer like Nehemiah? I know I have. I have asked the Lord many times "please grant me favor with this person. Lord go before me." I have seen the favor of God level a mountain before I begin to cross over it. I have seen God make a way where there seemed to be no way. I have sensed God moving, preparing the way.

I recall during my time at Bible College I was sensing God stirring my heart. I sensed that the college needed to have an athletic program. I prayed and asked God to make a way and show me what to do. About three weeks later I got a call from the president of the college. He wanted to see me in his office. I was not sure why he wanted to see me, I thought my school bill was paid up.

As I sat down in his office he shared with me that he and others felt that there was a need for a commitment to athletics at the school. He shared that other faculty he had talked with suggested he talk with me about becoming the athletic director. He asked for my thoughts and he asked me to pray about it. I told him I alrerady had for the last three weeks and I accepted on the spot.

The message in this simple I believe. No matter what we attempt to do in life we need to seek God's heart, and once we know it to trust Him to go before us. Nehemiah prayed like this. Many others have prayed like this. We need to understand that if God is in something, no man can stop it. We need God's favor but first we need to know God's will.

Update on Susan...the prodigal

I talked with Susan yesterday on the phone and she has checked herself out of detox after five days. She was feeling like a failure for not completing the program. She was very discouraged.

Earlier in the afternoon I was talking with her dad and he shared with me that Susan had left detox. He asked me, "Is there any hope for her?", the answer is yes. With God there is always hope. What seems impossible with man is possible with God.

While I was talking with Susan I reminded her that we were going to stand by her. I reminded her that God loved her. I encouraged her to look at the positives, that she was able to go without her "pills" for five days. She was able to go without smoking for five days.

Later this week we will be taking Susan to see the womens recovery home where she could go after completing the detox program. I am doing this to help her visualize what help and opportunity is out there for her. Please continue to lift Susan before the Lord. She needs a miracle in her life. God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or think!!!

Nehemiah: man of prayer Part 3

I had an interesting weekend. In fact it was pretty frustrating. I was not happy with the way I reacted to a situation I was faced with. I reacted first and I was wrong.

Before I could bring anything else before God this morning I had to repent of my attitiude. I had to confess my sinful attitude and allow God to move on my heart. Then I was ready to pray for the needs that are before me and others.

We see in Nehemiah that before he asked anything of God he repented of his sins and the sins of his father's house and the nation of Israel. Often we want God's blessing but we are not repentant.

Once he had a clean heart he reminded God of His promises. He knew God's promise was to bless His people, and bring them back home if they were faithful. He was standing in the gap for the exiled people.

I believe we need to have our hearts in the right place if we expect to see God move in power. In Psalm 51:17 reads "a broken and contrite spirit, O God you will not despise". There are many times when we see God move in our lives even when we are unfaithful, that is because He is faithful to keep His Word. BUT, I think we want to see God move in power, and that requires a broken and contrite spirit.

I was talking with a good friend on Friday who was sharing a powerful story of God's moving. He has been walking with God for some time but was still struggling with giving up smoking. He has been praying for a miracle. He has been surrendering more and more of himself to God over the last few months. On Wednesday the Lord delivered him from cigarettes instantly. He took away the craving, he was set free.

I am reminded of the following verse in Matt 17:28-30. "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Nehemiah: broken for the things of God Part 2

One of the first people I met in the gulf coast was a young lady at the Biloxi High school gymnasium, which was being used to house displaced people who had lost everything. As pastors/missionaries/counsellors we were invited to come and counsel and pray with the people.

As I listened to her story I was touched right to the core of my being. Here was a young lady, who had lost everything and had still not been able to call her family to let them know she had survived the storm, this was eight days after the storm. I took her parents phone number down and as soon as I could get to a place where my cell phone would work I called her parents to let them know she was alive and where they could meet her to take her home. They were so relieved to hear the good news.

I think Nehemiah experienced these same type of emotions. He was touched deep within when he heard the state of the city and the people. I believe his heart broke for the things that broke God's heart. He understood the people were living in disgrace and the city and its gates were broken and burned to the ground.

We see in 1.4 that Nehemiah sat and wept for days. He also fasted and prayed. I believe that as Nehemiah waited before the Lord that he was gripped with compassion and knew that any response he would be able to do, must be led by God. I think he knew the battle had to be fought on his knees because that is where battles are won and lost.

Whatever battle or challenge we face we need to bring before God. We need to discover the heart of God in any situation and then take action. I think it is easy to move into action to solve a problem and ask God to bless us as we react. Instead I think we need to seek God and then move as His spirit leads. I am reminded of the verse that says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God."

What challenges do we face? How are we fighting the battle? Is it our wisdom or is it God's? Are we broken for the things that break God's heart?

Nehemiam...the caring person Part 1

Nehemiah 1:2 talks of Nehemiah being in the citadel and having visitors come to talk and fellowship with him. Probably after some small talk (possibly not) Nehemiah wants to know what the situation is like in Jerusalem. He wants to have a first hand account of what is taking place. He wants to know about two things: how are the people doing and what kind of condition is Jerusalem in.

I remember going to the gulf coast right after Katrina hit. I had two questions in my mind. How are the people doing and second how much destrustion was there. How bad was it? I had all kinds of mental pictures of what it would look like. In order to know what it was really like I began to talk with others who were "on the ground".

One of the first persons we met upon flying into Mississippi was a pastor in Jackson, MS. We stayed at his house and he shared what he had seen and experienced on his trips to the coastal region. He shared some of the stories of the people he had met. That mental picture became clearer. We got to be a part of a prayer meeting that night and as we heard people praying it became more clear. The situation was critical.

I think as leaders we can follow Nehemiah's example in asking good questions and listening to what people will say to us. Sometimes we are quick to form opinions based on our limited understanding or heresay.

I continue to keep in touch with people on the ground in coastal MS, and AL. I just talked with a pastor who shared that the spiritual climate has dropped back to where it was pre Katrina. People have gone back to what is familiar. He also shared that the population of Bayou La Batre has dropped from 2700 pre Katrina to about 1700 post Katrina. What does this mean?

Many people either lost their homes and have not rebuilt or have become discouraged with lack of jobs and the slowness of rebuilding and have left. The people in these coastal communities continue to struggle to get back on their feet. They can't do it alone. They still need help.

That is also the message that Nehemiah received, the people are in rough shape and their communities remain in shambles. They need help.