Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families (Nehemiah 7:5a).

To determine the way forward all of us need to take stock. This involves stopping what you are currently doing and making an assessment of what is required to go to the next level. You have done the difficult part in building and securing the wall. The next step is to ensure that what is inside those walls are maintained.  This can only occur when there is an environment of honesty and openness.  Everyone knew what the plan was; they knew the vision and were aware of what was required to fulfil it.  So they agreed with stock taking effort, gave into the building fund (7:71) and wanted to hear what God had to say about what they were doing.

The lesson for us today is this. Don’t go on and on year in year out without taking stock. Take some time off on your own, get away from the hustle and bustle of life and go and spend time by yourself with God. We will never maintain the original building unless we plan to give it a regular M.O.T.  This is the same for our relationships, prayer life, finances, families and friends. We need to take stock regularly, at least once per year, and fix the areas that are not so good and maintain those which are working. This will allow us to operate in the right area according to our gifting.

So today make a list, write down everything on the list, everything, develop a routine, ask God about it, and stick with it. 

Read Nehemiah 7:66-8:3.