Posted by: pastorapbell | April 16, 2010

As we start the restoration process in spite of opposition

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”  I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.  But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?” (Nehemiah 2:17-19 NIV).

Having identified that there are problems, the task that lies ahead is to fix them. The task of rebuilding is fraught with underlying problems. Nehemiah had a plan that was sanctioned by God.  However, he never revealed his plan to all those he came in contact with. As the enormity of the task became apparent, and not knowing the resources Nehemiah had at his disposal, several groups of people began to question the job of rebuilding.

When we are faced with problems, it is refreshing when we know what they are and have a plan to fix them. However we must be aware that we will always face opposition. For Nehemiah he was faced with the diabolical trinity of a Persian, an Ammonite and an Arab. They conspired to derail what God had put in Nehemiah’s heart.  So as we start the process of rebuilding the broken areas in our lives, we must recognise that there will be opposition. For Nehemiah, these people who opposed him were high officials in their regions and people listened to them.  Those who oppose what you do usually have some expertise in particular areas.  This does not give them the right to talk you into jettison what God has placed in your heart.

Today remember that the rebuilding process will be long and arduous and there will be opposition, but you can do it if you rely on godly people who see the good work that God is doing in you.

 Read Nehemiah 3

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 15, 2010

As we survey the areas that need restoration

I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire (Nehemiah 2:11-13 NIV). 

Although Nehemiah had it in his heart to rebuild the walls that were broken down, he first needed to assess the extent of the damage before he could crystallise the plan. He went by night and inspected every area of the ruins. And significantly he only had a few trusted people with him. As we read through the text we notice that all the gates were accessible and anyone could go through them. This highlights to us the extent of the problem, the whole city was open to everyone and anything.

The significance for us is this: when the walls of protection around us are broken down, anyone or anything can come and go as they like. The gates are there to check what comes in and what goes out. But if the gate lies in ruins and there is no gatekeeper then there is free access.

Today the lord wants us to rebuild the walls and to re-establish the gates. We need to rebuild the walls around our relationships, our families, our finances and our spirituality.  We also need to establish gates so that we know who and what is coming and going. As an example of this let us look at one of the gates to our bodies. Our nose is a gate, and if anything out of the ordinary tries to get into our bodies, there is a natural reaction of sneezing to eject that foreign body.  Similarly our spiritual body should be on alert so that when a foreign body tries to breach a gate there is a natural reaction to subdue and eject it.

So today, survey all the areas in your life that needs rebuilding and make a plan as to how you will start the rebuilding process.

Read Nehemiah 2:11-16

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 14, 2010

As we embark on the process of restoration

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart” (Nehemiah 2:1-2 NIV)

Before any process of restoration can begin there must be acknowledgement that something has broken down. Once this is acknowledged, those who are interested in restoration must develop a concern. This concern may start by just gathering information about the situation or reading up about the problem.  By using Nehemiah as a model for our restoration we see from the outset in his writing that his concern was visible for all to see.  So much so that the king noticed what was going on and concluded that there was a heart problem.

The concern we develop must be genuine and heartfelt.  For us to begin to change anything, we must be filled with compassion and empathy so that we can work towards changing the situation. Nehemiah had a deep longing to see his beloved city where God resided rebuilt, but there was none of his fellow exiles who had the passion or the contact to begin the process.  However, God placed him in the right place with people of influence so that he could start the process to effect change.  God gave him favour so that he could receive benefits from the king. And because of his faithfulness in diligently serving him over the years he received all he needed. He was able to leave his Job for a period of time and go to Jerusalem to start the rebuilding process.

Today God sees and rewards faithfulness, but he is more concerned about our concern for rebuilding and restoring those in our communities who wandering away from him.  Let us develop a concern for others and not just focus on our own problems.

Read Nehemiah 2

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 13, 2010

As we humble ourselves and trust the lord

Jesus said to him, if you are able all things can be done for the one who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe help my unbelief” (Mark 9:23-24 NRSV).

To trust God for something that seems impossible we have to develop a spirit of humility. It is alright to believe when everything is going great but when we are in a dry place or in a cul-de-sac we need to know who it is and what exactly we believe. In our passage today the man who cried out had a son who was demon possessed. This spirit would cause the boy to throw himself in the fire and to self-harm. The father was at his wits end when he came to Jesus. So Jesus asked him the question, do you believe that the boy can be cured?  Many of us believe that God can do it but we would rather seek medical advice as the first option. Perhaps the father had no other option, so he exclaims, Lord I believe, but help my unbelief! He humbled himself, trusted in the Lord for the deliverance of his son and received it.  Today you may have doubts, but humble yourself, tell the lord of your doubts and receive deliverance in the area of your faith-life that you struggle with!

Read Mark 9:14-29.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 12, 2010

As we learn to be contrite and humble

For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite (Isaiah 57:15 NIV).

Contrition is something that seems to be missing among those who call on the name of the Lord.  And although there are many broken-hearted people in our society they still try to fix their brokenness themselves. Here in our passage the prophet say that the Lord whose name is Jesus stays with those who are lowly.  Lowly can also be translated as humble; so for the lord to come to us we must become humble and develop a spirit of contrition. 

A contrite person can be defined as one who is repentant for the wrong they have done. Instead of being sorry for the wrong we do, many of us try to justify that wrong whilst still calling on the name of the lord. This is far from the holiness that God requires. When King David took his eyes off God and placed them on another man’s wife, he tried to cover up his wrongdoing. However when he was confronted with the facts, his response was: “Create in me a clean heart o lord, don’t take your Holy Spirit away from me. And a ‘broken spirit and a contrite heart you will not despise.” Psalm 51:16 Paraphrased. He was restored to his position because he humbled himself and allowed his brokenness to be fixed by the light of God’s word.

Today if you are broken-hearted or you are in a broken relationship, ask God in the name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit to fix you and fix the situation for you.

Pray with me: Dear Jesus a broken heart and a contrite spirit you will not despise, I turn around today lord and receive your forgiveness, amen.

 Read Isaiah 57:14-21 and Psalm 51

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 11, 2010

As we built our relationship with each other and God on the principles of humility and discipline

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3NIV).

 In these last day that we are living, to be effective, we must be disciplined about our calling and be humble enough to allow God to change those to whom we minister. From our passage we can glean that as Christians we have to make great efforts to reveal the power of God to those around us. To display a life of discipline to our contemporaries, our action must align with our speech. Also we must demonstrate the love of God in humility.  Arrogance was never something Jesus displayed to us. In John 13, he demonstrated to us the type of humility we should display by washing his disciples feet. Are you willing to go so low today?  Jesus is calling his people back to be servants rather than the ones who know it all and have all the answers. He is asking us to be vulnerable so that we can win those in our circles to Christ.

So today remember that all virtues from God flow out of love.

 Read Ephesians 4

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 9, 2010

As we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1Peter 5:5-7 NIV)

What does it mean to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God? Generally, it certainly involves an attitude of deep reverence toward God and letting every conscious thought be in submission to His will, so that every word and deed might be pleasing to Him. It also means that when we fall short of this, we acknowledge it, repent and return to the right path, prompted by a conscience in tune with God’s will.

To be a Christian we must be dressed for that work. Many passages in scripture deal with attire that is appropriate for Christians see Colossians 3:12-14 as an example of this. Here in 1 Peter 5:5, we are told to be clothed with humility. When we see ourselves as we really are before God; when we measure ourselves and judge ourselves by the perfect standard of God, telling ourselves the truth about who and what we are, the attitude produced by that process is humility. Humility is not self-hatred; it does not involve a denial of our potential or our good choices and character. Humility is a true, an honest view of who and what we are. Colossians 3:12 says we must put on humility. And this passage says that we must gird ourselves or clothe and wrap ourselves in this attitude called humility. This is essential to placing ourselves under the mighty hand of God.

Humility is developed as we learn submission to God. So today learn to submit to those who are placed above you and allow God to exult you in due season.

Read 1Peter 5

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 8, 2010

As we make humility the pinnacle of all our virtues

 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
 and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8NIV).

In scripture we are told that the Lord sees the proud in the distance (Psalm 138:6). Therefore we are encouraged to develop a humble and willing spirit so that we can do what we were designed to do. So what were we designed to do? Micah who lived about 700 years before the birth of Jesus gives us an insight from his writings.

The Lord requires us to act justly, that is, all our dealings and our actions must be in alignment with our words. This word justly has its roots in righteousness which is not just a religious state, but includes being fair in every aspect of our conduct.

Next we are encouraged to love mercy.  This is a very important trait to develop. Jesus reminded us that the way to wholeness is through forgiveness. When Peter asked him how often he should forgive someone who sinned against him, Jesus said not just seven times but more than seventy times seven times (Matt 18:21). We must constantly show mercy by being a forgiving person.

By living in this manner, we then can walk humbly with our God and our fellow men/women.

So today develop a forgiving heart so that you may walk in humility and please God the father.

Read Psalm 51 and develop a humble spirit like our brother David.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 7, 2010

As we become humble custodians of the Earth

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19 NIV).

Humility is not a trait that seems to abound in our society today. Everyone wants to be the top dog, drive the flashiest car or be the person others look up to. Words that describe the state of a humble person are; meekness, lowliness, self-abasement, modesty, servility and diffidence. The opposite to these are; pride, snobbishness, pretentiousness, pomposity, superiority, arrogance and disdain.

Not everyone regards humility as a virtue since when one displays a humble spirit it may be mistaken for weakness and then that person may be taken advantage of. Nevertheless, we are told by Jesus that the meek shall inherit the earth (Matt 5:5). But which earth was Jesus talking about? Was it planet earth or the New Jerusalem, the new heaven and earth to come? Or was this another metaphor about the attitude we must develop to be a part of the kingdom of God?

For me he was referring to the current earth. As humanity learn to humble themselves then we can work together to be better custodians of the earth and to all the creatures that rely on it for sustenance, food and shelter. The earth and creation itself is groaning in anticipation for the revelation of the children of God (Romans 8:19ff).

Let us who are called by God humble ourselves and develop a sense of being part of the bigger picture so that not only we can reduce our carbon footprint but we will also be able to help rejuvenate the earth.

Read Romans 8:18-26

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 6, 2010

As live in humility before our God

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1John 2:15-17 NKJV).

Jesus came, obeyed the father’s will, fulfilled his task and is now seated on the throne with God the father.  We are encouraged by John the beloved not to love the world or the things of the world. All that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1John 2:16). Pride can be defined as allowing our desire for approval and self validation to become more important than that of God’s approval. So pride can be seen as a declaration of independence from God. This occurs when we trust in what we have rather than who we need to have. Pride will eventually lead to death as with many biblical characters who thought they could operate on their own, see 1Samuel 15 and Judges 13-16.

Lust is defined as an overwhelming desire or craving for something or someone. It is akin to love but is about pleasing me, rather than others. So the lust of the eyes is seeing something and wanting to have it [in Caribbean parlance this is called RED EYE]. Similarly the lust of the flesh is seeing someone and wanting to have them.

John warns us against these things and informs us that this is the lot from the world. When we go down this road, we will eventually end up on our own. The pride of life, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes can only be averted by us being humble and saturated with love. 

I often heard that prayer was the key to most things, but the Lord revealed to me that prayer is the door to the things of God and love is the key that unlocks that door and this must be done in humility. So today let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and he will exalt us in due season, Right Simon Peter!

Read 1John 2

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