Week Three Homework

Week 3 homework Read Nehemiah chapters 3 and 4. Have you ever felt like you were doing exactly what God wanted you to do and encountered opposition? If so, did you continue doing it or stop. Explain. What was Nehemiah's response? List every way Nehemiah encountered opposition? Who is Nehemiah's strength in Nehemiah 8:10? Scripture: Psalm 27:13 Micah 7:18 2 Chronicles 20:17

Week 2

We started off Worship today hearing from Caroline. If you missed here is a video clip~ http://mworksltd.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/sloan-chambers-faith-cross/ We also discussed how Nehemiah is a Rescuer of his people and how we can do the same in the world today. Theme verse: Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is my strength Read Nehemiah 2 Introduction/review last week Nehemiah lived through the dark cold days of winter. During that time God worked in his heart. But he may have been a little weary of waiting to see any answer to his prayer of chapter one. His prayer and how God was going to answer was the passion of his life. Nehemiah waited 4 months for his prayer of chapter 1 to be answered and was probably discouraged. (month of Chislev was probably like our December and month of Nixen was our march or April . Jewish calendar equals 10 months) He was probably thinking: Did I hear God Maybe it won' be a plan I will see in my lifetime Did God hear me. Why do I have this burden and sadness if God is not going to make himself clear. Surely God loves my people. (don't we ask ourselves the same questions when we have a concern or burden and we've taken it to the Lord in prayer and it seems too much time has passed before we get an answer) After four long cold dark months Nehemiah still carried the grief and burden for his people. He was just plain sad. Downcast I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. (Psalm 118:5 NKJV) Often it's when we are in greatest distress that God shows up! Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10 NIV) But at the appointed time the king noticed his sadness. Which frightened Nehemiah because being sad in front of the King could cost him his life. But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV) Remember Nehemiah prays all sorts of prayers. The sort of prayer he prays is quick Lord HELP AND GIVE ME FAVOR. Point Nehemiah doesnt look immediately to the king for help but cries out to God for favor. Operate in strength of the Lord and not fear. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (Psalm 94:19 NIV) God gives it to him. Nehemiah: Prays/ all kinds of prayers Chapter one: prayers of Praise, repentance, request and yielding Chapter two: prayer of request and urgency Specific request: rebuild the remnant What are the remnants in your life that need to be rebuilt? Proclaims Chapter one: proclaims who God is and the needs of his own people confidently Chapter two: the needs of His people, his compassion for them and his willingness to rebuild their land Prepared/prepared what God put in his heart/Nehemiah quiet until he had the lay of the land This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength Isaiah 30:15 NIV) Chapter two: request permission to survey the situation but quietly already had a plan in his heart. Stands up against opposition Protected / asked for protection of God and man Chapter two: he knows he is protected by God but asks for documents to signify protection from the King Persistent God/in spite of opposition Chapter two: Persistent in his burden and request. Nehemiah did not let the wait for answered prayer or human opposition discourage him. Even when you are doing what God wants you get resistance from men that operate by there standards. Conclusion God will give success. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; (Lamentations 3:25 NIV) Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." (John 7:38 NIV)

Homework for Week 2

Week 2 Pray before you begin and ask God to give you insight into His Word. Read Nehemiah chapter 2. What do you learn from Nehemiah's prayer in chapter 1? What might be the similarities between how Nehemiah speaks to the King and how we speak to God? What do you learn about prayer? Has your heart ever been so troubled that you came to God in prayer? Explain. Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Psalm 4:3 John 9:31

First Week of Study!

What a great first week of study! We had a great time learning everyone's names and learning more about Nehemiah and all the characteristics that he holds. We loved coming together and fellowshiping with all the moms in the morning. Thanks to Sherry for sharing her testimony for our worship section. I loved learning about how the Mother Moose has to run away for the child to learn to survive. Here is what I was greeted with when picking up my son after study.

My Little Moose! We enjoyed learning about Nehemiah's character in the story and how we should strive for these attributes in this journey of being a mother. Here is a great song about the names of God.

Fall Study of Nehemiah - Notes Week 1

Intro./theme verse/the joy of the Lord is My Strength Nehemiah 10:11 Read Nehemiah chapter 1. Nehemiah means comfort of the Lord His fathers name means "whom Jehovah enlightens", Month of Kislev The Name of the Month – Trust and Hope/ month of greatest darkness, cold but also celebration Kislev is the ninth month of the year, counting from Nissan. In the Torah we find that the root of the word Kislev means ‘trust’ and ‘hope Something great has to come out of this book with names that powerful. As I have studied I can see that the Holy Spirit directed these two in ways that have monumental lessons for our life. Today you were asked to read Nehemiah and write down what you saw about is character. Character important! In the church today we have a lot of people that know how to speak the language but it not deep in their heart. Let's take a few minutes and talk about Nehemiah's character: 1. Cupbearer to the king= faithful honorable and trusted 2. He understood his heritage=history Born to tribe of Judah in exile 3. He was a loyal son/broken heart for his people 4 . He was a defender of the weak "How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:2-4 NIV) 5. Most importantly He was a man of prayer and had a heart that turned to God to strength and wisdom You see all of who he was in his prayer. His prayer shows his heart but it also tells us how to pray. All kinds of prayers Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. (Ephesians 6:18 NIV) Prayer that stems from a deep relationship with God. Someone that knew God to be a redeemer, forgiver and healer if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV) Prayer that took on the needs of others Prayer that yielded to God to work this out for his people Ask yourself these questions: Are you faithful and honorable? Are you loyal as a friend? Do you have a heart that defends the weak? Lastly do you know God in such a way that when you turn to him in prayer you know age hears you? Glenda