Nehemiah 5 - 05.29.25

SCRIPTURE :Nehemiah 5:1-7 NIV

“Now [about this time] the men and their wives raised a great outcry —against their fellow Jews.

Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous;

in order for us to eat and stay alive—we must get grain [food].”

Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards AND —our homes to get grain [food] during the famine.”

Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have had to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”

When I heard their outcry and these charges—I was very angry.

I pondered them in my mind—and—then accused the nobles and officials.

I told them, “You are charging your OWN people interest!”

So I called together a large meeting to deal with them”

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OBSERVATION

As the rebuilding of the wall was taking place, the external pressures and additional

threats of attack had posed such a danger, that precautionary measures necessitated everyone to pull double duty.

“I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.” (Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

However—Nehemiah soon found out, it was not just the physical city with its wall that needed desperate attention. There was a Far Greater issue about to unfold—just as the walls were being constructed—the people were breaking apart at the seams.

Food was scarce, bills were piling up, taxes were through the roof, many were forced into borrowing money on their fields—which they now couldn’t pay back. This caused an additional issue—their children now were being sold as slaves since they had no means to pay the money back that they had borrowed.

AND—Their own people were charging excessive taxes which was against God’s Law.

APPLICATION

Lead The Change

The wealthy Jewish landowners were using this time as an opportunity to levy extreme interest rates on the amount of money that was being borrowed. Something that is strictly forbidden by God’s Law.

As a result the Jewish community was suffering and cried out to Nehemiah for help.

Nehemiah immediately responded by calling a meeting with the Nobles and Officials who were being accused.

“When I heard their complaints, I was very angry. Then I pressed further, “What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?”

‭‭(Nehemiah‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬, ‭9‬ ‭NLT‬)

What these Men were doing was clearly against God’s Law. No Jewish person is ever supposed to charge another Jewish person interest when loaning money to someone in need.

““If you lend money to any one of My people with you who is poor, you shall not act as a creditor (professional moneylender) to him; you shall not charge him interest.”

‭‭(Exodus‬ ‭22‬:‭25‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

When Nehemiah reminded these men of God’s word, they were immediately convicted and promised to give back everything that they had taken.

We also learn that Nehemiah had been setting an example all along.

As a Governor he was entitled to a monthly salary and a food allowance. But he states that he fears God..so he chose to not accept these allowances.

Rather he paid out of his pocket for the expenses that were required for the upkeep and entertaining AND he rolled up his sleeves and worked alongside everyone at the wall.

It only took ONE Leader, Nehemiah, to remind them, that what they were doing was not just against each other…but against God.

Nehemiah’s words quickly and sharply convicted them…because the words were God’s Truth.

Nehemiah is such a great example of Leadership.

Nehemiah is a man who is more concerned with Fearing God than what People think.

Nehemiah understands, like Jesus, that leaders have a heart of service.

Nehemiah is on the frontline, demonstrating his trust in God throughout the process.

Nehemiah’s desire is for the people to honor and glorify God-putting Him first above everything else in their lives.

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Thank YOU for giving us the book Nehemiah. More and More I see how powerfully YOU are able to work through ONE person who is willing. The people were moving in the wrong direction—but ONE person reminded them of YOUR Word. Help me to be a woman of YOUR Word. Lord Jesus Teach me. I want everything YOU have for me. Quiet me before You Today. Plant Your Word deep in my heart. Fill me fresh with Your Spirit today.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka

1 Cor 2 - 5.28.25

Scripture

“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”. But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:16)

Observation

We have been given the mind of Christ! What a wonderful blessing! Paul explains that only the Spirit of God understands the mind of God. We have been given the Spirit of God to dwell in us. And we have been given the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2: 11-16).

What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? Philippians 2:5 says “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”. The verse continues to explain what the mind of Christ was like. Jesus did not consider his equality with God something to be used for his own advantage. Instead He made himself a servant taking on human likeness. He humbled himself, and was obedient to the Father to the point of death on the cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)

Application

As we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, let us also walk in Him, exhorts the scripture. (Col 2:6). We have received the mind of Christ. Let us be humble as Jesus, and be obedient as He was. Let us make eternity our priority. Let us set our minds on things above and not on things of the earth (Col 3:2). Let us live in accordance with the Spirit and have our minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:5-6). 

Prayer

Father, I want to thank you for giving me the mind of Christ. Thank you because I do not have to live in fear because you have given me a sound mind - you have given me a spirit of love and power and sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). I pray that I will not conform to the pattern of this world, but will be transformed by the renewing of my mind by reading your word everyday, so that I can know what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). Help me to be humble and obedient. I pray that you will strengthen me in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith, and I, being rooted and grounded in You, will be able to comprehend your love for me (Eph 3:17).  Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s Name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

1 Corinthians 1 - 5.27.25

SCRIPTURE:  1 Corinthians 1:10  "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."

OBSERVATION:  Paul wrote this straight forward letter to the Corinthian Church.  He addressed a variety of problems, pressures and struggles that were going on in the life-style of the Corinthian Church.  Personality cults that were centering around Paul, Apollos, and Peter led to divisions, and false pride among the Corinthians.       

Paul reminded them of the gospel message, and urged them to stay faithful to God, and to grow in their faith.   Some of the brethren had sent Paul a list of questions and concerns, and he answered each one by backing them up with Biblical truths and values.  Paul's letter reminded them that they were all on the same team as followers of Christ, and that they were to be of the same mind and in the same judgement as Jesus was their leader.

APPLICATION:  Paul's message to the Church in Corinth is the same message for the Church today:  We are to be reconciled to God through Jesus, and we are to be encouraged in heart, and united in love as we all strive to keep the Lord Jesus at the center of our lives. We are to read and apply the Word of God, and allow the Holy Spirit to use us to accomplish God's purposes.

PRAYER: With all the evil, corruption, and sin around us, I pray the body of Christ will abide in Jesus and walk closely to Him.  I thank Him for for being the Head of the Church, and for giving us His wisdom to be able to handle the problems in and out of the Church by allowing His Word to direct us.  Whether it's jealousy, sexual immorality, or divisiveness, Paul taught us to use the Scriptures to address each and every problem.  And, we are always to correct with gentleness and love.  The unbelievers will know that we are Christians by our love.  As we walk in God's power, wisdom and strength, I pray we will work towards being united in our mind's and thoughts as we keep God first and at the center of our heart's, and pray that He will help us to boldly share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

- Robin Orefice