Break #61
WRITTEN STUDY NOTES
So This Nehemiah Guy...
1) ...saw a problem
2) ...was pressed and bothered by what he saw
3) ...went about the work to fix it.
However, during that work, he met his enemies first hand.
He ran into 6 major obstacles that were put in front
of him as they all tried to keep him from getting the job done.
I can promise you that if and when you realize you
have a problem and that you decide to sincerely fix it, you also will meet
either one or all six! So, let's check on Nehemiah and see how he
handled each of those obstacles.
While we be looking at Nehemiah's obstacles,
we will, at the same time, be keeping track of Paul and how he dealt with
his obstacles - and how we can be looking at our obstacles, today.
We can certainly learn from both of them, as you will soon see.
Where are the Problems?
1) As the media, etc. continues to show information all
over the world, it is becoming easier and easier for folks to see the problems
that are in the world, country, town/city, workplace, in others around
them, or even from within their own family.
a) We can choose to be active with the problems
of the world, country, city, politics, economy, the curse of the world
and the workings of the god of this world; or we can simply realize:
-
Ephesians 6:12 - For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
-
II Timothy 2:4 - No
man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that
he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier..
b. Us "oldies" know about those battles - and
the futility and wasted energy of getting involved over the years!
The 'youngies' don't seem to be concerned - and probably aren't
even listening. They have their tech toys, their socialistic freebies
in life along with their ignorance of history, life in general, scriptures
and then along with the blindness of their religion, humanism, all the
other 'isms' (found in Ecc, by the way) and their own selfishness, etc.
They couldn't grasp the truth even if they think they are trying to do
the 'right' thing.. A reprobate mind is a tough thing with which
to deal!
2) It is becoming more and more obvious that there is a growing
number of lives and families that are living a shipwrecked existence.
a) Shipwrecked lives are growing in number,
simply from following profane and vain babblings - just giving up on doing/trying
to do the right thing.
-
I Timothy 1:19 - Holding
faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith
have made shipwreck:
-
And probably many of the people even
enjoy some of the new lifestyle they have developed!
-
Read Romans
1:21-2:6 but it can also be summarized
in 1:32 Who
knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy
of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
-
They can even be trying to be that
'good loving and caring person' yet not realizing that they are fellowshipping
with the unfruitful works of darkness
II Timothy 3:1-7 -
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men
shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those
that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than
lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses,
and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
3) However, and yet most importantly, as we read our KJB
correctly, we ought to be able to see the troubles, challenges and problems
within our own selves!
a) Turn to the risen Saviour and start finding
ways to follow Paul - all being done in preparation for the judgment of
our own works.
-
Acts 27:21 - But
after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said,
Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete,
and to have gained this harm and loss.
-
Romans 14:10 -
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy
brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
II Corinthians 5:10 - For
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may
receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether
it be good or bad.
We can choose either to:
a) Ignore them - pretend they don't exist, or...
b) Struggle with them while living within a virtual shipwrecked
life, or...
c) Try to fix them!
If you choose to consider fixing some issues in your own
life - or if you are wondering why you are having such a difficult time
with obstacle after obstacle popping up in your life which just discourages
you more and more, I encourage you to read on. You are not alone,
believe me!
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