ENCOURAGEMENT LINE

Daily manna.
Topic: Consequence Of Efforts
TEXT: NEHEMIAH 3:6-22
February 24th 2015.

Key Verse "And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters. And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain" (Nehemiah 3:12,22).
Devotion
Commenting on leadership ability to understand the mood of people and be thus propelled to take appropriate and timely action, a Scottish philosopher, Francis Hutcheson said, That action is best which procures the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers.

Nehemiah which means 'The Lord comforts', was the personal cupbearer to the Persian King, Artaxerxes (464-424 BC).

About 445 BC, Nehemiah received permission from the king to go to Judah to restore his people's fortunes. This did not come on a platter of gold. After he had been informed that 'the remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire' (1:3); he began fasting and praying for God's intervention.

Nehemiah mobilized the people in such a way that the rebuilding of Jerusalem walls became a matter, not only of civic responsibility but of national emergency. Everyone was involved. Even women, Shallum's daughters, were physically involved. They defied cruel mockings and jesting of their detractors.

Today, many places of worship look more like poultry farms than God's houses. Some are even without walls and gates. There is great need for leaders with vision and concern for the building of befitting places of worship for the Lord.

These should be leaders who, like Nehemiah, will mobilize everyone for the attainment of such noble objective. Above all, every believer ought to participate in making God's house, a beauty to behold.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

1 CORINTHIANS 1 - 4

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
It is virtuous to give of your best to the service of the Most High.

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Friday, January 30th.
2 Chronicles 34:24-33
Topic: HUMBLE YOURSELVES BEFORE GOD.
… Because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you…. 2 Chronicles 34:27(B), NIV
No one can go far in life by his own strength and power. The call to be humble before the Creator of the heaven and the earth cannot, therefore, be over-emphasized. In our text today, Josiah, a king of Judah, called his people to the altar of humility before God. This was because he realized the folly, stupidity and depravity of humanity and decided to turn from it. He led the call to a renewal and repentance to God’s ways. He destroyed all idols that competed with God almighty. He commanded all to submit before God. “And the people did not turn away from the Lord God of their ancestors for the rest of Josiah’s rule as king” (v. 33B). He did all these in humility.
The spate of terrible happenings these days requires that we have someone, like Josiah, who will lead the people of this nation to God in humility. I wish someone somewhere would stand as Josiah in our homes, churches, cities, communities, states and nation. That divine agent can be you or me! But we have to first deal with pride in our lives before we can help others do the same.
• Birthday Blessing: Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:20
Read Bible Through Passage: Ex. 20, 21; Matt. 21:28-46
True meekness is not weakness, it's strength under control. - Joyce Meyer.