Acts 4:32-35We are all familiar with the old church saying, “the church isn’t brick and mortar, it’s the people inside.” Well, as cliché as that might have become, it is biblically accurate. Those of us who call ourselves Christians are the church. That is why we refer to ourselves as a church family. As with the nuclear familiar, it is the people that make it home. As I write this, we are just a ...  Read More

James 1:27 As Christians, it's easy for us to fall into this trap of contentment. A feeling that pulls us into thinking what God has blessed us with is for our personal use. With that being said, we also know as Christians that it is not from God, but a tactic used by the enemy to try and hinder the growth of the kingdom. We see in James 1:27:Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultl...  Read More

Nehemiah 5:13-19It’s much easier to be a follower than a leader. To go with the norm, go with tradition, go with the culture. It takes a brave person to break away from that and choose to be a leader. It’s also easier to break rules, take the easy route, or be lazy. Being a follower of Christ, you will be in the minority. You may be the only Christian in your family, workplace, or friend group. Ma...  Read More

Nehemiah 5:7-12 Have you ever been taken advantage of in some way? I am sure we can all say yes to that question. Whether it was a big deal in your life or as something small like your sibling conning you in a bad trade for Halloween candy, it never feels good to be in that position. In Nehemiah, we have seen the Israelites face opposition from external forces, but here we even start to see intern...  Read More

Nehemiah 5:1-6The Jews in this passage are crying out for help. It seems as if there is a famine, and people are having to overpay the officials and nobles just to live! They are even selling sons and daughters into slavery in order to keep food on the table. Nehemiah is outraged! He is shocked by the sin of the officials who are taking advantage of their own people and their hunger. Sin is someth...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   Why would God put such an “unusual” story in the middle of the “walls project” in Jerusalem, led by Nehemiah? Perhaps it’s because what was actually “broken” in Israel was much deeper than physical walls. Sure…the walls represented protection and prosperity, but the people had even bigger problems. They had allowed syncretism to invade their land as they “mixed” worship ...  Read More