Podcast appearances and mentions of king artaxerxes

Nehemiah 1:1-11 NLT 1 These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. Nehemiah's Concern for Jerusalem In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. 5 Then I said,“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! 7 We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.'10 “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” In those days I was the king's cup-bearer. 

In 458 BCE, a group of foreign billionaires initiated a coup in Judea in order to exempt themselves from paying taxes. They succeeded thanks to the first edition of the Torah. Join our tribe on Patreon! Check out these cool pages on the podcast's website:Home PageWho wrote the Bible: Timeline and authorsAncient maps: easy to follow maps to see which empire ruled what and whenClick here to see Exodus divided into "sources" according to the Documentary Hypothesis The podcast is written, edited and produced by Gil Kidron

Join Pastor Karl as he dives into the significance of Palm Sunday, also known as the Triumphal Entry, in this compelling episode. Explore why this day, marking Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem on the 10th of Nissan, holds profound historical and spiritual importance. Pastor Karl highlights three key insights from John 12: Jesus is more appealing than religion, offering grace over ritual; Scripture is more reliable than opinion, fulfilling ancient prophecies with precision; and following Jesus as an apprentice is more vital than debating His identity. Discover how this pivotal moment invites us to prepare our hearts, embrace repentance, and live devotedly for Christ. Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

Steve begins this study by touching on gratitude and shifts to the complexities of planning group vacations, highlighting the need for consensus on various aspects. He then details Ezra's journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, emphasizing the challenges of leading a large group and the support from King Artaxerxes. He discusses temple offerings and the importance of learning from past experiences, ultimately arriving in Jerusalem and reflecting on reliance on God and prayer.

We saw in the first ten verses of Ezra chapter 7 the appearance of Ezra on the scene as he brings a second group of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. In the last part of chapter 7 emphasis will be put on the grace of God working through King Artaxerxes. Here we see the grace of God working through Ezra and God's people.GOD'S PROVIDENCE (7:11-26)EZRA PRAISES GOD (7:27-28)

In this second message from The Passion Project, Pastor Scott Wiens reveals how Nehemiah's story offers a practical roadmap for anyone responding to a burning passion from God. Drawing on Ephesians 2:10, Scott emphasizes that every person is designed for particular good works, tailored to their gifts and circumstances. Nehemiah's decision to rebuild Jerusalem's walls demonstrates five vital lessons about transforming divine calling into real-life results.First, it takes courage to move forward in faith. Nehemiah risked his position by approaching King Artaxerxes—yet God's sovereignty and perfect timing turned that gamble into an incredible opportunity. Scott compares this to biblical figures like Moses, Paul, and Joshua, all of whom had to leave comfort zones to fulfill God's purposes. Second, passionate faith must be paired with an actionable plan. While God orchestrates the outcome, Nehemiah still requested timber, letters for safe travel, and other logistics, showing that responsible preparation undergirds successful ministry.Third, obstacles are nearly inevitable when doing significant work for God. From spiritual attacks to criticism, faithful individuals often face headwinds meant to stall progress. Instead of giving up, Nehemiah stood firm, modeling how to resist negativity and rely on the Lord's protection. Fourth, wise discernment keeps faith-driven efforts from becoming reckless. By scouting the city at night and guarding his intentions until the right moment, Nehemiah balanced passion with prudence. Scott highlights Matthew 10:16, where Jesus calls His followers to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves—an apt lens through which to view Nehemiah's method.Finally, compelling communication unites people around a shared vision. Nehemiah rallied the inhabitants of Jerusalem by clearly stating the need, pointing to God's provision, and explaining how their cooperation would spark renewal. Much the same way, believers today can inspire unity and action by casting a clear vision that others can embrace. When individuals link arms in faith, the results can transcend personal limitations and bring about genuine transformation.Scott's reflection on Nehemiah urges everyone to see that responding to God's call is not just about momentary zeal; it's a journey blending belief, courage, and organized effort. Whether you sense a divine nudge to launch a new ministry, influence your workplace, or encourage a friend, the narrative of rebuilding Jerusalem speaks volumes. This kind of faith in action can tear down barriers, lift up communities, and shine a light on God's faithfulness. As you listen, consider where you might apply Nehemiah's example, trusting that God can turn any risk into a testimony of His power and grace.We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.Subscribe to our Podcast & YouTube channel to find past sermons, classes, interviews, and more!Find us on Facebook & Instagram

Scriptures:  Ezra 7:8-10, Malachi  4:4-5, Luke 24:7, John1:1 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  The sermon focuses on the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament, emphasizing the theme of renewal through the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi. It highlights how God used the pagan King Artaxerxes to fulfill His promise by allowing the Jewish people to return and rebuild their temple and city, showing God's faithfulness. The message stresses the importance of being in alignment with God's word, as seen in Ezra's dedication to studying, living, and teaching scripture, which kept God's hand upon him. The sermon warns against merely outward renewal, emphasizing that true transformation comes from internal renewal through God's word. Ultimately, it points to Jesus as the final Word of God, fulfilling the scriptures and offering lasting renewal and guidance through the Holy Spirit.

In considering the last passage in Hebrews 12, it is referencing Haggai and understanding the reference will provide more insight for that passage next week. In Chapter 1 of Haggai, God had rebuked Israel for not having rebuilt the temple since they came back to Jerusalem around sixteen years before. They had started, but the opposition used King Artaxerxes to stop it after they rebuilt the altar of burnt offering and the foundation of the temple. Nothing had happened since, but after Haggai rebukes them, they start to rebuild the temple. Less than a month later, God tells them to look at the temple and recognize how it is nothing compared to the previous temple, but that they should persevere for God is going to shake like He did when they came out of Egypt, but also heaven. He will shake the nations so they come to the Desire of All Nations and I will fill this temple with glory That temple will have greater glory than the first temple that Solomon made. As we consider all the shadows of Christ in this passage, it is important for the understanding of Hebrews 12:25-29 for us to understand what it meant that He shook heaven and earth when the Desire of the Nations come. Since Haggai 2 is about the heavenly temple described in Hebrews 12:22-24, we will consider that temple and the promises associated with it before we conclude Hebrews 12.

We have all faced projects that were larger than we could handle on our own. That was the case for Nehemiah. He had relocated from Persia to Jerusalem because God had put it in his heart to rebuild the walls around the city of Jerusalem. It was a massive undertaking! The walls had been lying in ruin for over one hundred and forty years. After Nehemiah had surveyed the situation and made plans, he called the people together to share this mammoth vision with them. He testified of God's faithful hand of blessing on him and how King Artaxerxes had given him the commission, time, passports and resources. The response of the people was the same and Nehemiah's call to them, “Let us rise up and build.” Today, we will see what happens with God's people team together in the work of the Lord. Download Notes Thanks for joining us for this episode and please take a moment to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoy this content, please don't hesitate to leave us a 5-star review and share this podcast with your friends.  We'd like to extend an invitation to you and your family to join us for worship this week at Grace Baptist Church. We'd also love to connect with you online at https://gracekettering.org. Thanks again for checking out this episode, and we look forward to having you join us again right here on the Grace Baptist Church Podcast!

In Nehemiah 2:1-20, we see the power of vision, faith, and determination in the face of opposition. Nehemiah, a trusted cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, demonstrates remarkable leadership and reliance on God as he embarks on a mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This chapter highlights key moments of preparation, prayerful dependence, and bold action. Nehemiah's courage to ask the king for help, his careful planning, and his unwavering trust in God's provision serve as an inspiration for overcoming obstacles when fulfilling God's purpose. Despite resistance from enemies, Nehemiah remains steadfast, declaring that the hand of God is with him. This passage teaches us that when God calls us to rebuild or restore, He equips us with the resources, courage, and favor we need to succeed. Coming To Loving Yourself Paperback Book - https://buy.stripe.com/eVadTVbp6cxl3gA288 Coming To Loving Yourself Ebook (Free To Read Thru Amazon) - https://a.co/d/6pa3nLb For Counseling Needs - Email - snjm@sharisenjohnsonmoore.com or Phone - 725-256-7817 To Advertise On The Podcast - https://sharisenjohnson-moorellc.hbportal.co/public/PodcastAds Donations For The Podcast - https://buy.stripe.com/9AQ9DF1Ow40P6sM4gs

The Bible is often called The Book of Books because no other book can compare with it. It is the Word of God (Matthew 4:4). Over 100million copies are sold annually, with parts of the Bible having been translated into nearly 3600 languages, and the full Bible to over 724 languages. The YouVersion Bible app has been downloaded over 500million times globally.     It should be our goal and priority this year to make the word of God the foundation in our lives, in our marriages, in our families and in our church. It shouldn't be a part of our lives, but rather central to our lives.    In Nehemiah 8 we see that, after experiencing many challenges, there was a turning back of the people to the Word and instructions of God (Nehemiah 8:8-9,18). In 445BC-432BC was when Nehemiah was appointed Governor of Jerusalem by King Artaxerxes, and oversaw the re-building of the city's the walls in just 52 days. He held joint assemblies with Ezra, who was the priest and scribe at that time (a scribe's role being to study, interpret and teach scriptures), for public scripture reading. People confessed their sins and renewed their covenant with God, and they implemented social reforms.   Ezra and Nehemiah thought having the temple and the security of the rebuilt walls weren't good enough. They wanted to re-build the people. It was important that God's people were where God wanted them to be, both physically and spiritually. So, what did they do? They wanted the people to put the word of God in the centre of their lives. They built a wooden stage in the centre of the public square, so that everyone could gather and see Ezra and the Levites with him. Everyone in the community who could understand gathered in the square to hear the public reading of the Word of God (Nehemiah 8:3). There were 14 Levites on either side of Ezra explaining and unpacking the word of God to the people. And the people wept, not with tears of joy, but because they were convicted of their sin. They wept repentant tears of sorrow. And to build back, they had to start somewhere. We see:  1. They opened the book (Nehemiah 8:5) 2. They read the book (Nehemiah 8:8; 1 Timothy 4:13,16; Psalm 1:2-3; Nehemiah 8:5; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Philippians 4:6; Psalm 119:11) 3. They explained the book (Nehemiah 8:8; Hebrews 4:12) 4. They were moved by the book (Nehemiah 8:9b) 5. They obeyed the book (Nehemiah 10:29)  Apply     1. They opened the book (Nehemiah 8:5). Do we actually open the Bible? Do we read it? That's where it begins. Or is it gathering dust in a shelf somewhere? The Bible app makes it convenient to read on your phone. But having a physical Bible is very helpful as there are no distractions, no messages or social media notifications popping up and dividing our attention.    2. They read the book (Nehemiah 8:8). It is important that we read the Bible in public and in private. As we see in Nehemiah 8, there was public reading of the scripture. The apostle Paul encouraged his disciple Timothy in this too (1 Timothy 4:13,16). They read the book every day (Nehemiah 8:18). It is important we read the Bible daily, delighting in and meditating on God's word. Then we will flourish, being fruitful, being youthful, and whatever we do: your work, family, marriage, business, studies, sports etc will prosper (Psalm 1:2-3). And they read the book from a central place (Nehemiah 8:5). The word of God was central to re-build the people, and it should be central to us to re-build ourselves, our marriages, families and church. We need to use the word in challenging situations, overcoming obstacles, for wisdom, daily decision making, encouraging and correcting, resisting temptations, and for seeing breakthroughs including in our finances (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Philippians 4:6; Psalm 119:11). The word of God should always be central in our lives.   3. They explained the book (Nehemiah 8:8). We need to unpack the word of God and break it down to understand deep truths in the Bible. God's Holy Spirit helps us in this. It's good to read different versions like the KJV, NKJV, MSG, Amplified version. The Bible says that the word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). It's not dead, rather it's so sharp that it can cut through like a surgeon's scalpel to reach between soul and the spirit. It can help us to discern between what is worldly and what is spiritual. You will be able to discern a situation, a decision you need to make, or the advice you need to give to your children. The word of God has the power to go deep within us, to heal and restore us.    4. They were moved by the book (Nehemiah 8:9b). People were moved because they were convicted of their sin and their disobedience, and their previous lack of attention to the word of God. They were crying repentant tears. We need to be convicted for looking for instruction elsewhere, when God had made a life manual, a living and powerful life-transforming book for us. We had a great role model in the late Queen Elizabeth of devotion to Jesus and the Word of God.    5. They obeyed the book (Nehemiah 10:29). We need to make a conscious decision and a real commitment to obey the word of God. We read from the book of Nehemiah, how the leaders at that time thought that having the temple worship and the physical security of the rebuilt walls weren't good enough. They wanted to re-build the people, and the word of God was central to it all. Today let us all make the Bible central to our lives. For as we do, we will live lives of conquest and see great blessing in our marriages, in our families, in the church and in our nation.

The Bible is often called The Book of Books because no other book can compare with it. It is the Word of God (Matthew 4:4). Over 100million copies are sold annually, with parts of the Bible having been translated into nearly 3600 languages, and the full Bible to over 724 languages. The YouVersion Bible app has been downloaded over 500million times globally.     It should be our goal and priority this year to make the word of God the foundation in our lives, in our marriages, in our families and in our church. It shouldn't be a part of our lives, but rather central to our lives.    In Nehemiah 8 we see that, after experiencing many challenges, there was a turning back of the people to the Word and instructions of God (Nehemiah 8:8-9,18). In 445BC-432BC was when Nehemiah was appointed Governor of Jerusalem by King Artaxerxes, and oversaw the re-building of the city's the walls in just 52 days. He held joint assemblies with Ezra, who was the priest and scribe at that time (a scribe's role being to study, interpret and teach scriptures), for public scripture reading. People confessed their sins and renewed their covenant with God, and they implemented social reforms.   Ezra and Nehemiah thought having the temple and the security of the rebuilt walls weren't good enough. They wanted to re-build the people. It was important that God's people were where God wanted them to be, both physically and spiritually. So, what did they do? They wanted the people to put the word of God in the centre of their lives. They built a wooden stage in the centre of the public square, so that everyone could gather and see Ezra and the Levites with him. Everyone in the community who could understand gathered in the square to hear the public reading of the Word of God (Nehemiah 8:3). There were 14 Levites on either side of Ezra explaining and unpacking the word of God to the people. And the people wept, not with tears of joy, but because they were convicted of their sin. They wept repentant tears of sorrow. And to build back, they had to start somewhere. We see:  1. They opened the book (Nehemiah 8:5) 2. They read the book (Nehemiah 8:8; 1 Timothy 4:13,16; Psalm 1:2-3; Nehemiah 8:5; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Philippians 4:6; Psalm 119:11) 3. They explained the book (Nehemiah 8:8; Hebrews 4:12) 4. They were moved by the book (Nehemiah 8:9b) 5. They obeyed the book (Nehemiah 10:29)  Apply     1. They opened the book (Nehemiah 8:5). Do we actually open the Bible? Do we read it? That's where it begins. Or is it gathering dust in a shelf somewhere? The Bible app makes it convenient to read on your phone. But having a physical Bible is very helpful as there are no distractions, no messages or social media notifications popping up and dividing our attention.    2. They read the book (Nehemiah 8:8). It is important that we read the Bible in public and in private. As we see in Nehemiah 8, there was public reading of the scripture. The apostle Paul encouraged his disciple Timothy in this too (1 Timothy 4:13,16). They read the book every day (Nehemiah 8:18). It is important we read the Bible daily, delighting in and meditating on God's word. Then we will flourish, being fruitful, being youthful, and whatever we do: your work, family, marriage, business, studies, sports etc will prosper (Psalm 1:2-3). And they read the book from a central place (Nehemiah 8:5). The word of God was central to re-build the people, and it should be central to us to re-build ourselves, our marriages, families and church. We need to use the word in challenging situations, overcoming obstacles, for wisdom, daily decision making, encouraging and correcting, resisting temptations, and for seeing breakthroughs including in our finances (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Philippians 4:6; Psalm 119:11). The word of God should always be central in our lives.   3. They explained the book (Nehemiah 8:8). We need to unpack the word of God and break it down to understand deep truths in the Bible. God's Holy Spirit helps us in this. It's good to read different versions like the KJV, NKJV, MSG, Amplified version. The Bible says that the word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). It's not dead, rather it's so sharp that it can cut through like a surgeon's scalpel to reach between soul and the spirit. It can help us to discern between what is worldly and what is spiritual. You will be able to discern a situation, a decision you need to make, or the advice you need to give to your children. The word of God has the power to go deep within us, to heal and restore us.    4. They were moved by the book (Nehemiah 8:9b). People were moved because they were convicted of their sin and their disobedience, and their previous lack of attention to the word of God. They were crying repentant tears. We need to be convicted for looking for instruction elsewhere, when God had made a life manual, a living and powerful life-transforming book for us. We had a great role model in the late Queen Elizabeth of devotion to Jesus and the Word of God.    5. They obeyed the book (Nehemiah 10:29). We need to make a conscious decision and a real commitment to obey the word of God. We read from the book of Nehemiah, how the leaders at that time thought that having the temple worship and the physical security of the rebuilt walls weren't good enough. They wanted to re-build the people, and the word of God was central to it all. Today let us all make the Bible central to our lives. For as we do, we will live lives of conquest and see great blessing in our marriages, in our families, in the church and in our nation.

The book of Nehemiah is a powerful narrative in the Old Testament that chronicles the restoration of Jerusalem's walls and the spiritual revival of the Jewish people after their exile. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, is called by God to lead the rebuilding of the city's walls despite opposition from enemies and internal challenges. The book highlights themes of leadership, prayer, perseverance, and faith, showing how Nehemiah's reliance on God and strategic planning brought about both physical and spiritual renewal for the Israelites.In Nehemiah Chapter 1, Nehemiah, serving as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, learns of the dire state of Jerusalem—its walls are broken, and its gates are burned. Deeply grieved, he turns to God in prayer, confessing the sins of Israel, acknowledging God's covenant faithfulness, and pleading for favor before the king. This chapter sets the stage for Nehemiah's mission, showcasing his heartfelt intercession and reliance on God for guidance and strength.If you would like to purchase my book - Coming To Loving Yourself Paperback - https://sharisenjohnson-moorellc.hbportal.co/public/CTLYBookComing To Loving Yourself Ebook - https://a.co/d/7k2sus0If you would like to advertise your products or services on the podcast please click on the link for further details - https://sharisenjohnson-moorellc.hbportal.co/public/PodcastAds Contact Sharise Johnson-MooreEmail - snjm@sharisenjohnsonmoore.comWebsite - sharisenjohnsonmoore.com

1/19/2025 Paul Bang   Nehemiah 2:1-8     2 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3 I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.” 6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.

Nehemiah 1:1-11 & 2:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples,9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.' 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king. 1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence.

(Nehemiah 2:1-18) This Sunday's sermon explores the importance of both prayer and action in fulfilling God's mission. We look at Nehemiah's journey from prolonged prayer to decisive, faith-filled action in seeking the favor of King Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, underscoring God's providence and power. The message challenges Mosaic to embrace its unique season of building through prayer, vision, and participation. We parallel Nehemiah's leadership and the church's mission to establish new worship and churches. The sermon calls members to survey the church's needs, engage in prayer, and rise to build together for God's glory.

Nehemiah had received word in Persia, while serving King Artaxerxes, that the walls around the city of Jerusalem were still lying in ruin. This troubled him. A city without walls was a city without respect. The temple in Jerusalem had been rebuilt, but the walls were still in heaps. Nehemiah sensed direction from the LORD to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. The task was like a mountain. It was much larger than Nehemiah could handle on his own and would be met with significant opposition. This did not stop Nehemiah. He proceeded forward with much prayer and dependence upon God. His heart is seen in this key prayer, “O God, strengthen my hands.” As we open up another year, we continue to embrace the task that God has given to us — to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Related to this task is our personal growth, the raising of our families in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and our functioning part within the body of the church. The task is like a mountain. It is much larger than us and there will be opposition. Without the strength of God, we cannot succeed. Collectively, may our sincere prayer be, “O God, strengthen my hands.” Download Notes Thanks for joining us for this episode and please take a moment to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoy this content, please don't hesitate to leave us a 5-star review and share this podcast with your friends.  We'd like to extend an invitation to you and your family to join us for worship this week at Grace Baptist Church. We'd also love to connect with you online at https://gracekettering.org. Thanks again for checking out this episode, and we look forward to having you join us again right here on the Grace Baptist Church Podcast!

Ezra 7:1-28 recounts the return of Ezra, a skilled scribe and priest, to Jerusalem during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia. Ezra is described as a man devoted to studying, practicing, and teaching the Law of the Lord. The chapter highlights the king's decree granting Ezra authority to lead a group of Israelites back to Jerusalem, provide offerings for the temple, and appoint leaders and judges. Ezra credits God for the king's favor and for giving him the strength to undertake this mission. This chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty, Ezra's dedication to His law, and the restoration of worship in Jerusalem. Contact Sharise Johnson-Moore - snjm@sharisenjohnsonmoore.com Coming To Loving Yourself is available in paperback & ebook form. Coming To Loving Yourself Paperback Book - https://sharisenjohnsonmoore.com Coming To Loving Yourself Ebook - https://a.co/d/fB9gDoS Ad Placement - https://sharisenjohnson-moorellc.hbportal.co/public/PodcastAds Published Now What Course - https://sharisenjohnsonmoore.com/publishednowwhat Donations can be given through these portals: CashApp: https://cash.app/$ShariseJohnsonMoore PayPal: PayPal.me/SNJMooreLLC

The temple is finished. The wall is finished. The people have rededicated themselves to the Lord's house, and on today's episode, the remnant of Israel rejoices. With the work completed, Nehemiah returns to Persia to serve under King Artaxerxes as he had before, just as he had promised. All is right with the world, and God's people serve Him faithfully from then on, right? Wrong! In fact, not long after Nehemiah leaves, the work of the temple is all but abandoned and Eliashib, who is in charge of the temple storehouses, clears out a room for Tobiah the Ammonite official, who happens to be a relative. Nehemiah returns once more to set things straight.Nehemiah 11 - 1:01 . Nehemiah 12 - 6:25 . Nehemiah 13 - 14:09 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

As mentioned previously, Nehemiah is a continuation of the Ezra, recorded the history of Israel and their return from exile. Nehemiah, an exile who lived in Persia's capital and served King Artaxerxes as his royal cupbearer, hears news that Jerusalem has been laid waste. The wall surrounding the city had been greatly compromised and the gates that would have maintained a secure entrance had been burned down. In great dismay, Nehemiah asks the king if he can return to help restore the city. With the king's approval and with papers in hand, Nehemiah goes back to Jerusalem, but the local governors are not happy that he has come. Nehemiah surveys the damage under cover of night, then urges Israel to join him in the work of rebuilding the wall and gates. Nehemiah 1 - 1:02 . Nehemiah 2 - 3:44 . Nehemiah 3 - 9:24 . Nehemiah 4 - 15:42 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, we were introduced to Ezra, a scribe in exile who had been trained in the law of Moses and who had “determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach it's statutes and ordinances in Israel.” King Artaxerxes has expressly commanded Ezra to do just that. After we review some of the family heads who accompanied Ezra for the journey back to Jerusalem, we discover that even the leaders of those who had returned from exile had disobeyed the commands of the Lord by marrying foreign women. This was forbidden under the law of Moses, and can be cited as one of the reasons Israel abandoned the Lord and pursued other gods.Ezra 8 - 1:01 . Ezra 9 - 7:21 . Ezra 10 - 12:49 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Opening Words:“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”Psalm 19:14 (ESV) Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. The PsalterPsalm 70Deus, in adjutorium1Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *O Lord, make haste to help me.2Let those who seek my life be ashamedand altogether dismayed; *let those who take pleasure in my misfortunedraw back and be disgraced.3Let those who say to me “Aha!” and gloat over me turn back, *because they are ashamed.4Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *let those who love your salvation say for ever,“Great is the Lord!”5But as for me, I am poor and needy; *come to me speedily, O God.6You are my helper and my deliverer; *O Lord, do not tarry.Psalm 71In te, Domine, speravi1In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; *let me never be ashamed.2In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *incline your ear to me and save me.3Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *you are my crag and my stronghold.4Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.5For you are my hope, O Lord God, *my confidence since I was young.6I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;from my mother's womb you have been my strength; *my praise shall be always of you.7I have become a portent to many; *but you are my refuge and my strength.8Let my mouth be full of your praise *and your glory all the day long.9Do not cast me off in my old age; *forsake me not when my strength fails.10For my enemies are talking against me, *and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together.11They say, “God has forsaken him;go after him and seize him; *because there is none who will save.”12O God, be not far from me; *come quickly to help me, O my God.13Let those who set themselves against me be put to shame and be disgraced; *let those who seek to do me evil be covered with scorn and reproach.14But I shall always wait in patience, *and shall praise you more and more.15My mouth shall recount your mighty actsand saving deeds all day long; *though I cannot know the number of them.16I will begin with the mighty works of the Lord God *I will recall your righteousness, yours alone.17O God, you have taught me since I was young, *and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.18And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, *till I make known your strength to this generationand your power to all who are to come.19Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; *you have done great things;who is like you, O God?20You have showed me great troubles and adversities, *but you will restore my lifeand bring me up again from the deep places of the earth.21You strengthen me more and more; *you enfold and comfort me,22Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your faithfulness, O my God; *I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.23My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, *and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.24My tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long, *for they are ashamed and disgraced who sought to do me harm. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. LessonsEzra 7:11-26English Standard Version11 This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel: 12 “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace. And now 13 I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you. 14 For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand, 15 and also to carry the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, 16 with all the silver and gold that you shall find in the whole province of Babylonia, and with the freewill offerings of the people and the priests, vowed willingly for the house of their God that is in Jerusalem. 17 With this money, then, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God that is in Jerusalem. 18 Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do, according to the will of your God. 19 The vessels that have been given you for the service of the house of your God, you shall deliver before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatever else is required for the house of your God, which it falls to you to provide, you may provide it out of the king's treasury.21 “And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all diligence, 22 up to 100 talents of silver, 100 cors of wheat, 100 baths of wine, 100 baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23 Whatever is decreed by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of the God of heaven, lest his wrath be against the realm of the king and his sons. 24 We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.25 “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach. 26 Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.”Revelation 14:1-13English Standard Version14 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersLord, have mercy.Christ, have mercyLord, have mercyOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. The SuffragesO Lord, show your mercy upon us;And grant us your salvation.O Lord, guide those who govern usAnd lead us in the way of justice and truth.Clothe your ministers with righteousnessAnd let your people sing with joy.O Lord, save your peopleAnd bless your inheritance.Give peace in our time, O LordAnd defend us by your mighty power.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgottenNor the hope of the poor be taken away.Create in us clean hearts, O GodAnd take not your Holy Spirit from us. Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. The CollectsProper 26Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God!Alleluia, Alleluia! BenedictionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

We finally meet Ezra, a skilled scribe and priest, from Babylon to Jerusalem during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia. Ezra is sent with the king's blessing and authority to teach the laws of God and ensure that they are being followed in Jerusalem. The chapter emphasizes God's favor on Ezra, as he is given resources, silver, gold, and offerings to restore worship at the temple. Ezra's mission is to lead a spiritual revival among the Israelites, ensuring they are living according to the Law of Moses. At New Promise Church you will see people of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds, and at different stages of their spiritual journey. We desire to draw closer to Jesus by understanding who He is and what He has done for us.

As Fr. Mike reads from Nehemiah today, we hear about how the hearts of the people of Israel were moved as Ezra reads the book of the law of Moses to them. In our reading of Esther, we have the beginning of the crisis that will unfold throughout the book as Haman, backed by the king, seeks to destroy the Jews. Today's readings are Nehemiah 8, Esther 3 and 13, and Proverbs 21:5-8. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, September 18, 2024Worship Service: 2:00 p.m.Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. — The Book of HebrewsAll are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relativeVisit our YouTube channel — Click the red “subscribe” box, and then click on the “bell” next to that box to receive Live Streaming notifications. You must be logged into YouTube to activate these features.Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”Archive of BULLETINSNehemiah 1:1—2:10 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.' They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king. In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.” And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. 1 Timothy 1:1-20 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. The Ten Commandments What is the Seventh Commandment? You shall not steal. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.

The temple is finished. The wall is finished. The people have rededicated themselves to the Lord's house, and on today's episode, the remnant of Israel rejoices. With the work completed, Nehemiah returns to Persia to serve under King Artaxerxes once again, just as he promised. All is right with the world, and God's people serve Him faithfully from then on, right? Wrong! In fact, not long after Nehemiah leaves, the work of the temple is all but abandoned and Eliashib, who is in charge of the temple storehouses, clears out a room for Tobiah the Ammonite official, who happens to be a relative. Nehemiah returns once more to set things straight.Nehemiah 11 - 1:12 . Nehemiah 12 - 6:19 . Nehemiah 13 - 14:09 . Isaiah 21 - 21:07 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Nehemiah, an exile who lived in Persia's capital and served King Artaxerxes as his royal cupbearer, hears news that Jerusalem has been laid waste. The wall surrounding the city had been greatly compromised and the gates that would have maintained a secure entrance had been burned down. In great dismay, Nehemiah asks the king if he can return to help restore the city. With the king's approval and with papers in hand, Nehemiah goes back to Jerusalem, but the local governors are not happy that he has come. Nehemiah surveys the damage under cover of night, then urges Israel to join him in the work of rebuilding the wall and gates. Nehemiah 1 - 1:10 . Nehemiah 2 - 3:43 . Nehemiah 3 - 9:41 . Nehemiah 4 - 15:45 . Isaiah 18 - 20:58 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, we were introduced to Ezra, a scribe in exile who had been trained in the law of Moses and who had “determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach it's statutes and ordinances in Israel.” King Artaxerxes has expressly commanded Ezra to do just that. After we review some of the family heads who accompanied Ezra for the journey back to Jerusalem, we discover that even the leaders of those who had returned from exile had disobeyed the commands of the Lord by marrying foreign women. This was forbidden under the law of Moses, and can be cited as one of the reasons Israel abandoned the Lord and pursued other gods.Ezra 8 - 1:07 . Ezra 9 - 7:46 . Ezra 10 - 13:13 . Isaiah 17 - 20:35 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Your Daily Prayer

In this Bible Story, we learn of another hero sent by God, Nehemiah. Nehemiah oversees the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple. He gives them hope, and encourages them to trust in the protection of God. Yet no wall could truly protect them from their real enemy. This story is inspired by Nehemiah 1-13. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Nehemiah 5:19 from the King James Version.Episode 171: As the sun was shining on the Persian Empire, Nehemiah, a servant from the Jewish exiles was serving the King as his cupbearer. When Nehemiah, heard of the return of the exiles and the current state of his homeland, he wept. King Artaxerxes noticed a sadness in Nehemiah and asked him what was troubling him. When it was revealed that Nehemiah wanted to go and help his people, the King gave him leave and sent a team of workers with him. Yet the project was not without opposition, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, and the Ammonites all did their best to demoralize the people. But God was with them and 52 days later, the wall was rebuilt!Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Nehemiah had gone back to the court of King Artaxerxes for a time, he returned to Jerusalem to find God's people in need of continued instruction and correction. Although they had promised to remain faithful to the LORD by caring for His house, observing the Sabbath, and avoiding intermarriage with idolaters, God's people had fallen into sin in each of those areas. As a faithful leader, Nehemiah calls the people back to faithfulness to the LORD and prays that the LORD would bring success to this work.  Rev. Lucas Witt, assistant director of the Lutheran Mission Society of Maryland, headquartered in Baltimore, MD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 13:1-30.  "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Nehemiah 5:14 For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes—neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. I once heard about a military officer who took his men on an arduous training exercise. They were all carrying heavy rucksacks which pushed them to their limits. At one point, they had to climb over a gate and the officer's rucksack split open to reveal that, although it appeared to be full, it was in fact empty! It had no weight at all. In that moment, the officer completely lost the respect of his men and rightly so. He didn't deserve it. It is impossible for leaders to command respect unless they live up to the highest standards. In today's verse, Nehemiah points out that, during the twelve years that he was governor of Judah, he lived in an exemplary way. The previous governors had been very different, laying heavy burdens on the people and demanding not only a daily ration of food and wine but also 40 pieces of silver. Nehemiah's credibility as a leader was founded on the fact that he never took advantage of the people. If you have the honour of being a church leader, you need to reflect frequently and carefully on the example that you set. Nobody is expecting you to be perfect, but people can rightly expect that you set a good example. That is to say, people should be able to look at you and get a good idea of what it means to follow Jesus. If you are not a church leader, it's important that you pray for your leaders and encourage them. Just like you, leaders are sinners, and they are subject to the same temptations as everyone else. Pray that God will keep them strong so that their example will be a blessing to all who know them. Nehemiah's leadership depended upon his credibility and integrity – and nothing has changed for us today. Question In what way are you able to support the church leaders you know? Prayer Loving God, thank you for the gift of leadership. I pray for your blessing on all the church leaders that I know. May they stay so close to you that they will always set a really good example. Amen

Nehemiah 2:19-20 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall.” Everything seemed to be going so well. King Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah the leave that he requested and also supplied him with wood for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah made the 1,000-mile journey to the city and inspected the broken walls, finding them just as he had been told. He called the people together and challenged them to rebuild the walls. They were eager to start, but even before the building work started, the opposition got going. The builders were mocked and ridiculed and had to face the dangerous allegation that their work would be an act of rebellion against the king. But Nehemiah confidently brushed off the opposition. He knew that God was on his side and that his work would succeed. The waspish criticisms and threats would not delay an undertaking as important as this. Throughout the Bible, we see men and women of God facing opposition. Moses continually battled with disagreement from his own people. Joshua faced fierce hostility on all sides when he entered the Promised Land. The judges, kings and prophets all faced a continual barrage of obstacles. In the New Testament, it was no different. Jesus' own ministry was opposed from the outset and led to his total rejection through his death on the cross; he assured his followers that it would be no different for them. It should never surprise us when we face opposition. It is an integral part of the privilege of serving God in a world that is fundamentally opposed to him. Question What opposition have you faced and how have you coped with it? Prayer Dear Lord, keep me strong, gracious and loving however obstructive people might be. Amen

Nehemiah 2:8 And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me. Nehemiah's appearance before King Artaxerxes went incredibly well. Not only did the king grant him all the leave that he wanted, but he also gave Nehemiah letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates to ensure his safe travel, together with access to the royal forest for wood to help with the reconstruction of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's response was to acknowledge that this happened because the gracious hand of God was on him. When things go well in our lives it is so important that we immediately turn to God in praise. If we succeed in sport, we should praise God for the gift of our bodies and the strength he has given us. If we do well in our studies or in business, we should praise God for the skills and abilities that he has gifted us. If our families are healthy and doing well, we should praise God for the way in which he graciously gave them to us in the first place. Every day provides us with reasons to praise God. Nehemiah saw God's gracious hand upon him in the bad moments as well as the good ones. As soon as he got to work, the opposition started to kick off. Throughout his building project he was dogged by fierce attacks from Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite and some of the Jewish nobles. He could have concluded that his opponents were proof that God had withdrawn his hand of blessing – but he didn't. His relationship with God was so secure that he knew that, whatever the circumstances, the Lord would stand by him. Whatever happens to you today I invite you to believe that God's gracious and loving hand is upon you, giving you strength to face every challenge and blessing. Question In what way do you recognise the gracious hand of God upon you at the moment? Prayer Loving God, thank you that you are beside me every step of the way, graciously providing for me through thick and thin. Help me each day to trust you more. Amen

Nehemiah 2:4-5 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” This was a terrifying moment. King Artaxerxes noticed that Nehemiah was looking sad. He could tell that there was something troubling his wine taster but Nehemiah had to be very careful with what he said. The king was extremely powerful and if he didn't like the answer it could have been the end for Nehemiah. We read that Nehemiah prayed. In the previous chapter we saw Nehemiah praying at great length but, at this point, time was of the essence. He could only offer up the briefest prayer to God. These ‘arrow' prayers are good. It is a blessing that in the midst of our busy lives we can offer God quick prayers, knowing that he will hear us. But it would be tragic if those were the only kind of prayers that we brought to God. It's the same in any relationship. If the only way I communicated with my wife was by brief greetings as we walked past one another, something would be deeply wrong. But because we talk easily and at length with one another, it is fine that some of our communications are brief. This was clearly the case in Nehemiah's relationship with God. In chapter 1 he spoke at great length to God over a number of days. His firmly established relationship with God meant that he knew he could speak to his heavenly Father at any time. Like Nehemiah, God wants us to enjoy spending leisurely time with him in prayer but also to offer the briefest of prayers, if that's all we can do, on busy days. Question When have arrow prayers been particularly important for you? Prayer Thank you Lord that you love to hear our prayers, both on those days when we have plenty of time to spend with you and on those days when we are in a constant hurry. Amen

Nehemiah 1:11 “ O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honouring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favourable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” Nehemiah was on the verge of taking the boldest step of his life. He was going to ask King Artaxerxes, the mighty ruler of Persia, a question that could land him in a lot of trouble. In light of this, he brought his majestic and humble prayer to an end by making the bold request that God should grant him success. I think we often feel rather coy about asking God for success, but we needn't feel that way because he loves to hear our prayers. He wants us to be completely honest as we address him and, in a situation like Nehemiah's, it was absolutely right to make such a bold request. This wasn't a selfish prayer. He was asking for success so that he could bless his Jewish brothers and sisters by restoring Jerusalem. If the king granted his request it was going to give him a great deal of hard work and difficulty. In the letter of James we read: “You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it” (James 4:2). Asking God is a natural thing for us to do as his children, and he encourages us to do so, so long as our motives are right. But the people James was writing to had the wrong motives. They were just looking to please themselves. Selfish prayers will never work and we should be deeply grateful that they don't. When we follow the example of Nehemiah and pray out of a desire to serve God and bless his people we can be sure that he will hear our prayers. Question In what situation are you asking God for success at the moment? Prayer Lord I thank you that you are such a generous God and that you love to hear our requests. Amen

Like the book of Ezra, the book of Nehemiah details both the physical restoration of the city of Jerusalem and the spiritual restoration of the faith of God's people. Nehemiah, the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, receives word that the city walls of Jerusalem remain in ruins, even many years after the temple had been rebuilt. Recognizing the shame of this reality, Nehemiah turns to the LORD in prayer, even as he makes preparations to request permission to act. He calls upon the LORD as the faithful God who will hear and answer for the sake of His own name. As Nehemiah confesses his sin and the sin of the people, he asks that God would remember the promises that He spoke to Moses and now give success to what Nehemiah intends. Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 1:1-11. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Do you have what it takes to make a difference in the world? To change it for the better and to help others?  Yes! You do!  Nehemiah, in the Bible, felt like he had many constraints, but he was still able to use his influence as King Artaxerxes' cupbearer and his connection to God to serve others in need. And you can too. In week two of Celebration of Hope 2024, David Temfwe of the Jubilee Centre, one of our partners in Zambia, demonstrates how God has given us all that we need to use our influence, connections, and resources to help people around the world, and tells us how the Jubilee Centre is making a significant impact in the lives of the people they serve in Zambia.

Do you know how to keep a secret? We are examining some principles from Nehemiah because he was a very successful leader and motivator, as well as a very godly man. And we can learn much from him. One of his secrets of success was he knew how to keep a secret. After asking for and receiving permission from his boss, King Artaxerxes, to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls, he arrives there to do this seemingly impossible task. In chapter two verse twelve we read, I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:12). Now why was it important for Nehemiah to keep his own confidence? If he had ridden into Jerusalem and started pronouncing to everyone his intention to rebuild the broken walls, they would have thought he was mad. Who did he think he was anyway? He realized this had to be approached very wisely and carefully, and he had to show the people it could be done. He needed a plan and he needed to take his time to do it right. He kept his mouth shut until the appropriate time. Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin (Proverbs 13:3). Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity (Proverbs 21:23). A trustworthy person keeps a secret (Proverbs 11:13). Speaking rashly always leads to regrets. How many times have you wanted to cut your tongue out because you said something rashly, told something you should have kept in confidence or said something that was not carefully thought-out? It is so true guarding our mouths will keep us from calamity. Nehemiah could have destroyed any possibility of rebuilding that wall—doing what God had called him to do—if he had not controlled his tongue and kept his own confidence until the time was appropriate. We can benefit greatly by following his example.

I am examining leadership principles from the life of Nehemiah. Now, maybe you're thinking you're not a leader, but all of us are, in some way or another. And these principles are relevant to everyone. Yesterday we saw a leader knows how to handle bad news. In the second chapter of Nehemiah, we find he was open and vulnerable. You see, he worked for King Artaxerxes, and nobody was allowed to look sad or unhappy in the king's presence. In fact, the death penalty was the punishment for sad-looking servants. But with a heavy heart about his people and the condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah looked sad in the king's presence. Nehemiah did not hide his grief and sadness. He wasn't trying to make others feel bad, but he wasn't putting on a “happy face,” as we say. Psychologists say 80 percent of our emotional strength frequently goes into wearing a mask, pretending to be someone we are not. Think about it—when you ask someone how they are doing, how often do people say anything except “fine.” Now, I'm not suggesting we start dumping our problems on anyone who asks, “How are you?”  But I do believe far too often we put on a mask and pretend to be who we are not, when we need to be openly honest. There is great relief in developing this characteristic of not being afraid to reveal who we really are. You can be much more relaxed when you accept yourself the way you are, acknowledging your weaknesses and also recognizing your strengths. It is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity to be honest about yourself. I remember going to Uganda and Kenya to minister to women in Christian leadership, and the women were kind enough to write notes of appreciation for my teaching. I noticed many of them said things like, “Thank you for opening up to us,” and “Thank you for speaking from personal experience.” Being real and open can be used mightily by God to build bridges to other people and open up possibilities for ministry that would otherwise be closed. Remember, God has called us to be authentic and not to wear a mask. As the Apostle Paul wrote, By the grace of God I am who I am, and there is no reason to cover up who we are in Christ.

When the ten tribes of Israel were taken into captivity, the king of Assyria resettled foreigners in the region of Samaria. These newcomers intermarried with the remaining Israelites and caused them to worship their own pagan idols. Due to intermarriage and religious syncretism (compromise), Samaritans became universally despised by the remaining Jews who did not intermarry with foreigners. And it was these same Samaritans that wrote to King Artaxerxes imploring him to put an end to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the second temple during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Have you ever considered engaging a mentor or coach to support you in your leadership role? Perhaps your line manager is your mentor or someone else at work? In a recent article, Forbes magazine said, “Having a mentor is more than just setting and achieving goals; it's about having someone in your corner who can provide valuable feedback, encouragement and support to help you grow both professionally and personally.” So, in this episode, I'd like to discuss the topic of engaging a faith-aligned mentor. The bible shows us that mentorship is not a new concept. We can see that there were many mentor/mentee relationships in the bible: Jethro mentored Moses. Moses mentored Joshua and the elders of Israel. And Joshua mentored the other remaining leaders of his army. Eli mentored Samuel. Samuel mentored Saul and David. Ahithophel and Nathan the prophet also mentored David. David became Israel's greatest king. David mentored his army commanders and government officials to establish the united nation of Israel. David also mentored Solomon. Solomon mentored the Queen of Sheba, who returned to her people with his wisdom in the form of Proverbs that applied God's laws. Elijah mentored Elisha. Elisha mentored king Jehoash and others. Daniel mentored Nebuchadnezzar, who humbled himself before God. Mordecai mentored Esther. Esther mentored King Artaxerxes, which led to the liberation of God's people. Priscilla and Aquila mentored Apollos, and this resulted in a much-improved ministry for Apollos. And finally, Jesus mentored the twelve apostles who established the Christian church. The apostles mentored hundreds of other leaders, including Paul. Paul mentored Titus, Timothy, and many others." (Extract from Lifeway) Enjoy the episode as I discuss ways of engaging a faith-aligned mentor and ensuring it's the right person to mentor you.  NEXT STEPS: Connect with me on LinkedIn Join the Facebook Community

Ever wondered how the ancient story of Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem's walls can inspire modern leadership, prayer, and perseverance? In the episode, hosts Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston explore the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, focusing on its significance within the biblical narrative and its theological themes. They highlight Nehemiah's role as a layman and his efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, emphasizing his leadership qualities, dedication, and reliance on prayer. The discussion also covers the historical context of Nehemiah's time, the layout of the Old Testament, and the major and theological themes found in Nehemiah, such as prayer, providence, grace, and the importance of remembering God's judgment and mercy.[00:00 - 04:25] Introduction and Bible Jokes[04:25 - 09:37] Introduction to the Book of NehemiahPastor Jeff discusses the historical context of Nehemiah's time and his role as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes.Nehemiah's story illustrates how God's hand guides and provides for His people, emphasizing the role of divine providence and grace in achieving community restoration and spiritual revival. Nehemiah's example teaches the importance of leadership, vision-casting, and perseverance in the face of opposition.Nehemiah's concern for being remembered by God invites believers to reflect on eschatological themes, such as judgment, mercy, and the eternal consequences of one's actions and faithfulness to God.[09:37 - 19:50] Why is the book of Nehemiah important?Pastor Jeff highlights Nehemiah's leadership in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and his spiritual and political contributions.Bible Verses Mentioned:Psalm 126:2Job 16:12Acts 2:12Nehemiah 1 and 9Quotes:"Recognizing the human proneness to wander from God, his prayer for God's remembrance is an implied request for God's preserving work in his own life." - Pastor Jeff Cranston“A good leader always offers his or her followers a picture of a better future.” - Pastor Jeff CranstonJoin the ConversationWe love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org.Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. Check in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranstonRemember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Nehemiah and his example of praying to GOD before giving answer back to King Artaxerxes. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024!Today's YouTube Short focusing on this verse:https://youtube.com/shorts/-e1G-7RFsUo?si=1VUlHIyW05XqjuP7 Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the English Standard Version.Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Scripture References:John 17:172 Timothy 3:16-17Nehemiah 2:4Luke 1Nehemiah 1:1-2:4Exodus 28-30James 1:5-6Psalm 145:15-21  Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

The Importance of Building A Wall • Sunday Service To Give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give New Book: www.PastorToddBook.com Website: www.PastorTodd.org Church website: www.RRCNashville.org The answer to why it was important to rebuild Jerusalem's walls is found in Nehemiah 1:3. Some Jews who visited Jerusalem returned to Persia and reported to Nehemiah, the king's cupbearer. The men said, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” After the Babylonian Captivity, a remnant of the Jewish people had returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Ezra. These returned exiles had rebuilt the temple, but they were now in need of protection. The lack of fortified walls around the city left the people defenseless against enemies. Weather, wild animals, opposing people, and other opponents could easily enter and cause “great trouble” to the people. According to the report Nehemiah received, the remnant in Jerusalem was shamed. A city with broken walls revealed a defeated people. The Jews who had returned to their homeland were both in unsafe conditions and humiliated at living in a destroyed city. In Nehemiah 2:17, Nehemiah told the Jewish leaders, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” Also, the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls would show God's blessing upon His people again. Nehemiah quoted God's words to Moses in his prayer, saying, “If you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name” (Nehemiah 1:9). Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was an important sign to the enemies of Israel. Nehemiah told their enemies, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it” (Nehemiah 2:20). And rebuilding the walls showed that God was with His people. Upon the completion of the walls, Nehemiah wrote, “When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God” (Nehemiah 6:16). The destruction of Jerusalem's walls left its people exposed to great trouble and shame. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was important because it revealed God's blessing, served as a sign to Israel's enemies, and showed God was with His people. let's go through each chapter of the Book of Nehemiah in greater detail: **Chapter 1: Nehemiah's Prayer** - In this chapter, Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, hears about the distressing condition of Jerusalem and its broken walls. - Nehemiah's immediate response is one of deep concern and grief. He weeps, mourns, fasts, and prays to God for forgiveness for his people's sins and for guidance on how to address the situation. - This chapter serves as an introduction to Nehemiah's character, his strong connection to his homeland, and his reliance on prayer as he seeks God's direction. **Chapter 2: Nehemiah's Commission** - Nehemiah, still in the king's service, looks visibly sad. When the king inquires about the reason, Nehemiah explains his concern for Jerusalem. - Remarkably, King Artaxerxes grants Nehemiah permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city's walls. The king even provides him with letters for safe passage and resources. - Nehemiah's commission serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, as He uses even pagan kings to accomplish His purposes. **Chapter 3: The Wall's Construction** - This chapter provides a detailed account of the people and groups who participated in rebuilding different sections of Jerusalem's wall. - The lists of builders and their contributions underscore the unity and cooperation among the Israelites. Families, priests, and even rulers are involved in the construction. - It emphasizes that rebuilding the wall was a collective effort, reflecting the importance of unity and teamwork among God's people. **Chapter 4: Opposition and Perseverance** - As the wall construction progresses, Sanballat, Tobiah, and other enemies of the Jews become increasingly hostile. They mock and ridicule the builders, seeking to discourage them. - Nehemiah responds with prayer and encourages the people to stay vigilant and continue their work. He sets up a system of defense and assigns armed guards. - This chapter illustrates the reality of opposition and adversity in pursuing God's work but also highlights the importance of perseverance, prayer, and trusting in God's protection. **Chapter 5: Nehemiah Addresses Social Injustice** - In this chapter, Nehemiah addresses internal issues of social injustice among the Jewish community. Some were exploiting their fellow Jews through loans and exorbitant interest rates, leading to financial hardships. - Nehemiah rebukes the oppressors, urging them to return what they had taken and charging them to live in a way that pleases God. - This chapter demonstrates Nehemiah's commitment to justice and fairness, emphasizing the need for God's people to care for the marginalized and vulnerable. **Chapter 6: Completing the Wall** - Nehemiah faces further opposition in the form of deceitful schemes, designed to lure him away from Jerusalem or discredit him. - Despite these attempts, Nehemiah remains resolute in his mission. He discerns the deceit and continues to lead the people in completing the wall. - The wall is eventually finished in an astonishing 52 days, a testament to the determination and trust in God's providence. Each chapter of Nehemiah offers valuable lessons, including the importance of prayer, God's providence, unity, perseverance, justice, and leadership. In a sermon, you can emphasize these themes and how they apply to the lives of your congregation today, encouraging them to seek God's guidance, work together, face opposition with faith, and pursue justice in their communities. Nehemiah's story serves as an inspiring example of faith in action and the transformative power of God's work through dedicated individuals. The walls provided protection and dignity to a people who had suffered the judgment of God but had later been restored and returned to the Promised Land.

Join Julia Jeffress Sadler as she takes us on an incredible adventure in Episode 142. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, learns that Jerusalem's walls are in ruins and prays for God's help. The king allows Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem, where he secretly inspects the walls and inspires the people to rebuild them. Despite mockery and threats from their enemies, Nehemiah leads the Jews with courage and faith, organizing security and motivating the builders. In just 52 days, the walls and gates are completed, showcasing God's protection and the power of unity and perseverance.  Sign up to receive Kids Bible in a Year devotionals in your inbox every weekday: https://www.kidsbibleinayear.com/  Get ready to experience the Bible designed specifically for children with the official KidsBibleinaYear.com podcast, led by Julia Jeffress Sadler. This captivating audio series presents the age-old wisdom of the Bible in an engaging format that will captivate your kids. Each episode Julia translates biblical teachings into real-life applications, making Bible comprehension a breeze for young minds.  And if you want more Christian resources and content, you can download the Pray.com app. Pray.com is the digital destination for faith, offering over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime Bible stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible. For more resources on how to live a successful Christian life, visit Julia Jeffress Sadler's website at https://ptv.org/julia/. This episode is sponsored by Little Passports. Visit LittlePassports.com/blessed and use promo code BLESSED to receive 20% off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Nehemiah's prayer to GOD asking for GOD's help and favor as he went before King Artaxerxes. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024!Today's YouTube Short focusing on this verse: Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the English Standard Version.Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Scripture References:Psalm 107:19-20Nehemiah 1:11Nehemiah 1:1-11Nehemiah 2Hebrews 4:16Psalm 116:1-2Psalm 118:5-9Psalm 66:18Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

In this Bible Story, we learn of another hero sent by God, Nehemiah. Nehemiah oversees the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple. He gives them hope, and encourages them to trust in the protection of God. Yet no wall could truly protect them from their real enemy. This story is inspired by Nehemiah 1-13. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Nehemiah 5:19 from the King James Version.Episode 171: As the sun was shining on the Persian Empire, Nehemiah, a servant from the Jewish exiles was serving the King as his cupbearer. When Nehemiah, heard of the return of the exiles and the current state of his homeland, he wept. King Artaxerxes noticed a sadness in Nehemiah and asked him what was troubling him. When it was revealed that Nehemiah wanted to go and help his people, the King gave him leave and sent a team of workers with him. Yet the project was not without opposition, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, and the Ammonites all did their best to demoralize the people. But God was with them and 52 days later, the wall was rebuilt!Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, we dive more into the mind of the Witch Queen Jezebel. Her evil and twisted ways have a hold on King Ahab, as she enacts cruelty on his behalf. After she has a farmer killed for his land, Elijah confronts Ahab, and he repents before the Lord. This story is inspired by 1 Kings 21. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 1 Kings 21:1 from the King James Version.Episode 125: In Israel, there was a man named Naboth who lived close to the land of the king. Naboth had a beautiful vineyard that had been handed down in his family for generations. Naboth loved his vineyard and saw it as a gift from God to himself. But King Ahab also saw it and wanted it for himself. When Naboth refused Ahab, he left to go sulk to his wife. Jezebel was quick to plan and execute Naboth's murder. Though she was crafty, her involvement did not go unseen. And God would not let her or her husband go unpunished.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Fr. Mike reads from Nehemiah today, we hear about how the hearts of the people of Israel were moved as Ezra reads the book of the law of Moses to them. In our reading of Esther, we have the beginning of the crisis that will unfold throughout the book as Haman, backed by the king, seeks to destroy the Jews. Today's readings are Nehemiah 8, Esther 3 and 13, and Proverbs 21:5-8. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.