ENGAGE THE WORD- DAY 22 – LEADING…SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE Our scripture today is a continuation from yesterday. Nehemiah is continuing to let us know how he led the Jews. SCRIPTURE: Neh 5:16-19 (NKJV) 16 Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 And at my table were one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us. 18 Now that which was prepared daily was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of this I did not demand the governors provisions, because the bondage was heavy on this people. 19 Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. First of all, he kept his main focus on the finishing of the wall. That was the reason he had given to King Artaxerxes for coming to Jerusalem. Second, he was not there to get rich or acquire land. Third, one hundred and fifty Jews and officials, plus men from other nations who came to help them, ate at his table each day. It wasn’t fancy, but it does seem like a lot of food…one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry along with wine that arrived every ten days. Lastly, the money used to purchase this food did not come from the food allowance allotted the governor. Nehemiah never asked anyone to do anything that he was not willing to also do. He led, not by telling others what they had to do and then leaving or sitting back and watching; but he led by showing how to do what was needed. Nehemiah was a respected leader whose leadership was a labor of love. After Nehemiah set forth his report of how things were being cared for, he ends with a prayer. Remember in my favor, O my God, Everything I have done for these people. (The Message) LIFE APPLICATION: Can you say that you look at your leadership responsibility as “a labor of love?” Why or why not? PASTOR’S NOTE: This is a tough question. I know sometimes it is easy to look at ministry as a duty or obligation when it should be looked at as a labor of love to our Lord. When we lose sight of our focus it is easy to get discouraged when the numbers are down, or we don’t see the results that we want to see, or problems arise; and to be honest all problems are bigger than we are. However, when we are looking through the proper spiritual lens, we realize that we are only responsible to serve; the results are totally up to HIM. SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE(S): II Thessalonians 3:7-9; Philippians 4:9; I Thessalonians 4:11-12
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 11:23:45 +0000
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