8/3/2011 6:11:13 AM
SPIRITUAL DIARY
My Worship Time Focus: The purpose of work
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Various Scriptures
Message of the verses: I have mentioned many times in my SD’s that I follow the “Be Series” written by Dr. Warren Wiersbe, and in the next few days there will be actually no verses that have been in the pattern that I have been following. Dr. Wiersbe explains some different aspects of “work” and then will move back into the book of Nehemiah. He entitles this third chapter of “Be Determined” his commentary on Nehemiah, “Wall to Wall,” and it will cover the third chapter of Nehemiah.
Dr. Wiersbe writes in the last part of his introduction for this chapter the key to understanding this chapter, as he usually does in all of the introductions of every chapter he writes. “As you study this chapter, you will discover principles that apply to all human labor, especially the work of building the church.”
So what is the purpose of work? The purpose of work is to bring glory to God and this is something that Nehemiah knew, for the very reason that he came to Jerusalem was to bring glory to God. There are verses in the OT especially that speak of Jerusalem as being very special to God and when Nehemiah got there he may have thought of some of these verses: “Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the great King” (Psalm 48:2). Psalm 87:2 is another example “The LORD loves the gates of Zion More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob.” When God spoke to Moses He told him that some day He would choose a place where one of the tribes of Israel would live to make a place for Him, and that place was Jerusalem. The tribe was Judah and the first king of Israel to rule from Jerusalem was David to whom God covenanted with as the family in which He would bring the Messiah into. In the NT book of Revelations at the end of the book we see that there will be a New Jerusalem that will be where believers will dwell after this present earth and present universe is destroyed. The name Jerusalem is special to God and Nehemiah knew this and wanted to get the walls and gates repaired to bring glory to the Lord.
In the book of Ephesians chapter two and verse ten we read “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” I have mentioned this verse in a few of my SD’s and it shows me that in eternity past the Lord prepared work for me to accomplish to His glory while I am on this earth, and this is true with all believers. How do we accomplish this work? We are connected to the Vine and the work “fruit” will be produced through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Words of Jesus in His high priestly prayer in John 17:4 are as follows “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.’” If the Lord Jesus Christ says this about His work on earth bringing glory to God the work of the believer should also glorify God.
Spiritual meaning for my life today: It seems that before Nehemiah got to Jerusalem that the citizens were content with living in the city in the condition that it was in, and that condition was not good, and did not glorify the Lord. I don’t want that to be true of me in my walk with the Lord for He deserves the best that I have and that is important to me.
My Steps of Faith for Today:
1. Bring glory to the Lord through the work that He has called me to do.
2. Trust the Lord in the selling of our Mazda3.
3. Trust the Lord to give me the words to say tomorrow at the Kauai Prison that will bring glory to the Lord.
4. Continue to learn contentment.
8/3/2011 6:54:33 AM
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