August 17

Nehemiah 13:25   I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.

I am not recommending using the Nehemiah approach to changing culture.  In our reading today he used rebuke, cursing, beating people up and pulling out their hair. Just to clarify, that is not how I lost mine.

Israel was a theocracy where God was the king and His law was the constitution. Given that the nation had just returned from 70 years of captivity caused by their rejection of God's commands about marriage, I can see why Nehemiah was a little over the top with this issue. 

But make no mistake about it; marriage is the building block to all nations.  That puts our nation on the trajectory of extinction.

So how do we change the culture? Let me make two suggestions. First, I am making a call to art not a call to arms. From my perspective, TV and the movie screen have changed our nation more than anything else. So to change it back again I want to encourage you to have a movie night at your house. Here is a list of movies taken from "Movie Guide" that celebrate marriage: Father of the Bride, Cheaper by the Dozen, Shadowlands, It's a Wonderful Life, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Quiet Man, The Sound of Music, Julie and Julia, Fireproof and Up…   just to name a few.

Show the movie and have a discussion with your friends or neighbors about marriage.

Second, live a sizzling married life. Show the world by example that we have great relationships. The world needs to see how much we love, romance, sacrifice for, have fun with, spend time with, and experience the deepest human relationship possible on earth. When they see this they will want to buy in again. That is the goal. 

It may be that the culture will soon be beyond repair – that traditional views will not be tolerated. Or, maybe not. But one thing is for certain, we must use the arts and our lives to pull this culture back to a healthy view of marriage and it will only be accomplished one heart at a time.

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"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Saturday BlogPost (8/16/14)

Saturday, August 16, 2014

[by Keesha Sullivan]

"God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind..." (Numbers 23:19 NIV) 

The entire bible, God's Word, is true. It is not possible for God to lie which means we can trust everything that God says in His Word. We can believe and put our hope in His promises. We will not be let down.

Today we read in the Psalms, "The righteous cry out, and The Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles" (Psalm 34:17). 

I had to write the word "WOW" by this verse. It doesn't say "some of our troubles," or "just the really difficult ones" - it says ALL! Praise God! 

I can't help, but think of my Christian brothers and sisters that I've lost in my life. At the moment that they said, "I'm tired" or "This is just too much," God took them away to Heaven to be with Him. He delivered them from their troubles one last time... Before today, I had never thought about it that way. 

In the life of a believer even our death shows God delivering us from the troubles that we face in the world. God says in His Word, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" (John16:33 NIV) 

We can have peace at all times! God's got it. Their is no trouble that we face that He won't deliver us from. We don't have to worry; we can trust that God will do what He said He will do in His Word.

Lord, thank you so, so, so much for being there for us. Thank You for Your Word! Thank You that we can trust in You. You are an amazing God! Thank You for delivering us from all of our troubles! We praise You and glorify You. We magnify Your name! Hallelujah! You are good! Help us to increase in our faith and trust in You! 

We love You Lord! 

Amen!  

Kenny Sullivan

Grace EFC | Stamford, CT

C: 203-803-7478

O: 203-323-6737 ext. 12

soli Deo gloria

August 15th

August 15th

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭19-23‬ NLT)

Paul was all about connecting with people. And this reading is all about that. Paul is explaining that he has connected with many people, on many different levels. This is what his point is. If we want to connect with people, we need to meet them on their level. We cannot have a holier than thou mentality. We need to work with our hands next to and for people if we are going to share in the harvest. That is how community is built, and people are reached.

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Thursday, August 14

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014

Nehemiah 7:61–9:21

1 Corinthians 9:1–18

Psalm 33:12–22

Proverbs 21:11,12

 

 

Today’s passage from Psalm 33 highlights God’s sovereignty and providence for those who “wait in hope” for Him.

 

I have recently started a study with a group over the book Trusting God by Jerry Bridges.  In the book, Bridges argues that we typically think of God’s providence as only bringing “good” outcomes, where we define “good” in a worldly, temporal sense.  His providence may involve what appear to be “rocky” paths, but we may trust in His goodness and His purposes.  Following after Romans 8:28,29, Bridges explains that God’s purposes always support His glory and the good of His people, and the two are never in conflict.  The “good of His people” includes our continued growth in Christlikeness (“conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers”).  Our discussion group waded on the topic of moving our understanding of these key questions from our heads to our hearts, experiencing these truths viscerally and not just intellectually.

 

 

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

                the people he chose for his inheritance.

From heaven the LORD looks down

and sees all mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches

all who live on earth—

he who forms the hearts of all,

who considers everything they do.” (Psalm 33:12–15)

 

The psalmist shows keen interest in God’s care for His people and their attitudes in light of His presence.  The Bible makes clear that God does “choose” His people and that He has the strength to effect His will in our world.  With Paul, we acknowledge:  “‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

 

 

“No king is saved by the size of his army;

no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

despite all its great strength it cannot save.

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death

and keep them alive in famine.” (vv. 17–19)

 

God takes an active interest in observing this world and intervenes as His people call upon Him.  Often, I find myself living like the person trusting in the horse, vainly and desperately seeking to bring security instead of leaning upon God’s sovereign care.  As I have reflected on this shortcoming, it seems that I would do well to recognize God’s presence more clearly and to remember His faithfulness.  It involves a moment-by-moment attacking of the lies with which we are consistently bombarded, turning them on their heads with the truth of Scripture and the comfort of His presence.  One verse for this moment:  “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

 

 

“We wait in hope for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love be with us, O LORD,

even as we put our hope in you.”

 

In these closing verses, the people praise God as their “help” and “shield.”  The hope to which the psalmist refers does not mean a wishful but uncertain desire, but rather an anchored reality in the bedrock of truth and God’s character.  Related again to Trusting God, we discussed how we may join in the hope-birthing process through sowing good thoughts and bearing God-honoring feelings (“affections”), as noted in Philippians 4:8.  We also must wrestle with the temporal vs. the eternal, recognizing that temporal realities may sometimes cloud eternal realities.  Yet, God does not change, and His sovereignty over both is complete.

 

 

Lord God, we bow before You in humility and trust.  We are incapable of trusting You completely under our strength; we need a greater revelation of Your presence and character into our hearts.  Take our hearts and transform them according to Your purpose.  Help us to find hope in You at all times, as we trust in Your unfailing love and goodness.  Bring to mind the truth of eternal, secure realities in the midst of the uncertainty and pain in this life.

 

We also pray for our sister Valerie Johnson.  Thank You, Lord, for her sweetness and loving heart.  Thank You for the joy of knowing her and the outstanding ways in which You have used her to be a blessing for so many.  Stand with her, Lord, and comfort her deeply at this time.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

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Tuesday August 12

Nehemiah 3:15-5:13

1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Psalms 32:1-11

Proverbs 21:5-7

In Nehemiah, we read about the daunting task of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. This was far from easy for the Israelites. Not only was it hard work, but they also faced opposition from people around them. As they built the wall, they also feared for their lives. They had to work with one hand and use the other to hold a weapon. Despite all these obstacles and opposition, God protected them through the whole process. I wonder how many times they felt like giving up because it was just too hard or because it was just too terrifying. But they didn't. They continued and endured and persevered with help from each other and from their God.

Like many others, I was deeply saddened to hear about Robin William's death on Monday. He made a lot of people laugh and brought a lot of people joy throughout his career. But he also suffered a lot in his life. I was heartbroken for his family and also for the people I know and love who have the same struggles as he did (addiction and mental illness). Why did he feel like he just couldn't continue? What hope do the rest of us have when we feel like the darkness will overtake us?

When you are faced with an impossible situation where it seems like there is no way out, you are not alone. You have your God and your brothers and sisters in Christ to help you with your burden. David Crowder's song "I Am" has been running through my head almost constantly. "There's no space that His love can't reach. There's no place where you can't find peace. There's no end to amazing grace."

Please, if you feel like you are at the end of your rope, please talk to someone. And please, if you see someone who is struggling, reach out to them. We cannot go through the trials and struggles of this life alone. We can only do it with help from our God and from each other.

Crowder - I Am (Lyric Video)

				Crowder - I Am (Lyric Video)
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August 11: No money, no resources...no problem

Nehemiah 1:1-3:14

1 Corinthians 7:1-24

Psalm 31:19-24

Proverbs 21:4

I am a father; my wife and I are trying to raise our children as best we can.  It is interesting how our two younger children, both boys, are exhibiting very similar behavior.  When they do something wrong, and we point it out, their immediate response is to try and shift the blame to someone else (usually another sibling).  And we try to point out how one is condemned to repeat mistakes they refuse to acknowledge and learn from.  

I hope my sons turn out like Nehemiah.  When he saw what had happened to Jerusalem, he immediately realized why, and what had to be done.  He wept for his realization, and acknowledged what wasn't just his sin, but all of Israel's sin, before God.  He was saddened to the point of tears with the acknowledgement of the sin, and then he confessed the sin and repented, and he reminded God of God's promise, to gather up His people in exile when they returned to Him and obeyed His commands.  

Here's what's amazing: God heard his prayer, and answered it.  Nehemiah had no money, no resources, nothing with which to rebuild the Jerusalem.  He was a servant, a cupbearer of the king - not something that came with lucrative stock options and profit sharing, no 401-K he could borrow against.  Yet he didn't even have to start the first conversation that led to him getting the resources needed - God moved King Artaxerxes to note Nehemiah's sadness and ask him.  And then God provided what Nehemiah needed, through someone who had no incentive whatsoever to give him permission, much less the materials and authority required.  

So the truth is, I want our children to learn from Nehemiah - not just in the acknowledgement of their own faults, shortcomings and sin, but in their acknowledgement of God, and their dependence upon Him.  Then they will partake of the abundance of "the good things that You have stored up for those who fear You, that You bestow in the sight of all on those who take refuge in You."

Saturday 8/9/14

August 9, 2014 (By Keesha Sullivan)

 

The first time I saw the video “99 Balloons” it blew my mind. This YouTube video shows real parents documenting 99 days of their son’s life. They knew he was going to be born with a genetic disease that would take his life at any moment, so each day they celebrated his life. They gave thanks to God for the days that they would be able to share with him. The video shows them rejoicing over his 99 days. The last image you see on the screen as their son dies is the verse that comes from Job 1:21 which says, “…the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

 

These parents believed that God was good. Because of this belief, they saw their son’s 99 days as a gift and were able to maintain peace in the middle of an incredible storm. In the reading today, we see the main character, Ezra, holding that same belief that God is good. In Ezra chapter 9 verse 15, it says, “O Lord, God of Israel, you are righteous!”

 

The Babylonians enslaved Ezra and the Israelites. They killed their young men with the sword and spared neither young man nor young woman. The Babylonians carried all of the articles from the temple of God, both large and small. They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, yet Ezra maintained his belief that God was good.

 

Ezra 9:7-8 says, “From the days of our forefathers until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today. But now, for a brief moment the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in His sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage.” Ezra, like the parents that I spoke about in the documentary, believed in God’s goodness. They believed that even in the midst of the storm that God was still righteous and just. This perspective led them to receive the peace of God through incredible turmoil and tragedy.

 

We too can have that peace if we take on the same belief that no matter what happens that God is still good. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Although our circumstances may change, God does not. We can trust Him and believe even in the midst of our own personal storms that God is good.

 

Lord, please help us to trust and believe in your goodness even in the midst of our storms. Help us to see You as an immutable/unchangeable good and gracious God.  Lord, please give us the perfect peace that you bestow on those that put their hope and trust in Your goodness. We love you so much Lord, and we are grateful for all that you do for us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 

Kenny Sullivan

Grace EFC | Stamford, CT

C: 203-803-7478

O: 203-323-6737 ext. 12

soli Deo gloria