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Rebuilding Your Life: Starting Over

StevenJBarker

Starting Over

Rebuilding Your Life - Episode 2

11/15/202 | Ken Wooten

We’re in the book of Nehemiah, it’s so real in what we’re going through today. When we went into this pandemic, we had to start over in a lot of things. When we come out of it, we’re going to have to start over. The secret to starting over is what we learn in the midst of what we’re going through.

NEHEMIAH means “The Lord Comforts”

The book of Nehemiah is a book of Rebuilding:

  1. City Walls

  2. Lives of People

  3. Religion

4 things that stand out in chapter 2:

1. Nehemiah was DEEPLY HURT

1 Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. 2 So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

-Nehemiah 2:1-3

2. Nehemiah PRAYS

The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven…

-Nehemiah 2:4

3. Nehemiah’s REQUEST

5 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.” 6 The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.

-Nehemiah 2:5-6

4. Nehemiah goes a step FURTHER

7 I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. 8 And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

-Nehemiah 2:7-8

What’s Important When Things Go Upside-Down

  1. Staying in your BIBLE DAILY

  2. The Connection with CHURCH and COMMUNITY

  3. Praying BIG things

  4. The need of having a TEAM

Nehemiah had great influence.


Question for you: What kind of influence are you having on others? Are you leaving a legacy?

If you’ve never said YES to Jesus, to receive His unconditional love and forgiveness, consider praying this prayer:

Jesus I give you my life. Thank you for saving me. I believe in you. Your life. Your death on the cross. And your resurrection. Forgive me of my sins. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Lead me. And teach me to follow you. And I ask it in Jesus name.

For Resources to Grow in Your Faith:

Text JESUS to 503-905-9067

QUICK CLICKS:

  1. Take the Westside Survey and help us with Reopening