Posted on Sep 25, 2018 in Devotions |
Stephen Edgecombe | 26 September, 2018 | Devotional |
Can you believe it is Day 10? Yep, you made it!.
Yesterday, we learned that world-changers, like Nehemiah, are not afraid to take the initiative. They see a need and are motivated to action instead of cowering to complacency. So what are the qualities of Initiators?
In the Maxwell Leadership Bible, John Maxwell identifies five distinct qualities from the life of Nehemiah:
- They know what they want: In the words of Napoleon Hill, “Desire is the starting point of all achievement.” Nehemiah knew that he wanted the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt.
- They push themselves to act: At first, Nehemiah acted alone. He pushed to get the facts that would also move others to action.
- They take more risks: Nehemiah took some major risks as he got permission to go, to get wood, and to survey the job.
- They make more mistakes: Nehemiah wasn’t afraid to mobilize men who weren’t professional contractors to build or soldiers to fight.
- They go with their gut: What Nehemiah lacked in experience, he made up for with the passion of his heart.
Posted on Sep 25, 2018 in BLOG, Devotions |
Stephen Edgecombe |25 September, 2018 |Devotional|
Have you ever met people who were filled with a ton of ideas but always leave the action to others? Often many of them surely actionable but they lacked the initiative to act. They are the ones who say “somebody ought to do something” but just never think about the fact that they are somebody.
Nehemiah couldn’t imagine standing still when he heard of the broken walls. He had to act. He had a Popeye Moment – Something has to be done about the “broken down walls” and it might as well be me. That’s the essence of initiative
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Posted on Sep 22, 2018 in BLOG, Devotions |
Stephen Edgecombe | 23 September, 2018 | Devotional
In 2010 Garrett Hedlund wrote a country song called, “Timing Is Everything.” In it he writes of close calls, what appears to be chance meetings and being hurt by love or healed by the same. Here’s a summary line:
It can happen so fast
Or a little bit late
Timing is everything
There are two words for time in the Bible. The first is chronos, and it refers to clock time or calendar time. It’s where we get our English word chronology. Chronos is sequential—past, present, future. And it is linear, moving in only one direction.
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Posted on Sep 22, 2018 in Devotions |
Stephen Edgecombe | September 21 | Devotional |
Have you ever asked someone for a favor? When you ask someone for a favour, you’re generally asking for something they don’t owe you. The Bible says of God: ‘You bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour’ (Psalm 5:12 NIV). Nehemiah as he faced the challenge of building the walls of Jerusalem, realized the task was bigger than he. So he prayed and reminded God of his promised. Then he sought the favor of God as he planned the project.
If you have a Popeye moment you need to seek God’s favor before you move forward. The Psalmist prayed “Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame” (Psalm 86:17). Then he reminds us: ‘You bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour’ (Psalm 5:12 NIV).
When you have God’s favour, people start favouring you too – often for reasons they themselves can’t explain! That’s what happened when Nehemiah prayed for favor. He received amazing favor from none other than the King himself. In fact, his focus was not on getting favor for himself, but for the work of God. The King in return was pleased to help him. As a result, Nehemiah received bodyguards, a security contingent, letters of recommendation and the required timber, not only for the repairs of the city but also for his future residence in Jerusalem.
Ask God for favor today and watch would God does!
Read
Psalm 86:17
Posted on Sep 21, 2018 in Devotions |
As Nehemiah prayed he not only exalted the greatness of God, but he prayed the promises of God. He remembers the promises given by God to Moses, His servant, and prays accordingly so that he and the other exiled people could go back to their homeland. Part of our prayer times should involve claiming, trusting and speaking out the promises that God has given us. And, there are plenty of them in His Word!
Faith is always strengthened when we quote the promises of God in response to the attacks we face. Sadly, we tend to speak more about our problems than about God’s great promises! Satan hates the Word of God, and he will surely flee when we resist him with God’s promises.
Speak out the promises of God boldly to your situation.
Read Nehemiah 1:8-10
Posted on Sep 20, 2018 in BLOG, Devotions |
As you contemplate impacting your world and community, you have to reflect on the greatness of God. While Nehemiah saw and was broken=hearted about the devastation of his city, he focused on the greatness of his God in his prayer. He identifies his God with the terms, ‘God of Heaven,’ ‘great’ and ‘awesome,’ and as the One ‘who keeps His covenant of love.’ Understanding who his God was, moved Nehemiah to immediate action.
We too need to keep our eyes and faith steadily fixed on “Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith,” more than on our problems (
Hebrews 12:2) and the challenges. If God puts a burden on your heart, you need to depend on Him to empower you for the task and to provide the resources. After all He is the Beginning and the End. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Psalmist said, “I lift up my eyes to the hills… My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth” (
Psalm 121:2). When we recognize the greatness of our God, it give us courage to face the impossible.
Posted on Sep 19, 2018 in BLOG, Devotions |
If you want to change your world, you must learn to kneel down to pray. Something powerful happens when we pray and stand in the gap for others. That was Nehemiah’s experience.
Nehemiah was a genius leader: He investigated, strategized, delegated and disarmed the opposition. However, all his activities were covered by intense and intimate prayer. Prayer must always be a primary spiritual practice of a Christ follower.
Prayer accomplishes four things:
- Prayer internalizes the burden, which in turn deepens our ownership of the observed need.
- Prayer slows us down to hear God’s voice and receiver directions from Him.
- Prayer infuses the vision, enabling us to see what God wants to do.
- Prayer initiates the vision’s completion, acting as a catalyst for us to act.
What walls are down in your life and seem impossible to rebuild? Share your burden and earnestly seek God direction in prayer. Remember, with God all things are possible. He can empower you to rebuild what seems hopeless.
Posted on Sep 17, 2018 in BLOG, Devotions |
Nehemiah was brokenhearted, but he didn’t tackle the problem immediately. Why? He first needed to bring his burden before the Lord. Consider this: What are you burdened about? What breaks your heart? What has God put in front of you that you can’t ignore? What concerns you to the point you say, “Somebody has got to do something about that…it might as well be me”? – child abuse, broken families, physical/sex abuse, poverty, homelessness, unwed mothers? What bothers you deeply?
Until our hearts are broken for the situations and people around us, we’ll be tempted to maintain the status quo. Once you know what your burden is, follow Nehemiah’s example and go to God in prayer. Ask Him what the next step is. Then TAKE ACTION!
Posted on Sep 3, 2018 in BLOG, Devotions |
In our culture today there is a lot of conversation about demolishing walls. Many of us remember the famous words of President Ronald Reagan
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Posted on Jul 27, 2017 in BLOG, Devotions |
If you want to grow in your relationship with Jesus, you need to have intentional relationships with people who have the same goal and small groups are the ideal place for that.
Small Groups are the vehicle to meet new people, form new relationships, apply the weekend teachings to your everyday life and have fun doing it. It allows our church to grow smaller; the people you will meet in groups are those you serve with, pray with and do life with.
Small Groups are led by one or two individuals; most Groups are made up of 5 -10 people who meet weekly in someone’s home, a coffee shop, or your workplace. You will learn how to grow into the fullness of Christ as you see the Lord at work in and through each other. You also have fun doing life together!
As a church, we strongly encourage people who regularly attend
CCBC to join a Small Group. Church membership is not a requirement for participation. Visitors and curiosity-seekers are always welcome!
