Nehemiah 2:18, "Let us rise up and build."

And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. So they said, "Let us rise up and build." Then they set their hands to this good work. NKJV

Nehemiah inspired his downtrodden people. Nehemiah told the people and the leaders of his intent, his vision, his will, and he filled them with willingness and faith by telling of God's work and presence in his own life and telling of the tangible display of God's blessing on the task. He gave them realistic proof of the projects feasibility and a reason to believe this undertaking was not that of a dreamer incapable of bringing the task to completion by sharing the king's words.

He inspired them to confidence and a willingness to take the steps in beginning a monumental project with enthusiasm; and with that confidence and spirit they began the work.

They went beyond setting their minds to it, "they set their hands to [the] good work."

A few weeks ago several of us went to the Benjamin Bloom children's hospital here in El Salvador to pass out some presents, and at the end of our visit as we left Violeta told us some things about the hospital, including it's history and current needs. I began thinking about things that could be done for the hospital, what I could do to help the hospital, and began wanting to put together a fundraiser when we come back to the states; but I don't know what would be involved in putting together a fundraiser or the difficulties with the size and format I have in mind.

Yesterday I spent some time putting together an outline for a project proposal after spending most of the church service unable to think about anything else.

I don't know everything that would need to be done for a large scale fundraiser, but I can research and I can ask those who do know about these things for their advice; I can spend more time polishing up the outline of my idea and getting what information I am able to find; I can, while still in El Salvador and able to speak face to face, present the idea to Violeta, seeking her thoughts on the project and her insight, but first and foremost her approval and aid.

I can put in a serious effort to make this a reality and let others see that I am willing and wanting for God to use me in this work, and with His blessing and hand in the work those who are able to support it will come up alongside as I seek them out.

I will set my hands to this good work and be prepared for the more hands that come.

Studies that share my heart: Kayla's, Colin's

I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.
Amen.

Nehemiah 1:4, before the God of heaven.

So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. NKJV

- Private -

A change of pace, a change of book.

The Gilberts left for a few weeks to visit home and relatives, so it was decided that our half of the group (Chris, Kayla, Jaymi, Colin and myself) would stay at San Martin in the mean time. With the change of living local we also decided to change up our IBS, leaving James until Randy and Karen come back to join us and jumping from New Testament to Old with the wonderful history of a city rebuilt and the man blessed by God to spearhead the effort, Nehemiah. It isn't a verse-by-verse study, but the plan is for us to go through the book, one or two verses looked at per-chapter, before Randy and Karen get back.

Unfortunately with the change of pace (and slightly more restricted or less available internet access) I allowed myself to fall out of getting my studies up in a more timely manner and had not realized it had been so long since last uploading a study.

I pray that reading these IBS's will do you just as much good as they did myself in writing and study through the Holy Spirit.

Feliz Navidad!

James 2:13, no mercy.

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. NKJV

There are times when we really don't feel like showing mercy. We just don't.

Someone makes a mistake that causes us a serious problem.

Someone doesn't just make a mistake, they do something seriously foolish.

Someone steals from us.

They hurt us, and they should have known better.

They hurts us. Intentionally.

They betray us.

They hurt someone we love.

.
.
.

A plane is flown into a building.

In the eyes of God it does not matter what sin is committed, what transgression is made or what law is broken. He is perfect and by sinning even once with the 'smallest of things', such as eating something we had been told not to, just a single bite of fruit, we become marred. We become enslaved to sin. We fall short of the holy perfection of God and can no longer stand in His presence, let alone live with Him.

Yet God in His mercy did not simply poor out judgment. He provided an escape clause, a loophole, a plan for our redemption, and at a great cost to Himself that would come with pain. Rather than pouring out judgment instantly He waited. When sin was committed the judgment was due; there was no need to wait for Calvary.

But God chose to. He chose to wait for such a time as we might come to Him. Despite the sadness we bring to Him, our repeated betrayals and our murder of His perfect son He chose to wait that the plan might come to fruition. He allowed us to hurt Him that, while in His perfection justice must be rendered, there could still be a plan for lawful and acceptable mercy.

God is perfect in His justice, but He is also perfect in His love and mercy. Where justice reacts to transgression, mercy reacts to justice. Justice must always be fulfilled, but mercy finds its way.

In matters of law justice rules. As is said, “Justice is blind”. In a system of law there is no place for mercy because a system of law is imperfect, unliving, unloving, an abstract object without feeling. But we as humans are capable of mercy because we are on the same playing field, we have all transgressed though the individual transgressions may be differ. We are capable of mercy because in our transgression we have been shown mercy.

By law, by justice, a transgression cannot be overlooked. If it were to be overlooked than justice would have been perverted, broken and unfulfilled.

But because we are capable of justice, but as being in the image of God, like God, are not justice alone, we can show mercy by choice. As we are not perfect little may need to be done for that mercy to be offered. God is perfect and in His mercy created the way for our transgressions to be blotted out, because to simply say, “You did bad but I can forgive you.” would leave the sin there.

We as humans are all sinful, all imperfect, all needing mercy, and in that we are capable of showing our imperfect mercy. After all, what right does one criminal have to judge another?

Today someone will do something that affects me, hurts me or causes me some displeasure and I will, as always, have a choice: Will I show mercy or won't I? Justice has its place, but do I have the right to act as judge? I would much prefer when the time comes to show the love of Christ and be a witness and testimony of His glory by showing the love and mercy He has shown sinful me to those who truly have sinned only before God. [Psalm 51]

Studies to share: Jaymi's

I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.
Amen.

James 2:12, do as those who will be judged. . .

So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. NKJV

I had to read through several different translations of James 2:12 before finally understanding exactly what it is saying. Instead of the word 'Liberty', the Holman Christian Standard Bible uses the word 'Freedom': and that's when it clicked.

How does someone act when they are judged by the law, but instead of being judged by a law of condemnation that binds, are judged by a law of liberty and freedom?

As can be the case when Christian liberty is brought up, some take it as license to do as they please, unmindful of the things of God. However, the Bible debunks this line of thought. [1 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33; Galatians 5:13; James 1:25; 1 Peter 2:11-25; 2 Peter 2:18-20]

So what does it mean to 'speak and do' as someone who will be judged by the law of liberty?

We are still being judged with no control of the outcome and judgment, but instead of being judged by the law that binds we are judged by the law of freedom. Therefore there is a humility we should have, as we are still judged, but judged with a law we can take joy in without the strength of our own actions.

With humility, submission in thanks because it is right to the will and desire of Him who offers us freely the 'better law' that gives us life.

Those who are judged by the law of liberty should “so speak and so do” with joy as they are made free from death and condemnation, by it given life and liberty.

We are given liberty to behave without worry and live with light hearts by joy, as there are no worries that compare to the condemnation we have been freed from.

We are to speak with mercy, love and kindness, and do likewise. We who were unable to fulfill the former law and are undeserving in every way to be given the law of liberty, yet have been offered it with love and kindness by the mercy of the perfect God; who stepped down and became the perfect man; to suffer and die as the perfect sacrifice; all out of love wanting to show us kindness and give us mercy by making us perfect in Him.

If we have been given such a good gift, shouldn't we act likewise? We are no more deserving of it than any other despite our thoughts and feelings at times to the contrary; so if a perfect God was willing to be a servant and sacrifice for us, we should not only be willing, but glad to do likewise for others who are just as undeserving!

I am so thankful to God for every opportunity I am given to bless others, to show love and kindness and to act with mercy even when, and especially when, those opportunities may come at some cost to myself so that I can emulate Christ who payed the greater price in saving me; and I ask forgiveness for those times when I fall short of His example, when I do not show the love, mercy and kindness I am called to, when I lack humility in my undeservedness, when I do not submit myself to His will.

I pray that You continue to sanctify me, change me and make me more like you everyday and give new opportunities for me to do as you have done, with a heart like yours, willing even to bleed.

Studies I'd like to share: Paige's, Michelle's

I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.
Amen.

James 2:10-11, he is guilty of all.

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. NKJV

The law isn't a bunch of individual points that can be crossed without crossing the others; it is a complete whole.

If you cut the ribbon around a present it doesn't matter if you cut 'this part' or 'that part', whether you cut it on the same side of the box as the bow or on the other side. Once it is cut, it's cut.

The difference is, when the law has been broken you will not find a present that had been wrapped up and hidden, only found after transgressing the law.

At times we think that way; we think that it is to our benefit so long as we only give the ribbon a 'little snip'. After all, we aren't taking a chainsaw to it like that other guy or ripping it to pieces like her. If necessary we can always wrap it back up again too.

To fulfill the law and act as a pure and blameless sacrifice Jesus had to not break a single statute or command of the law. Regardless of how appealing the 'gift' underneath, He said, “My father has a better thing, a better purpose, than for me to open that which I am not allowed.”

Jesus was made into an earthly vessel, a cup filled to the brim, given the whole of the law. He lived His life without spilling a single drop, and when the time drew near He drank of that cup and hung on the cross. He drank of my cup and your cup and took of the law of every human who ever has or would live that gave Him their cup when asked.

He drank of the mud and filth stirred up by all we spilled, and He took the law within Himself and said, “I will be your cup. I will take what you could not keep upon Myself that you might live; that you might run and dance and sing with joy and life.”

Awhile back I was working to memorize several worship songs so that I could sing praises whenever I felt like it or my mind began to wander away from the things of God and Christ to bring me back to a focus on Him. However it was very easy to get caught up with all the things that 'needed to be done' and I haven't been listening or memorizing of late.

I want to use my liberty to praise Him and worship freely with love and devotion, to love Him who first loved me with all my body, mind and strength, even when I am doing work that might so easily allow my mind to wander to things that might not be “bad”, but are certainly not Christ.

I want to keep my thoughts on the things of God even when my body works for Him but my mind has the liberty to be anywhere else.

I will copy down the lyrics to my iPod Touch and purchase the songs if possible so that I can look at them whenever wanting to sing but unable to remember the words and make sure to listen to the songs I am working on everyday.

Studies I'd like to share: Jaymi's, Randy's

I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.
Amen.

James 2:8, If you really fulfill the royal law. . .

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; NKJV

“Royal law”. . . I'll admit I don't often think of it as such. I don't disregard it or consider God's word as unimportant or intentionally less than it is; but how often do I actually think of it as a “Royal Law”?

We've been given liberty! Of course, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” [Romans 6:1] But even so Jesus has given us liberty and made the law less important than it was, He both released it's hold over us and released us from any responsibility to it.

That's why James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem at the time, refers to it as “the royal law”.

Wait a minute. . .

“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” [Galatians 5:13]

It turns out that what follows is (which caught me by surprise actually). . . “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” [Galatians 5:14-15]

We have been given liberty through Christ, but that liberty is not an excuse to greater sin. Rather, by our liberty we have the freedom to serve one another with love, not for the chains of the law.

Beyond that, in tossing out the chains of the law do we, should we, is it right if we toss out the law itself? Should we in our love for God toss out utterly that royal and precious law He gave?

If you read the beginning of Galatians 5 you see that Paul comes to what he has to say about our liberty after first saying that circumcision, something the Jews and Paul himself once considered such an integral portion of the law, had no importance to salvation and that to think one must uphold the law or parts of the law to be saved was ridicules because if one part of the law had to be kept to insure salvation then the entire law had to be kept, and to claim that even a portion of the law HAD to be kept, as illogical as that would be, was a slap in the face to the sacrifice Jesus made to save us from the bondage of sin we were held to by the law.

In Mathew 5:17 Jesus Himself says that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but rather to fulfill them, and later in Mathew 22:37-44 Jesus, when asked what the greatest commandment is, says that the first and greatest commandment is ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ He then goes on to say that the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

He finishes these statements by saying this: that, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

In being freed from the law do we think that God would have us throw away His commands to love Him and others? Or by liberty are we freed from separation from Him that we may love freely by choice?

I will be spending some time in the sermon on the mount reminding myself of and relearning Jesus' teachings and instruction that I might better obey Him in love and devotion and be a better witness for His kingdom. I may make reading the sermon on the mount a regular aspect of my reading schedule.

Blog's to share: Jaymi's, Kayla's

I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.
Amen.

James 2:6-7, But ye have despised the poor.

But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? NKJV

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? KJV

Interestingly the original word here translated as “the poor” according to Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries in the King James Version is “Ptochos”* and the original word for “rich men”, “Plousios”**. I could be mistaken, but it seems to me that based on their definitions James is not talking about 'those who have comparatively more and less than each other', but rather literally 'those who do not have' and 'those who have a great deal'.

I am going to focus my efforts in reading on “The Treasure Principle” and look for ways to bless those who have need.

Blog's to share: Kayla's

* G4434 πτωχός ptochos (pto-khos') adj.

1. a beggar (as cringing), a pauper

2. (figuratively) distressed

3. (literally, as a noun) strictly denoting absolute or public dependency on charity

{also used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas G3993 properly means only financial distress in private}

[from ptosso "to crouch", akin to G4422 and the alternate of G4098]

KJV: beggar(-ly), poor

** G4145 πλούσιος plousios (plou'-see-os) adj.

1. wealthy

2. (figuratively) abounding with

[from G4149]

KJV: rich

I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.

James 2:5, Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith

Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? NKJV

Pray and refocus on raising support.

I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.

James 2:2-4, For if there should come into your assembly a man

For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit at my footstool,” NKJV

It's so easy to judge by outward appearance, and more so to have our attention swayed by preference.

Who wouldn't prefer the rich man's company to the poor? The rich man is well dressed and no doubt well spoken, he keeps himself clean and well groomed. He has nice things and his wealth when first seen is a sign of character and wisdom, at least in business, and can only accentuate his no doubt great levels of charisma. Knowing such a man could potentially be a door to improving one's own lot in life, it could bring business from the man himself or by his recommendation of you to friends. If nothing else his mannerisms are good and his bright personality is fun to be around.

The poor man on the other hand is dirty and no doubt smells. His poverty when first seen is a sign of foolishness and laziness, or at least simpleness to have received such a lot in life, and regardless of if he isn't like many of the beggars just waiting for the opportunity to take of your good graces, even if he is a good and kind man that simply fell on hard times, the mud on his face distorts this. Being around him could harm your own reputation and business, and though you might be kind enough to look on him well others might not be so willing and make unfair judgments of you as a result. If nothing else his mannerisms are somewhat annoying and his cheerfulness seems fake and his voice too loud.

The truth is, all of our initial reactions could be true. The rich man could be good and kind, willing to give to the poor and mindful of others, wise and blessed by God in many little ways for his good stewardship. Not perfect of course, but definitely one who would make an excellent and good friend and counselor. Perhaps you would even need to be careful of not falling into a position of taking advantage and betraying his trust, though thanks to his wisdom and discernment the rich man might also be careful to not put others in such a position of temptation anyway.

The poor man might be rather rotten, thinking you a good opportunity to gain a little money or the church a good place to have the blessings of others poured on and to be used later, not wisely, but for alcohol and worthless trinkets he thought might be enjoyed. The worst sort of friend one could have unmindful of the needs of others and perfectly willing to sow strife or lie to your face if it might bring him some benefit. It might be that you truly wish to help him, but throwing money at fools or entering into business with them is not the wisdom God grants us nor the kindness he calls of us.

However, when the rich man and the poor man first walk through the doors, how can you know? The rich man may be well dressed, but his generosity could be a facade and he could have cheated that very same poor man, once such a great giver to the poor, out of all he owned; and the poor man may have forgiven him and moved on, choosing not to be consumed by bitterness and hurt but rather to continue seeking after the God he loves.

The fact is we can't know, and whether rich or poor we must use the same discernment God has granted us to judge them both and not fall too soon into a snare with either.

What if it is not a rich man and a poor man but two rich men or two poor men? What if they are both wicked? Or neither?

And how does their comparison help you in determining your relationship with either? What if two people are foolish? Should the fact that one may be more foolish than the other change that neither should be gone to for advice? If both are liars, but one twists words more often and with more skill than the other, can either be trusted?

And if your friends are kind and give wholeheartedly, should you show favor to the ones that are able to give more thanks to their own abundance? Should your favor change with the changing of their lot in life?

With ten books to choose from and only five minutes to choose before leaving the airport bookstore to catch a flight, the fact is some narrowing down will need to be done by covers. It isn't fair, there may be a genuinely good and wonderful book that could have become your all time favorite if only there was time to look at more closely which you will skip over first thing because its cover is less than appealing. At the same time, there is no point in opening oneself to temptation by even picking up the obviously racy novel, the cover of which you don't even feel comfortable looking at, because of some slim possibility that it is a well written piece of literature but with misleading imagery the publisher felt would improve sales.

Regardless of appearances we must obviously still show everyone kindness and the love of Christ whether their covers are exciting or bland or frightening or a little less-than-decent, whether we have the time to get to know them or only a few minutes while in the line at Starbucks; and we would not reject them from our lives unless they might actually draw us away from Christ as is sometimes the sad truth we must face, praying for them but keeping what distance is needed, lest we fall into temptation. [Mathew 26:41; Galatians 6:1]

I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.

James 2:1, My brethren. . .

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. NKJV

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. ESV

My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. NASB

In Mathew 12:25 Jesus says that any kingdom which is divided against itself will be laid to waste, fall into ruin and be brought to desolation. Likewise any city or house that is divided against itself will not stand.

i.e. “Fall apart”

Not only are we all of the kingdom of God, we are literally one household. If Jesus says this of Satan, and it can already be seen so easily in homes all over the United States when actual families fall apart, then how true is it for our little home in El Salvador?

I have been showing favoritism to some, and, I don't know exactly what to call it, but the opposite of favoritism to others. It hasn't been in any major ways, it is mostly just a question of who I do and do not mesh well with, but it needs to stop. I don't want my partiality to cause even a sliver of discomfort or discontent within our house, for everyone or individuals, whether because they are not on the receiving end of that favoritism or even because they are.

If anyone feels like they have been affected by my partiality, whether it is simply a misunderstanding or a genuine result of my behavior directed towards them or others, I would like to apologize.

I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.