Nehemiah Summer Session 4 from LPV on Vimeo.
Good grief! We’re already closing up! How is that even possible? I am so grateful to God that we’ve had the opportunity to spend the summer together in Bible study and hope with everything in me that the last six weeks have been profitable to you. 1 Timothy 4:8 is popping into my mind:
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (NIV)
Look at it again: it holds PROMISE and not only for the future when we see God face to face. It holds promise right now. Right here in this present life. Just where we could really use some help. We women are stretched and stressed to ripping seams from every conceivable direction. We are constantly faced with multiple choices concerning how we’re going to spend the limited resources of our day and our energies. We so often give way to the thing that screams the loudest…and, if it’s your baby, Lord have mercy, you should! But sometimes God doesn’t speak through the wind, the thunder and storm. He lowers His voice so that we’re forced to get quiet and still if we want to hear.
And, boy, do we ever want to hear. If we’ve learned the value of His life-giving, life-defining, life-refining, life-forgiving, life-surviving, life-thriving voice, boy, do we ever want to hear. I have no doubt that you’ve heard some things from God this summer through our study of Nehemiah so let’s get to it and share a few of them in closing.
As usual, your comments to this post will come AFTER your gathering but here’s the part that will be very different! EACH of you will comment this time individually rather than through a representative from your group. Your comment will be in answer to question #3 below and will be addressed straight to your teacher for Siesta Summer Bible Study, Kelly Minter. (Start it very simply, Dear Kelly…)
In our wrap up today, I’d like you to answer three primary questions. The first will be drawn from Session (or Week) Five, the second from Session (or Week) Six then the last one will be in reflection of the study as a whole. It’s the one you will EACH answer in your comment to this post. After the questions, I’d like you to join me for just a few minutes in the 3rd Chapter of the Book of Ezra. First, the three questions:
1. From Session Five: Review the top half of p.120 and the Derek Kidner quote that Kelly included. If your personal response to the question in the middle of the page is appropriate to share, share it! Get very specific about how some difficult facts in your life right now are reframed in light of “eternity…and of God’s unimaginable greatness.” Read Romans 4:18-25 for the perfect paradigm.
2. From Session Six: Go back to p.150 and reread the personal reflection question in the left-hand margin. Again, if your answer is not too personal to share, what do you long to see God bring full circle in your life? Listen carefully to one another as you share, jot down some reminders, and, at the end of your gathering, agree with one another in prayer for God to bring those things full circle.
3. In reflection of the study as a whole: What is the primary thing you’re taking with you out of this study? Your party favor, so to speak? Your take-home? In other words, what do you know for certain He meant for you to receive? Try to be as succinct as possible. Share it in the context of your gathering but, this time, I want you to answer this question as your concluding comment to this post. It will be the only one you answer in writing this time around.
Our brief devotional time in Ezra 3 will be in the video only. Please forgive any inconvenience. It was just better suited that way. If you’re unable to watch the video today, no problem! The most important part for the wrap up is right here in writing through the three questions. The devotional was just for added reflection.
Oh, mercy, Sisters. Thank you so much for joining in! I’m so crazy about all of you. Words fail to express the joy this community brings me.
And Kelly…
Honestly, Sister, I cannot fathom how I could love you more unless I just flat out moved in next door. You are so loved and appreciated by the Body of Christ. God has gifted you enormously with a unique voice and a beautiful pen with which to express it. We have learned from you, our sister. Thank you for pursuing God so flagrantly that we catch your fever. Don’t stop writing. Don’t stop sharing your works and your quirks. We find you believable, teachable, reachable, and, even on occasion, hysterical. We are the better for having pulled up a chair in your classroom. Thank you, dear teacher.
Emily, Abu Dhabi, Planet-hopping Praisers
Dear Kelly,
I started with the focus you presented, namely how God would use me in ministry now that I’ve left my job. This study revealed, however, that the wall needing to be rebuilt was not my return to full-time ministry but rather the wall of my marriage. As damage is repaired brick by brick, this wall will protect our holy city and allow the kind of Kingdom-building ministry we both passionately desire.
This understanding is a great blessing, indeed. Thank you!
BTW, I got married at 40. Keep your hope alive, dear sister. This marriage business is tough but totally worth it when your with the man God has for you!!!!
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for such a rich study! My golden nugget was taking time to be still and hear what God wanted to lay on my heart. My husband and I are planning to move our family to Germany in a few years in a transfer w his company (when the smallest is ready for school and commitments are fulfilled here). God revealed to me through this study that He has a women’s ministry position for me there serving women associated with our military! As a military contractor, spouse, parent, Reservist and active duty Veteran I have walked in almost everyone’s shoes and now He is showing me how He wants to use each role to serve others in similar situations but through His word!
Lawrenceville, GA
Dear Kelly, I’m thankful God led you to write this study. It has led me to many nuggets of truth to ponder. God has been working in my heart to expand ministry to children and Nehemiah was such a good example of a heart that broke for the vision that God gave him. I look forward to God’s leading as I endeavor to remain faithful to Him. God does work in marvelous ways and will keep His promises. The verse that most stood out to me in Nehemiah was 8:10 (“the joy of the Lord is your strength”) and your comments that strength here means refuge, stronghold, fortress; that the joy comes not from physical might but a safe haven, a covering from reality. This echoes in my mind every time I have heard the reference in songs or other verses that God is my strength or God is my refuge, that He is my covering from whatever is happening in my life. One other impact from your study that I had not thought about before is what you brought out about confession that we confess not just sin but confess God’s attributes. And finally, I loved the recipes you included in the study! I have added several to my permanent recipe file. Thank you again Kelly! I enjoy your writing style and your love for the Lord and His Word.
Dear Kelly,
You have done it again; I LOVED this study!! Not only did your incredible wit get me laughing every time, but I have gained a new perspective toward caring for the poor and needy of the world. I’ve given to ministries who do this but never committed before to sponsor a child. I guess I was afraid I’d fail him or her somehow. Your encouragement helped me step out and sponsor a little boy through Compassion and I’m excited about it, so thanks~
I particularly loved the “Mashmill” story about your niece and feel more connection to the historical. We are all just fulfilling our small part the Lord has assigned and entrusted to us, but before long, we’ll see the whole picture and celebrate together in the New Jerusalem.(great ending to this study) Come, Lord Jesus!!!
Dear Kelly,
I learned so much about God’s love, his compassion,& forgiveness. God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. “kindness-not my first thought”. I want a deeper prayer life,I want a heart that will break and that is faithful. Nehemiah had such unrelenting belief and trust. Nehemiah 8:10-The joy of the Lord is my strength. How about that Hebrew work maoz. Awesome! Extraordinary transformation: Prayer, repentance, willingness,hard work, sacrifice, humility and faith. Praise God his word is alive.
Dear Kelly what I got was probably very different but maybe not so much……to stir myself to love like Nehemiah did. Pretty simple, I am not lazy, I do lots, start and complete lots, but have passion, maybe not so much, so yeah is it totally burning yet? No, but the study has showed me how all my fires were nearly out. If I was following the smoke cloud of his being by day and a flame by night I would be pretty well standing still cause I couldn’t see it. So “Fanning into flame something, anything from God, for God, not people or myself, but God. So that is my party favour from this solo time. Blessings on your Autumn works LPM.
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for sharing your life and thoughts with us over the past few weeks. The study of Nehemiah has given me a new perspective as I am moving into a new season of my life. Realizing that I am not the same person with the same abilities, gifts and talents as I used to be, could be discouraging. I have come to understand that God’s faithful presence in my life will lead me into different areas of relationships and ministries that are uniquely mine. This is not a time to feel inadequate or unworthy!
Betty M going solo on Dakota prairies ripe with the fullnes of harvest!!!
What did I take away from this Nehamiah study?? Wow! May I coin a new word??? Uniquity!!!! That is not iniquity, it is uniquity!!!! Beth, you touched so beautifully on in just afew moments ago as I sat on my leather couch this AM for my time with God.
God uses our uniquness in so many ways. Look at the ways so many people who built that wall to fortify that great city were so different. They all did so many unique things in life. Who would’ve thought some of those individuals in thier life vocation could help build a wall? Who would think God could use some of us in our seemingly weak manner of communicatng to touch others at all with His great love? In our unique way, He empowers us to fortify His great city. We are helping to build the wall around the New Jerusalem which noone will ever topple. Through our small way, we are keeping out the forces of evil just as God through Jesus would equip us to do in our little corner!
Praise Him!
I loved this study it spoke to me so much as we gathered to fix up a deserted house so a minister could move in who is presently homeless and living in a camper.
Bless Kelly’s ministry Dear Lord and bless Beth as well. These ministries have empowered me in so many ways to keep up the good work which you have given me and us to do each in our unique way! In HIs great Name I pray. Amen
Oh gasp. Uniquity!!! You should copyright that!!! Love it….and will be using it. Thanks for it!!
We will be postponing our meeting until next Tuesday due to the loss our friends suffered as I shared a request for prayer on Twitter over the weekend. We’ll check back in then to catch up and share. Thanks for your prayers – we felt them here in N. Texas. He gets the glory, God gets all the glory – even in death.
Love you,
M
Dear Kelly,
There are so many lessons from Nehemiah. Sometimes, when life is hard and walls are torn down, we see the sovereignty of God. An all-knowing and all-powerful God and His mercy. It is much comfort to know when I remember that it is not I, but God who sees me through and gives me His strength and joy.
I liked where at the end of the book it says:
Remember Me, O my God, for good!
Also, in my Bible it talks about a scarlet assurance. Moses could turn his fear to joy after he put the scarlet blood above the lintel and doorpost of the Jewish homes so the destroyer would not kill their fistborn. Rahab could rejoice, knowing that her family would be safe because of the scarlet thread she had tied in her Jericho window. And in Proverbs 31 woman, She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.
Nehemiah and the Israelites could rejoice for the wall would defend them in the days ahead and we can look back at what God has done.
Isn’t that just like God? He has built a wall of protection around us and we can look back at all the wonderful things He has done. I am very thankful to God.
He remembers us, He does not leave us or abandon us!
__My heart is to serve Him. I love Women’s Ministry! If God leads me I would love to have a place where I could invite speakers, have music and Bible study along with a place to eat and enjoy fellowship. Some of which I do a little bit in church now. I also would like to write a book and would love to have a mentor to help me learn to speak etc., but ONLY GOD!
Bless you all. Thank you for all your hard work and ministries. Will keep you in prayer. in Christ
Marie, going solo in Post Falls, Idaho –
1. It seems I’m always coming back to living with a chronic illness, but that is certainly the largest and most difficult circumstance of my life. There are definitely days when I wonder, “Why me?” At those moments, God is always faithful to bring to mind the blind man of John 9. There is something about what He has allowed that will reveal His glory, both to myself and to others. If my illness, my story, brings me closer to the Lord and draws others to Him…then I suppose it’s worth it.
Anyway, I get a new body in Heaven!
2. My husband and I both made disastrous choices in the realm of sexual purity before we got married. Neither of us had any idea just how greatly those choices would impact our marriage. I long to see this brought full circle; I want us both to be free.
3. What I appreciate most about this study is that you did not leave out the part where Nehemiah rips out people’s beards. This was significant to me because it shows just how awful disobeying God and going our own way is. Sin should cause us grief. It should provoke a reaction. Nehemiah didn’t rip out beards because he was a bully. He did it because his heart overflowed with love. He wanted the people to have right standing before God.
I don’t think I’ll be pulling hair anytime soon, but I will certainly be looking at sin differently. I desire to be truly repentant and grow ever-closer to the Lord. I want this for others, too.
Again, thank you! May you be blessed!
Marie
Dear Kelly
My take home gift from this Nehemiah study is like Alli’s from session 6. Home schooling my two sons through high school is the wall I am building and next to being the best wife I can be for my husband, bringing these boys up in the Lord is the most important task He has given me to do. Praise Him!
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for this amazing study! This is my first study authored by you and I absolutely loved it. I will be walking along side you in future studies as well. What I personally took away from this study were the following things:
1. To be strong in faith always.
2. To Persevere!
3. To overcome the obstacles put in my path.
4. To finish the race strong.
5. To make my passion of “helping people suffering from addictions” one day become a reality.
6. I DO HAVE A HEART THAT CAN BREAK.
Thanks again, Kelly! And, thank you to Beth for facilitating this journey we took together.
Julie M.
Columbia, Missouri
Kelly, Beth Moore has ‘spoiled me’ to in-depth Bible study and I have not been able to appreciate others the way I have hers. Until now. Nehemiah was wonderful and I learned so much. I wrote so much in my Bible of things you said that now my Bible automatically falls open to the book of Nehemiah. One of the wonderful things that is going to result from my time in this Bible study is that I will be going through your Ruth study with a young friend who just returned from serving a year in China as a “teacher” (missionary). She wrote on FB that she wanted to study the book of Ruth and I had just bought your study to begin myself. I suggested to her that we go through it together. We plan to meet once a week to go over the homework. I’m excited and nervous because I don’t consider myself a teacher, but I do believe God has put us together for a purpose. Thank you so much for getting me to this moment in time.
Forgive me Seistaville! I never have learned to follow direction well!!!!I anwered the question 3 as I would have done every week!!!I will now write to Kelly!!!!Sorry!
Dear Kelly,
I took away from your study so much from the first weeks. It was the uniqueness of the individuals who helped build the walls. The perfumers and even Nehamiah as a cupbearer I mean, you would think they would have all had to be masonary men, but they were not!
This summer we had a minister who had to vacate a house in a difficult situation and we as a family had a vacant house to get ready for him to move into. Now, this house was empty for over a decade and you can imagine!!!When I first looked at it tears formed in my eyes and I prayed Lord, this is too much for one family to do! We need help! Please lay this burden on the hearts of others for this monumental project. Guess what? we had a massage therapist using a wrecking bar! We had some middle aged cancer survivors painting and tearing up carpet. we had retired farmers, engineers, you name it working and guess what? Some were not even members of our church!
Yes! Beth brought that point out in a devotional this AM how our uniqueness is mightly used only we can be used in just our way through Jesus!
This is the first study I have done of yours it won’t be the last. Bless you in Jesus name
Betty from ND
Dear Kelly,
Thank you. God has blessed you with His Word, His focus, His faith, His skills, and His love. May HE continue to profoundly bless you in every aspect of your life. Thank you for sharing with us. The biggest lesson you taught me was about rubble. I am to let go and get rid of the old trash. I must continue to build. It applies to old, hurtful feelings, and old, torn clothes, old dreams that can not come true, …rubble. I am to use what I can to rebuild, but not to cling to the trash. It was a profound lesson, especially at this time in my life. I am deeply grateful to you, Beth Moore and my Savior. HE continues to save me…
When the rebuilding was near completion the enemy turned up the heat. Kelly, this eas a great point. The enemy doesn’t stop trying to get in the way of God’s plans. He doesn’t give up and neither should we. I loved Nehemiah’s discernment through every attack. I want to not only be a rebuilder but a completer. I don’t think that’s a word but you understand what I mean. I think Nehemiah could have easily turned back because it was hard. He had the option of comfortable but he passed in order to complete what God put on his heart to do. Loved your heart for God’s Word in this study Kelly. What a blessing!
Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.”
I am not sure if this message will get anywhere as it is not related to the Nehemiah Bible Study but if it does I want you all Siestas to pray for my 2 year old. Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with Stage IV Embrional Rhabdomyosarcoma. This is a very rare form of cancer. Our spirits are crushed and we have no idea what God is trying to do as we go through this trial. I so want to cling on HIm and His promises but I have so many un-asnwered questions right now and I am begging you all to carry us through in your prayers. Her name is Jannine Adkins. Thank you!
Lidia, I saw this as I was reading through the responses here. I can’t even begin to imagine what you are going through. I have a close group of praying friends and please know we will add Jannine to our time spent praying together. I wanted you to know this. -Kelly
Lidia, My best friend’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare leukemia at age 2 and she is a cancer survivor today at age 10. It’s a journey and a season of your life, lean on the LORD and He’ll be there. Open your heart to friends, family and neighbors who want to help you…there will be many. Praying for your beautiful and precious girl to heal in Jesus name.
Much love in Christ,
Christine Smith @LifeVerse
Womens Ministry Leader
Womens Bible Cafe
Your message got to me – I promise to PRAY. For your precious baby, for you and your family.
Oh sweet sister, she will most definitely be lifted up in prayer along with you and your family. Praying for wisdom for the doctors and strength and peace for you family. Xo
Lidia…I am so sorry for what you are going through. I want you to know that I will be praying for your little daughter, as well as, you and your family. May God cover you with his feathers and shelter you with his wings. May his faithful promises be your armor and protection. (paraphrased from Psalm 91:4)
My heart responds to you. My daughter was diagnosed with the same cancer when she was 9 years old..in 1984. I didn’t know the Lord. But the Lord knew us!! My daughter is 37 years old now, thank you Heavenly Father, a wife and mother and one of God’s strongest warriors. She led me to Christ 10 years ago. God is completely in control, He’s in charge. You are blessed to know His love and comfort as you hold your daughter close to you. He is holding you in His arms. Lean on him, He is all you need.
With love and prayers, Vicki
Lidia – praying! What I got out of the Nehemiah study you need to hear: God sees, God hears, God responds. He is El Roi – and He already knows, but we will bring your little Jannine to Him anyway. Standing with you!
I’m praying for your sweet baby. Lord Jesus, as the leader of the Synagogue said to you, “My daughter lies at the point of death, if you would only come and lay your hands on her she would live.” Jesus, you laid your hands on that little girl and said, “Talitha Cumi.” Which I understand to mean, Little Girl arise. (See Mark 5)
I pray that You would lay your hands on this sweet baby girl who doctors say lies at the point of death so that she may confound the wise and LIVE! I pray you would strengthen the hearts and resolve of the parents as they contend for the life of their child. I pray they would labor to enter your rest as you fight for them , that your peace would cover them and that your wing shield them from the assaults, accusations and that schemes of the enemy. I bind the spoken words of diagnosis and cancel out any effects they have by your power and authority. Your Word says, “I have set before you today life and death, choose life.” (Dt 30:19) I say we choose life, speak life, that it would be life to every cell of this child’s body and that every cell of this child’s body must submit to life according to the power and word of Jesus Christ and if those cancer cells will not submit, they must die that she may live. I pray that every cell in her body would be aligned with God perfect will for divine health in the life of this child. I ask Lord Jesus that the healing power of your Holy Spirit be poured out on this baby and that even now – the test results would be negative and doctors would say, “Could we have made a mistake?” Lord do your best by this precious family and bring life to them where death has been spoken. It is in Your Name and Power we pray and ask these things according to your holy will. AMEN.
Just now saw this and will keep your precious daughter in my prayers.
Dear Kelly,
All things are possible, don’t give up hope. Hope is life.
Nicki
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for sharing your talents and your insight with us. Your beauty and gifts glorify God in a way that touched my heart each week. You have inspired me to dig deeper in His Word. I gained so much from your study that it is difficult for words to describe. My take-home is two-fold: First, I will seek opportunities to host and lead more Bible studies…I not only survived but thrived in hosting this study. Thank you for “The Living Room Series” and encouraging us to open our homes to Him. Secondly, I will share and teach my children more about ministering to families in poverty. I tend to shelter them and know it is time to extend that blessing to them through work in missions. Looking forward to see what doors God opens.
Keep writing! Keep teaching! Keep singing!
God bless!
Dear Kelly,
This has been a very timely study, but doesn’t He always have perfect timeing.On the way to our first lesson I heard the song Jesus Friend of Sinners” on the radio. There is a line in the song that says, “brake our hearts for what brakes yours”. As women it is not hard to find things that brake our hearts, but I need to focus on what brakes His heart. I believe Nehemiahs’ heart was broken because Gods’ heart was broken.
Dear Kelly,
I learned more through Nehemiah than I ever expected. I’ve heard my pastor teach this line-by-line yet you presented it in a way that I connected Nehemiah’s life with my own. THANK YOU!
I started looking at the rubble in my own life, and was inspired and encouraged to rebuild and restore my “wall.” My fallen wall was neglecting my health, and especially my weight. I was disgraced in how I saw myself and not living to the image of how God created me in Psalm 139. Through this study I was able to connect who I was (disgraced by my own rubble) and rebuild who I am (Daughter of the King & Heiress). I’ve come full circle to the body the Lord created for me…and now I praise and honor Him through my healthy choices. Thank you so much….the themes of compassion, disgrace, prayer, repentance, scripture reading and seasons of life will be forever embedded into my heart…one verse at a time.
Much love in Christ,
Christine Smith @LifeVerse
Womens Ministry Leader
Womens Bible Cafe
Dear Kelly,
I want to thank you for writing such a beautiful study of the book of Nehemiah. I LOVE to study books that are not normally studied and I received such a blessing from it!!! As usual, the Lord brings me to a study at EXACTLY the right time for my life…that’s just the most awesome thing to me! Anyway, my take-away from this study has to do with prayer. I have struggled with my prayer life (consistency, attention, etc.) and Nehemiah’s prayer life is such an example and conviction to me! Before he did anything, he prayed. And often he prayed for months and listened to God BEFORE acting on it. What a lesson! Then the statement you walked away with from interviewing the jungle pastors hit me like the proverbial ‘ton of bricks’: “We will accomplish little of eternal significance apart from prayer.” Wow! I SO want to accomplish much of eternal significance while I’m here, so I have resolved to do a much, much better job with my prayer life. I intend to tell my prayer group about my decision and ask them to help keep me accountable to this resolve. There were so many other things I gleaned from the study, but Beth said to just stick to one, so I will be a good girl! Thanks again, Kelly, for your love of the Lord, command of the Word and willingness to let the Lord use you in a mighty, mighty way!
Love in Him,
Fran
Dear Kelly,
Can I first just say that you are an awesome teacher! I find you to be so down-to-earth and honest in what you have to say and that is so refreshing! It’s so meaningful to me to know that even the lady standing in front struggles (or struggled) with so many of the same issues and questions that I do. Sort of normalizes some of my feelings. One of the biggest take-aways from this study for me has been that I now know that I need to CONTINUALLY pray about what God is putting in my heart to do. I’m so used to praying and then moving on to something else. I have learned that I must pray over and over (possibly even for a long time) and then be listening for His answer….without distraction! I need to get rid of, or push aside, or step over the rubble that is in the way of my discerning God’s plan for me. Kelly, thank you so much for allowing me to spend the summer in the Word with you! (And Beth, thank you so much for sending Kelly my way!) Love to all my siestas and I can’t wait to see what God has planned next for us, individually, and for Siestaville!
Dear Kelly,
The interviews added a dimension I never would have expected. Thank you for following God’s nudging in that. The testimony of Pastor Joao and Maria meant the most to me personally. Perseverance through opposition and difficulty and more opposition and more difficulty was the example from Nehemiah’s life that spoke to my life situation, and their story of choosing suffering “for the love of Christ” made my concerns seem so small. Their courage, or Christ’s in them, gives me courage too.
Your missional emphasis throughout the study also blessed and challenged me. I have so far to grow in so many areas; this study showed me that in new ways.
Remember Kelly, O God, for good.
Thankful in Christ,
christina moore, Plano, Texas
Dear Kelly,
I loved every word of this study. It taught and broke my heart all at the same time. The main take away for me was “I’m doing a good work and cannot come down.” I needed that lesson so badly. Thank you for teaching me!
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for the study. May our God continue blessing the works of your hands. You are an inspiration to all people. A heart like His. That’s what i liked most about Nehemiah-his heart for the people.
Abba Father, I lift up Jannine Adkins to You in Jesus Name. I praise You for this mother and ask You to embrace her with Your Holy Comforter. Abba Father administer her, and in Jesus Name, may Your Spirit of sound mind and peace take precedence over any fear and anxiety. I call upon the Great Physician, Jehovah Rapha and stand in the gap, claiming Your healing promises over Janine. In Jesus Name and by His resurrected power I rebuke the spirit of infirmity and bind the evil forces. I praise You O’ Lord for the angels You have set charge over Jannine. In Jesus Name, I praise You for the wisdom and discernment that You are enabling doctors with. In Jesus Holy Name, You hold all things together; nothing is impossible for You O’ Lord. I praise You for Jannine O’Lord. I know the plan You have for her; a plan with a future and a hope of prosper and growth. In Jesus Name, no weapon formed against Jannine shall prosper. Because You’ve got her feet and nothing shall pluck her from the Hands of The Almighty. in Jesus Holy Name, Amen. (will keep praying)
Nehemiah: (new at this. this was my first one and thought it was all wrong, so deleted it. then i realized, i’m free. so i’m just sending this one too.)
Dear Kelly, thank you for the study of Nehemiah. Thank you for your obedience to the Lord. The one question that Ms. Beth asked us to reply on was over the reflection of Nehemiah as a whole. For me it would be the perseverance and devotion demonstrated in the completion of teamwork; sincerely dedicated hearts. “It’s the faith that comes from love.” Like Abraham, Nehemiah had great faith. Yet, I know now it was the hearts of Abraham and Nehemiah that God delighted in.
Because of their hearts, God found favor with them and blessed them with extraordinary faith. Not perfect; not impossible—supernatural faith. I guess what I’m trying to say is this; they were not under Grace and yet, they had persevering faith. How much more should my faith be under Grace? I’m so glad that you added, “A faithful heart is not necessarily a perfect heart.” I’m so thankful for Nehemiah 9:8 (Covenant). Though Abraham wavered some, he had a faithful heart.
“I pray that my heart will always beat with this kind of faithfulness and devotion ‘even’ when I lose my way and stumble into sin.”
Thank you Kelly and may our God continue to bless the works of your hands. With tears of gratitude, I needed to hear, when I lose my way or trip into sin, (whether it be unbelief, or rebellion, or idolatry, or grouchy, pink pig attitude, or etc.) because of Christ, my heart can be faithful and repentantly seek forgiveness.
Dear Kelly,
I feel like I have made a new friend as I have done this study and cooked with you! I love your conversational way of writing and have Ruth study ready to start as soon as I finish this response.
I am taking away several things from this study: the importance of prayer, then focus on the task at hand; wanting to see people as God sees them, and responding in every way I can as if I truly am His hand extended. Finally, being on guard knowing how easily I can fall back into my self-centered world if I don’t keep God’s WORD ever before me.
See you in the pages of Ruth!
God bless and continue using you mightily,
Beth
Dear Kelly,
I did completely enjoy the study of Nehemiah. It was very encouraging to me because at a time in my life when I could put down tools and be distracted, he shows us to continue on and don’t let down on any side! Really good.
Dear Kelly and Beth:
This study was amazing! THANK YOU! My party favor from Nehemiah is to take my belief, my faith and give it feet and a voice. As this study showed us how the Jews and Nehemiah rebuilding this wall paved the way for Christ and what He was going to come to do. I pray that my feet, my voice to my children, my grandchildren, my friends and even those I have yet to meet in the place of ministry the Lord provides for me, will pave the way for Christ and His work in them:)
Dear Kelly,
Your words and your message have come at just the right time. Your personality and sense of humor shine and make this study so easy to dig into! My take-home from this is that I need to re-do it! Seriously, there was so much that you were able to pull from Nehemiah and with life getting in way, I am afraid I missed a lot. I am the co-leader for women’s large group studies at our campus and the small but mighty who went with me on this journey this summer and I all agree we need to do this study again and soon with all of our sisters in Christ.
Thank you and God Bless!
Dear Kelly i could not made it this summer without your study. My husband of 31 years has served me with divorce papers. He just doesn’t want to be married anymore. i have been striving to walk closer with God and he has been drifting away since our move from our long time home and church. During this study there has not been a morning when God did not have a message for me tucked within your words. Thank you. i am sorry it has ended for it helped keep me going.
Kelly: How timely your study to rebuild the walls. Take back what has been taken with perserverance and determination. Rebuilding our hearts to be more like Him, strengthening our faith like strong walls of protection. Thank you for sharing your insight.
Dear Kelly,
Wow! My first Kelly Minter study! Um…sure wont be my last, I loved it. Thank you for bringing Nehemiah alive in such an amazing way. To see and really feel God’s faithfulness is so powerful. Continuing to pray that I will always have a heart that will break for His glory. Loved the addition of the recipes!
Blessings Kelly!
I knew what this Bible study was about and dreaded doing it because I didn’t think I had anymore of myself to give to anything else. But I knew it was the study I was supposed to do. So me and The Knock Out Girls went forth with this study and I am so glad I did! I feel like the one take away I got from this study is that I am a little more selfless. Cuz I am praying about adopting a Blessings in a Backpack program for an elementary school that will cost 28,000 dollars. I do not want to forsake doing this so God will have to provide!!!
*Dear Kelly*
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for writing this study. I also enjoyed your study of Ruth.There are many words you wrote in this study that will stick with me. One is based on Colossians 3:12 – “Do not forsake the truth that God has chosen you, loves you, and has set you apart for wonderful works in His kingdom.”
This summer, I have been praying fervently for my daughter to get a job where God willed for her to be, and that those doors would be open. Praise the Lord, she got a wonderful job working in her field. I truly believe the Lord has blessed her.
Dear Kelly – thank you so much for bringing the book of Nehemiah alive to me! I knew the basic gist of the story, but you truly have a gift for bringing to the surface all of the ways God worked in this chapter of history. The concept that made the biggest impact on me was that Nehemiah never swayed from what he set out to do. In the face of opposition and frustration, he persevered, all the way to completion. I want to be like that in my own life. Too often it’s easier to quit when things don’t go the way we expect them to. But from now on, I’m going to keep pressing on. Thank you! God bless you in all that He has for you to do….
Dear Kelly, I had no plans for an additional Bible Study this summer but God did when He gave me this incredible opportunity to study Nehemiah. He used it at just the perfect time to prepare me for my first medical mission trip ever to Guatemala in Sept. Just as Nehemiah left the comforts of the palace in Persia to help people his heart broke for, I am asking God to break my heart for the people I will be serving before I go. Praying also that He will equipt me and use me like He did with Nehemiah. Also watching your videos especially with your serving in the Amazon has prepared me to minister in a foreign land knowing God will conquer my fears. Thank you, dear sister, for all your work and dedication to this project. God used it mightily in my life and I thank Hin for it. I will pray for you.
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for your study over Nehemiah! It was perfect timing for me! My husband and I have been studying and teaching over Nehemiah as we prepare to plant a church this fall. The timing and content couldn’t have been any more relevant to me!
I now yearn for my heart to break for the people of my community. I want the unchurched, and dechurched (we have a history of church hurt in our community) to really tug at my heart strings. I want Jesus’ name to be glorified in everything our new church says and does in response to these precious people needing to hear the good news of Jesus.
What really sticks out to me as I reflect over Nehemiah was that in every situation his first response was always prayer. Not, talk to his close friends THEN pray, not think about it THEN pray, but it was pray, then think about what to do. I want and need prayer to be my first knee jerk reaction as we be the hands and feet of Jesus in our city.
Thank you for all the time, prayer and dedication that your poured into this study. I learned so much and enjoyed learning! There were times where your words made me cry and everyday I certainly cracked up laughing! Thank you for being so real with us.
Much Love,
Amanda
Dear Kelly,
I’m so blessed to have done this study at this time, in this season that I am in. My take away is that there is a whole lot of people in this world that we as Christians are called to serve. The poor in spirit, the poor and destitute of material goods, the hurting, and the oppressed. Nothing is impossible for Him. When we purpose in our hearts to follow Him where He leads us, not cooperating with the devil any longer, but instead following God, and being filled with the Spirit. We can persevere like Nehemiah did. I really want that, Kelly! Blessings to you tonite.
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for such an awesome study! I cannot begin to tell you how much this study has worked its way into my heart and soul and has made me think and act differently. I have struggled trying to figure out God’s will and purpose in my life, so this study is very timely for me. If I have to pick one thing that I am taking away it will be it will be the image of Nehemiah standing on top of the rubble praying his heart out. I can only imagine all of the piles of rubble I may have stood on that didn’t break my heart enough to do what God wanted. If I were Nehemiah would I have gotten overwhelmed and walked away? Nehemiah’s faithfulness to God is inspiring, and has showed me some areas I need to work on in my own relationship with Him. This study will haunt me (in a good way) until I have worked this out with God. Thank you for teaching us!
Kelly,
What an awesome study. My group of 8 thoroughly enjoyed it. While we all said we knew some about Nehemiah; you made him so much more real to us. Our prayer is for a passion like his to do what God had called us to, a boldness in the face of adversity, and strength to see it to completion. Thank you for your commitment to do what God has called you to. Was a GREAT summer study! Angela
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for this study, it was rich and delightful. As I mentioned on Facebook, I feel you are a friend in print! Love your heart and personality as well as your gift of teaching. My nugget from Nehemiah was that a steadfast and immovable trust in God through the process, and through the challenges brings God’s will to pass.
Like with Joshua, “I have given you the land…now go take it.”
He is bringing me full-circle from self-conscious & fearful, to God-conscious and trusting in this calling to pray, lead, teach, write and speak. My heart burns for restoration of the Body of Christ to holy loving and living in order to magnify the Lord.
May the Lord continue to fill you to overflowing with His revelations!
~Kathy
OK Kelly and Beth, this is just tooooo much and too powerful-I have struggled with foundations- the thought that God will allow the restructure of a NEW foundation missed me- I often think about God rebuilding on an old foundation- the thought that a NEW foundation can be placed in the exact time and place of the old foundation- so that there is complete healing and restoration is AWESOME
I LOVE that God will work his way in whatever way he wants and that we need only respond- my life is so difficult right now and hopeless-however the idea that God will provide a NEW foundation means so much to me- right in the place of where the old foundation should have worked- Lots of love
Dear Kelly,
THANK YOU so much! This has been an amazing journey going through Nehemiah.
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for this study of Nehemiah. This has been a tough summer in some ways, with the death of my mother a couple months ago and needing to care for my father. Here is what I have taken from this study:
A reaffirmation of God’s call on my life, no matter what the naysayers have to say, or restrictions placed upon me by others….nothing can keep the Lord’s will from being accomplished in my life. In order to see it become reality, my task is to prayerfully wait upon God in expectant prayer, and to step out in faith in obedience to what He leads me to do. For now, I have an opportunity to serve others in ways I did not anticipate, but it is only for a season. Then watch out for what will happen next!
God bless you all,
Linda
Dear Kelly,
There were so many things that caused me to evaluate what , how and why I do what I do. At the very beginning of this study I wrote my prayer in the back of my book! I asked the Lord to open the eyes of my heart to love the way Jesus loves. I do ok, but there is much room for improvement and a genuineness.
It is totally about the people! As I read through all the names I thought of how I can be a little blind to the “value” of the people I interact with. I identified with you when you said, ” How easily I can put the ministry of people above the people themselves”. Our Hope, Joy and Crown.
Thank you for giving me a chance to dig in the Word this summer! I loved it!
Teri
Dear Kelly,
This is my first time being introduced to you and wow, you are quite gifted in sharing God’s word. This lesson really spoke to me, and I am grateful! And thank YOU Beth for hosting it. I think what I will take away the most is the work and dedication involved in REBUILDING. It has helped me to view the shambles of my marraige as rubble and to be reminded of the strength God will give me when I am dedicated to rebuilding, one kiss, one thank you, one I love you at a time,,,,,,,,
Thank you and God bless you!!!!