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.
I can’t believe I forgot to mention a major GOD moment…
Before doing Nehemiah, the women from my church did Beth’s “Stepping Up” (very good study!) My small group was comprised of all moms, young and old. I, however, was not a mom, but had a very strong heart to be one. My husband…not so much. (We’ll be married 9 years next month.)
Instead of looking for another small group, you know one comprised of women that are NOT moms, I shared my story and we prayed. Long story short, by week 4 my husband’s heart was changing. HE was talking to ME about kids…what would we name them? Think they’ll look like me? If we have a girl, I pray she’s just like you. SAY WHAT?!?!? GOD was doing a work on him…I mean moving MOUTNAINS! We have a plan now, and that plan includes a family. Thank you, Jesus!
If we do end up having a girl, we had decided to name her Capri. Talk about a surprise when I saw the recipe on page 113…Capri’s pasta! And yes we made it and it was delicious!
GOD is awesome!
xoxo
Jennifer
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for this study. My “party favor” was recognizing that as God’s heart breaks for me, so my heart should break for the people around me.
Shawna
Did solo in Greer, SC:
Kelly…
The history of Nehemiah, the connection to the past and the future, was awesome to me. I love history and when God uses someone like you to open the meanings and reasons behind the words, I am so blessed and deeply thankful.
This study came at a time that the Lord was already workig on my heart about being involved in a community…really about how to get involved in a new church community. My heart is often broken and I give financially and prayerfully, but being involved face to face has never been easy for me. This has to be the party favor that I have taken from this study; but really not the only one! So, last week, I stepped out of my comfort zone in a very small way and made a meal for a family I did not know and delivered it myself. (The need was made known through the church.) And, even though a huge storm decided to break open as I left my driveway, and the road sign was gone and it took twice as long to find their house, and I got soaked getting the food into their house, my heart was singing as I drove home. I didn’t even mind cleaning up my disaster of a kitchen when I got home.
Kelly, this is the second of your studies I have completed. I will definitely be doing Ruth very soon. Thank you for following the Lord’s call on your life and may you be blessed in a mighty way.
With all sincerity,
Karen
Dear Kelly,
I have been so blessed by this study and by your heart in many ways! If I had to pick just one take-away, it would be the confirming in my soul of what God has truly put on my heart to do. The fact that you kept coming back to that question throughout the study made me really pause and take some extra time to journal and pray through that with God. Even though for several years I have felt that my main calling was to prayer, it was such a sweet thing from God to really dive into that question, pour out my heart, and feel Him put right back into me such a deep confirmation that it’s exactly where He’s wanting me to be. Then during the time of this study, there were some developments with my husband’s health that has me needing to cut back on other areas of serving and ministry and eventually may not be able to do much at all outside the home as things progress. It is just such a blessing to have the focus of knowing God is still calling me to pray, a ministry I can still do in this season and one He esteems and treasures.
Dear Kelly,
The biggest, clearest blessing for me from this study was your wisdom on the importance of servitude. You really drove home how important and necessary identifying and serving others is in the Christian life. You also really blessed me with your words on listening and obeying God’s calling in my life. This study helped me recognize that Jesus is asking me to lead a Bible Study this year at my school for all the girls in 7-12 grade. Your focus on servitude and God’s calling showed me that Jesus is calling me to serve the kids in younger grades and really pour His love in me into them. Thank you for writing this study!
Blessings!
Rebecca
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for this study. I really enjoyed it. I don’t think I ever read all the way through Nehemiah before! My biggest take-away from this study is the image of all those families working together to do the impossible: re-building the entire wall in just a few months. I feel like all of use are doing just that, working away at our walls, building the New Jerusalem little by little. Thank you so much. Oh, and my other best take-away? Hands down, the best gingersnaps in the world. My kids and husband are very grateful!
Dear Kelly,
What a life changing study and God’s perfect timing for incredible deliverances, “hoping against all hope” for that which only He could possibly do! Being used as an awesome tool in His hand to bring rebuilding and restoration in lives devastated as light was shone in a dark place and stone by stone God began to be the repairer of the breech through this study. You have been used mightily in His amazing grace to bring home spiritual truths that regardless of the circumstances, devastation and “rubble,” God could and would bring restoration…that I indeed do have a heart that can be broken and used by Him to “Go ye therefore…” in the instruction, understanding and power of the Great Commission to fulfill His plans and purposes. As a result of the overflow, both my cousin and dear friend who was raised on the mission field have experienced significant deliverance and been given understanding and life changing direction through the Nehemiah study! I love and appreciate you in the LORD and will continue to dream in the unspeakable gift…”Emmanuel, God With Us.” Thank you Kelly for “paying the price” to make Nehemiah a spiritual reality in our lives. And praise God for the precious Holy Spirit breathing life and teaching us truth, setting free truth! We are blessed…and I am blessed.
A So. Cal “Siesta”
Pam Houston>
Dear Kelly, I have done every one of your studies through this blog and have loved every one of them. The biggest thing I’m taking from the study is that Nehemiah was not derailed from what he was doing no matter what his enemies said or did to him. I am so not like this. Fear derails me at every turn and as an alcoholic your discussion at one point about watching people start to make so much progress in overcoming addictions and then falling when they were oh, so close really hit me. I wonder how close was I to being set completely free before I took that next first drink. Usually out of fear, because I believe so many lies. I start to think my parents were right about me and I won’t ever amount to anything. I am worthless and should never have been born. So, I drink the pain away figuring it’s always gonna be there, so I might as well just do what I’ve always known to do to make it go away. I’m really struggling right now. I only have 3 days sober and am considering going to treatment at this point, though I really don’t want to. I don’t want to have to leave my family, especially right now when my husband’s work is keeping him swamped. I don’t know if he’ll ever speak to me again if it comes to that. I just have a hard time believing God could use the girl who’s never been able to hold down a job, even while sober, and never been able to do well in school or anything. I’ve never been successful and it’s hard to believe I ever could be and I figure AA and counseling are just more things for me to fail at, though I’m trying to trust the women of faith God has put in my life and do what they suggest. I keep turning back to alcohol, though, and I’m hesitant at this point to say I’ll never do it again, cause I’ve done it so many times. Hopefully, I can learn to be a Nehemiah and not let fear derail me and pick up the phone and call the women in AA when I just want to drink away the pain, just like they keep telling me to, even if all I can say is, “You’ve got to convince me not to do this!” Love you so much, and I hope everyone who reads this prays for me!
Love,
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
solo
P.S. And it was really hard not to answer the other questions on here when I didn’t have a group to discuss with, except the committee inside my brain and believe me they’re not very nice. And any alcoholic who reads this will know what committee I’m talking about 🙂 And if you don’t, just think of them as demons, cause that’s what they are!
Hi Shellie,
I am praying for you. Keep close to Jesus and reach out to people to help you.May God bless you and keep you during this struggle.
Love Jackie
Dear Kelly,
I have received so many good things from doing this study of Nehemiah. The ultimate party favor which I get to keep,a new pair of glasses. These glasses help me to look at everything in life through a special lens. Redemptive lens. I see redemption from my past,hold in my heart the redemptive key for the present, and long to gaxe upon the face of my redeemer in the future.Excellent book. Excellent study.
Thanks
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for this study. Each week a group of women gathered in my home and each week we left changed. Thank you for sharing the understanding that the Lord gives you and helping us to understand as well.
My take away from this study came from Nehemiah 9:15. In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them. The day I completed this lesson, my husband and I were reeling from the sadness of a disrupted adoption- the second for us. But as I read these words for some reason, it really hit me that the Israelites walked their journey for 40 years longing to see their promise fulfilled. And that is when it hit me. Sometimes God’s promises come quickly- like 52 days to rebuild the wall, and sometimes it takes 40 years of wandering in the desert. BUT God provides throughout the journey. He goes with us and before us. He provides bread and water when we need it and He portions it out perfectly. He knows who we are and where we are. He is compassionate, loving, and faithful even when we are not. He keeps his promises even when we are lost in the longing of our journey and want to turn back. But the point is to keep walking and to notice and praise God for the the bread from heaven and the water from the rock.
Once again thank you so much for the time you spent studying, writing, and sharing this book of Nehemiah. Without you we might have missed it, and that would have been a shame.
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for your taking us into the heart of Nehemiah. I’ve always known I loved the book, I just didn’t know how much until I went more indepth. As I read through the Bible chronologically this year, I’m just reading about the final fall of Judah to Babylon. But I cannot wait until next month, when I get to Nehemiah. It’s like I’ve been given a sneak peek and know what’s coming. God’s promises kept!
I remember reaching a point, about half way through the study, when I just closed my Bible and told God how much I love Nehemiah. How blessed we are to have his story in our Bible. My heart after this study, is to be more like Nehemiah…certain of God’s will for me and not wavering!
As we read through the lists of names that could get tedious, I just couldn’t help but remember that in the body of Christ, most of us are ‘just names’. We’re not necessarily going to be the Nehemiah, the leader/governor/main woman. We’re going to be the backbone, the names, that make up the church. And EACH one has a part. Thank you for helping us persevere through the names…I think they touched my heart most of all.
God bless you,
Kristine
Dear Kelly –
Thank you so much for this awesome study! I’m a “SASS girl” in Northern Virginia (an area you know well, right?) who basically learned to expect the unexpected when it comes to the things of God AGAIN through this study! Nehemiah – – who knew!? So, I’m a visionary… big ideas with wide reach. Have had two different ministries on my heart for the last few years and when I started session 1 was struck with the idea for a third. All in baby stages. Then the study progressed.
The Lord, through this study and other divine appointments, sat me down and showed me the wall that needed rebuilding. Like NOW. So I’m learning to obey Him and let His priorities for me become mine. The other ministries will come too – I’m convinced – but they need to wait to launch from a stable city and a stable marriage. My man is my number one priority after God Himself for the first time ever. We’ve been married almost 14 years. It is strange learning to walk this way. God’s way. Especially when so many think I’ve been doing that for years.
LOVE the image of every inch of the walls having its own special memory for one group or another and that what we read about today are the restored reclaimed sections we read about in Neh 2-4. God is rebuilding something in our home that will bless generations to the glory of His name – a place that will launch, no doubt, workers into the fields.
My ‘party favor’ is basically wrapped up in the issue of God’s Word being enough for me! Pages 101 through 107 of the study. Obedience and joy in just the WORD (esp regarding prioritizing my husband) and trusting God for the rest. Nehemiah’s laser focus on the will of God for him was awesome and has armed this builder/warrior. GRATEFUL to Him for you, Kelly! And thanks also for the insane Romaine Salad recipe!
Dear Kelly – Thank you for this study. I learned so much – give control to God. I met some great women who are helping me so much! I want a heart that can break and puts God first – in my entire life. I can’t wait for our next study!
Blessings,
Tina
Kelly,
My take away: I was surprised at how much I had allowed myself to be hardened by the hurt around me. Often there is so much it is easier to turn a blind eye. I am more aware of the pain and hurt I see every day and the places I have been called to serve. The walls I have put up are slowly coming down.
Saegertown Siestas Three,Saegertown,PA
Dear Kelly,
My life was in ruins when I started this study. As I read Nehemiah and did the study my walls started to be repaired and rebuilt. Parts of my life are showing improvement and promise. I just need to continue reading the bible and praying and seeking counsel from the Lord. Thank you so much for this study.
The above comment is from Teresa that is in our Saegertown Siestas Three.
Kati Wharton, Ocracoke Island, NC
Dear Kelly,
My main lesson from Nehemiah is the importance of prayer – when Nehemiah felt that God had laid something on his heart to do, he didn’t just start running around doing whatever seemed right to him, he prayed and waited for God’s guidance. Many times, I feel overwhelmed when my heart is broken for some situation or person, and it seems there is nothing I can do (or I just don’t know what to do). Nehemiah reminded me that the thing to do in these times is to pray, listen for God’s voice, and then follow His leading.
Thanks for making the story of people from a long time ago so real and relevant. Looking forward to your next study!
Thanks so much, Kelly for being obedient to God in writing this study. I feel it brought me a greater understanding of the importance of being persistant in intercessory prayer. Nehemiah was a man that fought in prayer for justice & stood up to the injustice being done.He didn’t let anything stop what God had put on his heart to do for the protection of the ones he loved..even the ones that didn’t love him back. He also thought of the future generations & was determined that they know the InCredible God he loved & served. I also feel a deeper understanding of true joy. It’s knowing that even in the hardest thing you’ve ever done, God opens your eyes to His prescence w/ you & wants to give us More & More of Himself when we say “Yes” to Him! He also is so sweet in giving you precious moment of JOY & even let’s you FEEL it! I say w/ tears that HIS JOY is my strength & NOTHING is too hard w/ God! He is my Fortress!
Mathew 13:11..”The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, & he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
Saegertown Siestas Three, Saegertown, PA
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for writing the Nehemiah study. My take away from this study was How I need to be obedient to God’s Word and fervent in prayer for the things that break my heart. I need not ignore what God is tugging at my heart for me to do and I need to get out of my “comfort” zone and take action.
Kelly, this is the 3rd “Living Room Series” I have done and I must say each one is better than the last. Keep up the good work!
Your fellow Siesta,
Marianne
Dear Kelly, This study of Nehemiah really brought out the fact that prayers have no expiration date. Nehemiah prayed for 4 months before finding himself in the position to ask the King if he could go rebuild the walls. Our God is so faithful! Thank you so much for sharing this study with so many and may God continue to Bless your writing as you share His teaching to others.
God Bless,
Shawnda Foster
Dear Kelly:
Thank you for an awesome study. It was so nice to have a great study for the summer time. I absolutely love your writing style. You are very gifted!
I have several take always, but I like to stick to the rules (smile), so I’m just going to give you my one. I need to remember what God has done for me at all times. I am currently going through a five year trial and the enemy will try and make me forget how God has seen me through difficult times before. God is good all the time!
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for this study. I wish we could have a cup of coffee and I could share with you all God has done in my heart this summer as I have went through this study. My biggest take away from this study is: God is more then able to rebuild the ruins in our lives. He can rebuild the walls of lost dreams.He is so faithful even when we are not. If I don’t get the pleasure of meeting you and worshipping with you in this life..I look forward to worshipping together in New Jersusalem! Blessings to you!
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this study.Through this study about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem I have learned that nothing is impossible with God. I am facing some tough issues and I really need God to do some miracles in my life.I believe that he will faithfully see me through these hardships.
Me, too, Kerri! I need a huge miracle! I’ll pray for your miracle. Will you pray for mine?
Kelly, Thanks for taking us along with you through Nehemiah. Something that has been on my heart since the beginning of the study is the way Nehemiah sought God in prayer throughout the journey to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. As Nehemiah prayed, God pressed upon his heart what he was to do, and this encourages me to seek God in prayer all the more so that my heart becomes breakable and available to what God has for me to do.
Lake Villa, IL
Dear Kelly…
Thank you for this study of Nehemiah and for your sense of humor running through. Love it. I had a few takeaways from this study. The first was standing for what you believe in. Also, learning that “others” are not my responsibility. My job is to listen to what God has asked of ME and be obedient. But the most important thing I learned (needed to be reminded of) was that God needs to be my FIRST stop. I often rely on my own resources, brain power, and finances first rather than looking to God first.
Thanks for the great reminders. Our group enjoyed your study so much, that we decided to fit in “No Other Gods” before fall studys begin.
Thank you, Beth, for introducing our group to Kelly. None of us had done one of hers before and it was a great study.
Dear Kelly,
My “take away” from this study is that confession isn’t confined to expressing sins. We can also confess God’s name, our faith, or a truth. As you stated, understanding confession keeps us from slinking away from God in guilt, regret, and shame; it frees us to speak the truth before Him.
Thank you for this word and for this study. God bless you!
Paula Jones, Knoxville, TN
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for your honesty, faithfulness to the Word, and for sharing your heart. We love you! The Lord is all over this one. Surely, this study has His favour and His anointing. Thank you for your sacrifices and perseverance and good work for the Kingdom. I am going to miss this study (and you). Like the others, I have gathered so many treasures (not to mention some wonderful and yummy recipes). Thank YOU!
Some treasures …
Prayer is the work of the church. Seek the well-being of the children of Israel. “Their children who do not know this law must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God…” (Deut. 31:13). Guard what has been entrusted to you. Entrusted men who were “… faithful and feared God more than the others” – fearing God actually looks like something – the church should be known for its “otherness”. It’s about people, our God and His Glory.
Lord, thank you for Kelly, for Beth, Living Proof, and our community of ‘siestas’. Thank you for this study and a summer in Your Word. Thank you for meeting with us and speaking to us! Lord, continue to teach us Your prescribed ways. Deliver us from slavery and our distress. Thank you that You always hear the cries of Your people and You respond. Make us a holy people of the Word, walking in obedience and whole-hearted devotion to You. Give us more love to Thee. Place Your desires in our hearts and open doors of ministry so that we may never neglect the ‘house of the Lord’. Bring us full circle that we may live abundant and fruitful lives for You, and through You, proclaiming Your praises- while eagerly awaiting our heavenly Jerusalem. For who is like You, O Lord, mighty in splendour and wonders?! Thank you for Your faithfulness…. we pray in Your saving and beautiful Name.
And, “now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thess. 5:23 Glory!
Dear Kelly,
Our happy little troupe of “Expecting Miracle” gals here in Watauga, TX are so appreciative of your heart and the study of Nehemiah. I’ve loved Nehemiah and the story of rebuilding and restoration that reflects the heart of wall builders like him for many years now.
Our little group reflected they are taking away the need to survey the rubble in their lives and get rid of it, the need to have a sensitive heart to God’s timing and the things He is moving them toward and to be sensitive in how to serve the Lord by serving His people and serving in spiritual warfare at the same time. A sword in one hand and a trowel in the other.
For me, my takeaway came home just a week ago. My heart shattered into a million pieces over the loss a dear one to my heart experienced. The Lord knew, and I know He is tending to them even now. I wrote to my girls to postpone the last meeting of the group as my mind and heart reeled from the news we had received over the weekend. A precious three year old boy went home to be with the Lord. The week that followed was sorrow mingled with celebration as miracle after miracle revealed itself in the hours and days following that moment that every parent fears and many find unable to move beyond.
A few weeks ago as I steadied my heart to leave employment for the pursuit of ministry and business outside the walls of the church. A sweet woman who had been my oversight pastor for three years said, “Continue to grow in your ministry to the grieving because I’ve seen that be very effective.”
I had no idea. My heart breaks for families who suffer grief. No matter the change-agent that brings about the painful reality of grief in ones life… My heart is to remain breakable for others who suffer in this way. Part of my destiny and my calling is to help people understand and process change in their lives. From the minor to the devastating… change will come and we must tend our hearts to be healthy and whole. So I press onward toward the upward call of Christ Jesus.
Thank you again, and may God count back to you the many returns of time and love you’ve invested in us this summer.
Blessings,
Michelle Bentham
Expecting Miracles
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for working through and sharing Nehemiah’s story for us! I probably wouldn’t have read the whole book otherwise…
This study has prompted good discussions between me and my friend Susan. My two take-aways:
A) That God is “forgiving… gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in faithful love…EVEN AFTER” my sin (Neh. 9:17-18). What an amazing and overwhelming gift WOW!
B) The definition of the Hebrew word for “strength” (p. 107) really caught my attention. “The joy of the Lord is your strength” = safe haven, refuge, protection. To choose to rest in God’s refuge and protection by focusing on the joy we have in God is really helpful in the face of whatever fears and struggles that come up.
On a side note, your book “No Other Gods” had a major impact on my life when I read it several years ago — very freeing after I was able to face my primary idol. Thank you for that book, too.
Joy to you!
Karen
Rochester MN
Dear Kelly, This has been my first studynwith you but it won’t be my last! I have done a few studies of Nehemiah before but I learned SO much with you!!! Your background and context you give made this whole study unforgettable and I now have the whole book of Nehemiah “marked up” with colored pens to help me remember so much but if I have to pick one thing as my take away, it is in chapter 6 when his enemies are trying tactic after tactic to distract Nehemiah from his God-giiven task and in verse 9, he prayed through the discouragement ” But now, oh God, strengthen my hands.” Later in verse 14, he asked God to deal with his enemies. I guess that means so much to me because I am the ultimate distracted one! When much activity and discouragement comes my way when trying to do a God-given task, I tend to let my enemy distract or scare or discourage me. not our Nehemiah! I have repeated this prayer and shared it with those who need a sharp, determined focus to carry on. Thanks for all of it- the study, the historical background, the recipes, the insights…we will meet again in another of your studies…God bless!
Kelly,
I did this study with the ladies at my church in the spring. During that time, I connected with some ladies in the area who was in Houston for the SIESTA Memory Verse Celebration. The Siesta group decided to do join Beth’s online community and do Nehemiah. I had really connected with this precious group of ladies and decided to do the Bible study again this summer with them. I realize now that God wanted to make sure that the lessons I learned really stuck with me and that is the reason I was doing Nehemiah for the second time.
I recently went to Cape Town, South Africa, primary as a family vacation but as I was making plans earlier, I really felt that God wanted me to somehow find a mission project for us to do while we were there. To make a long story short, I connected with a missionary, Melanie,from the U.S. who is helping to plant churches in the Cape Town area. How we connected was definitely a God thing! She is bringing the gospel to the South African townships, the poorest part of the country where people live in tiny, tiny shacks made of whatever they can find.
I remember telling my family afterwards while we grabbed a bite at McDonald’s, “I’m not sure how I am supposed to respond to what I have seen after our quick tour of the township. I don’t want to sound like the Pharisee who thanked God that he is not one of those tax collectors and say, ‘Thank you, God, that I don’t live in one of those townships.’ What is the appropriate response?” While one of the boys tried to offer an answer, it just did not sit well with me. When I got home, God gave me the answer from Nehemiah. “I want your heart to break for my people as Nehemiah’s did while he was serving in the king’s winter palace.” Often times, when we are confronted with such overwhelming poverty, we feel helpless about what we can do individually to make a difference. The reality is we may not be able to change the circumstances of their current living conditions, but we can make a difference in where they will spend eternity. And, no matter what their current circumstances, they can find joy in the Lord and experience His amazing grace and love. They can see the magnificence of His glory and still live a fruitful life full of abundance. God wants that for all of His children, not just the ones who have nice homes.
I plan to stay connected with Melanie and am praying to see how God wants our family to partner with her to bring the Gospel to the townships of Cape Town. Melanie is a modern day Nehemiah. She has a degree in Graphic Design but she listened to God’s calling to give up her career plans, family and friends to bring the love of Christ to children and youth of the poorest of the poor in Cape Town.
Thank you, Kelly, for also listening to God and writing this study! It has blessed me greatly and God made sure that I would remember the lessons by making me do it a second time.
Dear Kelly,
I have been blessed to do this study with a friend in my home and then again with a brand-new group of women in our first Bible study in a new church plant. So many blessings!
My takeaway is Nehemiah’s focus to his calling. Tobiah just would not go away. (I recalled the old cartoon, Dudley-Do-Right and his nemesis, Snidely Whiplash, who was always tying the girl to the railroad tracks. That is how I pictured Tobiah!) But Nehemiah was so focused and obedient, he never feared Tobiah’s threats or manipulation. Instead, he dealt with them quickly, truthfully, and confidently and in the power of the Lord. So, when I’m in the midst of something God has called me to do, I will not analyze, mull over, or question any discouraging comment(s) that might lead to defeat. I will pray in the words of Nehemiah, “Now strengthen my hands,” and finish the wall!
Amen and amen!
Dear Kelly,
I enjoyed this study so much! I got so much out of it and learned so much. But the main thing that I brought home was to have a compassionate heart like Jesus. I said that prayer at the beginning of the study when you first suggested it and the Lord started working on me immediately. I found myself being compassionate in situations where I would normally be highly annoyed. It was such a pleasant change. Thank you for writing such a great bible study and being someone that I can relate to. I knew as soon as I started reading the introduction and you were talking about farmers markets that I was probably going to have some things in common with you. This bible study really brought my group of ladies together in a way we never have before. Thank you!!!! You’re awesome.
Lindsay
Dear Kelly,
I, too, am appreciative of your sharing this study of the book of Nehemiah with the rest of us! Your writing certainly has made an otherwise unstudied book relevant to this girl’s life!
My take-away from this study is that it gives me a fresh lens at which to look through life:
*What am I passionate about and willing to put my life, my life, my dreams and desires, on hold for?
*What things do I need to deal with that are preventing me from experiencing real change?
*What reforms need to take place?
*Who are the trustworthy people in my life?
*What maintenance plans need to be implemented so that my efforts don’t fall back into ruins?
Another take-away is that my appreciation and prayers have increased for my church leaders. Their task of leading a flock of meandering sheep is never-ending and probably tiresome. As many times as they celebrate, there are times when they probably want to bang their heads against the wall. They need my prayers just as much I as need theirs.
Thanks again!
-bethany
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for this study of Nehemiah. What was impressed on me from before we even began, as i read through the book in my Bible, was the fact that he prayed before ever making a move and then he did what God instructed – no matter what. Wonderful time of study and fellowship with my Greenville, SC Siestas!! (which met in Houston, TX – LOL!!)
Dear Kelly,
I am a little late finishing the study but:
I so appreciate the context of the importance of rebuilding the city and how that relates to the new city we are looking for. The “turn around” point for me was on page 80 where you reference Joel 2:25. That was such a message I needed to hear. After a many year struggle with a child with illness and loosing her last November, I felt like I had nothing to offer God. I had lost all opportunity and failed miserably. This gave me hope that he would “restore the years that the locusts have eaten”. I have been able to find an area of service to volunteer my nursing skills.
Thank you for this study,
Dear Kelly,
The story about the young boy who fainted because of not having any food to eat for four days, just broke my heart as the poverty hit home. I’ve been talking with my husband and two boys (ages 4 & 8) and we’ve been praying about what more we can really do. It has changed our prayers even at each meal and we truly Thank Him for plenty of food in the cupboard and the ease which we can obtain more. I looked up the statistics of how starvation is claiming a child averaging every 5 seconds (over 16,000 a day). I know it will always be around until Christ sets up His perfect kingdom with a home and food for all who love him, and I know even with all of us working together we can’t change it because of government/climate/economic and other issues, but even if I can just change it for one or two children in Jesus’ name and His love for His glory, then that is huge! Please use us dear Father~
Thank you Kelly & God bless,
Sandy (Glendale, OR)
Durant, OK
Dear Kelly,
Just like the million other women who have done your studies, and at least 4,000 who did this one together this Summer, I am extremely grateful of how you are letting God use you as a writer. Thank you also for the interviews you shared. My takeaway from this study is that God does truly put things in our hearts to do and it is so important for us to obey. He has been continually putting it on my heart to use my sin as a teenager to minister to teenage girls.
Kelly,
Thank you for this bible study. My take away from this study – what has God placed on my heart to do – love my husband.
Kelly,
I enjoyed this study so much . It was perfect timing in my life . God is so good.
It’s difficult to post ONE thing I received from this study. But, if I had pick, it would be the lesson where Ezra read the law and the people mourned , but we’re told to rejoice for the lord wanted them to have joy. They were celebrating the Jewish new year. I have lacked so much joy in my life lately. I was reading the secrets of the vine at the time I was doing the study. Gods used the two together to open my eyes to some things. Showed me some areas I needed to repent, god was pruning me OUCH ! Thank god there is joy in the morning. You are gifted. I don’t understand your singleness , however god does. What a catch you would be !!
I laughed and cried. Your story about canning was a gut buster as I am a country girl and did all that stuff growing up and into my early adulthood. We used to call girls like u, city slickers! Ha ha Now I just buy it at the store. God bless you for your faithfulness.
Your sister
Teresa
Dear Kelly,
What I took home was my need to make a mission statement for my ministry. As a youth pastor’s wife (that also works full time), I was being asked to do every needed job at the church and was getting tangled up and doing things that I wasn’t called to. By doing a mission statement, I am able to figure out what GOD has called me to and what PEOPLE are wanting from me. Big difference. Thank you so much for helping me to see it and for all of the awesome recipes!! Yum!
Love,
Carmen
Dear Kelly: Pg. 14 “But we can’t underestimate the power that pours forth from a broken heart. Lord, keep breaking our hearts!” God used this study in my life to encourage me to continue to pray for my family that is not close to Him. It is my “exquisite honor” (pg. 21) to pray for them. May God bless you richly.
Dear Kelly,
My sis and I completed this Bible study this summer and finally had a chance to get together for our final session yesterday. We both loved your study and how you speak so candidly and warmly in your study. My “party favor” for this study is a renewed appreciation for His Word and how a book like Nehemiah is part of His Big Picture. Because of this study, I appreciate more how ALL of His Word is important and can teach us. Thanks, Kelly, for being a great teacher! 🙂
Dearest Kelly,
Thank you for sharing your zeal for the Word of God with us!! I have greatly enjoyed studying Nehemiah this summer. My book still has sand in it from doing my study at the beach while my boys surfed. And I love that, it was such a special time. This study really encouraged me back to prayer. I love that Nehemiah waits on God’s timing and then how perfectly it all lines up. That is my main take away, but I also loved the final chapters as well. Nehemiah could have finished the wall and walked away happy. Wall rebuilt–check! But he was not content with just the physical completion of the project. He was also concerned with the spiritual state of his people. Am I? or am I too task oriented?!! Kelly, you kept asking us, “what has God put on your heart to do?”, and at first I was unsure. I even began to get annoyed with the question, because I was unsure!! I was overlooking it or over thinking it. I don’t know beyond taking care of my family what God wants me to do. I am willing to go to the ends of the earth, if He asks me, which brings me back to prayer!! What has God put on my heart to do? To study Nehemiah this summer, to love Him with all my heart, and those He has put in my life. Beyond that I’m gonna pray and wait and see where He leads.
Thanks again!
God Bless!
Your Sister in Christ,
Lori
Beth,
Tionight we just finished Kelly’s Neheminah Study….it was super……
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for this wonderful Study on Neheminah…..what I took away, it is that I need a heart the breaks for the things that Break God’s heart. For without a heart that breaks you cannot show the compassion that you need to, to be the Christain Gods wants you to be…..I pray each morning God let me your servant again today.
God Bless you Kelly.
Thank you for
Dear Kelly,
I specifically resonate with Alli’s biggest impact from the study on page 141. “For me it was a confirmation that part of my calling as a follower of Christ is to love my family well in this season. I am so focused on raising my two young kids that I find myself feeling guilty that I am not as available to other people as I was before children. But I feel like God has shown me that I am doing the work of building the wall in my own home when I strive to train my children in the way they should go, when I feed them and nurture them and even discipline them in love. This is good work, and it will only last for a season. That doesn’t mean that I close my eyes to the rest of the world; it just means that I need to take this work of raining my family as a serious calling and be faithful to that.” Amen sister. I couldn’t have said it better!
Thank you for a great study!! At the beginning I was feeling the tug to serve outside the home. Over the course of the study God has been teaching me – I am not perfect. I am a sinner like the rest, and yet He can still use me. These current days are not for serving outside the home, but are for taking the time to invest building up my home… developing God inspired and appointed ways to lead my family and grow them in the way of the Lord. Simply amazing – this peace, from an answered prayer.
Dear Kelly…
I had forgotten to post my response to this because the day after we finished my friend passed away after a VERY fast decline in the hospital. I have only just now remembered that I never posted! But having come all the way through that loss, I feel more prepared than ever to share my experience with Nehemiah and share how God has blessed me.
First, let me say that I really enjoy your spirit. I am a musician/vocalist, foodie, pastor’s kid, etc, and therefore feel like we have a lot in common. I enjoyed your fresh perspective on things and felt like I was sitting next to you at the table rather than reading a book you wrote.
This Spring I really felt the desire to be more intentional about bible study and spending daily time with God and just a few days after I had started processing that, I saw Beth’s post about your study. I was so thrilled! I then felt like I should offer the study to my bible study girls (mostly the same group of girls twice a year who take a Beth Moore study at church together)…thinking that 3-4 people might be interested…yeah, well 20 signed up and 10-12 stuck it out. Amazing.
I was drawn to Nehemiah, the man…I know I’ve read Nehemiah in school, but didn’t really remember much about the book or story. This time it all became so real. Nehemiah is such a rich character! So open to God, so driven, so intelligent, so talented, such a ROLE MODEL.
When I was almost finished with the study, we had a guest speaker at church who spoke about Jesus’ sacrifice (toward the end of a series on the book of John). She spoke about Jerusalem…the gates he entered, the different parts of the city, etc…I WAS FLOORED! I was sitting next to my husband whispering…I KNOW THE SHEEP’S GATE!!! I KNOW THE KING’S GATE!!! 🙂 What I had been studying in Nehemiah made my interest and understanding of her message that much deeper.
Now comes the really amazing part. At the end of the study, I was enraptured by the idea of Zion…I don’t think I have ever truly felt such a strong longing for home…and your study took me there. I talked about it with my small group, I talked about it with the bible study girls, I talked about it with my hubby. It consumed my thoughts…I was constantly dreaming about a place with no agenda, with no pain or suffering, with true friendship and fellowship, with no desire greater than to worship God. This was especially attractive because of my friend, Mardy. She had been in the hospital for hip surgery when they found it….cancer. Three different types of cancer took over her body and in a week she was gone. She had beaten it once already two years ago…and her numbers were good…but she was being attacked without even knowing it. The day after I finished Nehemiah, she passed away. Imagine being filled with images and dreams of what Zion will be and then releasing a dear friend to Jesus. Just under a week later, I had the honor of participating on the worship team for her service. It was one of the closest experiences I can relate to what heaven might be like. She had been a part of so many people’s lives…and we were all together to honor her. We all praised and sang and cried and remembered…it was one of the most moving and wonderful expressions of love and worship I have ever witnessed. God brought me full circle. He knew that I would need a fresh perspective on what lies ahead. He knew I would need to be part of a community of ladies. He knew I would benefit from a deeper understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice. He knew I needed Him.
Thank you for your study. This summer I have grown so much and it is largely due to your words, your commitment, and your voice…but most of all, your willingness to walk in faith just as Nehemiah did so many years ago. Thank you for allowing yourself to be used so that I (and many others) could spend some quality time with God this summer. He has taken my small step of faith (stepping out and seeking his word) and blessed me beyond what I ever imagined. Hugs
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for writing this study! God spoke to me in many ways…every day was so good! But the biggest, clearest way He spoke through this study was showing me His heart for the poor- the orphan, the widow, the broken. Your videos really touched me, especially your heart for the people in the Amazon. The week your sister did an interview I was especially touched by her response, and I felt God breaking my heart and showing me my own sin and selfishness. Our God is a God of Justice…and he requires us to ‘live justly.’! So going on from this study, along with many other treasures, I am taking with me a newly broken heart for those in need, both in my own community and around the world.
Thank you sister!!!!!
Dear Kelly- thank you for your study. Our group had just finished the Nehemiah study and had not started a new study when Beth started her summer study so, we just jumped on and reviewed Nehemiah again with Beth’s additions. The extra time in Nehemiah made it even richer. I was touched and inspired by many thoughts in this study but, my party favor was this: last chapter , day 4 when you go through about how the book of Nehemiah ends and Nehemiah goes back to clean up the mess. Isn’t that how ministry is sometimes. Sometimes it seems that there are more times of weeping, mourning, praying and fasting than those times of singing, celebrating and full out enjoying the glory of the Lord. I guess the honest reality of Nehemiah’s situation was comforting to understand what he meant in his closing words. But,as you said, Nehemiah 13:31 is not where Jerusalem’s story ends, nor is it where our story ends. And the hope in day 5 of the heavenly Jerusalem touched my heart that groans within. Oh how I long to go home to that city where “all disgrace will be removed both from creation and from our inmost being!” Because of Jesus, we are assured of the way home.Thank you for shining the focus on this truth.
Dear Kelly,
My “take away” was 1)Broken 2)PRAY 3)Plan 4) Assess 5) ACT! I tend to jump straight to #5 but I keep reminding myself to be like Nehemiah and take it to the Lord, pray and then follow His leading! Thanks so much! I loved the last lesson on the New Jerusalem! “Festive Angels” has captured my imagination. I can’t wait to see them!
Love you!
Dear Kelly!
You study very much blessed me this summer. In a time of intense study and concentration on a professional goal, I was able to stay in the Word with this engaging study. I love your emphasis on our world. I forget to look out sometimes. I love how this study came in such a timely fashion-I have been faced with adversity on all sides it seems..and Kelly you reminded me that God has a purpose for all of it..that He brought people into my life that I was truly missing and those people (thank the Lord) are still walking with me now. I was also reminded that although I felt ashamed at some of the things that happened in the past that seemed to be highlighted right before my very eyes in this particular season of my life..I know that God is busy redeeming it all. Whatever wall has come down recently will be built again..stronger than before! Praise God for you and the LPM team.
-kari