Scales and Order

Nehemiah rebuilds the wall. Ezra reads the law.  Leviticus 19:35 -37.  God's heart revealed to his people.
Our actions must reflect God's character. God cares about order and honesty.  He hates when people are exploited.  Proverbs 11:1
 Nehemiah 5:1-7 people were subject to famine,taxation, and exploitation. Nehemiah is broken, angry, distraught. He said we must change our behaviors.  Further he said, May God shake out of the house anyone who does not keep this promise.  Read Galatians 5:13-15.  Christ fulfilled the law.  Do not indulge the flesh; serve one another humbly and in love.  In Leviticus 17:18 we read from the law, Love your neighbor.  Jesus upped the ante when he said. Love your enemy.  Don't worry about who your neighbor is but be a neighbor.  We are good at finding loopholes.  Read Ephesians 4:1-2. we are called to live a life worthy of the Gospel.
1.  How can you reflect God's order where you have been placed?
2. Who do you need to be a neighbor to?
3. How can you give yourself away to them?

Pastor Joe Johnson
Sunday morning, Holland, MI

Confronting Giants

“Open the servant’s eyes so that he may see.” --Elisha’s prayer, 2 Kings 6:17

Review of the account of David and Goliath from I Samuel 17.

Whatever Goliath you face, you need to bury one truth deep within your heart: God loves you, and when you place your trust in Him, He will not allow you to suffer defeat.

You may experience failures along the way but ultimately God wins.

We see the giant because we don’t put our focus in the right place. Train yourself to look beyond what you can see to what God sees. Trust is like climbing a ladder; take one step at a time and continue to climb higher and higher. The stronger the trust the deeper the peace. We are children of God; we can know.

How can we gain that kind of faith?

1. Recall past victories. David recalled how God delivered him from the bear and the lion. (I Samuel 17:32-37)

2. Reject discouraging words. Maintain your confidence in God.

3. Recognize the true nature of the battle. Our Father is sovereign over all.

4. Respond to the challenge with positive confession. David firmly declared, The Lord will deliver. He asserted that he could not lose because God was with him. The positive attitude is not mere mental gymnastics because we base it on the promises of God! The Holy Spirit will remind you that you are a child of God.

5. Rely on the power of God. God provided the victory and God received the glory. Trust God for the victory, praise God for the victory.

6. Reckon the victory. David knew that it wasn’t his strength or cunning that would win the battle, but God’s strength and wisdom. Understand that it is God’s battle and give it to Him!

Get out the ladder and take another step up!

Pastor David Harrold

Sunday morning