Tag: Jerusalem

Time to Stand!

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14

Do you have those people in your life, too?

People who taunt you while working God’s plan? Those who belittle your faith in God? People who think they know what you should do, yet are themselves far from God?

Nehemiah was sent by God to orchestrate the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s outer walls.

Obviously, there were those who disagreed. Their enemies.

So, Nehemiah and his men worked with a stone in one hand and a sword in the other.

“From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail….Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other” (4:16-17).

Nehemiah led the people to fulfill the work of the Lord even though.

Nehemiah led the people to walk in God’s promise even though.

Nehemiah led the people to finish what God wanted them to do even though.

Even though there were enemies.

Even though there was real danger.

Even though it had never been done before.

How did Nehemiah so wildly succeed? Because he held onto God’s promise. Nehemiah 2:8 says, “for the good hand of my God was upon me.”

Nehemiah knew God would be with him as he stepped out in faith to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. And he didn’t let one enemy get into his head.

He didn’t walk in his own strength. He continually asked God for protection.

He didn’t walk in his own knowledge. He continually asked God for wisdom.

He didn’t walk in his own pride. He humbly submitted everything to God.

What is God asking you to do? What are you cowering in fear of because you are focusing only on your strength? What’s that one thing you keep resisting, because you haven’t yet seen God’s strength over you instead?

Not talking about living for yourself. We’re talking God assignments.

That’s what Nehemiah had. A God assignment to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Rebuilding what God calls you to do takes grit, faith, and stamina. All coming from God. And you’ll have the enemy, too, reminding you of your past failures, inadequacies, and weakness.

So arm yourself with the promises of God. Arm yourself with the protection of God. Arm yourself with the truth of God.

And start rebuilding whatever God has asked of you. From little cracks of unforgiveness to big holes of bitterness, walk in God’s identity for you, standing up to the enemy with your sword. It’s time!

Photos by Kristen Sturdivant, Vigmund Djupang, Gioele Fazzeri, & Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Humility & Sacrifice

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

Can you even imagine the love Jesus has for us?

Love so deep He gave us all of Himself.

He willingly came to earth, subjecting Himself to human life where hunger, thirst, and pain dwell.

He walked everywhere, dealt with constant questions, and ungrateful recipients.

His disciples seemed annoying at times and the Pharisees were downright rude.

Jesus didn’t need to put up with any of this. None.

Yet He did, because of you and me.

For our eternal home dwelling by His side.

Upon entering Jerusalem days before He would die, He wept for His city. For His people who could not see the Truth.

Can you imagine how frustrating that would have been for the One who created them?

How hard is it for you when your loved one either cannot see God or refuses?

That’s a tiny fraction of how Jesus felt while weeping for His people.

Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, His body was in agony.

Luke 22 records drops of sweat as blood, which can happen when a body is under severe stress.

Yet Jesus still stayed, anticipating what was to come, knowing His Father would be with Him.

During His flogging, crown of thorns, and other punishment, He stayed.

Through the torture, which could have killed Him as well, He endured for the purpose of our salvation.

Obedience to His Father’s will came from His love for us.

Love which surpassed His humiliating death.

Hanging on the cross, God turned away as Jesus bore the sin of the world.

Because God is holy, He could not look at the sin dying on the cross.

And Jesus felt alone.

Crying out to God, asking why He had forsaken Him, Jesus was alone.

He became the sacrifice for the sin of the world.

At the moment of crushing pain, Jesus was alone.

But He stayed for you and for me, giving up His last breath.

Upon His resurrection, Jesus conquered sin, death, and the grave forever and ever.

Absolutely incredible. Literally.

I think we have no true reality of what Jesus has really given us.

We can never repay our Savior, but we can share His love, forgiveness, and freedom to our lonely world around us.

Will you do that for Him?

Remember His sacrifice for you and live like it matters. Because it does. For everyone.

Photos by Thanti Riess, Rod Long, Haley Owens, Jon Tyson, & Samuel McGarrigle on Unsplash

Palm Sunday

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Jesus is coming now.

He’s on his way to Jerusalem.

The center of Judaism.

His religious home on earth so to speak.

He’s coming to die for us.

Willingly. He’s literally walking towards his impending death.

He knew.

Yet He still came.

Nobody dragged Him to the city.

Nobody manipulated Him, tricking Him to actually arrive.

He came on His own free will.

He came for you and me.

Imagine His human mind, grasping the coming days.

Leaving His disciples for a few days, knowing what they’d see.

Feeling betrayed by one of His own disciples.

Trying to imagine beyond human capabilities the pain He would endure.

Walking through all this and more, Jesus still set Himself towards Jerusalem.

Are you thankful this Palm Sunday?

Thankful seems so insignificant in comparison to Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins.

Yet it’s a start.

Giving thanks to God for what He did acknowledges our need for His death.

And that’s what’s it’s all about.

He died for us because of our desperate need for salvation.

That’s why He kept walking.

Walking towards His death.

As you anticipate Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and the Resurrection, remember your need for His salvation.

It cost Him everything, but He gained you.

For that I am so very thankful. Are you?

Photos by Syd Sujuaan, Brady Leavell, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash