Dear Editors and friends,
Please freely print this weeks Penny Pulpit Column in your papers, bulletins, emails, bloggs and twitters . Thank you for this consideration.
Pastor Ed Rice, Good Samaritan Baptist Church, Dresden NY 14441
These Baptist Penny Pulpits are an asset to many Missionaries and young Christians, Please Use the FORWARD below.
What The Bible Says Nehemiah A Leader
Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
When Nehemiah heard that the remnant which left the captivity and returned to the Promised Land were in great affliction and reproach, and that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, the Bible portrays for us certain ingredients which rose this valiant leader to so daunting a task. When the burden on our heart is the burden on God's, when 'the desire of our heart' comes from God, when His priorities override all of our own, we are poised to do great things. God does not raise up great ministries, he raises up great men. Great men take His burden for people and fall on their face before God with the burden. “I heard, … I sat, … I wept, … I mourned for days, … I fasted, … I prayed before the God of heaven, … and I said 'I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, … Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant,...” A leader needs no permission to lead, only the opportunity, and when Nehemiah's opportunity came he boldly steps through the open door. Even so Nehemiah was 'very sore afraid' but he knew how to pray on his feet. “Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, ... ” (Neh 2:4) Nehemiah also knew how to think on his feet. He had not mission statement nor mission plan, no recommendations from committee, board or Sanhedrin, he had only a burden, a prayer life and an opportunity. Lastly Nehemiah had a remarkable ability to employ others. He sets out on a solitary quest to do something great for his God. He does, will you?
An Essay from week # 17, Sunday, April 22, 2012
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