Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Sunday June 06, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Nehemiah, chapters 1-3. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-6

Bible Study: Path of Least Resistance
Jesus Said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” - Matthew 6:19-21. While God wants us to prosper and enjoy having things, we are not to worry about the material things because we have better things waiting for us in heaven. When we take the step to live our lives for Christ we can be sure to meet opposition when we decide to occupy our time on eternal treasures rather than the trash of earthly desires and do the will of God.

The book of Nehemiah is the sixteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirteen chapters. The author of the book is Nehemiah and it was originally written to the Israelites. The purpose of the book was to continue showing the history of Israel and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. What we are to learn from the book is that there is no opportunity without opposition and that faith without works is dead.

When Nehemiah's relative Hanani arrived in Persia from Jerusalem, he told Nehemiah of the pitiful conditions that existed there. “The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,” - Nehemiah 1:1-4. Nehemiah knew the Scriptures and the power of prayer and fasting, reminding the Lord of His promise and fourteen years after Ezra returned to Jerusalem, Nehemiah led a group of people from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. He left all the luxuries of home knowing that he was about to head for a disastrous state. We as Christians were at one time is a disastrous state, but Jesus gave up the luxuries of heaven to come down to a earth in ruins to seek out the remnant that are in dire straights.

Soon after Nehemiah began rebuilding the walls, he faced opposition from Sanballat and his crowd of followers. “But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.” - Nehemiah 2:19,20. Nehemiah knew that God was on his side and that as long as he was in His will he had nothing to fear. Of course, the closer we draw near to God the more opposition we will face from the devil. He will send many people and objects in our path to try and stop us from being so faithful to God. However, God gives us the power to stand up and continue to do His work without fear. Nehemiah remained faithful to God and several groups of people were used to rebuild the wall.

There are three basic characteristics that contributed to Nehemiah's success. First, he has a desire to do the will of God. Second, he not only prayed, he fasted and confessed their sins as well. Third, he never gave up and was determined to get the people to join him in rebuilding the walls. He refused to become discouraged and give up on accomplishing God's will, regardless of any opposition he faced.

Accomplishing the will of God is dependent upon remembering who we are living for, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” - Hebrews 13:5-8. God's path is rarely the path of least resistance, but we can be content and follow the will of God knowing that He and His Word never changes, He will never leave no forsake anyone who truly want Jesus to be Lord of our lives. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have an awesome week.
P.S. I apologize for being late posting this.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com

Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation

Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com