"For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah-from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes-neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance."
Nehemiah 5:14
Nehemiah 5:14
I want to be a leader like Nehemiah. Reading about him in verses 14-19 reminded me of Jesus.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:45
Mark 10:45
Let's examine the example this servant leader gave us.
- He did not take what was due to him as governor because the leaders before him but a hardship on the people by taking advantage of them. (V14-15)
- He worked on the wall like everyone else and refused to accept any land as payment. (V16)
- He asked for nothing but regularly fed his officials as well as visitors. (V17)
Do you know anyone like this, someone who serves others through their leadership? I do. She would be mad at me for mentioning her name so I will honor her anonymity but I will tell you about her.
She refuses to accept what is due her because it could place a hardship on others. She works and helps when help is needed and doesn't accept payment, no task is too menial. She regularly feeds her "officials" and anyone else who needs food even if it means her grocery list is shortened.
Yes, I have the privilege of knowing a modern-day Nehemiah. This woman not only serves like Nehemiah but she prays like him, also. Mmmm, I want to be a Nehemiah like her.
Tell me about a Nehemiah you know.
She refuses to accept what is due her because it could place a hardship on others. She works and helps when help is needed and doesn't accept payment, no task is too menial. She regularly feeds her "officials" and anyone else who needs food even if it means her grocery list is shortened.
Yes, I have the privilege of knowing a modern-day Nehemiah. This woman not only serves like Nehemiah but she prays like him, also. Mmmm, I want to be a Nehemiah like her.
Tell me about a Nehemiah you know.
3 Comments:
I'm blessed to have a Mrs. Nehemiah that happens to live 3 houses away! Daily, I thank God for sprinkling their family on our street over 15 years ago. She's a dear friend to me and I'm honored to have her as a trusting and faithful prayer-warrior.
Characteristics that she models:
*All of our conversations always get back to our Father! His Glory and goodness.
*She is a praying woman!
*Daily, she studies her Bible-she knows and lives out The Word, more than anyone I know!
*She has a heart that is truly out to save every unsaved soul!
*Her mother lives with their family & I've never heard her complain once! -She puts me to shame!
*She honors & respects her husband
*She is a devoting mother to her 3 children. (1 got married a couple of years ago)
*She serves her church & community
*She is a giver, giving way more than "the tithe," and very, very generous in the hospitality area.
*Plus, she always looks put together! Never harried or in a hurry. Calm, and ready to listen, intently.
**But, mostly what impresses me about her, and why she is such a model for me is observing her prayer life. She's been a mentor to me in this area. Georgetta! She's the apple if His eye, a beautiful princess to the Most High! Her name is engraved on His Hands, and her name is written in His Book of Life, and her heart will continue to be broken until everyone she knows around her is living in eternity with her! When I did my timeline in the Esther Study I took, I knew without a doubt that God placed us on the same street, so many,many years ago. I was a Christian at the time, but was not closely walking next to Christ. This faithful, Christ follower has been a wonderful mentor to me all these years!
I think that is where it is at ladies...our personal relationship with the Lord, growing deeper and deeper each day. The more we read all the Bible the more we become the person God wants us to be.
Love you all! Lori - AZ
I have been blessed to know a few women like Nehemiah.
They have helped me go deeper and get stronger in my faith. They have been real life example of how Jesus wants us to live.
These are women who go to God in prayer first and roll up thier sleeves and get to work. No complaining! It is a joy to be with them and to work with them.
I want to follow their example and be a Nehemiah too!
Have a great day ladies.
Patty
Your "Nehemiah" sounds like a gem Wendy. A true servant leader.
I'm late today stopping by as my dad had some more day surgery today. All went well and we are continuing to trust the Lord.
Today, one word stood out to me in our reading. It was the word "remember".
My memory certainly isn’t the same as it was years ago. In fact, I’ve resorted to pen and paper most days. In practically every clothing pocket of mine you will find a scrap piece of paper with something written on it. It might be a phone number, a name, a grocery list, a prayer request or an agenda. Something has come to my mind, and rather than forget it, I write it down. I want to remember.
How often have I asked God to remember me? Nehemiah certainly seemed to offer that request several times. Have you ever asked God to remember you in a crisis, or at a time when you felt desperately alone, or when facing health challenges, strained relationships or struggles due to the economic crunch. Do you wish you could write your name and situation on a piece of paper and tuck it in His pocket so that He will remember you?
Asking God to remember, implies the concern and possibility that He might forget.
Isaiah 49:15-16 tells us, “I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…”
It is impossible for God to forget us.
However, the opposite is not true. We can forget God. We can go about living each moment of our life with no thought of our Lord and Savoir. We can make decisions without Him. We can choose to neglect Him. We can start our day without thinking of Him.
Maybe I should write His Name on pieces of paper and place them in my pockets so that I will always and forever remember to look for Him throughout each day.
Lord, help me to remember You,
Joy
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