Defining Moments

Scripture for the week:
4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4 NLT

Tuesday reading:
Nehemiah 2,3

key verse (s): 2:8

observations & questions:

2:2 The burden God had given him troubled Neh.

2:3 The burden pointed to a new direction for Neh. doing something for God.

2 God opened the door and provided the resources to accomplish what He had asked Neh to do. Wood to build, passes to go through territories, protection from officers. Favor with people in Jerusalem after he came.

2:18 Part of casting vision to the people was telling them all God had done so far.

2:19 The first spiritual attack came with scoffing and questioning what they were doing.

Chapter 3 Help came - so many families came and were willing to join Nehemiah in this building project God had given him. There were families of people and individuals who came and helped. like at Elife: The Lavos, Galanos, Knights, etc etc came to help. the Joshs, the Gregs, etc.

1:20 Zabbai zealously repaired. It was obvious his heart was in it.

1:22 people from surrounding regions came and helped.


application or concept:
I am giving thanks for those who have come to Elife and are helping build what God is building. I am praying for those specifically who will help build prayer.


prayer:
Father, we thank you for many who have come to Experience Life and joined in helping us build and restore your Kingdom. God we pray for more, because we have so much more to build. God send those whose call is to build our prayer ministries. Show us which gates to raise first, which portions of prayer to continue to add to. Give us favor as we build Lord.

Learning Agenda:

Leadership Gold chapt 3
Defining Moments Define Your Leadership

pg 21 Defining Moments can be: facing a personal failure, taking a stand on an issue, experiencing suffering, being asked to forgive, making an unpleasant decision.

pg 21 Defining Moments show us who we are
Most days in our lives come and go; they are much like all the others and don't stand out. But there are a few days that are unlike all the others. They do stand out because they give us an opportunity to stand up, be set apart from the rest of the crowd, and seize that moment - or to remain sitting with the rest of the crowd and let it pass.

pg 21 Defining moments declare to others who we are. Most days we can wear mask and hide who we are from others around us. During defining moments we can't do that.

pg 21 Leadership develops daily, not in a day

pg 22 Our character isn't made during these times it is displayed.

pg 23 After a defining moment we will never be the same again.

pg 23 Defining Moments Determine who we will become

pg 24 After a defining moment we will never be the same again.

Prayer:
Lord, you are the God who is More than, more than our problems, more than what we can imagine. Give me the strength to be consistent in my spiritual disciplines so that when my defining moments come I am making Godly decisions and not selfish ones. Thanks for molding me, even when it is not comfortable for me to be molded.
Lord, help the men and women in our ltgs to pursue you in their disciplines also. Stregthen them in your word and by your power to serve your purposes on the earth.

Asking for more

Scripture for the week:
4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4 NLT

Tuesday reading:
Nehemiah 1

key verse (s): 1:4

observations & questions:

1:2 Nehemiah had some interest in the Jews of Jerusalem. God had already stirred and interest in his brothers and their return from captivity.

Important to note that God had already begun working on Nehemiahs heart.
God had deposited a compassion for his people and that they would be restored.

1:3 the report from the friends

1:4 Nehemiahs heart breaks. This news moved him.

1. What moves you ? What is God putting on your heart ?
2. What moves God in what moves you ? mourning, fasting, and prayer= keys to dealing with the burden.

1:5 Even though there is a burden, Nehemiah begins his prayer with Adoration. Adoration takes our minds of how big the problem is to How big our God is.

1:6 Keys to Gods heart, humility. Nehemiah does another important part of prayer with Confession for himself and for his people. He identifies with them so much that his prayer is not "deal with those people". It is God forgive us.

1:7 A different facet of Confession here. Confession of who God is. Nehemiah reminds God of what He has said and speaks it to God. Gods word is an important part of your prayer arsenal.

1:8.9 Nehemiah then goes into Supplication. He asks for favor with the King. He asks God for help on the behalf of others.

application or concept:
I am checking my own heart today. What are the things that are heavy on my heart to pray for. I will lament and pray over these things and not allow my mind and heart go to worry.

I intentionally humble myself today and ask for Gods help.

prayer:
God, Thank you that you are the great and awesome God who keeps your covenant of unfailing love with those who love you. God forgive me of my own sins. thanks for bringing me back to the place where you desire your name to be honored. Please grant me success today. Put it in the heart of men of authority to favor me and the vision I have for exalting your name.

Learning Agenda:

Revival Fire

pg 116 - Here Finney is 52 years old and God is giving him fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit that transforms him even more. He was being refreshed as he read through the Song of Solomon.

pg 117 - Finney repeatedly told people the inquiry rooms were only for those who were unsaved and wanted immediate salvation. When revival comes and God shows up mightily everybody wants more and wants to be prayed for. It is not surprising to me that most of the people wanted more prayer and more of God.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for today. I ask you would continue to pour out your spirit on myself, my family, Experience life, our staff, our people, on the city of Lubbock to those who call on your name. Lord we need you, we long for you, without you our lives are futile. God pour out your love, your grace, your mercy today.