Children all over the world dream of being like their heroes. That could be a sports star like Ronaldo or Messi or an entertainer like Adele. They buy t-shirts with their image on the front, watch every performance, and discuss endlessly with their friends how great...

It is difficult saying no sometimes. In our heart, we know its not the right thing to do, but we don’t want to disappoint people, so we go along and regret it later. It’s okay to tell people no. Nehemiah was a busy man, and when someone asked for a meeting that would take him away from his work, he replied, “Can’t you see I’m busy?”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭6:3
“So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

A Full Plate
Nehemiah had a lot of pressure and tree rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. He got halfway done and ran out of materials. There was only rubble to rebuild. There were also organizing all of the tribes and getting them on the same page. The last thing he needed was the distraction of his enemies. His doubters wanted to him to stop the work on the wall and have a meeting with them. Nehemiah’s response? “Can’t you see I’m busy doing the Lord’s work?”

Don’t Get Distracted
We can learn a lot from Nehemiah. Too many times, we let little distractions take us away from what the Lord is doing. People we hope will respect us will often drag us away from what is most important. We must remain focused on where God has us and have the courage to be able to tell people we are busy. If we don’t we will end frustrated.

There are going to be times when you have nothing left to give, and the people around you are demanding more. You will be at your wits' end because you have given so much already. Jesus wants to let you know that you can increase in love. He wants you to abound in it...

Ever pulled a stump from the ground? If the tree is dead, it is pretty straightforward, but it is thriving its roots don't let go too quickly. Roots are a good symbol of the condition of our hearts. When we are tapped into streams of living water, we thrive; when we...

One of the joys of ministry is running into someone you ministered to years ago. It's great catching up and seeing what God has done in their lives. You walk away, thankful that He used you for a brief time to guide them. Wherever Paul ministered, the people became...

This last Sunday, our church experienced something new. Sure, we met outside in a tent, because we are prevented from meeting inside because of COVID-19, but that isn't it. We partook of communion as a church with individually sealed communion cups. The top layer had...

There is a lot of people talking today; in fact, too much. Everybody has an opinion, and very few people accomplish anything. It seems like it is more important to talk a good game than actually to have one. Serving Christ is more than words. We have to serve in the...

Investing in the Stock Market is risky. You could lose all of your money in a matter of hours and have nothing left. At the same time, you could see your money grow by over 20%. Over the long haul, you can see your initial investment more than double. The same is true...

Do you know what makes a great BBQ? It’s not the fire or the meat; it’s the salt. When the meat is seasoned with something like garlic salt, it brings out the flavor of the meat the fire. People have been seasoning meat for centuries because it preserves it. That is...

They have these new thermometers that can measure your temperature by pointing it right at your forehead. It doesn't have to touch you at all. It can tell in a matter of seconds whether you are running a fever or not. Do you know that God can look at your heart and...

My family and I were kayaking down the Sawn River over my recent vacation, and as we paddled, we went by some of the most beautiful waterfront properties I have ever seen. These houses were stunning, and you could tell the owners spent a lot of time and money building...

There are very few things you can choose in life. You don’t choose where you are born or who you are born too. You often have little choice in what the government does. What we can choose is how we react to what happens to us. They say life is ten percent of what...

There is a saying in Christianity that sounds so practical it almost seems Biblical. It goes, “Don’t be so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.” I get the just behind it, we are to focus on the world we have to do, but it runs counter to what the Bible says. Paul...

The news has gotten so crazy that it is impossible to keep up. It’s not a new issue every month or week. It is multiple issues every day. An average person would easily get overwhelmed by all of it, let alone those racked by fear. We live in a world gone mad. How do...

If you think of some of the most exceptional people in history, you will discover some interesting traits common among all of them, humility and service. People like Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, and Billy Graham all exhibited these characteristics. While they are...

Billions of dollars are spent every year on people trying to improve themselves. There is nothing wrong with improvement except when we do it out of vanity. Many people are in the pursuit of perfection in their looks and fitness because they feel incomplete. That is a...

Medical professionals amaze me. They can deal with trauma to the body in a calm manner while assessing our emergency. Doctors are able to take hearts that stopped beating and bring them back to life. Did you know that God can revive a hard heart? No medical...

Have you ever put a puzzle together, and it was missing a few pieces? How about ordering something at the drive-thru, and then you got home, and some of the food was missing? Something is unsettling when things aren't complete. The same can be said for Christians who...

The other day my niece drew a picture of me preaching. It is the best portrait of me ever done because its the only one. In an age where people endlessly take selfies, it is nice to see something different. Our verse today gives us a beautiful portrait of who Jesus...

I don’t know where you live, but it is the summer fruit season in my area. That means watermelons, cherries, and blueberries are in abundance. I always look forward to this time of year. Did you know that there are seasons of fruitfulness for the Christian as well?...