So much of life can change so drastically in what feels like a blink of an eye. Who could have predicted the closing of large group gatherings in businesses, schools and churches just 6 months ago? As much as we try to control things, much of life is beyond our control. Things are simply out of our hands. Nehemiah was a cup bearer in Babylon for the king. He was one of the exiles from Jerusalem living in a foreign country wondering how his beloved city was doing. His heart was broken when he heard it was vulnerable to attack, that it was in desperate need to be rebuilt. Read how Nehemiah took his concern to God in the 1st Chapter of Nehemiah: Nehemiah 1:4-11 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Nehemiah’s heart was broken for his home. He knew something needed to be done so he turned to the Lord for guidance. He began his plea by confessing his and all of Israel’s sin. He sought God’s guidance for how Jerusalem was to be rebuilt. He did not bring an already made plan to God and ask for God’s blessing. Instead he humbly went before the Lord to listen and learn what God had for him to do; for how Nehemiah was to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its people. During this time many things are uncertain. Our hearts are broken for our neighbors, our families, our friends who suffer from the Coronavirus and the effects of the pandemic. We humbly go before the Lord to hear what He has for us to do. The Holy Spirit direct us into new ways to connect and serve one another. Whether it is giving monetary donations instead of canned goods to local food shelves or meeting online with small groups via Facebook Groups or Skype we remain the Church loving one another. Jesus’ hands were pierced so that we can lift our eyes up from our own lives to see those around us who God placed in our paths to love and serve. His hands bled so when we feel nothing is in our control, we are comforted by Him, knowing He is in complete control. He is leading us as He led Nehemiah. Together we come before the Lord to confess our sins and hear what God has for us to do as our world comes out from this pandemic. New, creative ways of connecting and being the Church will abound because God has shown us how. Much is not in our hands, but ALL is in God’s hands. Because Jesus’ hands bled for us, we are able to follow God’s plan. Let us take the time this week in prayer to listen to the Lord and hear what His plan is for us. May our ears be attentive to Him. As Nehemiah was able to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem in record time, we can help one another recover from this time of uncertainty in record time. The power of community can accomplish great things when we sit in the Lord’s Hands following His plan. Pastor Vicki Epper
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Welcome to our new staff blog
As we begin to navigate a more distanced society and find new ways to connect virtually, it is our hope as a staff that one way we can bless our community is through a Discover Church blog filled with encouragement and ways to reflect on His goodness and faithfulness as we all walk this path into the unknown. Categories
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