EZRA & NEHEMIAH

Today is Friday.  What a wonderful time I had out soul-winning last night.  We went to an apartment complex in Molalla where there were so many people outside.  Our group of four men saw 16 of them pray to receive Christ as their Savior.  I had the joy of praying with 11 of them.  There are many fine churches in our area, but one thing that has always set us apart is our soul-winning.  We go to the sinners that need to be saved.  We don't wait for them to come to us.  We think of it as the Great Commission.  It was great to have 32 people show up and many trusted Christ as their Savior.  Thank you Jesus!  Today I finished up Ezra and went into Nehemiah.  Here are a few thoughts: 1) IT WORKS!  Ezra 8:23 says:  "So we fasted and besought our God for this:  and he was entreated of us."  Prayer and fasting always gets God's attention.  It works!  But.... how seldom we use what the Word of God says works.  When is the last time you had a need worth fasting and praying over?  We get far too satisfied with the status quo that we don't think to have anything else.  God wants to bless His children, but He gives us a way to appeal to Him.  Fasting and Prayer, just work!  Let us decide in the next week to work it. 2) GOD CONFIDENCE- Nehemiah did not have self confidence, he had God confidence.  I have said many times that when I moved to Oregon to start a church I didn't know anyone in Oregon, but I knew God.  I know He had called me to come, and I knew He would help me to build a Church for His glory.  It has not been easy, but I have always had confidence in God's ability and resources, even when I had no confidence in my abilities and resources.  In Nehemiah 2:20, Nehemiah says:  "Then answered I them and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us:  therefore we his servants will arise and build:..."  I love this!  Friend, you don't need self confidence.... the arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own...you DO need God Confidence!!  God will prosper us! 3) BLESS ME LORD- Nehemiah didn't mind asking God for His blessings.  In Nehemiah 5:19, it reads:  'Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people."  I have adopted this prayer of Nehemiah as well.  I think to pray:  "Think upon me for good dear LORD, for all that I have done for this people."   I have served now for over 26 years (27 this September!) the great people of this area.  I have not helped every life like I wish I could.  I did not see every teenager turn out serving God like I had hoped.  I did not see every marriage stay together like I counseled them too.  But,  I have given my life to others.  I have tried to lead as many as I could to Christ.  Preach as much as I could to help.  Counsel as much as i could to fix lives.  And with this in mind, I ask God to bless me and to think upon me for good.  You can pray the same prayer and think the same thoughts.  You don't have to be a preacher, but just a Christian doing the best you know to do.  Ask God for His blessings..... and watch how He delivers! Well, so much for today!  May God's richest blessings be upon you and yours! Pastor Mike Mutchler    Pastoring the good people of Grand View Baptist Church