Follow Along with the Message

It's the Start That Stops Us - Part 1

Pastor Tom Lundeen

All of us come to important  in our lives where we aren't sure what we should do...these are Now What? moments, and depending on what we do or don't do, these times will have significant impact in our lives and futures. 

First of all, God will guide us: 

1. By Giving Us a Divine  (note Nehemiah 1:1-3)

Note 2 Chronicles 36:14-21

For more than  years, no walls were rebuilt in Jerusalem.

No walls = defeated people, unsafe, and a source of  (note Nehemiah 2:17).

Note Nehemiah 1:4

Many times God gives us a burden about something to also give us direction/guidance.  

2. By Sincere Prayer

Nehemiah prays a heartfelt, honest and  prayer. 

It begins as all prayers should start = by  God for who He is (Nehemiah 1:5-6a; The Lord's Prayer = Hallowed by Your Name). 

His prayer then moves to  confession of sin, both corporate...and personally (note Nehemiah 1:6b-7).

...prayer that focuses on God's Word/truth/ (note Nehemiah 1:8-10). 

Only after praise/worship, confession of sin, and affirmation of God's truth/promises does Nehemiah make his  request (note Nehemiah 1:11).

Prayer is a huge part of  direction for our lives (note Colossians 1:9; James 1:5). 

3. By Taking Us in a  Direction

Note Nehemiah 1:11b

Being a cup-bearer is not remotely  to being in construction/general contractor. 

God gives us a burden because He is  us to do something about it. 

So now what? 

• To be guided by God means that the  burden you respond to is saying 'YES!' to Jesus as Lord. 
• What burden do you sense God is putting on your heart?

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