October 12, 2016: SOAP #2505:  Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading… 12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

Observation:   Understanding God’s Word has always been important, in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.  Establishing schools has been a priority in Christianity.  God wants His people to understand His word!!!   The gift of teachers is one of the gifts mentioned in the fourth chapter of Ephesians.  It is the priority of leaders to make sure God’s people understand God’s Word.

Application:   My priority is not that people understand me, but understand God’s Word.   I need to encourage them to read God’s Word.  I need to help people understand what they read.  I need to encourage them to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s Word to their heart.  I need to encourage them to expect the Holy Spirit to give understanding and to personally speak through the Bible.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, it was your anointing that moved holy men of God to write God’s Word.  (2Peter 1:21)   It is your anointing in our hearts today that gives us understanding of God’s Word. (1John 2:27)   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!