How to Handle Discouragement - II

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by some special friends of this ministry pastor Greg wanted to see a special word of thanks to the harvest partners who make this ministry possible next time your online check out Pastor Greg's personal blog@blog.greglaurie.com on your much about the terrible Lord of the more believers used to be called God-fearing men and women mastering Lori show some misunderstanding to get the wrong way doesn't mean cowering in fear for God like God we don't really care about the word and another. It the respect and reverence for God, the all of God the honor of God and we are God, your God, we obey God. When we fear God, we don't need to fear much else today on a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie brings us insights from the book of Nehemiah is the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. God's people working hard. She saw began acting in a way that was out of sync with being a God-fearing man or woman.

Pastor Greg helps us learn from this intense development. Jesus said about how the Bible begins itself. It cannot stand as one of our founding fathers.

Benjamin Franklin said after he signed the Declaration of Independence, the other founding fathers in the room quote gentlemen. Now we must all hang together or surely we will all hang separately." That's very true. Franklin knew that the greatest threat to this new nation called the United States was not the British coming from the outside it was the vision and internal strife from the inside. That's exactly what we see happening now is go to BMI five starting in verse one.

About this time some of the men and their wives raised the cry of protest against their fellow Jews reading from the new living translation.

By the way they were saying we have such large families. We need more food to survive other said we mortgage our fields and vineyards and homes to get food during the famine, and other said we had to borrow money in our fields and vineyards and pay our taxes, we belong to the same family as those who are wealthy and our children are just like bears, yet we must sell our children and the slavery just to get enough money to live. We've already sold some of our daughters and are helpless to do anything about it for our fields and vineyards are already mortgaged to others. There so these folks.

These Jewish people have left Babylon a great sacrifice. They love the comfort of their homes.

They got there there rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem by the way, these people were not builders.

There were construction people. They were just regular folks this job and needed to be done wanted to do something about it, but they were being taken advantage of by their own spiritual family.

To make matters worse, there was a famine.

According to verse two of chapter 5 they're paying these insanely high interest rates charged by greedy relatives it so bad that their children are becoming slaves there losing their properties in this just to Nehemiah off.

Look at Nehemiah 56 when I heard their complaints. I was very angry and thinking it over I spoke out against these nobles and officials, but I told him you're hurting your own relatives by charging interest when they borrowed money, so we called a public meeting to deal with the problem so Nehemiah is taking the bowl by the horns here and there's something that needs to be done.

These other boats. These other Jewish people were taken advantage here is what I've come to them. There are people that say there are Christians that do not behave as Christians.

And it's hard for me to believe there believers but they profess faith and sometimes I wonder.

I mean how do I know you're a Christian state. How do you know I'm a Christian because I stand here and preach. No, that's not how you know I mean maybe it's one indication but you know about my life. You know by the choices I make. You know by by reputation or by fruit.

I know the same from your life and it is possible to be in a church to read the Bible to know if you versus not know the Lord at all, at Betsy's people were very disobedient believers. In other words, they were people pretending to be believers, but whatever was this was a bad situation so they they complain. The people that are being hurt complainant and by the way, there's a place for complaining. There's a place for criticism.

Sometimes you might see something that isn't right and you think it should change, so you need to bring that to the attention of those who are in leadership. There's a difference between constructive criticism and disruptive criticism. Constructive criticism sees a problem and wants to help destructive criticism sees a problem, amplifies it, and wants to hurt one wants to help you and build you up, the other wants to destroy you and tear you down so view of an issue with someone.

Don't talk about them. Talk to them and people come up to me and said about so-and-so what so-and-so just did this. How do you know I read it on the Internet all then it must be true because everything on the web is true right everything that's tweeted are posted. It's all true. There's so much fake news out there, it's a joke that's also why you talk to that person know who why not you should go to the person given the opportunity to tell you their side of it. You may find that thing you heard was, not true at all. Listen when you hear rumors or negative talk, you can throw one of two buckets on the fire. You can either throw water or you can throw gasoline. You can either try to put it out or you can blame it even worse with years of the Bible says Ephesians 43 make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace. Will Nehemiah was mad. He says in verse six when I heard the complaints I was very angry. No generally, anger is not a good thing I know you usually know we've all done things are more angry. It's almost like when you have an angry brain you lose touch with reality.

Just get on the road to the crazy things people do in cards if you dare to use your turning signal and go another lane and turn legally there. They take it personally and they get angrier they tailgate you work your scream at you were extended certain finger in your direction. What is not all about our baby. You're angry with someone your spouse make you angry so you just hello you let him have a what both felt you feel really good about it.

Then about five minutes later, the adrenaline wears off and you think and what one that I just do. Why did I even do that. Or maybe you met someone your miniature boss, to send him an email of her and I'll tell them what I really think to Be typing heart and then when you can send a check that another joke we loose on the makegood something in the adrenaline wears off and you're googling how do I get my email back answer. You don't should give it some time thought about it pray to there been times I've written emails or letters and never hit send solids if I feel that way in the morning to get the new 20.

What was I thinking.

No way am I sending the crazy thing. Yes, it generally angers a bad thing, but sometimes it can be a good thing. In the case of Nehemiah it was it was righteous indignation and look what Nehemiah did verse six.

He's angry any consults with himself. That's very interesting. He consoled for this all that's King James version, which literally means to give oneself advice or counsel oneself. Have you ever counseled yourself.

Know what I'm talking about your see say something a lot this person said this or did that I wouldn't do this to get him back in anything way and then he quoted Scripture to yourself.

You're mostly correcting yourself. That's it. Nehemiah did. He thought this through. But then he did take action as he was led by the Lord. Nehemiah fiber side.

What you're doing is wrong. He says of the leaders of his or no fear of God left in you. Don't you care with the nations around here are our enemies. Think of you I my brothers and the people working for me that I have also loaned the money but this geology with interest has to stop to get them back there for close fields and vineyards, all of drugs and almost right now, forgive their claims on their money gray new wine and olive oil and they said will give it all back. Nehemiah says don't you care what your enemies think of you listen to this. Nonbelievers watch you each and every day they will tell you there watching you. They are, and you know what they're looking for. They want you to slip up so bad I just wanted to do something or say something so I can save you quite you phony and when you live a godly life. When you bring honor to the Lord.

Despite suffering hour when you do something kind for somebody you forgive someone who is searching for tribes and insane and this is really what Nehemiah is a don't you guys even care with the outside world thinks about you do doesn't even cross your mind what the other nations would think what our enemies would think, and I wonder sometimes if people in the church. Think about this. I will just go out and disobey God interest in couples getting a divorce. What what what Christian couples were going to birthday when you put your love do a job. I know you were divorcing. Okay, why are you divorcing irreconcilable differences really yeah what are they there just irreconcilable. As I've often said, I've had irreconcilable differences with my wife of 42 years, but you know you can't forgive. You can work as a no no camera guy were getting into Mars at what was going on there about this when one Christian takes another Christian to court in Susa. Paul actually brought this up in first Corinthians 6. He says when you have a dispute with another believer. How dare you follow lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter. Instead of taking it to unbelievers and said one believer sues another right in front of on believers get is toilet what are you doing you even think about your witness or lack thereof. This is why the prophet Nathan came to David after his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and really his hand in the murder of her husband Uriah and he said you have given the enemies of God an opportunity to blaspheme the Lord. It's crazy we need to think about these think that's what Nehemiah is bringing up when he asks a powerful question verse nine.

Is there no fear of God left in the great glory will have the second half of this message in just a moment. It's a privilege to bring these studies your way and were thankful for those who express encouraging words. I have learned how Mike from you and I would like you, I realized how little I knew about the Bible is what I have learned from eating how I have you been any health or not. I you are a blessing to me and I pray not letting you and your family. Thank you had all that you will hear from you.

It's not only a blessing. It also confirms that the program is touching lives here in this. You can leave a message for Pastor Greg call 1-866-871-1144 again that's 866-871-1144 will today. Pastor Greg is showing is Nehemiah's reaction hearing that some of the people were taking advantage of the others as the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt. He asked, is there no fear of God left in you.

Pastor Greg continues now the fear of God that you don't hear much about the fear of the Lord anymore. We assess a he's a God-fearing man was positive.

By the way that we hear so much about the love of God and believe me, the Bible teaches the love of God and we should preach the love of God, but it seems to me in the days on which were living. We hear a lot about the love of God, but we never hear about the fear of God.

We hear a lot about the glories of heaven, but we never hear warnings about hell we hear a lot about forgiveness. We don't hear much about repentance and all of that is the gospel is seen it all needs to be proclaimed no criticism of days gone by was I'm sick of all these hellfire and brimstone preachers my responses. Where are they. I want to hear what I hear preachers talking about health and wealth and prosperity, and free parking spaces and blessings galore no matter what I'd like to hear hellfire and brimstone message that I would like to hear something more about the fear of God is able.

When he was in being the fear of God that everybody's clapping was a mean losing the little I mean visitor got let me say what I don't mean we talk about the fear of God.

It doesn't mean cowering in fear before God like oh God, don't hit me, don't baby that's not the fear of God to got the word fear.

Put another. It the respect for God.

The reverence for God, the all of God the honor of God. Why is that important because the Bible says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, it was because the Hebrew midwives feared God.

We read in Exodus 117. They did not obey the authorities and killed the little Jewish baby boys. It's because the Pharaoh did not fear God that he brought the judgment of the Lord upon himself.

Solomon went on a binge of access and chased after everything this world offers is sex and money and possessions in power and all the rest and he said okay.

After this little experiment. Here's my conclusion, fear God and keep us come.

Here's what I learned just fear the Lord respect the Lord. One definition of fearing God is a wholesome dread of displeasing him a person. It doesn't forgot. Just as God loves me will do whatever the heck I want to do and God will forgive me and that's all cool. A person of yours. God says oh I love the Lord.

I know he loves me but I reverence him that I don't want to bring dishonor to his name. And if I did that second keep people away from Christ or stumble a younger believer.

Therefore, I won't do it seat you need to know the love of God and the need to have the fear of God, they're both really.

Oswald Chambers is best known for his devotional. My utmost for his highest, made this statement about the fear of God.

Quote the remarkable thing about fearing God is when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else." Paul said.

One last thing. Nehemiah told these disobedient believers to take action then and there is is I want you to forgive their debts. Now I want to return their properties. Now I want you to take action now, not tomorrow, not a week now. Right now, and they said will do it. He said you better do it is you just made the statement before God that sign on the dotted line to confirm it in the same is true for us if we need to do something, do it now. Maybe someone has been hurt by you. You hurt them you slandered them you you said things and were not true about them than you realize it were true. So you sheepishly said one sorry well that's nice but you still damage to reputation about this for an idea, let your repentance be as widely known as your sin so you did your sin and everyone thought now let everyone know about your repentance.

That's called making restitution. We don't think about that one.

Sorry ointment restitution was having given that maybe give a little something extra to make up for the misery of let's say I stole your car and I had your car for a month. You really needed your card and one day connect sorry so your garbage car back at den soul over it flat tire.

Things could you like fix my car. Hey, maybe get me a new car. See, that's restitution.

So it's not just saying I'm sorry to make it right that the people were enough to do to make restitution. One day Jesus showed up on the little town called Jericho. And these wanton through a crowd of adoring people and there's a little dude up in a tree named Zakia's. He was a tax collector. Nobody wanted to hang out with Zakia's because they hated them.

They thought he was a turncoat working for the Romans taken advantage of them.

Not only taking Texas for Rome, but pocketing extra that he put on top of it.

So here goes Jesus or the crowd. Everybody wants a moment when Jesus everybody wants to talk to Jesus is looking around is a number Zakia as he looks at the areas he says they can't find out of going over to your house for lunch. Psyche is couldn't believe it scurries down the tree runs ahead of Jesus prepares a meal for Christ and Christ walks into assaults on the door shut so pretty much the whole city is just standing there waiting. Why is Jesus saying in Rome with a loser like that, why would Jesus spend time with the guy the ripstop other people. Doesn't Jesus know how evil he is a time passes. Now here comes Jesus and Zacchaeus will be standing there on the front porch and Zakia says I'm sorry for what I've done all restore anything that I'd taken unjustly, and I've even to give you something on top of it.

Jesus is truly salvation has come into this man's life today why there was evidence that was evidence he wanted to make it right in the same Jesus that wanted to come to the home of Zacchaeus wants to come of your life right now know back in biblical times. Having a meal was something that they took their time to have. There were no fast food restaurants. She didn't pull your chariot through you know in and out, falafel or whatever know you would get together with family and friends would sit down and eating was a time to talk. It was a time to share time to be together. So when Jesus says I sent of the door of your life, and I knocked and I want to come in and sup with you. King James or have a meal with you. You think I want a relationship with. I mentioned earlier you. You can be in the church and never know Jesus you can be a religious person and never know Jesus.

This is not about a religion. It's about a relationship with God and ask if you have that right now you know that your life is right with God and if you don't would you like that. The change Jesus Christ who came into the little house of Zacchaeus years ago can come into your house, he probably had a big house. Come to think of it, but he can come in your home right now and he can come into your heart and into your life and forgive you of all of your sin and start changing you and so you can leave today knowing your life is right with God. What is BMI say to these people do it now do it and now I'm in ask you to do it now. Today, everything can change for you. Yes, there is a hell.

The last thing God wants us for any man or woman created in his image to spend eternity separated from him in this horrible place prepared for the devil and his angels called hell. God wants you to join him in heaven. But you have to say I'm a sinner you want to understand Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sin. Paid the price for all the wrongs you've ever done. And then he rose again from the dead, and you did say Jesus come in the mind house.

Come in the my heart come in the my life and he will do it right now is just a prayer away. When we close in prayer and let me give you this opportunity to ask Christ in your life. Everybody praying with me please father, thank you for your love for us in sending Jesus to die on the cross in our place. Now I pray for any that are here or any that are watching that do not yet know you help them see their need for you and help them become to you today and be forgiven in your name I pray, amen. Mr. Greg Lord with an important word of prayer. And if you like to make that kind of change in your relationship with the Lord today. Pastor Greg will come back in just a moment to help you do that before today's addition of a new beginning wraps up.

And if you'd like to preserve this practical insight for the future. You can get a CD or MP3 of today's message when you contact us here at a new beginning just mention the title how to handle discouragement.

Our phone number is 1-800-821-3300. Again, that's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org will fester, Greg. We know that the Lord doesn't want us to be filled with fear and anxiety. But boy, that's what every news sources dishing out 24 hours a day. Right now it's industrial sized doses of bad news and that's why you want to offer some extra help toward listeners right now is not right yet truly true Dave you know I want to offer you some faith instead of fear and some hope instead of hopelessness and I think the place to find that well.

I know the place to find that is in the pages of Scripture. The Bible brims with hope and so I've written a brand-new book that I'm simply calling bringing Christ into your crisis and what it is is really a biblical look at the issues of fear, anxiety and worry and how to deal with them. You know fairly very very into new word is fear and worry combine what I meant to say fear and worry or theory. If you like is something that can grip you it's not even logical in many occasions.

But he can overtake you, and you know in the Bible tells us to pray about things instead of worry about things. Paul gives us these familiar words of encouragement in the book of Philippians 3 says don't worry about anything but pray about everything and then listen to this. And the peace of God that passes all human understanding, will guard guard. Guard your heart and mind, and the word that he uses. Therefore, guard is from the root word of sort of like posting this century or a bodyguard at your door if you will, and his contacts. It was like a Roman soldier the ideas God's peace will guard and protect you from the onslaught of fear, anxiety and worry and all the other things it brings.

So I dived into these topics. From a biblical perspective, and I believe by reading this, it'll help you get your spiritual equilibrium back, it'll help you get your head above water and it would also be a great tool to share with others, absolutely.

It's full of timeless encouragement from the Scripture for the very real challenges. We are all facing letter sent you bringing Christ into your crisis will be glad to send it your way to thank you for your partnership in this outreach. We hope you might pray for us and support us and be a part of our team effect when you're in touch ask about becoming a harvest partner and to thank you for that support will send you Pastor Greg's new book, bringing Christ into your crisis. You can write a set a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org Pastor Greg or somebody listening right now knows they need to make a change in their relationship with God.

They can do that right now. I think they really cannot. I think some people might say what what, pray what the why listening to the radio, absolutely because guess what Jesus Christ is with you right where you are right now if you want Jesus Christ to come in your life and forgive you of your sin if you want to invite them in your life, why don't you pray this prayer after me right now. In fact, I would even encourage you to pray it out loud. Let's pray Lord Jesus, I want you to come into my life and forgive me of my sin. I think you for dying for me on the cross and then rising again from the dead.

I choose to follow you from this moment forward be my Savior be my Lord be my God, and be my friend.

Thank you for loving me and calling me and forgiving me in Jesus name I pray, amen. The listen is you just prayed that prayer maybe you felt something emotional. I've had people write me and tell me of how they prayed with me at the end of our radio broadcasting.

Tears came down their cheeks or they felt a great joy to be one of those things happen you are and then again maybe you felt nothing. Listen irregardless of how you feel right now I want you to know a fact if you prayed that prayer and minute Jesus Christ has come into your life. Why don't I say that because the Bible says these things we write to you that believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life that first doesn't say so you can think you have eternal life.

For hope of God's in a really good mood.

You may have eternal life notes as you can know it. And if you just prayed that prayer and minute prices come in your life. So let me see the you welcome to God's family and would like to help you get started in living your new life with the Lord would like to send you some free follow-up materials called our new believers growth packet just get in touch and will send that packet right out to you as I said, it's free of charge and a special thanks to our harvest partners and others who support this ministry for helping us make resources like this available. Here's a mailing address, a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call us at 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go to harvest.org and click on know God when next time is our study of the book of Nehemiah continues pastor Greg focuses on the opposition. Nehemiah face personal and the strong lessons we can learn on being men and women. Join us next time.

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