GraceNotes

Those Who Were Present
Acts 1:12-14
Jim Stephens
10-12-09

Scripture:

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. (Acts 1:12-14 NLT)

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he left his followers with instructions not to return to their homes in Galilee yet, but to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. They returned to the house where they had been staying - possibly the same house where they had shared the Passover together forty-three days earlier - and waited. They didn't wait passively (sitting and staring at the ceiling a nd each other). They waited actively - praying together for God's Holy Spirit to come upon them.

Among those who waited together were the eleven remaining apostles, Jesus' mother Mary and other faithful women, lots of unnamed disciples of Jesus, and Jesus' brothers. Jesus' brothers had mocked him and called him crazy early in his ministry. Now they believed. Jesus' next oldest brother James would, in just a few years, become the lead elder or pastor of the Jerusalem church.

Life Lesson: Don't write people off just because it takes them some time to get settled into faith. I think it took James a while to process everything. When he finally acknowledged that his brother Jesus was truly the Messiah, God's Son, his faith, his personality, and his wisdom made him a good leader for the entire church. Peter's personality and enthusiasm helped him be a good apostle-messenger. John's personal affection for Jesus helped him become the apostle of love.

Faithfully following Jesus and fully receiving his Holy Spirit enables each of us to fully become who God created us to be.

Prayer:

Father, May I be one of those who are present and faithfully following. May I become everything you created and purposed for me to be - nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. And may I use my influence to help others do the same. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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For The People
Nehemiah 5:14, 16, 19
Jim Stephens
10-11-09

Scripture:

14 I would like to mention that for the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah - from the twentieth until the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes - neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. 16 I devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my officials to spend time working on the wall. 19 Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it. (Nehemiah 5:14, 16, 19 NLT)

Nehemiah is such a great example of leadership courage and integrity! I'm thankful that God included some pages from his journal in the Bible. Here are some of the things that impress me about his leadership:
* He cared about the needs of the people and took time to deal with injustice even when under pressure during the wall project and facing opposition to his work and his leadership.
* He didn't take advantage of the people or of th e privileges of power. In fact instead of using his power as governor to line his pockets, he paid the costs of government himself.
* He refused to be discouraged over opposition from outside the city, conflict inside the walls, or disloyalty on the part of those who were supposed to be helping him.
* He reminded God of the situation and looked only to God for reward and blessing.

Lessons for me:
* It's so easy to get discouraged when things aren't going as we planned or when people disagree with our ideas.
* Being in a place of authority always brings opportunity to use power for personal gain and with the opportunity comes some degree of temptation.
* The pressure of responsibility can make a leader lose the sensitivity and compassion to care for the needs of the least fortunate.

Nehemiah's courage, integrity, and care for the people is a challenging example to me and to all leaders.

Prayer:

F ather, help me to carry Nehemiah's example of godly leadership. I wan t to be brave and strong, full of integrity, sensitive to the needs of others, and always and only trusting you for recognition and reward. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Focus, Faith, And Flexibility
Nehemiah 4:12-14
Jim Stephens
10-10-09

Scripture:

12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, "They will come from all directions and attack us!" 13 So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows. 14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!" (Nehemiah 4:12-14 NLT)

Before Nehemiah introduced his grand wall-rebuilding plan to the people, he had carefully surveyed the situation and scope of the task and made thorough preparation. However, even with the most careful planning, he could only guess at all the challenges his team would face before the project was completed.

Only a little way into the project, the workers began to get weary and discouraged because there was so much rubble to clean up before they could build. Then once visible progress was made on the wall, the enemies of the Jews who had been mocking their efforts began to threaten to attack and destroy them. Among the Jews there were lazy leaders who wouldn't get involved and help. Then the unity of the team was threatened by inequities among the people. The list of challenges goes on...

Nehemiah's leadership role required laser-like focus, unwavering faith, and moment-by-moment flexibility. As each situation developed and each new challenge arose, Nehemiah looked over the situation, adjusted his plan, encouraged the people, and kept on working.

When we decide to do something for God, we can't possibly know in advance all the challenges we will face, all the issues that will arise, all the things that might go wrong. What we can know is that the God who gave us the task will give us what it takes to finish the job. But we have to stay focused, be faithful and faith-filled, and be flexible.

Prayer:

Father, thanks for the story and the example of Nehemiah. It spoke to me in a new way and on a new level today. I want to start strong, serve faithfully, and finish well. I purpose to stay focused, faith-full, faithful, and flexible. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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When You Repent
Luke 22:32
Jim Stephens
10-09-09

Scripture:

But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers. (Luke 22:32 NLT)

A very intense time! Jesus was aware of the suffering he was about to endure. Judas had his betrayal plans in place. The other eleven were jockeying for position in the Kingdom of God. Peter was about to protest his courage. Jesus foresaw Peter's denial coming in the next few hours.

Speaking out of knowledge that Peter would very soon deny that he even knew him, Jesus said, "I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail." Then, knowing that the Father would answer this prayer, he instructed Peter, "When you get through this personal failure, I'm counting on you to be a strength to the others."

Jesus knew full well how badly Peter was about to fail him, yet he forgave him in advance, looked beyond this sin and failure, and saw Peter taking his destined role as leader and pillar of strength.

I know that Jesus looks at me and sees the mistakes and failures yet to come. Then amazingly, incredibly, he looks beyond my failures to my repentance and "turning to him again" and he forgives me in advance! Not only that, he prepares a plan for me to be a productive and positive influence on others!

I want that kind of grace on me and in me! I want to be able to look at people and see them on the other side of their weaknesses, their mistakes, and their failures. I want to be a "future forgiver" and a "when you have repented" believer in God's grace.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for seeing beyond my sins and failures again and again to a future in which I again and again repent and turn back to Jesus and influence others to get up and stand up and take another step of faith. Please give me grace to see beyond the immediate messes to the ultimate successes. Please give me grace to be a "when you have repen ted" believer in your grace at work in others. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Moment of Grace
Ezra 9:6, 8
Jim Stephens
10-08-09

Scripture:

6 I prayed, "O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens... 8 But now we have been given a brief moment of grace, for the Lord our God has allowed a few of us to survive as a remnant. He has given us security in this holy place. Our God has brightened our eyes and granted us some relief from our slavery." (Ezra 9:6, 8 NLT)

Ezra the priest had lived his life in strict obedience to the moral code and the ceremonial laws God had given his people through Moses. His primary strength of ministry was that he had thoroughly studied God's laws, practiced them diligently and faithfully, and taught them in practical ways to the people.

Yet when Ezra became aware of the extent of the people's sin and disobedience, he identified himself fully with the sinful people, confessing and repenting on their behalf. Ezra joined t he ranks of other godly leaders - Daniel, Nehemiah, Peter, Paul, and Jesus - whose prayers and sacrificial identification with sinful people brought about forgiveness and restoration.

It's far too easy to look at the condition of our nation, of the culture, of people around us and say, "They have sinned! Oh righteous God, judge them as they deserve!" I believe God is looking for faithful Christ-followers who will identify with the wayward and lost and say, "We have sinned! Please be merciful to us, Oh gracious Father!"

Ezra's faithful life and his sacrificial identification with his wayward people ushered in a Moment of Grace in which God was able to forgive, cleanse, and restore. Might not our gracious and merciful God use us to bring Moments of Grace to our communities, our neighborhoods, our churches, our workplaces, our families, and even our nations?

Prayer:

Father, It is only by your mer cy and grace that I can come boldly to you in prayer and that I can - wonder of wonders - call you Abba Father! Thank you for your patient love for me. Thank you for your Amazing Grace to me. May my life, my example, my prayers, and my words be part of creating Moments of Grace as I move through this day and all my days. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Learn Live Teach
Ezra 7:10
Jim Stephens
10-07-09

Scripture:

This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel. (Ezra 7:10 NLT)

This is one of the most undervalued stories in the Bible! For some reason, the Persian Emperor Artexerxes decided to send Ezra the Jewish priest to Jerusalem, leading hundreds of returning Jews, resourced with incredible wealth in precious metal and Temple objects, and supplied with a letter guaranteeing him carte blanche if he needed additional resources from the governors of the provinces he passed through.

Here's an excerpt from the king's letter to Ezra: "And you, Ezra, are to use the wisdom God has given you to appoint magistrates and judges who know your God's laws to govern all the people in the province west of the Euphrates River. If the people are not familiar with those laws, you must teach them." (Ezra 7:25 NLT)

Ezra was commissione d to complete the restoration of the Temple, establish the God-given pattern of worship and sacrifices, and pray for the king and his sons.

The Bible tells us the real reason for the Emperor's amazing decision to send Ezra to restore the Jerusalem Temple was that Ezra had determined to learn and obey God's Law and to teach it to the people.

In my parallel reading from the New Testament today, Luke 20, Jesus reprimanded Ezra's religious descendants, the scribes and Pharisees, for teaching the law in a way that put people in bondage but then not living it themselves.

There's a principle of right response and effective teaching of spiritual truth here. First make the effort to learn it for yourself. Then apply it in your life. Then teach others out of the life experience of living God's truth. It's not what you know, it's what you do with what you know.

Prayer:

Father, I am determined to be a life-long seeker afte r truth. I purpose to learn your ways, to live what I learn, and to p ass on to others through teaching and example what I know of your truths and your ways. Help me never to put others in bondage by the things I teach. Help me not to expect from others that which I have not first applied in my life. May I learn, live, and teach the truth that sets us free. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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A Friend At Court
Esther 10:3
Jim Stephens
10-06-09

Scripture:

Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself. He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he worked for the good of his people and was a friend at the royal court for all of them. (Esther 10:3 NLT)

As I read the story of Esther this time I was really impressed at how much it is actually the story of Mordecai. Mordecai took his orphaned cousin Hadassah (Esther) into his home and cared for her. After Esther was taken to the palace, Mordecai checked on her every day. Mordecai overheard and reported an assassination plot to the king, saving the king's life. Mordecai stood by his convictions and wouldn't bow to Haman, "the enemy of the Jews". Mordecai challenged Esther to stand up for her people. Mordecai rose to a position of power in the Medo-Persian empire. Mordecai used his power and authority for the good of his people and was their friend at co urt.

Mordecai's words to Esther, "Who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?" also apply to me. God hasn't elevated me to the palace, but he has saved me, made me part of his family, and blessed me in ways too many to count.

I know that as a steward of God's grace, I am both responsible and privileged to use the blessings that come my way to bless others. God told Abraham, "I will bless you and you will be a blessing."

The influence I have been given in Christ, whether through a position of authority or the influence of my example and my network of relationships is to be used for the benefit of others and not for myself. Paul said, "...The authority given to us by the Lord...is to build you up, not to tear you down..." (2 Corinthians 10:8 NLT)

Prayer:

Father, thanks for the example of Mordecai who worked for the good of his people and who was their friend at court. I want to serve you better by serving the needs of others more effectively. I want to develop the reputation of one who works for the good of others and is their "friend at court." Help me to live with integrity and act with wisdom and compassion. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Constant Prayer
Luke 18:1-2, 7-8
Jim Stephens
10-05-09

Scripture:

1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up. 2 "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who was a godless man with great contempt for everyone... 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?" (Luke 18:1-2, 7-8 NLT)

Jesus told them a story. An unnamed judge in an unnamed town didn't care about anyone or anything. But an unnamed widow was so desperate and determined in her request for justice that he helped her just to get her off his back. God is a just judge and loving father and if we consistently seek his help with half the persistence of the widow he will quickly and graciously respond.

God is a just judge and loving Father who will hear and answer our prayers. That's one point of Jesus' story. The other point of Jesus' story is that we give up way too easily.

I thought about the widow. Her life was pretty simple. She needed help and was relentless in her pursuit of justice. I thought about me. I've usually got so many things going on that I flit from one prayer to another like a butterfly in a field of daisies.

I think of a need or problem, shoot off a prayer about it and then I'm off to something else, praying about that, and off again. I'm afraid I don't really I follow through on half my prayers. I often don't pray them more than once or and then sometimes don't even bother to acknowledge when they are answered.

I'm going to do better!

Prayer:

Father, I'm sorry for praying so many butterfly prayers. You take such good care of me that I have few things in my life that dem and my entire attention like the widow's need for justice. Thank you that you hear and answer my less-than-consistent prayers. I do trust and rely on you. And I'm going to do better!  Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Advice
Esther 1 & 2
Jim Stephens
10-04-09

Scripture:

* He immediately consulted with his advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs, for he always asked their advice. (Esther 1:13 NLT)
* The king and his princes thought this made good sense, so he followed Memucan's counsel. (Esther 1:21 NLT)
* This advice was very appealing to the king, so he put the plan into effect immediately. (Esther 2:4b NLT)
* When it was Esther's turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her. (Esther 2:15 NLT)

Advice plays a big part in the story of Esther. King Xerxes had surrounded himself with a team of wise men and he always asked their advice. When the advice of his counselors made good sense, he followed it. When it was time to search for a new queen, the advice of the King's attendants was personally appealing to him, so he put the plan into effect. Esther trusted the eunuch who had been given responsibility for her and so she accepted his advice without hesitation.

It's a good thing to surround myself with wise people who care about me and about what is right and to consistently ask for their advice.
- If the advice I receive makes good sense and there is not a spiritual reason to question it, I can simply follow it.
- I need to receive advice that is not personally appealing to me. It's easy to follow advice that tells me to do what I want to do. It's more difficult to accept and follow advice that costs me or requires sacrifice.
- The ability to accept and respond to advice is based on relationship and trust.

By the way, it's painful to have to give advice to a stubborn, self-willed know-it-all and it's a delight to give advice to a person who is open, responsive, and who really wants to make the best and wisest decisions. May we be good advice receivers a nd givers.

Prayer:

Father, I purpo se to be open to advice and counsel. Help me to build relationships of goodwill and trust so that I will consistently seek and receive good advice. Help me to be a good and wise advisor to others. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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The Prophets Helped Them
Ezra 5:1-2
Jim Stephens
10-03-09

Scripture:

1 At that time the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied in the name of the God of Israel to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. 2 Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak responded by beginning the task of rebuilding the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them and helped them. (Ezra 5:1-2 NLT)

The work of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem had bogged down. There was opposition from the outside and wrong priorities and values on the inside and the project that God had set in motion simply ground to a halt.

Haggai and Zechariah received messages from the Lord to call the people to justice and right values and to encourage the leaders to restart the work of restoring God's Temple. These prophets are recorded in Ezra's history of events as being just as involved in the success of the project as the governor and the priest who led and the people who gave and served i n the actual performance of the tasks.

We must understand the huge importance of God's fresh word in accomplishing the tasks he sets for us. His word challenges our wrong thinking, calls us to right behavior, lifts our spirits when we become weary or discouraged, and assures us of success.

I need to look, listen, receive, and obey. God sends his word and his messengers to help me be what he wants me to be and do what he has called me to do.

And here's the other side of the coin: There are people in my sphere of influence who are weary, discouraged, and stuck. A word in season from me may be just what they need to square their shoulders, pick up their tools, and keep on building. There are people in my sphere of influence who are caught up in wrong values and wrong priorities. My example and my grace-seasoned words may be what they need to start thinking right and living for what really matters.

Prayer:

Father, today I r enew my commitment to your word. I purpose to listen and obey. You ha ve called me, commissioned me, and given me tasks that will help "build your Temple" (Ezra 5-6) and "bring in your Kingdom" (Luke 16). I purpose to watch with love and speak with grace to challenge and encourage my fellow-laborers to never give in and never give up. I will look, listen, and obey. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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