WITH August 25-October 15, 2013

52 DAYS WITH NEHEMIAH August 25-October 15, 2013 WELCOME

It took Nehemiah 52 days to build a wall in Jerusalem. Let’s take the next 52 days and build our faith by reading God’s word and praying over our city.

The following devotionals are written by members of our own FBCTLH family. You will be reading various portions of scripture, some from Nehemiah, some from other books of the Bible, that all support the common themes of compassion, love, prayer, mercy, and justice. Begin this journey on Sunday, August 25 by reading the devotional for Day 1.

Our hope is that these daily devotionals will teach, inspire, and encourage you as you live for Christ and love Tallahassee! INTRO TO NEHEMIAH

722 BC northern kingdom of Israel falls to Assyria; tens of thousands are taken into exile 612 BC city of Nineveh and the Assyrian empire fall to the Babylonians and the Medes 586 BC Jerusalem, capital of the southern kingdom of Judah, falls to Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians; the walls and temple are destroyed; many Jews are taken into exile 562 BC Nebuchadnezzar dies and Babylonian power begins to wane 539 BC Babylonian empire falls to Cyrus and the Persians, who will dominate the ancient Near East for two centuries 538 BC edict of Cyrus allows Jews to return; Persia funds rebuilding of the temple 520 BC Haggai prophesies against the people for not finishing the temple 515 BC rebuilding of the temple completed under Zerubbabel’s leadership 458 BC Artaxerxes sends Ezra to Jerusalem 445 BC Nehemiah’s brother, Hanani, arrives in Susa after his recent visit to Jerusalem

Following his defeat of the Babylonian empire, Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, declared that the Jewish people could return to their homeland and provided the resources necessary for them to rebuild the temple, which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Facing strong, external opposition and overcoming their own unfaithfulness, more than two decades passed before the second temple was completed. Nearly 60 years later, Ezra was sent by Artaxerxes, king of Persia, to restore worship of Yahweh. The book of Nehemiah opens some 13 years after Ezra’s arrival, as Nehemiah’s brother, Hanani, has just returned to the Persian city of Susa from his recent visit to Jerusalem. For a people that had only known the vulnerability and shame of broken walls and gates for more than 140 years, God was preparing to use Nehemiah to begin Israel’s restoration and to correct the social, economic, and religious abuses of his day. day 1 THE GOD WHO ENLIGHTENS AND COMFORTS

So let’s get this Nehemiah party started. And by “party” I really do mean “PARTY” because that is where Nehemiah is when the book begins - at a palace. There is no party like a party in a palace (not that I have ever been to one, but one can hope...)

Nehemiah 1:1-4 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month of Chislev (November or December), in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Susa, the palace of the king of Persia, is 800 miles away from Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s role is to sample the wine and food of the king to make sure it isn’t poisoned. Now this is my DREAM JOB (until someone poisons the food). In a palace, eating the best stuff on earth. Safe. Comfortable. A life of lavish luxury. 800 miles away (without cars, planes, trains, etc.) from this area of calamity.

However, Nehemiah asks a question about a situation that he must have been following closely... the exiled Jews who have been allowed to return to Jerusalem and had rebuilt the temple.

He willingly enters into this tragedy with his question. WILLINGLY made inquiries when he could have just passed them some more wine and made small talk: “Much rain this summer?”

How many times have I steered clear of someone’s troubles? Driven far around literally or metaphorically? Stayed on the outskirts so I didn’t have to know the full extent of the devastation of someone’s life? Kept in my comfortable world because entering in sometimes gets messy?

The honest answer to his question makes Nehemiah’s stomach turn. His eyes fill with tears. His heart is moved. A guy with everything going for him weeps. Straight up mourns like his beloved has died. Keeps on mourning, fasting, and praying FOR DAYS.

So why was this wall thing a big deal? Well, a city without walls and gates would have been a city in danger. Any outside force could just come in and take whatever they wanted. Whenever. A city without walls is a place of anarchy.

Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Strong walls and gates were of MORE importance than an army. Without walls a city cannot stand against any enemy. Danger, depression, and shame are the predictable future of a city with no walls. Nehemiah deeply feels compassion. The Latin etymology for the word “compati” literally means “suffer with.” Nehemiah suffers with them. Though he is 800 miles away.

And that made me wonder why I don’t feel compassion like this for those who surround me every day.... First because I was born with a default of sinful selfishness in my heart. I tend to think that I am the center of the universe and that my troubles are paramount and everyone around me should serve me and make me happy 24 hours a day. Please tell me I am not the only one with this issue. (Insert sound of crickets chirping here.)

And also because we live in an era of individualism. We take care of ourselves. We are proud of being master of our fate, captain of our soul (or however that poem goes). Our culture celebrates the “self-made man/woman.” When in reality, no one makes anything by themselves. It all belongs to God. Every talent. Every brain cell. Every opportunity. Every ounce of energy that we have to make the most of every opportunity. ALL HIS. Every breath. HIS.

Self-focus and radical individualism isn’t Nehemiah’s view. And it isn’t God’s.

God is constantly focusing our hearts outward. Love one another. Serve your neighbor. Care deeply for the least of these: the stranger, the naked, the oppressed, the prisoner, the widow, the orphan, the helpless (Just to name a few). Help those people with broken walls and gates. Walls have to be repaired before true worship can occur (literally and metaphorically).

Nehemiah challenges those of us living in comfort and complacency. How many times have I wept for this city? There are so many college students here alone, with no walls, no protection. Single parents who feel abandoned. Families who have lost everything in the past few years. Those who have never had anything to begin with. People who are homeless through a thousand bad decisions. Or just one. Does it matter why or when or how a person becomes a city with no walls? Haven’t we all turned astray and gone our own way? Weren’t we all exiles?

Nehemiah’s father’s name means “Jehovah enlightens.” Pray that you will be enlightened this month. Pray that He will move your heart to weep over brokenness. First to know that you have been that city with no walls. Perhaps there are areas of your life that still are in need of repair. (I know that I have some rusty gates and crumbling concrete.)

As you mourn for your own brokenness, remember that Nehemiah’s name means “Jehovah comforts.” There is One True God of so much compassion that He WILLINGLY entered into our sin and shame to build the most awesome Wall and Gate of all: the Cross. God never enlightens without also showing us comfort through His Only Son.

“The more I understand how lost I was the more I am profoundly aware of how far He came to find me.” {Judah Smith}

Our motivation for compassion “suffering with” should only come from the compassion “suffering with” that we see in Jesus. Not guilt. Not to earn His love. (We already are loved completely by Him.) He became sin for sinners like us. Endured the most shameful of deaths. For me. I was the helpless. I was the city without resources. I was enslaved by the enemy. No self-control. God rescued each of us. He made us belong. Poured out His life for ours. And rebuilt our walls. Praise the God who enlightens and comforts.

Nehemiah doesn’t receive the news of the trauma with photos. It doesn’t come via twitter feed, Facebook status updates, or Instagram. He can’t hear, see, taste, touch or smell any of the wreckage. Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Thank you God that we can take you at Your Word for Enlightenment and Comfort... You lifted us from despair and desperation and built a wall that will separate us from death and a gate by which we can enter into Your Presence.

Soften my heart to ask the difficult questions so that I may willingly and joyfully enter into the desperate, devastating, and depressing stories, so that I may be a part of Your constant Rebuilding story of Redemption. You are a God who is able to renew, refresh and restore. You have done that in my life. Put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise for you God as you continue to transform and liberate me so that I am free to love and serve You as well as the city that I live in and the people around me every day. Amen. lea noblin marshall Lea drives her children places. And occasionally cooks dinner. She also teaches Grounded for the youth. And volunteers at RAA Middle School and Leon High School. And works with the Village Square organization. And takes a lot of photographs. day 2 WHERE IS GOD ALIVE?

When I first moved to Tallahassee from the wide, open land of northwest Texas, all the trees got in my way. I would drive by destinations because I missed entrances that seemed encased in a continual wall of leaves. That first week, I became so convinced that all the green foliage was closing in on me that I impulsively drove south until I hit the beach. There, looking out over the water, I could see the expansive sky and breathe again.

That seems silly now.

Now, the canopy roads with their scattered sunshine feel like home. Now, nearly 15 years later, Tallahassee has become the longest place I’ve ever lived. I’ve learned all the shortcuts across town, met friends for life and changed careers.

My affection for the capital city and surrounding area has grown exponentially. I like that I can take an afternoon boat ride to see alligators and anhingas, view an independent film at the converted railroad station, drink coffee at spots buzzing with collaborating college students and lobbyists and listen to live music in a grand auditorium or under the stars. I’ve even grown used to the excessive humidity that surprises me with rain showers and fogs up my glasses.

But the true treasure I’ve found in Tallahassee can be summed up in one word: people. I’ve learned that this is the kind of place where community volunteers raise money for good causes, college students take study breaks to mentor or coach children, citizens offer up improvement ideas to civic leaders who will listen and church members prepare meals for the grieving or hungry.

For many Tallahasseeans, these intentional acts of service are a reflection of a living God that has given so much to them.

In his letter to early Christians, the apostle John writes that if we love one another, God is alive in us. “God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (I John 4:16)

How often do you think about God abiding, being alive in you? How does it feel?

I think we want it to feel like the electric adrenaline pumping through us at the stadium in the fourth quarter of a football showdown. Or, maybe for you, God’s presence feels more like the simple, warm dose of comfort and joy I get driving through the wonderland of holiday lights at the city park each winter, singing along to the piped in Christmas music.

For me, God often seems most alive in the quiet and difficult times of life. As the psalmist writes, “Cease striving (be still) and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) God seems closest when a family member has passed away, when the daily world feels like a wilderness I’m navigating without a GPS or when there’s no doubt I have to trust in God’s provision because I’m clearly all out of resourceful ideas.

The truth is God is always alive and present. How wonderful to know that: • A living God offers us abundant love and life. (John 3:16) • Jesus promised that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there. (Matthew 18:20) • His Spirit alive in us results in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

So, where is God alive and evident in Tallahassee? Have you seen him on campus or at the Capitol? Was he evident when someone offered you a ride, handed you a Kleenex or opened up a door? Did he show up for your job interview? Was he feeding a child needing nourishment for the school day ahead? Was he standing with the homeless guy holding a sign on the corner? Did you hear him laugh alongside you at the movies or the mall? Did he visit a friend in the hospital?

Let’s not let our discomfort or indifference distract us from seeing the wide possibilities of God’s living, expansive love.

God, please help us to remember you’re alive in us and in Tallahassee. May we learn to love Tallahassee like you already do. May we find ways to show others how alive you are today. Teach us how to best abide in your love. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us opportunities to demonstrate your love in a way that gives evidence to your existence. Amen. melanie yeager Melanie, a marketing and communications professional at Florida State University, is a transplanted Texan who has embraced Tallahassee as home. Recently she served as a Knight Creative Communities Institute catalyst, developing initiatives to enhance Tallahassee’s economy and make the city a better place for young professionals especially to live and work. Earlier this year she helped promote and coordinate a new fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Project, Inc., which provides assistance to persons with memory disorders and their caregivers in the Big Bend area. day 3 CAN I BE A HANANI?

Nehemiah 1:1-11 (NIV) The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

The first funeral I attended was my Dad’s. I was six years old. He died in a car accident. I distinctly remember the gorgeous red roses draped across his casket, our seating arrangement and the twenty-one gun salute. It is my earliest memory of God. I still felt alone. God was with me, but I still didn’t understand. I didn’t know Him.

My mother moved my two younger sisters and me from South Carolina to Florida. She wanted us to feel the security she did when she grew up. We attended and joined First Baptist Church Chiefland, and while I still felt “different” because most children had both parents, I felt safe and loved at Church. I can’t tell you who the Hananis were at FBC Chiefland, but they were there. The Casting Crowns song “Does Anybody Hear Her?” always moves me - many times to tears. The chorus:

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see? Or does anybody even know she’s going down today Under the shadow of our steeple With all the lost and lonely people Searching for the hope that’s tucked away in you and me Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see? If I have a Lord and Savior who sees me and loves me for who I am, why don’t I share Him with everyone? Not just the folks that walk into church each Sunday and Wednesday. What about reaching out? Can I be a Hanani?

Lee and I have had many discussions about what God would have us do. And it is apparent that God’s will isn’t always easy, and yet, it is. It’s like when you step out of the pew to walk to the front of the sanctuary to meet the Pastor to tell of your decision for Jesus Christ. The first step is the hardest, the second hard, and by the third, you are well on your way. So why am I hesitant when I see a need in my own community? Is it because I’m too busy to notice all the “lost and lonely people”?

I love Nehemiah’s story. I am so moved by his love for the exiled Jews that have returned to Jerusalem only to find it humiliated and vulnerable. Nehemiah’s broken heart moved him to prayer and fasting for days. His fervent plea for God’s forgiveness and direction inspires me. Direction.

Romans 10:14-15 (NIV) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

What about Tallahassee? What about the people under the shadow of our steeple? Does my apprehen- sion to talk about my faith and invite others into my wonderful church portray to others that I don’t care? Or that I’m ashamed? I certainly hope not. I love my God. I need my God. And so does everyone else.

Matthew 5:14, 16 (NIV) You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

There are many Hananis in our community and church. Many needs have been reached and many more will be reached. For example - Youth Mission Trip (each year), Haiti, Builders for Christ, the Christian Life Center, Weekday, First Love, and now Sabal Palm Elementary, just to name a few.

My God and my Father, please allow me to always feel that longing for you. Please forgive me when I become complacent and even arrogant. Give me your eyes to see what you would have me to see, your heart to feel beyond my own selfishness and move me from my comfortable seat to a place that only your love and courage can. Please show me where you want me to go…to be… to do. Amen. kim vickery Kim is a co-director of Youth Sunday School with her husband, Lee, and works as a registered representative at the North Florida Financial Corporation. My first visit to Tallahassee was as a Page in the Senate in the spring of 1988. I fell in love with Tallahas- see and moved that July to attend TCC, then FSU and have loved it ever since :)! I met and married Lee while at FSU, and graduated. Lee (with Leland and Kelly) already attended FBC Tally and wanted us, as a family, to be a part of FBC. At first, I was very hesitant, thinking (erroneously) that the church was way too big, and would be too snobby for my taste. I begrudgingly attended Sunday morning worship and heard Dr. Jim Chavis. The next Sunday Lee, the kids and I attended Sunday School. We were led to the Young Adult 1 class in the Chason building. The very first folks I met - Cecil and Eva Davis, then Fran and Nancy Buhler. Our first Sunday Morning Bible Sunday Study teachers - Richard and Cornelia Orr. I truly believe God placed all of them in my path. They were Hannanis. I’ve been a FBC Tallahas- see member for nearly 20 years and am truly blessed. Lee and I have served in a few capacities and have loved them all, but are currently enjoying our wonderful Youth group, with our youngest two children, Savannah and Kevin. day 4 SEE THE NEED: PRAY FOR YOUR CITY

Nehemiah 1:5-11 (NIV) Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

I was cupbearer to the king.

I don’t generally remember things that happen in the past unless they are very important, and they have touched me in a special way. But one story I have remembered since my college days is about a young man who I interacted with but for a brief moment in time. It was a day fully packed with chores like all other days, especially when you have four kids to care for, and you are working hard to complete your studies; I rushed to campus to begin my research plan for the day. While photocopying some articles in my lab, a young student walked in fairly ruffled (by my observation), and said he was looking for his academic advisor. He checked the professor’s office and could not find him, so I told him he may have to come back at another time. He hesitated for a moment, and then asked if he could talk to me. Look- ing at all that was before me, I was not ready to saddle myself with someone else’s problem at that time. And then I remembered my prayer during my morning devotion. So I quickly said, “Sure; let’s go to my desk.” This young man had a lot on his mind including dropping out of school. In fact, he might just have come to say goodbye to his advisor. I listened to all he had to say, and as he provided me the opportunity, I shared with him some of my life’s story and the fact that the Lord would not place a burden on us we could not bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). Long story short, he left with a smile on his face and a recommitment to complete his college education. I didn’t follow-up to know the rest of the story but the Lord used that occasion not only to help the young man, but to teach me an unforgettable lesson that has strengthened my faith. I re-learned not only His faithfulness in answering our prayers, but that our prayer times are often the best occasions He uses to keep us within His plans. For you see, my morning devotion that day was about placing a focus on others, and I asked to be part of what God was doing in Oxford, Mississippi at the time. Remembering my prayer at the time a needy student was interacting with me that day was not a mere coincidence. Prayer enables God to transform us into the right tools that are effective in getting the job done efficiently.

Nehemiah had been praying relentlessly for himself and his people since he heard about the plight of Jerusalem. But what was Nehemiah’s motivation to pray this much? He had come to a realization that he and the people of Israel had sinned against God and needed to repent. Sin keeps us from having a genuine and appropriate interaction with God the Father just like when a kid does something a father asked him not to do. Remember how difficult it was for you to go back to your parents to ask for something else after you had disobeyed them? A prayer of confession restores the relationship and gives us the confidence to approach the Throne of Grace fully engaged once again (1 John 1:9), and that pleases God and moves His heart to continue to love us like the Prodigal Son.

The issues we are burdened with are often reflected in our prayers to God. Nehemiah could have prayed and asked for forgiveness for himself but his prayer was not just for himself; it was also on behalf of Judah and its people. Here was a man whose life was focused on his community; he was burdened by what he heard and his prayers reflected it. Is Nehemiah’s story our story? When was the last time we individually prayed for Tallahassee and confessed to God any of the wrongdoings we see? Are we clouded by our apathy, as well as what others might be doing around us? Or are we consumed by the adage that everyone should mind his own business? Is my heart and yours where God’s heart is for this city? How would we know? Let’s begin where Nehemiah began: confessing his sins and those of his city to God. Let’s allow God to reveal Himself anew.

My Father and my God, I have sinned against you because I have placed my focus on myself, my needs and those of my immediate family only. I ask for your forgiveness, and I pray you will renew my mind and open my eyes that I may see your work here in Tallahassee and be moved to do something about it. I confess - my desire to do anything at this moment is muddied by the thinking that others have not worked hard, hence their difficulties. Please motivate me from within by giving me a new perspective about this city and its citizens; let your love for the city and the inhabitants of Tallahassee fill my heart the same way. Give me the courage to push forward to the glory of Your Name, for it is in the Name that is above all names, that of Jesus, the Christ and my Savior, that I offer this prayer. Amen. seth ablordeppey Occupation: Teaching and Research

Education: Received both my high school and undergrad diplomas in the country of Ghana, became an Ole Miss Rebel in 1985 and graduated in 1990.

FBC: Joined FBC in 1993 and I have served in the Youth, Young Adult I, II and III departments as an SMBS teacher. I have also served and currently serve on the deacon board and teach in YA I and III.

Community Service: Serve as a member of the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) Board of Directors here in Tallahassee. day 5 PRAY FOR YOUR CITY

Nehemiah 1:5-11 (HCSB) I said, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands, let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive to hear Your servant’s prayer that I now pray to You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted corruptly toward You and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances You gave Your servant Moses. Please remember what You commanded Your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. But if you return to Me and carefully observe My commands, even though your exiles were banished to the ends of the earth, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have My name dwell.” They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and strong hand. Please, Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to that of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success today, and have compassion on him in the presence of this man. At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.

These words of Nehemiah directly follow his receiving information that his city was incredibly vulnerable and in serious need. He receives word that the wall has been destroyed, and he wastes no time. He begins praying for his people - a people who had turned from God, a corrupt people, a people who were far from the holiness they were called to, a people who had forgotten from what, where, and whom God had delivered them. Do you ever wonder what Nehemiah’s prayer would have looked like if he had come from a place of self-righteousness towards his people? Likely, it would have contained thoughts like “they deserve whatever they get or don’t get, because they have rejected God” or “at least God is taking care of me here in the king’s castle; I must be doing something right.” If Nehemiah had been afraid of getting involved or too close to his people (i.e.,, the sinners), his prayer could have contained things like “I’m too far away to do anything helpful. Someone closer to the situation will be able to do more for them.”

Looking around our city and the needs that exist inside of it, would we admit to having those same thoughts? I would. I would have to confess self-righteousness, fear, and just plain stubborn self- absorption. In fact, I will attempt to follow Nehemiah’s example by confessing it not just for myself, but for my church, too. Where we have thus far been blind, we now need to see. We must soften our hearts to recognize the vulnerabilities and places of pain in our community and the areas that need a church to pray for them and love them. Why? Because Christ told us to.

Jesus made it extremely clear in Matthew 25:31-46 that He is quite serious about us taking care of the poor, sick, foreign, and even prisoners (criminals too?! Yep, criminals too.). So serious, in fact, He said that if we take care of them, we take care of Him. Or even more disconcerting, if we DON’T take care of them, we also neglect to take care of our Savior.

So who’s sick and hurting in our city? Who needs us to care for them? Because in caring for them, we are caring for Christ. I can tell you where I see need. Of course I see it in the obvious places of home- lessness and poverty. I also see pain in adolescents whose parents have given up on them and their only way of coping is to use drugs (which are readily available to them every day at school). I see pain in the parents of those same adolescents who have no idea how to help their kids and are too tired to want to. Some because they are parenting alone, some because they just don’t know how to like their kid anymore. Where I used to be tempted to judge and criticize, I now see pain. These are people who cross my path on a daily basis. Yours are likely different. So, what are those places for you? Who or what have you looked at through a lens of self-righteousness or fear? Would you dare to pray for them? Or even more daring, would you seek them out? Go to them? Talk to them? Be seen with them? Get to know them? Even help them rebuild what the enemy has destroyed?

Matthew 25:37-40 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’ And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’”

Father, help us to have eyes to see and a willingness to pray for those we have been tempted to ignore, avoid, or judge. We ask Your forgiveness for when we saw You hungry, thirsty, out of place, in need, sick, or in bondage and did nothing. Change our hearts to be more like Yours. In Christ’s name, Amen. laura cassels summerlin Laura is a licensed clinical social worker currently working for a non-profit organization, Turn About, Inc., where she is a counselor for troubled adolescents and families. She serves as a SMBS teacher in the young adult area at FBC and also volunteers in the community as a victim’s advocate for the Refuge House. day 6 FIND YOUR PLACE

Nehemiah 1:11 (NIV) O Lord let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. I was cupbearer to the King.

As we reflect on this verse, I would like for us to start by focusing on the latter part which is a transition from chapter 1 to chapter 2: “I was cupbearer to the King.” Here Nehemiah tells us of his place in society and in the King’s service. The cupbearer was an important and trusted position in the King’s cabinet. He was not only responsible for selecting the appropriate wine for the meal, but he was also responsible for tasting the wine to ensure that it was not poisoned. The office of cupbearer was one of the oldest and highest court positions in Babylonia and Persia. Being the cupbearer to the King spoke to the successful career of Nehemiah. The cupbearer was not only responsible for the tasting of the wine, but he was also the guardian of the royal residence. This meant that he was a most trusted servant and administrator of the King’s affairs, and he had regular access to the King and Queen. As we learn later, Nehemiah was willing to use and risk his position and career to be available and respond to GOD’s calling on his life.

We also see in his prayer in verse 11 that he asked that the Lord be attentive to “the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name.” This would include his brother, Hanani, who through his relationship to Nehemiah had served as a catalyst to sensitize Nehemiah to the conditions in Jerusalem.

As we reflect on the meaning of this passage for us today, I recall that a few years ago I had the opportunity to visit South Africa. During that visit I saw the consequences of Apartheid firsthand. I could not help but ask myself where the world community and GOD’s church were during this human tragedy that, among other things, denied people an education because of the color of their skin. A few months later, I visited Rwanda and saw several of the genocide sites. It was hard to visualize people killing one another, including children killing children, based on belonging to a particular tribe. It was even more heart-wrenching to realize that so-called representatives of GOD’s church not only stood by and allowed it to happen, but, in some instances, even participated in the genocide. Where was the awareness that all humans are created in the image of GOD and that Christ died for each and every person? Where were those that GOD had placed in positions of influence? What happened to their voice?

We know that GOD has a plan for each of our lives. He has placed us in positions and relationships to be used by him to further his Kingdom that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I searched my own life and realize the number of times I had encountered: 1) schools with economically disadvantaged children, 2) homeless individuals in the park, 3) individuals suffering from alcohol or drug addiction, and 4) the many college students searching for GOD’s plan for their lives. I wonder how Christ would judge my response or lack of response. Would Christ’s response be the one given to the church at Laodicea: “lukewarm, worthy of being spit out of his mouth”? However, for all of us, we know that Christ stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, and if we hear His voice and open the door, He will come in and eat with us, and He will assist us in fulfilling GOD’s plan for our lives. We are all different parts of His body, the Church, and we need to be obedient to His calling on our lives in order that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Some of us may be a Nehemiah and be in a significant position of influence. Others may be a Hanani, who through sharing observations between relationships can be a catalyst for the furtherance of GOD’s plan. Regardless of the role GOD has for each of us and the positions and relationship in which He has placed us, we need to be obedient to His call on our lives. My hope through this devotional is that each of us will examine our own life and pray, asking Christ to lead us in using our positions of influence and relationships to further His Kingdom in our city and in our world.

Father, I pray today that your Holy Spirit will lead each of us as we examine our lives and reflect on the needs and injustices we encounter. Through your Holy Spirit, help us to have the courage to use our positions of influence and relationships to address those issues for your Glory. Amen. dr. jim pitts A native of Kentucky, Jim Pitts has been a member of the Florida State University faculty and administration since 1968. During his career at FSU, he has been President of the Faculty Senate and has served the university on a number of committees and in a variety of administrative positions. These include Associate Dean of the College of Business, Assistant to the President, Vice President for University Advancement, and Chairman of the University Center Building Committee. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the FSU Foundation, the Alumni Association, Seminole Boosters, FSU Financial Assistance, and the FSU International Programs Association, Inc. His current position is Director of International Programs.

He joined First Baptist Church of Tallahassee in 1968 and was ordained as a deacon in 1969 and has served as chairman of the deacons and on many church committees. He has taught Sunday School for 45 years with over 25 years in the College department. Currently, he serves as a deacon and an associate Sunday School teacher in Adult 3. day 7 WAITING FOR THE RIGHT TIME

Nehemiah 2:1 (NIV) In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before.

Waiting for the right time. What do you do while you wait for the time to be right?

We are told that Nehemiah waited six months before he petitioned the King for what he needed. He waited for the Lord’s timing.

When I read this story, patience and faithfulness were the two words that stood out to me. I don’t know about you, but patience is not my virtue. Just ask my husband. If I see something I think needs to be done, I am like a dog with a bone, and I won’t stop until my goal is accomplished. In our society today, it appears as though patience is a thing of the past. We want instant everything, and the faster the better!

When we have a need, or we see another’s need, we want something to happen quickly to meet that need or fix that problem. Maybe we have done as Nehemiah did and cried before the Lord, asking Him to hear our prayers and please do something to help. I noticed in Nehemiah’s prayer, he asked God to give him “success today.” I laughed out loud when I read that. I can so relate! More often than not, my timing and God’s are not the same!

Here is the question I think we must ask ourselves: are we willing to wait patiently for God’s timing and listen for His prompting, or are we going to try to push our own agenda? How many blessings must I have missed while trying to do things my way!

Even though we are not told what Nehemiah was feeling during those six months of waiting, I can only assume they were full of a myriad of emotions and prayers. During the waiting times in our lives, we can vacillate between feelings of distress and worry to complaining and self-pity. The scripture tells us that these are the results of a lack of faith. When these very human emotions occur, we should ask God to increase our faith and help us to be patient with His process.

Nehemiah strikes me as a man of great faith. He was faithful to not speak until God presented the opportunity. How many times during the six months of waiting must he have wanted to speak to the King? If I could only learn to hold my tongue that well! (No comments necessary from my family!)

Maybe you are in a time of waiting. Have you asked for God’s help concerning a matter in your life and He doesn’t seem to be acting quickly enough? Psalm 40:1 is a great word of encouragement for us in these times: “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me; and He turned to me and heard my cry.” Let me encourage you to take the time to read the rest of this chapter today. It has helped me in times of waiting for God’s answer.

When God called me to a speaking and writing ministry, my timing and His timing seemed quite different. It has been difficult to be patient in the waiting period. I have come to understand that during the waiting, He is refining me. Sometimes this can be uncomfortable and difficult, but it is necessary and more rewarding than I could have imagined.

Mark and I sing a song entitled, Trust His Heart. Our favorite line in this song says that “When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.” We don’t often see what God is doing, but we must trust that He is in control, and He is working all things out for His glory. Let’s take this example of Nehemiah’s faith and patience, and let it encourage us today. Keep praying and keep waiting. God will answer. His word says so.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your timing. It is always perfect. Please help us as we learn to trust You while we wait for Your answers to our prayers. Keep watch over our attitude and words as we face life’s challenges. Help us to be faith walkers instead of just faith talkers. Thank You for Your patience and longsuffer- ing with us. Forgive us where we have failed to even have the faith of a mustard seed. Increase our faith today, Lord, and use us for Your glory. In Christ we pray. Amen lynn cassels milner I’ve had the privilege of growing up at FBC. I accepted Christ when I was eight and was baptized and married in this church. I truly love the Lord and this church family. I have had the honor of serving in music ministry, teaching S.S. (currently a sub for the Corven Class), and the women’s ministry here at FBC. I have enjoyed a career as a hairstylist here in Tally for 18 years, and I am currently embarking on a new ministry of speaking and writing as the Lord leads. Mark and I support a Christian ministry in Quincy (Christ Town Ministries), which is dear to our hearts and run by our longtime friends, Bob and Laura Wells. They reach people who have lost their way in life and help them spiritually and physically get on their feet and move forward. My prayer is for all of us to be blessed by this study and unified in our efforts to serve each other and reach this community for Christ. day 8 GOD USES ANYONE

God uses anyone.

This is a phrase I’m as accepting of as “God loves everyone.” It is something I expect to be taught in Sunday School and Bible Study through examples like Moses the stutterer, David the adulterer, and Paul the previous persecutor. These are all people who loved God and who were used by him for his glorious purposes, even in their weakness. This lesson is comfortable to me. But then I think about those who don’t love God. Does God use people who don’t know him in order to accomplish his good plan? This is the question we’ll be focusing on in today’s devotional.

Nehemiah 2:1-6 (NLT) Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”

Then I was terrified, but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruin, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

The king asked “Well, how can I help you?”

With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.

KEY PLAYERS IN NEHEMIAH 2:1-6 King Artaxerxes Nehemiah name means “strong warrior” name means “comforted by God” highest royal position in Persia cupbearer to the king Zoroastrian worshiper (pagan astrologer) Jewish follower of God

Let’s switch from an Old Testament passage and delve into one of the New Testament’s most commonly quoted verses:

Romans 8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

When I read this verse, I tend to think about how it applies to my life. I’m encouraged by the thought of a great God who is on my side and who has a divine purpose for my life. But until writing this devotional, I’d never thought of how this verse might apply to lives of others! And I invite you to do just that, with Nehemiah in mind.

The latter part of Romans 8:28 speaks of the purpose God has for his follower. Nehemiah’s unique purpose was to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Right before this, Romans 8:28 speaks of a follower who is called. While Nehemiah may not have literally heard the voice of God as with Moses, Samuel and others, we can read between the lines of chapters one and two and understand the conviction. Nehemiah has to fulfill his purpose. Before even a calling or a purpose is mentioned in Romans 8:28, we know that the subject of Romans 8:28 is a lover of God. And if you need any evidence of Nehemiah’s love for the Lord, just look back at Nehemiah 1:5-11. I believe it is safe to assume that this verse applies to Nehemiah!

That leaves the kicker of Romans 8:28. The fact that God uses EVERYTHING to work for the follower who’s working for his divine purpose. I believe the “everything” in this case is King Artaxerxes. Take a look at the chart above- King Artaxerxes does not know or love God, and he certainly doesn’t have to extend a helping, caring hand to his cupbearer. Yet, the king is vital to God’s plan. Could Nehemiah have suddenly and inexplicably left his job and lifestyle and repaired the wall like Superman? Perhaps. But that was not the way God chose to carry out his divine purpose. Perhaps God chose to use the last person we’d think of, a man like King Artaxerxes, to teach us a very important lesson:

God can use anyone.

So that begs the question - who is the anyone in your life? Who is the “everything” that God is using in order that you may respond to and fulfill God’s purpose for you? He may be your boss, one more terrifying than Nehemiah’s (see Nehemiah 2:2)! He may be your unbelieving friend whose plight inspires you to pour out the joy you know in Christ. He may be someone you’ve never even taken a second glance at. But take that second glance now! Be on the lookout for those who do not know God, yet who play vital roles in the different parts of God’s glorious, unfathomable plan of love and salvation.

Lord, I pray that today you open up my eyes to see those I usually discount. Please show me how you are using them to fulfill your glorious plan. Thank you that this plan includes your son, Jesus Christ! Lead forward in your love everlasting. Amen. abby cooke Abby is a freshman at Florida Southern College. Her favorite things on earth are elderly people, First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, and embarrassing her friends in public places by breaking out (loudly) in song. Abby became a Christian at age seven, and the most important lesson she’s learned is this fact: Following Christ is a journey, not a one-step process. He is the one who makes our hearts to become like his, and we can trust him to hold our hearts, for he is a loving and faithful God. Abby is also a big fan of Christy Nockels and Sara Groves and suggests that you check them out. day 9 THE COMFORTER

Nehemiah 2:2-5 (ESV) And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.”

Nehemiah was a man placed in an important position. As cupbearer, Nehemiah’s job required risk. Every time Nehemiah took a sip from the king’s cup, he risked his own life. Each meal, each drink could be his last.

More important than Nehemiah’s positional power was his relational power. Nehemiah was a source of comfort for the king. In fact, his name means “Comforter.” He was dependable, trustworthy and available to the king. Nehemiah was more than just a servant. On some level, he was a friend to the king. How was Nehemiah able to become this source of comfort?

God was the source of Nehemiah’s comfort. In such a depressing time in the life of Nehemiah’s people, God was still his comfort. Unlike many of the rest of the people of Israel, Nehemiah had not forgotten the Lord. God was his Comforter, and because of that, he had comfort to offer others.

Being comforted by God doesn’t mean that someone will never face problems. Nehemiah’s people had some seemingly impossible problems to overcome. Nehemiah trusted his Comforter, prayed, and looked for how God might use Him.

Darshan and Rekha were a typical Hindu married couple. They had come to Delhi, the capital city of India, in search of work. One day Rekha heard some new teaching that was exciting. She learned about a Living Savior who defeated death. She began following Jesus with all her heart.

Darshan was not happy about his wife’s new faith. To him, Jesus was a foreign god. His wife’s faith must be destroyed. He began to hate and abuse her because of her faith. He would beat her for going to church. When that didn’t stop her, he would cut her with a knife. When that wouldn’t stop her, he would hold her down and electrocute her with 220 volts of electricity.

For years this abuse went on and on. The police and relatives dismissed her reports of abuse. Rekha was suffering. God and His church were the only sources of comfort for her. All the believers kept on praying together for Darshan’s heart to be changed.

One night Darshan began burning Rekha’s Bible with matches. She could only sit by and watch and pray. As this was going on, Darshan’s brother came in and said, “You can burn the Bible, but you can’t burn God’s Word that’s in her heart.” After burning up half her Bible, Darshan stopped and went to sleep. The church continued to pray. The situation was seemingly hopeless. God was Rekha’s comfort, even when life was terribly difficult. Rekha understood the secret of the Gospel. The Gospel doesn’t say that she won’t suffer, but that in the middle of the most horrible suffering, she could still find Comfort. God was Rekha’s Comforter. Because of God’s comfort, she was able to daily share the Gospel with dozens of people and hand out tracts. Despite the abuse, she was still leading weekly Bible study groups in three different homes. One day something changed. Darshan woke up a different man. Instead of abuse, he felt sorry for what he had done. He asked his wife’s forgiveness. He asked her to pray for him. He too wanted to follow Jesus. Darshan accepted God’s grace and forgiveness and was baptized. Finally, Darshan too understands the Lord’s comfort. Now they have started a new church in their home.

God was Rekha’s comfort. God was Nehemiah’s comfort. What is your source of comfort? Is your sense of comfort found in being comfortable? Could you have comfort if the “comforts of life” were taken away by life’s circumstances? Is Jesus truly your Comforter? Is your faith the source of comfort for others?

Lord, Thank You that You alone change hearts. You softened the heart of the king. You softened Darshan’s heart. Soften my heart today. Quiet my ears to hear Your voice. Hard times will come. Jesus, be my Comforter. Please show me who I can comfort today. Amen. adam & andrea shefferman Adam & Andrea are serving in Delhi, India sent by FBC. They both graduated from FSU and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary day 10 RESEARCH

Nehemiah 2:1-12 (NIV) In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before,so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your s ervant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.

I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

Before moving to Tallahassee, I spent three years organizing community service projects for students at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. In that role, I heard stories time and time again from non-profit agencies about good intentions gone wrong. On occasion, kind-hearted volunteers would sometimes unintentionally overwhelm small organizations with too much help at one time, the wrong kind of donations, or plans for a service project that wasn’t truly needed.

To avoid this trouble, I tried to teach my students about the importance of relationship building and community voice through a thought provoking story from Three Cups of Tea. In this book, mountain climber Greg Mortenson encounters children in a far removed community in Central Asia who are trying to learn by writing in the dirt with sticks. Compelled to take action, Mortenson decides on his own that he will return one day with the supplies necessary to build the village a school. After a time of fundraising and purchasing materials, Mortenson returns, ready to begin construction. Unfortunately, the community members, while very grateful for the gift, point out to Mortenson that a bridge must first be erected across the raging river of the Braldu so that the supplies can be transported to the construction site. The biographer laments: “Of course they needed a bridge. How was he planning to build his school? Carry every board, every sheet of corrugated tin, one by one, in a rickety bucket swaying dangerously over the Braldu? Instead, he felt angry at himself for not planning better.”

While this story seems a bit silly, I would venture to guess that this kind of thing happens far more often than you might think. While there is no lack of commitment or willingness, volunteers sometimes fail to build important relationships, research community problems, and plan ahead appropriately. In the words of Mortenson: “We Americans think you have to accomplish everything quickly. We’re the country of thirty-minute power lunches and two-minute football drills... [This experience] taught me to share three cups of tea, to slow down and make building relationships as important as building projects.”

I share this story with you because of its connection to Nehemiah’s journey to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 2:2-11, our main character understands that rebuilding the walls will require time off from his cup bearing responsibilities, safe passage, and supplies. With these specific requests in mind, he first prays to the God of heaven (v. 4) and then asks the king for help (v. 5-8). Because Nehemiah prioritizes planning, research, and relationships, he is far more equipped than Greg Mortenson for the task at hand.

This passage suggests to us that if we are truly concerned about bringing restoration to Tallahassee, we need to think seriously about what it will require. Much like the construction of a tower, we must “sit down first and count the cost” (Luke 14:26-33). The journey will not be safe or easy, but with the help of others and the full authority of God on our side, we can speak up, take risks, and face challenges with confidence. As you meditate on this passage today, I challenge you to think about the following questions. Before Nehemiah took action, he investigated the problem through relationships with others. What information do you know about our city? What do you need to know to take action?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin, there are a few starting points I can recommend. The first is to explore scripture. God’s word is full of directives to help widows and orphans (James 1:27), the homeless (Isaiah 58:6-7), and prisoners (Matthew 25:36), among others. In your quiet time, ask the Lord to show you exactly where He is calling you to serve. As pointed out earlier, you can also start by listening to community members and local non-profit agencies. Often, these conversations about community needs will surprise you. It is also valuable to inventory the resources that you and your church are distinctively positioned to share. Let’s take First Baptist Church’s Christian Life Center as our example. This resource is unique to our church and is used daily as a blessing for the community of Tallahassee. What skills and talents has the Lord given you so that you can be a blessing to others? One final suggestion for where to begin is simply in your own neighborhood. By using the interactive map distributed over the summer, entitled “Who is My Neighbor,” you can begin to partner with those around you for noticeable change in your small part of Tallahassee.

Lord, please help me to identify the areas in Tallahassee where you are calling me to work. Before I set out, God, help me to be organized and connect with the right people. And Father, as I step out in faith, please help me to follow your voice every step of the way. Amen. amanda nix Amanda is a graduate student at Florida State University working towards a Ph.D. in Sociology. Although new to First Baptist Church Tallahassee, she and her husband have become very involved in church activities, including a Young Marrieds Bible Study group on Monday evenings and the newly formed Young Adult 1 group. day 11 PURSUING JUSTICE: EVIDENCE OF FAITH

Isaiah 58:1-12 (NIV) “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Is it not to share your food with the hungry Raise your voice like a trumpet. and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— Declare to my people their rebellion when you see the naked, to clothe them, and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. and not to turn away from your own flesh and For day after day they seek me out; blood? they seem eager to know my ways, Then your light will break forth like the dawn, as if they were a nation that does what is right and your healing will quickly appear; and has not forsaken the commands of its God. then your righteousnesswill go before you, They ask me for just decisions and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. and seem eager for God to come near them. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, and you have not noticed?’ with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, please and exploit all your workers. then your light will rise in the darkness, Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and your night will become like the noonday. and in striking each other with wicked fists. The Lord will guide you always; You cannot fast as you do today he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and expect your voice to be heard on high. and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, like a spring whose waters never fail. only a day for people to humble themselves? Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and will raise up the age-old foundations; and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Is that what you call a fast, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. a day acceptable to the Lord?

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

God spoke to the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 58, instructing him to go to the Israelites and expose their sins.

In this passage, God’s people were most concerned about showing themselves to be pious - upright people, righteous and holy. They did all the religious practices they were taught and yet God was not pleased with them. Interestingly enough, their lives were far from reflecting the heart of God. Consider that for a moment. This unfortunate reality was not because they did not pray or fast, attend synagogue or keep the Sabbath. God’s disapproval of them simply was because of their disregard for justice. Though they believed they were getting to know God more through their pious acts, they were farthest from the truth because they had abandoned God’s justice. The people of Israel pointed out to God: “We have denied ourselves and You haven’t noticed” (Isaiah 58: 3)! But God ignored them, both their fasting and their praying. God then laid out their sins of injustice: “you do as you please on the day of the fast, and press all your workers. You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist.” Their exploitation of the weak and their self-absorption grieved God. Though they “acted” like God’s people, they - instead of fighting against injustice - participated in and welcomed it.

This passage communicates something to us about God and about His expectation for those who follow Him.

First and foremost, justice lies at the heart of who God is. God is crazy about justice. There is no doubt that Scripture, time and time again, reveals how God has a deep concern for the least of these - the marginalized and the oppressed. Sometimes Christians act as if justice has nothing to do with their Christian faith; however, if you think justice is irrelevant to God’s work on earth, then you have missed the God of the Bible. Justice is a reoccurring theme throughout the Scriptures.

[God] loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love. (Psalm 33: 5)

I know that the Lord upholds the cause of the poor, justice for the needy. (Psalm 29:7)

For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and injustice. (Isaiah 61:8)

Here is My Servant whom I have chosen, My beloved in whom My soul delights; I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1-2)

Justice is important to God. And, notice this: the problem in Isaiah 58 was not because Israel had an error in its theology or doctrine, but because of their strong disregard for justice. The “pious” were exploiting the weak, the poor, and the lowly. They had no concern about the injustice around them, which leads to the second thing we can learn from this passage.

God expects His people to pursue justice in the world. Our passion for justice is evidence of our faith in Him. It is not enough just to “do” the religious things or “believe” a certain doctrine. For God, true, authentic faith in Him displays itself through the seeking of justice in the world. God asks Israel in Isaiah 58, “Isn’t the fast I choose to break the chains of the wicked, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke?” (verse 6); then God asks, “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked…?” (verse 7). Justice issues are what God is passionate about and calls us to be passionate about.

It is not enough to go to church every Sunday, pray every morning, read our Bibles and attend weekly Bible studies. Those are great things, but God says the evidence of true, saving faith is not so much making those things a habit as much as looking at a broken world and choosing to restore it through the name of Jesus. Justice is at the heart of God.

For too long the word justice has been politicized in our American culture. It has been affiliated with one political party in popular media. But justice--Biblical justice--is not a left or right, liberal or conservative, red or blue thing… it’s a God thing. Christians are called to “restore the streets where people live” (Isaiah 58:12). First Baptist Church of Tallahassee is called to restore the streets of Tallahassee. God has graced us and equipped us to restore our city. It’s broken, and He has blessed First Baptist to fix it through His power and His help. And, He has promised to lead us as we go (Isaiah 58:9).

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. (Proverbs 29:7) God is for justice and so should we be. May we be found faithful: caring for the widow, the poor, the homeless, the lowly, and the marginalized in our city. Let’s not waste our lives “doing” the Christian motions while turning our attention away from injustice in the world. Instead, let’s live our lives pursuing justice, showing the world the heart of God.

Yahweh—God of justice—help me to be a light in this dark world. Strengthen and empower me to be an active participant in Your work of restoring this broken world. Reveal to me injustices that need my attention, in my own life and around the world. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN. marcus harden Marcus is a member of the FBC Praise Team. He recently graduated from FSU with a double major in religion and political science. This summer, he was the program director at Camp Ithiel. day 12 PURSUING JUSTICE: EVIDENCE OF FAITH

Jeremiah 29:7-11 (ESV) But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord. “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Recently, my wife Ashley and I made the decision to move from Tallahassee to Pennsylvania. This choice was basically a spur of the moment decision; however, it is something that we feel God calling us towards. The first question we got from our friends and family when we declared we would be leaving was “Well, when are you moving?” to which we answered “We’re not sure; whenever our house sells.” So here we are playing a waiting game - praying for the right offer to be placed on the house so we can move to Penn- sylvania and live the call that God has placed on our lives. We are a family of planners, and this waiting game has caused us to cancel plans as we anticipate the move could happen any day now. Sometimes it is difficult to see how the Old Testament applies to our lives, but our current circumstances have allowed us to connect with today’s scripture. As my wife and I sit and wait to live out Gods call for us in the future, we find that we are missing his call on our lives in the present.

Can you imagine having just been captured by the Babylonian people and hearing God tell you to pray for the welfare of the city your captors live in? I think knowing what I know about Jesus calling us to love our enemies, I could do it for a while, but I would break when I heard God say, “Oh yeah. I want you to do that for the next 70 years; then I’ll set you free.” My conversations with God would sound like this: “God, don’t you know that 70 years from now puts me most definitely over the hill and on the really steep part at that,” or “God, don’t you think 70 years is a bit long for me to be praying for this city,” and eventually, “God, I do trust you, but what do you want me to do now while I wait for you to fulfill your promise.” The last question is where I am right now. I trust God to fulfill His promises to me and my family when we move, but I’m stagnant in my action for His Kingdom now.

This scripture is very encouraging as it lets us know that God has a plan for our lives. He has plans for welfare and not evil, plans for a future and plans for hope; however, He has a call for us while we are waiting for His promises to be fulfilled. That call is to pray for those we are surrounded by, to not listen to those people who tell us, in Jesus’ Name, to continue to seek our own advantage as the prophets and diviners told the Israelites, and to remember that God does have plans for us in the future. God’s call for us is to be active in the transition periods of our lives, no matter what got us into the circumstance, or when we will get out. So I ask you now - are you like my family and the Israelites, caught in a transition period? Are you committed to doing God’s work when you are put in the position you know He is calling you to, but not doing anything in the position He has placed you in currently? If so, it is my prayer that you would stop and pray for guidance as to what God wants you to do, where you are today. Then, I ask you to commit with me today to serve the Lord everyday of your life, no matter what your plans might be to serve God in the future, or how you have served God in the past. Dear Lord, thank you for your promises. Thank you for the example of the Israelites and the wisdom that you brought to them through the Prophet Jeremiah. I pray that as I discern the call you have placed on my life that I would not become complacent in the transition period. I pray that no matter what waiting game I find myself playing, that I would never find myself waiting to glorify you. Equip me today with the wisdom, courage, and discernment to serve your people where I am today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. adam swingle Adam serves as the Youth Coordinator for the Workforce Investment Act Youth programs at WORKFORCE plus. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History/Secondary Education from Waynesburg University in 2011. He and his wife Ashley joined FBC in 2012 and recently were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Leah Joy Swingle. day 13 THE 3 P’S OF NEHEMIAH’S MINISTRY: PRAYER, PREPARATION, AND PARTNERSHIP

Nehemiah 2:1-8 (NIV) In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

PRAYER According to some historians, it has been four months since Nehemiah heard of the news of Jerusalem. Do you think he was just waiting to gather the courage to face the king during this time? No! He was praying and planning (Nehemiah 1:4). In fact, because prayer was such a vital part of Nehemiah’s life and ministry, what did he do before telling the king his request? He prayed! (2:4)

Is prayer such an important component of your life and ministry that you devote adequate time and attention speaking AND listening to the Father?

Is your first response in pressured and potentially dangerous situations to ask God for guidance? Or do you follow your own plans and the advice of others?

PREPARATION Nehemiah didn’t go to King Artaxerxes with the simple thought of “I need to help Jerusalem.” He had been using the four months to pray and prepare for what God wanted him to do. Let’s look at some examples of this preparation: • v.3 – Nehemiah did research. He knew how to phrase his request to most likely receive the king’s permission. As we learned in Ezra 4:17-24, the king had previously ordered Ezra’s rebuilding efforts to stop because of anti-Semitic opposition. Therefore, Nehemiah did not ask to go to the city of Jerusalem, but to “the place of my father’s graves.” We need to think about the opposition we might encounter in our ministry and how we can handle situations as positively as possible while maintain- ing integrity. • v.1-2 – Nehemiah did not allow himself to appear sad before the king (a potentially dangerous act), before he felt fully prepared to present his request for a leave of absence. When God lays something on your heart, are you obedient in planning and preparing for this work?

“Our prayers must be seconded with serious endeavors, else we mock God.” – Matthew Henry

PARTNERSHIP After praying for God’s direction and listening to what needed to be done, Nehemiah confidently went before the king. It took great courage to interrupt the king, and Nehemiah could have been killed for doing so. However, because of Nehemiah’s prayer and preparation, he was confident in what the Lord was calling him to do. This is not to say Nehemiah was not afraid (v.2), but he was obedient anyway and had strength from the Lord (Joshua 1:9). The Lord orchestrated this meeting and turned the king’s ear to Nehemiah.

After Nehemiah gained permission to go to Judah, he went on to request protection for his travels and provision for his work (v.7-8). We also need to engage others in the work to which God has called us. As we see throughout Paul’s letters in the New Testament, he was always eager to solicit money for missions and the growth of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). In Nehemiah’s case, his initial partnership was with pagan rulers (who can provide resources). And because God was looking out for Nehemiah, the king gave Nehemiah what he requested.

Who are we reaching out to in order to help accomplish God’s mission for our church and our city? Are we making the best use of our resources to reach Tallahassee for the kingdom?

APPLICATION What is God calling you to do? • He desires to use EACH of us in BIG ways! • Take time to listen to what He’s telling you to do in your family, community, city, and world. • Pray, pray, pray! • Plan and prepare (all while you are continuing to pray for guidance). • Be bold and courageous in obedience. If God called you, He will lead you! (v.8) • Enlist others to help in the work of the kingdom.

Nehemiah’s request to the king wasn’t for something comfortable and easy for him: 1. the walk alone from Persia to Jerusalem would take four months, 2. he had a comfortable life working in the palace for the king, and 3. it would take hard work to rebuild Jerusalem. God doesn’t always call us to the easy (more often than not, it’s to thedifficult ), but He does promise to be with us every step of the way (Deuteronomy 31:8). And we don’t know about you, but we don’t want to be serving in any other way than the way God calls us!

PRAYER FOCUS Ask God to open your mind and heart to the ways He wants to use you for His kingdom. Allow yourself to think outside of the box and pray for obedience in following what the Lord is telling you to do. (Ephesians 3:20)

“If God be your partner, make your plans large.” –D.L. Moody nick & amber sroka Nick and Amber are currently serving in Brazil as missionaries with the IMB. Both are graduates of FSU and are finishing their Masters of Divinity with Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Amber grew up at FBC, Nick joined in college, and both enjoyed working with the youth for several years! They have a two-year-old son, Carter. day 14 INSPECTING THE PROBLEM

Nehemiah 2:11-16 (NIV) I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

Nehemiah spent several days inspecting Jerusalem’s walls and assessing the damage. He was persistent. Even when the walls were so destroyed that his mount couldn’t get through, he continued on foot. (Ne- hemiah 2:15) He collected his information firsthand, and carefully considered his options for rebuilding. Furthermore, he planned by night, and didn’t reveal these plans to the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else who would be doing the work. This strategy is significant, and may have occurred for several possible reasons. Speaking too soon could have spurred conflicts and arguments over how to begin. Nehemiah knew Jerusalem didn’t need tedious planning sessions or bickering over whose ideas were “the best.” They needed one plan that would bring quick action. By assessing the situation firsthand, he was able to plan ahead. He could check the information before him to be sure his plans were realistic. And by taking the time to thoroughly inspect the problem, Nehemiah was able to plan a solution that would otherwise be nearly impossible to execute without firsthand information.

How much do you know about what is actually going on in your own city? Are you ready to inspect the problems here in Tallahassee, down to their very sources? If we intend to fix the problem, we have to understand it, down to its very core. If we continue to turn a blind eye to our city, we are passively allowing the people around us to remain in spiritual blindness. When Nehemiah arrived, he spent his nights boots on the ground, inspecting and praying through the problem. So what are the problems around you? What do you need to inspect and see for yourself in the city?

In addition, Jesus says in Matthew 7:4 “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” We should serve with pure intentions, not to distract ourselves from the work God wants to do in our own hearts. Examine your own heart. Exam- ine your city.

Dear God, let our hearts genuinely thirst for revival in our city. Thank you for the many opportunities we have to serve and build Your kingdom here. Please give us your eyes to see them for what they are. We ask that You would enable us to see the hearts of the problems and that You would grant us Your wisdom and the means to solve them. nicole tucker Nicole is originally from Jensen Beach, Florida. She is currently a sophomore at FSU, studying music and psychology. day 15 NAME THE PROBLEM

Nehemiah 2:17 (NLT) But now I said to them, “You know full well the tragedy of our city. It lies in ruins, and its gates are burned. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and rid ourselves of this disgrace!”

Nehemiah arrived on the scene only a few days before. Now surveying the city as an outsider, someone so far removed, he could see the downfall and despair of a city that its own people were paralyzed by; this was a people that God had set apart for great things. It was time to speak to the city and the city leaders about his plan and his vision for rebuilding the city, specifically the wall first. He stepped out on faith coming into a city where he has never lived, calling out the destruction and disgrace, then asking the leader to help rebuild. Yet, notice the wisdom in his approach, the way in which he shoulders this burden.

Notice his language. You know full well the tragedy of OUR city… Let US rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and rid OURSELVES of this disgrace.

Nehemiah approached the people as one of their own. He owned the distress and destruction as his responsibility. As he led talks about the repairs, he was committing himself to this monstrous rebuilding effort as well. He was ready to sweat and labor with everyone to bring honor back to God, and His people.

Nehemiah’s ownership of the disgrace, the ruined city, brought credibility to his leadership of the project. In his boldness, he came to empower this defeated city. Nehemiah knew he needed the people in order for his vision to be successful. He didn’t come to rebuild the wall for the people, but rather to work with them in restoring Jerusalem and its people.

Nehemiah set out to inspire the people to lift this burden of defeat and disgrace. This project was about rebuilding a physical wall, but in doing so God would do so much more through rebuilding His people, ridding them of the disgrace that burdened them. God was using Nehemiah to unite a fractured city destroyed from outside forces and internal poisons.

Take a minute to step back and ask yourself: • What are the walls of our city? • What needs to be rebuilt? • Where can we be the eyes, ears, hands, and hearts of God? • How will this challenge us as a church? Me as an individual?

As we move forward with our partnership with Sabal Palm Elementary, look for ways to become involved and live out the Gospel. We see the tragedy of our city represented in the faculty, staff, children and families at Sabal Palm – people who need to be nurtured (physically, emotionally, spiritually), parents and teachers exhausted from fighting the “good fight” but struggling on their own.

Let us rid ourselves of this disgrace – our inaction, our fearful and paralyzed hearts. Let us seize the opportunity to rebuild our city.

In the months and years to come as we (the church) move to adopt and rebuild other parts of Tallahassee, we are challenged to care for the poor, the widows, the abused, the downtrodden, just to name a few. As we examine new opportunities for us to Love Tallahassee, we should ask these questions: How can we reach out to people and segments of our community and not duplicate existing services? Where are we failing our own city? Who is the woman at the well in our own community that no one will talk to? Is it the abused mother of three who seeks refuge at a battered women’s shelter in order to save her children? Is it the elderly man or woman who is “shut-in” and only sees the random Meals on Wheels volunteer show up with a lukewarm plate? What about the local Guardian ad Litem who spends her nights and weekends trying to save a family torn apart by abuse and neglect?

God, thank you for choosing us: flawed and broken individuals. Help us to see our city through Your eyes. Show us where we can lead by Your example. We want to serve our community: to be Your eyes, Your ears, Your hands, Your heart. Unite us in our efforts to rebuild the “walls” in Tallahassee. Thank you for placing us in this unique time, to accomplish Your will for these specific needs. Allow us to accomplish things that we could not do on our own, in a way that the only explanation is You. We ask for Your blessing and Your power to accomplish Your will. Be with us. zachary summerlin Zack serves as the program coordinator for the Institute for Family Violence Studies at Florida State University’s College of Social Work. He is actively involved in the development and sustainability of domestic violence prevention and intervention programs. day 16 GET BUSY

Nehemiah 2:18 (NLT) Then I told them about the desire that God had put into my heart, and of my conversation with the king, and the plan to which he had agreed.

They replied at once. “Good! Let’s rebuild the wall!”And so the work began. [emphasis added]

The setting in Nehemiah is one where God has laid the task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem on the heart of Nehemiah, a servant to the king of Persia. After gaining the support of the king, Nehemiah traveled to Jerusalem and asked the people there for their help. Their response was an enthusiastic “Yes!” and the work began.

This scripture gives us an important guide for our own service to God. That guide is one of action. Both Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem to whom Nehemiah spoke responded, not with “Great idea, let’s talk about it and maybe somebody, someday, will rebuild the wall.” - but rather with “Great idea, let’s get started.”

Rebuilding (not talking about it, but actually rebuilding) the wall of Jerusalem was the task that God gave to Nehemiah and the people to whom he spoke. What is our wall of Jerusalem today? What has God called us to do (not talk about, but do) today in our city?

Prayer and guidance from the New Testament can help us find our “wall of Jerusalem.” Just two of the many guides that we can find in the New Testament are found in Matthew. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:34-36 that when we help other people in need, we help Him. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells us to tell others about God’s plan for their salvation and to teach them. Prayerful study of these and the other guides in the New Testament can help us find our “wall of Jerusalem” opportunity.

If I had been one of the carpenters working on the wall of Jerusalem, that section would probably have fallen a week later. I admire the Builders for Christ in our church. What a wonderful service they ren- der! But I am not a carpenter, and you may not be either. However, Paul points out in Romans 12:3-8 that each of us has been given special skills and that we are called to use our skills in service to our Savior. He does not mention just talking about the need for action, but rather using our God-given talents to get things done!

What are my skills, and how am I using them to serve our Savior? Have I responded as the people of Je- rusalem did to Nehemiah when they said “Let’s rebuild the wall!” and the work began? Have I said, “Let me get to work using my gifted skills to serve today” and then actually begun the work?

Where is my “wall of Jerusalem”? What are the needs in our city? Our church and our community are blessed with an abundance of opportunities to serve. We have many parts of our city’s “wall” that need both your help and mine today. A simple call to the leader of one of our church ministries can help us find a need in our church that we can fill. A quick electronic visit to www.volunteerleon.com will help you find a volunteer place of service in our community that fits your skills and passion. Or you can call the United Way (850-545-4805) for information about the needs of our community and places where you can serve.

Or you can look around at the needs of our city and start a whole new initiative. Several years ago, I had the privilege of working with three other Tallahasseeans who recognized our city’s need for both afford- able and high quality medical care. We founded a new non-profit corporation, invited others to join us, and Capital Health Plan, now recognized as one of the best health care plans in the nation, came into existence. We did not just say that our city needed a better way of delivering medical care and hope that somebody would do something. We went to work.

Has God helped you to recognize a need in our city that is not being filled? Can you be Tallahassee’s Ne- hemiah in taking the leadership to fill that need?

I do not know about you, but I, too frequently, find myself doing one of two things: either looking the other way so that I do not have to see a need (what wall?), or just “talking about” the need (somebody needs to fix this wall) instead of “letting the work begin.”

So I invite you to join with me in following the example of Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem in both seeing the need and “letting the work begin” through our church and/or our community organizations!

Our gracious God, we confess that we too often fail to use the gifted talents with which you have blessed us. Help us this day to find our places of service in our church and in our community and begin the exciting work of serving others in need as Jesus directed. Amen. ken boutwell Occupation: Co-founder and chair of board, MGT of America, Inc and Capital Health Plan

Education: BS, Mississippi State University, PhD, Economics, North Carolina State University

Service at First Baptist over the years: Budget and personnel committees, Teacher, Representative Assembly, Florida Cooperative Baptist

Service in Community over the years: • Board chair and campaign chair, United Way, • Board chair, Florida Association of Volunteer Action in the Caribbean • Board and Treasurer, Community Foundation of North Florida • Co-founder and co-chair of Choose Tallahassee • Lifetime Leadership award by Leadership Tallahassee day 17 COMMITMENT TO COMMON GOOD

Nehemiah 2:18 (ESV) And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

A common good is a good which benefits society as a whole, as opposed to a private good which only benefits individuals and particular sections of society. In Jerusalem, the common good was manifested by the city walls, a source of protection for all within them from danger and derision. The common good of a wall was going to be constructed by a group of uncommon people. The people who God used to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem did not all come from the same walk of life. In fact, some of them were powerful leaders who had to humble themselves greatly in order to take part in the manual labor of servants. But upon hearing of God’s hand on Nehemiah and of the divine favor that was given him through King Artaxerxes blessing, they all knew that they had to rise above their differences in order to help him accomplish this important work for the common good of the city.

At times it is very difficult to determine exactly what the common good is...especially when you have multiple ideas, opinions, experiences, and personalities colliding in times of decision. In times of crisis, like Nehemiah’s first days back in the city, it is pretty easy to figure out what needs should be pursued first. Safety, shelter, water, food, and clothing...but what about in other times? What about in other places? What about in Tallahassee? How do we seek to do the common good?

Gabe Lyons, author of the book Next Christians talks about a phrase that all people in the world should be able to agree on...a phrase that could help us find a beginning point of pursuing the common good. Lyons says that we would all agree “that the world OUGHT NOT be this way.” That mindset doesn’t just apply to Christians...it would apply to all people. And so just as Nehemiah recognized that one of the primary tasks that needed to take place was the rebuilding of the wall, those of us seeking the common good in Tallahassee should be able to agree on a few priorities as well. Safety, shelter, sustainence...these are just three issues that followers of Jesus and non-believers could agree on. And when God leads the church to pursue the common good (not just what may be good for the church) we get to see a picture of grace and redemption.

God was leading Nehemiah to return to a city, secure a city, and then restore a city, and He specifically equipped Nehemiah for the task. The first thing that God did for Nehemiah was to have His hand on his life. Literally it was the gracious presence of God’s strength and power that Nehemiah was depending on and living in. The second thing God did for Nehemiah was to give him favor with others (especially non- believers), who would be extremely important in helping to complete the task for the common good. God used a pagan king and his resources to help rebuild a city precious to God and His people. God showed Nehemiah His favor and gave Nehemiah favor in the eyes of others. The favor this man experienced in his life became a catalyst of encouragment that he shared with his fellow workers as they joined together to build the wall.

So what is the common good for Tallahassee? What things do you see on a regular basis that make you say, “That ought not be that way”? If a person, an issue, a need comes to your mind pretty quickly, it could be a good possibility that God has uniquely positioned you to respond to that need, just as He called Nehemiah to respond to the need of his city. As you take part in bringing God’s redemption to our city, you not only help the common good, but many times you will be given favor in the eyes of others and an opportunity to share why it is you are doing what you are doing. As we encourage those around us in working together for the common good, we can encourage them in laboring for the eternal. And whether those we serve are followers of Jesus or not, we can still show them a glimpse of redemption as we walk in the good works that God has already planned for us (Ephesians 2:10), and as we see the common good come to fruition, we can point people past ourselves and to our Father in Heaven (Mat- thew 5:16).

God our Father, everything good in us comes from You. We praise You for forming us in Your image and giving us the ability and desire to do good in this world. Lead us to consider the good of all over our personal gain, humble our hearts so that we may joyfully serve those who are different from us in order to pursue the common good for our city, and embolden us to share Your good news . george feijoo George is a graduate of Florida State University’s Actuarial Science program and has recently begun working towards his Master’s in Business Administration. He currently works full-time for the State of Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, part-time as a worship leader with the First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, and all-the-time as a husband to his wife, Samantha. day 18 GETTING ORGANIZED AND TAKING ACTION!

Nehemiah 3:1-5 (NIV) Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.

The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.

Nehemiah organizes them into teams by family group to do works. They served together using their skills and gifts for a common task.

Do you have a dream waiting to be realized? Have you taken action toward fulfilling your dream or is it just a dream? Remember nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:26-38). But what can we do to turn dreams into reality? Let’s learn from Nehemiah.

Nehemiah had a dream to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, certainly not an easy task. He organized workers into teams by family group, and they served together using their skills and gifts for a common cause. His dream became a reality through getting organized and taking action!

Organizing and taking action are not always easy. Often times we are stifled by roadblocks that seem to be in the way. Therefore, start by understanding what obstacles are standing between you and your dream. Do you have some “not so good feelings” such as fear, anxiety, doubt, inadequacy, or fallibility about realizing your dream? Are you distracted by daily routines? Are you procrastinating because lack of time, energy, resources, talent or a multitude of other reasons and excuses? It is important to spend some time identifying these obstacles, along with available resources, and your desires to overcome these roadblocks.

Once your needs and resources are identified, it is time to develop a plan. How do you keep this plan manageable? One way of keeping plans manageable is to divide each plan into small, manageable tasks or actionable steps and to set realistic goals. Keep a “to-do” list. Writing everything down that you need to accomplish will free up the energy required to remember them all. Best of all, It is a great feeling when you accomplish them - you can enjoy the satisfaction of crossing them off your list and know you are getting closer to fulfilling your dream.

Categorize and prioritize your “to-do” list to meet your goals. Set priority by ranking the importance and the urgency of each task. Also, make God’s priority, your priority. Allow God to reign over your heart and make him a full partner of your life.

Taking action is the next step. Determine where to start, select the time and choose a method. Avoid feeling overwhelmed by devoting a small chunk of time (even 15-30 minutes a day). Celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how insignificant it seems. Also, you don’t have to do everything yourself. Learn to delegate and empower others to share their gifts and talents. It is a chance for fellowship and to share the joy of seeing dreams come true. Last but not least, on this journey, prepare yourself for experiences that will stir your emotions - both the good and the bad. Learn to control your emotions; they can make or break your progress toward success. For Nehemiah, it must have been frustrating when Tokoa’s nobles would not cooperate and do the work under their supervisors (v. 5). Do you allow people or circumstances to dictate your feelings? In other words, do you allow your emotions to control you or do you control your emotions? However difficult it is to control your emotions, these feelings are yours. You are the only one who possesses the power to control them!

To summarize, it is not always easy to organize and take action to realize your dreams. We discussed five steps that will make it easier:

1. Understand what stands between you and your dream. 2. Have a plan (categorize and prioritize needs and resources). 3. Set small, manageable goals. 4. Take the first step and involve others. 5. Control your emotions.

Our time on earth is finite. Every day of our lives is a gift from God. How do we use our time to honor and to bless God? A friend shared a posting on Facebook about the three simple rules in life: 1. If you do not go after what you want, you will never have it. 2. If you do not ask, the answer will always be no. 3. If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place.

After all, a dream is just a dream. You can turn dreams into reality by getting organized and taking action! Ask God to help and be prepared to be amazed at the results!

Dear Heavenly Father, we know you have a purpose for each of us, and you have blessed us with resources, abilities and talents. Help us realize that you are all we need and to have confidence that you will provide. Guide us as we get organized and take action to realize your purposes for each one of us. ying “mai” kung Mai is a Registered Nurse and a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is a full-time faculty member at the Florida State University College of Nursing, and she practices part-time with the Havana Health and Wellness Center. She received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Florida, a Post-Master’s Nurse Educator Certificate from Florida State University, a Master’s in Nursing Degree and a Master’s in Public Health Degree from Emory University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She serves as the chair of the Havana Health and Wellness Center, a non-profit organization to improve access to healthcare in the town of Havana, Florida. She is a member of FBC and a part of the FBC International Ministry. day 19 BIBLE DOERS

Nehemiah 3:1-5 (NIV) Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.

The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baa- na also made repairs. The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.

The third chapter of Nehemiah begins by listing the specific areas that each family constructed. We are inclined to quickly skim through the unfamiliar names as we read the seemingly inconsequential construction checklist. However, let us pause and think for a moment. Nehemiah decided it was important to showcase the work of the different families and how they each contributed to the building of the wall; therefore, let us learn from this example of God’s people working together, utilizing their gifts for the Kingdom.

Nehemiah, the priests, and the families have prayed and worshiped; now is the time to be doers. The priests begin by building the gate; then Nehemiah lists the family working on the adjoining section, then the next family working on the next section. Notice how each family group has built upon the work of another: “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). The people of Jerusalem built, repaired, and strengthened the work of others for the purpose of building their wall. What a picture of working together toward a unified purpose, and what a blessing that we are able to work as individual members of the body to build the Kingdom!

Each of these families was assigned a specific area of the wall, presumably according to their gifts. Props to Nehemiah for organizing the families according to their gifts, but glory be to God for giving each individual unique traits and gifts: “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:4-6). Glory be to God for the uniqueness He has bestowed upon each of us! Now begs the question: what are we going to do with the gifts He has given to us?

We’ve seen how the people of Israel worked together, utilizing their God-given gifts for the city of Jerusa- lem and the kingdom of God. How can we apply this model to our lives at home, on campus, in the office, and for His Kingdom in Tallahassee? James 2:18-19 challenges us in this regard: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.’” We are spurred to live out our faith moment by moment, step by step, day in and day out. This picture of living out our faith is as varied as the lives of each member of the body. We can show His love by serving and mentoring in Sabal Palms Elementary. We can go and make disciples during Go Week on FSU’s campus. We can show God’s mercy to our families. We can study His Word and pray for His wisdom as we make choices and decisions in our lives. We share the gospel in the metropolises of South Asia and the jungles of Brazil. We can actively take what we learn in our Bible study groups and share it with our neighbors in Tallahassee. We can each continually, with encouragement from our brothers and sisters, work in and for the Kingdom of God. Dear Lord, I pray that we can live out our faith by being Your hands and feet, utilizing the gifts You have given us, where You have placed us. I thank you for giving us Your Son to forgive us, and Your Spirit to dwell in us so that we might be made Holy in Your image. I pray that we can live according to what your disciple James says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” I pray that we can love and serve your people in the city of Tallahassee for your glory and your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen. claire aguda Claire is an advisor at FSU, pursuing a Master’s degree in Sociocultural and International Development Education at FSU. She is involved in Young Adults Ministry, Music Ministry (Chamber Players and Praise Team), and Children’s Ministry. day 20 KINGDOM WORK

Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV) “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

This passage from Matthew’s gospel is a challenging message to hear and to heed for a follower of Jesus Christ. What I believe the bottom line message of this passage is that we are, indeed, our brother’s (and sister’s) keeper! In this passage, we truly are charged by Jesus to provide for the poor and needy. Yes, it may be unpleasant work, and difficult to perform at times. However, we do need to develop within us a mind of Christ, a worldview that is based on the Kingdom of God, so that we can see with spiritual discernment the people we encounter as we go through our day. When we recognize those who are in need, and respond with generosity, love and care, we are serving “The Kingdom of God”.

I think another key message for us in this passage, one that may slip by if we aren’t careful to notice, is the issue of motivation. Do we serve others because we see Jesus in them, hoping to “get some heaven points” or do we want to help meet their needs simply because of our love, care and concern for them. In other words, do we respond to the needs of others in order to please Jesus, hoping for a good seat at the table of heaven, or do we serve out of obedience, love, and care, with a pure motive and no thought of a heavenly reward?

One question that hits to the heart of the matter is “Lord, when did we see you hungry…?” I’m confident that if the people had seen Jesus hungry, they would have fed Him. They knew Jesus, they wanted to assist and help Jesus. But I wonder if these same characters see the “least of these” who are hungry and needy, would they turn away? They might help Jesus, hoping to impress and comfort Him. For the lowly poor, with no chance of return on their investment, these same “people of righteousness” would turn away. Do we turn away?

I believe that the challenge for us is to be able to develop the ability to see past the worldly values of our culture and society, and learn to truly look at a person and see through to their soul. A first impression of outside appearances does not tell the real story of a person; however, when we see them through “Kingdom vision,” we can get a greater sense of their need. Yes, there are immediate needs such as hunger, thirst, clothing, illness, and incarceration. But there are also other great needs, such as spiritual hunger and thirst, an attitude that is sick and damaged, and incarceration by addiction. As believers of Christ, we have the privilege of being the hands and feet of the Great Physician. With a desire to serve others, and with “Kingdom vision,” we can better diagnosis the needs and solutions to the problems and challenges faced by those in our community.

Where do we see these in our community? There are needs everywhere, and all around us. In the upper classes of wealth and affluence, there are people with needs. On the other end of the spectrum, there are poor, hungry and homeless folks wandering the streets of downtown Tallahassee, just outside our church doors. In a world and culture such as ours, the needs are great. Where do you fit in? What can you do to meet the needs of the people in our community? Are you someone who turns away, or are you willing ask God to help you see others through “Kingdom vision” in order to assess the needs that they may be struggling with?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:7, “As you go, preach this message, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near.’” People with needs are all around us. We need not take a detour from our usual routine; simply, “as we go” we can be aware and alert to how help. When we do this unto the least of these, we are doing this for Jesus.

Lord, thank you for a new day and opportunities to serve you. I pray that you will help me to see the world as you do. Help me to understand the needs and issues that people are struggling with. I pray that you will use me to be your hands and feet. For my desire is to not only be a speaker and hearer of the Word…but a doer. jennifer hendrix Hendrix is a graduate of Samford University, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Texas A&M University. She moved to Tallahassee from Washington, DC in 2007 because of a rotational transfer policy with her employer and has been a member of FBC Tallahassee for 5 years. Jennifer is involved in the Young Adult and Music Ministries at FBCTLH and has recently returned from her fourth mission trip to Haiti since the earthquake in 2010. day 21 WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

Luke 10:29-37 (ESV) “But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’”

Whenever I hear anyone say “neighbor,” a man in a red sweater, tossing his whites shoes in the air as he takes them off, comes to my mind. Of course, this vivid mental picture is accompanied by the tune, “Won’t you please? Please won’t you be my neighbor?” What we learn from Luke’s precious Scripture passage is that this Fred Rogers’ tune is actually the cry of the world. It’s the loud cry of Tallahassee.

Jesus’ parable of the weary traveler and Good Samaritan, all stemmed from the righteous question of one lawyer, “And who is my neighbor?” During this time it was common social etiquette for others to prove themselves to be a neighbor. Only the righteous considered other righteous people their neighbors, completely relying upon social rank. When my husband and I moved into our new neighborhood, I found myself wondering about my new neighbors and if they would follow the classic movie line of offering us cookies and other treats. But to my stomach’s dismay, none of this happened. No one even said “hello” as we excitedly moved in as newlyweds. No one even says a brief “hi” now in the morning as we drink our coffees on the way to work. This is where we are today. Many of us don’t even know the names of the people next door, as both parties are fine with living private lives, only calling our friends - whom we choose – neighbors, much like the viewpoint of the righteous lawyer asking the question.

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was rough, to say the least. It was a seventeen-mile, rocky, winding descent of over three thousand feet. It was known for being quite dangerous as thieves regularly executed the very act we see take place. A traveler of this road was robbed of all his money, brutally beaten, stripped down to nothing, and left for dead. A priest walked by and did nothing, and a Levite walked by and did nothing. Levites were known to have assisted the priests within the temple during this time, and yet - they both chose not to help. Perhaps, as they heard the traveler’s soft moans, they assumed him unable to be helped and soon to be dead. Perhaps, after performing the rituals needed before going to the temple, they didn’t want to become unclean again. But what I see is myself. This was a dangerous path. How many times on how many other days did people walk by and do nothing for the beaten and broken? How many times have I, in the mornings, ignored everyone around me as I traveled to work, focused upon my hot coffee not spilling inside my car?

We have to stop overlooking the hurt of this world and ignoring the people who are suffering. Today, we are surrounded by insurmountable pain. My parents always taught me to be slow to anger, as I didn’t know the burdens others were going through. And I’ve found another line to go with these words of wisdom: find out their burdens. Does our Lord and Savior not say, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”? Our only purpose in this life is to be a Great Commission church, as shown in Matthew 28:16-20. It’s time for us to step out of our comfort zones, like the Samaritan, and present the only hope in this world to those who are hurting. The Samaritan was a man who risked a lot traveling the road to Jericho. He, like others, risked thieves, and - being a Samaritan - he also risked the hostility of other travelers. He carried a first aid kit of oil and wine, depicting the danger of this path. Wine was used as an antiseptic and oil for soothing and healing. The Samaritan also carried two day’s wages with him: two denarii. This money is all he had on his person, and yet he gave it all to the broken man left on the side of the road, ignored by many. Many times I see people bring the hurting and the homeless into the front office of the church. They quickly leave them there and they go on with their day knowing that that person will receive help, which is true. But, aren’t we the body of the church? Why do we bring the broken to others when we can give all that we have? Because many of us see it as too much - too much time, pressure, money, emotion….

It’s time to start getting involved with all that we have. But isn’t that risking a lot to get physically, emotionally, and spiritually involved with everyone around you who you see hurting? Yes. But we’ve been given two precious gifts by our God. The first is that He is allowing your heart to break for what breaks His; He is allowing you to see the hurt, the hunger, and the pain. This pain you see is the invitation to step up and help. The second gift is that He has supplied the answer for the entire world’s burdens: His Son, Jesus Christ. Let us display compassion and intentional intensive care to the needs of the world - to our neighbors.

So who exactly is your neighbor? Read Matthew 25:35-45.

Anyone who is in need is your neighbor. Now is the time to answer the call Christ has demanded of us here in Luke 10, even two thousand years later. It’s time to rise up together as the hands, feet, and heart of Christ—intentionally acting out His love by being an Acts 1:8 Great Commission church.

Precious and Holy Father… You alone are gracious, holy, and perfect. Thank You for allowing us, as constant and repetitive sinners, to be saved by You alone. Please open our hearts and eyes to the call You have set before us all within Your perfect Scriptures. Lord, please give us conviction to act today. Give us the courage to no longer be of this world. Abba, break us. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours, Lord. Allow us to see the pain and the beauty of our neighbors all around Tallahassee. Please make opportunities evident to help with the gifts and resources You have blessed us with. Thank you, Lord, for these convictions. Please keep convicting us each moment, pushing us to give our love through action in Your holy name. Amen. sidney webb Sidney is the College and Youth Assistant here at FBC. Sidney graduated from FSU in 2011 and is currently in her second year at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She was recently married in March to Eric Webb, a second year medical student at FSU’s College of Medicine. day 22 STANDING FIRM IN THE FACE OF RIDICULE

Nehemiah 2:19-20 (NIV) But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?” I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

No one likes to look foolish or ineffective but that is most often the goal of ridicule. Immediately upon Nehemiah’s moving forward with what God had put in his heart to do, rebuilding the walls around Je- rusalem (v. 12), he was confronted by the city’s hostile neighbors – Sanballat to the north, Tobiah to the east , and Geshem to the south. While Jerusalem was without walls, it was vulnerable to its greedy and power-hungry neighbors; however, a fortified city would be a threat to them. Therefore, they had to stop the rebuilding program. This first attack on Nehemiah and the Israelites is called by various names in the different translations of the Bible – mocked, scoffed contemptuously, laughed, despised, jeered, disdained – but they all boil down to the same thing: ridicule.

History has repeatedly shown that when God’s people attempt to fulfill His desires, they will almost certainly draw opposition from those who do not understand or are threatened by God’s plan. The Bible says that all who desire to live godly lives in this world will be persecuted (I Timothy 3:12). The opposition that we face may be more subtle than those aimed at Nehemiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Being excluded, ignored, patronized or laughed at, sometimes even from within the body of Christ, may tempt us to downplay our faith or compromise our stand on certain issues. But, in Isaiah 54:17, the Lord tells us that “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me.” When we claim this promise and stand firm in whose we are, as in the example of Nehemiah, we can deflect these words intended to stop God’s plan from being effective.

Any time God’s people say, “let’s rise up and build,” there will be a Sanballat or Tobiah or Geshem who will appear and ridicule in an attempt to stop us from doing what God has put in our hearts to do. We need to be prepared to respond to this opposition as Nehemiah did. He let them know from whom he received his “marching orders,” the God of Heaven Himself. Then he told the enemies that they had no legal right, inheritance or position over Jerusalem, its people, or its worship. In other words, what was going on in Jerusalem was none of their business. It was not even the king’s business. It was all about God’s business, and it would be accomplished.

In his book, The Source of My Strength, Charles Stanley offers four keys to dealing with opposition. • First, keep our eyes on the Lord. When we focus on Him, He can reveal more of Himself and His plan to us. Also, we are not distracted by the things of the world that would get in the way of our accomplishing what He has put in our hearts to do. • Second, ask the Lord to strengthen and sustain us, to keep us from becoming discouraged or fearful, and to show us how we must respond to the ridicule so that He receives glory and honor. • Third, we need to recognize that we are fighting a spiritual battle. The opposition is aimed at God’s cause or God’s work and needs to be dealt with in a spiritual manner. In Ephesians 6:10-11, Paul tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” • Fourth, we are to keep looking for the victory, never losing sight of the goal, the reason we are being subjected to ridicule. Jesus taught: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and false- ly say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, made a very meaningful statement that summarizes the thoughts of Nehemiah in this situation: “Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the Truth’s sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.”

Father, may we, like Nehemiah, stand firm in the face of ridicule and opposition. Help us to remember that we serve in Your name and in Your strength and that the work we are about is Your work. May everything that we do be done to bring glory to You and You alone. Amen. linda barineau smith Linda was born in and has lived most of her life in Tallahassee. She attended FSU and retired from the City of Tallahassee in 2001. She has been married to Bill Smith for 51 years, and they have three grown children and six grandchildren. She has been a member of First Baptist since 1985. She is involved in leading a Wednesday night women’s Bible study and the Career Women’s Sunday School class in the SingleFocus department. She also sings in both the Sanctuary and First Joy choirs and participates in mission opportunities through Women on Mission and Builders for Christ. day 23 BELITTLED OR MOTIVATED?

Nehemiah 4:1-8 (NIV) When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”

Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.

So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.

Have you ever been in a situation where the odds never seemed to be in your favor? Your natural reaction is typically to back away from the situation and give up, right? Over the past year, I have had the privilege to volunteer with a wonderful organization: The Miracle League. It’s a program for both children and adults with special needs to play baseball. It’s such a humbling experience to watch these players - who don’t fit the social norm “mold” - never give up and work to succeed in a sport that is harder for them to play. That beautiful encouraging spirit reminds me a lot of Nehemiah.

In the first three verses of this passage, all the hard work being put into rebuilding the wall was being ridiculed and mocked by Sanballat and Tobiah the Ammonite. Who likes being mocked? (If you just answered yes to this question, you might want to go talk to Dr. Shiell.) Being made fun of is not a bunch of roses. In fact, it is something we typically fear the most, and that fear can be what cripples us the most. That’s one of the rewards of working with the Miracle League players; they don’t let their disabilities cripple them from succeeding in the task they are given: “...all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Inevitably we will face adversity, but it’s how we choose to handle it that is the real test.

How did Nehemiah deal with it? He simply prayed. We are imperfect, which is all the more reason why we need to seek our perfect Heavenly Father for guidance. The power of prayer has a way of encouraging and giving us the endurance we need. After Nehemiah prayed, they continued building the wall with all their hearts. They were discouraged and faced with opposition but by continually seeking the Lord, they found encouragement.

When you face opposition, how do you normally deal with it? Are you like a turtle that sees adversity and immediately hides in its shell, or are you like the players of Miracle League who don’t let their disabilities and fear of striking out stop them from playing the game? “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). When we lack perseverance, we cannot fully succeed at the task at hand. Nehemiah was a man who preserved and sought to bring a change for the better even if that meant being mocked throughout the process. He chose the road less traveled. It can be hard to try to change. It is easy to stay in our safe bubble and not want to leave it. Why is that? Because it’s familiar and comfortable. As Christians, we need to make every one of our steps intentional. We were not called to sit around and do nothing all day; we were called to serve the Lord. That is exactly what Nehemiah did. He saw a need, and he met it even when he was faced with opposition. Go out into the city this week and display perseverance through all the tasks you are given. Complete them with all your heart (James 1:2)!

How wonderful and magnificent you are Lord. I am so thankful for your word and the life that it brings. I pray that this week I will be able make a change in my city. I pray that I will fulfill each task I am given to completion just as Nehemiah did, even if that means having to go through strife. I want the city of Tallahassee to see you through me. hannah singletary Hannah is beginning her sophomore year at Tallahassee Community College. Throughout her time in Tallahassee, she has been blessed through her connection with the College Ministry at First Baptist. She looks forward to more opportunities to serve. day 24 CONFRONTATION

Nehemiah 4:1-9b (NIV) When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble – burned as they are?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building – if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!” Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God…

This short passage of eight and a half verses in Nehemiah tells a very important story about Nehemiah himself, but it also has an even more important message to Christians in the world of today. First, let’s look at five things this passage shows us about Nehemiah: 1. He prayed first before doing anything. 2. He was not afraid to be honest with God. 3. After God’s message was clear to him, he took action. 4. He continued to be obedient to what God had impressed upon him to do – even in the midst of ridicule, criticism and “naysayers.” 5. He did not confront his opponents in anger – he just continued to pray.

Nehemiah was confronted by opposition from the powerful Sanballat the Horonite (location unknown for certain but probably in region of Samaria), Tobiah the Ammonite (Sanballat’s supportive colleague from east of the Jordan River), the Arabs (descendants of Abraham through Ishmael), the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites. (Ashdod was an ancient Philistine city west of Jerusalem on the Mediterranean coast.) In other words, most of the neighboring people groups surrounding Jerusalem were in opposition to the Jewish inhabitants and apparently did not like anything that they did. That sounds very similar to the current situation in the Middle East today, doesn’t it? Nehemiah’s prayer (v. 4 – 5) is what some have considered to be aggressively hostile – neither polite nor kind (basically asking God to have them overthrown and to not forgive their sins). However, the most important thing here is that he shared his deepest thoughts, pain, anger, and was totally honest with God. He wanted the enemy to be punished; even though he gave some “suggestions” about what he hoped God would do, he knew that how God dealt with these troublemakers was God’s decision, not his. After Nehemiah shared his understandable frustration about these critics with God, he continued on with the job that God had given him to do while the enemy “watched.” Those who were opposing Nehemiah (and the Jewish workers) became even angrier and threatened to attack and prevent the walls from being rebuilt. Scripture does not indicate that Nehemiah or any of the Jewish workers spoke to these troublemakers at all – they just kept working openly. And then they did one other thing: We prayed to our God…

What can we learn from Nehemiah? Even though he lived about 2,500 years ago, there are some “solid gold nuggets” that we can glean from these eight and a half verses that instruct us about how to react to ridicule, criticism, and downright hostility. Many people in our world societies today are becoming more and more outspoken about – and much less tolerant of – any beliefs that are contrary to theirs. Uncompromising Christ-followers are the targets of many of these people because we worship and serve the triune God and no other, which is perceived by many non-Christians to be very narrow and exclusive. As we look closely at the unwavering character that Nehemiah demonstrated, some of those “solid gold nuggets” become obvious – and by God’s grace can become a part of OUR character also.

1. Ask God to make Him our default – when things are going well and when they are not. As Nehemiah did, we can learn to pray first. Jesus spent much time alone with His Father, and in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul admonished the believers in Thessalonica to “pray continually” (a running conversation that goes on throughout our waking hours with no perceptible beginning or end). 2. When we talk [pray] with God, we should ask God to help us be completely honest with Him. Ne- hemiah spoke from his heart, and his words were NOT holy-sounding, pious words. After he told God of his frustration, anger, and desire to have disaster befall his opponents, the verse immediately following indicates that during his honest prayer something happened that enabled Nehemiah personally to move forward and to lead the people to accomplish what God had called them to do: “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” 3. Ask God to teach us how to react and respond as Nehemiah did when confronted by opposition, criticism, ridicule, and when downright mean and hateful things are said. When he was mocked, he did not shout back or trade barbs – he turned to God. Frankly, prayer is not always the first thing we think of when we have been wronged – planning a counterattack may be much more to our liking. But Nehemiah prioritized honest conversations with God and was therefore empowered to overcome the natural human tendency to “treat others as they are treating you” (or worse!). 4. Ask God to help us have the uncompromising resolve to follow God’s leading that Nehemiah exhib- ited – even though mocked, shunned, and made fun of. Nehemiah, like many other Biblical heroes, made conversation with God a priority, and therefore was able to have “eyes to see and ears to hear,” so he could follow Him in the midst of the inevitable storms of life. 5. Join God in a continual conversation with Him – the One who knows us best and loves us most!

Father, as we reflect on the message that comes to us from 2,500 years ago through Nehemiah, we realize that it is a relatively simple message and one that Jesus taught through word and deed: “…apart from me you can do nothing.” May our decision today be “yes, Lord” – and may we ask you personally to teach us how to have a “running dialogue” with you every day. Amen. joan w. cassels OCCUPATION: Retired from Florida State University (International Programs); Former teacher of Spanish, Humanities, and Art History at Lincoln High School

SCHOOLS ATTENDED: Leon High School, Florida State University

FBC: Personnel Committee, Associate Teacher in Adult III

COMMUNITY: Boards of: TurnAbout, Center for Biblical Studies, North Florida Chapter of National Parkinson Foundation (Vice President) day 25 GUARDING THE WALLS

Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

In Nehemiah 4:1-8, we see the Israelites doing God’s work. While they were working, confrontation rose from those who opposed the Lord. When it comes to practical application, I think it goes without saying how we can apply this situation to our lives.

As we walk with the Lord there will be those who oppose God and will try and trip us up. We are reminded in Ephesians 6:12-13 that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Our struggles and confrontations are more than just earthly difficulties, but are part of an on-going spiritual battle. Well, what should we do?

Paul tells us that we are to take on the full armor of God. We all have weaknesses and temptations. Some struggle with greed or lust, as well as purity or loving unconditionally - the list goes on. In Nehemiah, where there were breaks in the wall, they fixed them. We have breaks in our spiritual walls, and they need some fixing, too. We also need to consider the areas where we may not struggle as much. Are we still guarding them? It is easy to set up defenses in the areas where we are tempted most, but we also don’t want to leave an easy target for the enemy because we did not cover ourselves fully. Putting on the full armor of God means we are covering our whole bodies with the presence of the Lord. We must be cautious to not adopt an attitude that we are above a certain sin or temptation.

The easiest way to guard ourselves completely is to obey God. Be intentional about putting on the armor of God. Ephesians 6:14-17 encourages us “to gird your loins with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, put on the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.” We also should be in a habit of reading His word and praying daily. Be involved in His body of believers; God calls us to come together as believers to sing His praises and fellowship together. In Hebrews 10:25, we are reminded to “not forsak[e] our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” You will find that if you are walking in obedience with the Lord, it becomes easier to fully cover yourself with His presence. It is when we try and “half” obey that our walls start to crumble, leaving us exposed. Let us also take comfort in knowing that “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Ps. 34:7-8). The Lord is good; He is sovereign. When we take our refuge in Him, we do not need to worry about fighting battles on our own because He fights them for us!

Romans 8: 31, 35-39 If God is for us, who is against us? Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Father, I come to you, humbling myself, asking that you would reveal areas in my life I may have left unguarded. I also ask that you would help me to walk with you daily, putting on the armor of God. Father, I take refuge in you today. Amen. grace tacquard Grace is working on a Master’s in Social Work at Florida State University, and she interns in the FBC College Ministry. day 26 GETTING TO YES

Ephesians 3:16-21 (ESV) ...that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Paul ends the first half of his letter to the church in Ephesus with this prayer, or doxology. Paul wants us to see that our strength and power is not our own and not something that we can create ourselves. It is given and granted to us by God, just as he says one chapter before in Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He met with the disciples and told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait. In Acts 1:8, we see a similar statement made by Jesus about power and the fullness of God: “And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” This is the power of Christ, available to all who follow Him, and it is a power that can accomplish far more than what we could ever imagine. So is there a way to seek this power, to see the Holy Spirit moving and working in this city and in the hearts and lives of our church and the lost in our community?

About a year ago, I was listening as a fellow believer faithfully prayed that the Lord would save every person on FSU’s campus. In my sinful unbelief, I thought to myself, “no way that can happen” - knowing the darkness found on college campuses and in every school today. And I caught myself, or more likely, the Holy Spirit caught me and questioned my unbelief similar to how God questions Job and asks him to “man up” in Job 38 after Job questions God. (A very encouraging chapter centered on God’s power and sovereignty.) My unbelief and finite perspective is infinitely trumped by God’s infinite wisdom and sovereignty. God can save every student at FSU, and every lost person in our Tallahassee community: “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15). We see that God uses His people to bring the great news of a perfect Savior to the world, and it is by His Spirit alone that we can.

So back to the question of how, it must begin with immersing ourselves in God’s Word and being in unceasing and mission-filled prayer for God to move in and through us; and lastly, to battle the unbelief of our hearts and pray for His power to come and fill us and to use us for His glory and the furthering of His kingdom. In the final verses of Ephesians 3, we see a benediction we have all heard, even one that Dr. Shiell has used. Some believe it is a benediction that Paul is singing or shouting. He sees, just as we should, that the power of God over the church and the love of God for the church are immeasurably more than we can imagine. This is what we should rest; whatever we imagine as the ideal and ultimate thing that we as FBC can do, God says, “I can and will do immeasurably more.” God has shown me that He can do immeasurably more than I can imagine. He has placed me in an unusual situation where there are a large number of Christian medical students to serve alongside, and many Christian faculty and doctors to be mentored by. This is an encouragement to me to trust God and know that He is always with us, the only provider of joy, our only sustainer, the One who does all things for our good, even if we cannot see from our perspective. Paul had full confidence in God, despite being shipwrecked, persecuted, beaten and almost stoned to death. Paul knew that God was sovereign over it all, and 300 years after the beginning of Paul’s missionary journeys, some historians have said that 52% (or 31.5 million people) of the Roman empire claimed the name of Christ.

Father in heaven, high and lifted up, with the name above all names, may this kind of faith, this kind of witness, and this kind of salvation happen in this city, in this nation, and in this world, immeasurably more than we could ever imagine. May we seek to know and trust you more, to give all of who we are to you, and to never look back to the temporal and material things of this earth that never satisfy. I pray that we as a church would daily be strengthened with your power and to be bold in our schools, homes, workplaces, and places where we serve, to proclaim the name of Christ. I pray that we would hold fast to your Word, and to seek to do Your will and with every breath we have to bring You glory, knowing that You can do immeasurably more in us and through us than we could ever imagine. Amen. eric webb Eric is a graduate of Florida State University, currently beginning his second year in the College of Medicine. He recently married Sidney Webb; they are involved in the young married group and were previously college interns at FBC Tallahassee. day 27 PRACTICE MAKES DISCIPLES

Philippians 4:9 (ESV) What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

1 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

I enjoy playing the piano. All those lessons from Penny Folsom really paid off. You could not pull anything over on her, though. She always knew when I had not practiced enough that week. Posture, hand position, scales, reading music, playing through a song until it was second nature. I know, I know - Practice makes Perfect!

Paul often wrote to encourage us to become fully devoted disciples of Jesus. His strategy to get there is to practice all that God has taught to be and do. And all of a sudden I am a little girl at piano lessons – except this time it is Practice makes Disciples!

This phrase begs three questions: 1) Just what is a disciple? 2) How do I practice being one?, and 3) Why practice?

The first thing I usually think of when I hear the word disciple, is Jesus’ closest associates while He was here on earth. I think of their stories in the Gospels - of each one’s personal relationship with Jesus.

But what about us? Just what is involved in being a disciple of Jesus?

In the Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word for a disciple is: mathétés (Math-ay-tes’) - (from math-, the “mental effort needed to think something through”) – properly, a learner; a disciple, a follower of Christ who learns the doctrines of Scripture and the lifestyle they require; someone catechized with proper instruction from the Bible with its necessary follow-through.

I love that this definition begins with the root word for “the mental effort needed to think something through.” The “something” that we are to “think through” comes from Jesus Himself. Consider how Jesus defined being a disciple in the following verses from the Gospel of John:

• In John 8:31- “If you ABIDE by my Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.” • In John 14:23- “If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP My Word and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” • In John 13:35- “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have LOVED (LOVE for) one another.” • In John 15:8- “By this My Father is glorified, that you BEAR MUCH FRUIT and so prove to be My disciples.”

A disciple of Jesus abides in His Word, keeps His Word, loves one another, and bears much fruit.

Now comes the practice. We have to open, read, and study the Bible on a daily basis. Transforming our mind to that of Christ’s so that it sets us free from self-centeredness. Having the Word inside, we then have to practice doing what it commands us to do – letting that Word inform the decisions that we make. We have to initiate acts of love as Jesus would, without the thought of anything in return. The results of faithfulness to the Word, obedience to what it says, and acting out in love should be spiritual fruit. We need to be experiencing the fruit described in Galatians 5:22-23, so that we know how to operate in it.

There is a lot to becoming a completely devoted disciple of Jesus. But it is worth it. Consider the promises that Jesus gives in the verses from John - We will be set free (John 8:31), He will come to us, and make His home with us (John 14:23), He will know us (John 13:35), we can glorify our God through Jesus Christ (John 15:8). And all it takes is practice!

Holy God, We praise Your Holy Name. Lord, we confess our sinful ways to you. Thank you for Your Mercy and Grace, through Your Son, that we do not deserve. Lord, help us gain the mental effort needed to think this through. Help us practice abiding in Your Word, learning and keeping Your Word and commandments, loving others, and bearing much fruit, so that you may fill us with the joy of the Holy Spirit and that our joy in You may be full! Give us grace and strength to be Your disciples and Your witnesses through our faithfully, diligent practice. For You, Oh Lord, Your name and Your Re- nown are the desires of our hearts. Through Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen. kerry shell Kerry is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice offering Play Therapy and Christian Counseling to children, adolescents, and college students. Kerry completed her undergraduate work at Samford University, and earned her Masters and Education Specialist Degrees from Florida State University. Kerry is a life-long member of FBC and is married to Lee Shell, FBC’s Director of Technical Ministries. You can find her singing with the Contemporary Service Praise Team and at the Monday Night Bible Study for young married adults. day 28 VISUALIZE THE CITY

Isaiah 65:17-25 (NIV) See, I will create a new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

Never again will there be in in an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food.

They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

Unfortunately, when it comes to drawing or painting, I am in the artistic category of “still haven’t pro- gressed past drawing stick figures.” My lack of artistic prowess is why I’m so amazed when I visit Wash- ington D.C.’s National Gallery of Art and behold the magnificent paintings of the great artists...Rem- brandt, Monet, Picasso, Da Vinci, Rodin, Rubens, and many others who capture our imagination.

It was at the Gallery where I first discovered an American artist, Edward Hopper. Born in 1882, he was raised in a strict Baptist home and is recognized today as “a brilliant creator of images.” His mysterious narratives of isolated figures and buildings have also been popular exhibits in the United States and else- where.

In An Ordered Neighborhood, Baylor University’s art history professor Heidi J. Hornik describes Hop- per’s uncanny ability to show the lonely individual against the backdrop of his hustling, bustling city of New York. She said Hopper “was intrigued with the City’s ability to isolate its inhabitants.” A biographer called him “the quintessential realist painter of twentieth century America...he portrayed the common- place and made the ordinary poetic.” Art curators still label his imagery as “lonely.”

Nighthawks (1942), considered Hopper’s most famous painting, has a life of its own in pop culture. With its film noir characteristics, the diner scene serves as the model for many tributes and parodies, including its recent use in the series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. “The figures, customers at late night eatery, are flooded by an eerie greenish light,” writes Avis Berman in Smithsonian Magazine, adding, “Like characters in a crime movie or existential novel, the figures seem trapped in a world that offers no escape.” While Hopper’s empty places, desolate landscapes, solitary figures, and metaphors for escape (trains, and highways) suggest loneliness, he was reluctant to discuss himself or his art and once bluntly told a group of journalists, “The man’s the work. Something doesn’t come out of nothing.” My hands are not artistic, but God has blessed me with an intense desire to write. As someone who passionately studies the craft and enjoys good writing, I identify with Hopper’s observation, “something doesn’t come out of nothing.” Patience is required to produce, regardless of the medium! I’m keenly interested in where does a story originate, how are the words used, the sentences structured, metaphors presented, and characters developed, but more importantly, how does it end?

Today’s devotional passage, Isaiah 65:17-25, offers us beautiful poetic writing and a well-crafted, happy ending, one believers can anticipate with joy. Although this passage lends itself to critical exegesis from biblical scholars well-versed in “eschatology,” it is great writing! Isaiah, as the poet, writes to stir the soul with hope in a faithful, loving God. His poetry enlists the hope of the people in building a better future.

Isaiah tells us that there will be “a new heaven and a new earth.” Former events will not be remembered, and the New Jerusalem will be a delight, with its people a joy and God blessing them. Isaiah’s vision, however, reaches out beyond time and into eternity. The writer sees not only a renewal of our earth, but a new creation. J. Alec Motyer, in The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary, points out that “Isaiah uses aspects of present life to create impressions of the life that is yet to come.” Centuries later, the Apostle John, in Revelation, reaffirms Isaiah’s vision to the churches, saying, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away....” (Revelation 21:1/KJV) Bottom line? When the drama has been played out, the curtain will rise on glories we can’t even imagine!

Just as Hopper once summed up the meaning behind his art by saying, “The whole answer is there on the canvas,” God’s truth is boldly imprinted on the canvas of our lives. We are a part of His creation, and when God redeems us, we are re-created and made new. He also calls us to be a part of making other things new. Happily, we still have work to do, heavenly work, right here!

Hopper died in 1967, but if he were alive today and visited Tallahassee, what would he paint? Would he isolate the old man seated on a downtown park bench, with Florida’s Capitol looming high above him? Would he portray the scruffy-looking young man, his eyes vacant, squatting on the sidewalk with his palm outstretched, dwarfed by the bank behind him? Or, would he let us peek in through a huge plate- glass window at the older woman in her office, still methodically checking e-mails, while two nighttime custodians vacuum around her? Or, perhaps he’d paint the teenaged girl in a wheelchair, purposely looking through the clown hawking brightly colored helium balloons, some garnet and gold? Here in Talla- hassee, Hopper would see the people we see every day and soon capture on canvas the same pervasive loneliness he once did in Greenwich Village.

As Christians, we’re fortunate that God has painted for us a beautiful picture of what will be. Regardless of how bad things might look now, we can fully trust that He has done everything to provide a happy ending to our life and our universe. Isaiah’s poetic message reminds us today of God’s beautifully-created visual, complete with a happy ending worth sharing with the lonely in our community.

God, we know that we are not living in the world you meant to create. But we know you are still at work, recreating and redeeming your creation. When we love, we join our lives with you who are making all things new. Your love is our only hope for a happy ending. Help us to love those in our beloved City who need to see this beautiful picture you have painted and know of your everlasting promise. bev demello Bev has a B.A. in Journalism/English from Baylor University; M.A. in Drama from the University of North Texas; M.P.A. in Public Administration from Florida State University. An assistant director at a state agency and active on various citizen advisory boards, Bev is also involved in the Tallahassee Little Theatre and Leadership Tallahassee. She now serves as a member of theTallahassee Democrat’s Citizen Advisory Editorial Board and recently won a Writer’s Digest award for her play, Prisoners of Hope. day 29 DOING JUSTICE

Micah 6:1-8 (NIV) Listen to what the Lord says:

“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say.

“Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.

“My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God

What is Biblical justice?

For the past eleven summers, I have had the privilege to go to Camp Crestridge for Girls in North Caroli- na at Ridgecrest while our son has been at the boys camp - Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. It has become the highlight of my school year being able to serve at camp for 2–4 weeks by playing the piano for their musical performance skill, chapel, and other things. I also have spoken in years past at the Sunday Service, helped with cabin devotions, helped drive, set up campwide activities and whatever else needs doing. I have loved investing in the college staffers and leadership as well as getting to know the campers through the years and have loved watching their faith in Christ grow.

This year the camp theme was “Not our own” and what a great theme it is for our lives as well. Our lives have been bought with a heavy price - and we are “not our own.” God has given us everything we need for life and relationships through His creation and His Word. It is we people who tend to get in the way. So we ask the question: How are we to live? Micah (one of the Old Testament Minor Prophets) lived in a time very similar to ours where the people had turned their backs on God who had taken such great care of them. Leaders at that time were taking advantage of the people and trying to get as much as possible—even killing—for their own pockets. Micah, in chapters 4 and 5 talked about future events, but now in Chapter 6 returns to the present day problem. He and God are holding court and God has called the mountains and the Earth as witnesses. He reminds His beloved people to remember His faithfulness to them and of His might and power. He is always there and never changes—He is waiting on us to stop living for ourselves and return to Him.

Micah 6:1-8 People, The Lord has told you what goodness is. This is what The Lord wants you to do. Be fair to other people, love kindness, live humbly with your God.

Biblical justice is : 1 - do to your neighbor (to anyone you come in contact with) what is fair and right. 2 - love kindness—be kind to all people. 3 - walk humbly with your God—live for Him and not ourselves.

Dr. Marvin Olasky, Editor in Chief of World Magazine and Provost of Kings College in NYC says, “The most important purpose of justice is to increase righteousness.” So those things that decrease faith in God and increase faith in “man” are unjust. We must keep that in mind as we go out serving and showing kindness—it is to show the love of Christ in all we do and say and never is about ourselves!

Think about how this will look in your life. At work, at school, at the grocery store, at the gas station, at a restaurant, on the street, in your neighborhood...... how do you treat others? Do people you come in contact with say you are “fair and kind”? Are we living for ourselves—I know we do most of the time—and what will it look like to live for Our Lord every day?

Dear Lord and Gracious Father, help us to live out these words from Micah. Today, help us to show fairness, love, and kindness to those you place in our path. Go before us and order our every step. For it is in Jesus’ Holy name we pray, Amen. laurie cox Laurie is married to Alan Cox (22 years) and mother to Lee Cox who is a senior at Chiles. Laurie teaches Physical Education at Roberts Elementary. She and Alan have taught college and high school students in Sunday school for 18 years but currently not teaching. Laurie is involved in the Women’s Ministry at First Baptist and attends a weekly women’s Bible Study (BSF). Laurie is also the daughter of Velma and Charles Lawson. day 30 CARING FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS

James 1:26-2:7 (TNIV) Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Sup- pose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishon- ored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

While living in India this past year, I was better able to understand some of the scriptures and the un- derlying cultural context, because I was living in a society that favored the culture that much of the Bible was written in. One aspect of the culture that I came to appreciate was the communal element. Much of the meaning in peoples’ lives was tied to others, and often in helping others. I was always surrounded by other people, and I experienced the intense community among Christians in my work and church family there.

I saw beggars on the trains and in the streets daily, children and crippled adults alike. There was always opportunity to reach out to the poor, the neglected, and the marginalized. I was surrounded by friendly neighbors of humble status and children with addictions in nearby slums. I was blessed to interact with young girls who had been rescued from human trafficking.

As I transition back to life in the U.S., I realize that I often need to actively seek out the poor, the lonely, and the marginalized to engage them. Our church’s partnership with Sabal Palm and the First Love initiative are great opportunities in our city to live out James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Volunteering at homeless shelters, nursing homes, and among other disadvantaged people are also great ways to care for the orphans and widows, and make your faith relevant in their lives. In reading James 1:26-2:7, I see God’s heart for these people, and how he wants us to care for them.

When we are consumed with serving the under-privileged, lonely and neglected and experiencing God’s heart, the riches and the world that would pollute us, as described in the scripture above, often seem less attractive and meaningless. I learned this year that the posture of our heart towards God in serving others is key. I think he wants us to remember our dependence on Him and how he has saved us, and serve others as an act of love for Him also, because he cares for them. In my experience, doing such a meaningful work while in fellowship with God brings true meaning and joy, and the fulfillment that we can only experience in doing what we were created to do. Dear Father, Help us to care about the things you care about, and to serve the orphans, widows, and others in need in our community. Help us to share our faith with them through actions and words. Let this be a labor of love for you, and thank you for your redemption in our lives. Amen. ashleigh davis Ashleigh is starting law school at UNC this month. She graduated from Auburn University last year. This past year she lived in India and served as an intern with International Justice Mission, a Christian human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression. day 31 LENDERS AND BORROWERS

Nehemiah 5:1-12 (NIV) Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.”

Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.”

Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”

When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”

“We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as y o u s a y.”

Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised.

Nehemiah worked to get people, especially widows, out of debt. What is our responsibility as lenders and borrowers to the common good?

There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen. (Nehemiah 5:1)

In Chapter 5 Satan tries yet another approach against Nehemiah and his people. Nehemiah has successfully handled the threatened attack from without (Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite and Gershem the Arab), but now he runs into a problem from within his own ranks. You may also have the same experience in your struggle to overcome some problem area of your life. You may run into family problems, pressures, or difficulties with those who work with you. Perhaps it might even be from other brothers and sisters in the Lord. In Nehemiah’s case it was a clash between the workers and the officials, the laborers and the overseers who were working on rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and gates.

To a great degree these were justified complaints. Due to a famine, many of the workers were heavily in debt. Nehemiah deals with them earnestly and forthrightly. He could not change the conditions, but he reveals the real problem – usury. Usury is charging interest for money that has been loaned – a common practice today. The Jews were allowed to practice usury with other races, but Moses said when Jews loaned money to other Jews, they were not to charge any interest. Nehemiah is upset by this practice and demands that it stop. This was more than a demand to end the practice of usury. He insisted on restitution as well. They must give back their unjust gains. Following the example of Nehemiah and stricken by their conscience, they knew from the Scriptures what they were doing was wrong. Consequently, they agreed to give back their unjust gains.

Believers should be very careful about taking advantage of others and getting rich at their expense. Scripture condemns this practice as uncaring and thoughtless. It further presents an adverse testimony to others.

Nehemiah is encouraged by their promise that they will no longer practice usury. He has first uncovered the real cause by showing that simple greed is the problem. He confronts the overseers with it, rebuking them and showing them it is wrong. There is a time and place for forthright, blunt confrontation in our relationships with others. Sometimes we need to point out to people what they are doing is wrong and help them to see what needs to be done. That is what Nehemiah does.

Andrew Carnegie built a steel manufacturing empire in nineteenth century America. He was a billion- aire in today’s dollars. But Andrew Carnegie is best remembered for how he distributed his money rather than how he made it. He retired in 1901 and devoted the rest of his life to philanthropy. He built over 2,500 public libraries throughout the world. He founded and has generously supported several colleges and established a pension fund for college professors through the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging this interest. (Nehemiah 5:10)

Nehemiah contrasted his business and leadership practices with those of other wealthy officials. He insisted that all transactions should be carried out with the goal of helping others rather than taking advantage of them. He demonstrated that authority and wealth are gifts from God for the purpose of showing God’s love.

Are we honestly confronting greed in all areas of our lives? Are we able to honestly, even bluntly, confront those we are in relationship with to help them?

Our Father, strengthen us to act like Nehemiah of old and be willing to confront the greed in our lives. Help us to be men and women who visibly live according to what we profess. dennis jorgensen Dennis is a retired B-747-400 Captain with Northwest (Delta) Airlines and the U.S. Air Force. He is a graduate of Florida State. He and his wife, Joyce, are directors of Adult III Sunday Morning Bible Study. Dennis is also Chairman of the Deacons and a member of the Finance Committee. day 32 SALT IN THE CITY

2 Kings 2:19-22 (ESV) Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.

In today’s passage, we see Elisha in the city of Jericho fresh off of witnessing Elijah ascending into heaven and becoming the new prophet. Jericho is a city that was conquered by the Israelites and was then cursed by the Israelite leader Joshua in Joshua 6. Because of this curse, the water in the land is contaminated and kills everything that tries to grow. The men of the city come to Elisha, God’s prophet, with their problem; therefore they are coming to God with their problem. Elisha goes to the source of the problem, the spring itself, and uses the tools given, the new bowl and the salt, along with the power of God to heal the water and end the previous curse on Jericho. When God heals the spring through Elisha it is confirming him as the new prophet and it shows him following after other Godly men such as Elijah and Joshua.

The most significant item in this story is the new bowl. In these times for a ceremony or healing ritual, such as this, a new bowl was typically used because it is uncontaminated and completely clean. The new bowl is where the picture of the Gospel can be seen. The new bowl was the perfect and uncontaminated item used by God to cleanse the spring of water in Jericho. Christ is the new bowl in our lives. He is a perfect and fault free man who was sent by God to purify the wellsprings of our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” and in John 7:38 Jesus speaks on this matter saying, “Whoever believes in me as the scriptures have said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” So when we go to Christ with our problems, with our whole life, and we allow Him to be the one guarding our hearts, then He will cleanse our hearts and we will be overflowing with living water that causes our souls to be satisfied eternally.

The question we need to ask ourselves when reading this passage today is “Who am I in this passage and who do I want to be?”

Am I the city itself? Am I run down, conquered by sin, filled with bad water and unfruitful works? Is my heart unguarded, open to sin, and my wellspring dry? At one point or another, everyone has been his or her own city. Thankfully as the story shows, no city is past saving because we have a Savior in Christ who we can pray to and be rebuilt in.

Am I the men in the city? Do I see a bigger picture of something good but still see major sin in my life and seek to bring it to God so He can forgive it and begin new again? Am I looking for Godly people to help me in my daily life? Am I pursuing Christ in order to be sanctified?

Am I the salt? Does Christ hold me and use me as a tool alongside Him to do His healing work? Am I seen as different in this world because of the way I live my life? In Matthew 5:13 Jesus says: “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”

This tells those in Christ that they are the salt of the earth. We should live with bold flavor and stand out by our actions. We should be different and obvious in our city.

Am I Elisha? Am I standing solid in my faith and in God’s favor? Am I following in the footsteps of other Godly men and women? Do I council others with wisdom God has given to me?

One thing is for sure. We are not the new bowl. The new bowl is the representation of Christ. We should strive to be like the new bowl; we should strive to be like Christ. Ephesians 5:1 calls those who are in Christ to be imitators of God because we are His beloved children. We are also called to follow after men and women whom God has given great wisdom such as Elisha. In our lives today those men are our pastors, deacons, and other church leaders. Paul urges us in both 1 Corinthians 4 and 11 to mirror his actions because he is firmly of and firmly rooted in Christ and he knows that to mirror other true Christians will bring growth in your walk with God.

So in going forward today we should pray and thank God that he was our perfect new bowl and cleansed the wellspring of our hearts. We should ask God to reveal to our hearts who we are in this passage and ask Him to change us to better reflect His son and other Godly men and women. Be challenged today to ask God to use us for His purposes and to make us salty in our cities so other hearts and wellsprings can be filled with living water.

God, I thank you today for being that perfect new bowl in my life and for cleansing the wellspring of my heart. Reveal in my heart, who I am in this passage and change me to better reflect Your son and other Godly men and women. Challenge me in my daily life and use me for Your purposes. Make me salty in my city so other hearts and wellsprings can be filled with living water. Amen. michael warriner Michael is currently a junior at Florida State University. He works as a sports videographer for FSU and also for a non-profit organization called Winshape Camps that focuses on children’s ministry. He is also involved in Christian Campus Fellowship on the FSU campus. day 33 VISUALIZE THE CITY

Revelation 21 (NIV) Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second d e a t h .”

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

One of our favorite hobbies is puzzle building. We are currently assembling one of our most ambitious endeavors, a 3000-piece painting of Venice. This task is certainly daunting, but the picture on the cover keeps us focused, guiding us to success. By looking at the picture of the end, we can put each piece in its proper place. Piece by piece it comes into focus, and as we unite the pieces we have a little more revelation of the finished puzzle. When the last piece is in, we have the completed picture: total revelation.

In today’s devotion, we are going to look at an awe-inspiring passage in Revelation describing the future city of promise: New Jerusalem. As we reflect on this majestic city, consider the fact that this will be the future home for all who have trusted Christ. This is our finished puzzle. If we live our lives today with this end in view, how would it impact the pieces of our lives? By screening my choices through an eternal perspective, how would I prioritize my time, money and talents? Each day we should ask, “In view of eternity, is this task important?” “What eternal value does this argument have?” “Is sleeping in more valuable than spending time with God in His word and in prayer?” If we screened our actions through an eternal perspective how different would our lives look?

So what does this magnificent city look like? Revelation 21 describes our future home, New Jerusalem, which has yet to be constructed by divine Hands. The passage reveals great details in the construction, size, population, and government of this glorious Kingdom. John describes, “Its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel (v. 11).” Massive walls rise from the foundation of the city. There are twelve foundation stones, each with an Apostle’s name on it accompanied by a precious stone. The wide array of hues from the gems is as diverse as a rainbow. The wall itself is made of jasper, with twelve gates surrounding the city, three on each side made from one pearl. Each gate is named from a tribe of Israel and boasts an angel sentry. Furthermore, each gate faces a cardinal direction, inviting the corners of the world to enter the city. Even though there is no sun, there is no night because the city shines brightly with the glory of God. His presence radiates and permeates all. There are no more seas to separate us, but the River of Life runs free from the throne of God, and the Tree of Life is on either side of the water. Here resides the throne, the seat of the governing authority: God Himself.

The city itself is massive. Revelation describes the city “according to human measurements (v. 17),” as if God is saying, “It’s a real place!” The massive city is 1,500 miles by 1,500 miles. That is greater than the distance traveling from Tallahassee to Maine. More astounding is that the height of the city is equivalent to its length and width, forming a giant cube. Based on this volume, the city would have enough room to comfortably fit well over 32 trillion inhabitants! The city also boasts a massive wall; the measurement is over 200 feet thick. That’s equivalent to twelve lanes of traffic!

Revelation describes the kingdom as “made ready as a bride adorned for her husband (v. 2).” In Ephesians, Jesus describes the Church as His bride. Similarly the new kingdom of heaven is Christ’s eternal church. The passage is clear concerning those who are citizens of this country: no evil can enter, “but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (v. 27).” Although the admittance is strict, entrance to this grand kingdom is free to all. The King in this passage declares: “I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost (v. 6).” It is a free gift that God extends to all!

The governing body is also clearly defined. God will dwell with us. Consider this awe-inspiring notion: The Creator of the universe, the One who formed you in your mother’s womb, the One to whom our prayers are directed, our Savior… will rule over us in person. Who can fathom such a thing? There will be no sadness, mourning, death, crying or pain; all such curses will have faded with the old earth. He created this paradise for us; it will be “coming out of heaven from God (v. 10).” There is no need for a house of worship because God is our temple. We will meet Him in glory, face-to-face; we will see Him! Forever He will lead us. “And they (we) will reign forever and ever (22:5).”

In view of this grand kingdom, live a life that is worthy of this City. Screen every action in view of eternity, always remembering that no matter what we are asked to endure in this life, Heaven will be worth it. Like the puzzle board picture used to guide us, stay focused on the final picture by living each day with eternity in view. This will grow our faith; and as our faith grows, our church will thrive; and as our church thrives, we will bring the love of Christ to the city of Tallahassee. Lord, help us to never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. Remind us that these little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Help us know these things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. Lord, keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen. (Adapted from Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18) vinnie dejesus Vinnie is a member at FBC. He works for Dale Jr. Tallahassee as a marketing consultant and Social Media Manager. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Studies (it’s ok, no one else knows what it is either), and has a deep passion for travelling. He and his wife Aubrey are active participants in the Young Adults ministry and the Young Marrieds’ Group. day 34 CRITICISM

Nehemiah 6:1-14 (NIV) When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.”

But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.

Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter in which was written:

“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.”

I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”

But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.”

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me.

In ancient Israel, walls and gates of a city were all about appearance. They were symbolic as well as functional, representing both prosperity and preparation.

Nehemiah, a Jew living as an exile in Persia, held a responsible, prestigious position in the king’s court. When he heard that Jerusalem, the religious and ancestral home of his family, had not recovered from the destruction caused by the conquering armies of the Babylonian empire, he was moved to do something about it. He began with prayer; lots of it.

God spoke to him in that prayer marathon and filled him with a desire – and a plan – to restore Jerusalem and rebuild the wall and the city gates. He had no practical experience, but God gave him a strategic plan that detailed how this ambitious goal could be accomplished.

He encountered opposition from local, entrenched interests. With funding and assistance from the King of Persia, construction was begun. The resistance saw the progress and tried to block the project with mockery, threats and, finally, an outright extortion plot that implied a threat to Nehemiah’s life.

Today, if you have served the Lord’s call, the same Satan who attempted intervention in Nehemiah’s project at Jerusalem will try to thwart your plans. You will face discouragement, diversion and deception. You will be criticized and marginalized.

Nehemiah’s adversaries tried to inhibit his project; they even tried to appeal with flattery. His response? “I am carrying on a great project and cannot (meet). Why should the work stop while I (meet) you?”

Failing to curtail Nehemiah’s vision, they tried to infuriate the workers, reasoning that if Nehemiah’s well-organized work crews could be distracted by creating rumors of insurrection, accusing Nehemiah of ulterior motives: “he wanted to take over as king!” Nothing could have been further from the truth, but that tactic is still in use today in frustrating God’s work among His churches. A church that is fighting cannot focus its attentions on God.

Nehemiah dealt with this threat through prayer, asking God (v. 9) to “..strengthen my hands.” He received strength to continue working and, importantly, strength to hold on to God’s truth and not be swayed by Satan’s lies.

Desperate to discredit him and to cause Nehemiah’s work to fail, the local politicians resisting Nehemiah’s vision attempted intimidation - suggesting that his life was being threatened. Satan often uses this tactic to frighten people working in the church. Rules are used – often arbitrary; sometimes, territorial disputes emerge (“they are sitting in my seat!); new member volunteers are discouraged from participation.

When we experience this sort of opposition in our efforts as volunteer leaders in our church or community, the usual options apply: fight or flight.

We could choose a battlefield and engage our critics with vigorous rhetoric OR we could “fold our tent” and retreat. Either way, Satan has triumphed.

Your judgment to fight fire with fire is a distraction – one of the two outcomes that Satan prefers.

The other – flight – is essentially the same outcome; your resolve neutralized; the work suspended or cancelled, just as it would have been if Nehemiah has allowed the local politicians to frustrate his plans.

It seems like a no-win situation. What, then, shall we do?

A. Using discernment, start saying “no” to Satan’s misdirections, whatever they might be. For some, it may be TV, for others, the computer becomes a huge distraction, in today’s social media mania, messag- ing, exchanging photo images or inane witticisms have taken the place of constructive dialogue – whatever is stealing your time. Rather than talk about one another, we should talk to God about ourselves and like Nehemiah, pray “Lord, strengthen my hands and help me to stay the course. Strengthen me to follow your will and to keep my commitment.”

B. Practice saying “yes” to God’s priorities. Listen closely and you will hear Him encouraging you to a deeper commitment to Him. The sounds of the world are only a distraction from the stronger message. Take a courageous stand that reflects your belief system and your faith in God’s community. George MacLeod, a Scottish church leader in the last century wrote these words:

I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the market place as well as on the steeple of the church, I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles: But on a cross between two thieves; on a town garbage heap; At a crossroad of politics so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek . . . And at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, and thieves curse and soldiers gamble. Because that is where He died, and that is what He died about. And that is where Christ’s men ought to be, and what church people ought to be about..

Heavenly Father, we seek your blessing on our study and on our work. May it be pleasing to you, a challenge to our fellow workers and a blessing to those who might receive benefit. Let it resonate among those of our community as a clarion call of faith and devotion and may it stand as a testimo- nial to your enduring love. Amen. stu folland Stu was born and raised a Norwegian Lutheran in MN – the Norwegian part still persists. He received a B.A. Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead and completed advanced studies at University of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota. Stu worked in lending and commercial finance for 40 years. His primary non-academic activity at Concordia was Concert Choir, Student Government and a variety of musical theater/student productions.

He also raised five children, all graduates of FL universities and 12 grandpuppies. One is graduate of USF and the second wave of kids now in colleges from Texas to Boston and another enrolled at FSU, class of 2017.

Stu became a member at FBC when he moved here in 2006. He is now active in choirs, teaches a Bible study class, serves on Senior Adult Board, Nominating Committee and wherever else he is needed.

He continues to be active in medical device manufacturing and health services consulting as well as trying to remain retired. day 35 ORGANIZATION AND TEAMWORK

Nehemiah 6:15-16 (NIV) So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

The wall was completed in 52 days.

When I was asked to write a devotional for this Nehemiah study, my first reaction was, “No. I can’t write. Why don’t you ask someone else? We’re preparing to go out of town—I won’t have time.” Then, it hit me that I can come up with plenty of excuses, or I can apply our 2012 VBS theme, “TRUST GOD.” This past year I’ve purposely tried to be more open to the opportunities God brings my way. We never know how things will “unfold” (my Aunt Bondie’s word) until we are willing and open to His leading. What might I miss if I automatically say, “No”?

In these two verses of Nehemiah, we see that after six months of preparation the wall was competed in 52 days, and when people saw it, they recognized that “this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” Neh. 6:16b. This brings to my mind the Builders for Christ trip I was part of for the first time this summer. The preparation and planning takes the better part of a year, but the majority of the building happens during a few months. Why? Because of the willingness of the team members to spend a week during the summer doing their part for the glory of God. As many as 850 people on Builders for Christ Teams from around the country will have worked on this particular project in Waterloo, Illinois, by the time it’s finished. Since I’m an unskilled laborer, I had no idea how much help I would be—I only knew that I was willing to do whatever needed to be done. Well, every building needs insulation installed, so that became my job for the week. It’s an incredible experience to know that the building project we were part of will provide wonderful space for children and youth, and for an amazing variety of community ministries. The people of FBC Waterloo were quick to point out that it is not the building itself, but the ministries that will happen inside the building that will bring glory to God. And it’s all because of teamwork and organization—many teams working many hours to accomplish God’s plan.

If each of us as God’s people would open ourselves up to the opportunities God gives us, imagine what could be accomplished for furthering the Kingdom! We don’t need to be a skilled carpenter, electrician, or handyman to be used. We don’t have to be the one who can lead a group, or teach a Bible study. All we need is a willing heart and the knowledge that what God wants to do, He will do! He will do it with or without us, but what might we miss if we say, “NO”? Not only will we miss out on whatever it is that God wants to teach us, we will miss out on the sweet fellowship of believers working together.

Some of you will remember Randy Hollingsworth who was Youth Minister at First Baptist many years ago. I can still recall his example of teamwork during a meeting with youth parents. He attempted—by himself—to balance a six-ft. board on one finger. That didn’t work out very well. Then he asked several more people to lend their hands in support, making the task possible. What a great picture of the body of Christ working together as a team, as in Nehemiah’s day! I’m pretty sure that God’s plan involves the “many hands make light work” philosophy. Let us encourage each other to use our gifts and talents, to enjoy sweet fellowship by becoming involved, and by saying “Yes” when it’s easier to say, “No.” Heavenly Father, we are your people. Use us to glorify You. Let others see You as we extend Your love into our community. Help us to be willing and open to do our part in whatever You have for us to do. Amen.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in Heaven. bonnie snyder Bonnie is a Tallahassee native and a graduate of Florida Atlantic University. She and Bob married in 1968 and have three daughters and five grandchildren. She’s happily retired, and has been involved at FBC through the years in Pre-School and Children’s Ministries, Adult Sunday Morning Bible Study, and the Deaf Ministry. She has served as an interpreter for the Deaf Ministry for 38 years. day 36 CELEBRATING THE FINISH

Nehemiah 7:73-8:1 (NIV) The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the temple servants, along with certain of the people and the rest of the Israelites, settled in their own towns.

When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

It’s important to celebrate success! Success in what? Waking up. Being on time. Graduation. Completing a project. Sometimes success could be the moment when you set a goal for yourself. Believe in yourself! Ecclesiastes 3:11 states “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men (and women).” Sometimes we can’t see how we are going to finish something because it seems soooo far away or it’s bigger than we can imagine or understand. Thankfully we have family and friends that encourage, pray, and help with the actual steps to get us to our goal. “Blessed is the man (woman) who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) “Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (I Corinthians 9:24b-25)

To celebrate a finish is to be committed to your goal. The Lord guides and directs our path to reach different goals. The people of our church are God’s gift and encouragement to never give up. The people of FBC are a wonderful group of people who have celebrated our joys and growth in life. Our church is our foundation and family as Megan, Harley and I rebuild our life and celebrate our accomplishments. In Nehemiah, the walls had been rebuilt and the people gathered together to celebrate. From the “priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers and the temple servants along with certain of the people and the rest of the Israelites…” (Nehemiah 7:73) Their church gathered together to celebrate a goal that they had to persevere under trial to complete. When they finished they gathered together as it says in Ezra 3:1 “the people assembled as one man.”

From 9th grade through college, at TCC and FSU, I participated in CHALLENGE. CHALLENGE was the biking trip where we traveled one year from one side of Florida to the other side of Florida biking, sleeping in tents, cooking in a wagon, and performing in worship services at pre-determined churches like the youth choir mission trip. I can remember carrying my bag to a campground bathroom remarking to my friends as we walked through the rain “and we paid to do this.” No matter the rain, the memories and lessons I learned are precious still. Celebrating the finish during our CHALLENGE trips was instrumental to the person I have become.

On our trip, we had a group called the “corner men” that would know the route and have assigned corners to stand to direct us on our path. They would stand at the corner to wait for each group, there could be 7 groups biking with 8-10 people in a group, with intervals of time in between groups for safety reasons. They stood at the corner clapping and waving us through the turn with encouragement. They had to wait until the last group completed the turn at the particular corner before biking back up to the front pack to report the turn was complete. They could have waited at their assigned corner for hours but it never mattered about the time only that it was complete. My favorite part of CHALLENGE was helping someone finish that was having trouble. We all have gifts – mine was not the task of the “corner men” but the last biker of a group. “The first shall be last and the last shall be first” is how I remembered my place to serve with enthusiasm and dedication. Somehow I took it totally as my place to be in the last group coming in after a day of biking because helping someone else kept me focused. I never wanted someone to quit. To pass time, biking people counted electric poles, talked about anything and everything, reminded each other to drink water, and sang crazy songs to make each other laugh. Laughter together restored our hearts as we persevered through the miles. After biking and passing several “corner men” at the turns, you could smile because it brought us another step closer to completing the day, the miles and getting off the bike. You could hear and begin to see it in the distance. The clapping, jumping and cheering of the entire biking group and all the volunteers that came on the trip for a week to help were always waiting each day for the last group to bring it in. We had no idea how long they all had to wait – again, it didn’t ever matter how long it took. Remember, everything is beautiful in its own time. The important part is that the job of bringing the first person in to the last person was of the same value. We all finished – together. Like the people in Nehemiah – we assembled as one to celebrate a day complete and join in prayer thanking God for our finish. The people in the book of Nehemiah celebrated their finish together after a task to restore the city. God restores us, too.

I love the memories of CHALLENGE and the lessons it gave me for life. “Finish” is defined differently for everyone. Once you finish a goal, there is usually another task at hand. Thankfully our bike trip had “corner men” to direct us through each route to our finish. God’s word does that for us today.

Thank you God, our Heavenly Father, for sending your Son Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for your Word that restores my soul. Lead me in truth and teach me Your way. May the words of my mouth be pleasing to You. May Your strength and love guide my choices every day. May I act like Christians Happening with Alert and Lord Loving hearts Engaged and Nurtured by God’s Energy. Amen. judith, megan, and harley ramba Judith, a graduate of Leon High, attended TCC and FSU. She went back to school at Keiser University three years ago to work in the field of Occupational Therapy. Her daughter Megan will be a graduate in 2015 from Lincoln, and her son Harley will graduate from Florida High in 2019. day 37 LISTEN TO THE WORD

Nehemiah 8:1-6 (NIV) All the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from day- break till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Now they were ready to study the Bible. How do you read the Bible differently after practicing your faith? What difference does it make?

In Nehemiah 8, the people of the land gathered to hear the reading of the Law of Moses. The scripture twice emphasizes the point that everyone who could understand the reading was there to hear it. This in itself expresses the importance of the Word. However, it is not just to the people in attendance that day, but also to us as followers of Christ. In order to completely understand the Word, we have to read scripture daily and listen to what it tells us. Also, we have to prepare ourselves to hear what it is saying to us. The question is how do we prepare and listen to a written word?

First, we have to respect the power of the Word. We have to realize that scripture provides us with an in-depth look at God’s character as well as demonstrate His faithfulness to us as His children. In verse three it states, “And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.” Every single person there understood how important what they were about to hear was. The scripture notes that the Book of the Law was read from early morning to midday which I would assume to be approximately six hours (6:00am-12:00pm). For those people to take half of their day to stand and attentively listen to what was being read, shows how serious they took the reading and how much they wanted to learn from it. As Ezra opened the Book to proceed with the reading, the people responded by standing up, lifting their hands, bowing their heads and worshipping the Lord with their faces to the ground. The people felt that the words about to be read needed to be praised because of the power they held.

Second, we have to allow the Word to speak to us. If we spend all of this time reading and do not allow the words we read to sink in, then we are missing the mark. Comprehension of scripture allows us to grow in our relationship with God. It allows us to grow in our relationship with others. It allows us to be a better witness to non-believers in hopes of furthering God’s kingdom. Proverbs 19:27 says, “If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge.” Taking the time each day to not only read the Word, but to let the Word stay in our minds and meditate on them is vital to continue our knowledge of God. As a Sunday school teacher, in preparation for a lesson, I first read over the scripture we are covering that particular week and just keep it on the forefront of my mind for a couple of days. I ask God to let the passage speak to me in some way during the week that helps me fully understand what He is trying to teach me. Once I can understand what I am learning, I can better teach God’s Word to others. James 1:19 says, “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Our first reaction to scripture should always be to listen. If our first reaction is to speak, then whose words are we using? When we truly take the time to listen to what the Bible is teaching us, our lives can drastically change for the better and so can others when we display those changes with our words and our actions.

As you read this passage, it vividly paints the picture of what was going on at this occasion. They were preparing to have a church service together as God’s people. All the people gathered in one location. A podium was built so the Book of the Law could be read from it. The crowd stood out of honor and worshipped out of love for the Lord. They attentively listened all morning long to soak in every sacred Word that was read. One more important thing to note about this scripture in Nehemiah and the scene it sets up is that they did it together. Spending time daily in the Word is vital to a close relationship with God but sometimes can be a struggle to accomplish. Having the support of others and keeping an open conversation going about what God is teaching us through His Word can definitely lessen the struggle. Not only that, we can use those conversations as an opportunity to teach another person what we have learned and listen as they do the same.

Refining this practice is a never-ending journey. We, as imperfect people, are ever-changing in our faith. It is reassuring to know that God is constant and His Word is good and true. The people in Nehemiah 8 knew that. They knew that the recovered Book of the Law still held the same power on that day as it always had. They also knew that the Word would be good and true. Therefore, all they wanted was to stand as long as it took to listen and fully understand every word so that for every day that followed they were better prepared than the last.

Lord, today I pray for our patience in You. I pray that when we read scripture, we take the time to allow You to speak to us through it. Even though we don’t always act like it, we know that Your words are better than our words. So in those times, where our reflex is to speak first, we pray to be conscious enough to bite our tongues and listen to how You want to work in us to glorify You better. In Jesus’ name, Amen. jeffrey crane Jeffrey is a Medical Disability Examiner for the FL Department of Health. He attended Florida State University for six years and earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work. He and his wife Sarah currently serve as Sunday school teachers for the College Ministry’s freshman class. day 38 WEEPING AND CELEBRATION

Nehemiah 8:7-18 (NIV) The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law. They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written.

So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.

Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.

The storm rolls in and you can’t see past the darkness of the clouds that surround you on every side. It looks like these clouds will never go away, and then the rain starts pouring and you really can’t see past this storm. It doesn’t make sense, why you have to face this storm and it doesn’t seem like it could ever be clear again.

We face so many situations in life where we often can’t see past that situation. Our eyes can only see the pain and the struggle in front of us.

You start crying out to God and in a way your tears are the only way to explain to your Heavenly Father what your heart is feeling, so you began to weep at Jesus’ feet. Maybe the point isn’t to come out of the storm the same as you went in, though; maybe God wants you to come out shaped differently, emotionally and spiritually. He might be using that particular storm to bring you to a place where you know that it’s okay to weep and it’s okay to be scared of the unknown. And maybe what He wants to teach you is that while these emotions you’re experiencing are perfectly okay, He doesn’t want you to be stuck in a place where you feel trapped or alone. But He, and only He, can yank you out of that place and bring you to a place of peace and restoration.

You have a Heavenly Father who is there comforting you in this storm, bringing you through. You can count on Him, for He has a history of calming terrifying storms. “He rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm” (Luke 8:24). After a bad storm, have you ever gone outside and looked around? The sun looks like it is shining brighter than usual; the birds are chirping a sweeter melody and everything just feels a little more peaceful than before the storm even hit.

The truth we need to hold onto in the storm is that God is in control. He is holding the entire world in His hands. And He is using the storms of our lives to shape us. He is the potter and we are the clay (Jere- miah 18). He will use the stormy seasons of our lives to shape us to look more like the people He intends us to be, more like Jesus.

This is reason to celebrate and praise God! He does not let us go through the storm alone but He is there comforting us and weeping with us. What a God! We have so much to truly be thankful for after, and during the storm. Just reflect on the truth that God created you to have a relationship with Him. Think about how He sent His son so that you do not have to hold on to who you are but so you can hold on to who He is. That relationship is true and solid, even in the midst of wind and rain.

A good question to ask during the storm is not “Why is this happening to me, God?” but rather “What do you want me to learn from this, God?” Maybe it’s to teach you to rely on Him and His steadfast love more deeply, maybe it is to show you that He deserves our songs of praise even in the storm, or maybe it’s both.

Whatever the lesson we need to learn, we know from Psalm 147 that God “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” and we also see that He “takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love.” This particular Psalm starts out by exclaiming “Praise the Lord!” We have a Savior who loves us and walks with us through the storms, who heals our broken hearts. He is always worth of celebration and praise. So even in the hard stormy times of life it is still “good to sing praises to our God.”

But when the storm passes, remember the God was with you the entire time and it is time to rejoice in the new creation that He has made you to be through that storm. Celebrate the life you have and that Jesus loves you and cares for your heart.

Heavenly Father, we come to you humbled and thankful that you are a God who is near to us when our hearts are broken. We are thankful that You are with us in the storm and You also control the sunshine that is coming in the end. We pray, Lord, that through this storm we can draw closer to You and celebrate who You are even while it is storming all around us. Please, Father, allow us to be shaped into the people you have called us to be. To love others the way You have loved us and to be in tune with Your Holy Spirit to know what Your calling is for our lives. Give us hearts that are open to what You are doing in this city and this world, and give us eyes to see what we are specifically called to do for Your kingdom. We love you and with celebrate and praise Your awesome and great name, Jesus. Amen. kate king Kate is a senior at Florida State University, studying Family and Child Sciences and Psychology. She is an intern for the college ministry here at FBC. Kate hopes to continue working with college students, either in the states or internationally, when she graduates. day 39 NEW COMMITMENTS: TIME

Nehemiah 13:15-22 (NIV) In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day. People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah. I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day? Didn’t your ancestors do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity on us and on this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath.”

When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. But I warned them and said, “Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you.” From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath. Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.

Often, I think of all the things on my long list of to dos. Many things pile up on my plate including work, bills, cooking, cleaning, and school. Our world has set out a course before us that is filled with near constant busyness. We are always on the go, bouncing from one activity to another, not really stopping to slow down and focus on what God has for us in that moment. I know that I can make the conscious choice to slow down and focus on God as He desires for me.

In our lives, we have opportunities to choose how we will spend our time each day. A major time commitment for many of us includes the hustle and bustle of a job. This summer, I had not only my first real job, but three. I am a Children’s Ministry Intern, as well as a nanny for two families. I have found that I let my work get in the way of my relationship with the Lord. Some days, I am too tired from work and find myself neglecting my devotional time. Other days, I am too focused on the tasks at hand and miss out on what God wants to show me.

Properly committing time to God is not a new issue facing our generation; the Bible shows us that this has been a struggle for God’s followers throughout history. In Nehemiah 13:15-22, Nehemiah was angered by the way that the people were repeating past mistakes in misusing the Sabbath day to conduct business instead of giving God the time that He deserves. Nehemiah set up boundaries by shutting the doors through the gate of Jerusalem so that the business men could not enter. He put in place a boundary in order to help the people change their priorities and put God back at the top, where He belongs. Just like Nehemiah shut out the distraction of the business men, we can close off the distractions of our lives in order to refocus what we consider to be most important in our lives. Can you call to mind some of your personal distractions that you need to close the gate on in order to use your time in a way that God desires?

God calls us to a relationship with Him, but the world calls us into a life on the go. While that life on the go can often seem much more demanding of our time, we cannot simply neglect such a significant relationship for matters of our own convenience. All deep and meaningful relationships take time to build. It is only just that we should spend time developing the most important one in our lives, our relationship with the Father. This requires letting go of these otherworldly demands at moments. Just as Nehemiah had helped the merchants and worshipers put their priorities back in line, there are times in our lives where we should seek to place our relationships with God above much less meaningful items on our to do lists.

Questions for Reflection: • Are you putting aside time for God like you put aside time for work or play? • Are there any doors you could shut in your life that would help you honor God in the way that He deserves? • What are you going to do today to focus on your connection with God?

Lord, please help me focus my priorities on You and how You desire for me to live. Thank You for meeting with me today and please help me keep my mind and heart tuned in to what You have for me to experience today. In Your name, I pray. Amen. hannah appelo Hannah Appelo is a senior ElementaryEducation major at FSU. This summer, she has worked three jobs as a nanny and a Childrens’ Ministry intern. She enjoys crocheting and reading in her free time. day 40 NEW COMMITMENTS: RELATIONSHIPS

Nehemiah 13:23-31 (NIV) Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah. I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon King of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women. Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?”

One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. And I drove him away from me.

Remember them, my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign, and assigned them duties, each to his own task. I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits.

Remember me with favor, my God.

Right relationships with people follow a right relationship with God. Wrong relationships with people follow a wrong relationship with God. That’s it in a nutshell.

In the last chapter of Nehemiah, Nehemiah rebuked the men of Judah. He “… called curses down on them” as he passed judgment on the marriages of God’s people to foreigners. A first reaction might be that Nehemiah was harsh in his evaluation of the people, but a more studied reaction recognizes that Nehemiah was not judging these marriages against his own standard, but against the standard set by God. These relationships were not approved by the Lord; in fact, they were in direct violation of God’s instruction.

I don’t think we can look at the verse in Nehemiah 13:23-31 without considering the rest of the book. The entire book is concerned with rebuilding the wall and returning the children of Israel to fellowship with their God. The people of Judah had fallen so far as to have lost God’s word. With all that had gone wrong—and all that they had done wrong—is it any wonder that their marriages were wrong? One’s relationship with God affects every aspect of his life—including his relationships. It is interesting that the relationships are the last thing addressed by Nehemiah. Clearly each verse of God’s word is as valuable as the next, but it strikes me that Nehemiah did not try to correct the relationships between one person and another until he had addressed the relationship between the people as a whole and their God. When Nehemiah did speak to the issue of marriages with foreigners, he was unflinching in his evaluation.

The people of Judah likely did not all fall immediately into forbidden marriages at one time. My suspicion is that the move to marry foreign peoples occurred over time. Perhaps one man never received proper teaching. Perhaps another did not learn the lessons taught. Perhaps still another simply chose to disobey the law. As each stone fell, over time the wall of marriage came down. While I have only an idea of what may have transpired, I know for certain that the people left the path God had set for them. Just as they had to repent, return and rebuild in regards to their lives and the Holy City, so they had to repent, return and rebuild relationships that would be approved by God.

What does this mean for us? It means we need to stay in relationship with God, in fellowship with Him. It means we need to learn his commands, know his commands and keep his commands. If only we will recognize it, a right relationship with Him is the best preparation for our relationships with others. All too often, I look for the right verse – whether it is about marriage or relationships or anything else. There is obviously nothing wrong with searching Scripture for guidance, but why should I limit myself to a single passage? II Timothy 3:16 says “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (RSV, emphasis added). While a description of the tabernacle may not be perfectly on point for relationships, I certainly have an abundance of Scripture available to offer direction.

Proverbs 15:1 does not tell us that it applies to the relationship between parents and their children, but it does tell us “A harsh word stirreth up anger, but a soft answer turneth away wrath.” (KJV) I submit that this is wisdom for parents, children, husbands, wives, friends, and neighbors.

Corinthians 13 is “the love chapter” in the Bible and is often read at weddings. That kind of love certainly makes for a good marriage, but what might your office relationships be if you were patient, kind, and never boastful?

John 15:12 says ““This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (RSV) Most probably would not pick this as a verse about marriage. It may not be specifically targeted to marriage or limited to marriage; nevertheless, I submit that it is a pretty good basis for a marriage.

If you have a marriage that needs refreshing or a relationship that needs strengthening, first take a look at your relationship with the Lord. When that relationship is as it should be, you can then apply the whole of Scripture to how you treat your spouse, your friends, and your neighbors. In doing so, you can have every confidence that God will bless your relationship. Just as God’s commands never changed and remained the basis for Nehemiah’s evaluation, so His faithfulness to His people never changes or wavers.

Lord, We praise you for the wisdom of Your commands and ask your forgiveness for our failures. We commit ourselves to You and seek to follow Your ways—ways that are higher than our ways. Fill us with your love and guide our actions so that our marriages may be strong and that all of our relationships may be blessed. jim cooke Jim joined First Baptist in 1983 as a college student. He met Pam in College Bible Study, and they were married at First Baptist. After spending eight years in Atlanta from 1987-1994, they returned to Tallahassee and First Baptist. They have two children in college - Quinn and Abby. Jim has worked for the City of Tallahassee since 2002 and has served as City Treasurer-Clerk since January 2012. day 41 NEW COMMITMENTS: TITHE

Nehemiah 10:32-39 (NIV) “We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God.

“We—the priests, the Levites and the people—have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law.

“We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.

“As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there.

“Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work. A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury. The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and olive oil to the storerooms, where the articles for the sanctuary and for the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the musicians are also kept.

“We will not neglect the house of our God.”

Several inexcusable bumps in the early years of my 70 years on the road toward spiritual maturity have left me with a less than stellar stewardship record. It was not that my parents had failed to set an example. They had lived life to the best of their abilities in ways that bespoke to my seven siblings and me of their deep faith in Christ and their trust in God’s provision.

To keep my church connections tight have certainly helped me come to the place in my life where tithing is second nature. I gained better insight into the needs, and the wants, of a growing family of five while not forgetting those in great need in my neighborhood and around the world. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus does not say that to spread the good news of his redemption will cost nothing. It doesn’t take long for the new Christian to see and understand this. Sadly, it takes longer for most of us to heed his words and do our part to see that it happens.

Having worked as a secretary in three churches throughout my years has given me a pretty good perspective of what people consider giving to the church. I have observed a variety of interpretations of what scripture indicates should be the way to do that. Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe, a pastor, professor and author, writes in his book on Nehemiah, Be Determined, about chapter 10:32-39:

British expositor G. Campbell Morgan said, “Whereas the house of God today is no longer materials but spiritual, the material is still a very real symbol of the spiritual. When the church of God in any place in any locality is careless about the material place of assembly, the place of its worship and its work, it is a sign and evidence that its life is at a low ebb.” I surely don’t profess to be a theologian, but that makes sense to me.

In one church, I observed a very conscientious Sunday School teacher of 4th graders coming to the church office each Friday to complete handouts for Sunday morning. I had known of her visits to every child’s home at least once a quarter to deliver the new student quarterly. Her smile was infectious, and I did not judge her when I could not record a single entry to her “record of giving.” Her husband was not a member and did not attend church. She did not work outside her home, so I could only imagine that she had very little money to call her own. Somebody, though, did contribute to the church budget which bought the literature she used and the other materials she needed (Exodus 35:21).

A man in another church used a somewhat unorthodox approach. He saw the need of a mechanic he knew was having trouble feeding his family. His response was to purchase and deliver the needed groceries and then present the store receipt to the church secretary for recording to his contribution record. He did contribute to the budget but didn’t feel his friend and his family’s hunger could wait on the Finance Committee process. A matter of interpretation? (II Corinthians 8:7)

As a leader in mission groups, I have observed that only the mention of a need evoked the giving of the members. I have watched faithful workers with children spend out-of-pocket to enable their work because of limited budgets. Without knowing for sure, I believe that most of them contributed to the budgets of their respective churches.

Enter aging and retirement. Have our family dynamics changed? Certainly they have, as well as questions surrounding our resources. Have we made proper provision to guard those resources? Good health insurance? Life insurance? Prearranged funeral expenses? Insurance against unexpected personal property loss? Downturn in the economy? Have we paid close attention to the need for taking another look at priorities along the way? Are we going to outlive our resources? Are we learning to enjoy life with fewer frills than we once enjoyed and be happy in spite of life circumstances as we necessarily slow down?

The saying goes that 20% of church members/attenders are responsible for 80% of the work of the church, monetarily and otherwise. There is much truth in this statement. Our challenge is to be the church that changes these seemingly unchangeable percentages.

In our church, can you imagine what our budget could be if just our deacons, choir members, and volunteers tithed? Then add faithful giving of beneficiaries of Kingdom work here but not actively involved in holding an office of some description? The figure would likely surprise us all. Can you imagine what it was like in Nehemiah’s day, following all the demands for what you should bring to the house of the Lord? Anybody have a firstborn son you are willing to bring? Aren’t we glad that God did? We’re not asked to make those innumerable sacrifices found in Nehemiah 10 – just a monetary tithe of that with which we have been blessed. Oh, the joy it brings when we have been obedient to our Father.

Aren’t we grateful to our Savior for being our sin offering? What we do now should reflect our love and appreciation for him. Will you make yours a worthy offering? (Isaiah 53:10)

Dear Father, who loves us so much, please open our eyes to see the need to devote ourselves to the work of this body of believers. Help us to vow that “we will not neglect the house of our God.” Then help our leaders in their quest to be good stewards of that with which they’ve been entrusted. Amen. carol wainwright Carol is retired and living, with her husband, Jack, at Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee. They will soon celebrate 57 years of marriage, have three children, four grandchildren and one great granddaughter. She enjoys music, classic movies, reading, friends and laughter (not necessarily in that order). day 42 TITHING THE CITY: HOW CAN WE SERVE OUR JERUSALEM?

Nehemiah 11:1-2 (NASB) Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities. And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

What is a city but a geographic place filled with people? And what is a holy city but a city filled with holy people? Nehemiah had accomplished his goal of rebuilding the walls, but people were needed to live there to protect it and to serve in the Temple. Because Jerusalem had been utterly destroyed by the Babylonians, the remnant left behind and those who had returned from exile had established cities outside Jerusalem. Once the walls were rebuilt, Jerusalem was “large and spacious, but the people in it were few and the houses were not built.” Only the leaders lived in Jerusalem when the walls were finished.

How, then to re-populate the city? Practically speaking, Nehemiah first set about to enroll the people by genealogies. This would establish the pool of people eligible to resettle Jerusalem—Israelites only and not the foreigners with whom they had intermarried and lived. Once eligibility was established, how then would the eligible ones be motivated to move? For surely, such a thing required sacrifices. A move away from their current homes required a sacrifice of leaving behind extended families, businesses, friends, activities, and the comfort of an established lifestyle. It also required the sacrifice of taking on the burden of building new houses; travelling to and from Jerusalem each day to conduct business in their current cities until there were enough inhabitants in Jerusalem to establish new ones there; travelling to visit friends and extended family until new relationships were established; and the physical, emotional, and financial burden of establishing new businesses and new relationships in Jerusalem. Furthermore, a move into Jerusalem would be at the risk of appearing to rebel against King Artaxerxes and would no doubt strain relationships with the foreigners with whom the Israelites lived and with whom they had intermarried. But most of all, a move to Jerusalem meant living a more stringent religious life under the watchful eye of the priests and leaders who were charged to enforce adherence to the covenant the people had entered into to “walk in God’s law.” Despite the number of people who entered into the covenant, there apparently were not enough willing to come out from among the people of the world to live as a holy people (Lev. 20:26).

We see in the Book of Nehemiah the same tactic used by the Israelites as is used today for an important endeavor: conscription. Just as our government uses conscription in the form of a military draft in times of war to supplement those who voluntarily sacrifice their lives in defense of our country, so, too, the Israelites used conscription. They cast lots to determine who among them would make the sacrifices required to populate Jerusalem. Since all believed God in His sovereignty controlled the fall of the lots, those selected would have the satisfaction of knowing it was God’s good pleasure to choose them for Jerusalem, and the people by offering a tenth of their number by lot were in a sense tithing themselves to God. Thankfully, there were some who volunteered to make the sacrifice. Doubtless we’ve all served on at least one committee in our lives and so can appreciate the sense of relief, gratitude, and encouragement that is felt when there are volunteers for a task, program, or activity undertaken in the name of our employer, organization, or church. How we bless them!

There were sacrifices to be made by those Israelites who remained in the cities outside Jerusalem as well. Tending to and protecting the crops, flocks, and businesses of those who left would fall to those extended family members and neighbors who remained. The sacrifices of tithes were needed to support the priests and Levites who served in the Temple and for its upkeep. Their faithfulness in making these sacrifices of time, energy, and tithes would be evidence of their commitment to their God and the covenant they made with Him. The impact on the non-Israelites among whom the Israelites lived cannot be ignored. Observation of the risks undertaken and sacrifices made by the Israelites in serving their God and each other influenced the foreigners’ views of the God the Israelites worshipped. While they remained faithful to the covenant, Jerusalem wasn’t just a holy city where God’s Name dwelled because the Temple was there, but also because a holy people resided there who “delighted to revere His name.”

As a downtown church, First Baptist is situated in geographic similarity to that of the Temple of Nehemiah’s day. Similarly, one can view those who are paid to serve in the church as the priests and Levites and the small percentage of believers who live close to First Baptist as Jerusalem’s inhabitants. The majority of us who live and work a greater geographic distance from First Baptist can be viewed as the Israelites who lived outside Jerusalem. How can we support our Temple and Tallahassee, our Jerusalem? Tithes of money are the equivalent of the grain, wine, wood, fruit, flocks, and oil the Israelites gave. The sacrifice of our time in supporting those who both serve in and those who live near our church could be viewed as the equivalent of the Israelites who supported Jerusalem with tithes and by tending to the crops, flocks, and businesses of their fellow Israelites.

Jesus instructed us to go be fishers of men and make disciples (Matt. 4:19, 28:19). As we joyfully and faithfully sacrifice our time, money, and energy to the upkeep of our church and in service to members of the body of Christ, the non-believing world will be curious as to what compels us to do so, giving us opportunities to share that we are “servants who delight to revere His Name.” Tallahassee will indeed be a City Where God’s Name Dwells.

Dear Lord, show us the needs of the different types of people living in downtown Tallahassee. We pray for those living in all the new condominiums, families with children living in the homeless shelter, college students, and the poor and the elderly in some of the older neighborhoods. Please show us how we can individually and the body of Christ at First Baptist can meet those needs.

In what way has God uniquely equipped you to serve others in Jesus’s name? john & barbara berry John and Barbara are disciples of Christ cleverly disguised as an Attorney and a Certified Paralegal. John is a Floridian who graduated from University of Florida and Stetson University. Barbara hails from San Angelo, Texas and graduated from Angelo State University. They have been members of the Sunday Night Prayer Group since its inception in 2008 and served in the Children’s Ministry as the 4 year old class teachers for 4 years. day 43 MOVING IN

Nehemiah 12:27-30 (NIV) At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites, from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.

The residents return to Jerusalem to neighbor as a verb. Who is your neighbor?

One of the signs that the fall semester is about to begin on FSU’s campus is the sound of the Marching Chiefs filling up the air with music. Not too many days after the Chiefs appear, their tunes are accompanied by the sounds of slamming car doors and excited new students as families struggle to fit an entire semester’s worth of items into the tight confines of the residence halls. I wonder if that (minus the mini vans) is what it looked like to the people in Jerusalem at this point in the rebuilding project? New faces gathering, relief that many days of hard work are in the past, excitement over the days that are to come, just a little bit of anxiety over how this whole thing is going to work out. Many of us have been through a move like this. In fact, many members of our College Ministry came to campus early this August to be on hand to assist people in moving in to their residence halls as they have for the last few years.

Now for some of us, our move may not have been into a residence hall, but it may have been from one city to another, or from one house to another, from one job to another, and so on. Yes, there’s excitement, yes there’s stress and if we are truthful, there is a bit of anxiety on how this new thing is going to work out. I think it is easy for us to think about one of these moments in our past, but difficult to transfer when we see it taking place around us.

Who do you see moving around you? A new neighbor down the street? A new member of your department at work? A new classmate or teammate? A new employee at a favorite lunch spot? If we focus on the things going on around us, we can see that there is a lot of movement all around us. So now that we are seeing this, what do we do with it? It would be easy to make up excuses for the folks moving in – “Oh, I’m sure they have a lot of work to do” (they do, that’s true). “The last thing they need is for me to interrupt them” (how about offering assistance, instead of interruption). “I’m sure that they already know where to ______(find the quickest way to work, where the nearest coffee spot is, find a local church…).” Truth be told, it is us that don’t really want to stop our work, be interrupted, or possibly find out something new.

When God’s people finished the wall around Jerusalem, they didn’t just go home and take a break, no this passage tells us they gathered together with others from around the region and they got ready to celebrate the dedication of the wall. In Acts 2, we see similar gatherings of people celebrating something new – the formation of individuals into God’s church. They gathered in homes, at meal times and in public in the temple courts. Sounds a lot like the places we frequent. Who do you see moving about you? How might God want you to ‘gather’ with them? Could you be a help to work they have to do, a relief to anxiety, or a friendly face to someone who needs one? Chances are someone has popped into your mind – how about asking God how you might be a neighbor to them? Who knows there may be some more things to celebrate because of your willingness! God – thank you that things change, from the seasons of the year to the seasons of life, You are always doing a new thing. I pray for an opportunity to do a new thing in the life of someone You will bring my way. Please open my eyes to the opportunity You are preparing for me. Please continue Your work in me so that I may glorify You in this new relationship. Father, may You receive all of the glory and honor. Amen. stuart pearce Stuart is a Tallahassee native who after graduating from FSU began working in the Athletic Department as the Assistant Director of Event Management. Stuart and Kerri, his wife, serve as Directors of the Young Adult 2 SMBS. Stuart also serves as the Staff Advisor for the BCM at Florida State. day 44 THE ONE WHO SHOWED MERCY

Luke 10:37 (NIV) The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Samaritan parable tells us that the “one who showed mercy” neighbored the victim. Who needs mercy in your life? Can you form a mercy team in your office, dorm, home, or school?

My husband says I am too easy on the dogs, and that is why they take advantage of me. That is probably true! But, I always think of how they might feel, and it causes me to empathize with them. For example, when walking our big dog, Jack, he loves to pause and roll on his back in the grass. He looks for just the right clear grassy spot, then he writhes around, making funny sounds that say, “This is so great!” The leash gets all tangled up, and I have to wait patiently for him to decide he has scratched his back suffi- ciently before we go on with our walk. It struck me today as I watched and waited, and held back a slight smile, that I was giving Jack mercy by allowing him to go through this routine. I get nothing out of it, more of my time is taken up, and I certainly have the choice to yank on the leash and stop him from this indulgent activity. Yet I choose not to.

Isn’t that exactly what Jesus does for us? He sees what we need, and chooses to provide for us, even though we do nothing to deserve it, and He certainly has the option to deny us. Instead, He waits patiently for us; probably slightly smiling at times, and then untangles us from the mess we made. The God of all time and space waits for us, and gives us mercy. And He has done this since the beginning of time. The Israelites sinned over and over again, against God’s instructions, yet He provided atonement through altars and sacrifices in the Old Testament. And then He provided Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, because He loved and cared for us. We are just like the Israelites, sinning over and over again. We deserve justice, but He gives us mercy.

Nehemiah 9:31 says, “But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.” And in Luke 10, the expert in the law stated that the person who provided the injured man on the road with mercy was his neighbor. This merciful “neighbor,” a Samaritan of all things, bandaged the injured man’s wounds, put him on his own donkey, and took him to an inn, where he paid for his stay – until his wounds were healed. Could the Samaritan have ignored the injured person? Of course. Did the merciful Samaritan specifically owe the wounded person anything? Not really. But, that is what makes his acts merciful! He had a choice, and although gaining nothing from it, chose to provide mercy.

What about you and me? We have choices every day about whether or not to look away from someone needing help, or to provide mercy to that person. I believe God’s Word instructs us to be like Him, and to give mercy when we can. I also believe that He speaks to our hearts about specific people and situations, and how He wants us to behave mercifully. He does not yell, so you must listen carefully for His nudging of the heart. And then act upon it as if He did yell at you! Don’t stand around wondering if He really meant YOU should do something – if it went through your mind, He meant it for you. So, for the next week, practice listening carefully to what God wants you to do to show His great love and mercy to someone. Then, do it! Merciful Father in Heaven, please show me how to be the kind of servant that You are. Point out to me people and situations where my help is needed, and then give me the motivation to represent You in a merciful manner. In Jesus’ name, Amen. gale neal Gale is a doctoral student at FSU in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Before becoming a full time student, she was a teacher of elementary school students for 18 years. Gale has served at First Baptist in several capacities, including Vacation Bible School, the Youth Choir, and the Haiti mission trip. She is married to FBC member and local attorney, Austin Neal, and is the mother of a Leon High School senior, Lizzie Neal. day 45 BACK TO CHURCH

Acts 14:21-28 (NIV) They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Paul and Barnabas have been traveling through the country and finally find a town that won’t stone them or threaten them with violence. They encouraged believers as they traveled.

You may be wondering what this has to do with “back to church.” This passage actually explains some basics for the church. One of them, for example, is that the inward journey is just as important as the outward journey. It means that the church should be as strong as the body of Christ to be able to go out to do missions. We have to maintain a balance so that neither is more important or less important than the other.

The disciples showed us some things that a church does. 1. Instruct members 2. Urge members to remain faithful 3. Appoint elders 4. Pray for the church 5. Report to the church

1. The disciples instructed believers about faith and God’s love for everyone but more importantly how Christians will go through hardships before they reach Heaven. The church was told that they would be challenged without a written guide and must remain in Him. The church was told that no matter what happens, who they face, where they are, what they do, God is with them and will be their protector. To the more experienced Christians, the disciples told them to help out those newly made through Christ. As a church we need to ask ourselves a simple question, “Do we teach new believers right from the start of their Christian life that this is a struggle against earthly desires, the world around them, and even Satan himself?” With integrity we should warn people that being a disciple isn’t a stroll through the park.

2. Everyone should know that being unfaithful to God is a big sign that says “HEY TURN AROUND” and we do it just to find we ignored God. Every Christian knows that sin is a Siren, beautiful to see and hear but pure evil inside. It is our job to keep ourselves on the narrow path that is rough but ultimately has the most rewarding end. Horrible things will happen, some unexpected, and those are usually the worst. When my family lived in New Orleans, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was so painful and heart-breaking because I could see her pain but couldn’t do anything to help her. Some of my memories include walking past her room while she rested with all the lights off with almost no hope. Many church members brought us meals, comforted us, and prayed for us as my dad was trying to take care of our family. She survived and found a renewal of her faith in God and thrived on it so much that He literally gave her new life. When suffering and hardship come, it is during these times that we are most dependent on God and our faith becomes stronger.

3. This is one of the most important parts. It established order and leadership to the church. Alone we can lose sight of the Gospel and go in the deep end of the pool with no lifeguard. As a group of Christians we can lift each other up and move the group forward. It also helps to strengthen relationships when you have others to provide support. It was part of His divine plan that we be a church led by elders who can help to guide others along the road. Not everyone has to be a leader but if God is calling you, then you should listen.

4. They prayed and fasted for God. I’m not saying we should do that because I can’t go without eating a good full meal. Yet we should take time to celebrate and focus on the many blessings of which a church can and will provide that God gave us: a time to say thank you to him and praise him. The disciples blessed the church as to say that they are done and now it’s in God’s hands to move them as believers. They knew he had the power to bless and by relying on Him, He would bless and guide them. If a prayer is a real prayer by one of God’s believing servants it will be accompanied with a real blessing upon the people of God.

5. It’s very important to share with the church what you experience. The words you speak, sing, etc. can develop enthusiasm within fellow believers to go on missions. There is little interest taken in learning mission work and promoting it. It’s hard to believe since we have people in foreign countries, a youth choir traveling around the USA, a group who go to Haiti, etc. By reporting to the church, we celebrate God’s work in spirit and fill the ears of others with the awesome power of Jesus. Reporting is greatly important as inspiration to other members to join in these experiences. It mainly shows how much the church supports its members.

They returned to where they had been committed to God’s grace for the work that was now completed. God’s grace was somewhere completely unexpected. He blew wide open the expectations about how he must work and who he wants in his family. They gathered the church and told them everything. I bet the other prophets and teachers realized their expectations were too small. God had done immeasurably more than they could have imagined. He brought so much to the Christians. So what are you going to bring back to church?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the church. Thank you for providing a place where we can grow in our faith with other followers of Jesus. Please help me to remain faithful and committed to this body of believers. Give me the strength to endure hardship and suffering, to put away selfish desires and to encourage my fellow believers. Amen. andrew stahl • Born in Corpus Christi, TX in 1996 • Arrow of Light recipient (Cub Scouts) • Moved to New Orleans, LA in 1997 • Order of the Arrow Native American Dance • Moved to Tallahassee, FL in 2004 and Drum Team Leader • Lincoln High School • Order of the Arrow Member • Band Officer • Top 20% of National French Test • Trojan Marching Band • 2010 National BSA Jamboree, 100th anniversary • Lincoln Symphonic Band (Troop 2010) • Tuba • 2013 National BSA Jamboree, Summit Bechtel • Youth Choir Reserve (Troop C423) • Youth Group • Boy Scout High Adventure Sea Base • VBS Worker (opening skits and closing shows, • 3rd novice Grass Dancer in Florida for Native station helper) American Dance • Eagle Scout (February 21, 2012) day 46 THINKING KINGDOM

Romans 16:1-7 (NIV) I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon in the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

A benefactor of many people, They risked their lives for me, The church that meets at their house, The first convert in Asia, Who worked very hard for you, Who were in prison with me.

These powerful words, full of passion and activity, describe the members of the Church in Rome. Paul’s words of greeting and commendation for the Roman church members actually go on for 15 verses. I particularly love verse 13 where Paul says, “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.” To my knowledge, Paul never speaks of his biological family. Yet here he commends this woman, who took care of him like a mother.

This past May, I lost my own biological mother. Like Rufus, I shared her with others. In my case it was with many others. As a preacher’s wife and teacher, she came into contact daily with people who needed the love of Christ, which she showed them in a real and concrete way. When I went to bed at night, I fully expected to wake up the next morning to find “extra” people in our home and at our table. For both of my parents, caring meant action. It meant building relationships, spending time and meeting needs.

Although she had been retired from teaching for more than 25 years, there were more than 1,000 people at my mother’s funeral. Many memories were shared that day, but one of my favorites involved a young man named Tony. One Sunday afternoon Tony, one of Mama’s former students, called to say he was in jail for burglary. Tony asked Mama if she would come and pay $50 to bail him out. Deciding that maybe he needed some “tough love” to learn from his mistakes, my Mother said “no.” As I was well aware, my mother was perfectly capable of showing tough love. However, she struggled to discern God’s will with this young man, who rarely had received the message that he was valuable to God and also to her. Still not comfortable with her decision, she went to Sunday night service. That night at church the first hymn we sang was one that was popular at the time called Do You Really Care? Before the first verse was finished, Mama was headed to the jail.

I look around in the place that I live, I see people with so much to give, yet there are those who are dying to know, just that somebody cares… Do you really care? Do you know how to share? The cross of Christ to bear! Do you really care? People grope in darkness, searching for a way. Don’t you know of someone, you can help today?

With this hymn, God affirmed to my mother that he had called her to care in a very special way. He calls each and every one of us to care in an equally active and passionate way. However, the answer to the question, “Don’t you know of someone you can help today?” may not be as easy as it sounds. At First Baptist of Tallahassee, we are blessed to be part of a community with so much to give. If Paul were sending a letter to FBCTLH, the greetings and commendations would take many chapters. Ours is a vibrant and active church that cares for the greater Tallahassee community as well as members of our own church.

There are numerous ministry opportunities available through our church. We show we care when we open our church at Springtime Tallahassee and again for the Winter Festival, spending countless volunteer hours. We have a First Love day where hundreds of church members take part in ministry projects throughout the city. There are several FBCTLH groups that regularly serve meals at the homeless shelter and we have church volunteers who go to the Christian Life Center on cold winter nights to help keep it open for homeless folks who don’t have a warm place to sleep. The Florida Baptist Children’s Home has a campus right here in Tallahassee where church members assist children who are unable to be in their traditional homes. All of these are ways that FBCTLH ministers to Tallahassee.

But we are not ministering alone. This past summer, St. John’s Episcopal Church had a day dedicated to putting together meals to offset world hunger. At the same time, a group of local women saw a need to feed children in our community and started a grass roots effort. Working out of their homes they served 160 lunches a day to children who get free lunch during the school year. Organizations such as United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Children’s Home Society, and the Crisis Pregnancy Center all use volunteers. Our local hospitals and nursing homes love volunteers and this year, Leon County Schools has set a goal of recruiting 1,000 mentors. FBCTLH is playing a major role in that effort by partnering with Sabal Palm Elementary. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus calls us to care. If you are looking for a church that takes that calling seriously, then FBCTLH is the church for you.

Heavenly Father, you have shown us how to care by caring for our every need. Help us to respond with generosity of our time, our energy, and our hearts. Let our caring be real, as yours is for us. Amen. linda thompson Linda is a counselor at Rickards High School in Tallahassee. She has a Master’s in Education from Florida Atlantic University and an undergraduate degree from Mercer University. She is married with one daughter and is very excited to have become a grandmother this year. day 47 MERCY MINISTRIES

Before diving into the word, I encourage you to praise God for his word, and pray that He is glorified during this time of devotion. Pray for this time to be one of spiritual growth in the knowledge of our Savior. That God’s word will bring you closer to Him at day’s end and at day’s finish.

Matthew 10:42 (HCSB) And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple - I assure you: He will never lose his reward!

As a church, we have been spending the past 46 days growing closer to God through devotion and spirit-fueled service to our community. So much is going on around us that, often times, we become overwhelmed with what role we, each respectively, play in servitude that glorifies God. There is this internal tug-of-war overwhelming us with just the mere thought of being on the front lines of evangelism, but we still feel led by the Spirit to serve God in some shape, way, or form.

What I’ve learned throughout my walk with Christ is that often times, serving and glorifying Him is not necessarily done through large hyped-up acts. Don’t get me wrong, God’s work is definitely done and seeds are sowed through this form of servitude, but God understands us more than we ever will. In Matthew 10:42, Jesus says, that anyone who gives his disciples even a cup of cold water will not lose their reward. This is such a small thing, giving a cup of water, but to God it matters.

In my life, it appears that small spirit-fueled actions are what reflect the process of sanctification in my life, especially as a youth intern. No one could ever think that buying kazoos for a Wednesday night game could bring someone closer to God, but it definitely does. Being able to see the fellowship, unity, and love that comes out of a really childish game, where kazoos are a necessity, is pretty rewarding. When it all boils down, the reward comes not from the action we perform, but from the sole fact that we are saved by Christ alone. The small things should remind us of the new life we have been given in Jesus Christ. A life where we serve and love those around us, even in the smallest of ways.

Heavenly Father, please transform my heart to be one that is satisfied by serving in simple ways. I pray that my actions will be a result of my love for you and my desire to honor you. Fill me with your love so that even the smallest act of kindness is full of your grace and mercy. I pray for opportunities today to serve the “little ones” in this city. omar herrera Omar is an Information Communication Technology student at Florida State. Coming from Cameron, North Carolina, this is his third year in Tallahassee. Omar is currently serving his second year as a youth intern. day 48 EMPOWERED TO EMPOWER: MOVING OTHERS TO ACTION FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S KINGDOM

Ephesians 4:11-16 (HCSB) And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Empowerment. It’s one of those buzz words that gets tossed around by life coaches, leadership experts, community activists and organizational theorists. We tell parents to empower their kids, teachers to empower their students, coaches to empower their players, and managers to empower their employees. Spend five seconds on Google and you’ll find thousands of conferences, workshops, seminars and white papers on the subject. A quick search for “empowerment” on Amazon.com returns more than 9,000 relevant reads. There’s even an entire institute solely dedicated to the teaching and practice of empowerment.

As Christians, we need only look to the Bible for guidance on this topic, and more specifically, at the ancient story of Nehemiah, which not only offers a modern-day model for those of us who aspire to empower others, but also clearly illustrates how God can empower ordinary people to impact His kingdom in extraordinary ways. Nehemiah essentially employed four distinct tactics in mobilizing the citizens of Jerusalem to successfully rebuild the wall around the city.

1. He inspired them. The first step in empowering others is to inspire and unite them around a shared vision. After surveying what was left of the holy city, Nehemiah spoke to its people and opened their eyes to the destruction in their midst, which not only left them defenseless and vulnerable, but also disgraced (Nehemiah 2:17). Of course, Nehemiah didn’t merely point out the obvious; he went on to convince the people that with God’s help, they were capable of rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 2:18), a seemingly impossible undertaking.

If you’ve ever played team sports, you know that good coaches do more than design strategies to defeat your opponents; they actually make you believe you can beat them -- no matter how much bigger, stronger or faster they may be. Even if you were never an athlete, you’ve no doubt heard a few legendary accounts of a team that didn’t have a prayer, yet overcame all odds to knock off a known powerhouse. Nearly every one of those stories started with a coach who instilled an unlikely confidence in a group of players that held a burning desire to win. As followers of Christ, that’s the kind of inspiration we must strive to instill in others as we go about meeting their needs.

2. He equipped them. Nehemiah didn’t merely rally the troops and send them on their way. He equipped and guided them throughout the entire effort by providing them with the materials they needed to get the job done (Nehemiah 2:8) and positioning them where they would be most effective at both rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 3) and defending against attackers (Nehemiah 4:13; 4:22).

My husband, Jon, co-manages a team of seven sales representatives throughout Florida. When he hires a new rep, he doesn’t just process the paperwork and wish them luck. Instead, he spends time getting to know them so that he might discover where they will need the most support, training and mentoring for those first few months on the job until they gain enough experience and self-assurance to achieve success on their own. In the same way, as we seek to empower others, we must equip them with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to tackle whatever challenges lie before them.

3. He encouraged them. Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem experienced adversity from the very start of their endeavor. They were mocked (Nehemiah 4:1-3), threatened (Nehemiah 4:8; 4:11-12) and harassed (Nehemiah 6:1-14). But despite it all, Nehemiah continuously led the people in prayer (Nehemiah 4:4-5; 4:9) and reminded them that the Lord was with them (Nehemiah 4:14; 4:20).

Think of a time when you faced an overwhelming challenge. Perhaps it involved recovering from a serious injury. Or starting a business. Or pursuing your Ph.D. Or maybe for you, it was merely passing algebra. If you were fortunate, someone stood by you in that experience, constantly lifting your spirits and urging you to keep moving, no matter the obstacle. And it made all the difference. You can be that person for someone in our community who may have never encountered that kind of Christlike love.

4. He trusted them. Nehemiah inspired, equipped and encouraged the people to rebuild the holy city. What he didn’t do was go around nitpicking over the placement of every piece of timber. He trusted the people to do the work under his guidance and through God’s power.

If you’re constantly reminding your 12-year-old to do her homework, then you haven’t really allowed her to take full responsibility for that part of her life. Eventually, the reminders have to stop, and she’ll either do what she’s supposed to or suffer the consequences. In the meantime, you are depriving her of an opportunity for personal growth and maturity. There comes a time when we cannot be afraid to let people fail -- as long as we’re right there to pick them up when they fall.

It’s been more than two months since we proclaimed our church-wide intention to “love Tallahassee.” We’ve spent countless hours praying, studying, reflecting and preparing our hearts for this mission, all of which wouldn’t be possible without the empowering leadership of our pastor and other church leaders. Like Nehemiah, they’ve inspired us by opening our eyes to the needs of our city and challenging us to do something about it, while assuring us that with God on our side, we can indeed make a difference.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, these individuals have equipped and encouraged us by teaching us God’s Word, helping us to recognize our spiritual gifts, and compelling us to pray about, reflect on, and ultimately pursue our Kingdom assignment.

And now, they are trusting us to respond.

Just as all believers are called to be ambassadors for Christ (Matthew 28:18-20), so too are we called to serve those in need (Matthew 25:31-46) by showing them mercy and compassion, and by empowering them to help themselves so that one day, they might join us in carrying out Christ’s work in the world.

According to Paul in his letter to the Ephesians (4:11-16), our preparation up to this point epitomizes God’s intentions for the church. But as we know from Nehemiah, all of the inspiration, resources and encouragement in the world would not be enough to persuade some of us to act.

Did you catch it? Nehemiah 3:5 reads, “Beside them, the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not lift a finger to help their supervisors.” The nobles of Tekoa simply chose not to participate. You, too, have a choice to make. While God can most certainly use each of us as individuals to carry out his sovereign will, we know that the church functions most effectively when we all do our part. Will you do yours?

Heavenly Father, As we near the end of this time of intense study and preparation to love our city, please move us to action. And let that action not be short-lived, but rather, let your Spirit lead us to continue responding to those in need as long as we live. Help us to model our actions after Your Son, Jesus, by showing them mercy, sharing our testimony, and empowering them to one day serve alongside us. We pray that as we go and do as you have commanded, that you would enable us to “build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Your Son.” For it’s in His name we pray. Amen. stacey getz Stacey is a partner and vice president of public relations at Taproot Creative, a Florida-based integrated marketing firm serving clients internationally. She channels her passion for the community by volunteering through First Baptist Church and serving in leadership positions with various nonprofit groups, including Elder Care Services and the Knight Creative Communities Institute. Stacey is a summa cum laude graduate of Florida State University’s College of Communication and lives in Tallahassee with her husband, Jon, and their two young daughters. day 49 EVANGELISM

1 Peter 1:12 (NIV) It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Compassion and kindness shown to someone is not supposed to just be a feel good gesture we do to lift up ourselves. We are merciful to someone because they have a need that we can fill and help. These works that we do are not for our benefit, they are for the empowerment of the recipient.

Peter explains to us in this passage that the Holy Spirit revealed to the prophets that they were working for the benefit of the people they preached to. This kind of revelation was sought after by even the angels. Here it is that we have this awesome insight through the power of the Holy Spirit! We are to be merciful defined as kind, compassionate, benevolent and forward giving to benefit someone other than ourselves.

Ephesians 2:4-5 tells us that “because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.” God’s rich mercy where He spared nothing so that we may be saved, is the same rich mercy that we are to share with others meaning all who are dead in transgressions. That’s the whole world.

We are to work in our communities with Jesus-like compassion, benevolence and giving so that we can benefit the person to the point where they are empowered to get up and do for themselves. While showing kindness we need to show compassion. It is not compassionate to let someone burn in a fire while you are holding a water hose. That would also be unkind and merciless. Peter tells us to show mercy to benefit that person. That means talk to them about how Christ was merciful to you. They need to at least hear about how Jesus saved you by grace to evaluate if they want that grace too. Share with them how just recently God blessed you in some way because He does bless you everyday. They need to know that they can receive God’s blessings everyday. Let them know that the Holy Spirit lives within you and guides you all the time. They may want to walk with guidance. Explain to them how Jesus shared His love with you today. They may need to feel that everlasting, unconditional, benevolent and merciful love every day too.

I have seen how works and acts of kindness can empower someone to get up from despair. It never seems to last long just until the next huge hurdle. I have also been amazed how works and acts of kindness shown consistently and with the sharing of the gospel of Christ can change a life forever. I marvel at the amazing power in the transforming blood of Jesus.

People thanks us all the time when we help them. Tell them who to really thank. I mean is it not because of Jesus I am here for them? Did Jesus not send me to do this work for THEIR benefit? Honestly, without salvation would I even be evangelizing? How was I saved? Did I get to where I am today because of my “greatness”?

Answering these questions help me to realize how merciful God really is. I would be somewhere in Haiti or the U.S. serving myself and trying to acquire wealth and fame to obtain glory and praise from mankind. I was saved at 7 years old and by 9 I knew I wanted to be a missionary everyday telling the world that Jesus is the way. I was raised by Jesus freaks and thought they were strange at times but I respected and loved them because of their zeal for Christ. There were still many adversities in life as with everyone else. Jesus always carries me with His merciful grace. The Holy Spirit comforts me and God cares for me. Christ gave me a wonderful opportunity to witness. No matter what he gave me this goofy smile and silly giggle. Even when I try to hide it, out it comes. So I get asked often why am I so happy or what makes me so happy. I have to answer honestly. God made me this goofy. Jesus’ saving grace keeps me happy. Lastly, His never ending love gives me pure joy! Share the difference Jesus makes in your life everyday.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your saving grace that has given me unearned salvation and eternal life. Help me to remember to share your loving, merciful, water hose of grace with all those burning up and suffering without you. Please help me to work and witness to benefit others and not my self. Please forgive me of my sins and remind me humbly that without you I would be suffering too. In Jesus’ strong name I pray, Amen. cc wood CC is a Registered Nurse who works as an Independent Consultant with Thirty-One Gifts. She attended FAMU and serves in the nursery and VBS at FBC. day 50 KINGDOM ASSIGNMENTS

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Our scripture for today is just one sentence, divided into three distinct parts, each part with a distinct message and promise for our lives.

Part 1, “For we are God’s workmanship.” He has made us. While we were still in our mother’s wombs he formed us and knew us. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Do you believe that today? Do you believe that God Almighty, creator and sustainer of all the universe knit you together; specifically, intentionally, and uniquely designed as his work of art?

Part 2: “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” One of the most striking passages in all of scripture for me is Matthew 21:19 where Jesus curses a fig tree. I always wondered what the fig tree did wrong. It’s not what it did wrong, but what it didn’t do right. It bore no fruit. Our walks with Christ should bear fruit as an overflow of his work in our hearts. We were created so that this fruit might manifest in our lives and give God glory. His strength is made perfect in our weakness, so we don’t have to try to be something we are not. He has already given us all we need. We simply have to take the next step in faith and be obedient. We were created to do good works and have been uniquely designed and gifted to accomplish these works. You give God a chance to show you and others how great He is when you step out in faith.

Part 3: “which God prepared in advance for us to do” God has already given us all we need to do what he has called us to. There is an old saying that “God does not call the equipped. God equips the called.” While this statement is a bold challenge to trust that the Lord will see you through whatever he has called you to, I believe our scripture may disagree with the old adage. Ephesians 2:10 says that God has equipped you. It says that before you were born, He specifically gifted you for this challenge so that when He called you to it, you would have all you need. Even though you may not feel prepared, and not up to the task, God wouldn’t have called you to it if you weren’t ready for it. You may not have the knowledge yet, but He gave you the intelligence to work it out. You may not have the skill, but He gave you the patience to learn.

Our scripture for today tells us that the Lord of all the universe fearfully and wonderfully made you uniquely gifted for a specific purpose, and with his unlimited knowledge, prepared you all your life for a moment such as this. You have been called to do His good works. Do you know what those works are? Do you know what your purpose is? Have you prayed to ask Him? Are you quiet enough to hear Him when He answers?

Nehemiah was a Persian-born Jew, educated integrated and cultured his whole life to function within the Persian upper class, even with the King himself. It would have been easy to become immersed in that world, and with the power which he had been given, but he was also aware enough to know that God had placed him in that position for a purpose; a calling. He had been given a kingdom assignment. When faced with the opportunity to embrace the calling he had been given, he chose to obey, and in doing so, he had an impact on Jerusalem, and helped to restore the great city of his people.

God has created us for good works. Christ wants to use you to do one thing to impact Tallahassee. What is your kingdom assignment? Father, help me to see what I was created for. Help me have ears to hear Your answer. God I believe you have uniquely created me to do your good works. Would you guide me, sustain me, and empower me for the task I was created to do. God, how might you use me to bless Tallahassee? kevin nix Kevin and his wife Amanda have been married 4 years. They moved to Tallahassee about a year ago so that she could pursue her dream of being a college professor. She is in her second year of a Sociology Ph.D. program at FSU. Kevin has a bachelor’s degree in Physics and an MBA. He works for the Florida Department of Revenue. The are both involved in the Young Married’s Bible Study and Kevin finds great joy playing in the worship team for the contemporary service. day 51 SERVANT EVANGELISM

Luke 10:1-12 (NIV) After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Jesus called out 72 disciples, sending them two by two to every town or village He planned to visit. He gave specific instructions to “pray for the Lord who is in charge of the harvest asking Him to send out more workers” (NLT). He did not leave them alone, nor does He leave us alone when He sends us out to witness. We have the presence of the Holy Spirit. It isn’t easy to surrender ones desires, wants, pride and fears to God’s will and go where He sends us. As with Jeremiah, God said, “I will put words in your mouth, do not be afraid for I will take care of you” (1:7).

Bill Glass is a person God has used to encourage us in ministry. Bill has dedicated his life to motivate other people to develop winning habits. Being a former All American from Baylor and All Pro defensive end from the Cleveland Browns gave Bill a platform for his real calling, evangelism. While playing pro ball, he received a degree from Southwestern Seminary. He led city and area wide crusades around the country, was a guest speaker for Billy Graham Crusades and began writing Christian devotional books. His current focus is prison ministry and speaking in churches.

In 1974, Bill was invited to preach a Tallahassee Area Wide Crusade where large crowds attended and many were saved. He had recently surrendered to hold similar events in prisons. Bill invited me to join the team at the DeSota Correctional Institution. I resisted because I dealt with offenders on a daily basis with my job but reluctantly agreed, and it turned out to be a life-changing experience. On the prison yard, the inmates gathered, the world’s strongest man and other athletes performed and gave testimonies then Bill spoke inviting them to talk with the teammate volunteers. The first young man I shared with accepted Christ. This was the first time I had ever led anyone to the Lord, even though I had been a Christian for many years. During that weekend I met volunteers from all walks of life, a Florida Cabinet Member, retired heart surgeons from Cleveland, and an FBI agent from Wisconsin who sold his boat to finance the trip for himself and an ex-inmate, businessmen and workers.

Both Velma and I have had many great experiences and felt God’s presence and protection. Through a team effort with each member sharing one on one, multitudes have heard God’s word and many have received Christ. One female inmate in the Orange County Jail told me “I’ve tried everything to find meaning in life and failed, but if what the Bible says is true and what you’ve shared is true then I’m ready to accept Jesus.” With emotion and surrender she prayed to receive Christ. The last time I was on death row in Florida, I introduced myself to a young inmate and told him why I was there. He said, “keep walking old man, I don’t believe in Jesus, God, heaven or hell. I have everything I need. I have been on death row for 8 years and have just had my sentence commuted to life.” I said “man, that’s a miracle.” He came to the cell door and said “that ain’t nothing, look at the scars on my head caused by a head on collision” then proceeded to tell me about 2 other incidents when he had almost been killed. Each time I responded with “man, that’s a miracle.” When he finished talking I asked him if he had ever stopped to think that God might have let him live through these near death experiences for a reason. He replied,” I never thought about it that way, but what do you want to talk to me about?” I informed him God loves him and has a plan for his life—John 3:16, Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:9.

The Bible promises that to receive God’s gift of forgiveness, love, peace, Jesus Christ as your personal savior and eternal life, you must repent of your sins, confess your sinful ways and invite Jesus into your heart and life. Jesus will forgive you of your sins and make you a new person. With tears in his eyes he prayed, “Father God in Heaven thank you for your son Jesus, I’m a sinner and I cannot save myself, I need a savior, Jesus, I believe You died for my sins, I believe you rose from the grave. Please forgive me of my sins. I turn to you Jesus, come into my heart, fill me with your Holy Spirit, and make me the person you want me to be. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen. After he claimed Jesus is Lord and accepted Him, I explained what it meant to trust Jesus and how to build a strong personal relationship with God. I answered his questions, prayed for him and his family and signed him up for the eight week follow up program.

An opportunity for prison ministry will be available in our area May 29-31, 2014. A committee chaired by a FBC member has started to plan this event and will need many workers before and during the weekend. Please begin to pray to the Lord of the Harvest for workers. Many of these inmates will be returning to the community and if they return with a changed heart and desire to live a Christ like life, we will all benefit immeasurably.

As the seventy two were sent out on their mission, going two by two, the harvest was great, but the laborers were few. They were sent out as lambs among wolves, carried no money or travelers bag and stayed in one place eating and drinking what was provided.

We go into prison with respect for those in charge, guidelines to follow, no personal belongings or purses and a desire to listen, love and witness. We are equipped with material to share and the power of the Holy Spirit. While Nehemiah and his teammates built the wall, we go behind the wall and fences to offer hope, encouragement, healing of spirit and salvation that only Jesus has the power to give.

Father, we are amazed that You love us, can empower us with Your Holy Spirit and send us out to share your message of love with others. May we be faithful by responding daily to opportunities to share Your love. In Jesus name, Amen. charles & velma lawson Charles H. Lawson, Bradford High School, Starke, FL, BS Florida Southern College. Florida. Florida Parole Commissioner-Retired on call as needed. Army Reserve Colonel, Retired . Serves as Area Representative-US Military Academy, 2nd Congressional District.Member FBC since 1974, Inactive Deacon, Joy Choir, Security Committee, Greeter. Board Member and Coordinator-Bill Glass Ministry. Board Member-West Point Society, Tallahassee.

Velma Turbeville Lawson, Fairmont, NC High School, South Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, RN Retired. Member-Joy Choir, Coordinator, Bill Glass Prison Ministry, Volunteer Services TMH, WMU. day 52 GRATITUDE

Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

I was raised in East Tennessee and come from a family of hard workers – railroaders, teachers, preachers, factory workers, secretaries, business men, homemakers – and all farmers. Farming was a necessity – a way to supplement the family income and provide food for their families – and the potluck dinners at church. I learned how to garden as a child. I learned how to prepare the soil, mark and furrow the rows, properly plant the seeds (by the almanac of course), weed, water, fight the insects and other pests, harvest the crop, prepare and preserve the food and always pray throughout the entire process. I participated, but I didn’t like it very much. I showed up, but I did as little work as possible. I would rather be inside reading a good book. You can imagine my parents’ surprise when, as an adult, I called home for tips in planting my own vegetable garden. Our children had a similar reaction when we decided to teach them how to grow a garden – minimal interest and reluctant participation. Their initial interest quickly dimin- ished as they realized how hard the work was - only participating because “that’s what you do in a family – help each other.” But they learned the basics and I am confident they can plant their own vegetable gardens one day.

To be honest, I have some wonderful memories of laughing while working in the garden as well as enjoying the harvest/food at the table – especially when the harvest was plentiful and spilled all over the kitchen counters. The harvest - when all the previous hard work comes together in a moment of deliciousness – food prepared for our nourishment and our enjoyment. But sometimes even the harvest can be stressful – like when the garden is producing abundant crops and you’re really tired of eating all the tomatoes, squash and cucumbers. When you’ve picked and shared and frozen and canned so many vegetables that even the neighbors and co-workers say “no thank you” when you bring another bag to share. When you are tired of the whole thing and you think maybe I’ll just let some of the harvest sit in the garden and fertilize the soil for next year. But then you remember all of the hard work and you struggle with letting perfectly good food go to waste simply because you are tired of picking and no one else is helping.

Jesus understood that feeling – knowing there was much to harvest and not enough help to do it all. Isn’t that what we see happen again and again in the lives of God’s children? A small group of people trying to do it all, and some people sitting around doing nothing – or what appears to be nothing. Many times we become so focused on what we think needs to be done that we forget to stop and think about what our hearts need to feel. We forget that we need to feel thankful for all God has given us and for all He is doing through us. We forget that we need to be aware of people around us and the struggles they experience. We forget that we need to be willing to share God’s love and feel compassion towards our neighbors. That’s what Jesus felt in His ministry as he visited the different towns and villages. He did not sit in the Temple waiting for the people to come to Him. He stepped out of the Temple and stepped into the lives of people. And as He went, He felt compassion for them. He took time to really see them in their individual situations – their confusion, their lack of direction, their pain, and their hurts. Then Jesus went beyond the feeling and He acted – He spoke to them, He healed them, He listened to them, He gave them clarity and direction, He touched them, He loved them. Jesus told his best friends that there was plenty of harvest but a need for workers. He realized there were few workers, but He did not focus on the number, although as my Granma used to say “many hands make light work”. Jesus focused on simply asking for workers – praying for workers who are willing to participate in people’s lives. He encourages us to ask God for people to partner in our faith family and join in doing God’s work. Maybe that means He will bring new brothers and sisters in Christ to our faith family and maybe some of us just need to get up and do something instead of watching.

As you prepare to do what God asks of you during this season of your life, be thankful that He has given you specific gifts to use in the work of the Kingdom – gifts that give Him glory and honor and fulfill His purposes on earth and in heaven. Identify and recognize your talents and thank God for the opportunities He gives you to use those gifts. Ask God to give you the confidence to act. Step into the lives of people like Jesus did and get ready to be blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the life of Nehemiah and the truths we learned through his story. Thank you for the work you are doing in my life. I know I cannot do it all, and You are not asking me to, but make my heart willing to do something. Give me the courage to act on what You show me to do – to use the passion You place on my heart. Please continue to bring new workers into our church family – not so we can say we have the largest congregation but so we can do more – so we can touch more lives with God’s love and Tallahassee can see we are a church family that loves in action – a church family that keeps our focus on being like Jesus by bringing glory to God in all that we say and all that we do as we work to do His will. Amen. tina mason Tina is a homemaker and elementary music teacher. She moved to Tallahassee to attend graduate school at FSU after graduating from Carson Newman University in East Tennessee. Tina is married to Clay and they have a blended family with 5 children – their youngest being Samuel, Jonathan, and Cara. Tina and Clay are involved with College Ministry at FBC and have ministered with students during most of their 25 years of marriage. They have been involved with children and youth ministries as their children grew, baptismal ministry, and Tina participates in various aspects of our music ministry. First Baptist Church of Tallahassee fbctlh.org 850.222.5470 108 West College Avenue Tallahassee, Florida 32301