Business Potential!

The Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Butha Buthe

Sharon sits on the tractor purchased by our church, Grace Community.

We arrived back from the hotel Sunday night to ‘M’e Mahlompho on her way with a flashlight and rock to the party still ongoing behind our place.  As it turned out there was a girl and guy involved in an altercation, lots of screaming and she was going to break it up.  So, I joined her and came with my flashlight as well and there was ‘M’e challenging the young man to apologize for hitting his girlfriend.  A taxi was called, she was able to leave and nothing else took place.  We asked ‘M’e about the rock and she said ‘just in case she needed to use it!’  This lady is feisty and means business!

Monday morning we were off to Butha Buthe as we looked at a large poultry farm operation, Maluti Agriquip, that was no longer in business since 2010.  It has a lot of potential as it had produced up to 26000 layers so a great opportunity for employment and investment to be considered for a legacy fund with B of Hope.  From there we travelled back to the church and heard a presentation on an eco-lodge site and then travelled to the border and walked on the site of the location.  It was here that we enjoyed another authentic African meal including steamed bread, traditional spiced chicken and Motoho for dessert packed with 'sorghum'...the people hear love it...myself, not so much...   We then visited another business start up, Likida Steel Arts and I was so impressed by Moiselisi and her creations!  see PIC below!  She is also an amazing worship leader!

We then toured a small dairy farm and listened to the challenges he faces in this industry. After we were treated to supper back at the church by the AFM ladies to pasta, hamburger, onions, peppers and cauliflower.  The WIB (women in business) then shared off their products with us and we discovered some amazing handiwork.  Puseletso designed some great dress shirts and I now own one that is made out of 'seshoeshoe'!  Sharon stocked up on great looking necklaces and bracelets and is now set with gifts.  It was a full day of seeing business potential and business in action!

My prayer for this group of business start ups and initiatives is from Psalm 20:4;

May he grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans.

They are amazing people who know how to persevere much like this amazing tree finding a way to go through this rock!

Sunset in Butha Buthe!

One Amazing Sunday in Butha Buthe!

Purlacio leading the youth in a worship song at the AFM church in Butha Buthe

The graduates!

Rob, Sharon and I presenting a gift on behalf of Grace to Pastor James and 'Me Matsepo and the AFM Church

Sunday morning came to early and I was doing final prep on my message at 7am.  Sharon made Cory and Paul a splendid breakfast and then we were off to Butha Buthe to Pastor James AFM church.  It was a great house of God full of passionate worshippers singing and dancing and pouring their hearts out to God.  They even mixed in a few English songs for us.  After the music, there was a group of young adults enter the church to celebrate their graduation from university.  Purlacio Rakoti led the celebration and spoke of the strength God has given her to overcome as she is the first AFM foster child to graduate being an orphaned child herself.  She spoke as being one who will fight and conquer against the darkness.  She wrote a song that she later sang with all the youth behind her singing backup and dancing.  It was a very moving and powerful moment because in attendance was all the children from every AFM foster home to inspire them as well.  Before I spoke, Sharon and I along with Rob G. presented the church with a gift from Grace Community. I had the honor of preaching on the life of Elijah and how God enabled him to persevere after his highest high and lowest low in I Kings 19, a message I spoke at Grace in August and the God who whispers to us.  Pastor James translated and then called people forward for prayer ministry as we had the opportunity to pray over those who came forward.  He then asked me to pray for those there who didn’t know Jesus to put their faith in HIM!  After the service we had an authentic African meal prepared by the AFM ladies and were joined by the rest of the Bracelet of Hope team that has just climbed Sebothoane earlier.

After the service I met Elizabeth M who is part of the Leadership Project and they work with HS youth in Butha Buthe. The LP is a mission agency that focuses on discipleship and character development with the youth. They just happen to be running a camp for 80-100 youth later this week and it looks like I will have the opportunity to join them in working with the youth which is very exciting. 

Once again it has been a full day, but so amazing to be here.  We are IN Africa!!

And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.  And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.  1 Kings 19:12

Thank you LORD for the amazing ways that you speak to us!

Standing with all the foster children and foster moms of the AFM foster homes.

Sebothoane!

Saturday was a day off for us and we enjoyed some of Andy's amazing eggs for breakfast.  A lady came to our place to show Anne and Sharon some of the crafts made in Lesotho.  They took time to determine which crafts would be most suitable for resale with Bracelet of Hope back in Guelph.

After lunch we climbed up the Sebothoane and the hike was adventurous for us.  We met Robert, a sheep herder along the way, who was kind enough to point out the route up the mountain for us.  We then just relaxed at the top of our climb taking pictures and enjoying Stoneys!  On our way down we crossed the path of a bull who decided to chase us for a little bit creating some excitement for us!  We met at the Leribe Hotel, our one and only dinner spot and greeted the rest of the Bracelet of Hope team including Rob G and Rob B.  Rob B. won the prize for the greatest inability to stay awake through supper… that was my prize last week.  We stayed later and met some very friendly Lesothoans who joined in our video call with Rylan and Addi which was amazing.

Back at the bungalow at 11pm we were greeted by a post-grad party taking place just behind our place.  There was a group of young adults coming and going while a steady beat of dance mix music was playing including lots of reverb and distortion.  At first we were joking and dancing ourselves until we realized this party was going all night…it is actually still going as I type at 6pm in the evening.  There are guys wearing hard hats, lots of alcohol flowing, fire burning and bbq food along with dancing in and out of the place.  It is quite the scene.

It didn’t help me at all to get to sleep as I’m a light sleeper even with the help of ear plugs.  I watched every hour of the night pass as Sharon pretty much slept through the whole thing... 

A Life Giving Place!

1 John 5:12,13 was the verse that God gave Sharon and I for Friday…well v12 for Sharon and v13 for me that we shared with the team.

So, whoever has God’s Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life.  I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.

Friday we started on day on foot as we made our way down to "Help Lesotho".  They are an organization focusing on education and training with HS students.  They take in grade 10-12 students and provide them with sponsorship to get through HS successfully as well as a beautiful residence for the girls to live in.  They also are active in HIV prevention and awareness of human traffiking and gender equality among many of their programs.  They have a solid library for the students to access as well and great facilities for training events.  'M'e Mahlompho took us on a tour of the facility and showed us all their resources.

We then walked down to the Motebang Hospital where the beginnings of the Tsepong clinic was located and Andy spoke with us about the beginnings of Bracelet of Hope.  We then met with a team from Phelisanang Bophelong,  an umbrella group of support groups for people who work with those who are HIV positive.  The LAC (local adherane coordinates) provide peer to peer support for those on ARV (anti retro virals) because they themselves have gone through all the side effects of this treatment as well.  Bracelet of Hope works with this agency in setting up piggeries.  It was interesting to see their targets for people they were focused on reaching and holding themselves accountable to those goals.

Afterwards we went to visit the Leribe Craft Center that was set up by the Anglicans in 1911.  We were able to watch the women in action making crafts and specialty items including scarfs, ponchos, blankets.  It was here that we purchased our first souvenir items...little wood carved dolls of Lesotho people in traditional clothing.  We were also introduced to the the jewellery of the "Positively Empowered Artisan Association".  These ladies are all HIV positive and are now finding meaningful work.   We had the opportunity to meet them earlier in the week.

For lunch we went and picked up pizzas that we ordered from the "Sweet Dreams" bakery and met up with Gladys and one of her employees, Patience!  The pizzas were amazing and we also purchased cookies and then enjoyed it all at Andy's home where we scarfed it down along with Stoney's Ginger Beer....the best ginger beer I have ever had.

After lunch we travelled to Tiping to visit the work of Domenic's youth group where they primarily are involved in bee-keeping.  We also met Pinky and Thabo, the leader, who we gave a soccer ball to.  We took time to play a great game of soccer with Thabo and Moshe in the thin air of the mountains at the local St. Domenic's school.  On our way back to Hlotse we stopped by a local HS and caught a soccer match by the boys team and saw the girls play an intense game of handball.  The place was packed with students watching in an area where there was strong winds, tons of dust, but great action.  However, we quickly took care of that by hitting a local shop where there is always ice cold cokes readily available!  We are enjoying the local fruit here as well...bananas are great!

Most evenings we end up at the Leribe Hotel also known as the Mountain View hotel because we can't even make food at the prices for meals there and who can argue a place with a strong wifi signal!!  We then checked out La'Crouch Pub and Grill and enjoyed more time together as the hotel kicks you out around 9:30pm.

Building on a Solid Foundation!

Playing soccer with the children at the Mazenod foster home along with their friends!

Sharon with some of the primary children at St. Michael's

Pastor James, Paul, Cory, Moshe, Samuel, Buddy and myself before we go down to the St. Michael students in a soccer match! 

Highlights of the last two days...

We were off and running early on Wednesday morning as we made our way to the capital city of Maseru.  It is about a two hour drive to where we were going.  It was there that we visited one of the Bracelet of Hope income generating projects,  a grandmother’s group raising broiler hens @Thuso Ho Bahissaane. They shared their success stories as well as challenges losing some of the hens due to ‘water bellies’.  However these ladies are a resilient bunch! From there we went to another BofH initiative, the “BRAA” (Building Responsible Adults Association) group led by Holmpho.  We visited their project site that included a piggery, beekeeping hives and vegetables growing here.  We also met a wonderful young lady, Jacobina, who also helps out here.  The children that are part of the “BRAA” attend St. Michael’s school and are in grade 7 and 8 so we went from the project site to the school and there the children put on a presentation for us from sharing poems, stories and a little bit about themselves in English to a cultural dance that was done so well as the rest of the children sang. We then presented the school with 4 High Power soccer balls and then the teachers and principal started to dance a dance of thanks.  It was something else to see and then the children were turned loose on the playground with the balls.  There were older girls using them for basketball and younger children playing keep away while one teacher organized a game between the Canadians along with the young guys travelling with us, Samuel, Hllompho and Moshe.  It was an all -out attack with nothing held back and we were handed our defeat at the amazing footwork of the children!

It really was amazing for us to watch the playground transformed and filled with laughter with just a few balls and some crazy Canadians!  They were quite taken with us and repeated every phrase with precision.  Sharon said to a group of primary children, “I am from Canada” and they repeated back exactly the same thing to which she said, “No, you are from Africa” and again the same phrase right back at her…it was too much fun.  I started saying “high 5” and slapping their hands and then a few flights in the air as I spun them around.  Every visit around here seems to go way too fast and we were off in the vans again heading to our next appointment.  First though we hit a KFC for deep fried chicken goodness and then we visited the Mohalalito’s foster home. This foster home is located right by an AFM (Apostolic Faith Mission) church that was dedicated by none other than Reinhart Bonnke back in the day! They were so appreciative of their gifts and one of the children here showed us his makeshift weightlifting set made up of a bar with two paint cans filled with cement.  Cory was giving him tips on all kinds of ways to build up more muscle!!  The children are amazing and we heard more about their story through Mpele, a young man. Mpele has such a heart for God and a desire to do His will.  He is very keen on serving God and using the gifts he has been given whether in business or as a social worker.  Sharon had the opportunity to pray with him towards reaching his goal.

The verse that God gave Sharon for the day to read to our team was in the Psalms… and it is really amazing to be blessing the poor, it is a JOY and privilege to be here and good to know God is watching over us…the roads can be quite crazy!!

Oh the joys of those who are kind to the poor. The LORD rescues them in times of trouble.  The LORD protects them and keeps them alive Psalm 41:1,2

Thursday’s verses for the day were Matthew 7:24-28 and the focus was on building a solid foundation which of course is Jesus.  However, building a strong foundation is what Bracelet of Hope is helping to provide so many of these people through fostering and income generating projects.

Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. V24

It started much like Wednesday with the long 2 hour drive into and around the capital of Maseru.  We visited two more projects to start our day.  First was a group of ladies raising broiler chickens and then very close by to them a very successful project, Ipopeng, where a group of ladies oversee laying hens.  It was a good opportunity to see their work and encourage them in what they were doing.  While there, Andy McDougall and Anne Gardner were approached about more opportunities from other seeking to have the same chance to do this.  There is no shortage of need here as the need to provide for families is great.  After our time there, we headed in the city of Roma where we ate ¼ chicken dinners in a place flooded by students attending the University of Lesotho located there.  In the afternoon we visited foster homes.  The first one was located at Lithoteng, right beside a AFM church.  We had a chance to meet the workers there and the pastor as well.  They are in the midst of building a new church as they have outgrown their current space.  The gifts and soccer ball in particular was a huge hit yet again.  We then finished our day at the Mazenod foster home and again playing soccer allowed us to break the ice with the children and bond quickly with them. 

Each day, each visit, each child, each smiling face were so hard to leave…there are not enough hours in a day to be with these children

Foosball, Soccer and everything in between!

We started our first full day here on Tuesday as we walked into downtown Hlotse.  We went into some of the local stores and then went off the beaten track on a dirt trail into more of a “farmer’s market” where many of the people there enjoyed engaging us in conversation. Cory and I joined in on a game of foosball with the local youth that was taking place right in the middle of the marketplace.  We drew a crowd to a great match and had a blast doing it.  From there we visited the “Sweet Dreams bakery and met the owner Gladys, who is only 22. This is one of the business start-ups that Bracelet of Hope is involved with and it was great to encourage her and see her work in action.  She has a team that she works with and they sell their baked goods to many of the professional offices in Hlotse. After a quick turnaround back at Anne-Marie’s bungalow, also affectionally  known as “Grace House”, we were off to Butha Buthe to meet with Pastor James, Mme Matsepo and the AFM ladies.  We had lunch together and Pastor James shared the vision of their plans to develop the church building including a kitchen, offices and rooms for overnight accommodation for future conferences that they hope to hold.  They had a great prayer room area and it is part of his vision to see this room be used for prayer 24/7!

Later in the afternoon we took a drive across some rough terrain to a remote area in the hills to visit the Tihakuli foster home. We got to see where the children sleep and their very neat rooms including the bunk beds that Addi raised funds for last year. It was here that we were so blessed to hear the children sing, share their love for Jesus and get the opportunity to play soccer with them as we brought gifts from home including High Power soccer camp balls.  The soccer ball was used for a variation of games and many local children joined in our gathering.  One of the boys was very proud to show us a generator that he made and he went and hooked it up to the solar panel they had there and  It is evident that they are cared and loved for.  I had the opportunity to pray here for the home and continue to keep praying for one of the children, Hauta, as she struggles with her HIV treatments.

Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.  Matthew 18:4.5

We learn so much from the simple joy and the way that the children here embrace us, trust us and the way that they love their heavenly Father,  While we seek to be welcoming to them, they teach us so much about a welcoming spirit!

The 3 E's of Grace!!

I want to talk about “everyday grace” in our community.

We are going to start with a birds eye view  as we FLY over Romans 5 but what is so significant is that grace is mentioned 6x in this chapter and personified in verse 8

8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Remember, but for the grace of God, go I.  This verse reminds us that if we think any part of this is me, this verse quickly erases that.  There is nothing that I could do that would make me acceptable before God.

The Hebrew meaning of grace is seen in a more concrete way, not abstract.  The picture of grace was that of a series of tents that surrounded the people of God.  The tent was in essence a reminder of this gracious and beautiful place that God had placed them in.  He was their shield, their covering, their fortress.

NT  Grace

It signifies the unmerited operation of God in the heart of man, affected through the agency of the Holy Spirit. While we sometimes speak of grace as an inherent quality, it is in reality the active communication of divine blessings by the inworking of the Holy Spirit, out of the fulness of Him who is “full of grace and truth.  Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology

It almost always means the power of salvation which finds expression in specific gifts, acts, and spheres

Like ‘Spirit,’ (with which it overlaps in meaning), it denotes effective divine power in the experience of men.” —James D.G. Dunn It is the life giving presence of Jesus!

GRACE – God’s riches at Christ’s expense or undeserved favor or GIFT..when was the last time you pulled out your wallet to pay someone for a gift?... that would be ridiculous.

Romans 5:1

There are 3 focus areas of our strategic plan:

They are like the drop down menu under ‘everyday grace in our community”

·        Experiencing grace

·        Empowered by grace

·        Extending grace

And I see them all expressed in the grace-packed chapter!

Experiencing Grace

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

·        The experience of God’s GRACE – God’s riches at Christ’s Expense!  It is accessed by faith.  However, it costs!  Make no mistake the cost of our grace was great…just keep reading to Romans 6.

What does that grace look like, the grace in which now he stands?

He experienced it through:

Suffering– That doesn’t sound exciting…You mean we experience grace through suffering.  Paul experienced the grace of God in the midst of the suffering because the persecution he was facing from the religious

Jesus was ready to suffer so that we could experience his unbelievable grace and freedom.

Perseverance in pursuing grace produces character, hope, and the opposite of shame which is the experience of grace…no more guilt.

Jesus persevered as He went to the cross, when He cried out to God, not my will, but yours be done.

·        As a result of grace, we experience God’s love through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

I will never forget the word spoken over my life that I would bring rivers of living water to a dry and weary land!

The Spirit of God testifies with our spirit and gives us the growing sense of confidence that we are His children, hearing His voice and following His leading.

I think of the stories from the time that Josh was here with the young adults at their retreat at the beginning of the summer.  They prayed right through their scheduled dinner time or the prayer meeting in June that went past 11pm for those gathered there who took time to just listen to what God was laying on their hearts for the people that they placed their hands on.

I’m also reminded of the ladies retreat a year ago when God confirmed things over and over through the prayers of the ladies there through words, pictures and verses.  The prayer time gripped them so much they came back and committed to praying weekly together for a significant period of time.

What is the common thread here?  The experience of grace through prayer led to a greater hunger for more of God’s life giving presence….You want it more!

·        4.As a result of grace we have received the gift of justification. 

v1 accessed by faith and v9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

This is a legal term from the world of law. To justify means to “declare not guilty.” Wayne Grudem defines it this way: “An instantaneous legal act of God in which He thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us.” We are found not guilty but we are also declared righteous. According to 2 Corinthians 5:21, the righteousness of Christ is credited to your account. Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

5.As a result of grace we have received the gift of reconciliation.

v10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Reconciliation…the act of taking parties that were diametrically opposed to each other in bringing them into perfect and complete union.

Empowered By Grace

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

·        Empowered by an abundant provision of grace – abundance speaks of a lavish outpouring, it’s a well that won’t run dry.  It is thirst quenching, overflowing, it is real freedom

·        Empowered by the gift of righteousness – we can get clothed in it everyday

·        Empowered as we reign in life through Jesus Christ – we carry the life giving presence of Jesus Christ

You can’t program this in to people, but it comes through the living presence of Jesus.  It leads us to making God honoring decisions.

My dad loved cars.  A great day would be going to the Guelph Auto Mall and test driving cars on any given Saturday. However, somehow we managed to end up with a Relient K car!  Anyways, one day I was with my mom driving it along some country roads in the winter while home on winter break from Bible school.  I was going to fast, came around an S turn, lost control and slid into an oncoming van.  Well, it was totalled but I still was able to drive it home.  My mom told me to park it in the garage so dad wouldn’t see it right away when we got home…grace.  Then she said, “let dad eat supper first and then you can show it to him”… more grace.  Well, I then showed dad the car and his response…He was just glad that nobody was hurt and taught me I was so much more important than things.  He was empowered by grace and he extended it to me!

Extending Grace

18Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Law fulfills its purpose when it makes men realize the full sense of how sinful they are as they see the sins they commit.  It is like a mirror that reveals the dirt on our face.

There is nothing like a speeding ticket to remind you of the law!  My mom was racing one morning down Hwy 6 getting to High Power Soccer Camp doing 116km in an 80km zone.  She could pulled over and informed that the ticket was going to be $282-.  He asked her where was she going in such a hurry.  She explained to make snacks for the kids at soccer camp as she was wearing her bright yellow camp t-shirt!  Well, the officer let her off the hook and made her promise to slow down! He extended incredible grace in that situation to her!

“Where sin overflowed, grace flooded in.”

·        A grace that extends further than the effects of sin. - so much so that becomes more the news story that the effects of sin that often dominate the headlines.

·        A grace that extends to righteous acts  - Our reputation in the community is welcomed and received.

·        A grace that extends to eternal life though Jesus Christ!  We want to see people come to know Jesus.

To live as a saint is to be living in grace and extending grace.

The picture for Grace –

1.      We are agents of change in our community viewed as streams watering the desert.  Isaiah 43:18-21.  We have a reputation!

2.      We see ourselves as people IN community FOR the community.  The Word became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood.  John 1:14

3.      Involvement in community (among the people of GCC and in Guelph) exceeds involvement in church

Our church in Milton had a similar vision to extend grace into the community so much so that we took a Sunday off as well to “be the church”.  We served in the community doing everything from a food drive to organizing gifts at the Salvation Army.  We also were involved in supporting the women’s shelter and helping ladies get started on their own.  We created a “Good For Nothing” store that people in need could find really good clothing.  Well I remember Sharon telling me one day that a lady came up to her and thought we were a church of 1000 people because of all the community work going on.  Nope….just a church of 150 people extending grace and love!!

This Friday and Saturday, our Junior High youth will be challenged on the theme of “I AM compelled!” and challenged to extend grace in their schools!   www.iamcompelled.ca

Takeaway

As you experience the depths of His grace, grace will empower you to extend it into our community.

It is circular…when you extend it, you will experience it as well.

It is poured out through the Holy Spirit as we experience grace.  It overflows through the empowerment as we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness and grace increases all the more.  It extends further than the most far reaching effects of sin!

Why Vision Is Vital!

We have been on a journey of seeing God’s vision for this church.  We long to see ourselves through the lens of our heavenly Father who I believe created each and everyone us with a sense of purpose. 

Why Vision Is Vital

You were born with a desire to make a difference, to be part of something bigger than yourself. Every person has a desire to live a life of vision, of purpose, and significance.

We were all born with certain hungers and certain desires and this is not just a God thing…  Fast Company magazine reports that psychologists have identified three hungers that are common to all of us: to connect to the creative spirit of life; to express our gifts and talents; and to know that our lives matter:

For those of us who believe in God, He doesn't always reveal the full picture of what he wants us to do with our lives. But we can enter into a relationship with God in which we sense his direction, the burdens and concerns that he places on our hearts. As we follow God in that relationship we can play a role in building God's kingdom.

Lessons from the life of Nehemiah

Nehemiah 6:15,16

15So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.16When 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.

A vision from God fulfilled gives us incredible confidence that God has enabled us!

He had opposition, he had cynics, he had doubters, he had distractions.  There were a lot of obstacles that he had to overcome!  He had to tear people’s hair out to get their attention… Nehemiah 13:25….It wasn’t just about rebuilding walls for Nehemiah…it was their spiritual walls and sense of identity as God’s people.

Who was Nehemiah – in short one of the exiles led away in captivity to Babylon and put in the service of the king as a cupbearer.  A cupbearer may seem insignificant…bring wine to the king; however;  someone had to be absolutely trustworthy in this position and ready to even swallow what he brought to the king with the fear of plots against him. 

Nehemiah receives news… Why were the walls in disarray?  This city was destroyed and burned by the Babylonian army in 586 BCE….at least 70 years had passed since then.

One of the best examples of somebody who lived a life of vision is Nehemiah. Nehemiah's taught us that vision is a divinely given picture of what could be and should be. Nehemiah heard that the walls of Jerusalem had been broken down. Right away, Nehemiah saw what could be and should be - that the defenses of the city could be restored, and the walls rebuilt. A vision is always a picture of what could be and should be from God's perspective.  I believe that God has placed in each of us a passion for influence.

The 7 Mountains of Influence in our Culture.

In 1975, Bill Bright, founder of Power To Change…known back then as Campus Crusade for Christ, and Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With a Mission, had lunch together in Colorado. God simultaneously gave each of these change agents a message to give to the other. During that same time frame Francis Schaeffer was given a similar message. That message was that if we are to impact any nation for Jesus Christ, then we would have to affect the seven spheres, or mountains of society that are the pillars of any society.

These seven mountains are business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family and religion. God was telling these three change agents where the battlefield was. It was here where culture would be won or lost. Their assignment was to raise up change agents to scale the mountains and to help a new generation of change agents understand the larger story.

Influence in Arts and Entertainment – I think of just this week the unmistakeable desire that God put on Sheryl T’s heart -  Saturday Morning Art @ Grace!  encouraging each other in art and life, bringing glory to God and Brian J. w/ art as an initiative with Parkwood Gardens.

Education – Mair G. for the neighbourhood surrounding her school at Brant Public, Elmer W. is for the people of VietNam  

Government – Dr Anne Marie – influencing change agents through the Institute of Global Health that just was launched this past Friday

Business – I think of Rob B, Rob G, my wife Sharon, all part of our B2B initiative to help see new self-sustaining business initiatives and partnerships take place in Lesotho, helping business people there get access to funding, to strong business plans.  Bryan and Dan Andrade’s conversation 43:1

Religion –Amy W and Sam B is for the youth and children of Carmen Bajo,

Yours could be for a certain people group or a need that you've observed. What do you burn about? What do you dream about, laugh about, cry about? God has given you some burden, concern, or passion that will eventually grow into a vision.

Nehemiah's was to change government and it was  for the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

Remember, what God originates, God orchestrates. Nehemiah didn't have the resources to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He didn't have the money. He didn't have the freedom. He didn't have the authority. But when God originates a vision, God always orchestrates the how. God is the God of the what, but he's also the God of the how.

Some of you may be thinking, "I'm not a visionary. I don't even believe that God will give me an overarching plan for my life. I don't buy this vision stuff. God is calling me to walk with him - nothing more." You may be right - God may not give you the full plan for your life and what he should be doing. But he will give you a picture of what could be and should be in different areas of your life - in your marriage, in your family, in your business. That picture will come directly as a result of your walk with him.  There is something that he is calling you to do, you have a greater destiny.

The vision may not be a plan of what you're going to do. The vision may that you would develop the character qualities of a person that God can bless. It may be specific and lifelong; it may relate to a specific area of your life, either lifelong or temporal. But God does give his followers promptings, stirrings, pictures of what could be and should be in the various areas of our lives.

This morning from the life of Nehemiah, -we are going to get life lessons.

A vision is birthed through a realization and a revelation  Nehemiah 1:1-4

Let me explain what I mean by both:

A realization comes as a  deep dissatisfaction with how things are. 

At the root of every history maker’s calling is a complaint.  The complaint is our cause, our fuel, our drive, our motiviation.  Complaining is not whining.  Whiners are people who complain about things they permit or tolerate.

You will get to the point where you are not comfortable

When Nehemiah is given the report of the conditions in Jerusalem, it arrests him to the point of becoming undone, to tears, to being driven to his knees in prayer and fasting.

Let me show you another example of this:

Habbakuk 2:1,2

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint. ² Then the Lord replied:

“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablet  so that a herald may run with it.

            A realization comes from the potential of what could be.

In that time of prayer and fasting, waiting on God, God gives Nehemiah the picture and it is about a city restored to it’s place of greatness and influence.  A stronghold, a fortress to remind the people of God that their God surrounds them.

A revelation is a prompting that we receive from the Spirit of God

Notice that on receiving the news about the walls of Jerusalem that Nehemiah spent days in God’s presence seeking His face. 

It is not enough just to picture what it could like, but a strong sense of determination that I am the one called to lead this change.  Things can’t stand the same.  It is time to change our perspective.  The beating in your heart for what God has put there won’t go away!

A vision crystalizes through time spent in God’s presence v4-10

prayer and fasting

crystalizing - to give a definite, precise, and usually permanent form to

-        Why should we fast?...is it so our prayers are heard more? No.  It is to remind me of

-        Isaiah 58:6  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?  It leads me to action.

-         It is many ways like margins, it creates space for me to hear God more clearly,

-          like leaving my phone at home for the week I was gone on vacation!

-        What should a week of not reading God’s Word do in you?  Make you feel guilty?  It should make you feel hungry!

Before he takes any action, he waits on direction from the Lord, he calls out to awesome God, he repents for the sins of His people, He reminds God of the promise that He made with Moses

Then notice the request for a prayer of favor v11  (read)

Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

A vision is developed through a strategic plan.  Nehemiah 2:1-10

Nehemiah's also taught us that vision takes time to grow. A vision isn't necessarily a green light. You've got to wait until you sense that it's time to move on that vision. Waiting time isn't wasted time

Step 1  Convince the king to allow me to leave his service in order to rebuild the wall around a city that in years past posed a threat to him and his kingdom

Step 2 Convince the king to lend financial support to the building project

Step 3 Procure letters from the king to the governors in the surrounding area asking them to provide us with safe passage.

Step 4 Work out a deal with Asaph, keeper of the King’s forest, to secure enough lumber to build the city gates as well as a home for himself

Step 5 Ask the king for the title of Governor of Judah

Step 6 Organize and equip the people living in the city of Jerusalem

Step 7 Begin construction!

Andy Stanley in "Visioneering"

Strategic planning is a process that helps you focus on the unique gifts and resources God has given your church to take advantage of the opportunities in front of you.  Ephesians 5:15,16

You've been praying and planning. You've trusted God and watched as he has orchestrated events and people to accomplish the vision. If it's of God, you've seen God's thumbprint all over that vision. But we've now come to a scary point. We've come closer to the implementation of the vision, but before you can implement, there's one important step left. You've got to share the vision with others.

After months of waiting, Nehemiah finally had the green light to proceed. The pace was picking up. The vision had been launched. Nehemiah was given permission to use trees from the king's forest. He was given permission to travel back to Jerusalem, along with an armed escort. After years of routine and menial service, Nehemiah must have felt like a caged bird set free. For the first time in a long time, his abilities were about to be put to good use.

A  vision involves others and transforms others.  Nehemiah 2:11-20

11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 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. 

But there was one step left. Nehemiah knew what God had put in his heart to do. He even had the green light and the resources to proceed. But there was still one crucial step. Nehemiah had to share the vision with others. 

Two things are true of every God-given vision: it involves others, and it transforms others. Before Nehemiah could proceed, he had to share his vision with the residents of Jerusalem. Without their support, success would be impossible. Before you can begin to implement God's vision for your life, you need to share your vision with others who can partner with you and support you in accomplishing that vision.

Nehemiah 2 is an example of how to share your vision with others.  

Share your vision with the appropriate people at the appropriate time.

Nehemiah teaches both groups three important lessons on how to share your vision in to the appropriate people at the appropriate time:

Timing is everything!

Investigate before you initiate. Walk before you talk. Before you ever open your mouth to share the vision, you've got to do your homework. When God first gives you a vision, don't tell anyone. Investigate before you initiate.

Before you can move ahead with the vision, you need to know everything possible about that can be known before moving ahead. Jesus once said, "Don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?" Luke 14:28 It's not a lack of faith or a change of heart to do some research. We need to get the facts.

Nehemiah  2:17,18

Once Nehemiah completed the investigation phase, he took action by beginning to share his vision. Here's the second lesson on how to communicate vision to the right people at the right time:

Expect Criticism    Nehemiah 2:19,20

Whenever you share your vision, expect criticism. Opposition is the price of vision. Just expect criticism right from the start.

Nobody likes criticism. But you've probably figured out that you'll be criticized no matter what you do. Even if you do nothing, you'll still be criticized. You may as well be criticized for living out God's vision for your life.

There's nothing more exciting than following God's leading in our lives. There's nothing more exciting than sensing and obeying God's promptings on your life.

I believe that God is calling some of you to follow his promptings. It's time to share with others what God is calling you to do and to be. It's time to share the character changes that he's asking you to make. Whatever it is, follow Nehemiah's example.

If you've never signed on to the adventure of following God, then I invite you to do so today. Why wouldn't you want to live out God's vision in your marriage, your family, your business, your calling?

The Takeaway

When your vision is from God, you are ready to give your life to it.

Nehemiah left a comfortable job with the Persian government and risked his life in the presence of the king for the opportunity to rebuild the walls.  God’s vision for his life was worth everything to him.

His job security. His status of living. Even his life.

Jesus had us in His sights when He shared with the disciples, “greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” in John 15:13  We were the vision He gave His life for!!