Ramblings

I (Matt) have been doing some reading lately in Nehemiah. I have been studying what Nehemiah went through as a leader.

In Nehemiah 1:3-4 it says, "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." 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."

As I read that I see and feel Nehemiah's brokenness. Nehemiah heard what was happening to his people and his heart broke. He wept before the Father. His heart was burdened for the people.

I look at the people around me and where their values are and my heart breaks. It has been freezing cold around here lately and I can't wait to get in doors when I am outside. Then I think about the people outside who can't get indoors because they are homeless. I think about the fire that happened in the apartment below me a couple of weeks ago and how we aren't able to live at home. I think about how we are staying at my in-laws and how many people have offered us a place to stay. What about those who have no home and no where to go? I am watching TV and complain that the TV isn't big enough or the picture is messed up. What about the people who have no money to even get a TV? I think about conversations I have had with people who feel like we should spend more money internally at the church rather than on helping to reach the lost and dying souls. Do we care about the people who don't know Jesus? I see churches acrossed America declining and less and less people are being reached for Christ. I see more and more pagan devices out there tempting people in materialism, greed, impurity, and immorality. DOES YOUR HEART BREAK FOR THESE THINGS? Jesus' heart is and he wants to use you and me. Will you let him?