Shame can silence us. This might happen when we see a homeless person on the street or a refugee child with no shoes or a widow who needs a helping hand. In our shame and their humiliation, we may be tempted to turn away from them. But as followers of Jesus, as men and women filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit …

How do we persist in telling others about Jesus despite the difficulties we face in ministry? This is an uncomfortable question in our culture which does all it can to deny pain and find happiness in everything. To some, experiencing difficulty can appear feeble or pathetic.

How do we join God in restoring people from the lives they are trapped in? Do our words matter? How about our actions? According to Paul, yes and yes!

I’ve been reflecting lately on the importance of those who have helped restore me from the damage my choices sometimes produce.

With the report that the walls were completely rebuilt (6:15), the next thing one would expect would be a report of the celebration that the task was completed, and done in record time. But instead, the narrative moves in a different direction. Although verse 16 recounts the general effect among the enemies …

You have probably heard the phrase, “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” But what does that mean? We often say it as a generalized truth, not knowing that the context in which it originally occurred is Nehemiah 8. With the physical task of rebuilding the wall having been completed, the leadership now turns to the spiritual rebuilding of the people.

Betrayal. From the time Cain lured Abel into the fields, only to turn on his brother in a jealous rage, (Genesis 4:1-16) betrayal at the hands of a loved one has been a recurrent theme through the ages. It was no different for King David. While there is no exact date attached to this psalm …

When purchasing a house, you need to go to the basement and look at the foundation. This is especially true when houses are old. I have seen more than one basement which was crumbling. Such a house should probably not be purchased.

The absence of wisdom in our life is like those crumbling basements.