Rebuilding Brokenness When You're Shattered Inside...

Your world is your home, your family, where you worship, work, and your involvement in your community. This world you daily interact and live in can seem as large as the whole planet. I don't know what problems have touched your life. What I do know is that in this world we are not exempt from emotional pain and the brokenness that can shatter our lives. So whether it is relationships and divorce or drifting of children, friends, or hurtful situations at church or work, there are lessons that you can learn from. We are diving into Nehemiah to help rebuild that inside. The Jewish people had been captives in Babylonia and after returning to Jerusalem were distressed by the brokenness of the wall surrounding the city. The wall was built to protect the town from neighboring civilizations from attacking those living within. During the captivity, the Jews were unable to maintain the structure.

"And they said to me. The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."

"So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before God of heaven." Nehemiah 1:3-4

Nehemiah isn't even in Jerusalem as the story unravels. He is a long way away. He was a slave for a foreign king in Persia in 444 BC. He is a man of prayer who prays fervently and continually. That's something I want to improve on, how about you? He's not a spiritual leader or prophet. His fasting and praying triggers change the way prayer is intended. What heartbreak in your life created a change for you to start BUILDING?

Pray with me.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to bring our brokenness to You as we come for healing over the things that have happened during our lives. Only You can truly heal our minds and hearts of the hurts and emotional pain we have experienced. Help us to see ourselves from Your eyes. Remove our pride and self-righteousness as we learn to walk humbly as You intended us to live. Our worth is not into ourselves but found in Your identity. We are enough in You and not in ourselves at all. Thank you for loving us unconditionally and for reminding us of our worth and value as we seek to rebuild our brokenness. May we always remember that we are your beloved children, created in your image.

In Your name we pray,

Amen.

Yours in faith,

RHUMC

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS: April 15: Tim Nelson; April 16: Curtis Nickel April 17: Anthen Arheart

UPCOMING ANNIVERSARIES: April 20: Thane & Becky Arheart, Diane Mann

APRIL 14 USHERS: Rick Nelson, Evan Black, CJ Bextel, Diane Mann

APRIL 14 GREETERS: Marilyn Logbeck, Delynn Nelson, Rose Mary Templin, Sue Tanner

APRIL 14 SNACKS: Jolene Bextel