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Colin contiues in his series in Nehemiah and Karen read Neh Ch 11/12 ver 47

Having been rebuilt, Jerusalem needed repopulating. One person in ten was expected to move into the city but many others voluntarily accepted the move as being God’s will for them. Discovering what God wanted and submitting to his will took precedence over their own priorities. Hebrews 10 encourages us to spur each another on towards love and good deeds. These chapters of Nehemiah give us an Old Testament example of that principle.

* Ministry involves living where God wants you to live

* Ministry involves using the gifts God has given you

* Ministry involves being willing to faithfully serve in the shadows

* Ministry involves people first and programmes second.

However, four things were necessary:

* A pure heart (12:30)

* A worshipping heart (12:27 and 31-43)

* A joyful heart – (v.43)

* A giving heart – (v.47)

As one pastor told his son about to enter the ministry: “Keep close to God and keep close to your fellow-man, then bring God and your fellow-man together.” That’s ministry! May we all seek to do just that!