October 3, 2010

Accepting the Challenge

Ezra, Nehemiah

Synopsis: Like Billy Graham in our own time, Ezra and Nehemiah made a choice to follow God and be identified as the people of God. It was a decision that brought danger to them and their families and those who travel with them. They decided to return to the land of Judah and rebuild the temple and the walls of Jerusalem. They not only made a choice, they accepted the challenge and when to work to make the change happen for them and for the lives of those around them.

Billy Graham in an article in the October 2010 issue of Decision answered the question of “What is a Christian?” He wrote, “I believe a Christian is three things: A Christian is a person who has made a choice, a person who has accepted a challenge, a person who has been changed through the new birth.” Are you that kind of person?

It is a truly wonderful blessing to live in a country where you are free to make that choice. Most of the people in the world are denied the freedom to make that choice to follow Jesus Christ. All who do make the choice are confronted with various challenges, starting with ourselves. The choice is not enacted until the challenge has been meet and the change realized.

Scripture Text (NLT): Nehemiah 8:2-3

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-3