WHEN YOU CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE

Notes & Resources
Written By StevenJBarker

WHEN YOU CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE

The Good Work - Part 1 | June 1, 2025

Gabe Kolstad | @gabekolstad 

 

So they began the good work.    

-Nehemiah 2:18

2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”    -Nehemiah 1:2-3

1. Sit down to CRY

When I heard this, I sat down and wept.

-Nehemiah 1:4a

Nehemiah’s Secret Weapon:

HOLY DISCONTENT

2. Kneel down to PRAY

In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. -Nehemiah 1:4b

5 Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!”    -Nehemiah 1:5-6

O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.    -Nehemiah 1:11

3. Stand up to ACT

4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”    -Nehemiah 2:4-5

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

-Romans 12:21

For Discussion:

  • If you could make a difference in the world and time, money, and skill were no object, what would you want to do?

  • Read Nehemiah 1:2-6. What can you learn about starting a good work from Nehemiah’s example?

  • How can you use the passions, skills, and resources God’s given you to start a good work?

 

QUICK LINKS:

StevenJBarker https://strongergrp.com
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GREATER THAN THE BATTLE IN YOUR MIND