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People are the Burden

SCRIPTURE  

Nehemiah 1:3
“And they said to me, ‘The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.’”
 
OBSERVATION 

There is nothing more dear to the heart of God than people. Nehemiah did not get a burden to build walls; he got a burden for “the remnant.” The remnant was the group of Jewish people who lived in Jerusalem and were in great trouble because of the broken down walls. To Nehemiah, people were the burden.
 
As believers, we can care about a lot of things, but people matter the most. As we look to God for a burden, we must always realize that the burden will be rooted in a love for people. As you look around our city, our number one concern must be lost people. When we understand that our burden is for people, everything becomes really clear.
 
Why do we give, love and serve? Because people matter to God and they matter to us. We have thousands of reasons, and those reasons are people. God is calling us to stretch as a church in generosity so we can reach more people. It is only when a burden for people has entered our hearts that we are able to sacrifice to see souls saved and lives changed. Nehemiah understood that whatever God was calling him to was because of a love for people. People are the burden!
 
APPLICATION 
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Take time to write down the names of people two people you know or two people that you encounter at work or around town (and ask them their names) who will be impacted by the New Wave Faith Journey. Take time each day to pray for these people and to remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing. Pray that God would deepen your burden for the people around you.

Prayer

God, I ask you today to give me a burden for people. May I never forget why I give and serve. Jesus, I want to make a difference in people’s lives. Help me to live a generous life so that I can see a new story written in people all around me.

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