Nehemiah’s Assessment
1. Taking Inventory (Nehemiah 2:11-16)
You will never build the walls of your life until you have first become greatly concerned about the ruins. Have you ever taken a good look at the ruins in your own life? Have you ever stopped long enough to assess what you could be under God, and compared that with what you are? Have you looked at the possibilities that God gave you in your life, and seen how far you have deviated from that potential? – Ray Steadman
Psalm 139:23 - Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Jeremiah 17:9,10 - The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”
2. Presenting the Financials (Nehemiah 2:17,18)
Profit & Loss Statement
Income & expenses
What is my current situation costing me?
What is the cost of growth?
Balance Sheet
Assets & liabilities
What have I got to work with & what will it take to fix it?
Cash Flow
Making an assessment
3. The Competition (Nehemiah 2:19)
1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
4. Goodwill (Nehemiah 1:7-9 & 2:20)
Nehemiah not only came with a full military escort but it is apparent from this account that he came with the full authority of the throne of Persia behind him. I want you to remember that if you set out to change something in your life for the better, you have the full authority of the throne of God behind you; you may proceed with full confidence that the unseen, but very real, power of God is backing you up! – Ray Steadman
Isaiah 52:12 - the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:8,9 - Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
A good definition of a Christian is one that says he is completely fearless, continually cheerful, and constantly in trouble!
