Following Jesus isn’t easy. There are days when it feels like the opposition, the pressure, or just the tiredness is too much. But we’re reminded to “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” — Hebrews 12:3. This reminds us that we don’t run this race alone. Jesus has gone before us and he places us in community so that when one of us is weary, others can help carry the load. At Community Church, we’re learning that it’s better together not because it’s easy, but because God meets us in the struggle and strengthens us through one another.
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This Week's Scripture:
// Nehemiah 5:6-13 (NIV) //
When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.
So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”
“We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.”
Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!”
At this the whole assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.
