Destination Church Spokane Podcast

As the story of Nehemiah continues, a matter of heart-wrenching social injustice surfaces during the massive building project. Many of the poor in Jerusalem and the surrounding area are struggling in a season of famine. To put food on the table, some of them have gone deeply in debt, even resorting to selling their own children into slavery. Others are all to happy to seize the advantage at the de...

Whatever happens, we must remember one thing: Don't stop building. There will be opposition; it may look like rage, like mocking, or even more organized threats. We may have to slow down, adjust strategies, and take extra precautions to guard what God has commissioned us to do. As we build, we pray. As we adjust, we pray. As we shore up our weak areas, we pray. As we respond to confusion, we...

In Nehemiah 3 we find so many groups of people coming together to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. They build multiple gates and towers, and many lengths of wall. Each part of the project matters,  each person matters, and each contribution matters! It takes teams, families, intentionality, and inclusivity to build wisely according to what God is building. Our willingness to work together in our com...

We have a call to build, even though the work ahead will bring challenges. When God fills our hearts with His mission we can look on current devastation and be full of faith. When God is the one who has called us to build we can confidently stand up and take action! Rather than being stuck in passivity we can strengthen our hands for the great work ahead. God is the one who will prosper His purpos...

God opens doors at the right time. As we start Chapter 2 of Nehemiah, he has been praying for four months. What has he been praying for? - that he would be able to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild his home. When the king Nehemiah is serving asks him what is troubling him, Nehemiah is afraid but answers truthfully. The door to return is opening, and the king swings it wide open by not only giving Ne...

What do you do when you hear bad news? What about when you hear of a need that's too big for you to fix, or you have a giant-sized dream that seems impossible? When these things happen it could just be that God is about to move your heart! When He does move our hearts we are wise to remind ourselves of exactly who this God is who is moving us. God hears us, works powerfully in our own hearts,...

Is it really true that in the church male and female both get to participate fully and freely? What about when it comes to teaching in the church? Is that role reserved only for men, or can women participate in this ministry as well? If it's true that both male and female are created as image-bearers of God, and both carry the same good news of Jesus Christ, then it's very important that...

Fresh vision for the future of the kingdom of God and for the exaltation of Jesus Christ is the birthright of every Christian, from the newest and youngest to the oldest and most silver-haired! "But I feel so young." "But I'm far too old to be of much use." In the kingdom of God, old and young are fully included, and receive the same Holy Spirit. From Paul's challenge...

While we may tend to disqualify ourselves or those around us, Jesus is the ultimate qualifier. He pours out His Spirit even on those our culture may consider the "least," takes our "not-enough," and makes it more than enough! While it's true that we could never merit enough on our own to partner with God in His plans, Jesus qualifies rich and poor, high and low, and uses a...

If we really want to see positive culture change, there are a few things we need to know, things we see at the end of the book of Ezra. Culture shift will require follow-through on the decisions agreed upon in the moment, and God is fully committed to supporting the changes He asks us to make. Culture shift also requires fathering, people of influence taking responsibility together to facilitate t...

Ezra has come to teach God's people God's ways, to help them align their lives to the heart and word of God. When he discovers that they are straying so badly into sin, he is understandably devastated. He becomes an example to them though, of how to repent, and they way he identifies with them in their sin points us all to Jesus, the one who ultimately has taken our sin upon Himself. The...

Is God a racist? If He's not, then why would He oppose the interracial marriage we find in Ezra Chapter 9? Why would Ezra react so strongly when he discovers that His people are marrying outside of the people of Israel? It's true that one of the biggest decisions of life is who to spend it with in marriage, so what does God ask of us in making this important choice? It's actually no...

When Ezra arrives on the scene in Jerusalem after a long and dangerous journey, he and the many who came with him took three days to rest. Before delivering the money and resource they were carrying to the temple, before sacrificing, before diving in to their important work, they rested. Rest was a very important priority in Jesus' life and ministry as well, not only to recharge but also to h...

Speaking words of great faith is often much easier than taking the actual steps of great faith! Believing in general terms that God guards His people and helps us in what He has commissioned us to do is right and good. Walking forward into seemingly dangerous, faith-testing adventures can still humble the most confident of hearts. When Ezra is preparing to return to Jerusalem, he makes bold statem...

It's been said, "We have no control over our ancestors, but we do have influence for our descendants." With that in mind, what kind of legacy would you like to leave for those who follow in your footsteps? In Ezra 8:1-20 we find Ezra recruiting Levites to return to Jerusalem, Levites whose ancestors had served the house of God, and now it's their turn. Ezra's own heart had...

God's heart for us as His people is revealed through the King of Persia in Ezra 7:11-28 as God moves this king to show great favor. God's sovereign will and purpose inspires a king, who releases a mission, which enables a leader to mobilize a people. May we too learn to think like favored ambassadors and favored sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father! As we imitate our Father we too b...

God's plan is so much bigger than us! While we've been building, God has been preparing others in other places. He knows just the right time to join our stories together, insiders and outsiders merging to write new chapters together. Different gifts are all coming to reinforce and participate together. God knows how to weave our stories together, and has been preparing help for all of us...

God's people had waited many years for the work on the temple to finally be completed. Now that it is finished they celebrate, joyfully dedicating the temple and then by remembering the Passover. They rejoiced because they could now freshly experience a measure of God's presence. The same God who had commissioned them to build the temple, who rescued them from captivity, and who wanted t...

In Ezra Chapter 5 we find God's people building the temple diligently and successfully. They are using new materials, yet still building on the same foundation as the first temple in Jerusalem, so what they are building is new and also not new. As they build with God at the center, they may still face opposition, but we see God turning the tide on behalf of His people. Yes, opposition will ri...

What happens when God's prophetic commission on our lives sits dormant? Sometimes, for various reasons, we can become stuck, stalled, or distracted. In times like this God is faithful to send a fresh reminder, a prophetic voice to call us back to His purpose in our lives. God's prophetic gifts to the church reinforce His purpose and remind us of the bigger picture. It is truly important...

When we set out to build what God has commissioned we will face increased temptation and opposition. In Ezra 4 we are given insight into multiple enemy tactics so that we can be aware and better prepared. Attempts to dilute and infiltrate our work should not be shocking to us, temptations to compromise on core-level issues, to appease an ungodly culture, with the goal of allowing that culture to a...

When God is building something new, it is often both exciting and challenging for those involved. Those who remember "the good old days" may even experience real grief in comparing the small beginnings now with the glories of yesterday. God is masterful at building us into community, where there is room for all of our very real emotions. Even while the work God has assigned us remains be...

In Ezra 3 the Jewish people have come home with a prophetic commission. After settling into their homes, they are now gathered as one to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Shelters, and to build the altar of sacrifice. Here they will consecrate themselves as they remember God's rescue and God's blessing. Today God calls us to partner with Him and build as one people, a people who cel...

We as the people of God are a culturally diverse people joined together in common purpose despite our differences. In Ezra 2 many peoples are gathering together from different families, backgrounds, towns of origin, roles, social status, and amounts of wealth. No matter who we are and what our roles may be, our lineage is secure in in Jesus. From that position of security we are enabled to freely...

Have you ever had your heart moved? Have you had a passion, a dream, or a vision for the future? The Spirit of God works in our hearts and stirs up these things. Before we were even born God had a plan and a calling for us, and He still does. Through good and bad, nations rising and falling, and everything in between, God is working out His goodness and mercy for His people. God is drawing us toge...