Have you ever tried to explain something to another person, particularly someone from another culture? Or, help a child with a math problem? In both instances, the answer may be plain and simple to you, but makes absolutely no sense to the other person. I confess that in these types of situations patience, not being one of my primary virtues, becomes in short supply. I struggle to remain calm, non-threatening or asking the question, “why can’t you understand this?”, which results in immediate and complete shut-down by the other person. Is this always because the other person is incapable of understanding what we are saying, or is it possible that we may not have a complete understanding ourselves, which prevents us explaining in a simple and easy to understand manner?

After Nehemiah and the people had rebuilt the walls around the city of Jerusalem, the people gathered before the Water Gate where Ezra the priest, standing above the people, read the Law. The Levites went among the people on the ground explaining the Law clearly, so that everyone understood. The people mourned as they heard and understood the Law, but Nehemiah, Ezra the priest, and the Levites admonished the people not to mourn or weep because the day was holy to God and the joy of the Lord was their strength.

My prayer today is that we find joy in the Lord and study the Word to be able to explain to the unsaved the peace and joy that comes with becoming a child of the risen Christ.

One great way to weave worship into our daily lives is to fill it with music that helps focus our hearts on our great God. Here is a Spotify playlist that has all the songs our worship team has led us through in the last month’s Sunday evening services to get you started. http://bit.ly/GBCPMThisMonth It’s updated weekly, so “follow” it to keep fresh worship music in your life.