I am reading Chip Ingram's book "Good To Great In God's Eyes" now and the chapter is "Enjoy Great Moments." Ingram points out that great Christians enjoy life and have fun. He uses Nehemiah 8:10 to make his point. He says:
"Ezra...read the books of Moses...to the assembly. Realizing how badly they had missed God's will and violated His commandments, they began to weep...Nehemiah encouraged them with these words, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."...Nehemiah didn't miss the need to repent, BUT, he understood that God had given the people a time of gladness. Sorrow was natural and necessary sometime. BUT, it couldn't define the life of God's people."
Nehemiah and God didn't jump on them and beat them down further when they realized how they had sinned and disobeyed. Instead he told them "Don't grieve". Throw a party.
Ingram also says, "We have little slices of time that fill us with joy...we treasure them even more when we celebrate them with others, especially those close to our heart. They mean more when others are involved...You never took time for enjoying, relating, and just relaxing. God put opportunities in your path that you never noticed and [God] put people in your path who would have loved you if you'd given them the time." This relationship with people is huge for me. People would have/will love me if I would just give them a chance. God places them there for me as a gift that I often ignore.
Nehemiah and God didn't jump on them and beat them down further when they realized how they had sinned and disobeyed. Instead he told them "Don't grieve". Throw a party.
Ingram also says, "We have little slices of time that fill us with joy...we treasure them even more when we celebrate them with others, especially those close to our heart. They mean more when others are involved...You never took time for enjoying, relating, and just relaxing. God put opportunities in your path that you never noticed and [God] put people in your path who would have loved you if you'd given them the time." This relationship with people is huge for me. People would have/will love me if I would just give them a chance. God places them there for me as a gift that I often ignore.
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