11‘So, I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, 12I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. 13After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. 14Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. 15So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate. 16The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. 17‘But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” ‘
Nehemiah 2:11-17 (NLT)
- Your Why Gives You Direction
5“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
“Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.”
Psalm 119:97 (NLT)
- Your Why Keeps You Focused
“Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.”
Habakkuk 2:2 (NLT)
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (NLT)
“Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.”
– St. John Chrysostom
24”Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)
4“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”
Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT)
41“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
Luke 10:41-42 (NLT)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
- Your Why Inspires Others
17‘But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. ‘
Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NLT)
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Colossians 1:9 (NLT)
11”Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)