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“Caring Offers Now, Christ's Emancipative, Restorative Nurture! (C.O.N.C.E.R.N)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
"The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:  In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem." (Nehemiah 1:1-2, NIV)

Observations:
I asked myself, what did Nehemiah do when he got visitors from Judah while he was a captive in the citadel (fortress) of Susa?

1. Nehemiah questioned Hanani and the other men who came from Judah about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile.

2. Nehemiah questioned them also about Jerusalem.

Interpretation:
I asked myself the significance of Nehemiah's actions?
Nehemiah could have complained and shared about how rough it was for him being away from home and being held in captivity but instead of complaining and focusing on his own captivity, he shows concern by caring for the 2 P's:

1. His People (Jewish remnant that had survived the exile) back home!
2. His Place (Jerusalem) back home!

This showed his unselfishness and outward focus of concern for others then inward concern for himself. That is amazing to know that he had so much concern for his people and place instead of on his own problems.

Nehemiah could have had a lot of reasons to gripe about and complain when he looked at his life and where he was but he did not. Instead of wallowing in his own misery and captivity thinking, 'woe is me', he takes time to care to inquire for other people.

Even in his captivity he acted the role of a shepherd wanting to know the state of the flock and their surroundings. That showed love towards his people and the place he was taken from.

The 3 S' gave me important implications to think about:
Shepherd : Nehemiah
Sheep: Jews
Surroundings: Jerusalem

Implications:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
Instead of focusing on my own problems and pressures of life, I need to be focused outwardly towards the needs of my brothers and sisters by showing genuine concern than being inwardly focused and concerned more about myself.

Yesterday, at Transformers small group facilitated by Pastor Hugo Cheng of Oakland International Fellowship, we learned that building a stronger community starts with our concern for our brothers and sisters more than ourselves. It starts with inquiring about others and how they are doing instead of just talking about ourselves and our problems.

I ask you now dear friend, what will your concern do in a person's life that the Lord places near you?
Dear friend, there are those in your surroundings that you can be a shepherd to because they are sheep in need of a shepherd but that cannot be done on our own. Only when we realize what the Good Shepherd did for us and how he takes care of us His sheep by showing genuine concern for our lives, can we bring ourselves to show concern for others. Jesus showed His concern for you and me by going to the cross of Calvary to deliver us from the captivity of sin we are in. That is the greatest concern acted upon. That is how much Jesus loves us. Jesus knew we needed to be shown concern and He did and it has changed countless lives including mine. It can happen for you too! 

You can see a transformation when you let His love and His sacrifice permeate your life knowing you will be guided by the Good Shepherd, who is our Jehovah, Rohi.

One day I found out from a person I knew that he was planning to commit suicide that day but then he came across a Christian rap that I had written called 'Downing Depression' which he found on the ground where he was working. When he saw me he told me that poem and especially the prayer  saved his life. Since that day, he was transformed and whenever I see him, there is a smile on his face. He is a PAT bus driver now.

This all happened when my mission was counseling broken hearts with the love of Christ. I used to have such a deep concern for people in the places of influence that the Lord Jesus had placed me in. It did not matter whether it was people I knew or not. That concern changed people's lives as the Lord decided to use me. Eventually, I went on to become a campus minister to counsel broken hearts with the love of Christ.

Sadly, when my own heart was broken when I was asked to take a sabbatical and time of from the ministry I loved to do, I was never the same again. At the time of departure, I was so concerned about myself and what happened to me that I did not continue to be concerned about others because of my own shame of captivity until the Lord Jesus let me meet Pastor Hugo Cheng.

His concern and counsel for me has made strides in my life. Though, I still miss what I was doing and would love to do that again if the Lord gives me that opportunity back, I should not let that hold me back from showing concern for others.

My favorite song has been John Waller's prayer song called 'While I Am Waiting'. While I am waiting for the Lord to take me to the people and place I love to minister at, I have not stopped showing concern. I have used http://www.pittsburghstandard.com, http://www.facebook.com, as means of ministry including my current job. I choose to be content what the Lord Jesus has given me and where He has placed me at while I am waiting. I pray you will do the same.

Pastor Hugo's concern for me is what made me get more involved in Oakland International Fellowship. Even there I stumbled, but Lord used the concern of Pastor Hugo, Kristen, and Edwin & Marie to help me move forward.

Maybe I may never get back where I was but this I know, the Lord Jesus loves me so much that He will work in my life. Wherever, I am that should not stop me from showing concern for others just as it did not stop Nehemiah in his captivity.

I won't say that I do not miss what I was doing but I will say that where the Lord has me now, I can use it as a means to ministry by having FAITH: being faithful, available, involved, teachable, and humble. Thank you Jesus!

Whatever captivity we face should not become an excuse not to shown concern for others. We will never know whose life we can save or transform by the divine power of the Lord who will work in us and through us.

May you become a beacon of light to show concern for those the Lord sends your way for you may never know how much that concern could save a life or transform a life! Amen!

"Caring Offers Now Christ's Emancipative Redeeming Nurture!!" (C.O.N.C.E.R.N)/"What will your C.O.N.C.E.R.N do in a person's life that the Lord places near you?"

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you know the captivities we face in our own lives. They do hurt us and give us pain but you are a God of restoration and our Redeemer. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for the people you use in our lives to show concern for us reminding us that you have not forgotten about us. Your love can be shown through them. Thank you for dying for our sins and coming back to life to save us. Your blood was shed on the cross for us. While we were yet sinners you died for us to redeem us showing your concern for us. I am forever indebted to you my Lord for what you have done in my life and for me. I want you to be my Lord and Personal Savior! Oh Father God, I pray that you would help those in pain Lord. Help those who are struggling and held captive. You know what they are held captive to. You Oh Lord are the helper of the helpless and those who are oppressed can come to you for help. Thank you Jesus. Reveal yourself in a mighty way to those looking for answers to show them your concern in their lives. Touch their lives in a powerful way. Thank you Jesus. Help us to show concern for others putting our own pain, problems, pressures aside as we depend on you our Prince of Peace. Thank you so much Jesus for using the example of Nehemiah in our lives.  When we are weak you are strong. Help us to be dependent on you Lord. For your Name's sake let us be an example in word and deed through Jesus Christ our Lord! Thank you Jesus we are never out of your love, never out of your reach! In Your precious Holy Name We Pray. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. Thank you for the answers and the strength you give us. Amen!

May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith.

Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help! I recommend Oakland International Fellowship with Pastor Hugo Cheng. Our service starts at 9:30 a.m. with Prayer, 10:30 a.m. with Sunday School, 11:30 a.m. with Worship Service, and 12:30 p.m. with lunch fellowship. We are located in the heart of the University community on North Dithridge St.

May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and forever! Amen!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

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