March 1, 2026
Dreaming of Restoration

Nehemiah 2:1-5 (NIV)

1In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."

Nehemiah 2:1-5 (NIV)

I was very much afraid, 3but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
4The king said to me, "What is it you want?"
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5and I answered the

Nehemiah 2:1-5 (NIV)

king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it."

1. You will never move until your heart is moved.

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

1The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5Then I said:
"Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6let your ear be attentive

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's family, have committed against you.

Psalms 119:112 (KJV)

112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

Nehemiah 2:2a (NIV)

2so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."

2. Movements start with movement.

Nehemiah 2:12-13 (NIV)

12I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
13By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of

Nehemiah 2:12-13 (NIV)

Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire.

3. Others move when I obediently move with God.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NIV)

17Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." 18I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NIV)

They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

February 22, 2026
For Such a Time as This

"Whatever is not transformed in one generation will be transferred to the next generation."

Esther 4:12-13 (NIV)

When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape.

Esther 4:14 (NIV)

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

1. The comfort zone is the dead zone.

Esther 4:13b (NIV)

"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape.

Esther 4:16 (NIV)

"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (KJV)

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2. Inaction is action with a high cost.

Esther 4:14a (NIV)

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish.

Esther 5:1-2 (ESV)

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace.

Esther 5:1-2 (ESV)

And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

3. God positions us for His purpose

Esther 4:14b (NIV)

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

"The only thing necessary for evil to win is for Christians to do nothing."

Esther 5:3-4 (NIV)

Then the king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you."
"If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him."

Learn to eat in the presence of your enemies