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

February 8, 2026

From Dream to Destiny

Genesis 37:5-6 (NIV)

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had:

Genesis 37:7 (NIV)

We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it."

Genesis 37:8 (NIV)

His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

Genesis 37:9 (NIV)

Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

Genesis 37:10 (NIV)

When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?"

Genesis 37:11 (NIV)

His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Joseph's dreams were not just visions; they were God's blueprint for his life and the lives of those around him.

John 10:10 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...

Dream Thieves

1. Jealousy of others... (Joseph's brothers were Jealous)
2. False Accusations... (Potipher's wife accused him)
3. Misplaced Hope... (Cupbearer forgot about him)
4. Elapsed Time... (22 years before the dream became destiny)

Destiny Revealed: Genesis 50:19-21 (NIV)

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

February 1, 2026

The Process of Transformation

Romans 12: 1-2 (NIV)
1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. 2. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

If You Change Nothing, Nothing Will Change

1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)
16. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 Timothy 4: 3 (NIV)
3. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Jesus is unchanging: (Hebrews 13:8)

Jesus who is unchanging is constantly changing us: (2 Corinthians 5:17)

As we follow Jesus we're in a constant state of transformation. Daily we are becoming more Christlike.

Jesus transforms us through:

1. Information (The importance of God's word in the life of the believer)
2. Illumination (Holy Spirit illuminates God's word)
3. Revelation (Revealed truth)
4. Transformation (Truth sets us free because it renews our mind. It changes the way we think)

CONCLUSION: Transformation is possible when you follow Jesus and allow him to be the Lord of your life.

January 25, 2026
The God of Miracles
Acts 12:5 (NIV)

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Acts 12:7 (NIV)

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

Joshua 10:12-15 (NIV)

On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:
"Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon."
So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,

Joshua 10:12-15 (NIV)

as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!
Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.

3 Miracle Steps

1. PRAY and ASK

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

3 Miracle Steps

2. Believe

3 Miracle Steps

3. Receive

Matthew 7:8 (NIV)

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Joshua 10:8 (NIV)

The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you."

January 18, 2026
Prepared and Positioned
Joshua 1:11 (ESV)

"Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.'"

Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Hebrews 6:12 (KJV)

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)

2When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

Prepared

And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
Joshua 3:5 (NKJV)

Prepared

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
- Benjamin Franklin

Positioned

Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people." So they took it up and went ahead of them.
Joshua 3:6 (NIV)

Positioned

12Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,
2 Chronicles 7:12-13 (ESV)

Positioned

14if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (ESV)

When we are prepared and positioned we see God's provision.

January 11, 2026
Can a person Still Be Brave if they are Afraid?
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

How to cultivate bravery: (R.E.S.T.)
1. Remember Past Victories

1 Samuel 17:37 (NIV)

The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine."
Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you."

2. Embrace Community

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

3. Step Out in Faith

Deuteronomy 11:24 (NIV)

Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Exodus 4:1-2 (NIV)

Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you'?"
Then the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?"
"A staff," he replied.

4. Trust in God's Promises

Joshua 1:3 (NIV)

I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.

Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)

1The Lord had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.
2"I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)

3I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

Psalms 56:3-4 (NIV)

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise--
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?

Mark 5:35 (NIV)

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher anymore?"

Mark 5:36 (NIV)

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.