Two things that are the most difficult to get people to do: TO THINK #1. TO THINK Thinking is hard work Thinking includes prayer and quietness Thinking calls for planning

Two things that are the most difficult to get people to do: TO MAINTAIN PROPER #2. TO MAINTAIN PROPERPRIORITIES

Remember, Nehemiah has just finished the longest recorded prayer in the Bible. It revealed their repentance and confidence in God. Over a lengthy period of thinking, planning, and reflecting, they came to a conclusion, which is recorded in the last verse.

Nehemiah 9:38: In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.

Nehemiah 10:28-30: The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand— 29 all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the L ORD our Lord. 30 We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.

Two facts from this: GODLESS PEOPLE They had separated themselves from GODLESS PEOPLE FIRST They made the decision to put FIRST THINGS FIRST THINGS FIRST, regardless of the situation.

The Promises they made; Promises we should make OBEY Promise to OBEY what God had declared.

Nehemiah 10:30: We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.

The Promises they made; Promises we should make OBEDIENT Promise to conduct business in an OBEDIENT manner.

Nehemiah 10:31: When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.

The Promises they made; Promises we should make Promise not to neglect the place of worship.

Nehemiah 10:32-35, 37: We also placed ourselves under obligation to contribute yearly…for the service of the house of our God…likewise we cast lots for the supply of wood amount the priests, the Levites and the people…and that they might bring the first fruits of our ground and the first fruits of all the fruits of every tree to the house of the Lord annually…We will also bring the first of our dough, our contributions, the fruit of every tree.

Key Thoughts to Remember: CHANGE. 1.Serious thought precedes any significant CHANGE.

Key Thoughts to Remember: CHANGE. 1.Serious thought precedes any significant CHANGE. PRIORITIES. 2.Written plans confirm right PRIORITIES.

Key Thoughts to Remember: CHANGE. 1.Serious thought precedes any significant CHANGE. PRIORITIES. 2.Written plans confirm right PRIORITIES. OPPOSITE 3.Distinction and conformity pull us in OPPOSITE directions.