1. Chapter 8 So they read distinctly from the book...of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. (Nehemiah 8:8)

2. Overcoming a Mess (Ai- lit. heap) The Mess...what was it? Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat -Defeat...loss...death (7:5) in any defeat, there are consequences that cannot be undone...36 people died.... -Why where they defeated? Sin - (7:1, 12) Pride - (7:3-4) -Why where they prideful? because of victory...a big one because this enemy seems small, comparing

3. Overcoming a Mess (Ai- lit. heap) 1) Put away the sin (7:26) Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat 2) Begin again...now (8:1)

4. Never permit one failure to rob you of future victory. When God sees that we have obeyed His Word and sincerely dealt with sin, He comes with encouragement and guidance for the next step. It has well been said that the victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings. Warren Wiersbe Pastor, Writer (1929 - )

5. Overcoming a Mess (Ai- lit. heap) 1) Put away the sin (7:26) Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat 2) Begin again...now (8:1) 3) Be Encouraged (8:1) 4) Follow God (8:1-2) God plans are NOT always the same

6. God always gives His very best to those who leave the choice with Him. James Hudson Taylor Missionary to China Missionary to China (1832-1905) (1832-1905)

7. God's work, done God's way, will never lack God's supply. James Hudson Taylor Missionary to China Missionary to China (1832-1905) (1832-1905)

8. Overcoming a Mess (Ai- lit. heap) 1) Put away the sin (7:26) Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat 2) Begin again...now (8:1) 3) Be Encouraged (8:1) 4) Follow God (8:1-2) 5) Humble yourself (8:3-26)

9. ...be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time......be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time... 1Peter 5:5-7

10. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24

11. Overcoming a Mess (Ai- lit. heap) 1) Put away the sin (7:26) Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat 2) Begin again...now (8:1) 3) Be Encouraged (8:1) 4) Follow God (8:1-2) 5) Humble yourself (8:3-26) - take the whole army.... - take the whole army.... Ai has 12,000 men and women (25) Israel has

12. “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel from twenty years old and above, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go to war in Israel.” Numbers 26:2

13. These are those who were numbered of the children of Israel: six hundred and one thousand seven hundred and thirty. Numbers 26:51

14. Overcoming a Mess (Ai- lit. heap) 1) Put away the sin (7:26) Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat 2) Begin again...now (8:1) 3) Be Encouraged (8:1) 4) Follow God (8:1-2) 5) Humble yourself (8:3-26) - take the whole army.... - take the whole army.... Ai has 12,000 men and women (25) Israel has over 600,000 - ignoble strategy - ignoble strategy

15. 30,0005,000

17. Overcoming a Mess (Ai- lit. heap) 1) Put away the sin (7:26) Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat 2) Begin again...now (8:1) 3) Be Encouraged (8:1) 4) Follow God (8:1-2) 5) Humble yourself (8:3-26) - take the whole army.... - take the whole army.... Ai has 12,000 men and women (25) Israel has over 600,000 - ignoble strategy - ignoble strategy

18. Overcoming a Mess (Ai- lit. heap) 1) Put away the sin (7:26) Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat 2) Begin again...now (8:1) 3) Be Encouraged (8:1) 4) Follow God (8:1-2) 5) Humble yourself (8:3-26) 6) Be Dependent (8:18,26) 7) Be Victorious (8:26-29) 8) Renew obedience to Word (8:30-35)

26. Overcoming a Mess (Ai- lit. heap) 1) Put away the sin (7:26) Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat 2) Begin again...now (8:1) 3) Be Encouraged (8:1) 4) Follow God (8:1-2) 5) Humble yourself (8:3-26) 6) Be Dependent (8:18,26) 7) Be Victorious (8:26-29) 8) Renew obedience to Word (8:30-35)