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<v SPEAKER_00>Good morning, First Baptist Wimberly.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is Mike Gibbons.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Welcome to Friday.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We have reached the end of the book of Nehemiah.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I would encourage you to read the last chapter of Nehemiah, chapter 13, before we gather on Sunday.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Especially the last verse.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let me read verses 30 and 31.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work, and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the first fruits.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Remember me, O my God, for good.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Remember me, O my God, for good.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Throughout the whole process of building the wall and the city, Nehemiah called upon God to remember.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We see another example in chapter 5, verse 19.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It says, Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And here's the beautiful thing about Scripture.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I think we see a little echo of Nehemiah's plea in the final words of Jesus when he says, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In the words of one commentator, just as Nehemiah entrusted himself to God's remembrance, so did Jesus entrust himself to God's remembrance.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And Christ did not ask God to remember what he has done for his own benefit, but for ours.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And we need to pray that our Father remembers us with favor.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not any favor we have earned through our good works, but the favor granted to us through Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is Mike Gibbons, and I love being your pastor.