​When God gives you a dream, clearly communicate it to others and enlist them to fulfill it. A lack of communication and cooperation will get us fired. But getting people to work together leads to promotion.
 
Nehemiah gathered volunteers to work together to build the Jerusalem wall in two months, a task failed by many for decades (Nehemiah 3). Let’s learn from Nehemiah.
 
First, divide the dream into smaller tasks. To make the work manageable, Nehemiah separated the wall into more than twenty sections. He used the existing ten gates as markers, starting from the Sheep Gate and going counter-clockwise. 
 
Second, share ownership of the dream with others. Nehemiah always used the word “we.” Ownership increases motivation. He also showed how the dream would benefit others, for example having people build wall next to their own house (v10, 23, 28, and 29).
 
Third, develop a cohesive team to build something bigger than yourself. Nehemiah used the words “next to him/them” 20 times. Typically, two is better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Jesus had a team, and Paul worked with partners (1 Corinthians 3:9). Strive side-by-side with others to bring glory to God (Philippians 1:27).
 
Fourth, create workgroups around pre-existing relationships. Nehemiah organized workgroups based on priest ministry (v1), geography (v2), family (v3, 12), and profession (v32). There was no mention of any professional builders.
 
Fifth, love your neighbors, but invest more in those who bear more responsibility. Nehemiah didn’t waste time on those refusing to join (v5). He didn’t speculate why. We don’t even know our own motivation, let alone others’. Christ had twelve disciples but focused on Peter, James, and John (Galatians 2:8-9).
 
Sixth, never stop saying “thank you.” Live in gratitude and appreciation (Ephesians 1:16). When you recognize others, be specific with their names and tasks done. Nehemiah mentioned 71 names (Nehemiah 3), even the volunteers’ parents. People love to hear their names, and parents love to be proud of their children. Nehemiah recognized detailed work (v6) and great attitudes (v20).
 
Our work in the Lord is never wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58). We are remembered by serving and giving. God rewards by how we serve and give (Proverbs 14:14, 22:9).
 
Work together to bring glory to God and be a great witness to the world.
 
Summarized a sermon by Rick Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39BbUJDBvyE, starting at 14 minutes.
 


建立团队，齐心协力
 
当上帝给我们一个梦想时，我们应该把它清楚地传达给其他人，然后招募他们一起来实现这个梦想。在工作中，缺乏沟通和合作会让我们被解雇，但那些知道如何聚集人一起工作的会得到升迁。
 
尼希米将志愿者聚集在一起,两个月内重建了耶路撒冷墙，这是一项过去几十年来都失败了的工作（尼希米记 3）。 让我们向尼希米学习这里的功课。
 
首先，将梦想分解为一个一个小的任务。为了使工作易于管理，尼希米将城墙分成二十多个部分，用现有的十个门作为标记，从羊门开始逆时针方向走。
 
第二，与他人一起共同拥有这个梦想。尼希米总是使用“我们” 这个词。拥有权增加推动力。他也阐明这个梦想如何使人受益，例如让人建造在自己房子旁边的城墙（10、23、28 和 29 节）。
 
第三，培养有凝聚力的团队，建立比自己更大的事工。尼希米用了 20 次“在他/他们旁边”这个词。通常两个人比一个人好（传道书4：9-12）。耶稣有自己的团队，保罗与伙伴们一起工作（哥林多前书 3：9）。当并肩努力工作，将荣耀归与上帝（腓立比书 1:27）。
 
第四，围绕已有的关系建新工作组。 尼希米基于祭司事工（3:1）、地理位置（3:2）、家庭（3:3，12）和职业（3:32)建立不同的工作组。他没有在其中提到任何专业的修建者。
 
第五，爱你的邻舍，但更多地投资于那些承担更多责任的人。尼希米没有浪费时间在拒绝加入的人身上（3:5）。他没有推测这些人拒绝的原因。我们甚至不知道自己的动机，更不用说其他人的动机了。基督虽然有十二个门徒，但祂专注在彼得、雅各和约翰身上（加拉太书 2：8-9）。
 
第六，不要停止说“谢谢，” 活在感恩和欣赏中（以弗所书 1:16）。当你表扬他人的成就时，具体说明他们的名字和完成的任务。尼希米提到七十一个名字（尼希米记 3）, 甚至提到志愿者父母的名字。 人喜欢听到自己的名字，父母也喜欢为自己的孩子感到骄傲。尼希米认可细致的工作 (3:6) 和优秀的态度 (3:20)。
 
在主里的工作永远不是徒然的（哥林多前书 15:58）。 我们的服务和付出将被铭记。上帝因为我们如何服务和付出来奖励我们（箴言 14:14, 22:9）。
 
让我们共同努力来荣耀上帝，向世人作出伟大的见证。

 

​God plans (Jeremiah 29:11, 1 Corinthians 14:33) just as He tells us to plan (Proverbs 4:26, 1 Corinthians 14:40). Without planning, we will drift and waste our lives (Ephesians 5:15-17).
 
Let’s see how Nehemiah made God-inspired plans for a better future:
 
1. God put an intense desire in Nehemiah’s heart. He prayed for God’s favor and asked for success (Nehemiah 1:4, 11). If we don’t know what to do, ask God what He wants us to do (James 1:5). He will show us.
 
2. Prepare for an opportunity and wait for the right time. Planning is demanding (Proverbs 13:16). Nehemiah prepared for at least four months before asking the king for help (Nehemiah 2:1). Ask for help (James 4:2). Let others say no. Don't say it for them.
 
3. Expect and admit fear. For the first time, Nehemiah looked very sad before the king. During his time, causing the king to be upset could lead to death. Nehemiah was very afraid (Nehemiah 2:1-2). Courage is not without fear. Nehemiah admitted his fear, but he didn’t let fear stop him.
 
4. Make it easy for others to understand you. Nehemiah started wisely by showing his loyalty to the king and appealed to what the king could understand: respect for ancestors (Nehemiah 2:2-4).
 
5. Set a clear target (Nehemiah 2:5) and act prudently. If we aim at nothing, we hit nothing. Don’t worry if your goal is too high. Let God bail us out. Such goals can honor God. Then act prudently, one step at a time. Haste makes waste.
 
6. Set a deadline (Nehemiah 2:6). Typically, a goal without a deadline is just an empty wish.
 
7. Nehemiah anticipated barriers and calculated the cost accordingly (Nehemiah 2:7-8, Proverbs 27:12, Luke 14:27-28). He put together detailed protections and provisions he needed to build. Then he honestly expressed his specific wishes to the king.
 
8. Trust God to meet our needs, and give God the credit (Nehemiah 2:7-8). Only God could change the king’s heart (Proverbs 21:1).
 
God won’t do what we can do, such as planning and doing what’s under our control. And we can’t do what only God can provide.
 
We should strive to live according to God’s will (James 4:15). And if God doesn’t accomplish our plans (Proverbs 16:1), always trust His love and sovereignty.
 
Summary of a sermon by Rick Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85gpbwcvP2U
 
 

制定改进生命的计划
 
正如上帝告诉我们要计划一样（箴言 4:26，哥林多前书 14:40），上帝自己也计划（耶利米书 29:11，哥林多前书 14:33）。如果没有计划，我们就会随波逐流，浪费生命（以弗所书 5：15-17）。
 
让我们向尼希米学习，从上帝受启发，为更美好的未来制定计划：
 
1. 神把强烈的渴望放在尼希米的心里。他祈求神的恩惠和计划的成功（尼希米记 1:11）。 如果不知道应做什么，就该问上帝祂的心意如何（雅各书 1:5）。祂会向我们显明。
 
2. 为未来的机会做准备，等待合适的时间。计划是苛求的（箴言 13:16）。 尼希米准备了至少四个月后才向王寻求帮助（尼希米记 2:1）。 寻求帮助（雅各书 4：2），让别人说不，不要替他们拒绝。
 
3. 满怀期待并承认恐惧。尼希米起初在国王面前显得非常悲伤。在那时代使国王心烦意乱可能会带来死亡之灾。尼希米非常害怕（尼希米记 2:1-2）。 勇气不是没有恐惧，尼希米承认自己非常害怕, 但没有让恐惧阻止他。
 
4. 让别人更容易理解你。尼希米明智地先表现出对王的忠诚, 然后从王所能理解的尊重祖先的话题开始陈情（尼希米记 2：2-4）。
 
5. 设立明确的目标，并谨慎行事（尼希米记 2:5）。如果不瞄准目标，就不能击中。如果目标设定很高，不要担心， 让上帝帮助我们。这样的目标可以荣耀上帝。 当谨慎行事, 一步一步地尝试实现目标。欲速则不达。
 
6. 设定计划的期限（尼希米记 2:6）。没有截止日期的目标通常只是空洞的愿望。
 
7. 尼希米的计划预想到可能的障碍，并且计算代价（尼希米记 2：7-8, 箴言 27:12，路加福音 14:27-28）。他详细地制定了为重建城墙所需要的保护和设施, 然后诚实而具体地请求王提供帮助。
 
8. 相信上帝会满足我们的需要，并将功劳归于上帝（尼希米记 2：7-8）。只有上帝才能改变君王的心（箴21:1）。
 
上帝不会替我们做我们能做的事（尼希米记 2:5）, 例如制定计划和做自己控制范围内的事情。我们也不能提供只有上帝才能提供的一切。
 
当努力按照上帝的旨意而活(雅各书 4:15）。如果上帝不完成我们的计划（箴言 16:1）, 也应永远相信祂的慈爱和主权。
 

​Every dream needs support. True success is never a one-person show, and every dream will have opposition. Opportunity and opposition go together. Many people oppose change, especially when it threatens their unfair advantages.
 
Let’s learn how Nehemiah enlisted support for the dream God put in his heart to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
 
Nehemiah’s methods to enlist support:

• Wait for the right timing (Ecclesiastes 8:6). Nehemiah waited for the right time to ask the king, and he waited for three days after arriving in Jerusalem before taking action (Nehemiah 2:11).
• Do your homework to personally find out the facts. Listen before providing answers (Proverbs 23:23, Proverbs 18:13). Accompanied by a few people, Nehemiah secretly inspected the ruins at night to size up the project (Nehemiah 2:12-16).
• Protect the dream. It’s easy to kill a good idea (Ecclesiastes 3:7). For some time, Nehemiah did not disclose to anyone what God had put on his heart (Nehemiah 2:12, 2:16). Many were resigned to the ruin, particularly when others had attempted but failed to rebuild the walls.
• Disclose the dream using “we.” Nehemiah used “we,” not “I” (Nehemiah 2:17). Identifying with others makes it easier for them to accept your ideas.
• Create discontent with the conditions people are used to. Then paint a picture of how things could be (Nehemiah 2:17).
• Appeal to their hearts, their dignity (Nehemiah 2:17), such as “Do this and you will feel good about yourself, and God will be glorified.”
• Share your own story to inspire others. Nehemiah shared with them how God had helped him via the king (Nehemiah 2:18).
• Ask for help fearlessly and specifically. Nehemiah asked them specifically to rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 2:17).
• Don’t spend too much time on naysayers. Instead, focus on the work. Nehemiah just responded and trusted God to help (Nehemiah 2:20).

 
As we can see, his vision had been transferred to many. "Let us start building,” they said (Nehemiah 2:18). After 90 years of ruin, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days!
 
Don’t worry. Commit your dream to God and trust Him (Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 16:3, 1 Peter 5:7). Focus on others’ needs. Attempt great things for Him and expect great things from Him.
 
Summary of a sermon by Rick Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzVR8-Cvl3M starting at 14 minutes
​


为梦想争取支持
 
每一个梦想都需要支持. 真正的成功从来不是一个人可以完成的, 并且每一个梦想都必有人反对。机会和反对并存。很多人反对改变, 尤其是威胁到自己不公平的优势之时。
 
让我们学习尼希米如何争取支持，完成上帝放在他心中的梦想, 重建耶路撒冷城墙。
 
尼希米争取支持的方法：
 

• 等待合适的时机（传道书 8:6）。尼希米等待合适的时机才问国王, 并且到达耶路撒冷后等待了三天才采取行动（尼希米记 2:11）。
• 亲自做好功课，查明事实。在回答问题之前先聆听（箴言 23:23，箴言 18:13）。尼希米在几个人的陪伴下在晚上秘密地检查废墟，评估完成这项工作的工作量（尼希米记 2:12-16）。
• 保护梦想。扼杀一个好主意很容易（传道书 3:7）。尼希米有一段时间没有向任何人透露神放在他心里的负担（尼希米记 2 :12, 2:16）。很多人已经习惯了废墟，尤其是其他人尝试重建城墙失败以后。
• 使用“我们”这个代词来分享梦想。尼希米讲话时使用 “我们”而不是“我”（尼希米记 2:17），与人认同会使人更容易接受你的想法。  
• 先引起人们对已经习惯的现状不满， 然后描绘一幅新的图画（尼希米记 2:17）。
• 激发他们的内心和尊严（尼希米记 2:17）, 例如“这样做，你会感觉很好，上帝也会得荣耀。”
• 分享自己的故事来激励他人。尼希米与人分享上帝如何通过国王帮助自己（尼希米记 2:18）。
• 放胆并具体地寻求帮助。尼希米具体地要求重建城墙（尼希米记 2:17）。
• 不在反对者身上浪费时间，而专注于工作。尼希米回应反对者后便置之不理， 期待上帝的帮助（尼希米记 2:20）。

 
正如我们所看到的，许多人已经接纳了他的梦想说“让我们开始建造吧 （尼希米记 2:18）。”尼希米在52天内重建被毁90年的耶路撒冷城墙。
 
不要忧虑担心。当倚靠上帝， 将你的梦想交托并信靠祂（诗篇 37:5，箴言 16:3，彼得前书 5:7）。关注他人的需求。为神去尝试伟大的事，从神那里期待伟大的事。

We desire and need respect. A good name is more desirable than great wealth (Proverbs 22:1).
 
One way to earn respect is from handling conflicts appropriately. Let us learn from Nehemiah 5.
 
First, it lists four causes of conflicts:

• Basic needs not met. Some Jews even lacked food (Nehemiah 5:2).
• Falling behind. Some mortgaged their essential assets for food (Nehemiah 5:3).
• Leaders insensitive to their followers. Some had to borrow to pay tax (Nehemiah 5:4).
• Feeling powerless. Some had to let their children be slaves for food (Nehemiah 5:5).

 
Nehemiah chapter 5 lists five ways Nehemiah gained respect by resolving these conflicts:

• Empathize. The above issues made Nehemiah very angry (Nehemiah 5:6). People do not care what we know until they know we care.

• Pause and think before speaking (Nehemiah 5:7). Be quick to listen but slow to speak (Proverbs 15:28, James 1:19-20).

• Resolve conflicts privately first. Nehemiah first talked directly to those causing the conflicts before addressing them publicly (Nehemiah 5:7-8, Matthew 18:15-17).

• Search for, appeal to, and bring out the good in others (Nehemiah 5:8-13, Proverbs 11:27). Do not label them badly, but appeal to the good they could do.

• Do things with humility and generosity (Nehemiah 5:14-19). Reject entitlement, and remain humble. We must not use our power to enrich ourselves at the expense of others.

 
Though Nehemiah was the governor, out of respect for God, he did not (a) eat or demand the food allotted to the governor; (b) place heavy burdens on the people he was governing; (c) allow his assistants to lord over the people; nor (d) take any land (Nehemiah 5:14-18). Instead, he was generous to the needy, putting the needs of others above his own. Every day, he provided food for 150 people because of their heavy burden (Nehemiah 5:17, Proverbs 29:23, Psalm 112:9).
 
Furthermore, Nehemiah set good examples. He and his men were devoted to building the wall (Nehemiah 5:16, Proverbs 14:22).
 
After we are dead, how will people remember us? Consider that and act accordingly (Proverbs 10:7).
 
To conclude, if you want to earn others’ respect, empathize, think before speaking, appeal to the good sides of others, be humble and generous particularly to those in needs, and set good examples.
 
Summarized from a sermon by Rick Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMpNGqau09Y starting from 17 minutes

​
​
如何赢得别人的尊重
 
我们渴望并需要尊重。良好的声誉甚至胜过巨大的财富(箴言22:1)。
 
赢得尊重的一种方法是适当地处理冲突。让我们从尼希米5章学习。
 
这里列出了四个发生冲突的原因：

• 基本需求没有得到满足。有些犹太人甚至缺乏食物(尼希米记5:2)。
• 经济窘迫。有些人为购买食物抵押自己的基本资产(尼希米记5:3)。
• 领袖对跟随者的难处不闻不问。有些人不得不借钱交税(尼希米记5:4)。
• 感到无能为力。有些人为了食物甚至让自己的孩子落为奴隶(尼希米记5:5)。

 
尼希米记在此用了解决冲突中获得尊重的五种方法：

• 重视别人的感受。以上的难处使尼希米非常生气(尼希米记5:6)。人们不关心我们知道什么，直到他们知道我们关心他们。
• 说话前先停下来想一想(尼希米记5:7)。要快快地听，慢慢地说(箴言15:28,雅各书1:19-20)。
• 尝试先私下解决冲突。尼希米首先直接与造成冲突的人交谈，然后才公开地在公众之前指控他们(尼希米记5:7-8,马太福音18:15-17)。
• 寻找和发挥他人好的一面(尼希米记5:8-13,箴言11:27)。不要给人贴上坏标签，而要带出他们可以有的善行。
• 做事谦虚慷慨(尼希米记5:14-19)。拒绝权利心态，就像我们应该得的一样。相反地，要保持谦卑。我们不能用自己的权力以牺牲他人为代价来使自己得益。

 
虽然尼希米是省长,但出于对上帝的尊重，（1）他没有吃或要求分配给省长的食物；（2）没有给他治理下的百姓带来沉重的负担；（3）没有让他的助手辖制百姓；也（4）没有置买任何田地(尼希米记5:14-18)。相反地,尼希米对有需要的人慷慨大方,将他人的需要置于自己之上。因为百姓的沉重负担,尼希米每天为150人提供食物(尼希米记5:17,箴言29:23,诗篇112:9)。
 
此外，尼希米还树立了很好的榜样。他和他的仆人恒心修造城墙(尼希米记5:16,箴言14:22)。
 
当我们离世以后，人们会如何记住我们呢？思想这个问题，然后采取相应的行动(箴言10:7)。
 
总而言之，如果您想赢得他人的尊重，请先有同理心，三思而后行，发挥他人的优点，谦卑虚己，慷慨大方，尤其是对有需要的人乐意捐助，和为他人树立好榜样。