One of the ways in which you know that you're actually in the call of God, doing the will of God,

is that you're summoned to meet a need that shows up, that grabs your heart that you can't let go of.

And I think it's demonstrated really great in the life of Nehemiah, because I want to talk to you about occupying the gates, how to occupy the territory God called you. And for most of you, your

occupation should be the thing you're doing 40 hours a week that leads you to the gate that

God wants you to occupy, the place and position you're called to be in. So I'm looking for in the Bible,

the illustrations of this, and I did a special message at a marketplace gathering in San Diego,

and the outline was so electric that I said, we've got to catch it. I want to make sure all

my audience gets a hold of it. That's why you can go to lancewilling.com forward slash

occupy and get the material and get the notes.

Let's talk about the lesson first.

Nehemiah is our example of someone who's got a great job, a secure job,

and suddenly he hears something that is the call of God,

and the call of God comes to him in the form of a need.

So, Carl, can you read for us?

Where in Nehemiah, this is described?

Are you referring to Nehemiah chapter 1?

Okay.

I believe.

Let's start with verse 2, that Hennonai, one of my brethren, came he and certain men of Judah,

and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which, one of my brethren, came he and certain men of Judah, and I asked them concerning

the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity and concerning Jerusalem.

And they said unto me, the remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province

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