Maturing as a child of God
A child of God growing into adulthood is a normal and wonderful process. Our Father knows just what is needed to help us along the way. On my own journey, Father used the ten gates of Nehemiah to get me started and many men and women in the Body of Christ who fathered and mothered me, either one-on-one or from a distance.
Ten Gates of Nehemiah
1. Sheep gate
A few short weeks after I was born again, I heard God say, "The sheep gate is in place because your heart is to follow me." Learning HOW to hear His voice and follow Him took more time, but it felt great to hear Him acknowledge my full surrender to Him and His ways.
1. Fish gate
A fish depends on water for survival. Take a fish out of water and it will flop around on the ground and then it will die. Water is to a fish like the Word of God is to you and me. Our life is in the Word. If we stop reading the Word, it's like taking a fish out of water. Without the Word, we flop about and are drained of life. Make Bible reading a part of your daily life because your life depends on it.
3. Old gate
The gates of Nehemiah are about our authority as sons of God. A gate allows in or keeps out. We allow into our lives or keep out of our lives as Jesus gives us that authority, which always comes from Him. The old gate represents our past. We have authority from Jesus to stand at the old gate and separate our past from our present and future. The Blood of Jesus draws that line. The Finished Work of the Cross of Jesus Christ puts our past in the past.
4. Valley gate
The valleys or low places in our lives can be used for good or bad. With Jesus, we don't have to be afraid of a problem, but we can see a problem as an opportunity to get to know Jesus better. He is our solution to every problem. As we face the valleys, we have the authority to rise above it by digging deeper into who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
5. Dung gate
As a new believer, it's essential to learn how to deal with the dung, poop, sin, in our lives. Early on, Jesus told me that knowing what to do when we sin is like potty training in the Kingdom of God. We don't want to squish around in it any longer than it takes to quickly turn to the Father, confess our sin, and receive His sweet forgiveness. He knows we will sin, and to be honest about that with Him and others gives us authority at the dung gate.
6. Fountain gate
The fountain gate was the only gate of Jerusalem that was covered. Many Christians never develop a private and intimate relationship in a secret, covered place with God. But without this sweet and private relationship, we never really get to know God. Those who serve Him from a distance are missing out! Spend time alone with Him, share your secrets and your dreams with Him, and listen as He tells you His dreams for you.
7. Water gate
Water always flows to the low place. To have authority at the water gate is to know the secret of humility. Isaiah 57:15 says that God lives in a high and holy place and also with the oppressed and humble in spirit. When we go to the low place, we see God join us there. Always turning to God in humility invites Him into that place.
8. Horse gate
Horses are powerful and strong and we tend to depend on powerful and strong things in our lives. This can be money, possessions, jobs, spouses, family, prestige, social standing, and all sorts of things. To depend only on God for our well being takes us to a whole new level of authority at the horse gate.
9. East gate
Scripture says that Glory will enter at the east gate. We can think of Glory as physical healing, amazing resources, redemption, victory, and prosperity of all kinds. To have authority at the east gate is to not put our eyes on any of these things but to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith and to trust Him with the outcome of all things in our lives.
10. Inspection gate
The wall around Jerusalem circled around the city and the inspection gate was, therefore, next to the sheep gate. As we come full circle, our hearts are to follow Jesus in all things. However, it takes some growing up in Christ to be able to actually do that. With the authority at the inspection gate, we have the wisdom to discern whether something is from God or not and the power to act it out. We have the fruit of self control in our lives.