Enlisting in Combat and Construction...
Sunday mornings at 8:30 am there's prayer time at my church. It's a new thing, and it hasn't really "caught on" yet...but it's a great way to start the day and get focused. So yeah, this morning it just ended up being me - which is a great opportunity for God to speak loudly and clearly when there's nothing but silence filling the halls and the rooms of our little church.
Opening my Bible, the chapter that jumped before my heart was Nehemiah 4. Kind of random, but I felt compelled to read it and once again was amazed at how pointed God can deliver His truths through His Word and our obedience. The readers digest version of it is one of God's servants, Nehemiah, went back to Jerusalem after it had been conquered, and began to rebuild the walls. And as the gaps began to be filled, enemies arose - both from the outside and from their OWN people to discourage them from the work.
Remaining focused and faithful to the task God had called him to, Nehemiah set up people to protect, while others worked on the wall. Some workers held weapons in one hand and their tools in the other. There was always a dual focus: to rebuild the walls and to protect the work. This found a 24-7 dedication from the people!
Anyways, as I read this passage I got a picture of the present day church. The enemy has been bombarding our walls and tearing down the people. There are those who are busy trying to rebuild the walls and to fill in the gaps...but the enemy is not going to sit around and watch - he's trying to stop it...and he even uses means within the church to do it!
And where are we in this picture? Are we labouring vigilently to rebuild and restore what the enemy has destroyed? Are we down on our knees, ceaselessly praying protection over our churches? our pastors? our ministries? our outreaches? Or are we the cynics? the mockers? the embittered unemployed?
How much time to we spend tearing down what other people are doing when we aren't doing a thing ourselves? How critical have we been of our churches without first being the difference that we are waiting to see rise up in her walls? Are we dedicated to building the church? Are we committed to protecting her walls with vigilent prayer? Are we passionate - spending night and day for the cause of Christ and His kingdom?
I challenge you to read Nehemiah 4 for yourself...and pray that God would reaveal in your heart what your task is in rebuilding and restoring His Bride - the Church. He has already promised victory and that He would fight for us...all we need to do is be available and obedient. And pray...PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! Cover your church, for those who minister - for you as you share truth with the darkened world around you! Be aware and prepared for the enemy...but do not cease from continuing to rebuild and restore the city of God.
Opening my Bible, the chapter that jumped before my heart was Nehemiah 4. Kind of random, but I felt compelled to read it and once again was amazed at how pointed God can deliver His truths through His Word and our obedience. The readers digest version of it is one of God's servants, Nehemiah, went back to Jerusalem after it had been conquered, and began to rebuild the walls. And as the gaps began to be filled, enemies arose - both from the outside and from their OWN people to discourage them from the work.
Remaining focused and faithful to the task God had called him to, Nehemiah set up people to protect, while others worked on the wall. Some workers held weapons in one hand and their tools in the other. There was always a dual focus: to rebuild the walls and to protect the work. This found a 24-7 dedication from the people!
Anyways, as I read this passage I got a picture of the present day church. The enemy has been bombarding our walls and tearing down the people. There are those who are busy trying to rebuild the walls and to fill in the gaps...but the enemy is not going to sit around and watch - he's trying to stop it...and he even uses means within the church to do it!
And where are we in this picture? Are we labouring vigilently to rebuild and restore what the enemy has destroyed? Are we down on our knees, ceaselessly praying protection over our churches? our pastors? our ministries? our outreaches? Or are we the cynics? the mockers? the embittered unemployed?
How much time to we spend tearing down what other people are doing when we aren't doing a thing ourselves? How critical have we been of our churches without first being the difference that we are waiting to see rise up in her walls? Are we dedicated to building the church? Are we committed to protecting her walls with vigilent prayer? Are we passionate - spending night and day for the cause of Christ and His kingdom?
I challenge you to read Nehemiah 4 for yourself...and pray that God would reaveal in your heart what your task is in rebuilding and restoring His Bride - the Church. He has already promised victory and that He would fight for us...all we need to do is be available and obedient. And pray...PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! Cover your church, for those who minister - for you as you share truth with the darkened world around you! Be aware and prepared for the enemy...but do not cease from continuing to rebuild and restore the city of God.
posted by The Bean Bag Chair at 10:12 PM
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