The 10 C's from Nehemiah (Part 3)

Ephesians 2:10 says..."we are His (God) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." It is absolutely mind boggling to think that God wants us to do anything for Him. Yet, before He spoke the world into existence, He planned work for us to do - for HIM. Work that is done on His behalf, in His name, for His glory and in His power. This kind of work is better known as ministry! Work = ministry. Ministry = work. I think George Barna's definition of ministry perfectly defines the kind of work God is speaking of in Ephesians 2:10. He says:

"Ministry is a labor needed for others; labor that benefits others with the goal being to build up or edify others, glorify God and requires supernatural ability.”

The goal of all our ministry = labor = work as Christian wives, mothers, sisters, friends, neighbors, employees or employer (and so on) is to build up or edify others and glorify God. Let me repeat myself! God has entrusted each one of us with ministry or work to do for others on HIS behalf. Mind boggling!

The work entrusted to each one of us great and extensive. In fact, apart from God it is impossible. And don't forget, at the same time we are working/laboring, affliction will come at us from EVERY direction and in every area of our lives because. We are destined for affliction (1 Thess. 3:1-3 - see Part 2). If we are going to accomplish the work that God has prepared for us to do, we must remember the enemy wants to use these afflictions to Disturb us (to move our mind concerning our faith and the work to which God has prepared for us to do). Do you ever lose your focus? Forget why you are doing all the doing? Lose sight of the goal? Boy, I know I do. Honestly, I think there have been times when I didn't even know there was a goal.

"Busyness is no guarantee of productivity, faithfulness, or fruitfulness." CJ Mahaney

Listen, if we are going to stand firm until Jesus comes again....if we are going to accomplish the ministry = labor = work God has prepared for us to do - we need to remember the goal AND we need to remind each other that we've been called by God to do this work! This is our 1st "C" from Nehemiah.

1st "C" - CALLED by God

Read Nehemiah 1 and 2. While you read, watch for answers to the following questions:

-Where is Nehemiah?
-Who does Nehemiah ask about?
-What month and year was it when Nehemiah asked?
-Where are the people Nehemiah asks about?
-What is their condition and the condition of their community?
-Why are they in this condition?
-What kind of emotional, physical and spiritual impact did this news have on Nehemiah?
-How does Nehemiah deal with the news or what does Nehemiah do as a result of the news?
-Who is Nehemiah and how does he describe himself?
-When Chapter 2 opens, what month and year was it?
-What is Nehemiah doing?
-What does the king ask Nehemiah?
-What "work" does Nehemiah tell the king he wants to do?
-How does the king respond and what does Nehemiah do next?
-What does Nehemiah do when he gets to Jerusalem?
-What does he say to the people there and how do they respond?
-What happens next?
-How does Nehemiah respond to what happens?
-According, to 2:12, what does Nehemiah say God did concerning his mind (or heart)?
-What did God put into the mind (or heart) of Nehemiah to do (work) for Jerusalem?
-According 2:16, who were some of the folks in Jerusalem when Nehemiah got there?

I'm eager to encourage you with the truths from Nehemiah 1 and 2. I KNOW they will strengthen your faith. But, I don't want to rob you of the joy of discovery! See you next time - Part 4!