Saturday, May 7, 2011

WARNING: THIS IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT

My family has been deeply impacted by, what I would call, God given, faithful, generosity. We have had many close friends and circumstances in which our family has been provided for during light and momentary trials. But ours fail in comparison to the loss and hurt many around me have felt. But God and His people continue to work. This brings me to the thoughts of this week.

I was reminded of the rebuilding of the wall, you know Nehemiah's wall. He had learned of it's condition and with a heavy heart for his city he went back to help. Leaving the job of royalty to oversee and perform a HUGE task. At the time the city of Jerusalem was about 960 acres, the wall 4.5 miles in length, 16 feet high, and 10-15 feet thick. (info from answers.com, ask.com, wikipedia, and the great Google) People from all walks of life were rebuilding this wall. There was probably someone there who had done it before but not everyone. There were soldiers, priests, servants, all the people of the city were involved.  The Church was rebuilding the wall.

After starting the repairs came verbal insults and threats of violence. His opposition didn't take Nehemiah serious until they saw his progress. When the threats were becoming more dangerous. He took action to defend the city and to continue construction. Workers were guarded and scripture says they worked with one hand , while they held a weapon with the other. WOW, that's determination right there.

And now here's the verse that stuck out

Nehemiah 4:20 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

One of the things I have heard at our church, that I hadn't heard before, "See a need, meet a need" It's mission work at it's simplest. Hmmm kind of like Jesus.

Someone has sounded the trumpet, they have raised the alarm. A call for help has went out and now it's time for you to respond.

I don't know what it is for you, but look around. There is something God has for you to do. This is not a spectator sport. I hope and believe whatever it is, is to big for you. I hope it's overwhelming. I hope the people say it can't be done. I hope it makes the enemy mad. But all we have to do is respond to the call,
Our God will fight for us. - Love David

We wholeheartedly reject the label mega-church. We are a micro-church with a mega-vision. (When you look at the need in the world, and look at our church- don't you dare call us a mega-church- Craig Groeschel- my paraphrase)

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