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Today is Monday June 07, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Nehemiah, chapters 4-6. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-7

Today's Message: Rebuilding The Walls
A wall is a divider, a shield, that is used as a barrier for protection or privacy, walls can protect us from weather, from seeing things we do not need to see, or from walking into dangerous places. Walls can also prevent us from getting out of danger or dangerous places if we are not careful of where we are going. As Christians, we too have walls, spiritual walls, these walls are a shield, the Shield of Salvation through Jesus Christ. “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.” - Psalm 18:35. All who are saved have this shield, and enjoy a wonderful, happy, and content with life, knowing that Jesus protects them. Sadly, many actually are not happy and content with life, but are as if they are still lost and have no idea that Jesus is with them. Why? They have taken down the walls, the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, and the helmet of salvation, to name a few. Satan is out there and constantly trying to get through the gate and if we are not careful he will get in and destroy the wall stone by stone to the point that one no longer has any protection and is living a corrupted, sinful life that they can not get out of. We can not fight the evils on or own, but we can through Christ and He alone can help us rebuild the walls and protect us from the dangers of the flesh, the eyes, the mind, or the pride of life.

Nehemiah was on a mission to rebuild the walls that protected Jerusalem, which had been destroyed for almost a hundred years. Sanballat had done all that he could to sidetrack Nehemiah through ridicule and, eventually threats in order to get him to stop. “But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.” - Nehemiah 4:1-3. Anytime people if the world see godly people doing work for Him it scares them. They do not want God anywhere near them as this was the case with Sanballat, he was determined to stop Nehemiah. We all have a decision to make, do we allow the intimidation of those mocking us stop us from God's will or do we continue forward knowing that God will give us the strength to complete the job, no matter what they do to us.

Sanballat forgot one thing, God was real and with those people, the more they tried to stop them the more determined they were to keep going. Nehemiah appointed men to stand guard while others did the work. Working about 12 hours a day left little time for anything else, but the Israelites faith had been strengthened through the reading of God's Word. “And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.” - Nehemiah 4:15-20. God will fight for all who are willing to do the work that needs to be done. We have a lot of work to do before Jesus returns, but we are guarded by the shield of His salvation. Only through Him can we build the strength needed to live right and do the will of God.
Some have built a wall of their own to keep God from coming in, perhaps they were hurt by a person, a church, or even got mad at God for something years ago. Walls like these keep people from going anywhere in life, they are bitter and angry with the world and all they do is complain about everything and make life miserable for those around them. I get people all the time telling me I use to be like you, but I gave it all up because so and so did this to me. I even get people saying I can not even remember what happen as it has been so long ago, but I will not change my mind. It is really sad that if Jesus can forgive and forget things that were done to Him that one can not forgive someone for something they can not even remember. It is time to tear down the walls built of pride and bitterness and rebuild the walls of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” - Ephesians 6:13-17. If you are not saved, get to know Christ, get in His Word, get into a Bible believing church, and let it all go. If you have fallen away from God or are struggling, reaffirm your faith in Him and do the same things, start rebuilding your spiritual walls. You can not change the past, but you can change today. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a good week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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