CMW Ministries

11/27/2023

10/08/2023

Good morning FBFAMILY. Happy Sunday

07/22/2022

Rebuilding What Matters. Brick by 🧱 Brick
Day10 Finale


“I am also the one who says, “Cyrus will lead my people and obey my orders. Jerusalem and the temple will be rebuilt.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭44:28‬ ‭CEV‬‬

“After the wall had been rebuilt and the gates hung, then the temple guards, the singers, and the other Levites were assigned their work. I said to them, “Don't let the gates to the city be opened until the sun has been up for a while. And make sure that they are closed and barred before the guards go off duty at sunset. Choose people from Jerusalem to stand guard at different places around the wall and others to stand guard near their own houses.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭7:1, 3‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Our Devotion meets God's Faithfulness

In just fifty-two days, the walls have been rebuilt! Jerusalem is fortified, and the rebuilt walls represent Israel’s boundaries, making them distinct from the surrounding peoples. More than just mere intentions, the Israelites exhibited their commitment to worship and holy living. It is truly worthy of our respect.

At the same time, this completion of the walls was more than just a finished work project for Israel. it was a symbol of God’s faithfulness to them. While they persevered through the variety of challenges, God acted on their behalf to deliver them. God was faithful to His Word, that Jerusalem would indeed be rebuilt (Isaiah 44:28).

Israel’s story stands as a timeless reminder of two precious lessons. We see the devotion of Israel as they committed to rebuilding the wall and worshiping God. We see the faithfulness of God to enable His people to live in holiness.

In the same way, let us be devoted to holiness. Let us remember that our road to holiness lies in Christ. He will enable us to walk in His ways.

Even when the walls were completed, the Jews were not complacent. Nehemiah knew that the boundaries to keep worldly influence out must be preserved. He appointed gatekeepers, musicians, Levites, guards, and God-fearing men to oversee Jerusalem. The ins and outs of Israelites in the city were recorded, keeping out foreign influence and protecting the faith community.

As disciples today, our actions in maintaining boundaries will naturally look different. But it is just as important. We are the body of Christ. We can be a holy people that truly represent Him when we continually set ourselves apart from the world.

This task may appear daunting in light of the temptations and distractions the world presents. God invites us to remember His faithfulness through this story. Since Nehemiah 1, we have seen how God had intended to work through Nehemiah to rebuild the walls. With Israel’s devotion and God’s faithfulness, it was brought to completion.

Today, God’s faithfulness empowers us in our pursuit of holiness. Brick by brick, He moves in our lives to rebuild what matters. God is not done yet and He will not stop till He completes His work in us.
CMW

07/21/2022

Rebuilding what Matters “Bricks by Bricks 🧱 “
Day9

“Then Sanballat and Geshem sent a message, asking me to meet with them in one of the villages in Ono Valley. I knew they were planning to harm me in some way. So I sent messengers to tell them, “My work is too important to stop now and go there. I can't afford to slow down the work just to visit with you.” They invited me four times, but each time I refused to go. Finally, Sanballat sent an official to me with an unsealed letter, which said: A rumor is going around among the nations that you and the other Jews are rebuilding the wall and planning to rebel, because you want to be their king. And Geshem says it's true!”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭6:2-6‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Stay the Course
Have you ever received bad news or harsh criticism while you were preparing and laboring for important work projects? Or perhaps, something distracted you while trying to focus on a major examination. How do you remain anchored and stay on task despite the challenges?

Nehemiah had a calling to see through the rebuilding of the wall. Resistance to the work began as soon as the rebuilding resumed. As the wall neared completion, Nehemiah now faced threats to his safety and integrity. His enemies attempted to distract and draw him away from the wall four times. They threatened to falsely accuse him of rebellion. Tobiah even sent a false prophecy to deceive Nehemiah to enter the temple. They wanted to frighten Nehemiah into self-preservation, distract him, and trick him into sin.

With each attempt, we see how Nehemiah earnestly sought God. Because he sought God’s approval above all else, he could rest in confidence when others tried to discredit him. He also prayed for God to strengthen the work of his hands. Even when faced with a threat to his life, Nehemiah resolved not to sin.

Opposition and critics will come as we choose to follow God’s ways. For some, our choices may convict others of their lack of faith. For others, our values and lifestyle may draw attention to things in their lives they would rather not acknowledge.

Amidst such assaults on our character, let us courageously stand firm in God and keep a clear conscience before Him. Keeping our integrity before God is very much like staying focused on a task – we remember who and what matters and disregard the things that do not. We can either follow Nehemiah’s example of trusting in God, or we can be distracted by fears and doubts that seek to steer us off course.

As Nehemiah hung onto God and remained true to His calling, the wall was seen through to completion. Similarly, as we humbly ask God to strengthen us during challenging moments, we trust that God will see His work in our lives through to completion. Let us place our confidence in Him: we must keep ourselves focused not only on who He has called us to be but also on what He has called us to do.

As we follow God, let us remember it is He who has called us, and it is a blessed life that He is leading us to. Pray that we will remain focused as we faithfully and bravely persevere through any trials: because
God is worthy.
CMW

07/20/2022

Rebuilding what Matters “Brick 🧱 by Brick”
Day8

“I was governor of Judah from the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was king until the thirty-second year. And during these entire twelve years, my relatives and I refused to accept the food that I was allowed. Each governor before me had been a burden to the people by making them pay for his food and w**e and by demanding forty silver coins a day. Even their officials had been a burden to the people. But I respected God, and I didn't think it was right to be so hard on them. I spent all my time getting the wall rebuilt and did not buy any property. Everyone working for me did the same thing.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭CEV

A Life Worth Following After
What kind of leaders would inspire you to follow them? The Leaders who display character in times of crisis or the leaders who shrink back in fear? Leaders who readily put their hands to the plow or leaders who think the groundwork is beneath them? For both scenarios, most, if not all of us would lean to the former.

In all his 12 years as governor, Nehemiah was a leader who served as an example for his people. He rolled up his sleeves to build the wall together with them instead of merely ordering them around. Unlike previous governors, Nehemiah deprived himself of the food allowance allotted to him so as not to place a heavy burden on the people. He also chose not to exercise his legal right of collecting taxes, steering clear of enriching himself at the expense of the people. All these he did – out of a “fear of God” (v15).

While the book of Nehemiah may appear to be a story about him, it is a story of God acting in history to continue His redemption plan. Here, we appreciate and recognize the work that God has done through Nehemiah. Similarly, as all of us are under authority, shall we recognize the work that God is doing through leaders, for us?

Leaders like Nehemiah are examples to follow because they display devotion to God while walking alongside those whom they serve. We need not wait for them to be perfect before we recognize their willingness to serve in God’s work. Take a moment to remember and affirm them. Make efforts to strengthen them as they serve us.

And if we are leaders today, would we follow Nehemiah’s example of empathizing with and serving alongside those whom we lead? Would we, as Nehemiah did, courageously lead God’s people and urge them to follow God and do His work wholeheartedly?

Nehemiah closed in prayer by asking God to “remember him." God was his devotion and motivation. Though his service came at a cost, he knew that God sees and remembers all that he has done. He truly lived for the “audience of one.” Just as Nehemiah availed himself, we too have an opportunity to allow God to work in and through us, to continue the redemption work He started. Recognize and appreciate the godly leaders God has placed in our lives. Take time to pray for them and affirm them if you can.

How has Nehemiah’s life inspired you? Pray that God will enable you to live as a godly example to others, in your faith and service to Him.
CMW