CMW Ministries

11/27/2023

10/08/2023

Good morning FBFAMILY. Happy Sunday

05/02/2023

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 wine 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

07/19/2022

Rebuilding What Matters “Brick by 🧱 Brick”
Day7

“We have large families, and it takes a lot of grain merely to keep us alive.” Others said, “During the famine, we even had to mortgage our fields, vineyards, and homes to them to buy grain.” Then others said, “We had to borrow money from those in power to pay the government tax on our fields and vineyards.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭5:2-4‬ ‭CEV

Being Right Before God
"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America
This famous line came from Abraham Lincoln’s speech in 1858 when he drew attention to his government’s split over the issue of slavery. Though said years ago under a very different context, this line still resonates and holds for us as believers today.

Besides facing external opposition to the rebuilding work, Nehemiah now faced internal obstacles. To pay for food and taxes, the poor Jews had to borrow from the rich Jews, who charged them interest. Their situation was so dire that they even had to sell their children to the rich Jews as slaves. Unsurprisingly, the poor raised a great outcry against the rich for their acts of exploitation. While the Jews sought to rebuild the walls together, in reality, they were at odds with one another.

The underlying challenge confronting the Jews was not their financial issues, but their relationships with one another. In the same way, as God rebuilds our lives both individually and as His church, some of our relational issues may resurface. It could be bitterness or unforgiveness towards a believer that we chose to sweep under the carpet some time ago. It could be feelings of being hurt and misunderstood by other believers that we never addressed.

In response, Nehemiah urged the rich Jews to do what was right in the eyes of God. He even appealed to them based on how God’s people are called to live differently from the Gentiles. The watching world would likely scoff at the church when they see how believers are no different when it comes to relational difficulties. As the people of God, the church is to be a contrast community that chooses to love and forgive, just as Christ did.

As God is working to rebuild our lives in Him, you may be reminded of some unresolved issues you have with a brother or sister. God longs for His people to be one people, united in the Spirit as one body. Today, would we remember Christ Jesus who first forgave us? Would we choose to love and forgive one another so that we can stand in unity as God’s people?

Question?

Is God reminding you of any unresolved issues with another believer? Pray for a renewed understanding of His love and grace and ask Him to enable you to follow in His ways.
CMW

07/18/2022

Rebuilding What Matters “ Brick 🧱 by brick”
Day6
“Even the workers who were rebuilding the wall strapped on a sword. The worker who was to blow the signal trumpet stayed with me. If you hear the sound of the trumpet, come quickly and gather around me. Our God will help us fight.””
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4:18, 20‬ ‭CEV

Nehemiah and the Jews also had to stand alongside one another as they faced fierce opposition to rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah turned to the Lord and urged his discouraged brethren to do likewise, recognizing that God is with them. He then implemented practical steps to face their challenges head-on.

The early church’s response to the plagues, and Nehemiah’s actions, are fitting calls for us today. As we face problems that weaken our resolve to build our lives of faith, we can take heart that we are not alone. God is with us in our struggles.

In our struggles, God’s presence also comes from our fellow believers. Just as Nehemiah called for solidarity in the people, so too do we stand alongside one another in our faith battles. Nehemiah exhorted every scattered family repairing the perimeter of the wall to be on alert to the trumpet sound. At its call, the families would gather as one to support and strengthen one another. In the same way, at the sound of the trumpet, our spiritual family today must stand ready for one another.

In our pandemic living, many believers have become more scattered than before. If we are careless, what goes on in our fellow life group member’s life could easily escape us. In such times, the need for a symbolic trumpet call emerges - it rallies us to stand together as one. Will we be ready at the sound of the trumpet – when a life group member calls? Let us see ourselves as one people of God, ready to support and build up one another, especially in times of need.
CMW