Week Thirteen, 2025
The priests made repairs, each in front of his own house (Nehemiah 3:28).
Jerusalem had been destroyed, but then the city had been rebuilt. However, the city wall remained in rubble. Rebuilding such a large structure, necessary for protection, was an overwhelming task. However, Nehemiah had a plan. Instead of looking at the total project, each one should rebuild the portion adjacent to his house.
According to the Bible, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in just 52 days. The task was monumental, given the size of the stones and the opposition Nehemiah faced, but by dividing the work, it could be done, and it was.
I am reminded of the boy on the beach throwing back the starfish that were washed ashore by a storm. A man approached the boy and said he could never save all the starfish. The boy picked up a starfish, threw it in the ocean and said, “True, but I just saved this one and it matters to this one.”
In the Bible story of Nehemiah, the phrase “build your own wall” refers to the strategy he employed to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Each family was responsible for repairing the section of the wall directly in front of their own homes, effectively creating a sense of personal ownership and accountability in the rebuilding process.
Starting in front of their own houses, the people of Jerusalem not only rebuilt, but restored their devastated kingdom. They also built a unique community of trust, shared commitment to, and dependence on God.
As we look at the problems facing our society today, they look overwhelming and impossible challenges to solve. Our societal walls are broken, morally, politically, spiritually and economically. But if everyone does his part they can be fixed. We change the political scene one vote at a time. We change the spiritual life of our community one witness at a time.
Shortly before he died, I met Frank Laubach. While Frank was working among Muslims at a remote location in the Philippines, he developed the “Each One Teach One” literacy program. It has been used to teach about 60 million people to read in their own language.
It was a simple program where people were taught to read and then they taught at least one more person to read. Also, one of his most widely influential devotional works was a pamphlet entitled “The Game with Minutes.” In it, Laubach urged Christians to attempt to keep God in mind for at least one second of every minute of the day. In this way, Christians can attempt the attitude of constant prayer spoken of in the First Epistle to the Thessalonians. The pamphlet extolled the virtues of a life lived with an unceasing focus on God.
Meeting and listening to him at my young age had a deep impact on me and helped me to commit my life to helping to change the world with my actions one person at a time.
Will you make such a commitment?
Sometimes True Stories
They say ships don’t sink because of the water around them, they sink because of the water inside them. Sin is much the same, when we allow sin to dwell within our hearts, we open a hole for the devil to pour in. The devil is always testing us, and just like a sailor we must be prepared for rough seas. A smooth sea doesn’t make a skilled sailor, but it is a trained and faithful sailor who reaches his destination. Tony Ferguson
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How do we put our faith to work?
In response, these 5 things came to mind:
1) By living what we say we believe. That is by glorifying God through our day to day living… through our work… through our fun… even in the mundane.
2) By doing what Jesus did – loving others, helping others, sharing life with others. Not because we have to, but because of what He first did for us.
3) By going therefore – That is, by going to make disciples. Whether next door, down the hall, across the country or around the world. Put your faith into action.
4) By loving your neighbor as yourself (goes back to number 2). And who is your neighbor? Everyone – even if they don’t look like you. Overcome hate and disdain with love. Shine where you are.
5) By taking up our cross daily and following Him… loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength – That is, loving him with all that we are. Love like Jesus. See as He sees. Respond like He would respond. Allow His heart to become our heart.
Let’s be clear – Faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ, the Son of God is what saves us. But as we live and grow in our faith in Him, we are called then to put our faith to work. So others can see Him in us… so others might know of His great love, grace and mercy.
Now is the time for us to shine, to be a light in a dark world… or at least our little part of it.
Go now… “Get off the bench and do something… get out of the pew and put your faith to work.”
Marty Stubblefield
Quotes You Can Use
God wants us to learn to trust in Him completely – even when we cannot see any possible solutions. Dan Shock
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. Corrie ten Boom
America’s problem is that we are no longer serious, and we tolerate too much unseriousness and fantasy. Michael Smith
As Christians, one of the best ways to help our country and culture is to show people the power of placing our hope in God rather than presidents, governments, or any other facet of our nation’s leadership. Where is your source of hope? Jim Denison
God will not give you victory over the flesh in one year. Success has no shortcuts – it’s a lifelong battle. Dan Shock
Our minds cannot be both grateful and anxious at the same time so it is important we seek the wisdom from God so we can lie down in peace sleeping confident in our Father’s care. Maybe that’s why a child can sleep so well. They don’t worry about tomorrow because their care is in their parent’s hands. Shouldn’t we all sleep like babies and put our care in God’s hands. Pray, believe, sleep. Tony Ferguson
When I was not a Christian, I knew the Bible existed and even some of the popular stories found therein. Then I put my trust in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit came alive in me. So now, as time goes by, I can open the Holy Scriptures and find wonders that help me live a life I never knew before, becoming more Christ like every day. Trust Christ. Open and discover the wonders found in the Bible. Dig in. Rich Jensen
Athletes work fifty hours a week to play a three-hour game; while Christians spend one hour a week at church to prepare for a fifty-hour work week…no wonder we seem to be losing the battle and the war. Dwight Short
Faith is not about feelings but accepting that God is sovereign. Faith is about humbling ourselves and accepting God’s grace rather than how we feel on any given day. Feelings come and go, but God’s gift of grace remains the same. Be wise, accept it, and peace and calm will be the reward. Tony Ferguson
Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.’ And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying. Ronald Reagan
If you want your work to matter for eternity, you have to know what’s on God’s heart for eternity. That’s one reason why time in the Word is so important. Jordan Raynor
We live in a day when people are proud of what they should be ashamed of.
What a comfort to know we can talk to the Lord and know He is listening. Tony Ferguson
This world is not our home, we are just passing through, try to leave it better if you can…sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best legacy possible because it has eternal value. Dwight Short
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim with new wine.” (Proverbs 3: 9-10 NIV) When we honor the Lord, we are expressing gratitude for all our God given gifts. Unfortunately, mankind often takes the credit when things go well and look to blame others when things don’t go our way. When we live life with gratitude rather than blame, we often find that gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion to clarity. Gratitude can turn blaming into forgiveness, and enemies into friends. Live a life of gratitude and you will be rewarded. Tony Ferguson
Jesus commissions and empowers His disciples to invite others into His Kingdom. Edgar Aponte
To know where you are going, you must also know where you have been. Michael Smith
Trying to keep secrets from the Lord is like trying to nail Jello to a tree, it’s impossible. Even when we hold our tongues God knows our thoughts. Even when we try to fight back the evil thoughts and motives of the heart, He knows. Accepting the sovereignty of God is the first step in confessing our sins and receiving His forgiveness. Faith is not a part of a Christian life, it is the whole life. Trust the Lord and He will guide your thoughts. Tony Ferguson
Jesus is better than anything this world can offer. Edgar Aponte
Hurt people, hurt people. Broken people, break other people. Tony Walliser
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