Keep putting the bricks in the wall. That seems to be what God keeps putting in my mind these past few weeks.
The past 7 weeks I had the privilege of leading a woman’s Bible study at my church. Why God would chose me for this job is beyond my comprehension. I have only been walking this journey with Jesus for about 2 and 1/2 years so I do not know my Bible very well. I also feel like most of the woman who joined the class were probably way more experienced for the job than me. I do not like speaking in public and have suffered from social anxiety for the past 20 years to the point I get sick at my stomach just thinking about a room full of people. Just being an attendee in a class is really hard for me.
In the class we studied the book of Nehemiah. In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah is told his beloved city of Jerusalem’s walls have been broken down and the gates have been burned with fire. He was so very saddened by this that he wept, fasted and prayed for days, He confessed the sins of his ancestors and asked God to have favor on them again, reminding God of his promise that if they would return back to him and obey, He would bring them all back home.
Nehemiah found real out quick if you pray about something to God that is in line with His plan you may get what you pray for. The next thing he knows God has given him a very big job. God sends Nehemiah to the Judah to to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem and fill the city back up with all the people who had been put out of it for over 70 years.
When God gave Nehemiah the job of building the wall his earthly job was the very honored position of Cup-bearer to King Artaxerexes. I would assume he was not trained in the engineering it would require to construct a wall of that magnitude, but does Nehemiah argue with God and say he is not equipped for the job? No he does not. Without question Nehemiah goes to the city and heads out into the night. He surveys the wall to see what needs to be done and then he sends for the people that are needed to help him with this huge job of rebuilding the wall.
A few officials try to stop Nehemiah from building the wall in the beginning but he says “The God in Heaven will give us success”, and he believes it. As the wall progressed the officials and others plotted against Nehemiah to try to stop the building. The workers became tired but kept going on to the point they had to work one handed with a weapon in the other. Through all obstacles they still kept their faith in God and the wall was rebuilt and the city restored. That is the short version of the story, for the full version you can read the whole story by clicking here.
I love how Nehemiah never ever questions God’s plan. He just keeps moving forward no matter how big the challenges became. He kept plugging along one brick at a time doing what God told him to do, never having any doubt or letting anyone else’s negativity sway him from the job God gave him to do. He fully believed that God had it covered.
What faith! Wouldn’t it be great if we could all have faith like that?
it seems like here lately God has asked me to do a few things that to me just seem so odd he would pick me to do the job. I few have been really way out of my comfort zone. I think to myself why would he ask me to do that? I think that I am not good enough or smart enough and try to talk myself and God out of it. I wish I could be more like Nehemiah was and just trust God the minute he asks. If only I would just get my instructions from God, not question Him, trust he will equip me and then just go do it.
With God and I the conversation goes something like this… Hey T I want you to lead a Bible study…. Say what??…..You heard me T, I want you to lead a Bible study….But God why me? I do not have the knowledge to lead a Bible study….but you don’t need any knowledge because I have it covered… Hey God I have a better idea, I think I will just join a Bible study as a participant, how does that sound? … really T I have another plan look at that Bible study book that you just got for that class you plan to join. How about you do the study with the ladies at your church?… are you kidding God? No way I can’t do that I don’t know my Bible that well…You don’t need to know your Bible well… But now that you mention it this does look like something that our church members would be interested in…. Okay T, so do it then…. But God why me? I don’t like speaking in front of people … But you can do it…. But I don’t know what I will say to the class….Well do it anyway…. But God I will turn red and I will get sick at my stomach and, and, and,.. Just do it T it will be fine, I got this covered… Okay fine, I will do it but I am sure the Pastor will never let me lead a Bible study. I will ask him and if he says yes then I will do it, but I am pretty sure he will say no because I do not know anything about the Bible or leading a class… you ask him T I will take care of the details…Okay God I will ask though I am not sure I like this idea at all…No worries T, like I said, I got this covered.
Actually that is a true story and as you have probably figured out my Pastor said yes. No I am not crazy and no I did not hear a booming voice coming out of the sky saying “T have a Bible study”, but I did feel it inside my heart. God and I wrestling around in there going back and forth him trying to convince me and reassure me and I trying to change his mind. If God has spoken to you then you know exactly what I am talking about. I am sure you know as I do God is quite persistent
This seams to becoming the story of my life. Lately every time I turn around he is asking me to do something that scares me to death. Thankfully not one time has he left me hanging. This week was the ending of our 7 week Bible study and I am happy to say nothing awful happened. Actually I think everything good happened. The ladies kept coming back week after week. I realized it was not my Bible study, it was OUR Bible study and it was to be led by God. We laughed and we cried as we shared Gods word. I found out I did not need any Bible knowledge at all because the study of God’s word filled all our heads with the knowledge that we were all there to learn. The only thing I had to do was just show up for the job which I think was just the job of getting us all together. God took care of the rest.
Every time I step out of my comfort zone for God I get some sort of unexpected blessing.
I learned yet again I do not have to be equipped for the job all I have to do is just show up. God has it covered.
I found it quite cool that Nehemiah seemed to have kind of the same set of circumstances as me. Actually he has the same set we all do. He had a job to do and he did it with Gods help. Though I may never do anything spectacular as building a wall or city, the same rule applies…We all have a job to do, we all must believe and trust in God and the job will get done.
We are all here to work on our own little piece of the wall that God has given us to build. We all must keep putting the bricks in the wall one brick at a time. He gives us all jobs to do we are all here to to do our part in building God’s great kingdom.
Is God asking you to do something you feel unequipped to do? He will equip you. You can anything he asks if you rely on Him. So what are you waiting for? Tell Him yes and just show up, God will take care of the technicalities.
How cool is that? 🙂
Want to read the story of Nehemiah? click here –> Nehemiah
Galatians 4:19 My dear children for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.
Thank you for reading and God bless you 🙂
A Story By Me 
I fell very blessed T having shared your victory in The Lord with you, I remember at one time after reading Mark 9:24 passionately asking God to help me with my doubts and fears and He assured me, as He did you in my heart that He would and then He shared with me James1:5-8, both these Scriptures have been life changing but the essence of them is not in having Bible knowledge we need first to know Jesus Christ in Truth and with Spiritual passion and seek Him with all our all, not because we have to but because we want to.
A Scripture came to my heart as you shared T, see below and it tells us what God looks for in His chosen vessels who will do His good works that He has prepared in advance for them to do and He equips us to do them and it is not about having worldly Titles acquired through popularity or by birth or is it Diplomas and Academic Degrees based on worldly wisdom, logic and reasoning but those who Trust in Him as a Child.
1 Corinthians 1: 25 31 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Christian Love from both of us – Anne
We Walk in The Fruit of God’s Love
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I really loved the Scripture, I am going to highlight the James and Mark in my Bible. I already had the 1 Corinthians highlighted and its a good one, thank you for sharing those. He is always faithful. Thank you for reading and also for your kindness. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Kingdom’s Garden and commented:
Thank you T, what a beautiful heart you have shining with humility and Trust in a God that will never let you down. As we walk in the fruit of His Love by His empowering, we will all be filled Spiritually and lack no good thing….. Love you dear Sister and friend in The Lord, we both wish for you all God has for you and that together we will all as the Body of Christ bear much good fruit for Eternity in our walk with Him.
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Thank you for the reblog that is so nice of you to do that. I think both of you have very big beautiful hearts too. Hearts like Jesus full of love and kindness and caring. Thank you again and God bless you 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words T, we are to affirm each other and encourage each other to Stand up for the Lord in Love and Truth, Reblogs and Awards or Blessings are a way we can do this, as well as sharing about the Love and Hope we have in the Lord and what He teaches us.
Thank you again for a great message T, highlighting the Truth that even if we doubt ourselves we can Trust in what God tells us, thank you for uplifting me also as you have done and always seek to do, you do indeed have the gift of encouragement..
Christian Love Anne.
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Sorry T, I was not advised that you joined up with Kingdom’s Garden but noticed that you had by my Stats, thank you for doing so it is very much appreciated, I hope to do more with this Blog in the future, as I do enjoy sharing with woman just how very much we are of value in God’s heart and the wonderful plans that He has for us, He cherishes us greatly.
Christian Love Anne
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your welcome Anne, Thank YOU for putting that blog together and sharing your heart.
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I don’t know much about the Bible either but one thing I do know is Mathew 28: 19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. NIV. If God felt you were unable to do all that he commanded you he would have not set this commandment upon you and remember the statement of line twenty says it all.
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That scripture has came up for me today 3 times, once was in my pastor’s sermon. You are so right, thank you 🙂
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I had the same situation with a problem I ran into at service last Sunday about an anger issue I hold against my father, http://wp.me/p1gcCC-1g. my next post will be that situation
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This is so similar it’s almost exactly what the Lord has been doing in my heart in the last week or so. Showing me specifically how/ where He wants me to serve. & the social anxiety rises up to choke me. Leaning on a God who goes behind and before me (deuteronomy 31:8) and who Loves me beyond my imagination! ❤ keep writing & leading, lady! God is doing great things through you! ❤
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Hi Carrie, Thank you so much for your kind words. He will never ever leave you. Keep leaning and trusting in Him to help you through the anxiety. I is so amazing to see how he works it all out. God bless you 🙂
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I love Nehemiah for so many reasons…he had such a sensitive heart, but he was bold and courageous. He strategized and sought the Lord’s leading. He persevered and fought hard. Ultimately, he was successful, but not to his own merit, to God’s glory! So I love how you related your leading a Women’s Bible Study to this Nehemiah. I, too, wrestle with God often…and it’s good in a sense. Because I’d rather be sure I’m following HIm when I step out than following some whim I have. It teaches me to hear HIs voice better and gives me that confidence and assurance. Anyway, God bless! Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Jacqui, I agree the wrestling helps teach us hear his voice better. It’s so hard to tell sometimes. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and thank you for reading, God bless you!
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This is brilliant, Terri, I’m sure you can do all you put your mind and this is shown with the bible study group. Like you I suffer from anxiety so I know the feeling well, I’m off meds now with gods help. But in situation like what you describe I get those same familiar feelings. you strike me as a strong woman of god and very knowledgeable. I guess you can tell I toughly enjoy your blog posts.
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