Read this…Nehemiah 4:1-14; Ephesians 1:11, 4:27Ponder this…Nehemiah’s work was a great work and a Godly work, so why did people oppose his mission and vision? That is a great question that I know that will not be completely resolve here, but we can make some since of a few things. The universal truth here is that people don’t like to feel threatened, whether it is relationally, financially, or maybe because we all like to have control. Nehemiah faces a crowd that opposes the vision for several reasons, but the biggest one is they felt they were losing control with the people, and that with their rehabilitation, they would seek liberation. And like a cat to water, the people going against the rebuilding didn’t like what was happening. Further, this is still true today. When we stand up for something, there will be opposition, but stand firm to what you believe. Our best intentions without our best actions are useless, so embrace the struggle by faith. Ephesians 1:11, “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ, …he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”Welcome to the story of God in the world around you. Pray this…That the God of the universe will give you a life of purpose, a steadfast devotion to him, a character impenetrable, and an ability to persevere in Godly living to chase the God sized vision for your life and this church.

Read this…Nehemiah 2:18; 3; Ephesians 2:8-10 Ponder this…Life is full of investments, isn’t it? We put our investments in mutual funds, CD’s, stocks and bonds. But what is an investment that really lasts? Money, possessions and earthly wealth will eventually subside, but souls are eternal. -Pastor ChadThe priority when Jesus walked and talked on this earth was people. Following his example, we should be concerned about what he was concerned about. Dublin is a great city filled with great people. One thing that our city needs is a church that is not afraid to be intentional in our relationships and relational in our approach. James 4:17 says that it is sin to know what to do, and not do it. Now let’s be difference making Christians that invest and invite as a way of life. Pray this…Pray that you can have the strength, the endurance, and the faith to be a difference maker for Christ.

Read this…Nehemiah 2:11-20; Matthew 28:18-20Ponder this…Nehemiah dreamt of a better place. He wept over the condition of his people and their city. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being not at all and 10 being very), how broken are you about the unchurched here in Dublin and Laurens County?Nehemiah was bold in identifying and addressing the problem, and it started with prayer. As a matter of fact, prayer is a theme interwoven through the book of Nehemiah. Please follow his example in doing that for your community and mine. We invite you to join us in “…helping people find direction”… by creating welcoming worship environments… by authentic community through small groups… relevant bible teaching… equipping families to succeedIn the words of Nehemiah and your Pastor, “Come, let’s rebuild!” Pray this…That we would be a place that the people here in Dublin and Laurens County would find relevant and welcoming.

Read this…Nehemiah 1:11-2:10; Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24Ponder this…Have you ever thought that the path of your life has led you to where you are right now? It all has led you to right here, right now. Nehemiah had a series of events that led him to leverage what he knew, his comfort, and his career to take part in the bigger story of redemption. Christians find themselves in a similar situation. The Great Commission calls us to the same here in Middle Georgia. Does this scare or excite you? Why? What compelled Nehemiah to leverage all of this? What is the problem we, as a church, are trying to resolve? (Hint: Problems & Prayers message)... helping people become fully developing followers of ChristPray this..That God would use you in this story. Pray for the faith and hope to never fade. Faith is trusting God enough to obey what he said, and hope is having the confidence that he will do what he said he would.