Hi Newport Church Family,
We trust that you are doing well in spirit, soul and body!
Day 33 of 52 Days of Rebuilding!
Welcome to day 33 of our 52 days of rebuilding! We pray that these have been days filled with progress as we rebuild any area and structure in our lives that are in need of attention and repair.
On our first Tuesday meeting I shared some observations of what took place when Nehemiah reached the half way mark of building, and how these events are highly significant in their application to us at his stage of our 52 day initiative.
Here they are in summary:
The builders had made great progress because they had a mind and a will to build.
So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6
When we have a mind to work we will make progress…
Let’s have a mind to rebuild, to gather, to connect, to build community, to leave a legacy and to be a part of the greatest cause of all!
When they reached halfway three significant things happened:
1) They were Openly Attacked by their Enemies
Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. Nehemiah 4:7-8
2) They were Overwhelmed and Discouraged by the Quantity of Rubble
Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.” Nehemiah 4:10 NKJV
3) They were Intimidated by Discouraging Reports they Kept Hearing
And all this time our enemies were saying, “They won’t know what hit them. Before they know it we’ll be at their throats, killing them right and left. That will put a stop to the work!” The Jews who were their neighbors kept reporting, “They have us surrounded; they’re going to attack!” If we heard it once, we heard it ten times. Nehemiah 4:12 MSG
Nehemiah and the builders responded in three significant ways:
1) They Prayed
Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God. Nehemiah 4:9 NKJV
Nehemiah was a man of constant prayer as can be seen in the fourteen recorded prayers in the short book of Nehemiah.
2) They Stayed in Position and Fought while they Built
Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. Nehemiah 4:13 NKJV
3) They Responded to the Financial need of the Community
I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands. Nehemiah 5:16-17
Nehemiah led the way by giving his time, talent and treasure.
And he believed that God would bless him for his personal sacrifice.
Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it. Nehemiah 5:19
As we build let’s remember that the enemy is deeply disturbed by what we are doing and he will attack us, try to discourage us, create confusion amongst us and intimidate us.
However, despite all of his attempts we can respond in faith as Nehemiah did knowing that we are building with God on our side!
So like Nehemiah let’s pray, stay in position and fight while we build and meet the needs of our community by building a house of refuge, hope and faith!
Thanksgiving Offering – Sunday 21st November
Every year we give a special Thanksgiving Offering on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
This offering is one that we give as a church, over and above our normal giving, and is an opportunity to express our thankfulness to God for all that He has done in our lives.
It also gives us an opportunity to make an eternal investment into the church that Jesus established through His sacrificial death, and for us to be benefactors to the next generation by leaving a legacy through our giving.
Jesus reminded us that this is one investment that will never be affected by the economy or any other natural factors.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV
Jesus is saying that what we give we will keep forever!
Let’s leave a legacy for future generations as others have done for us, and let’s make a way for them through our generosity to find and know Jesus, the gateway to Heaven.
Thank you!
Thank you for your faithful giving, without it we would not be able to make the difference that we do, in so many lives, every week.
If you would like to give your regular donation, tithes or offering now, you can do so by Clicking Here
This Sunday 10am - Service Number 5 of 7 in 52 Days of Rebuilding!
We look forward to you joining us either in person or online this Sunday at 10am. Remember that a central part of our 52 Day challenge is to be in our service for the 7 weekends.
It’s going to be a great morning and we look forward to seeing you then.
We love and appreciate you all greatly,
Pastor Jonathan & Dianne Wilson
Senior Pastors