(Nehemiah 4:6)
Sherrye has been reading the Bible nearly each day for quite some time now and as she finishes her daily reading we often discuss what she has read. Currently, she is in Nehemiah and we were discussing the passage found in Nehemiah 4:6. It is amazing to think about the amount of work they accomplished in such short time. As some of you know, I am developing an office campus in Hardin Valley and have recently had the contractor put up some enormous retaining walls. I often comment that those walls remind me of the walls built in Bible times, as these were constructed one stone at a time and placed by hand. My walls have taken a crew of up to 20-30 men at a time and several months to complete and I am certain my walls pale in comparison to those built by Nehemiah and his helpers.
Looking at the many good works that the congregation is involved with reminds us of Nehemiah and the men who rebuilt the walls and gates of Jerusalem (Neh.3). The work was completed because the men had faith in God, prayed and “had a mind to work.” Today God’s plan is to “preach the gospel to every creature in the world” (Mark 15:16). God’s family here at Karns is called upon to help carry out His plan. As we look at the many tasks we have yet to complete, there is no doubt God has filled the Karns family with talented and dedicated folks necessary to carry out this task.
Nehemiah accomplished the very difficult task because they believed God was with them and they asked for his help. Success was theirs because their faith was put into action, “they had a mind to work.” God supplied Nehemiah’s needs and today He will supply our needs to carry out His plan. Our family’s great love for those outside the church and our collective talents must be used in every way possible to reach the lost and dying world for Christ.
“Therefore comfort (encourage) each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing (I Thess. 5: 11). Paul writes, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father” (I Thess. 1: 2-3). These words aptly describe the way we feel toward our family here at Karns.
Our loving and caring family is a congregation which has a “mind to work,” inspiring us to work even more diligently to accomplish the task before us. The promises of God encourage us to be “steadfast and unmovable” in the work of the Lord until the end. With faith in God, prayer and a willingness to work like Nehemiah, we can accomplish the task God has given us and grow more like Christ as we seek the lost.
— For the elders (Gregg Woodall)