By, Jeremy Harrell

Nehemiah 4:6 says “So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto half the height thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” As we look at the Church today, do we have a mind to work? Are we willing to do whatever it takes to spread the borders of the Kingdom? Do we recognize the need to work? Do we desire to work? Will we work even under adverse circumstances? Under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. It was there that they began to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The Samaritans opposed the work of rebuilding the walls. Yet the Jewish people had a mind to work and the criticisms weren't going to stop them from their labors. Do we sometimes let the world influence us to the point that we fail to do the work of the Lord?

Noah preached for over 100 years with no result. Sometimes as Christians it is easy to get discouraged when you teach and have no response. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul states “I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” It is our responsibility to teach, but God gives the increase. We cannot get discouraged. We will face adversity and we will face mockery. We will face family, friends, and opposition. We are charged to encourage one another (1Thessalonains 5:11). Sometimes in this nation that we live in, people tend to have a “what’s in it for me?” attitude. They have a sense of entitlement. They don’t know how to work for anything. Such should not be said of a Christian. We are to have a mind to work, a desire to work, all the while assuring that we have the knowledge to work! Let us all consider the work that we do for the Lord. James 1:22 says “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. A challenge for you….Go ahead and sign up to teach a class BEFORE the next quarter, be preparing for that class, and have a mind to work. Ephesians 6:10-16 “¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.”