Help Needed

Nehemiah 2:17-18 AMP Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation that we are in—how Jerusalem is desolate and lies in ruins and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, and let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.”  Then I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they thoroughly supported the good work.

Nehemiah is the personification of the Holy Spirit. Nehemiah means Jehovah Comforts. John 14:16 AMP, Jesus tells us, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever.“

The Holy Spirit was sent by God to be your helper. Here we see the Holy Spirit as a person, because He is a person. He is not a thing. He has a purpose. He restores, heals and builds life back into our bodies and souls. He will also point you to Christ. In this verse we see the need for our community. We are not called to do the “good work” alone. We need support.

Ephesians 2:10 AMP For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

Nehemiah is the one who had the original burden for the rebuild of the walls of Jerusalem. He was the one who let his king know the need of his people. Nehemiah was living as a captive and serving as a cup bearer to a distant kingdom (Nehemiah 2:2-5). He was not even a first generation captive. He was living the good life, but still had a heart for those who were left behind. Nehemiah 2:3 AMP it was reported to him when he inquired, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its [fortified] gates have been burned (destroyed) by fire.”

You may be living the good life. You may be living the blessed life! You may even be one who identifies with the remnant that you feel like your life is in complete ruin. Here are two things I ask someone when they tell me they want to know God more: 1) Do you have a Bible that you can read (understand), and 2) have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? I am going to add a third: are you a member of a life giving church? The church is your support, they build you up, and they disciple you (that means yes there are areas of correction…not control).

The Holy Spirit will never tell you to be on your own. That is some other spirit. If you are looking for a perfect church, let me know when you find it this side of Heaven. Church is not meant to be perfect, it is meant to be a place where we can grow in this relationship with Jesus together. Nehemiah (a personification of the Holy Spirit) could not rebuild that wall on his own. You should not do this life alone either. If you do not have one, I encourage you to become a member of a good church. Membership is not just attendance, a member is involved. They allow their pastor to know them. They get out of their comfort zone and attend small groups. They will support their church. Members are not spectators, they are active participants. Get involved!!

If you want to know more about the baptism of the Holy Spirit message me at amanda@desiringformore.org