Fear-FREE focus

 

Proverbs 4:25-27

King James Version

25 Let thine eyes look right on, 

and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, 

and let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: 

remove thy foot from evil.

When you are a child of GOD, a believer in JESUS, a faithful servant of CHRIST, and a student of the HOLY SPIRIT, you are focused.

You do not deviate, are not distracted, and thus, are not destroyed.

Much as CHRIST's enemy tries to attack you, every single time.

Just so you know, the devil has many devices.

But the born again has a mission, are powered by faith, and by our love for GOD.

Obedience to GOD's will is our DNA.

One great example of such focus is Nehemiah.

"Interestingly, he was cupbearer to Artaxerxes I.

Who happens to be the fifth king of kings to the Achaemenid Empire, 

from 465 to December 424 BC.

This empire was also called "The First Persian Empire".

It was founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC.

You mean, Israel and Persia were once friends?"

-- "City in RUINS"

He was tasked with rebuilding Jerusalem.

It was a formidable task, but GOD wanted it done.

Of course, Nehemiah's enemies were in a rage when he was securing the walls of the city.

They aimed to put every block to his thinking, and rebuilding.

Here's what they did, and how Nehemiah responded.

Nehemiah 6:1-2

King James Version

6 Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, 

and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, 

heard that I had builded the wall, 

and that there was no breach left therein; 

(though at that time I had not set up 

the doors upon the gates;)

2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, 

Come, let us meet together 

in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. 

But they thought to do me mischief.

Nehemiah's response:

Nehemiah 6:3

King James Version

3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, 

I am doing a great work, 

so that I cannot come down: 

why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, 

and come down to you?

But his enemies wouldn't let up.

Nehemiah 6:4

King James Version

4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort;

and I answered them after the same manner.

Nehemiah 6:5-7

King James Version

5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner 

the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;

6 Wherein was written, 

It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, 

that thou and the Jews think to rebel: 

for which cause thou buildest the wall, 

that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.

7 And thou hast also appointed prophets 

to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, 

There is a king in Judah: 

and now shall it be reported to the king 

according to these words. 

Come now therefore, 

and let us take counsel together.

Nehemiah's response:

Nehemiah 6:8-9

King James Version

8 Then I sent unto him, saying, 

There are no such things done as thou sayest, 

but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

9 For they all made us afraid, saying, 

Their hands shall be weakened from the work, 

that it be not done. 

Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

He was warned further.

Nehemiah 6:10

King James Version

10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah 

the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, 

who was shut up; and he said, 

Let us meet together in the house of God, 

within the temple, 

and let us shut the doors of the temple: 

for they will come to slay thee; 

yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

Nehemiah's response:

Nehemiah 6:11

King James Version

11 And I said, 

Should such a man as I flee? 

and who is there, that, being as I am, 

would go into the temple to save his life? 

I will not go in.

His impression of the whole thing:

Nehemiah 6:12-13

King James Version

12 And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; 

but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: 

for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, 

and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter 

for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

His prayer:

Nehemiah 6:14

King James Version

14 My God, 

think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat 

according to these their works, 

and on the prophetess Noadiah, 

and the rest of the prophets, 

that would have put me in fear.

The result of his prayer, and unbending focus:

Nehemiah 6:15-16

King James Version

15 So the wall was finished 

in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, 

in fifty and two days.

16 And it came to pass, 

that when all our enemies heard thereof, 

and all the heathen that were about us 

saw these things, 

they were much cast down in their own eyes: 

for they perceived that this work 

was wrought of our God.

The lesson that SPIRIT inspired me to give you from all these:

"FORTIFY your FORTRESSES 

through FAITH and FOCUS."

GOD put it upon my heart on 22 January 2024 to write about Nehemiah, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Here are the series of articles His HOLY SPIRIT inspired me to write then:

City in RUINS

RESULT of PRAYERS

REBUILDING the GATES

On FACING setbacks

BUILDERS and WARRIORS

52-day WONDER

JERUSALEM comes ALIVE

DEDICATING the city

Israel is going through the same situation today.

She is being attacked and bullied, on all fronts.

But she stays on the path.

She knows GOD is with her.

Let us, born again workers, watchmen, and warriors, be like Nehemiah.

Let us not be distracted by things of the world.

Let us not be fearful of what people can do to us.

Let us not be cowed, or bullied, into giving up our faith.

Let us remain focused on CHRIST JESUS alone.

Colossians 3:1-4

King James Version

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life 

is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, 

then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Related material:

Why you MUST turn to JESUS now!

For CHILDREN of LIGHT

PEACE through JESUS

GUIDANCE for TODAY

TOUGHEST job EVER

TIME to FORTIFY

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

Related video:

FURY As French Consulate CONFRONTED In Jerusalem - Here's What Happened (MK Ohad Tal)

Image: Clipart Library

FORTIFICATION from GOD

 

Philippians 4:13

King James Version

13 I can do all things through Christ 

which strengtheneth me.

Nothing like GOD's WORD to give us peace, safety, security.

And a good night's sleep.

Nothing like His Word to reassure us, each day.

Let His Word tell us so.

What could be stronger than a fortress?

Exodus 15:2-3

King James Version

2 The Lord is my strength and song, 

and he is become my salvation: 

he is my God, 

and I will prepare him an habitation; 

my father's God, 

and I will exalt him.

3 The Lord is a man of war: 

the Lord is his name.

What makes the enemy flee?

James 4:7

King James Version

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, 

and he will flee from you.

How must we fortify?

Acts 16:31

King James Version

31 And they said, 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 

and thou shalt be saved, 

and thy house.

What strength do we have?

Ezekiel 3:8-9

King James Version

8 Behold, 

I have made thy face strong against their faces, 

and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.

9 As an adamant harder than flint 

have I made thy forehead: 

fear them not, 

neither be dismayed at their looks, 

though they be a rebellious house.

Where do we get power from?

Luke 24:49

King James Version

49 And, behold, 

I send the promise of my Father upon you: 

but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, 

until ye be endued with power from on high.

How do we conquer fear?

2 Timothy 1:7

King James Version

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; 

but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

What ensures freedom?

2 Corinthians 3:17

King James Version

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: 

and where the Spirit of the Lord is, 

there is liberty.

Who oversees everything?

Psalm 127:1

King James Version

127 Except the Lord build the house, 

they labour in vain that build it: 

except the Lord keep the city, 

the watchman waketh but in vain.

Who is the head of our army?

Acts 4:10-12

King James Version

10 Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel, 

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, 

whom ye crucified, 

whom God raised from the dead, 

even by him doth this man 

stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone 

which was set at nought of you builders, 

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under heaven

 given among men, 

whereby we must be saved.

Of course, we need GOD to fight our battles.

And to help fortify us, in spirit, and in truth.

Especially it's not an ordinary enemy.

JESUS tells us who the enemy is.

That's for the next post.

Related material:

The SAFE house

Image: Clipart Library

WATCHMAN verses

 

Psalm 130:6

King James Version

6 My soul waiteth for the Lord 

more than they that watch for the morning: 

I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

A believer in JESUS has a watchman ministry.

As born again, our work is three-fold.

We watch over ourselves, that we live right by GOD.

We watch over the LORD's sheep, that you come to no harm.

We watch for the LORD's coming.

It is an honor to be a watchman.

It takes great love, dedication, and vigilance.

It takes great love for the LORD, to serve Him.

It takes great love for you, that we do this task.

All because SPIRIT and Scripture taught us about JESUS.

JESUS tells us what it means to be a watchman:

Matthew 26:41

King James Version

41 Watch and pray, 

that ye enter not into temptation: 

the spirit indeed is willing, 

but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:40-41

King James Version

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, 

and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, 

What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, 

that ye enter not into temptation: 

the spirit indeed is willing, 

but the flesh is weak.

Mark 13:37

King James Version

37 And what I say unto you 

I say unto all, 

Watch.

Mark 13:32-34

King James Version

32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, 

no, not the angels which are in heaven, 

neither the Son, but the Father.

33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: 

for ye know not when the time is.

34 For the Son of Man is as a man 

taking a far journey, who left his house, 

and gave authority to his servants, 

and to every man his work, 

and commanded the porter to watch.

Mark 13:35-37

King James Version

35 Watch ye therefore: 

for ye know not 

when the master of the house cometh, 

at even, 

or at midnight, 

or at the cockcrowing, 

or in the morning:

36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, 

Watch.

Luke 21:29-33

King James Version

29 And he spake to them a parable; 

Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30 When they now shoot forth, 

ye see and know of your own selves 

that summer is now nigh at hand.

31 So likewise ye, 

when ye see these things come to pass, 

know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32 Verily I say unto you, 

This generation shall not pass away, 

till all be fulfilled.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: 

but my words shall not pass away.

John 10:11-13

King James Version

11 I am the good shepherd: 

the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, 

whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, 

and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: 

and the wolf catcheth them, 

and scattereth the sheep.

13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, 

and careth not for the sheep.

John 10:14-15

King James Version

14 I am the good shepherd, 

and know my sheep, 

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me, 

even so know I the Father: 

and I lay down my life for the sheep.

These verses tell us more about being a watchman.

2 Kings 9:17

King James Version

17 And there stood a watchman 

on the tower in Jezreel, 

and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, 

and said, I see a company. 

And Joram said, Take an horseman, 

and send to meet them, and let him say, 

Is it peace?

Nehemiah 4:9

King James Version

9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, 

and set a watch against them day and night, 

because of them.

Nehemiah 7:1-3

King James Version

7 Now it came to pass, 

when the wall was built, 

and I had set up the doors, 

and the porters and the singers 

and the Levites were appointed,

2 That I gave my brother Hanani, 

and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, 

charge over Jerusalem: 

for he was a faithful man, 

and feared God above many.

3 And I said unto them, 

Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened 

until the sun be hot; 

and while they stand by, 

let them shut the doors, and bar them: 

and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 

every one in his watch, and every one 

to be over against his house.

Proverbs 8:34-35

King James Version

34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, 

watching daily at my gates, 

waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, 

and shall obtain favour of the Lord.

Isaiah 21:5-6

King James Version

5 Prepare the table, 

watch in the watchtower, 

eat, drink: arise, ye princes, 

and anoint the shield.

6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, 

Go, set a watchman, 

let him declare what he seeth.

Isaiah 21:7-9

King James Version

7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, 

a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; 

and he hearkened diligently with much heed:

8 And he cried, A lion: 

My lord, I stand continually 

upon the watchtower in the daytime, 

and I am set in my ward whole nights:

9 And, behold, 

here cometh a chariot of men, 

with a couple of horsemen. 

And he answered and said, 

Babylon is fallen, is fallen; 

and all the graven images of her gods 

he hath broken unto the ground.

Isaiah 21:11-12

King James Version

11 The burden of Dumah. 

He calleth to me out of Seir, 

Watchman, what of the night? 

Watchman, what of the night?

12 The watchman said, 

The morning cometh, and also the night: 

if ye will enquire, enquire ye: 

return, come.

Isaiah 52:7-8

King James Version

7 How beautiful upon the mountains 

are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, 

that publisheth peace; 

that bringeth good tidings of good, 

that publisheth salvation; 

that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; 

with the voice together shall they sing: 

for they shall see eye to eye, 

when the Lord shall bring again Zion.

Isaiah 62:6-7

King James Version

6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, 

which shall never hold their peace day nor night: 

ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence,

7 And give him no rest, till he establish, 

and till he make Jerusalem 

a praise in the earth.

Jeremiah 1:9-10

King James Version

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, 

and touched my mouth. 

And the Lord said unto me, 

Behold, 

I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee 

over the nations and over the kingdoms, 

to root out, 

and to pull down, 

and to destroy, 

and to throw down, 

to build, 

and to plant.

Jeremiah 31:6

King James Version

6 For there shall be a day, 

that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, 

Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion 

unto the Lord our God.

Jeremiah 51:11-13

King James Version

11 Make bright the arrows; 

gather the shields: 

the Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings

of the Medes: 

for his device is against Babylon, 

to destroy it; 

because it is the vengeance of the Lord, 

the vengeance of his temple.

12 Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, 

make the watch strong, 

set up the watchmen, 

prepare the ambushes: 

for the Lord hath both devised and done 

that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.

13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters, 

abundant in treasures, 

thine end is come, 

and the measure of thy covetousness.

Ezekiel 3:8-9

King James Version

8 Behold, 

I have made thy face strong against their faces, 

and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.

9 As an adamant harder than flint 

have I made thy forehead: 

fear them not, 

neither be dismayed at their looks, 

though they be a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 3:16-18

King James Version

16 And it came to pass at the end of seven days, 

that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

17 Son of man, 

I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: 

therefore hear the word at my mouth, 

and give them warning from me.

18 When I say unto the wicked, 

Thou shalt surely die; 

and thou givest him not warning, 

nor speakest to warn the wicked 

from his wicked way, to save his life; 

the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; 

but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 3:19

King James Version

19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, 

and he turn not from his wickedness, 

nor from his wicked way, 

he shall die in his iniquity; 

but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel 3:20

King James Version

20 Again, 

When a righteous man doth turn 

from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, 

and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: 

because thou hast not given him warning, 

he shall die in his sin, 

and his righteousness which he hath done 

shall not be remembered; 

but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 3:16-21

King James Version

21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, 

that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, 

he shall surely live, because he is warned; 

also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel 33:7

King James Version

7 So thou, O son of man, 

I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; 

therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, 

and warn them from me.

Habakkuk 2:1-3

King James Version

2 I will stand upon my watch, 

and set me upon the tower, 

and will watch to see what he will say unto me, 

and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

2 And the Lord answered me, and said, 

Write the vision, 

and make it plain upon tables, 

that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, 

but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: 

though it tarry, wait for it; 

because it will surely come, 

it will not tarry.

2 Corinthians 11:27-28

King James Version

27 In weariness and painfulness, 

in watchings often, 

in hunger and thirst, 

in fastings often, 

in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside those things that are without, 

that which cometh upon me daily, 

the care of all the churches.

Related material:

The WATCHMAN ministry

"CALL OUT THE ERRORS"

Being a WATCHMAN

On PROPHETS

Related video:

Why Aren't the Watchmen Watching?

Image: Kaan Durmuş

FORTIFICATION of FAITH

 

Psalm 62:8

King James Version

8 Trust in him at all times; 

ye people, pour out your heart before him: 

God is a refuge for us. Selah.

We've all seen from the rebuilding series, how Nehemiah approached rebuilding Jerusalem in the Old Testament.

A product of grief, at seeing the city in ruins.

A product of prayer, for GOD to help him with the project.

A product of vision, that the extensive rebuilding can be done.

A product of faith, that Nehemiah had his senses about.

A product of hard work, despite the many enemy threats.

It took a mere 52 days for the walls to be repaired.

(Remember, this is a city; not just any ordinary wall.)

And all because Nehemiah prayed.

King Artaxerxes allowed Nehemiah to take leave as cupbearer.

With Nehemiah in constant communication with GOD.

Sure, Jerusalem is GOD's holy city.

But until, and unless the people's hearts were right with GOD, the LORD wouldn't have allowed the grand scheme.

He saw through Nehemiah's heart.

Nehemiah 1:3-4

King James Version

3 And they said unto me, 

The remnant that are left 

of the captivity there in the province 

are in great affliction and reproach: 

the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, 

and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, 

that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, 

and fasted, 

and prayed before the God of heaven,

Approaching the king, Nehemiah said:

Nehemiah 2:5

King James Version

5 And I said unto the king, 

If it please the king, 

and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, 

that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, 

unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, 

that I may build it.

The king agreed, and the rebuilding began.

By GOD's design, the Jews believed in Nehemiah's project.

Also because Nehemiah acknowledged GOD.

Nehemiah 2:18

King James Version

18 Then I told them of the hand of my God 

which was good upon me; 

as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. 

And they said, 

Let us rise up and build. 

So they strengthened their hands 

for this good work.

Afterwards, all went according to GOD's plan, through Nehemiah.

No matter the threats, or volume of work, the rebuilding progressed.

It is so, when people's hearts are one.

When they believe in something good.

When they believe in the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

When they believe it is for the safety of all.

We need more leaders like Nehemiah.

Who never thought of self, but only of GOD.

And of his people.

What a remarkable man of GOD!

Related material:

REBUILDING Jerusalem

SPIRIT of GOD

FAITH

Image: Free Bible Images