A Man Like Me...

"But I said, Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!" (Nehemiah 6:11)

These are excerpts from my sermon lesson today:

Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem were nearing the completion of the walls of Jerusalem. The only thing that was left was placing the gates in place. While the work was almost completed, the opposition intensified and the enemy approached from a different perspective.

There is a tendency that when one is near the completion of a project to let up. The enemies of Nehemiah was hoping that he would grow laxed in the work and listen to the false friends and the false prophets who tried to intimidate him to stop the work and run for safety. The strategy of the enemy this time was to use people within his camp to try and to distract him from the work. They shared with him that his life was in danger and he should take refuge in the place of worship and hide away.

Nehemiah was able to not run from his opposition because of his character. Character is demons rated in times of conflict and controversy. Character is defined as the basic fabric and fiber of who we are, it is our moral standing. Nehemiah's character compelled him to complete the work and not run and hide.

We can glean the following from the text as we deal with the idea of character:

1. Nehemiah Knew Who He Was!

Nehemiah knew the essence of who he was as an individual. When one knows who they are they don't have to worry or fret. When you know who you are you do not run away from your fears; you run to them.


2. Nehemiah Understood His Mandate!

Nehemiah could remain steadfast in spite of threat of violence because he knew that he was on a God-given mission. He was driven to fulfill God's destiny in his life!

3. Nehemiah Knew His God!

More importantly, Nehemiah knew that his God was with him and would never leave nor forsake him!

The following is how we build character:

1. Being Born Again!

2. Walking in the Fullness of His Spirit.

3. Focusing on the Word of God.

4. Making Prayer a Major Part of Your Life!

5. Associating with those of like faith and character.

Hope this is a blessing!

Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!

Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, IL and Los Angeles, CA