Kerry Shook: 52 Days From Today

We're in a series of messages I'm We're in a series of messages I'm calling this time next year. As we're calling this time next year. As we're calling this time next year. As we're learning how God wants to break us out learning how God wants to break us out learning how God wants to break us out of our normal ways of living and take us of our normal ways of living and take us of our normal ways of living and take us to a new level by this time next year. I to a new level by this time next year. I to a new level by this time next year. I don't want to be the same old person I don't want to be the same old person I don't want to be the same old person I am today at this time next year. We all am today at this time next year. We all am today at this time next year. We all have some negative habit patterns that have some negative habit patterns that have some negative habit patterns that over time just become normal to us. We over time just become normal to us. We over time just become normal to us. We don't even realize how much they hold us don't even realize how much they hold us don't even realize how much they hold us back. They just become part of who we back. They just become part of who we back. They just become part of who we are. We don't even think about them. And are. We don't even think about them. And are. We don't even think about them. And we all have some unhealthy ways of we all have some unhealthy ways of we all have some unhealthy ways of relating that over the years just feel relating that over the years just feel relating that over the years just feel normal to us, but they deeply affect our normal to us, but they deeply affect our normal to us, but they deeply affect our relationships. relationships. relationships. But God wants to break us out of normal But God wants to break us out of normal But God wants to break us out of normal and take us to a new level by this time and take us to a new level by this time and take us to a new level by this time next year. And sometimes God will allow next year. And sometimes God will allow next year. And sometimes God will allow your life to go to worse than normal so your life to go to worse than normal so your life to go to worse than normal so you'll never go back to normal again. you'll never go back to normal again. you'll never go back to normal again. Usually God has to allow my normal to Usually God has to allow my normal to Usually God has to allow my normal to fall apart so that he can rebuild fall apart so that he can rebuild fall apart so that he can rebuild something that's better than normal in something that's better than normal in something that's better than normal in my life. If it seems like my normal is my life. If it seems like my normal is my life. If it seems like my normal is working okay, working okay, working okay, then I think, sure, I need to make a few then I think, sure, I need to make a few then I think, sure, I need to make a few changes in my life. I want to be a changes in my life. I want to be a changes in my life. I want to be a little different this time next year.

little different this time next year. little different this time next year. I've got to make some changes. I've got I've got to make some changes. I've got I've got to make some changes. I've got some habits that aren't great. I need to some habits that aren't great. I need to some habits that aren't great. I need to develop some new habits. I mean, develop some new habits. I mean, develop some new habits. I mean, if I think my normal is working okay, if I think my normal is working okay, if I think my normal is working okay, then I'll think I need to tweak a few then I'll think I need to tweak a few then I'll think I need to tweak a few things in my life. But I'm not far from things in my life. But I'm not far from things in my life. But I'm not far from where I want to be. But it's when my where I want to be. But it's when my where I want to be. But it's when my normal falls apart, comes crashing down, normal falls apart, comes crashing down, normal falls apart, comes crashing down, and I'm looking at the brokenness all and I'm looking at the brokenness all and I'm looking at the brokenness all around me, and I can no longer fool around me, and I can no longer fool around me, and I can no longer fool myself that my normal is working. myself that my normal is working. myself that my normal is working. That's when God can come in and take my That's when God can come in and take my That's when God can come in and take my brokenness and rebuild it into something brokenness and rebuild it into something brokenness and rebuild it into something better than normal. better than normal. better than normal. And that's what God is doing in so many And that's what God is doing in so many And that's what God is doing in so many of our lives right now. You're at a of our lives right now. You're at a of our lives right now. You're at a place you're like, I have to be place you're like, I have to be place you're like, I have to be different by this time next year. I different by this time next year. I different by this time next year. I can't be the same old person that I've can't be the same old person that I've can't be the same old person that I've been year after year after year, making been year after year after year, making been year after year after year, making the same old mistakes, the same hurtful the same old mistakes, the same hurtful the same old mistakes, the same hurtful habits, doing the same things that just habits, doing the same things that just habits, doing the same things that just aren't working anymore. And that's God's aren't working anymore. And that's God's aren't working anymore. And that's God's love to open our minds to that. And love to open our minds to that. And love to open our minds to that. And today, we're looking at a time in the today, we're looking at a time in the today, we're looking at a time in the Old Testament when Jerusalem was broken.

Old Testament when Jerusalem was broken. Old Testament when Jerusalem was broken. Jerusalem was in ruins. It had been Jerusalem was in ruins. It had been Jerusalem was in ruins. It had been destroyed by the enemies of God's destroyed by the enemies of God's destroyed by the enemies of God's people. And God's people had been taken people. And God's people had been taken people. And God's people had been taken captive for 70 years. And they were captive for 70 years. And they were captive for 70 years. And they were wanting to return to Jerusalem. And God wanting to return to Jerusalem. And God wanting to return to Jerusalem. And God does a miracle. He moves on the heart of does a miracle. He moves on the heart of does a miracle. He moves on the heart of the king of Persia who was overseeing the king of Persia who was overseeing the king of Persia who was overseeing all the captives in the most powerful all the captives in the most powerful all the captives in the most powerful kingdom on earth at the time. And he kingdom on earth at the time. And he kingdom on earth at the time. And he allows anyone who wants to go back to allows anyone who wants to go back to allows anyone who wants to go back to return to Jerusalem. So some of the return to Jerusalem. So some of the return to Jerusalem. So some of the people start coming back to Jerusalem. people start coming back to Jerusalem. people start coming back to Jerusalem. and they wanted things to get back to and they wanted things to get back to and they wanted things to get back to normal in Jerusalem. But God wanted to normal in Jerusalem. But God wanted to normal in Jerusalem. But God wanted to take them to a place that was better take them to a place that was better take them to a place that was better than normal, a place they had never been than normal, a place they had never been than normal, a place they had never been before. God didn't want them to go back before. God didn't want them to go back before. God didn't want them to go back to the same normal ways of living that to the same normal ways of living that to the same normal ways of living that had pushed him out of their lives and had pushed him out of their lives and had pushed him out of their lives and caused all the devastation in the first caused all the devastation in the first caused all the devastation in the first place. He wanted to take them to a new place. He wanted to take them to a new place. He wanted to take them to a new level of living. level of living. level of living. God had allowed their normal to be God had allowed their normal to be God had allowed their normal to be completely broken down so he could completely broken down so he could completely broken down so he could rebuild something better than normal. rebuild something better than normal. rebuild something better than normal. And God is a God who rebuilds broken And God is a God who rebuilds broken And God is a God who rebuilds broken things. God is a rebuilder of broken things. God is a rebuilder of broken things. God is a rebuilder of broken things. And I'm so grateful for that things. And I'm so grateful for that things. And I'm so grateful for that because we all have broken places in our because we all have broken places in our because we all have broken places in our lives.

lives. lives. So what in your life is broken? So what in your life is broken? So what in your life is broken? What in your life is broken right now? What in your life is broken right now? What in your life is broken right now? What places in your heart are broken? What places in your heart are broken? What places in your heart are broken? What places in your relationships are What places in your relationships are What places in your relationships are broken? You have a broken place in your broken? You have a broken place in your broken? You have a broken place in your emotions. What is broken in your life? emotions. What is broken in your life? emotions. What is broken in your life? Maybe you feel like your marriage is Maybe you feel like your marriage is Maybe you feel like your marriage is broken. Maybe you feel like your family broken. Maybe you feel like your family broken. Maybe you feel like your family is breaking apart. Maybe you feel like is breaking apart. Maybe you feel like is breaking apart. Maybe you feel like your business is broken. Maybe you feel your business is broken. Maybe you feel your business is broken. Maybe you feel like your finances are broken. Maybe you like your finances are broken. Maybe you like your finances are broken. Maybe you feel like your mental health is feel like your mental health is feel like your mental health is breaking. Or maybe your heart is just breaking. Or maybe your heart is just breaking. Or maybe your heart is just broken. broken. broken. I'm so grateful that God is a rebuilder I'm so grateful that God is a rebuilder I'm so grateful that God is a rebuilder of broken things. of broken things. of broken things. God loves to take the broken and make God loves to take the broken and make God loves to take the broken and make something beautiful out of it. Now, God something beautiful out of it. Now, God something beautiful out of it. Now, God hates normal. I mean, the enemy will just let you keep I mean, the enemy will just let you keep doing the normal thing. But God hates doing the normal thing. But God hates doing the normal thing. But God hates normal so much that many times he will normal so much that many times he will normal so much that many times he will allow your normal to fall apart and allow your normal to fall apart and allow your normal to fall apart and break apart and to crash and burn so break apart and to crash and burn so break apart and to crash and burn so that you'll finally allow him to take that you'll finally allow him to take that you'll finally allow him to take the brokenness and build something the brokenness and build something the brokenness and build something beautiful out of it. Because God is a beautiful out of it. Because God is a beautiful out of it. Because God is a rebuilder of broken things. And today rebuilder of broken things. And today rebuilder of broken things. And today we're going to see how God Almighty can we're going to see how God Almighty can we're going to see how God Almighty can come into those broken places in our come into those broken places in our come into those broken places in our lives and rebuild something that we lives and rebuild something that we lives and rebuild something that we could have never dreamed possible, could have never dreamed possible, could have never dreamed possible, something better than normal, something something better than normal, something something better than normal, something greater than normal. There's so much greater than normal. There's so much greater than normal. There's so much hope in the heartache hope in the heartache hope in the heartache because God can rebuild that which is because God can rebuild that which is because God can rebuild that which is broken. So we're looking at the book of

broken. So we're looking at the book of broken. So we're looking at the book of Nehemiah today in the Old Testament. Nehemiah today in the Old Testament. Nehemiah today in the Old Testament. Nehemiah was this trusted adviser to the Nehemiah was this trusted adviser to the Nehemiah was this trusted adviser to the king of Persia. because of Nehemiah's king of Persia. because of Nehemiah's king of Persia. because of Nehemiah's integrity. The king of Persia had integrity. The king of Persia had integrity. The king of Persia had noticed him, raised him up to be a very noticed him, raised him up to be a very noticed him, raised him up to be a very influential adviser to him. But he was influential adviser to him. But he was influential adviser to him. But he was also an Israelite. And so many of also an Israelite. And so many of also an Israelite. And so many of Nehemiah's loved ones and relatives and Nehemiah's loved ones and relatives and Nehemiah's loved ones and relatives and friends had already returned to friends had already returned to friends had already returned to Jerusalem. The king had allowed them to Jerusalem. The king had allowed them to Jerusalem. The king had allowed them to do that. But Nehemiah stays behind in do that. But Nehemiah stays behind in do that. But Nehemiah stays behind in Persia to serve the king. Probably Persia to serve the king. Probably Persia to serve the king. Probably because the king didn't want him to go. because the king didn't want him to go. because the king didn't want him to go. You know, he needed Nehemiah there. But You know, he needed Nehemiah there. But You know, he needed Nehemiah there. But some friends of Nehemiah come back to some friends of Nehemiah come back to some friends of Nehemiah come back to Jerusalem or come back from Jerusalem Jerusalem or come back from Jerusalem Jerusalem or come back from Jerusalem and Nehemiah asked them, "Well, how's it and Nehemiah asked them, "Well, how's it and Nehemiah asked them, "Well, how's it going back in Jerusalem?" And they give going back in Jerusalem?" And they give going back in Jerusalem?" And they give him the bad news. The walls are broken him the bad news. The walls are broken him the bad news. The walls are broken down and his friends are just broken down and his friends are just broken down and his friends are just broken because of it. See, the walls meant because of it. See, the walls meant because of it. See, the walls meant protection from their enemies. protection from their enemies. protection from their enemies. With the walls broken down, there was no With the walls broken down, there was no With the walls broken down, there was no way they could rebuild anything because way they could rebuild anything because way they could rebuild anything because there was no protection. They couldn't there was no protection. They couldn't there was no protection. They couldn't build their homes back until the walls build their homes back until the walls build their homes back until the walls were rebuilt. They couldn't build their were rebuilt. They couldn't build their were rebuilt. They couldn't build their businesses back. They couldn't rebuild businesses back. They couldn't rebuild businesses back. They couldn't rebuild their lives until the wall was rebuilt.

their lives until the wall was rebuilt. their lives until the wall was rebuilt. When Nehemiah hears that the walls are When Nehemiah hears that the walls are When Nehemiah hears that the walls are broken, his heart is broken. And he broken, his heart is broken. And he broken, his heart is broken. And he feels God's call at that instant to take feels God's call at that instant to take feels God's call at that instant to take up this huge project to go back to lead up this huge project to go back to lead up this huge project to go back to lead the people to follow the heart of God the people to follow the heart of God the people to follow the heart of God and to rebuild that which is broken. and to rebuild that which is broken. and to rebuild that which is broken. And so we're going to look at Nehemiah And so we're going to look at Nehemiah And so we're going to look at Nehemiah chapter 6 verse 15. Would you stand in chapter 6 verse 15. Would you stand in chapter 6 verse 15. Would you stand in honor of God's word honor of God's word honor of God's word and this is really the end of the story and this is really the end of the story and this is really the end of the story that we're going to read right now. that we're going to read right now. that we're going to read right now. We're going to start at the end and go We're going to start at the end and go We're going to start at the end and go back back back because what happens is Nehemiah asked because what happens is Nehemiah asked because what happens is Nehemiah asked the king if he can go back because his the king if he can go back because his the king if he can go back because his heart is breaking for his people to go heart is breaking for his people to go heart is breaking for his people to go back and to lead the people to rebuild back and to lead the people to rebuild back and to lead the people to rebuild the walls and the king because of God's the walls and the king because of God's the walls and the king because of God's grace allows him to do that gives him grace allows him to do that gives him grace allows him to do that gives him some supplies and and and gives his some supplies and and and gives his some supplies and and and gives his blessing. And so then Nehemiah goes back blessing. And so then Nehemiah goes back blessing. And so then Nehemiah goes back to the people and sees the devastation. to the people and sees the devastation. to the people and sees the devastation. It's overwhelming. It's overwhelming. It's overwhelming. People are discouraged, but Nehemiah People are discouraged, but Nehemiah People are discouraged, but Nehemiah with God's power rallies the people. with God's power rallies the people. with God's power rallies the people. They begin to build. All kinds of They begin to build. All kinds of They begin to build. All kinds of problems hit, but they just keep problems hit, but they just keep problems hit, but they just keep building. I mean, it looks like it's building. I mean, it looks like it's building. I mean, it looks like it's impossible. It'll never get done, but impossible. It'll never get done, but impossible. It'll never get done, but they just keep building with God's they just keep building with God's they just keep building with God's power, power, power, and God does the miracle. And so, let's and God does the miracle. And so, let's and God does the miracle. And so, let's look look look in Nehemiah 6:15.

in Nehemiah 6:15. in Nehemiah 6:15. It says, "So on October the 2nd, the It says, "So on October the 2nd, the It says, "So on October the 2nd, the wall was finished. Just 52 days after we wall was finished. Just 52 days after we wall was finished. Just 52 days after we had begun. When our enemies and the had begun. When our enemies and the had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they surrounding nations heard about it, they surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They were frightened and humiliated. They were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with realized this work had been done with realized this work had been done with the help of our God." You can be seated. God through Nehemiah and the people God through Nehemiah and the people rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in just 52 rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in just 52 rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in just 52 days. Most people thought it could never days. Most people thought it could never days. Most people thought it could never be done. Before Nehemiah had come to be done. Before Nehemiah had come to be done. Before Nehemiah had come to Jerusalem, I'm sure the people looked Jerusalem, I'm sure the people looked Jerusalem, I'm sure the people looked out. They saw all the rubble, all the out. They saw all the rubble, all the out. They saw all the rubble, all the devastation all around them, and they devastation all around them, and they devastation all around them, and they thought, "Well, if we start today, maybe thought, "Well, if we start today, maybe thought, "Well, if we start today, maybe within 50 years, the wall will be within 50 years, the wall will be within 50 years, the wall will be rebuilt." rebuilt." rebuilt." Probably not. Probably not. Probably not. Probably impossible. Probably impossible. Probably impossible. I mean, maybe a hundred years from now, I mean, maybe a hundred years from now, I mean, maybe a hundred years from now, maybe 500 years from now, there'll be maybe 500 years from now, there'll be maybe 500 years from now, there'll be enough people in Jerusalem who'll be enough people in Jerusalem who'll be enough people in Jerusalem who'll be able to rebuild the walls. somebody will able to rebuild the walls. somebody will able to rebuild the walls. somebody will finally get it done maybe. But with finally get it done maybe. But with finally get it done maybe. But with God's power, it only took 52 days to God's power, it only took 52 days to God's power, it only took 52 days to rebuild. And that's the title of my rebuild. And that's the title of my rebuild. And that's the title of my message today. 52 days from today.

message today. 52 days from today. message today. 52 days from today. 52 days from today. 52 days from today. Could it be that God 52 days from today. Could it be that God will have taken the broken pieces of will have taken the broken pieces of will have taken the broken pieces of your life your life your life and rebuilt them into something and rebuilt them into something and rebuilt them into something beautiful? Could it be beautiful? Could it be beautiful? Could it be something that you thought, you know something that you thought, you know something that you thought, you know what, I'll never be able to get that what, I'll never be able to get that what, I'll never be able to get that right. I'll never be able to get over right. I'll never be able to get over right. I'll never be able to get over that mountain. I'll never be able to that mountain. I'll never be able to that mountain. I'll never be able to heal that hurt that'll always be with heal that hurt that'll always be with heal that hurt that'll always be with me. I I'll never be able to get through me. I I'll never be able to get through me. I I'll never be able to get through this. this. this. Could it be that 52 days from today, Could it be that 52 days from today, Could it be that 52 days from today, you'll look and you'll see not the you'll look and you'll see not the you'll look and you'll see not the brokenness, but the beauty? You'll look brokenness, but the beauty? You'll look brokenness, but the beauty? You'll look and you'll see not all the rubble, but and you'll see not all the rubble, but and you'll see not all the rubble, but the rebuild. the rebuild. the rebuild. It's better than normal, It's better than normal, It's better than normal, greater than you could ever imagine. greater than you could ever imagine. greater than you could ever imagine. God did a miracle and empowered Nehemiah God did a miracle and empowered Nehemiah God did a miracle and empowered Nehemiah and the people to rebuild the wall in 52 and the people to rebuild the wall in 52 and the people to rebuild the wall in 52 days. And it launched them from days. And it launched them from days. And it launched them from brokenness to blessedness. It took them brokenness to blessedness. It took them brokenness to blessedness. It took them from normal to a new level. Now, there's from normal to a new level. Now, there's from normal to a new level. Now, there's still a lot of building to do, a lot of still a lot of building to do, a lot of still a lot of building to do, a lot of rebuilding in Jerusalem. Still had to be rebuilding in Jerusalem. Still had to be rebuilding in Jerusalem. Still had to be done. had to rebuild homes, rebuild done. had to rebuild homes, rebuild done. had to rebuild homes, rebuild businesses, rebuild communities, businesses, rebuild communities, businesses, rebuild communities, but the wall was the beginning that but the wall was the beginning that but the wall was the beginning that ignited all the rest. Without the wall ignited all the rest. Without the wall ignited all the rest. Without the wall being restored, nothing else could be being restored, nothing else could be being restored, nothing else could be rebuilt. And God did the impossible in rebuilt. And God did the impossible in rebuilt. And God did the impossible in 52 days.

52 days. 52 days. And some of you are thinking, "My life And some of you are thinking, "My life And some of you are thinking, "My life can't be rebuilt. It's in shambles. I'm can't be rebuilt. It's in shambles. I'm can't be rebuilt. It's in shambles. I'm so broken." so broken." so broken." But I believe that God can take all your But I believe that God can take all your But I believe that God can take all your brokenness and all the rubble and brokenness and all the rubble and brokenness and all the rubble and devastation and rebuild your life. And devastation and rebuild your life. And devastation and rebuild your life. And 52 days from today, you can be in a 52 days from today, you can be in a 52 days from today, you can be in a completely different place on God's completely different place on God's completely different place on God's rebuilding path and never go back to rebuilding path and never go back to rebuilding path and never go back to normal again. Maybe it's a broken heart normal again. Maybe it's a broken heart normal again. Maybe it's a broken heart or a broken dream or a broken marriage or a broken dream or a broken marriage or a broken dream or a broken marriage or a broken family and all you can see or a broken family and all you can see or a broken family and all you can see right now is brokenness and rubble and right now is brokenness and rubble and right now is brokenness and rubble and death all around you. Looks like there's death all around you. Looks like there's death all around you. Looks like there's no hope. But I want you to know God can no hope. But I want you to know God can no hope. But I want you to know God can take the brokenness in your life. And if take the brokenness in your life. And if take the brokenness in your life. And if you'll give it to him and ask him to do you'll give it to him and ask him to do you'll give it to him and ask him to do something that you can't do, something that you can't do, something that you can't do, he will rebuild the brokenness into he will rebuild the brokenness into he will rebuild the brokenness into something beautiful. God is the great something beautiful. God is the great something beautiful. God is the great rebuilder of broken things. I'm so rebuilder of broken things. I'm so rebuilder of broken things. I'm so grateful for that. I don't know exactly grateful for that. I don't know exactly grateful for that. I don't know exactly what it'll look like in your life, but I what it'll look like in your life, but I what it'll look like in your life, but I know that 52 days from today, he can know that 52 days from today, he can know that 52 days from today, he can take the brokenness and have already take the brokenness and have already take the brokenness and have already built something beautiful out of it. God built something beautiful out of it. God built something beautiful out of it. God is the rebuilder of broken things. God is the rebuilder of broken things. God is the rebuilder of broken things. God can rebuild, can rebuild, can rebuild, but he'll use you in the rebuild. That's but he'll use you in the rebuild. That's but he'll use you in the rebuild. That's what he did through Nehemiah.

what he did through Nehemiah. what he did through Nehemiah. And then he used all the people. And And then he used all the people. And And then he used all the people. And they all came together, united together, they all came together, united together, they all came together, united together, and God used them. I don't know what and God used them. I don't know what and God used them. I don't know what it'll look like totally in your life, it'll look like totally in your life, it'll look like totally in your life, but 52 days from today, I really believe but 52 days from today, I really believe but 52 days from today, I really believe if you'll give all the brokenness to God if you'll give all the brokenness to God if you'll give all the brokenness to God and you'll cooperate with him, and you'll cooperate with him, and you'll cooperate with him, then he will have built through you then he will have built through you then he will have built through you something beautiful something beautiful something beautiful and you'll never go back to normal and you'll never go back to normal and you'll never go back to normal again. But I know he'll use you. It'll again. But I know he'll use you. It'll again. But I know he'll use you. It'll be one brick at a time. One step of be one brick at a time. One step of be one brick at a time. One step of faith at a time, one day at a time. Not faith at a time, one day at a time. Not faith at a time, one day at a time. Not worrying about 52 days. worrying about 52 days. worrying about 52 days. Not worrying how long it's going to Not worrying how long it's going to Not worrying how long it's going to take, but just trusting him one step at take, but just trusting him one step at take, but just trusting him one step at a time. Well, how do we cooperate with a time. Well, how do we cooperate with a time. Well, how do we cooperate with God's process of rebuilding? I want us God's process of rebuilding? I want us God's process of rebuilding? I want us to look at Nehemiah because before he to look at Nehemiah because before he to look at Nehemiah because before he went back to Jerusalem, he did the first went back to Jerusalem, he did the first went back to Jerusalem, he did the first and most important thing that really and most important thing that really and most important thing that really first step to letting God rebuild the first step to letting God rebuild the first step to letting God rebuild the brokenness into something beautiful in brokenness into something beautiful in brokenness into something beautiful in your life.

your life. your life. Look at it with me. Nehemiah chapter 1 Look at it with me. Nehemiah chapter 1 Look at it with me. Nehemiah chapter 1 verse three. They said to me, "Those who verse three. They said to me, "Those who verse three. They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the survived the exile and are back in the survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and province are in great trouble and province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been broken down and its gates have been broken down and its gates have been burned with fire. When I heard these burned with fire. When I heard these burned with fire. When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some things, I sat down and wept. For some things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed days I mourned and fasted and prayed days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. So Nehemiah before the God of heaven. So Nehemiah before the God of heaven. So Nehemiah hears about the walls being broken. And hears about the walls being broken. And hears about the walls being broken. And it is breaks his heart. Now his heart it is breaks his heart. Now his heart it is breaks his heart. Now his heart wasn't broken because the walls of wasn't broken because the walls of wasn't broken because the walls of Jerusalem were broken. He his heart was Jerusalem were broken. He his heart was Jerusalem were broken. He his heart was broken because the people that he loved broken because the people that he loved broken because the people that he loved were broken because the walls of were broken because the walls of were broken because the walls of Jerusalem were broken. He cries, he Jerusalem were broken. He cries, he Jerusalem were broken. He cries, he weeps, he fasts, he prays, he cries out weeps, he fasts, he prays, he cries out weeps, he fasts, he prays, he cries out to God. And it wasn't because the walls to God. And it wasn't because the walls to God. And it wasn't because the walls of Jerusalem were so important to him. of Jerusalem were so important to him. of Jerusalem were so important to him. It was because the people he loved were It was because the people he loved were It was because the people he loved were so important to him. And they were so important to him. And they were so important to him. And they were broken and hurting. Because the walls of broken and hurting. Because the walls of broken and hurting. Because the walls of Jerusalem were broken down. And because Jerusalem were broken down. And because Jerusalem were broken down. And because the people he loved were broken and the people he loved were broken and the people he loved were broken and hurting, it broke Nehemiah's heart. And hurting, it broke Nehemiah's heart. And hurting, it broke Nehemiah's heart. And the first step to rebuilding anything the first step to rebuilding anything the first step to rebuilding anything that is broken is your heart has to be that is broken is your heart has to be that is broken is your heart has to be broken over it. Your heart has to hurt broken over it. Your heart has to hurt broken over it. Your heart has to hurt because others are hurting because of because others are hurting because of because others are hurting because of the brokenness. Your heart has to the brokenness. Your heart has to the brokenness. Your heart has to grieve. Your heart has to break before grieve. Your heart has to break before grieve. Your heart has to break before that which is broken can be rebuilt. You that which is broken can be rebuilt. You that which is broken can be rebuilt. You can't rebuild anything until first your can't rebuild anything until first your can't rebuild anything until first your heart is broken over the devastation.

heart is broken over the devastation. heart is broken over the devastation. You can't rebuild a broken relationship You can't rebuild a broken relationship You can't rebuild a broken relationship until first your heart is broken over until first your heart is broken over until first your heart is broken over the part you played in it. You can't the part you played in it. You can't the part you played in it. You can't rebuild the brokenness in your life rebuild the brokenness in your life rebuild the brokenness in your life until your heart is broken over how until your heart is broken over how until your heart is broken over how you've broken God's heart. you've broken God's heart. you've broken God's heart. It all starts with brokenness. It always It all starts with brokenness. It always It all starts with brokenness. It always starts with brokenness. Brokenness leads starts with brokenness. Brokenness leads starts with brokenness. Brokenness leads to blessedness. Whenever God allows you to blessedness. Whenever God allows you to blessedness. Whenever God allows you to be broken, it's always so that he can to be broken, it's always so that he can to be broken, it's always so that he can take you to a new place of blessing. And take you to a new place of blessing. And take you to a new place of blessing. And if you're in a place of brokenness right if you're in a place of brokenness right if you're in a place of brokenness right now, it's because God wants to take you now, it's because God wants to take you now, it's because God wants to take you to a place of blessing. to a place of blessing. to a place of blessing. Maybe you say, "My business feels really Maybe you say, "My business feels really Maybe you say, "My business feels really broken right now. My family feels really broken right now. My family feels really broken right now. My family feels really broken right now. My emotions feel broken right now. My emotions feel broken right now. My emotions feel really broken right now." You're feeling really broken right now." You're feeling really broken right now." You're feeling the brokenness right now, and you're the brokenness right now, and you're the brokenness right now, and you're wondering if it could ever be rebuilt. wondering if it could ever be rebuilt. wondering if it could ever be rebuilt. But God's allowed the brokenness But God's allowed the brokenness But God's allowed the brokenness to wake you up to see that he's the to wake you up to see that he's the to wake you up to see that he's the rebuilder of broken things. rebuilder of broken things. rebuilder of broken things. But first, he has to break our hearts But first, he has to break our hearts But first, he has to break our hearts over the brokenness. We have to hurt over the brokenness. We have to hurt over the brokenness. We have to hurt over the things that hurt God's heart.

over the things that hurt God's heart. over the things that hurt God's heart. And that's the first step. And that's the first step. And that's the first step. That's what this church is all about. That's what this church is all about. That's what this church is all about. The reason we reach people who are far The reason we reach people who are far The reason we reach people who are far from God, who are hurting and broken, is from God, who are hurting and broken, is from God, who are hurting and broken, is because that's God's heart. Jesus said, because that's God's heart. Jesus said, because that's God's heart. Jesus said, "I came to seek and save those who are "I came to seek and save those who are "I came to seek and save those who are lost." He said, "I I came not for those lost." He said, "I I came not for those lost." He said, "I I came not for those who think they're healthy and have it who think they're healthy and have it who think they're healthy and have it all together. I came for those who know all together. I came for those who know all together. I came for those who know they're sick and broken." they're sick and broken." they're sick and broken." He came for the broken. He came for me. He came for the broken. He came for me. He came for the broken. He came for me. He came for you. And that's why we reach He came for you. And that's why we reach He came for you. And that's why we reach out to the hurting and the hopeless out to the hurting and the hopeless out to the hurting and the hopeless in our area and around the world, the in our area and around the world, the in our area and around the world, the broken and the poor and the powerless. broken and the poor and the powerless. broken and the poor and the powerless. Because our hearts align with God's Because our hearts align with God's Because our hearts align with God's heart. And I found when your heart heart. And I found when your heart heart. And I found when your heart aligns with the heart of God, there's aligns with the heart of God, there's aligns with the heart of God, there's such a power in that. When your heart such a power in that. When your heart such a power in that. When your heart aligns with the purpose of God and the aligns with the purpose of God and the aligns with the purpose of God and the heart of God, heart of God, heart of God, does your heart break over the things does your heart break over the things does your heart break over the things that break God's heart? that break God's heart? that break God's heart? Does your heart break over the things Does your heart break over the things Does your heart break over the things that in your life that are breaking that in your life that are breaking that in your life that are breaking God's heart?

That's the first step for God to do That's the first step for God to do something amazing and take the something amazing and take the something amazing and take the brokenness and make it into something brokenness and make it into something brokenness and make it into something beautiful. beautiful. beautiful. Well, Nehemiah after his heart is Well, Nehemiah after his heart is Well, Nehemiah after his heart is broken, he goes to Jerusalem and the broken, he goes to Jerusalem and the broken, he goes to Jerusalem and the first thing he does first thing he does first thing he does before he even talks to the people is at before he even talks to the people is at before he even talks to the people is at night he goes all around the walls to night he goes all around the walls to night he goes all around the walls to see the devastation. He does an see the devastation. He does an see the devastation. He does an inspection. This guy's a great leader. inspection. This guy's a great leader. inspection. This guy's a great leader. He wants to know exactly what he's up He wants to know exactly what he's up He wants to know exactly what he's up against. And in Nehemiah 2:13, he says, against. And in Nehemiah 2:13, he says, against. And in Nehemiah 2:13, he says, "I went out at night to the valley gate. "I went out at night to the valley gate. "I went out at night to the valley gate. our road toward the dragon well and the our road toward the dragon well and the our road toward the dragon well and the trash gate, inspecting the walls of trash gate, inspecting the walls of trash gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and Jerusalem that had been broken down and Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by the gates that had been destroyed by the gates that had been destroyed by fire. So he goes out at night. He fire. So he goes out at night. He fire. So he goes out at night. He inspects the broken walls and he's inspects the broken walls and he's inspects the broken walls and he's overwhelmed by the amount of rubble. overwhelmed by the amount of rubble. overwhelmed by the amount of rubble. It's worse than he even thought. It was It's worse than he even thought. It was It's worse than he even thought. It was worse than he could ever imagine. He's worse than he could ever imagine. He's worse than he could ever imagine. He's just devastation everywhere. It says at just devastation everywhere. It says at just devastation everywhere. It says at one point he couldn't even get his one point he couldn't even get his one point he couldn't even get his donkey through a section because there donkey through a section because there donkey through a section because there was just too much rubble. So he couldn't was just too much rubble. So he couldn't was just too much rubble. So he couldn't inspect that section. But he wanted to inspect that section. But he wanted to inspect that section. But he wanted to see every part of those broken down see every part of those broken down see every part of those broken down walls to see what they're up against. walls to see what they're up against. walls to see what they're up against. And to rebuild something that is broken, And to rebuild something that is broken, And to rebuild something that is broken, you have to realize the depth of the you have to realize the depth of the you have to realize the depth of the problem.

problem. problem. We always want to minimize it. Yeah, you We always want to minimize it. Yeah, you We always want to minimize it. Yeah, you know, I've got a, you know, a bad habit know, I've got a, you know, a bad habit know, I've got a, you know, a bad habit there, but it's not that big a deal. there, but it's not that big a deal. there, but it's not that big a deal. I'll just I can make some changes. I I I'll just I can make some changes. I I I'll just I can make some changes. I I can do this. I can fix this. We want to can do this. I can fix this. We want to can do this. I can fix this. We want to minimize our sins. We want to minimize minimize our sins. We want to minimize minimize our sins. We want to minimize the problem. We want to minimize the the problem. We want to minimize the the problem. We want to minimize the brokenness. He didn't want to minimize it. He wanted He didn't want to minimize it. He wanted to see it. He wanted to see how to see it. He wanted to see how to see it. He wanted to see how impossible it would be. impossible it would be. impossible it would be. And sometimes as Christ followers, we And sometimes as Christ followers, we And sometimes as Christ followers, we pray, "God, pray, "God, pray, "God, I want you to change this situation. I want you to change this situation. I want you to change this situation. God, I I want you to fix this problem, God, I I want you to fix this problem, God, I I want you to fix this problem, but we really haven't gotten down to the but we really haven't gotten down to the but we really haven't gotten down to the depths of it to see how it's an depths of it to see how it's an depths of it to see how it's an impossible situation. So, we still try impossible situation. So, we still try impossible situation. So, we still try to help him. You know, we still think we to help him. You know, we still think we to help him. You know, we still think we can fix it. We don't think it's that big can fix it. We don't think it's that big can fix it. We don't think it's that big a deal." But it's when we come face to a deal." But it's when we come face to a deal." But it's when we come face to face with the rubble and the devastation face with the rubble and the devastation face with the rubble and the devastation and there's no way to move anymore to and there's no way to move anymore to and there's no way to move anymore to make an excuse or to get out of it. The make an excuse or to get out of it. The make an excuse or to get out of it. The pain hits. That's when we realize pain hits. That's when we realize pain hits. That's when we realize I need God. I need the only one who can I need God. I need the only one who can I need God. I need the only one who can rebuild something that's this broken.

Nehem Nehemiah didn't minimize it. Nehem Nehemiah didn't minimize it. Sometimes we minimize things and what Sometimes we minimize things and what Sometimes we minimize things and what happens is we put band-aids on them. We happens is we put band-aids on them. We happens is we put band-aids on them. We have band-aid solutions. We do that in have band-aid solutions. We do that in have band-aid solutions. We do that in relationships when a relationship is relationships when a relationship is relationships when a relationship is breaking and and we fear losing that breaking and and we fear losing that breaking and and we fear losing that connection and but we don't want to connection and but we don't want to connection and but we don't want to admit, you know, how bad it really is. admit, you know, how bad it really is. admit, you know, how bad it really is. We don't even want to see how bad the We don't even want to see how bad the We don't even want to see how bad the problem is. We don't want to face that problem is. We don't want to face that problem is. We don't want to face that we're a big part of the problem. And we're a big part of the problem. And we're a big part of the problem. And what we do is put band-aids on it. In what we do is put band-aids on it. In what we do is put band-aids on it. In many relationships, they've been putting many relationships, they've been putting many relationships, they've been putting band-aids for years on it and then band-aids for years on it and then band-aids for years on it and then things just come apart. Everything just things just come apart. Everything just things just come apart. Everything just falls apart because there was no inner falls apart because there was no inner falls apart because there was no inner healing. There's no really working on healing. There's no really working on healing. There's no really working on the problem. Just surface things the problem. Just surface things the problem. Just surface things constantly and never getting down to the constantly and never getting down to the constantly and never getting down to the root issue. Just putting band-aid on it. root issue. Just putting band-aid on it. root issue. Just putting band-aid on it. Put a band-aid on it. God wants to get Put a band-aid on it. God wants to get Put a band-aid on it. God wants to get beyond the band-aid to bring real beyond the band-aid to bring real beyond the band-aid to bring real healing to our hearts. Healing in our healing to our hearts. Healing in our healing to our hearts. Healing in our relationships that only he can do. But relationships that only he can do. But relationships that only he can do. But you got to face the problem and the you got to face the problem and the you got to face the problem and the situation. And some of you are facing it situation. And some of you are facing it situation. And some of you are facing it right now because you can't do anything right now because you can't do anything right now because you can't do anything but face it because it's right there in but face it because it's right there in but face it because it's right there in your face. You ignored it for a long your face. You ignored it for a long your face. You ignored it for a long time, swept it under the rug, but now, I time, swept it under the rug, but now, I time, swept it under the rug, but now, I mean, it's just falling apart. And mean, it's just falling apart. And mean, it's just falling apart. And that's a good place to be because then that's a good place to be because then that's a good place to be because then you know that God's the only one who can you know that God's the only one who can you know that God's the only one who can do it. He's the only one that can do it. He's the only one that can do it. He's the only one that can rebuild it. And you give the brokenness rebuild it. And you give the brokenness rebuild it. And you give the brokenness to him because you're broken already.

to him because you're broken already. to him because you're broken already. People think when they go into a People think when they go into a People think when they go into a marriage relationship that they're marriage relationship that they're marriage relationship that they're marrying the perfect person. They think marrying the perfect person. They think marrying the perfect person. They think that, you know what? Sure, we've got that, you know what? Sure, we've got that, you know what? Sure, we've got faults and flaws, but but you know, I faults and flaws, but but you know, I faults and flaws, but but you know, I mean, we're great. And then after a few mean, we're great. And then after a few mean, we're great. And then after a few years, they wonder what happened. I years, they wonder what happened. I years, they wonder what happened. I mean, we started out great, and now mean, we started out great, and now mean, we started out great, and now we've got all these problems. There's we've got all these problems. There's we've got all these problems. There's broken things in our marriage broken things in our marriage broken things in our marriage relationship. What happened? relationship. What happened? relationship. What happened? Well, that was a false premise to begin Well, that was a false premise to begin Well, that was a false premise to begin with, that everything was great when it with, that everything was great when it with, that everything was great when it started. No, you were two very broken, started. No, you were two very broken, started. No, you were two very broken, messed up people that came together to messed up people that came together to messed up people that came together to share everything. That's what it is. That's what marriage That's what it is. That's what marriage is. Two very broken, imperfect, messed is. Two very broken, imperfect, messed is. Two very broken, imperfect, messed up people who come together and then you up people who come together and then you up people who come together and then you got a decision to make. Am I going to got a decision to make. Am I going to got a decision to make. Am I going to realize that from the beginning and then realize that from the beginning and then realize that from the beginning and then start taking the broken pieces, give start taking the broken pieces, give start taking the broken pieces, give them to God, and let him start building them to God, and let him start building them to God, and let him start building one brick at a time, something one brick at a time, something one brick at a time, something beautiful? Or or am I going to think beautiful? Or or am I going to think beautiful? Or or am I going to think that everything was perfect and then that everything was perfect and then that everything was perfect and then wake up one day and realize, man, we're wake up one day and realize, man, we're wake up one day and realize, man, we're a mess.

a mess. a mess. No, you start with reality. No, you start with reality. No, you start with reality. So, let me give you some encouragement So, let me give you some encouragement So, let me give you some encouragement for those of you, maybe you're engaged, for those of you, maybe you're engaged, for those of you, maybe you're engaged, you're getting ready to get married. I you're getting ready to get married. I you're getting ready to get married. I just want you to know you are so messed just want you to know you are so messed just want you to know you are so messed up and so is the person you're marrying. up and so is the person you're marrying. up and so is the person you're marrying. You are broken beyond belief. Okay? It's You are broken beyond belief. Okay? It's You are broken beyond belief. Okay? It's a mess. There is no way this is going to a mess. There is no way this is going to a mess. There is no way this is going to work unless God. That's the truth. work unless God. That's the truth. work unless God. That's the truth. That's just I'm just telling you the That's just I'm just telling you the That's just I'm just telling you the truth right here, right now. But the truth right here, right now. But the truth right here, right now. But the great news is you realize that. Oh man, great news is you realize that. Oh man, great news is you realize that. Oh man, I'm so excited for you. Do you realize I'm so excited for you. Do you realize I'm so excited for you. Do you realize that? Then every day you start giving that? Then every day you start giving that? Then every day you start giving God those broken pieces in your life, in God those broken pieces in your life, in God those broken pieces in your life, in your relationship, and let him build your relationship, and let him build your relationship, and let him build something that is beautiful something that is beautiful something that is beautiful because he will over time, one brick at because he will over time, one brick at because he will over time, one brick at a time, a time, a time, one hurt at a time, one hurt at a time, one hurt at a time, you know, one problem at a time. He'll you know, one problem at a time. He'll you know, one problem at a time. He'll do that if you keep giving that do that if you keep giving that do that if you keep giving that brokenness to him. Don't put a band-aid brokenness to him. Don't put a band-aid brokenness to him. Don't put a band-aid on it. Get right down into the mess. We on it. Get right down into the mess. We on it. Get right down into the mess. We want to minimize the mess.

want to minimize the mess. want to minimize the mess. Nehemiah didn't do that. He got right Nehemiah didn't do that. He got right Nehemiah didn't do that. He got right down into the mess and he realized what down into the mess and he realized what down into the mess and he realized what it was going to take. A miracle. When it was going to take. A miracle. When it was going to take. A miracle. When you minimize the mess, you miss the you minimize the mess, you miss the you minimize the mess, you miss the miracle. miracle. miracle. When you minimize the mess, you miss the When you minimize the mess, you miss the When you minimize the mess, you miss the miracle because you think, "Oh, I just miracle because you think, "Oh, I just miracle because you think, "Oh, I just got to do a little work here. Little got to do a little work here. Little got to do a little work here. Little personal improvement plan. I've got to personal improvement plan. I've got to personal improvement plan. I've got to fix this a little bit. Sure, I need to fix this a little bit. Sure, I need to fix this a little bit. Sure, I need to do better." And you miss the miracle of do better." And you miss the miracle of do better." And you miss the miracle of God because you need a miracle. Don't God because you need a miracle. Don't God because you need a miracle. Don't minimize the mess. Don't miss the minimize the mess. Don't miss the minimize the mess. Don't miss the miracle. Nehemiah didn't do that. miracle. Nehemiah didn't do that. miracle. Nehemiah didn't do that. And so after he had looked everything And so after he had looked everything And so after he had looked everything over, he saw how bad it was. It pointed over, he saw how bad it was. It pointed over, he saw how bad it was. It pointed him directly to God. him directly to God. him directly to God. And then he brings And then he brings And then he brings the people together. And this shows what the people together. And this shows what the people together. And this shows what a great leader he was too. He brings all a great leader he was too. He brings all a great leader he was too. He brings all the people together in Nehemiah 2:1 17. the people together in Nehemiah 2:1 17. the people together in Nehemiah 2:1 17. Then I said to them, you see the trouble Then I said to them, you see the trouble Then I said to them, you see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned with fire. its gates have been burned with fire. its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Come, let us rebuild the wall of Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and we will no longer be in Jerusalem and we will no longer be in Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the disgrace. I also told them about the disgrace. I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what gracious hand of my God on me and what gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. And they the king had said to me. And they the king had said to me. And they replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work. So Nehemiah they began this good work. So Nehemiah they began this good work. So Nehemiah brings all the people together. He he brings all the people together. He he brings all the people together. He he doesn't lie to him. He doesn't minimize.

doesn't lie to him. He doesn't minimize. doesn't lie to him. He doesn't minimize. Said, "You know what? It's in ruins, Said, "You know what? It's in ruins, Said, "You know what? It's in ruins, guys. You know it. I can't fool you. guys. You know it. I can't fool you. guys. You know it. I can't fool you. It's going to take a miracle of God, but It's going to take a miracle of God, but It's going to take a miracle of God, but God's hand is on me. And look what God God's hand is on me. And look what God God's hand is on me. And look what God has already done through the king. I've has already done through the king. I've has already done through the king. I've got some supplies. The king has blessed got some supplies. The king has blessed got some supplies. The king has blessed this." And so let's do it. And they this." And so let's do it. And they this." And so let's do it. And they said, "Let's start the rebuild." said, "Let's start the rebuild." said, "Let's start the rebuild." Nehemiah inspires the people of God to Nehemiah inspires the people of God to Nehemiah inspires the people of God to see that God can rebuild that which is see that God can rebuild that which is see that God can rebuild that which is broken. Nehemiah declares that God can broken. Nehemiah declares that God can broken. Nehemiah declares that God can rebuild the wall through them. But rebuild the wall through them. But rebuild the wall through them. But before Nehemiah came, the people looked before Nehemiah came, the people looked before Nehemiah came, the people looked out over the rubble and it was so out over the rubble and it was so out over the rubble and it was so overwhelming they hadn't even started. overwhelming they hadn't even started. overwhelming they hadn't even started. You would think that they would have at You would think that they would have at You would think that they would have at least started, done a little bit before least started, done a little bit before least started, done a little bit before Nehemiah got there. No, Nehemiah got there. No, Nehemiah got there. No, they saw all that rubble. They saw all they saw all that rubble. They saw all they saw all that rubble. They saw all of the bricks just laying all over the of the bricks just laying all over the of the bricks just laying all over the ground, destroyed and burned, and ground, destroyed and burned, and ground, destroyed and burned, and they just saw the devastation. they just saw the devastation. they just saw the devastation. So, they didn't even start. You have So, they didn't even start. You have So, they didn't even start. You have anything in your life that looks so anything in your life that looks so anything in your life that looks so overwhelming that it's really hard just overwhelming that it's really hard just overwhelming that it's really hard just to get started?

to get started? to get started? You know what I'm talking about, don't You know what I'm talking about, don't You know what I'm talking about, don't you? I mean, you there's some things, you? I mean, you there's some things, you? I mean, you there's some things, you know, I look at just overwhelms me you know, I look at just overwhelms me you know, I look at just overwhelms me and it's like, and it's like, and it's like, I'll get that started tomorrow. Yes. I'll get that started tomorrow. Yes. I'll get that started tomorrow. Yes. Yes. I mean, some things look so Yes. I mean, some things look so Yes. I mean, some things look so overwhelming in your life that you it's overwhelming in your life that you it's overwhelming in your life that you it's like you you just haven't started. And like you you just haven't started. And like you you just haven't started. And here's the amazing thing. God says, "If here's the amazing thing. God says, "If here's the amazing thing. God says, "If you'll just start, if you'll just take you'll just start, if you'll just take you'll just start, if you'll just take one step of faith and you'll put one one step of faith and you'll put one one step of faith and you'll put one brick on it, then I'll take it from brick on it, then I'll take it from brick on it, then I'll take it from there. And then I'll give you the power there. And then I'll give you the power there. And then I'll give you the power to do the next one, the next one, and to do the next one, the next one, and to do the next one, the next one, and the next one." And God says, "Just take the next one." And God says, "Just take the next one." And God says, "Just take that step of faith. Just start." that step of faith. Just start." that step of faith. Just start." Nehemiah inspires them to start, to Nehemiah inspires them to start, to Nehemiah inspires them to start, to trust God to start. trust God to start. trust God to start. Look to God. Take the first step. Look to God. Take the first step. Look to God. Take the first step. That's what Nehemiah told them to do. That's what Nehemiah told them to do. That's what Nehemiah told them to do. And that's what they did. You see, some And that's what they did. You see, some And that's what they did. You see, some things have been broken so long, we just things have been broken so long, we just things have been broken so long, we just get used to it. It just becomes normal, get used to it. It just becomes normal, get used to it. It just becomes normal, and we don't even think about changing and we don't even think about changing and we don't even think about changing it anymore. At first, it was kind of it anymore. At first, it was kind of it anymore. At first, it was kind of overwhelming, and now it just becomes overwhelming, and now it just becomes overwhelming, and now it just becomes normal. We don't even think about it. I normal. We don't even think about it. I normal. We don't even think about it. I mean, have you ever had like a um a mean, have you ever had like a um a mean, have you ever had like a um a little bit of cracked window in your little bit of cracked window in your little bit of cracked window in your house or or or maybe it was a squeaky house or or or maybe it was a squeaky house or or or maybe it was a squeaky door and at first it was like that's door and at first it was like that's door and at first it was like that's awful and then you let it go for a awful and then you let it go for a awful and then you let it go for a couple of days and then 10 years later couple of days and then 10 years later couple of days and then 10 years later that door still squeaks and it's I got that door still squeaks and it's I got that door still squeaks and it's I got to fix that thing. I mean, you get used to fix that thing. I mean, you get used to fix that thing. I mean, you get used to it and then then you just you don't to it and then then you just you don't to it and then then you just you don't even notice it after a while. Somebody even notice it after a while. Somebody even notice it after a while. Somebody comes over and says, "Why is your window comes over and says, "Why is your window comes over and says, "Why is your window shattered?" Oh, yeah. Forgot about that shattered?" Oh, yeah. Forgot about that shattered?" Oh, yeah. Forgot about that one. You know, you just get used to

one. You know, you just get used to one. You know, you just get used to things. And some of you are just used to things. And some of you are just used to things. And some of you are just used to things that you don't need to be used to things that you don't need to be used to things that you don't need to be used to anymore. You shouldn't get used to. It's anymore. You shouldn't get used to. It's anymore. You shouldn't get used to. It's not normal. It's not what God wants for not normal. It's not what God wants for not normal. It's not what God wants for you. you. you. God wants you to look to him and he'll God wants you to look to him and he'll God wants you to look to him and he'll help you imagine how things can be help you imagine how things can be help you imagine how things can be different. Just take a start one brick different. Just take a start one brick different. Just take a start one brick at a time. One brick at a time. So the at a time. One brick at a time. So the at a time. One brick at a time. So the people start and God's blessing. It's people start and God's blessing. It's people start and God's blessing. It's really hard, but God keeps blessing. really hard, but God keeps blessing. really hard, but God keeps blessing. Everybody's pushing through. Everybody's Everybody's pushing through. Everybody's Everybody's pushing through. Everybody's doing it one brick at a time, one step doing it one brick at a time, one step doing it one brick at a time, one step at a time. The walls going up. It's at a time. The walls going up. It's at a time. The walls going up. It's happening. happening. happening. But then about halfway through, But then about halfway through, But then about halfway through, this happens in Nehemiah 4:10. this happens in Nehemiah 4:10. this happens in Nehemiah 4:10. Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving "The strength of the laborers is giving "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there's so much trouble that we out, and there's so much trouble that we out, and there's so much trouble that we cannot rebuild the wall." So, they're cannot rebuild the wall." So, they're cannot rebuild the wall." So, they're halfway finished rebuilding something halfway finished rebuilding something halfway finished rebuilding something that was going to rebuild their lives that was going to rebuild their lives that was going to rebuild their lives and take them to greater than normal. and take them to greater than normal. and take them to greater than normal. and they start looking at the rubble and and they start looking at the rubble and and they start looking at the rubble and they start feeling overwhelmed and they they start feeling overwhelmed and they they start feeling overwhelmed and they feel like giving up. It's always halfway feel like giving up. It's always halfway feel like giving up. It's always halfway through something that you feel like through something that you feel like through something that you feel like giving up. Halfway up the mountain you giving up. Halfway up the mountain you giving up. Halfway up the mountain you feel like giving up. It's halfway feel like giving up. It's halfway feel like giving up. It's halfway through restoring trust that's been through restoring trust that's been through restoring trust that's been broken in a relationship one brick at a broken in a relationship one brick at a broken in a relationship one brick at a time that you feel like giving up. It's time that you feel like giving up. It's time that you feel like giving up. It's halfway through the marriage counseling halfway through the marriage counseling halfway through the marriage counseling that you feel like giving up. It's that you feel like giving up. It's that you feel like giving up. It's halfway through rebuilding that business halfway through rebuilding that business halfway through rebuilding that business and it feels like you're never going to and it feels like you're never going to and it feels like you're never going to get there and you feel like giving up.

get there and you feel like giving up. get there and you feel like giving up. It's halfway to overcoming that It's halfway to overcoming that It's halfway to overcoming that addiction and you feel like giving up. addiction and you feel like giving up. addiction and you feel like giving up. And I'm telling you, it's so much easier And I'm telling you, it's so much easier And I'm telling you, it's so much easier to build something than to rebuild to build something than to rebuild to build something than to rebuild something. Think about it. When you have something. Think about it. When you have something. Think about it. When you have to rebuild something, there's always to rebuild something, there's always to rebuild something, there's always rubble around. You got to do the tear rubble around. You got to do the tear rubble around. You got to do the tear down first. There's always rubble down first. There's always rubble down first. There's always rubble everywhere. everywhere. everywhere. When you build something new, you don't When you build something new, you don't When you build something new, you don't have all that. That's why it's so much have all that. That's why it's so much have all that. That's why it's so much easier to not rebuild a marriage when easier to not rebuild a marriage when easier to not rebuild a marriage when you're having trouble. It's just easier you're having trouble. It's just easier you're having trouble. It's just easier to leave that one and go to a new one to leave that one and go to a new one to leave that one and go to a new one and start building rather than and start building rather than and start building rather than rebuilding. And then after a few years, rebuilding. And then after a few years, rebuilding. And then after a few years, it's easier to go to a new one and start it's easier to go to a new one and start it's easier to go to a new one and start building a new one than it is to rebuild building a new one than it is to rebuild building a new one than it is to rebuild and then another one. And that's the way and then another one. And that's the way and then another one. And that's the way life is. And so rebuilding is much life is. And so rebuilding is much life is. And so rebuilding is much harder than building, but rebuilding is harder than building, but rebuilding is harder than building, but rebuilding is much more rewarding than building much more rewarding than building much more rewarding than building because when you rebuild, you're because when you rebuild, you're because when you rebuild, you're recognizing that you are broken. And recognizing that you are broken. And recognizing that you are broken. And you're recognizing that you're aligning you're recognizing that you're aligning you're recognizing that you're aligning yourself with God's heart. And God can yourself with God's heart. And God can yourself with God's heart. And God can build something beautiful, more build something beautiful, more build something beautiful, more beautiful.

beautiful. beautiful. And God wants to build something more And God wants to build something more And God wants to build something more beautiful in your marriage, in a family, beautiful in your marriage, in a family, beautiful in your marriage, in a family, in your life, in your heart. God wants in your life, in your heart. God wants in your life, in your heart. God wants to do some rebuilding that only he can to do some rebuilding that only he can to do some rebuilding that only he can do. God wants to rebuild the broken do. God wants to rebuild the broken do. God wants to rebuild the broken emotions in your life. God wants to emotions in your life. God wants to emotions in your life. God wants to rebuild the broken places in your heart rebuild the broken places in your heart rebuild the broken places in your heart that have been wounded for years. God that have been wounded for years. God that have been wounded for years. God wants to rebuild your shattered dreams. wants to rebuild your shattered dreams. wants to rebuild your shattered dreams. God wants to rebuild your shattered God wants to rebuild your shattered God wants to rebuild your shattered hopes. God wants to rebuild a broken hopes. God wants to rebuild a broken hopes. God wants to rebuild a broken relationship. God is a rebuilder of relationship. God is a rebuilder of relationship. God is a rebuilder of broken things. But it's at the halfway broken things. But it's at the halfway broken things. But it's at the halfway point that's when we feel like giving point that's when we feel like giving point that's when we feel like giving up. At the halfway point, that's when it up. At the halfway point, that's when it up. At the halfway point, that's when it feels the most impossible. Get halfway feels the most impossible. Get halfway feels the most impossible. Get halfway through something and all you can see is through something and all you can see is through something and all you can see is the rubble all around you and it just the rubble all around you and it just the rubble all around you and it just overwhelms you. You get halfway through overwhelms you. You get halfway through overwhelms you. You get halfway through a project and it looks worse than it did a project and it looks worse than it did a project and it looks worse than it did before. before. before. You just want to give up. You get You just want to give up. You get You just want to give up. You get halfway through some spring cleaning and halfway through some spring cleaning and halfway through some spring cleaning and it's just a mess. You get halfway it's just a mess. You get halfway it's just a mess. You get halfway through and you're about to give up through and you're about to give up through and you're about to give up because of the rubble trouble. And you because of the rubble trouble. And you because of the rubble trouble. And you know what I mean, don't you? I mean, know what I mean, don't you? I mean, know what I mean, don't you? I mean, we all have rubble trouble in our lives.

we all have rubble trouble in our lives. we all have rubble trouble in our lives. But what did Nehemiah do, man? He steps But what did Nehemiah do, man? He steps But what did Nehemiah do, man? He steps up. Nehemiah told the people, you get up. Nehemiah told the people, you get up. Nehemiah told the people, you get your eyes off the rubble and onto the your eyes off the rubble and onto the your eyes off the rubble and onto the rebuilder. That's the key. And that's rebuilder. That's the key. And that's rebuilder. That's the key. And that's what God wants to tell someone here what God wants to tell someone here what God wants to tell someone here today. someone who's worshiping online, today. someone who's worshiping online, today. someone who's worshiping online, maybe get your eyes off the rubble and maybe get your eyes off the rubble and maybe get your eyes off the rubble and you get your eyes on the rebuilder. you get your eyes on the rebuilder. you get your eyes on the rebuilder. Yes, there's a time to see the rubble as Yes, there's a time to see the rubble as Yes, there's a time to see the rubble as it is. In reality, you need a miracle, it is. In reality, you need a miracle, it is. In reality, you need a miracle, but then you've got to get your eyes off but then you've got to get your eyes off but then you've got to get your eyes off the rubble and onto the rebuilder of the rubble and onto the rebuilder of the rubble and onto the rebuilder of broken things. There's a time you have broken things. There's a time you have broken things. There's a time you have to inspect like Nehemiah did. You focus to inspect like Nehemiah did. You focus to inspect like Nehemiah did. You focus on the brokenness so you don't minimize on the brokenness so you don't minimize on the brokenness so you don't minimize it. it. it. But then you got to say, "God, I'm But then you got to say, "God, I'm But then you got to say, "God, I'm looking to you. This is impossible, but looking to you. This is impossible, but looking to you. This is impossible, but you're the God of the impossible." You you're the God of the impossible." You you're the God of the impossible." You get your eyes off the rubble and you get get your eyes off the rubble and you get get your eyes off the rubble and you get your eyes on the rebuilder. your eyes on the rebuilder. your eyes on the rebuilder. Some of you got your eyes on the rubble Some of you got your eyes on the rubble Some of you got your eyes on the rubble and you're just stuck on the rubble and and you're just stuck on the rubble and and you're just stuck on the rubble and all you're seeing is the impossible. all you're seeing is the impossible. all you're seeing is the impossible. You're not even seeing the progress that You're not even seeing the progress that You're not even seeing the progress that you've made. You're not celebrating you've made. You're not celebrating you've made. You're not celebrating that. You're just looking at the problem that. You're just looking at the problem that. You're just looking at the problem that's staring you in the face and you that's staring you in the face and you that's staring you in the face and you feel like giving up.

feel like giving up. feel like giving up. When your eyes are on the rubble, you're When your eyes are on the rubble, you're When your eyes are on the rubble, you're going to feel like giving up because it going to feel like giving up because it going to feel like giving up because it is impossible for you. You get your eyes is impossible for you. You get your eyes is impossible for you. You get your eyes off of what is impossible. And you get off of what is impossible. And you get off of what is impossible. And you get your eyes on the God of the impossible. your eyes on the God of the impossible. your eyes on the God of the impossible. You get your eyes off the rubble and You get your eyes off the rubble and You get your eyes off the rubble and onto the rebuilder of broken things. onto the rebuilder of broken things. onto the rebuilder of broken things. You have to get your eyes You have to get your eyes You have to get your eyes off of the rubble and onto the off of the rubble and onto the off of the rubble and onto the rebuilder. rebuilder. rebuilder. Yeah, you look at it. You see it for Yeah, you look at it. You see it for Yeah, you look at it. You see it for what it is, but once you do that, what it is, but once you do that, what it is, but once you do that, you look up. You look down, see it for you look up. You look down, see it for you look up. You look down, see it for what it is, but then you look up. Some what it is, but then you look up. Some what it is, but then you look up. Some of you been walking around looking down, of you been walking around looking down, of you been walking around looking down, looking down, looking down, and looking looking down, looking down, and looking looking down, looking down, and looking down, and you're stuck in that normal down, and you're stuck in that normal down, and you're stuck in that normal place of just looking down. And God place of just looking down. And God place of just looking down. And God says, "Today, you hold your head up and says, "Today, you hold your head up and says, "Today, you hold your head up and you look up because you're a child of you look up because you're a child of you look up because you're a child of the King of Almighty God, the rebuilder the King of Almighty God, the rebuilder the King of Almighty God, the rebuilder of broken things. You get your eyes off of broken things. You get your eyes off of broken things. You get your eyes off the rubble and you get your eyes on the the rubble and you get your eyes on the the rubble and you get your eyes on the rebuilder of broken things and he will rebuilder of broken things and he will rebuilder of broken things and he will start doing the miracle and rebuilding start doing the miracle and rebuilding start doing the miracle and rebuilding that which is broken in your life and that which is broken in your life and that which is broken in your life and bring it into something beautiful and bring it into something beautiful and bring it into something beautiful and you will see that God did it. And then you will see that God did it. And then you will see that God did it. And then what do you do?

You keep building and then you keep your You keep building and then you keep your eyes on the rebuilder. And then what do eyes on the rebuilder. And then what do eyes on the rebuilder. And then what do you do? You keep building. And then what you do? You keep building. And then what you do? You keep building. And then what do you do? You keep building. And then do you do? You keep building. And then do you do? You keep building. And then what do you do? You keep building. one what do you do? You keep building. one what do you do? You keep building. one brick at a time. And when you feel like brick at a time. And when you feel like brick at a time. And when you feel like giving up, you just keep taking another giving up, you just keep taking another giving up, you just keep taking another step and say, "Rebuilder of broken step and say, "Rebuilder of broken step and say, "Rebuilder of broken things, I need you to help me and give things, I need you to help me and give things, I need you to help me and give me the strength to keep building, to put me the strength to keep building, to put me the strength to keep building, to put one more brick on the wall." And what do one more brick on the wall." And what do one more brick on the wall." And what do you do when you feel like giving up? You you do when you feel like giving up? You you do when you feel like giving up? You put one more brick on the wall. What do put one more brick on the wall. What do put one more brick on the wall. What do you do when you feel like giving up? you do when you feel like giving up? you do when you feel like giving up? Keep building. Put one more brick on the Keep building. Put one more brick on the Keep building. Put one more brick on the wall. You just keep building in God's wall. You just keep building in God's wall. You just keep building in God's power. And some of you today feel like power. And some of you today feel like power. And some of you today feel like giving up. You're right at that place. giving up. You're right at that place. giving up. You're right at that place. And I'm telling you, get your eyes off And I'm telling you, get your eyes off And I'm telling you, get your eyes off the rubble and onto the rebuilder. the rubble and onto the rebuilder. the rubble and onto the rebuilder. Because when you do that, you're filled Because when you do that, you're filled Because when you do that, you're filled with power. You're filled with hope. with power. You're filled with hope. with power. You're filled with hope. You're filled with his strength. God is You're filled with his strength. God is You're filled with his strength. God is rebuilding something in your life that's rebuilding something in your life that's rebuilding something in your life that's going to be greater than it's ever been. going to be greater than it's ever been. going to be greater than it's ever been. That's going to last. Something that is That's going to last. Something that is That's going to last. Something that is eternal. It just feels a whole lot worse eternal. It just feels a whole lot worse eternal. It just feels a whole lot worse right now. God is rebuilding something right now. God is rebuilding something right now. God is rebuilding something in your relationship that is going to be in your relationship that is going to be in your relationship that is going to be greater than it's ever been. It just greater than it's ever been. It just greater than it's ever been. It just feels a whole lot worse right now. God feels a whole lot worse right now. God feels a whole lot worse right now. God is rebuilding the broken places in your is rebuilding the broken places in your is rebuilding the broken places in your life. It just feels worse right now. So life. It just feels worse right now. So life. It just feels worse right now. So what do you do? You keep building. Keep what do you do? You keep building. Keep what do you do? You keep building. Keep your eyes on the rebuilder of broken your eyes on the rebuilder of broken your eyes on the rebuilder of broken things. And you just keep building. You things. And you just keep building. You things. And you just keep building. You just keep building. You just keep just keep building. You just keep just keep building. You just keep building. One brick at a time. You just building. One brick at a time. You just building. One brick at a time. You just keep building. One word at a time, one keep building. One word at a time, one keep building. One word at a time, one conversation at a time, one action at a conversation at a time, one action at a conversation at a time, one action at a time. You just keep building. And you time. You just keep building. And you time. You just keep building. And you look to the rebuilder of broken things.

look to the rebuilder of broken things. look to the rebuilder of broken things. Well, halfway through the people were Well, halfway through the people were Well, halfway through the people were discouraged. They had fear that the discouraged. They had fear that the discouraged. They had fear that the enemy was about to attack them. And it enemy was about to attack them. And it enemy was about to attack them. And it was a real threat. The enemies of God was a real threat. The enemies of God was a real threat. The enemies of God when they saw the wall going up, they when they saw the wall going up, they when they saw the wall going up, they saw there were gaps in the wall and they saw there were gaps in the wall and they saw there were gaps in the wall and they said, "This is our chance." And and they said, "This is our chance." And and they said, "This is our chance." And and they said, "We're going to attack you. We're said, "We're going to attack you. We're said, "We're going to attack you. We're going to kill your families. We're going going to kill your families. We're going going to kill your families. We're going to destroy the wall that you've halfway to destroy the wall that you've halfway to destroy the wall that you've halfway built." built." built." The people were afraid. It was a real The people were afraid. It was a real The people were afraid. It was a real threat. But here's where Nehemiah really threat. But here's where Nehemiah really threat. But here's where Nehemiah really steps up as a great rebuilder again. He steps up as a great rebuilder again. He steps up as a great rebuilder again. He brings all the people together when brings all the people together when brings all the people together when everyone's about to give up. And he everyone's about to give up. And he everyone's about to give up. And he gives him this speech that I mean it's a gives him this speech that I mean it's a gives him this speech that I mean it's a speech of a great leader in Nehemiah speech of a great leader in Nehemiah speech of a great leader in Nehemiah 4:14. He said, "After I looked things 4:14. He said, "After I looked things 4:14. He said, "After I looked things over, I stood up and I said to the over, I stood up and I said to the over, I stood up and I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of nobles, the officials, and the rest of nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, don't be afraid of them. the people, don't be afraid of them. the people, don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and Remember the Lord who is great and Remember the Lord who is great and awesome and fight for your families, awesome and fight for your families, awesome and fight for your families, your sons, and your daughters, your your sons, and your daughters, your your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your homes." Nehemiah was a wives, and your homes." Nehemiah was a wives, and your homes." Nehemiah was a genius leader. They had these gaps in genius leader. They had these gaps in genius leader. They had these gaps in the wall. And so what did he do? He the wall. And so what did he do? He the wall. And so what did he do? He said, "I want you to put your family said, "I want you to put your family said, "I want you to put your family there in that gap." He said, 'Men, there in that gap." He said, 'Men, there in that gap." He said, 'Men, you're warriors. So, you stand in the you're warriors. So, you stand in the you're warriors. So, you stand in the gap that's next to your house that gap that's next to your house that gap that's next to your house that you're rebuilding.

you're rebuilding. you're rebuilding. The gap that's closest to your house, The gap that's closest to your house, The gap that's closest to your house, you get right there so you can protect you get right there so you can protect you get right there so you can protect your family. your family. your family. Wasn't that genius? So, they all they Wasn't that genius? So, they all they Wasn't that genius? So, they all they were all there filling in the gaps, you were all there filling in the gaps, you were all there filling in the gaps, you know, know, know, so they could fight for their family and so they could fight for their family and so they could fight for their family and fight together for each other. Nehemiah fight together for each other. Nehemiah fight together for each other. Nehemiah was telling the people, "Don't you know was telling the people, "Don't you know was telling the people, "Don't you know that what we're doing here is so much that what we're doing here is so much that what we're doing here is so much more than building a wall?" He was more than building a wall?" He was more than building a wall?" He was reminded them of their purpose. He says, reminded them of their purpose. He says, reminded them of their purpose. He says, 'You know, we're doing something that's 'You know, we're doing something that's 'You know, we're doing something that's so much greater than just rebuilding a so much greater than just rebuilding a so much greater than just rebuilding a wall. You know that, don't you? We're wall. You know that, don't you? We're wall. You know that, don't you? We're not just building a wall around this not just building a wall around this not just building a wall around this city. We're not just rebuilding a wall. city. We're not just rebuilding a wall. city. We're not just rebuilding a wall. We're rebuilding our relationship with We're rebuilding our relationship with We're rebuilding our relationship with God Almighty that we severed when we God Almighty that we severed when we God Almighty that we severed when we walked away from him. We're doing so walked away from him. We're doing so walked away from him. We're doing so much more than rebuilding a physical much more than rebuilding a physical much more than rebuilding a physical wall. We're rebuilding faith for our wall. We're rebuilding faith for our wall. We're rebuilding faith for our children that they lost when they didn't children that they lost when they didn't children that they lost when they didn't have parents that followed God with have parents that followed God with have parents that followed God with their whole heart. We're rebuilding our their whole heart. We're rebuilding our their whole heart. We're rebuilding our families that have been devastated and families that have been devastated and families that have been devastated and torn apart because we walked away from torn apart because we walked away from torn apart because we walked away from the word of God and stop putting it into the word of God and stop putting it into the word of God and stop putting it into our lives. He said, "We're rebuilding our lives. He said, "We're rebuilding our lives. He said, "We're rebuilding our communities. We're rebuilding our our communities. We're rebuilding our our communities. We're rebuilding our schools that have been devastated schools that have been devastated schools that have been devastated because we took God out of the picture.

because we took God out of the picture. because we took God out of the picture. We're rebuilding our lives. We're We're rebuilding our lives. We're We're rebuilding our lives. We're rebuilding our families. We're rebuilding our families. We're rebuilding our families. We're rebuilding our whole nation. That's what rebuilding our whole nation. That's what rebuilding our whole nation. That's what we're doing here." And every time they we're doing here." And every time they we're doing here." And every time they put another brick in that wall, every put another brick in that wall, every put another brick in that wall, every time they would work just a little bit, time they would work just a little bit, time they would work just a little bit, they saw it as that higher and greater they saw it as that higher and greater they saw it as that higher and greater purpose, purpose, purpose, but they were fighting for their but they were fighting for their but they were fighting for their families. They were fighting to come families. They were fighting to come families. They were fighting to come closer to God, one brick at a time. And closer to God, one brick at a time. And closer to God, one brick at a time. And Nehemiah says, "You remember the Lord Nehemiah says, "You remember the Lord Nehemiah says, "You remember the Lord and you fight for your family." and you fight for your family." and you fight for your family." I love that because he was saying, "Stop I love that because he was saying, "Stop I love that because he was saying, "Stop focusing on the enemies and the threats focusing on the enemies and the threats focusing on the enemies and the threats and the fears." Those are legitimate and the fears." Those are legitimate and the fears." Those are legitimate fears you have. The enemy, fears you have. The enemy, fears you have. The enemy, they probably will attack. they probably will attack. they probably will attack. It's a real threat. Sure, you're going It's a real threat. Sure, you're going It's a real threat. Sure, you're going to feel fear, but you don't focus on to feel fear, but you don't focus on to feel fear, but you don't focus on that fear. You remember the Lord God. that fear. You remember the Lord God. that fear. You remember the Lord God. Stop focusing on what you can't do and Stop focusing on what you can't do and Stop focusing on what you can't do and start focusing on what God can do start focusing on what God can do start focusing on what God can do through you. Stop focusing on these through you. Stop focusing on these through you. Stop focusing on these people that are trying to tear us down. people that are trying to tear us down. people that are trying to tear us down. And you focus on the great God who And you focus on the great God who And you focus on the great God who builds us up. And he says, "I look out builds us up. And he says, "I look out builds us up. And he says, "I look out here and I don't see warriors. I see here and I don't see warriors. I see here and I don't see warriors. I see warriors. I mean, what a great leader.

warriors. I mean, what a great leader. warriors. I mean, what a great leader. It's just what God does to us. He looks It's just what God does to us. He looks It's just what God does to us. He looks at me. He says, Carrie, I I don't see a at me. He says, Carrie, I I don't see a at me. He says, Carrie, I I don't see a warrior. I see a warrior. And I go, warrior. I see a warrior. And I go, warrior. I see a warrior. And I go, really? Because I feel really worried really? Because I feel really worried really? Because I feel really worried right now, God. No, I see who you really right now, God. No, I see who you really right now, God. No, I see who you really are. Who I have made you to be. So, you are. Who I have made you to be. So, you are. Who I have made you to be. So, you step in faith. And I want to say, I look step in faith. And I want to say, I look step in faith. And I want to say, I look out here and I see not warriors. I see out here and I see not warriors. I see out here and I see not warriors. I see warriors. warriors. warriors. I don't see fearful people. I see I don't see fearful people. I see I don't see fearful people. I see fighters for the glory of God. You're a fighters for the glory of God. You're a fighters for the glory of God. You're a warrior. You're a fighter. And that's warrior. You're a fighter. And that's warrior. You're a fighter. And that's what I say to you today. Some of you what I say to you today. Some of you what I say to you today. Some of you came in here today. You're filled with came in here today. You're filled with came in here today. You're filled with worry and anxiety. Maybe it's a burden worry and anxiety. Maybe it's a burden worry and anxiety. Maybe it's a burden you've been carrying and you've been you've been carrying and you've been you've been carrying and you've been worried about. Couldn't even sleep last worried about. Couldn't even sleep last worried about. Couldn't even sleep last night. And I want to say to you, you're night. And I want to say to you, you're night. And I want to say to you, you're not a worrier. You're a warrior. You're not a worrier. You're a warrior. You're not a worrier. You're a warrior. You're not fearful. You're a fighter. You're a not fearful. You're a fighter. You're a not fearful. You're a fighter. You're a fighter for the glory of God. So stop fighter for the glory of God. So stop fighter for the glory of God. So stop focusing on what you can't do and focus focusing on what you can't do and focus focusing on what you can't do and focus in on what God can do. And he can do all in on what God can do. And he can do all in on what God can do. And he can do all things through you. things through you. things through you. You are a warrior. If you're a dad, I want to say you're a If you're a dad, I want to say you're a warrior for your family. You're not warrior for your family. You're not warrior for your family. You're not selfish. You're a warrior. You fight for selfish. You're a warrior. You fight for selfish. You're a warrior. You fight for your family on your knees. You pray for your family on your knees. You pray for your family on your knees. You pray for your family. You lead your family your family. You lead your family your family. You lead your family spiritually. That's who God made you to spiritually. That's who God made you to spiritually. That's who God made you to be. When you feel overwhelmed, when you be. When you feel overwhelmed, when you be. When you feel overwhelmed, when you feel beat up during the week, you look feel beat up during the week, you look feel beat up during the week, you look to God and remember God, and you realize to God and remember God, and you realize to God and remember God, and you realize you're not fearful. You're a fighter.

you're not fearful. You're a fighter. you're not fearful. You're a fighter. and you will keep standing and fighting and you will keep standing and fighting and you will keep standing and fighting and then you will bend down on your and then you will bend down on your and then you will bend down on your knees and you will pray and you'll stand knees and you will pray and you'll stand knees and you will pray and you'll stand in the gap for your family. in the gap for your family. in the gap for your family. But here's the thing, you don't fight by But here's the thing, you don't fight by But here's the thing, you don't fight by yourself. Nehemiah knew this that God yourself. Nehemiah knew this that God yourself. Nehemiah knew this that God wants us to be together as a family. wants us to be together as a family. wants us to be together as a family. And that's what the church is all about. And that's what the church is all about. And that's what the church is all about. The church is all family where we come The church is all family where we come The church is all family where we come together a and we fight together, we together a and we fight together, we together a and we fight together, we stand together, we cry together, we stand together, we cry together, we stand together, we cry together, we laugh together. You have to be on a laugh together. You have to be on a laugh together. You have to be on a team. That's why it's so important for team. That's why it's so important for team. That's why it's so important for you to be a part of a church family. you to be a part of a church family. you to be a part of a church family. Some of you aren't a part of a church Some of you aren't a part of a church Some of you aren't a part of a church family. You know, you attend Woodland family. You know, you attend Woodland family. You know, you attend Woodland Church, but you never really joined. And Church, but you never really joined. And Church, but you never really joined. And we have our membership class next Sunday we have our membership class next Sunday we have our membership class next Sunday at all of our campuses. 1:00 to 3:00. I at all of our campuses. 1:00 to 3:00. I at all of our campuses. 1:00 to 3:00. I teach the class. It's going to be a huge teach the class. It's going to be a huge teach the class. It's going to be a huge class. I love doing this. And so, next class. I love doing this. And so, next class. I love doing this. And so, next week, you can sign up online or just week, you can sign up online or just week, you can sign up online or just come. We feed you. We take care of your come. We feed you. We take care of your come. We feed you. We take care of your kids. We do everything from 1 to three. kids. We do everything from 1 to three. kids. We do everything from 1 to three. It's just a little baby step of It's just a little baby step of It's just a little baby step of commitment. But you need to be a part of commitment. But you need to be a part of commitment. But you need to be a part of a church. It's God's will for your life.

a church. It's God's will for your life. a church. It's God's will for your life. The Christian life is more than just The Christian life is more than just The Christian life is more than just believing. It's about belonging. You believing. It's about belonging. You believing. It's about belonging. You can't really become the person that God can't really become the person that God can't really become the person that God calls you to be at this time next year calls you to be at this time next year calls you to be at this time next year unless you're joined together with the unless you're joined together with the unless you're joined together with the family of God. It's a team. And that's family of God. It's a team. And that's family of God. It's a team. And that's why you need to be in a life group, too. why you need to be in a life group, too. why you need to be in a life group, too. You got to be connected to a life group. You got to be connected to a life group. You got to be connected to a life group. That was so biblical because in That was so biblical because in That was so biblical because in scripture, they would meet in the temple scripture, they would meet in the temple scripture, they would meet in the temple courts, the big area to worship. And courts, the big area to worship. And courts, the big area to worship. And then they would meet from house to house then they would meet from house to house then they would meet from house to house during the week in their life group. during the week in their life group. during the week in their life group. People doing life together, growing People doing life together, growing People doing life together, growing together. Need to be in a life group. together. Need to be in a life group. together. Need to be in a life group. You can get connected today to one of You can get connected today to one of You can get connected today to one of our life groups going through the same our life groups going through the same our life groups going through the same age and stage that you're going through. age and stage that you're going through. age and stage that you're going through. And it's amazing what God does when you And it's amazing what God does when you And it's amazing what God does when you obey him and you connect in obey him and you connect in obey him and you connect in relationships. And by the way, we have relationships. And by the way, we have relationships. And by the way, we have our life group vision rally tonight. our life group vision rally tonight. our life group vision rally tonight. Chris and I are going to be sharing the Chris and I are going to be sharing the Chris and I are going to be sharing the vision for our life groups coming up vision for our life groups coming up vision for our life groups coming up this year. If you're a lifeg group this year. If you're a lifeg group this year. If you're a lifeg group leader, you got to be here. It's going leader, you got to be here. It's going leader, you got to be here. It's going to be amazing. If you're in a life to be amazing. If you're in a life to be amazing. If you're in a life group, we want you to come. We're gonna group, we want you to come. We're gonna group, we want you to come. We're gonna have so much fun tonight. We celebrate have so much fun tonight. We celebrate have so much fun tonight. We celebrate at six o'clock tonight. And and if at six o'clock tonight. And and if at six o'clock tonight. And and if you're interested in being a life group, you're interested in being a life group, you're interested in being a life group, come on. You'll love it. It's what our come on. You'll love it. It's what our come on. You'll love it. It's what our church is all about. Our our church is a church is all about. Our our church is a church is all about. Our our church is a church of life groups. That's where life church of life groups. That's where life church of life groups. That's where life really happens.

really happens. really happens. So get connected. So get connected. So get connected. I want you just to hear the story of I want you just to hear the story of I want you just to hear the story of Ivan and Sunko, a amazing young couple Ivan and Sunko, a amazing young couple Ivan and Sunko, a amazing young couple in our church who connected to a life in our church who connected to a life in our church who connected to a life group and God has just used it in their group and God has just used it in their group and God has just used it in their life. In the toughest moments of their life. In the toughest moments of their life. In the toughest moments of their life, their life group has been there life, their life group has been there life, their life group has been there for them. Just watch. for them. Just watch. for them. Just watch. When we moved here to Houston, we didn't When we moved here to Houston, we didn't When we moved here to Houston, we didn't have any family. We didn't have any have any family. We didn't have any have any family. We didn't have any friends uh coming from uh Seattle and we friends uh coming from uh Seattle and we friends uh coming from uh Seattle and we knew the fastest way to connect with knew the fastest way to connect with knew the fastest way to connect with people uh would be either serving in at people uh would be either serving in at people uh would be either serving in at the church uh or life groups. A couple the church uh or life groups. A couple the church uh or life groups. A couple years ago, I was um on my flight from years ago, I was um on my flight from years ago, I was um on my flight from Tokyo to Houston and I experienced uh Tokyo to Houston and I experienced uh Tokyo to Houston and I experienced uh the uh the uh the uh short of breath and then found out I short of breath and then found out I short of breath and then found out I woke up in Seattle in ICU. Um I had a woke up in Seattle in ICU. Um I had a woke up in Seattle in ICU. Um I had a heart acute heart failure. I text my my heart acute heart failure. I text my my heart acute heart failure. I text my my life group um at that time and I told life group um at that time and I told life group um at that time and I told them pray uh because my wife I don't them pray uh because my wife I don't them pray uh because my wife I don't know if she's going to be alive or not.

know if she's going to be alive or not. know if she's going to be alive or not. And it was I thought I lost my wife but And it was I thought I lost my wife but And it was I thought I lost my wife but my life group the people that um walked my life group the people that um walked my life group the people that um walked through life with us encouraged me and through life with us encouraged me and through life with us encouraged me and told me that um you know she's going to told me that um you know she's going to told me that um you know she's going to be alive. She's God has a plan. That's be alive. She's God has a plan. That's be alive. She's God has a plan. That's what I needed to hear. I really needed what I needed to hear. I really needed what I needed to hear. I really needed someone to hear that everything's going someone to hear that everything's going someone to hear that everything's going to be okay. Uh because I was all by to be okay. Uh because I was all by to be okay. Uh because I was all by myself. I love my life group because myself. I love my life group because myself. I love my life group because they really filled in the gap when I they really filled in the gap when I they really filled in the gap when I needed it. It was hard for me to to see needed it. It was hard for me to to see needed it. It was hard for me to to see my wife in the hospital. Um my wife in the hospital. Um my wife in the hospital. Um but it was encouraging to see that I had but it was encouraging to see that I had but it was encouraging to see that I had a whole army behind me a whole army behind me a whole army behind me >> at the airport. that one of our life >> at the airport. that one of our life >> at the airport. that one of our life group member group member group member um he was waiting for me not only um he was waiting for me not only um he was waiting for me not only waiting for us at that pickup zone but waiting for us at that pickup zone but waiting for us at that pickup zone but he parked his car he parked his car he parked his car >> and when we came down from the escalator >> and when we came down from the escalator >> and when we came down from the escalator that he was just waiting for us and they that he was just waiting for us and they that he was just waiting for us and they gave us a big hug and they said I am so gave us a big hug and they said I am so gave us a big hug and they said I am so glad that you are here you're back and glad that you are here you're back and glad that you are here you're back and that you're alive and that was right that you're alive and that was right that you're alive and that was right before Thanksgiving and our group before Thanksgiving and our group before Thanksgiving and our group gathered together and then brought all gathered together and then brought all gathered together and then brought all the Thanksgiving day meal for us and we the Thanksgiving day meal for us and we the Thanksgiving day meal for us and we celebrated Thanksgiving together.

celebrated Thanksgiving together. celebrated Thanksgiving together. >> I've seen people who are very shy. Um >> I've seen people who are very shy. Um >> I've seen people who are very shy. Um some people who thought that life group some people who thought that life group some people who thought that life group was not nec necessary. I was actually was not nec necessary. I was actually was not nec necessary. I was actually one of them. I was actually one of those one of them. I was actually one of those one of them. I was actually one of those people who I thought does life group people who I thought does life group people who I thought does life group really matter? Does it is it really really matter? Does it is it really really matter? Does it is it really necessary? I already have friends. I I I necessary? I already have friends. I I I necessary? I already have friends. I I I already have, you know, my co-workers. I already have, you know, my co-workers. I already have, you know, my co-workers. I already have, you know, my family. But already have, you know, my family. But already have, you know, my family. But there is a lot of people who actually there is a lot of people who actually there is a lot of people who actually need you, who actually need me. Um to need you, who actually need me. Um to need you, who actually need me. Um to hear your testimony, to hear to be part hear your testimony, to hear to be part hear your testimony, to hear to be part of a group. Um we're not here on this of a group. Um we're not here on this of a group. Um we're not here on this earth to be alone uh or isolated. earth to be alone uh or isolated. earth to be alone uh or isolated. >> There was one guy, he said, I've been >> There was one guy, he said, I've been >> There was one guy, he said, I've been coming to this church for 10 years. This coming to this church for 10 years. This coming to this church for 10 years. This is my first time um involving a life is my first time um involving a life is my first time um involving a life group. He said he's so glad that he's in group. He said he's so glad that he's in group. He said he's so glad that he's in the life group. Whether people just came the life group. Whether people just came the life group. Whether people just came into this church or they've been coming into this church or they've been coming into this church or they've been coming to 10 years in 20 years, I think never to 10 years in 20 years, I think never to 10 years in 20 years, I think never too late. This is such a big church, but too late. This is such a big church, but too late. This is such a big church, but the life group made um they discharge the life group made um they discharge the life group made um they discharge smaller. Um smaller. Um smaller. Um it's it's a beautiful things doing life it's it's a beautiful things doing life it's it's a beautiful things doing life together.

it is all about doing life together. The it is all about doing life together. The two things that will for sure change two things that will for sure change two things that will for sure change your life and you'll be a different your life and you'll be a different your life and you'll be a different person 52 days from today are spend time person 52 days from today are spend time person 52 days from today are spend time in God's word daily habit and secondly in God's word daily habit and secondly in God's word daily habit and secondly get in the life group. I'm telling you, get in the life group. I'm telling you, get in the life group. I'm telling you, it'll change the rest of your life. it'll change the rest of your life. it'll change the rest of your life. Those two decisions. Those two decisions. Those two decisions. I want us to read the first verse we I want us to read the first verse we I want us to read the first verse we read, our key verse, which was the last read, our key verse, which was the last read, our key verse, which was the last part of the story. Nehemiah 6:15 16. part of the story. Nehemiah 6:15 16. part of the story. Nehemiah 6:15 16. Look at it with me. So on October 2nd, Look at it with me. So on October 2nd, Look at it with me. So on October 2nd, the wall was finished just 52 days after the wall was finished just 52 days after the wall was finished just 52 days after we had begun. When our enemies and the we had begun. When our enemies and the we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they surrounding nations heard about it, they surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They were frightened and humiliated. They were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with realized this work had been done with realized this work had been done with the help of our God. Everyone had to the help of our God. Everyone had to the help of our God. Everyone had to realize it was God. It was the miracle realize it was God. It was the miracle realize it was God. It was the miracle of God. Within 52 days, God had done it. of God. Within 52 days, God had done it. of God. Within 52 days, God had done it. Says on October 2nd, calculated, I think Says on October 2nd, calculated, I think Says on October 2nd, calculated, I think it's like October 14th, 52 days from it's like October 14th, 52 days from it's like October 14th, 52 days from today. today. today. So, where will you be 52 days from So, where will you be 52 days from So, where will you be 52 days from today? None of us know for sure because today? None of us know for sure because today? None of us know for sure because we're in God's hands. But could it be that God wants to take the could it be that God wants to take the broken places of your life and rebuild broken places of your life and rebuild broken places of your life and rebuild them so you're in a whole new place 52 them so you're in a whole new place 52 them so you're in a whole new place 52 days from today? God wants to do that if days from today? God wants to do that if days from today? God wants to do that if we'll cooperate with him. If we realize we'll cooperate with him. If we realize we'll cooperate with him. If we realize we're broken and we bring the broken we're broken and we bring the broken we're broken and we bring the broken pieces to him and we put one brick at a pieces to him and we put one brick at a pieces to him and we put one brick at a time, one step at a time, doing the time, one step at a time, doing the time, one step at a time, doing the things he's called us to do and trusting things he's called us to do and trusting things he's called us to do and trusting him and get our eyes off the rubble and him and get our eyes off the rubble and him and get our eyes off the rubble and onto the rebuilder. Are you going to do

onto the rebuilder. Are you going to do onto the rebuilder. Are you going to do that, Woodlands Church? Let's stand and that, Woodlands Church? Let's stand and that, Woodlands Church? Let's stand and let's thank him. Let's praise God, the let's thank him. Let's praise God, the let's thank him. Let's praise God, the great rebuilder of broken things. I'm so great rebuilder of broken things. I'm so great rebuilder of broken things. I'm so grateful that he is. I need him to grateful that he is. I need him to grateful that he is. I need him to rebuild some broken places in my life. rebuild some broken places in my life. rebuild some broken places in my life. Let's pray to him. Dear God, we come Let's pray to him. Dear God, we come Let's pray to him. Dear God, we come before you and we ask you to do some before you and we ask you to do some before you and we ask you to do some rebuilding. rebuilding. rebuilding. Rebuild some broken places in our lives Rebuild some broken places in our lives Rebuild some broken places in our lives and hearts and relationships that only and hearts and relationships that only and hearts and relationships that only you can rebuild. Lord, I know there's you can rebuild. Lord, I know there's you can rebuild. Lord, I know there's places in every one of our lives that places in every one of our lives that places in every one of our lives that we've just gotten used to have become we've just gotten used to have become we've just gotten used to have become normal. normal. normal. But Lord, you want to take us from But Lord, you want to take us from But Lord, you want to take us from normal normal normal to the next level. to the next level. to the next level. And so Lord, I know that so many of us And so Lord, I know that so many of us And so Lord, I know that so many of us that that normal come crashing to the that that normal come crashing to the that that normal come crashing to the ground and we're face to face with the ground and we're face to face with the ground and we're face to face with the brokenness. I thank you Lord that we can brokenness. I thank you Lord that we can brokenness. I thank you Lord that we can look at that brokenness look at that brokenness look at that brokenness and then we can look up to you, the and then we can look up to you, the and then we can look up to you, the great rebuilder, and you want to do great rebuilder, and you want to do great rebuilder, and you want to do something that changes us forever. So something that changes us forever. So something that changes us forever. So we'll never go back to normal again. And we'll never go back to normal again. And we'll never go back to normal again. And Lord, I just pray you would do an Lord, I just pray you would do an Lord, I just pray you would do an amazing healing work and let it start amazing healing work and let it start amazing healing work and let it start today as we choose, Lord Jesus, to take today as we choose, Lord Jesus, to take today as we choose, Lord Jesus, to take our brokenness and give it to you. Just our brokenness and give it to you. Just our brokenness and give it to you. Just bring healing, Lord, in marriages that bring healing, Lord, in marriages that bring healing, Lord, in marriages that are broken. Bring healing to families are broken. Bring healing to families are broken. Bring healing to families that are broken. Bring healing to minds that are broken. Bring healing to minds that are broken. Bring healing to minds that are breaking. Bring healing, Lord, that are breaking. Bring healing, Lord, that are breaking. Bring healing, Lord, to emotions that have been wounded, to emotions that have been wounded, to emotions that have been wounded, Lord, for years. Bring healing to hearts Lord, for years. Bring healing to hearts Lord, for years. Bring healing to hearts and lives, bodies.

and lives, bodies. and lives, bodies. bring restoration bring restoration bring restoration and help us, Lord Jesus, keep rebuilding and help us, Lord Jesus, keep rebuilding and help us, Lord Jesus, keep rebuilding one brick at a time to become who you've one brick at a time to become who you've one brick at a time to become who you've called us to be. And I pray for those called us to be. And I pray for those called us to be. And I pray for those who have never received you into their who have never received you into their who have never received you into their life. They don't have your power to life. They don't have your power to life. They don't have your power to rebuild. rebuild. rebuild. Help them pray this prayer silently Help them pray this prayer silently Help them pray this prayer silently right now. Jesus Christ, I need you. I right now. Jesus Christ, I need you. I right now. Jesus Christ, I need you. I need you to rebuild me. I need you to need you to rebuild me. I need you to need you to rebuild me. I need you to restore me. I ask you to forgive me of restore me. I ask you to forgive me of restore me. I ask you to forgive me of all my sins. Come into my life and all my sins. Come into my life and all my sins. Come into my life and change me. I accept your free gift of change me. I accept your free gift of change me. I accept your free gift of heaven one day. I want you to be the heaven one day. I want you to be the heaven one day. I want you to be the Lord of my life from now on. For it's in Lord of my life from now on. For it's in Lord of my life from now on. For it's in Jesus name I pray. Amen.