Fighting like Nehemia

I was thinking today about Nehemia. I am battling a huge war in my life. It is definitely a spiritual warfare. It is someone I really love I am fighting for to see the truth and return to Jesus. I have been praying and fasting becuase I believe in the power of God to break down strongholds and set my loved one free. I am also praying for other family members to be saved...my parents, brothers, sisters, etc.

But there comes a time in all our lives when we wonder what in the world is going on? Why aren't our prayers making a difference? Are we doign something wrong? Do we have sin in our lives that hinders our prayers? I personally do believe that God sometimes answers even when we sin, but I am SURE that He listens when we walk in righteousness ( walking in obedience with God). James chapter 5 clearly says that the prayer of the righteous will accomplish much and not any kind of prayer, but FERVENT prayer.; passionate, all your heart prayer.

Yes, I felt like I did everything I know how and yet still nothing...or is is nothing? Just because I do not see doesn't mean God is not working. I could write such a long message here...but I am just going to talk about Nehemia bc that is what God brought to my mind today.

Nehemia was sent by God to rebuild Jerusalim which was in ruins. While they were building it, the enemy sent word to discourage them , lied to them, and didn't like what Nehemia was doing.He even invited Nehemia to chat with him!Nehemai refused to do anything that would slow him down or stop him from building. He had a vision and the word of God and he believed God. I liek Nehemia's atittude. He told others to tell the enemy that he will not come down becuase he had to keep building. Not only that, but on that account he even changed his strategy of "fighting". Half of the people would work and half would watch on walls with their weapons ready.

I learned a great lesson here. Stop talking to the enemy while you have to build. How do you build in the spirit? Prayer and fasting. There is a real spiritual warfare going on for our families, for our lives, for nations...and we have two powerful weapons prayer and fasting. There are more weapons, but these two definitely work. If your family is falling apart, your child is lost, your wife has left you...stop bargaining with the enemy and chat with him. Keep praying...keep building like Nehemia. Satan comes to us and tells us to give up because God is not working, because our family members have a will, becuase we are in sin, etc ( and of course if you are get out)...we need to listen to God. We need to be focused liek Nehemia and change our strategy if we have to but never give up. What would it be like if we believers in Jesus joined together and said, "Let's fight for Mary's family today and if she is exhausted from fighting thne let her rest and we will stand for her". Sometimes we are burnt out and there is no one out there to keep going on pour behalf. We need to work together. Nehemia had people working with him and he led by example. He didnt listen to Saanbalat, the enemy, to get discouraged, believe his lies, etc. etc. He simply knew his assignment from God and moved forward and do you know what ? In the end Jerusalem was rebuilt and the Bible says that the enemy was amazed and many nations around became friends with the Israelites because they recognized that it was onyl God's hand in that building.

So, God has said to me the same and is saying to you, too that you need to stop chit chatting with the enemy and listen to his lies and only believe God. Stand strong. By the way God has been answering my prayers because I persevered just like Jeremiah. Now the enemy is amazed. Let God have the last laugh.