A Moment With Pastor Fred

I love Neh 2:12, “And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.” Nehemiah was burdened about rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. But building God’s work requires help. God had worked in Nehemiah’s heart – how would he motivate God’s people to join him? Some churches nag – or manipulate, using guilt trips. Not Nehemiah. He didn’t promise a weekend holiday at the Dead Sea. He was motivated by God’s glory – it was a reproach to God’s people to have a broken-down wall.

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.’  And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” Nehemiah shared the vision God had given him and the people rallied – the wall was rebuilt in record time.

 How rewarding to see initiatives in our current strategic plan fulfilled – or in the process of being fulfilled. We’re on year #2. Where do you fit into our plan?  Where will you serve?  Ask yourself, “What has God put in my heart to do here at Holt Baptist Church?” We believe if God leads us in a certain direction, he will provide the help necessary.  All of this must be motivated by God’s Spirit.  Phil 2:13, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”. After all, HBC is a good work, “they strengthened their hands for the good work.”

 What will God do thru us in 2025?