INTRO: THERE IS AN ATTACK
There is an attack on families, especially in these last days. God loves families but the enemy seeks to attack them.
Neh 4:13 -14, 20 – Fight for your families.
If you will fight for your family, God will fight for you.
> In the name of love – people defend affairs
>Homosexuality is an attack on the family
>Living together without a marriage covenant is an attack on the family.
1. COVER WITH PRAYER
Nehemiah contains at least 14 prayers in its 13 chapters: Neh 1:4 & Neh 13:31 – Nehemiah is a book of prayers – it opens and closes with prayers.
In the 1990s Gulf war, a regiment of soldiers moved across the hot sand dune in Iraq. Some of their parents who were Christians were praying for them back in America. Suddenly, there was a sandstorm and after that the soldiers saw that there were land mines everywhere! That day the prayers of their parents saved the lives of the soldiers
What you don’t take to your knees, you will take to your heart.
2. INSTILL FAITH & HOPE
Neh 2:17-18 – Nehemiah spoke words of faith. He gave them a report of how he got the provision and declared by faith that they were going to build the walls.
The greatest legacy any parent can leave their children is their faith in God
When Abraham died, he had only a burial ground but he blessed Isaac. Isaac too did not gain more land yet he blessed Jacob. When Jacob died, he was not even in Canaan but he still blessed his children. What did he leave them? Faith.
Gen 50:24-25 –Jacob said to his brothers: I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
3. ESTABLISH FAMILY VALUES
Neh 2:17 – “Come let us build the wall”
Neh 4:15-17 – When enemies threatened, he gave weapons to his servants to fight against the enemies, but he didn’t stop building the wall.
Walls serve as both barriers and boundaries- Barriers protect the people inside from the outside elements. Boundaries keep those inside from venturing beyond safe zones. Values are dos and boundaries are don’ts.
Values are the core beliefs and fundamental principles that guide how you act. They act as an internal compass for your choices and daily life.
Here are few values we ought to set:
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God first in everything: Glorifying God is the goal
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Being committed to the Church, His Word & Prayer must become non-negotiables
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Regular family devotions and prayers
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Hold honor and respect in high esteem
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Eat together at least one meal a day
Values set the culture of the home and culture decides the direction of the children as they grow up.
4. SET BOUNDARIES
True Love always sets boundaries
Here are few boundaries we ought to set
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Disrespect will not be tolerated
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Ungodly movies and songs to not be allowed
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Setting Curfews & strict Phone discipline
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Clear communication of everything
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Transparency and accountability of friendships
5. CONNECT WITH OTHER WALL-BUILDING FAMILIES
Neh 4:18 – “Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there”
It’s a picture of when it’s time to worship, we need to get together. We need each other, we need Church fellowship. We fight alongside each other and keep each other strong and safe. We all have broken situations at home, but we believe together and pray for each other!
Story of a single mom: A single mom in KGF Church was found weeping every time at Church, with two little children. Her husband had left her for another woman and moved to Rajasthan. Her brother, who was in the army, would send her some money every now and then and it was all she had to survive. One day a parcel arrived from Rajasthan, containing new clothes and a few other things. Inside she found a letter that said,”I left you for another woman, but she left me for another man. I realize my mistake. Can I come back? Today, they are all doing well and are settled in America!