Here I Raise My Ebenezer

‘Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD has helped us." (1 Samuel 7:12)

In church, have you ever sung the song, O, Thou Fount of Every Blessing? The lyrics of this song were written by Robert Robinson in 1758. The second verse of the song begins with these words: “Here I Raise My Ebenezer.” The word Ebenezer comes from the Hebrew words ’Eben hà-ezer (eh’-ben haw-e’-zer), which means ‘stone of help.’

In the verse above, the prophet Samuel started out discouraged when he and the Israelites found themselves under attack by the Philistines. Fearing for their lives, the Israelites begged Samuel to pray for them in their impending battle against them. Samuel offered a sacrifice to God and prayed that God would protect them. God listened to Samuel, causing the Philistines to lose the battle and retreat back to their own territory and so he raised a memorial that he called ‘Ebenezer’ to remind them of where the Lord had helped them.

Without mental stones of remembrance, we too would become discouraged. God is our shepherd and He is always leading us in the best way to protect us. It’s just that sometimes our pain or disappointment in how things look at the moment cause us to take our eyes off of God and put them onto our circumstances. Instead of God-focused we become me-focused.   

The apostle Paul says that he suffered under great stress so that he might learn to rely more on God. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

Remember how God led the Israelites in the desert to humble and test them? He wanted to know what was in their hearts. Sometimes God allows us to experience desert trails. I’ve visited the southwest desert and there is nothing more beautiful than the cactus flower.  Most cacti live in habitats subject to at least some drought. Many live in extremely dry environments.  Cacti store water for their night shifts of life!  

Each season has its’ beauty. Autumn arrived yesterday and my garden sedums are a beautiful shade of fall rose.  I know what’s next…the cold and snowy northeast winter. But as I prepare the garden beds for winter; I’m reminded that spring will come, in all its’ glory, with gentle tulips.  I’m reminded not to get discouraged by the forecast of cold weather because God will provide all my needs just like He has done many other years. 

Whether you are going through easy times or the greatest trial of your life, remember that God is at work in you.  Put your hope in Him. He won’t forget you or your situation. God has called each of us by name. ‘You are Mine!’ (Isaiah 43:1)

Let’s Pray. Lord, I am praising You today for bringing each of us this far. Thank you that we have the ability to remember; thank you that in perfect time, You always meet our needs. Remind us in times of darkness, who You are and who we are in Christ; that it is not what we do that determines who we are; but it is who we are that determines what we do. We have been bought and sealed. When we get discouraged, let us remember our spiritual inheritance. May we claim Your promises and that if we trust in You, that You will care for us and be our refuge in times of trouble.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy

Stand Strong!

‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.’  Ephesians 6:11-13

As children of God, we cannot take a day off from wearing the full armor that God has given us. If you are a single mom, single man or woman, married, grandparent, it doesn’t matter; you need to wear defensive equipment. YOU CANNOT TAKE A DAY OFF. Why? Because Satan never takes a day off from wanting to bring us down.

If you are a parent, you have also been given the awesome responsibility to grow your children with this knowledge.  Satan spends a lot of time with our children.

As a single parent, you have vulnerabilities that married couples may not have to deal with- like raising children without a second parent in the house. If you are a single person, loneliness can set in like a thief in the night wanting to rob you of all our sensibilities. A desire to be in a relationship can consume your every thought…Satan wants you to be vulnerable because then he can bring you down and keep you broken!  

This spiritual war is real. Mankind is caught in the midst of a spiritual war with a Holy God and His loyal angels on one side and the evil Satan and his demons on the other. We can’t see it but if we could view the unseen, we’d be able to see this war. Don’t be mistaken, although Satan's wisdom is now corrupt, he is still very wise. Satan and the demons are supernatural beings.  All supernatural beings are not bound by the laws of nature (hence, the term supernatural).

Ephesians 6:11-12 ‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’

There is no better description of a spiritual battle than what we read in the Book of Daniel regarding a detained angel. “Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.” (Daniel 10:12-13)

What can you do to prepare for the spiritual battle?

These fallen angels have chosen to do evil and they seek to ruin our lives. ‘Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ 1 Peter 5:8

Think and identify your weaknesses. Write them down so you won’t forget.  Then ask God to protect you when you’re feeling weak relative to these areas of your life. Keep asking God for His help with these weaknesses. When you think you’ve got them mastered, keep asking God for help! Satan is waiting to battle you over these weak areas. Satan makes it his job to know your weak areas. And he is waiting for you to take a day off!

Here are the six parts of the Christian's armor (portions were reproduced from an outline done at our church), unless noted, scripture is from Ephesians 6.

1. "…the belt of truth buckled around your waist" (6:14) Satan will lie to you.

The more we grow in the Christian life, the more we will begin to realize that we are under attack when doubts come into our minds!

2. "…the breastplate of righteousness" (6:14) As a child of God, His righteousness is in us.

When you are engaging in spiritual warfare, remember that God sees you as perfect in his sight. God is Holy; therefore He cannot look upon sin. ". . .the accuser of the brothers. . ." Revelation 12:10

3. "feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" (6:15) our shoes making us ready to stand --Ready to witness –Even in the valley, we need to tell people how great our God is at getting us through our battles. The most victorious Christian is a witnessing Christian.

4. "…the Shield of faith"   (6:16) Our shield is our confidence in God.  The devils arrows are painful; we need to keep our shields of faith upright for protection. Remind yourself to hold God to His promises. You belong to God.

5. "…the helmet of salvation" (6:17) The battle is in our minds. Protect it from the devil’s lies.

6. "…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (6:17)   Know scripture. Jesus used scripture repeatedly to Satan in the wilderness each time He was tempted, ‘It is written…’  Each time we are tempted, we can also repeat these words.

How does Satan see you today? Do you have just one piece of the armor on? Or do you have all 6 pieces on and ready for battle?

Let’s pray. Father, our world is hurting and we need Your help to stay alert against the forces of evil. We have so many choices within our grips; help us to make the correct ones; choices that will reflect Your plans for our lives. Turn our ears to Your wisdom today so we can apply it to our hearts and understand Your ways.  If we are hurting, let us recognize that our present suffering is not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. In Your Son’s strong name we pray. Amen

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy

The Lily Pads of Life

“So he asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ ‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse answered, ‘but he is tending the sheep.’ Samuel said, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.’ So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, ‘Rise and anoint him; he is the one.’"
(1 Samuel 16:11-12)

David is known for a lot of things, here are a few:

Ø  While the army allowed ‘usual defiance’ from Goliath, David drew upon his faith in God’s strength and courageously stood up to Goliath.

Ø  David eventually became Israel’s greatest earthly king.

Ø  The Psalms- he poured passion into each one.

Ø  His willingness to admit his failures to God and to repent.

In a recent conversation with one of my daughters, she mentioned that she was pausing on a Lily Pad of life.  I liked that because it fits so many scenarios. I’m sure David would disagree with my using his situation with Saul and lily pads in the same sentence, but I’m going to claim narrative license.

So I’ll ask you, are you on a lily pad of life? Has there been a turn of events that have forced a pause in your life and now you’re trying to figure out your next steps?

David’s pause was over 20 years long. From the time David was anointed as a young shepherd to the time he actually became king of Israel, 20 years had passed. If God wanted David to be the king, then why would he have to wait so long and during that time, why so much turmoil in his life?

In fact, 3 times David had been anointed as king. The first time was by the prophet Samuel when he was still a young shepherd, with his brothers watching on. (1 Sam 16: 13) The second anointing was by the people of Judah, (2 Sam 2: 4) with only the people of Judah acknowledging him as king. Finally, at age 37, he was anointed king of all Israel.

In his commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel, Eugene Peterson writes, “David knows how to wait. His waiting is not procrastination; it is not indolence. It is poised submissiveness, a not-doing that leaves adequate space and time for God’s initiating actions through others.” (p. 156-57)

‘A not-doing…’  Is it hard to be content when ‘not-doing’ on a lily pad? Hurrying to get to the next stop in life can wear us out.  A whole day worth of energy can be used just putting together resumes. It isn’t easy to be content with our situation when actively ‘not-doing’ -- especially when others around you are ‘doing.’  We allow the worries of life get to us when we don’t see movement in some direction.  We are a people living in a culture of instant solutions and who has time to wait? Doesn’t Nike tell us to, Just Do It?

During our pause, we can become overwhelmed if we don’t have hope in something. My hope is in God. That God will make something good from my trials. This keeps me abiding and gives me the ability to remain under Him when the next lily pad floats my way.

London’s summer Olympic Games were all about grabbing the Gold. ‘But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.’ (Job 23:10) Gold is refined by heat and pressure. In other words, it takes time.

I was in a hurry today. I’m back at school taking a class at our local Bible College as a first step towards seeing if my brain is still working.  I hope to get my master’s degree in counseling.  (Yes, a reason you have not seen any recent posts!)

Anyway, I needed to stop by the bank and make a deposit. I had calculated that my errand would take no more than 5 minutes at the drive-thru.  One car in front of me, I turned on my radio to a favorite Christian station when I realized my pulse beginning to increase as I watched what was unfolding in front of me.

The car in front was being driven by a woman that couldn’t see over the steering wheel, (you know what I’m saying, right?) and I’ll guess she was in her 80’s.  As they say in the south, ‘Bless her little heart…’ she never should have used the teller-less drive-thru. Are you getting this picture?

Her car door was too far away which made it impossible for her to reach the deposit tube.  After trying everything else, she finally moved her car 2 inches so she could open her door to step out and use the banking station; as she did, her deposit slip and check dropped to the ground and I honestly thought she was going to be stuck reaching down to retrieve it.

Meanwhile, I have turned off my radio because there is no way I can concentrate on anything but what is happening in my front view! I’m now 7 minutes into my errand and I am begging God to calm my growing impatience. In search for help, I grabbed the Bible on the seat next to me and opened it (watch the movie, The Kid, and you’ll know how much I wanted to be like Bruce Willis’ character when he was in the airport check-out line).

Then it hit me. This was a momentary lily pad. My pulse began to slow down, and as I was contemplating helping this lady, she seems to have completed her transaction and it was now my turn. Wait time: 10 minutes.

Waiting is never easy and it’s hard to remember that God’s timing is different from ours. Sometimes the waiting period is meant to prepare us for what God wants for us. Perhaps He’s been waiting for that something you’ve been doing to stop, so He can fill it with something better. Perhaps we need more education or time to mature. God knows best and He knows we need this waiting period to prepare us for the good and perfect things that come from above; that only the heavenly Father of lights can know and give us.

Did you know that lily pads are tethered by the soil at the bottom of the water? They have a feeding source. What is your source of sustenance while you are waiting and pausing in-between? While I wished that I’d used my time more wisely at the bank today, I’m glad that my Bible was next to me. It reminded me to seek my Great Provider for all my needs – big and small.
 
Do you know how to pause on a lily pad of life? Do you leave adequate space and time for God to work through you and through other people in your life? God has great plans for you. There might be conflicts or other situations preventing you from seeing His plans clearly, but God is working behind the scenes, preparing a banquet, all for you!

I encourage you to be patient, seek God’s will for your life, take this time and grow your faith in God’s ability to surprise you with a designer plan that will be nothing like you’d ever imagine!  God’s got more in store for you. Just wait and see!

Let’s pray. Father, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of heavenly lights, who unlike the shifting shadows, never changes.  Father, we know You are planning to do a mighty work in our lives and that You will not leave us where You found us this day.  Show us how to trust in You alone; that Your plans are to prosper us and not harm us. Help us to apply Your Word to our lives so our foundation will be rock solid. In Jesus’ strong name I pray. Amen.

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy

PRAYER LIFE, PART 2

‘Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them and care for them -- all those you have given me -- so that they will be united just as we are.’
(John 17:11)

There is no better place to spend a week than at my church’s annual Bible camp. Depending upon the job you have, your day is either physically or emotionally rugged.  Mine is always emotionally charged because my job is to be a counselor for high school girls.  More about that later…

Last time, I left you with a question: So why do we tend to read with such a bent towards being more like the tax collector, in Luke 18: 9-11?  What I mean by this question is that when you read this story about these 2 men, do you, like me, think, ‘wow, I am so glad that I don’t think like this Pharisee.’

Does God really listen to us? Does our morality chart dictate how closely God listens and answers our prayer? Could we expect God to hear our prayer if we, like the tax collector, spent a week cheating people out of their money and then take a knee in prayer? “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.” Luke 18:13

I don’t recommend living a lifestyle like the tax collector, but we need to remember that our morality does not dictate God’s listening power. God doesn’t work that way. Remember that when Jesus was on the cross, He said, “It is Finished!” John 19:30. 

When you accept Jesus as your Lord of Lords and your personal Savior, He gives you grace. You cannot buy more of it. And you cannot lose it. We can be confident that God listens to our prayers no matter what we’ve done.

Like I said earlier, my job at Bible camp was to be a counselor for high school girls. This year my awesome co-counselor and I had 14 girls. We spent many hours in prayer. In fact, at any moment of the day and night, you could find us huddled, praying just about anywhere throughout the entire campus. 

Why? Because anytime there was a challenge, especially when you’re dealing with large groups of people, on any level, we immediately sought wisdom and grace from God. We needed level thinking to prevail and I find that prayer works to calm emotions. It allows people to take a time out and reframe. It allows the ‘me’ in us to become the ‘we’ in us.  And that is what God wants from us.

You learn a lot about Jesus in his prayer to the Father in John 17. You learn where His heart is. I like this prayer because it makes me feel very loved and cared for by Jesus.  (John 17:11 is written out at the top of the page.)  Jesus is getting ready to go to the cross and is thinking about my welfare - ‘…Holy Father, keep them and care for them…’   Sorry folks, but if I was headed to the cross, I surely would not be thinking about you. But Jesus was thinking about you and me. He wasn’t ‘me’ centered but ‘we’ centered.  Prayer makes me look outwardly when praying inwardly. Does that make sense?

Further down in John 17:21, Jesus talks about how He wants us to be one with each other. ‘My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father -- that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.’

Each time my co-counselor and I would stop and engage others in prayer, it was to become one with our Father. It was to help a teen become one in the body of Christ. Prayer is powerful. We saw teens come to know Christ as their Savior and then be baptized. We saw teens repent of chemical abuse, gay lifestyles, sexual activity, teens that were broken and lost and now found. Prayer is powerful.

We started the week with a cabin full of 14 me’s. After a week of loving on them and praying for and with them; we ended our week with a cabin united as ‘we’.

There was a sign on one of the walls at camp that read: ‘Keep calm & carry on.’  I’d make one change to the sign – ‘Keep calm, pray & carry on.’

Does God hear us? Yes. Does He answer our prayers? Yes. Do you want to learn more about how to pray? Just open your Bible and read all the prayers that Jesus prayed to His Father.  God isn’t looking for perfection. He is looking for how we handle our situations when we don’t have it all figured out. He wants us to depend upon Him to figure it out for us.

God has a plan for you. However, we must seek Him to know the plan. ‘For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.’ Jeremiah 29:11-12 (my emphasis)

Let’s pray. Father, I pray that this message about the importance of prayer will fall deeply into the hearts of many people. Lord and I pray that if there is one that is lost and broken, that they would accept Your gift of salvation and grace this day. Father, I pray that you would heal broken families. Reunite loved ones. Help us to forgive one another and ourselves for the things that we have burdened others with and are burdened by ourselves.  You are our only refuge in times of trouble. Only by Your grace and mercy can we accomplish Your plans for our lives. Thank you for never judging us and for loving us first. In Jesus’ strong Name we pray. Amen.

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy