Raising Ebenezer

New York City fell to the enemy. General Washington was determined not to give ground, so a young military captain volunteered to spy behind enemy lines. A Yale graduate, this twenty-one year old had a bright future ahead of him, yet risked it all for the cause of his country’s independence. Through him, the Continental Army could learn the Redcoats’ plans. While behind enemy lines, his own cousin, a Loyalist to the British Crown, discovered his true identity and turned him in to General Howe. He was hung the next day.

To this day, Nathan Hale is honored as an American hero, as are all who have died fighting for this country’s freedom. At Family Radio, we take the time today, Memorial Day, to remember those who have fallen so we can enjoy a life of freedom and prosperity. We are grateful to those in our Armed Forces who risk all on our behalf. Thank you.

Memorial Day reflects in part a story from the Bible. In I Samuel 7, the prophet Samuel himself set up a physical memorial, one to remind the Israelites of God’s faithfulness. As the story goes, Israel had fallen away from God, worshipping false gods and idols instead. Their enemies, the Philistines, were constantly tormenting them. The people came to Samuel and begged him to plead to God for mercy. Samuel responded, “If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve Him only: and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines” (I Samuel 7:3).

The Israelites gathered to do as Samuel instructed. The Philistines discovered this prime opportunity to strike, putting fear into the hearts of the Israelites. They cried out for Samuel to intercede for them, so on their behalf, he presented a burnt offering to God. Philistine attacked, but now God was on Israel’s side. He thundered with a mighty sound and threw them into confusion. They were defeated. Israel was saved.

Then, Samuel raised up a memorial: a stone he named “Ebenezer,” which means “stone of help.” Every time the Israelites looked at this memorial, they would remember God’s faithfulness to them and be encouraged.

It’s important to memorialize significant events. It honors the memory of those whose actions have benefitted our lives, like King David providing for his late best friend Jonathan’s son (II Samuel 9). Also, it helps us be grateful for what we have. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18). Finally, remembering helps us know beyond a shadow of a doubt that because God has taken care of us in the past, He will continue to see us through difficult times. Deuteronomy 7:9 says, “Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.”

How can you raise your own Ebenezer memorial to help you remember God’s faithfulness for when times get tough?







Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

The Singing Parrot

“Stand up, stand up for Jeeeesus…”

Do you ever sing in the shower? I mean, do you ever really belt it out so echoes reverberate throughout the house, scaring the neighbors walking their dog on the sidewalk if the window happens to be open? Or maybe, like me, you prefer to just “let it go” in the car while singing along to the radio. Either scenario is a perfectly socially acceptable way to behave. For humans, that is.

Recently, I received a letter from one of our listeners, Charlotte, from New Jersey. In her letter, Charlotte shared a singing experience that consistently happens in her house. Every Saturday morning when Family Radio’s “Kid Corner” airs, someone in her household sings along with the music: her nineteen-year-old parrot, Noah.
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It blows my mind to think about how God knew about Noah the parrot thousands of years ago when He wrote Psalm 148:1-10, “Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens:
praise Him in the heights…Praise the Lord from the earth… beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl… let them praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven.”

I love that Noah the parrot sings praises to God every Saturday morning. He does it because he enjoys it, and he doesn’t care what anyone thinks. II Samuel 6:14 says, “And David danced before the Lord with all his might…” David was in a crowded city street with many people watching, but from his perspective, he had an audience of One, the recipient of His praise.

Maybe you worry that Noah the parrot’s singing voice outshines yours, that praising the Lord will bring more offense to His ears than actual glory. God wrote a psalm especially for you! “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise” (Psalm 98:4). God said “joyful,” not “beautiful!” He wants us to so fully experience His joy so that we literally burst into song!

So what are you waiting for? Go and “praise ye the Lord”!

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Now What?

Hoots and hollers echoed through the building as the graduates moved their tassels to the left side of their caps. I couldn’t believe how quickly the past four years had flown by. The erratic roller coaster ride consisting of late night study sessions and laughter with dear friends came to a screeching halt. College was over.

Now what?

As children, we all had dreams of what we wanted to “be” when we grew up. It’s a question adults frequently pose to kids, subtly teaching them to plan ahead for their bright futures. For me, nothing appealed more than becoming a missionary. Specifically, I wanted to teach fifth grade at the Nate Saint Memorial School in Shell, Ecuador. A four-year-old dreaming of living abroad to tell people about Jesus might sound strange, but that was what I wanted to do.

So, like every true Type “A” personality, every life decision I made was intended to get me one step closer to achieving that goal. I wrote school reports on Ecuador, took Spanish language classes in high school, went on short-term mission trips, and majored in International Ministries at Moody Bible Institute, a university dedicated to training its students for full time ministry. When it came time to do my academic internship abroad between my junior and senior years of college, only one location would suffice.

When the plane landed in Ecuador that summer, tears of joy filled my eyes. It was finally happening! And yet, as the wheels touched down I sensed God’s still small voice telling me that the six weeks of interning for missionaries was His blessing to me, but afterwards He had a different plan for my life.
I returned to the States for my senior year of college in a daze. What’s next, God? Do I change my major? What do I pursue after graduation? Give me the plan so I can prepare myself ahead of time so I can be the best I can be for Your glory. His response? TRUST ME.
 
My intentions were good. I just wanted to serve the Lord. But “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8). God had a specific plan for my life; it just wasn’t the one I planned for myself. “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Yesterday marked the six year anniversary of my graduation from college. God still hasn’t let me read the last chapter of my life’s story; He gives me one page at a time to teach me to trust His direction. I may not be enjoying plátanos fritos (fried plantains) for breakfast every morning in the jungle, but in His graciousness (Psalm 37:4), God has allowed me to be a missionary in my own right: I get to partner alongside Family Radio in spreading God’s Word throughout the world, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. God’s plans are so much better than mine!

Every morning, ask God “Now what?” See where He will lead you and how He will work through you!

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Victory

Shouts of jubilation reverberated around the world. People left their homes and workplaces to dance together in crowded city streets, cheering and singing together. It didn’t matter if they knew each other or not; everyone was united at heart. After so much loss, after so much hardship, the fierce fight for freedom had finally brought reason to rejoice: the war in Europe was over.

Yesterday, May 8th, was V-E Day – the date the western world celebrates achieving Victory in Europe at the close of WWII. After war officials signed the instrument of surrender in Berlin, the news went forth via radio airwaves, newspapers, telegrams, and word of mouth. The Allies erupted in victorious exultation.

As believers in Christ, we are involved in our own battles. Some are personal: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me” (Romans 7:18-20).

A Servant's Heart

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” Abraham Lincoln

I cherish my mother. She is everything a mother ought to be: patient, gentle, and loving (Galatians 5:22-23). As a child, I watched as she rose in the dark every morning with my dad so she could make him breakfast and lunch before he left for work. While I got ready for school, I knew that if I opened Mom’s bedroom door, I would find her sitting in her rocking chair, studying her Bible, and praying. She diligently washed the laundry, cleaned the house, grocery shopped, and paid bills. Every evening, she cooked dinner for our family to enjoy together. She managed our home with the grace of a queen and the humility of Job.

As I grew up, my relationship with her deepened. She became not just my mother, but my friend, my confidante, and my kindred spirit. We’ve traveled the world together, making memories that I will hold dear for the rest of my life. I see Christ shining through her (II Corinthians 4:6) and working in her (Philippians 2:13). She is an incredible example of a godly woman, living out scripture on a day-to-day basis (James 1:22). She is an encourager (I Thessalonians 5:11). She is a peacemaker (Romans 14:19). Above all, she possesses the heart of a servant (Philippians 2:3-4). I am blessed and honored to be her child.

Here are some treasures God has to say about mothers:

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” – Deuteronomy 4:9-10

“Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.” – Leviticus 19:3

“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” – Proverbs 1:8-9

“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.” – Proverbs 6:20-22

“Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.” – Proverbs 23:25

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” – Proverbs 31:28

“As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you…” – Isaiah 66:13
 
“Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” – Ephesians 6:2-3

Mother’s Day is quickly on its way. Before you rush out to buy a card or gift, take a minute to reflect. What has your mother (or mother figure) meant to you in your life?

Be Still

It was a glorious day. The sun gently warmed the calm air. A black swan drifted lazily in the water. A tranquil breeze unfurled the flag proudly stationed on top of a turret. The still moat reflected the shape of the stone castle above it.

We like comfort. We like knowing we’re safe, at our leisure to do whatever our heart desires at the very moment we desire to do it. Most of us probably feel safe in our own homes. Security companies can even install alarm systems to increase the level of protection we feel. In ages past, wealthy nobility fortified themselves in castles for safety. Aspects of castle life that now seem enchanting were originally intended to protect the residents. Moats, drawbridges, and turrets were all designed to make the castle a place of refuge in case enemies attacked.

When “enemies” come your way, where is your refuge? Where do you turn for help? For comfort? For security? In our humanity, we tend to look for these things from friends or family, or even some negative sources on which we have become reliant.

The Bible tells us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3). No matter what troubles we are facing, God will be there to help, strengthen, and protect us.

Psalm 91:2 says, “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” For God to actually be our refuge, we need to trust Him. “In God I will praise His Word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear…” (Psalm 56:4). We can let go of whatever fears hold us captive, whatever stress is in our lives, and “cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).

God wants to alleviate our burdens. He wants us to rely on His strength to sustain us through difficult times. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” How beautiful it is that God desires for us to relinquish our troubles, quiet our hearts, and focus on Him.

It’s quite pleasant to picture the luxury of “being still” inside a castle surrounded by stunning scenery. Where is a quiet place where you can spend uninterrupted time focused on God, praying and reading His Word?

This week’s blog was inspired by April 26th’s reading from Through the Bible in a Year, a Bible reading guide offered free of charge by Family Radio.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning. Most people groan before diving into such a chore. Others detest it so intensely that they procrastinate doing it until the following year. Some ignore the idea of it altogether. Not me. I love to organize, sort, and clean. It brings me satisfaction to purge things I don’t need from my life, and reprioritize the things that actually help me live life and bring me joy on a day-to-day basis.

While “cleanliness is indeed next to godliness” is a quote from evangelist John Wesley and not the Bible, God isn’t silent on the topic. Genesis 2:15 says, “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” He also spends several chapters in the book of Leviticus defining for the Israelites what it means for a person to be clean or unclean. Throughout the Bible, God uses the term “unclean” to refer to something that is displeasing to Him, whereas “clean” symbolizes righteousness (II Corinthians 7:1).

In John 15:2-3, Jesus says, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” In other words, God gets rid of unfruitful branches, and prunes the good ones so they will become even more useful.

Of course, God isn’t merely referring to gardening; He’s comparing pruning branches with the Holy Spirit sanctifying believers. God used Paul to say, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid…” (Romans 6:1-2). The Holy Spirit prunes sin out of our hearts so that we can grow in Him (Galatians 5:22-23). God is, in essence, cleaning.

God uses another example to help us understand His cleansing work in our hearts. Deuteronomy 30:6 says, “And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” God is literally cutting away the clutter in our hearts.

Sin, or uncleanliness, keeps us from God. Isaiah 59:2 says, “but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Thankfully, God works to remove that separation to restore us to a right relationship with Him. Through God’s cleansing work, we can experience His joy daily (Psalm 16:11).

Do you need to allow God to do a “spring cleaning” in your heart so that “thou mayest live”?