Ebenezer Family Church

I've found that during the middle of the year, people lose steam. We experience a lack of energy and enthusiasm as we settle down into our dry routine day after day. This is exactly the kind of life described by the Preacher in Ecclesiastes: everything is vanity; everything is meaningless. That is a life without God..!

What's in a name? Well, in this case, quite a lot of prophecy in store for Israel! God gave this prophetic name to Isaiah's child to warn Israel of the coming Assyrian army. What lessons can we learn from this prophetic name meaning "quickly to the plunder"? Let's have a look!

Our natural instinct is to look down on young, foolish people and exalt older, wiser people. Two problems with that... young people can be wise; old people can be foolish! Rather, we should put aside these otherwise human conditions and set the example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

In this story, David shows extraordinary kindness to one of the last remaining members of Saul's household - just as God had shown extraordinary kindness to David. Let's learn a few lessons about being part of the chosen, living by faith, and showing kindness!

This question we tend to answer ourselves: who is Jesus? The truth is that we cannot know Jesus if we do not know the Father, for Jesus is not speaking anything new or different. Rather, He too is from the beginning.

Although Job's friends might have said some things that on the surface seemed true about God, He was very angry at their words. They had not represented the character of God accurately, no matter how small the issue might have seemed. We must be careful what we say about God!

The beautiful, abundant, and everlasting picture of unity that is painted in Psalm 133 is applicable to us. We are a kingdom of priests under the authority of our High Priest, Jesus. May we be united as God's chosen people!

Many people are "seekers", but few of these every find something. The Pharisees were seeking Jesus, but not because they knew Him or the Father. At the end of the day, we must remember the pinnacle of our faith: believing in Jesus. Above all else, do you really believe in Him?

We don't work well with sincere hearts out of duty, enjoyment, or anything else. Ultimately, we work with sincere hearts because we fear the Lord! All good things come from Him. So, when we work diligently, we acknowledge that our work is given to us by Him!

Jesus did not come to judge, to install a new system. He has been sent by the Father who bears witness about Him. These two agree in Truth (with a capital "T"). God is fundamental truth and part of this truth is the restored relationship we can have with OUR Father!

We lead very busy lives. Often, our moments of peace and quiet are just part of the schedule. We are not truly prepared or calm. This is no way to be with God. We must be prepared to be silent from worldly distractions, find perfect peace and calm in His presence, and focus on Him alone. That is when we truly understand what it is to hope in the Lord!

The Light brings forth biblical truth and exposes darkness. Jesus is this light. But the Pharisees are blind to it. Though they accuse Jesus of bearing witness about Himself, the Author of the Law is in every way qualified to do just that!

The most blessed thing is to be designated as one of God's chosen people. We should wake up, praise and glorify Him, and do so at all times in all places. You, servants of the Lord, come and bless His holy name!

All nations, all peoples, praise the Lord! His steadfast love and faithfulness is pledged to those who are in Christ. We are all part of the same body, the redeemed children of God. Praise the Lord!

Standing before God, her sin naked and exposed, the woman caught in adultery heard these words from the Judge: "I do not condemn you. Go, and sin no more". This woman deserved to be stoned, but the only one with the absolute right to cast the first stone offered grace instead. This is the experience of all those who have truly seen the light of Christ!

Shiphrah and Puah, although defying the order of the Pharaoh, acted righteously in the eyes of God. When faced with a difficult situation, they chose to do the right thing. Let's learn some lessons in standing for righteousness from these two midwives whose names are forever included in God's Word!

What seems like a harsh punishment for our modern perspective was a necessary judgement for the youths mocking Elisha: this is the Lord's anointed prophet! The judgement reserved for those who deny the Son will make what happened here seem insignificant.

Many people around the world celebrate Worker's Day. We should not forget that we work because our Creator works. Even without a job, we should still be working. Let's dedicate every day with all its glory to the Great Worker!

Honey is great! Too much of it is not so great... Enjoying the good things of life is is great! Enjoying them only for your own glory is not so great... Let's learn moderation, but let's also learn to do all things for GOD's glory!

"He is risen!" This should not only be our message during April, but every day of every month. That He is risen has great implications and meaning for our lives. Let's take a deeper dive into what His Resurrection means for us!

During Samuel's time, a special rock was named Ebenezer, meaning "thus far the Lord has helped us". When the Israelites returned to God, rid themselves of their idols, and committed to Him alone, He heard their cries and helped them. Let us not forget that the Lord is our rock of help. Return to Him, rid yourself of sin, and commit to living according to His ways!

Things might be going wrong for us. This is to be expected - whether we have purposefully acted wickedly, or even just as a result of the Fall. However, God's dealings with us are always righteous! When we cannot explain what's going on, we can know the God we serve!

To the people who did not know God, the twelve stones that the Israelites set up after crossing the Jordan meant nothing. To the people of God, they stood as a reminder of God's love and faithfulness. Now, Christ is our everlasting reminder that God loves us, forgives us, and has relationship with us!

A loving word here and there, be it encouragement or rebuke, is enough to restore a brother or sister in Christ. We are His instruments on earth; let's do our best to love and serve one another, and to help one another back onto the straight and narrow!

This Prayer of Jabez is little known outside of Bruce Wilkinson's book's namesake. However, this is not a charismatic calling card to prosperity. The prayer of Jabez is found in a much deeper context of living righteously and living for God. Let's explore this prayer in more detail!