Ebenezer Congregational

                Church

"The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" Daniel 4:30

As of November sixth we will have participated in the American process of governing this country.  We will have cast our votes for political office and we will have helped make policy through our votes for or against proposed changes in what will be the law of the land.  Many have been in prayer for the process and this is right to do so as the Lord says "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn form their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14).

You see, sometimes we may think the answer is in how the election process turns out.  Is this the answer to our problems? It is not.  In fact, the way it turns out could lead us further from the Lords desire for us.  Somehow by being involved in the process, if the result is what we voted for, we like Nebuchadnezzar, can take on this prideful attitude that the results are because of what we did.  We, by our works, cannot boast in that.  Whether our nation prospers, or fails, will only be decided by the Lord himself.

What is important is that we continue to pray and through honest communication with God, we are humbled to confess our pride and sin and to declare our dependence on Him.  This great country does not have the constitution as its foundation nor is it built upon American spirit.  Rather, what this nation will be is solely dependent on whether or not we truly, in our hearts, believe we are one nation under God.

In dependence,

Pastor Dave

"...evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.  I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor." Psalm 140:11b-12

The autumn season is my favorite time of the year.  I love the dramatic change of colors, the crisp, cool evenings, and I appreciate more the warmth of the sun as it seems softer and more welcoming.  All of that being said, the main reason is that I love to hunt.  The pursuit of wild game in their environment is an activity I find very rewarding.  The harvest of the game I'm hunting is equally fulfilling.  All those of my family have come to appreciate and enjoy the fruits of the harvest in jerky, sausage, pepperoni, burgers and grilled steaks.  It is not only delicious but very healthy eating.

The opinion of the hunted, however, is much different.  I have often observed the very nervous actions that game animals present, always on high alert to the potential dangers presented by those who would hunt them, always on guard knowing this could be their day!

David shows that those who live by the sword are always in danger of dying by the sword and have no rest.  In contrast, the Lord protects those who put their trust by faith in Him.  The fact that he writes this truth while being hunted by King Saul shows us the magnificent truth of God's ability to see us through the difficulties of this life.  Even though we have an adversary that goes about as a lion hunting prey, we need not fear but rest in the grace of Jesus Christ because He is sufficient for the evil of the day.

In Christ alone,

Pastor David

“And has borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.” Revelations 2:3

In the verse preceding this, Jesus says, “I know they works and thy labuour and thy patience.” What a great thought, that Jesus takes note of what we do for the Kingdom and for the sake of glorifying His name.

September third we will acknowledge those who work. The Bible is clear that we are to be productive. Work is in fact an ethic, something that ought to be. The Lord’s command to work six days and rest one does our bodies and minds and spirits good. We, like God, are to produce that which is good. The Lord said at the close of each day of creation that it was good, in fact the last day it was very good. What He works at is good and produces of and in itself goodness. This is what ought to be (ethics).

God’s plan for you is to be a laborer for Him, to produce that which glorifies Him and builds up the church. Ephesians 1:10 says we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. My desire for each of us is that we will be acknowledged for our good works, not by people, but by the one for whom we labor. To labor for Christ is to love Christ. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments”.

As your Pastor, I am very thankful for you labor of love, in and outside the church. How it thrills me to hear of an act of love in serving Jesus by spending yourself for Him and those He loves. So with that, I say Happy Labor Day, and keep up the good work.

Together in Christ,

/s/ Pastor David

"For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth ad bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eather. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55: 10, 11

As I write this we still have seen no significant moisture. We know that God sends rain upon the just and the unjust alike, that He is the One who sends rain and snow. Living in an arid part of the country as this, we should recognize our absolute need and gratitude for His moisture. The Lord, however, is using rain to teach us about His word....how we need His word and also what we do with His word. As rain falls on hard packed soil or pavement, there is little value because it is not absorbed. This is true of our hearts and minds as well. You can die of thirst in a lake full of water if you never take it in and allow it to hydrate your body tissue. I remember someone on the radio saying, "It's not enough to read the Word of God, it's not enough to know the Word of God, we must live the Word of God!" Letting God's voice penetrate your life and bring about growth and maturity to bring glory to God accomplishes that which pleases Him. That which you thirst for you have in your Bible....read it, learn it, live it!

In His Word,

/s/ Pastor David