Sunday, January 28, 2007

The LORD's Day, January 28, 2007

Overflowing With God’s Goodness
Psalm 63

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods

David was going through some tough times. He tells of his condition in verse one:
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Some group of men was seeking to take his life. (v.9) David seems to have this problem of people being jealous of him and envious of God’s favor upon him since his youth.

Look at the exchange between him and his brothers in I Samuel 17.28-30. This happens today. Men are jealous of the anointing of God upon a person. Those who are anointed for special service are often pursued and others seek to bring them down. I am astounded at the criticism Billy Graham has had to endure. I remember back in Bible College (in the 70's) questions being raised and then his finances and coming out clean. I remember back a few years ago a couple of people in the church here criticizing him. I thought, “I’m done. If they find fault with Billy Graham, I don’t stand a chance coming close to satisfying them.” I was right. They soon left Dwight L. Moody was criticized by a lady. She said, “I don’t like the way you win people to the LORD.” Moody responded, “Neither do I. How do you do it?” She replied, “I don’t know. I don’t win people to the LORD.” Moody replied, “In that case I like my way better.”

These things were wearing David out. People tearing you down has an effect on you sooner or later. David was about to faint from his circumstances.

He knew where to go. He knew where to look. Sadly many people don’t. Many souls turn to artificial means, the world’s stimulants or a human relationship (the knight in shining armor or the princess who kisses frogs- all fairy tales ). David looked to the LORD.

He knew what to do. He cried out to God. He sought the LORD. He prayed. He diligently looked for the God.

All who have gone through a time of difficulty like this can attest to the utter thirst to have their souls refreshed and renewed. David was there too. He confesses the condition of his soul. He doesn’t go into great detail in the Psalms of who the people are that are afflicting him. He simply tells that they are and gives little hints about what the trouble is.

Early in this Psalm he tells how his soul is in thirst. (v.1)

The emotions of David are down. He is drained. He is in great need. He has reached the end of his own resources. The man himself is close to passing out.

It is noteworthy that as David prays and seeks the LORD in his troubles God begins to deliver him emotionally and mentally. Often this happens to the man or woman of faith. Before the deliverance or intervention of he LORD comes, the LORD begins to lift their spirit. We see this process and progress in verses 2 thru 4.

* I have seen You work

* Your love is better than the springtime

* I am surrendered to You Your plan, Your will, Your purposes.

By the time we get to verse 5 David is already thinking about having his soul restored and his cup overflowing.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods


When we got through difficult times like David was going through we can have hope as he did that our souls will be fulfilled.

1. David describes this blessing in terms of food.

I remember when I was a kid at this time of the year growing up in Bellmore. We lived in Cape Cod and when you entered the side door you came right into the kitchen. We would play outside on those cold winter days and we would come in just before dinner. Often my mom had spaghetti cooking and we could smell it and we would say stuff like, “We are starving ” The steam would fill the room and the flavor of everything cooking. My mom would say, “Go wash up and it will be ready in a few minutes.” We would wash and wait for it to be done. Again we would ask, “How much longer? ” “Just a couple of minutes,” my mom would answer. We would respond, “We can’t wait We’re starving ” This is what David was experiencing in his soul. Then we would eat. Oh did it taste good. Mom would ask if we wanted more when we cleaned our plate. We ate until we were full. Sometimes we would be stuffed. David is talking about this experience in his soul. His cup running over. His soul is satisfied.

In the summer we would experience a different phenomenon. We would go fishing. We would leave early in the morning and fish all day sometimes. We’d bring sandwiches but back then (the days before juice boxes) we didn’t bring drinks. By afternoon we would be so thirsty. Our mouths would just be longing for water or something like lemonade or iced tea. We could not wait to get home to get something to quench the thirst. It was almost unbearable.

David speaks here of his emotions being at that point. He was emotionally drained and emotionally starving. He thirsted for God’s presence. He knew he was the only one Who could satisfy all the longing in his soul. He had the LORD restore His soul before. He even wrote about it in Psalm 23. He restores my soul. Yet this experience even goes beyond restoration. David is speaking of more.
He is talking about an overflowing experience... more like “My cup overflows”

He is talking about being filled, to have one's fill of (have desire satisfied). He is talking about to have in excess when it comes to his soul being satisfied by the LORD. God does at times overwhelm us as we walk with Him.

Remember when Jesus fed the 5,000. It speaks of the effect of the food Jesus multiplied. When they all had enough bread and fish to eat means they were glutted. They were stuffed. David is saying that God is going to over flow his soul.

2. David is so confident that this will happen.

He speaks of it without any doubt.
Mark 11:23 I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.”

We are told to aks the same way when it comes to wisdom.
James 1:5-7 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

I believe the LORD wants us all to live like this man after His own heart. We go through difficult times, dry times, but we know the LORD. We know His power. We know His love for us as His children and faith rises up in our heavenly Father to come through for us.

I remember over some years ago when my daughter Tonya was in college in Pennsylvania. Time came for the first break and snow arrived that same day classes were out. I left and what was normally a three hour drive became a six hour one. Snow and ice and fog came. It was treacherous. I got ice so think on my windshield wipers that It was no longer cleaning off the windshield. To stop on the interstate was not only dangerous but at that point nearly impossible. I ended up looking through a little spot no bigger than my fist. Across I-80 I went. 30 mph. Trucks off to the side. When I finally arrived in WilkesBarre, Tonya said, “All my friends (they were from the Philadelphia area) told me you wouldn’t make it. Their parents didn’t come because of the weather. But I told them my dad will be here. I know he will make it ” It ended up being a great evening for both of us. She had confidence in her dad. She knew I loved her and wanted her to come home.

He talks about giving God praise after the fact.

3. He speaks of other blessings coming as well.
6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.- You are always with me As he woke up in the night he was thinking about the LORD’s love and care for him.

7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. God’s protection.

8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. I’m sticking with God. I’m following Him closely. He is the One Who satisfies all the longings of my soul.

9 They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. 10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. God’s judgement will come and when it does it will be righteous.

11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced. David knew in the end God would vindicate him. He didn’t have to defend himself. The LORD was his defender. We can defend ourselves but God does so much of a better job of it. His way is perfect

Jesus told us that in this world you will have trouble. This is a truth. Mark it down. We will experience things like David did from time to time. We will encounter dry spots in our walk toward heaven. There will be times when our soul will experience hunger.

Jesus also told us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world! He will fill our souls as with the richest of foods. He will fill our hearts with His Word- eternal things. He will let us at times see the reasons for our dry times and our times of hunger. He is the Great Shepherd and He will lead us home!

If this morning you find yourself going through a time like this, may hope arise in your soul! May you remember He is faithful to all His promises and that He never fails. May your heart rejoice in Him. May this Psalm become reality in your life.


God Will Take Care of You!

----------------------------------------------------------
The LORD’s Day
January 28, 2007
We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
Overflowing With God’s Goodness Psalm 63

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.
V
This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 64-67
Monday- Men’s Prayer Meeting- 6:30am
Wednesday- Bible Study- 7:30pm at the parsonage Psalm 64-67
Thursday- Bible Study- 10:30am at the church Psalm 64-47
Next Lord’s Day-
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children) The LORD’s Supper
Spanish Service- 4pm


In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq recently sustained injuries. Pray for his safety. Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s as she continues the radiation and Pastor’s friend Rudy undergoing radiation as well.
***********************************
*A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503
*If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see Alice Gordon.



Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
Overflowing With God’s Goodness
Psalm 63



Pastor’s messages are now available on the Internet
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/

Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God

Sunday, January 21, 2007

The LORD's Day, January 21, 2007

God, Our Help
Psalm 59.16-17

16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
17 O my Strength, I sing praise to You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God

When trouble comes what do we do? So often exactly what are told not to do- we fret. We are not too different than children who seem at times to do exactly opposite of what their parents tell them. I remember hearing a story about a father who was going out on a dinner date with his wife and as he was leaving the children with their babysitter said, “Now kids don’t go sticking any beans up your noses.” After they had arrived at the restaurant they got a call from the babysitter in the emergency room. Would you like to guess what she was doing there?

After we have worn ourselves out from fretting then we begin to think of ways we can get out of the trouble we are in. After that doesn’t work we get depressed or we pray. But this pattern doesn’t have to continue.

In Psalm 59, David’s life was being threatened. There was a hit team near his house to take him out. What do you do when you back is against the wall and there is no way out?

1. Sing

The idea here of singing is strolling with song- singing about life’s walk. So many songs we relate to come right out of that concept.

Singing- Dr. Granger Westburg, University of Chicago, (Lutheran Pastor and the first minister to ever be appointed to the University of Chicago’s Medical School- in fact Dr. Mucci had him as a professor when he was a student there) spoke at Good Sam years ago and I remember him talking about the physical benefits of congregational singing. He said that singing was like exercise, it releases endorphins (peptide hormones that bind to opiate receptors and are found mainly in the brain). Endorphins reduce the sensation of pain and affect emotions. Endorphins act as neurotransmitters in the pain pathways of the brain and spinal cord. Besides behaving as a pain reducer, endorphins are also thought to be connected to euphoric feelings.

Scientists had suspected that analgesic opiates, such as morphine and heroin, worked effectively against pain because the body had receptors that were activated by such drugs. They reasoned that these receptors probably existed because the body itself had natural painkilling compounds that also bonded to those receptors. When scientists in the 1970s isolated a biochemical from a pituitary gland hormone that showed analgesic properties, Choh Li, a chemist from Berkeley, California, named it endorphin, meaning the morphine within”.

Singing releases endorphins and our spirits are lifted.

The LORD has given us songs in our hearts and we should sing aloud to Him. Make music. God’s men who sang at difficult times: David, Paul and Silas (Acts 16), Habbakuk 3.17-19


Sing of God’s Strength. His Mighty God. He is the LORD God Almighty. When we are in need of help it is good to sing of His Strength.
O God Our Help In ages past Our hope in years to come (Remember)
You’re my strength, my help, my shield

Sing of God’s Love. It is so good to remind ourselves of His love as we sing to Him
*In the morning as we begin the day there may be troubling things around us but singing of God’s love as the day begins is good.

Sing praise to God
This is not singing about Him. This is singing to Him. I can talk about how much I love Lucy to you and I do but there are different words spoken when I tell her. When we talk sing about God we sing wonderful things but when we sing to God we speak intimately, we share things just between us.

In our times when we need help, we are given the example of David of worshiping the LORD. Let’s draw near to Him. Let’s tell Him how much we love Him. Let’s stroll back over our life and recount the times when He has proven Himself to be faithful to us. It will lift our spirit and strengthen our hearts. It will encourage us.

Let’s leave that time of intimate worship and stroll on through our lives singing as we go.


Keep These Truths (from these verses) Hidden In Your Heart


2. God is Our Strength
God is mighty. He can anything. Nothing is too difficult for Him. He prevails.

He can do anything. When a person has been ill I have seen God heal them. It is a wonderful thing to watch. What a thrill to see Jesus take over and go beyond what the doctors had hoped for. It is also interesting that when this has happened people generally do not move closer to the LORD

I have watched as people have been prayed over and they die. It seems that in a believer’s death there is more drawing closer to the LORD. He keeps us by His power in the hour of death and sorrow and grief in wonderful ways- ways too wonderful for words

He is our strength when we receive disheartening or shocking news. He strengthens us. He keeps us. We may feel like we can’t go on but Jesus keeps us strong. He strengthens our hearts. Deep within we receive the power to be faithful and go on.
Even in this time we are in. As we watch moral decay moving across our nation, we are strengthened for each day. I certainly do not want to minimize it as many are doing today. These are indeed troublesome times. In this time of sifting Jesus is praying that our faith will not fail and it has not failed


3. God is Our Fortress

Fortress means a high place, refuge, secure height, retreat, a stronghold

When we pray and seek the LORD in times of difficulty very often He lifts our spirits. We feel safe from the trouble. We sense security. He is with us. Communing with Him is a pulling back from the battle to regroup and get refreshed.

The LORD protects us from what would overwhelm us and render us useless. We have a great need of Him as we walk with Him. In these days of spiritual battle, intense spiritual warfare, how we need Him We need him as our Fortress. I am amazed at how Satan has come and sifted out so many these days. It is heart breaking to see someone who once served the LORD put on the shelf, taken out of the battle.

We need to retreat to the LORD regularly. Herein is a dilemma. Since the spiritual needs today are so great, we can become weighted down with them. The very places of service if we are not careful can become a place of defeat. We need to pray and read the Word of God for our own edification and strengthening. Failure to do that leaves us weak and vulnerable.

Regularly we need to find that quiet place as well as the quiet time. Do you have places you can go to where you can meet with God? Places primarily for just that?
David did. He had several of them. We know of two definite places. Jesus did as well. We know of several. The Garden of Gethsemene was one. John 18.1 When He had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and He and his disciples went into it. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. The disciples frequently met with the LORD in the Garden. I doubt if these were strategy sessions. I don’t think these were Long Range Planning sessions or board meetings. They talked about their lives. They retreated for rest and renewal. Jesus knew them and He knows us. We need from time to time to pull away from everything and everyone and spend time with the Master

How great a need that is today! We battle with the world, our own flesh and the devil and we need time to be still and know He is God. I am coming to understand that if we don’t have some quiet place to retreat to (and it can be right in our own homes) that we will eliminate much of God showing us a and our knowing He is God.



4. God is Our Refuge In Times of Trouble
Refuge means flight, place of escape.

We flee to the LORD. We move rapidly toward a place of being alone with Him. If we cannot be alone we commune with Him as if we were alone. We worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Particularly this has refers to times of trouble:
narrow, tight spots where we feel pressure from without. Places of straits, distress. Things are happening around us that cause us to like we are going to be overwhelmed. These are places of spiritual stress. Anxiety can come in we are not careful. We can, in these times, let our minds get carried away and begin to imagine the worst. God help us We can even be guilty of the 10 spies who brought a bad report.

The adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor can push on our hearts if we do not take refuge in God and we can fail in our faith. Yes things are horrific today. But God is all powerful and He can do anything He was going to destroy Ninevah but He changed His mind when they repented.

5. God Loves You.

When you are in trouble recall His goodness, kindness, faithfulness to you He is the same. He does not change He will continue to be loving to you David reminds of this in this Psalm. He is my loving God

Jesus was willing to be reproached for us. He went to the cross. No greater love has any man than this that He would lay down His life for His friends.

My prayer for you is the same as Paul , the apostle’s prayer for the Church At Ephesus: Ephesians 3.16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.


God is our Help

Sing

Remember He is our Strength, Our Fortress, Our Refuge

He Loves You
**********************************************************
The LORD’s Day
January 21, 2007
We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
God Our Help Psalm 59.16-17

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.
V
This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 61-63
Monday- Men’s Prayer Meeting- 6:30am
Wednesday- Bible Study- 7:30pm at the parsonage Psalm 58-63
Thursday- Bible Study- 10:30am at the church Psalm 61-63
Next Lord’s Day-
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm


In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq recently sustained injuries. Pray for his safety. Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s as she continues the radiation and Pastor’s friend Rudy undergoing radiation as well.
***********************************
*A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503
*If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see Alice Gordon.


Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
God Our Help
Psalm 59.16-17






Pastor’s messages are now available on the Internet
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/

Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
(Church Phone: 631-969-1730
*1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God

Thursday, January 11, 2007

January 14, 2007

The LORD’s Day
January 14, 2007

We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
John Mercurio

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.
V
This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 58-60
Wednesday- Bible Study- 7:30pm at the parsonage
Thursday- Bible Study- 10:30am at the parsonage
Both Studies on Psalm 58-60
Next Lord’s Day-
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm

In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, Jake Morgan, Pastor’s cousin’s son has returned safely from Iraq!, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq. Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter in need of healing
***********************************
Thank You So Much
Lucy and I want to thank you for the beautiful card each of you signed. What a wonderful surprise Your notes were so meaningful. We were overwhelmed by the amount of the love gift. God bless you I am continually blessed to be the pastor of this flock. What a privilege to serve the LORD in this place and time As we journey into 2007 together we do so with joy and anticipation of what the LORD will do this year.
Love and Prayers,
Pastor and Lucy


Looking Ahead
*A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503
======================
Thank you John for filling in this morning. Pastor and Lucy are at Pastor’s father’s 80th Birthday
Celebration today. Today is his actual birthday.

Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:




Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
(Church Phone: 631-969-1730
*1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Thanks for coming by! Below is the bulletin and then the message.

My hope and prayer is that the LORD will use what is on this blog for His Glory and the spiritual growth of all who come here.


God bless you today!


The LORDs Day

January 7, 2007


We Worship In Singing

We Worship In Receiving the LORD’s Supper

We Worship In Hearing the Word of God

Jordan River Memorial Stones Joshua 4.1-9

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*

Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.

V


This Week

Bible Reading Psalm 58-60

Next Lords Day-

Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement

Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)

Spanish Service- 4pm


In Your Prayers For All of Gods People

Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujolds grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, Jake Morgan, Pastors cousins son in Iraq, Ken Brown, Pastors friends son on his third tour of Iraq. Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families this Christmas. Praise God for keeping David Louis and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Odette Wuytack who went to home to be with Jesus the morning after Christmas. Please keep them all in prayer in these days of sorrow and grief. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter in need of healing

***********************************

Thank You So Much!!!Lucy and I want to thank you for the beautiful card each of you signed. What a wonderful surprise! Your notes were so meaningful. We were overwhelmed by the amount of the love gift. God bless you! I am continually blessed to be the pastor of this flock. What a privilege to serve the LORD in this place and time! As we journey into 2007 together we do so with joy and anticipation of what the LORD will do this year.

Love and Prayers,

Pastor and Lucy


Looking Ahead

*A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503


-------------------------------------------------------------


Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:

Jordan River Memorial Stones

Joshua 4.1-9


Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com

(Church Phone: 631-969-1730

*1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God!



Jordan River Memorial Stones

Joshua 4.1-9

It seems that the LORD had Joshua write the book that bears his name for New Year’s Messages. There are so many message for the New Year that come out of it.

This morning we are going to talk about stones- Memorial stones. I have stones which have I have kept because they mean something: Fire Island, Dead Sea, Montauk Point, Pikes Peak.

These stones had great significance. Israel was moving into the land God swore to them. It was, as we have seen and will see, a tremendous history lesson. We tend to forget where we have come from. The men and women who are able to remember seldom get puffed up. They are kept humble by remembering their origins.

The LORD is interested in us staying connected to the things He did for us as He has brought us along the way, thus The Jordan River Memorial Stones.

This nation had a mixed blessing-tragedy filled past. Disobedience and unbelief had dominated the previous generation. The trek across the Sinai was disastrous for the generation for the ones that preceded the ones alive in Joshua- only two made it in. There were times when God delivered them and preserved them during their travels- like daily! Yet they rebelled against Him. They all died out in the wilderness.

Now the new generation is coming into the land but here Joshua following the LORD’s directions had them do something to memorialize this event. God had intervened and precautions were being taken against the nation forgetting it.


1. This Memorial was done through the family. vs.1-4

Twelve men, one from each tribe, participated. This action alone would bring this nation back to its roots. It began as a family. It was an interesting one- they all had the same father- Jacob-Israel. However because this man was a heel grasper - a supplanter there were 4 different mothers for this family. He reaped what he sowed.

Fractured and messed up as they were (and we are) God still works through families. Each tribe represented a son of all of Jacob/Israel’s children. These were their descendants. These twelve men touched every part of the whole nation.

A man from each tribe, at this momentous time, the nation was being summoned back to its humble beginnings.

Hosea 9.10a When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.

God, through this act of having these memorial stones picked up, was bringing them back to their early days as a nation, when they were just a family.

It is good for our nation, the USA, to go back to its formative years at Plymouth Rock. It is good for us to go to Philadelphia, visit Betsy Ross’ home and see that indeed we began as 13 little colonies as the flag she made tells. We are the world’s lone superpower but it is good for us to go back occasionally, in our minds to remember when we were a small group of people scattered up and down the nation’s east seaboard.

It is good for us as a church to remember we didn’t always have a building to meet in, to think about the time when we began on Smith Street as a store front... grapes in the desert... It is good for us as the Church of Jesus Christ to remember read the Book of Acts and remember when we didn’t even have a store front to meet in, to see what they were engaged in and to continue in it.

It is good for us as individuals to remember difficult times, times when we were struggling to make ends meet, when a trip to the department store was a lot less rare then it is today and we got only what we absolutely needed when we went.

It was good for Israel -this large nation, about to move into an abundant land- a land of wonder- to be brought back to the time when it was a family.


2. The Essence of these stones was an object lesson v.5-7

v.6 a sign= a distinguishing mark- These stones were pulled out of the muddy bed of the Jordan at its flood stages (of course God had dried it up) to have the people remember what happened on this site. This was not a widespread practice but when engaged it showed its significance. God moved in this place on behalf of His people.

The sign was to distinguish the place, bring the event to their minds and hearts. It was to serve as warning- the memorial was to warn the people how God had told them in Deuteronomy to remember. It warned them of what could have happened if God was not with them. It let them know God spared their lives and that they need Him. It spoke of His amazing power and work.

Children with inquisitive minds and seeking hearts will raise questions. Take this as an opportunity to give out spiritual truth. We miss the mark so much here. I remember praying with my nephews when they were old under 12, out in the part of my parents’ property. When I said, "Amen," and opened my eyes they were all just staring at me )like I had lobsters coming out of my ears).

At the root of the Hebrew word stone was the idea to build. One of the things- an indispensable thing- is that one of the things that build up a soul or a family or a nation and a church is the appreciation for the miracles and wonders God has done personally for them.

What doe these stones mean? For us God’s intervention! In the 1960's Sunrise Highway was being expanded to accommodate what was then the fastest growing area in the country, Suffolk County, Long Island. Disney World was still a dream of Walter, our president was Lyndon Johnson and much of our property was being confiscated by New York State. We had a building fund, we had the sale of the what was left of the property and we had money from the state to compensate our loss. We also got a pastor who was a frugal general contractor and we built this building without any help from the bank- cash! God was in control.

These Jordan River Memorial stones were to be a memorial for the people of Israel forever. They were to serve as reminder, to recall, to be thought of Every time they saw them they would remember their history- their formative years when they were but 12 sons.


3. Obedience is good for everyone- even future generations! v. 8-9

Look at where these stones came from -v.8

From the middle of the Jordan

When you are in deep waters, remember that God can part them! v.9

When you are surrounded by problems, when you come to challenging times, remember where the priests who carried the ark stood and remember what was in that ark!

1- Manna - God will provide for our daily needs even to the point of raining down bread from heaven. (George Muller, the orphanage and the broken down bread truck)

2- The Law- God reigns. His law are in affect.

3- Aaron’s Rod- God is all powerful. He can do anything. He will use what is in your hand!

These stones were taken right from where the priests stood who carried the ark of the covenant. God makes promises and He keeps them! He never fails. He is faithful and true! You can trust in Him always! They were taken from where the river had flown and flowed again.

What were they to do with these Jordan River Memorial Stones?

Carry the over on their shoulders (v.5)

Put them down- place them in a permanent place, so conspicuous that children would ask what the meaning of them were.

God could have picked these stones up and set them there- after all He can do anything! Why put man through all this "trouble". It is interesting what we perceive as trouble may be great things!

God wants our hand in His Hand as He works.

He wants our hand in His Work.

He wants this for our good,- He doesn’t need our help.

He wants our hand but He is after our heart- for us to love Him Supremely!

Let the memorials of God working in your life stand. (v.9)

Keep them.

Talk about them.

Explain them.

Pass it on.

Don’t forget the past times of God working miracles in your family! Talk about these things with grandchildren and great grand children and nieces and nephews and cousins’ children. No one else can tell the next generation and the one after them and the ones after them like you can- it is your "His- story".

Tell them!