Pastor's Blog

A Plate Set for You!

“So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet. 2 Samuel 9:13

One of the most beautiful stories portraying the covenant kindness of God demonstrated to those who do not feel they have any worth or purpose in this world, is found in the story of David’s receiving Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, at his table at court. Second Samuel 4:4 tells us that upon hearing the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death upon Mt. Gilboa during an Philistine-Israeli conflict, Mephibosheth was injured as his nurse hurriedly sought safety for she and the child.

Afterwards, Mephibosheth was raised by a Machir ben-Ammiel during which he grew up and was married and with a son of his own, at which time David called him to come and live at his estate in Jerusalem and eat “continually” at his table. David even restored all of Mephibosheth’s property to him and invited his servant Ziba and his family to live there also. But notice Mephibosheth’s response to David when he first arrives as found in Second Samuel 9: 8: “What is your servant that you should regard a dead dog like me.”

Mephibosheth’s life had been one of trial and difficulty, and now he couldn’t imagine compassion of this nature show to anyone, let alone himself. But, praise be to who shows us the same covenant loving kindness that David showed Mephibosheth no matter our place or state in life! Whether a physical or spiritual affliction, in Christ, we are all welcome to God’s table where we will find a plate waiting for us to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Prayerfully read 2 Samuel 9:1-13 for the complete encounter between David and Mephibosheth and invite God to use this encounter to change the way you view the partaking of Holy Communion at your church. P.L.

The Battle is Not Yours!

“And (Jahaziel) said, ‘Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” 2 Chronicles 20:15
Jehoshaphat was the King of Judah in ancient days. Historically, three armies: Moab, Ammon, and Edom planned to go to war with him. When these three armies were about fifty miles from Jerusalem, a group of lookouts came and reported to the king of the impending battle to take place. After Jehoshaphat received this disturbing news, he didn’t get rattled; instead, he called on the people of Judah to join him in prayer and fasting.
During Jehoshaphat’s prayer, the Bible says the Spirit of the Lord came upon a man named Jahaziel who told the king to stand still, be brave, and wait to see the victory the Lord would provide in His perfect way! Read the full story in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, and make note of not only the miraculous manner in which God defeated these armies who had come against His leader and His people, but also make a list of all the ways in which God confirmed His character and His presence to king and country in their time of crisis!
How important it is for us to admit, like Jehoshaphat that we are powerless in the face of a current or impending crisis while also remembering that our God is all powerful and completely sovereign to handle the situation! When I have truly waited on the Lord in a difficult situation in my ministry and not tried to do it myself, I have been amazed over and over as to the simplicity of God’s taking care of the situation and the peace I have afterwards. Pastor Louie

Adventurous Abraham

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8

Genesis 12:1 reads, “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you.” Historically, Abraham originally received the call to leave his hometown and his family and go to the place where God would show him, when he was living in Ur of the Babylonians. From there he would travel with his father, Terah, his nephew Lot, and his wife, Sarah to Haran where God would reiterate that call, and then, down to Canaan, the land of promise where God would establish a land, a seed (in Christ), and a people. There, at Abraham’s point of arrival, he would be the father of the Jewish nation and God’s promise to him would be fulfilled in all the children of God through Christ that were to come!

But the master key that unlocks Abraham’s faith in God’s not only directing him along the way, but also empower his life with joy, peace, and adventure is what the Hebrew writes expresses in Chapter Eleven, verse 8, “…and he(Abraham) went out, not knowing where he was going.” Can you imagine that-to start each new day as a Christian with this kind of trust in God! Letting Him direct you completely! Praise God for Abraham’s example of spontaneous faith! Likewise, may you be refreshed in God like Adventurous Abraham! Pastor Louie

Men Who Pray

“The effective (fervent) prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” NASB Translation, James 5:16

I have a dear friend in Arcadia by the name of Charles Dirr who once said to me, “Reverend Mabrey, remember, it is impossible to stumble when you’re on your knees.” Over the years, from my grandfather and father to such men as: Uncle Herman, Pastor Milton, Rick, Dr. Mercer my seminary professor, and the loving men of Trinity UM Church where I currently serve as pastor, God has raised up men to pray for me; men who prayed through for a breakthrough in my life.

Men, whose prayers, kept my feet from stumbling, kept me on the right path with God through the working of the Holy Spirit, and gave me a renewed sense of the marvelous grace of God that not only has forgiven my sin, but daily draws me closer to the love of God has for me in Jesus Christ! When James says, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” he is literally saying, “The energized (working) prayer of a righteous man energizes (worketh) much!” Be thankful today for the men of prayer (known and unknown), who have not given up in prayer for you, that God has placed in your life.
Pastor Louie