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Posted on March 27, 2020 by beverlyeash

Jehoshaphat, terrified by the news that three armies were advancing against him, called the community to prayer and fasting. He appealed to God’s promise to hear and deliver the people when they were threatened by an enemy. He confessed they didn’t know what to do, but relied on God for help.

According to his promise, God heard and answered. He gave a Levite a battle strategy which the king adopted. In response to God’s faithfulness, the people fell to the ground and worshipped. The chronicler recorded it like this:

“We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”… {and} the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. He said, “Listen…this is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them … But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

2 Chronicles 20:12-17

And the next day, the people gathered to go out against the army just as they had been told. As they gathered, Jehoshaphat had two final words of instruction. Believe and praise!

Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm … the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”

2 Chronicles 20:20-21

Today as you take the next step in your quarantine journey, check your belief and gratitude meters. Do you believe in the Lord your God? Do you believe he is fighting for you?

How about the words of your mouth? Are you greeting each day with praise or pouting?

Perhaps the key to not just surviving this experience but soaring through it is found in 20:20. It reads like this:

20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

2 Chronicles 20:20

As the people began the journey to meet the advancing armies, their praise soared to the heavens. You will be so encouraged by what happens next!

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Posted on March 26, 2020 by beverlyeash

He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’

2 Chronicles 20:6-9

When faced with enemies threatening his nation, Jehoshaphat prayed. His prayer is instructive for us today when we face an enemy that we cannot see and cannot fight on our own.

He began by acknowledging God’s sovereignty and omnipotence. He put God in proper perspective with the enemy at hand. Essentially, he says, “God, you are bigger than this and I acknowledge your greatness. You are the big dog in this fight.”

Thought: who is the big dog in your mind? The chaos around you? The fear and anxiety? God, the creator of the world?

Once he acknowledges God’s rightful place, he calls to mind the promises of God. At the heart of what he says is this: “God, I am here because you told us to come when we face an enemy of any kind. You said you would hear us and rescue us. I am coming to collect on that promise.”

Thought: are you collecting on the promises of God to be with you, to shelter you, to provide for your needs?

Calming Activity

We all meditate on something every day. Too often, we don’t consciously choose what that will be; thoughts come and we invite them in to stay and have tea. Meditate is to “think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time … as a method of relaxation.” Choose one of these scriptures and meditate – focus your mind – on the character of God found there.

Psalm 48

Psalm 55:22

Psalm 57:1-4

Psalm 65

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

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Posted on March 25, 2020 by beverlyeash

Perhaps you are one of those struggling to maintain a calm exterior when inside, you are cracking. There is an oh so subtle shift away from the usual calmness you exude to a place of unfamiliarity; a place of shaking, dismay and anxiety.

Perhaps the shaking and dismay is normal to you; the cracking begins in a place deep within called hope. Hope that someday anxiety won’t be your companion, that someday you will know calm as normal. But today, it feels like forever. Forever until this uneasiness passes and the trajectory of your life can return to normal.

My initial days of isolation were filled with the activity of acclimating to home and helping with my granddaughters. Thursday dawned quiet and I was alone. Alone with my thoughts and the heaviness of the current reality. I, too, longed for normal – whatever that is – to return. I felt my foot slipping as I grasped for some thread of hope in the day.

It was at that moment that I had a choice to make. I had to choose what I would focus on, where would I put my hope, what I would meditate on throughout the day. Just like every day, I got to choose where I fixed my eyes. I could fill my mind with news reports, internet stories, Facebook posts, stock reports, messages of chaos. Or I could fill my mind with messages that build me up, that express and inspire hope. This is what I did.

I called my sister. Not only is she my biological sister, she is a sister in faith. We talked about many things unrelated to COVID-19. We shared our latest sewing projects, antics of our children, personal health updates and then we did the most important thing: we prayed together. We prayed over our families and our nation. We spoke blessing over one another and gratitude to our Father in heaven. We need one another.

I sat with scripture. Specifically, I read Psalm 91 out loud in the first person. Let me tell you, that is powerful. I may have read it more than once. And it renewed my faith and calmed my spirit. Then I turned to 2 Chronicles 20 and read it. And my faith grew a bit more and my spirit came to rest in the mighty hands of God. We need the Word of God.

I listened to music. We live at a time where we have access to resources like never before. At any time I can find music that lifts up the name of Jesus and speaks faith into my heart. Not only can we access music, but podcasts and messages of faith and truth abound. We need positive messages.

Yesterday in this blog, I started unpacking 2 Chronicles 20. It is so relevant for every day, but specifically for this day. Jehoshaphat’s response to a terrifying situation is instructive for us today. Can I respond like he did?

Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help. Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. He prayed…

2 Chronicles 20:3-6

Jehoshaphat received news that three of his enemies had banded together and were coming against him. He was terrified. I think we understand that feeling. We’ve also experienced the gripping fist of terror. We are asking what will happen? How long with this last? Will it ever be the same again? Will we survive?

How did he respond to the terror that gripped his heart? First, he looked to God for guidance. He didn’t trust himself and what he could see, but he appealed to the One who could see it all stretched out from beginning to end. Secondly, he called on the community to respond to the news. We are in this together. As a community, as humanity, we band together to respond to the news of invading armies. Finally, he prayed. Before he acted, he prayed.

He could have called the people to fasting and prayer and then gone into the war room to prepare for battle. After all, he asked the people to pray. But he didn’t. He prayed! Before he moved, before he strategized, before he saddled the horses and hooked up the chariots, HE PRAYED!

What is your response to messages that bring terror to your heart? Are you falling before God to pray? Are you asking him to guide your heart? Are you filling your mind with messages of his love and care for you? What meditations run through your mind?

These are all elements you control. No one can force you to live in terror. No one can force you to meditate on the “what ifs” and “oh nos!” You can choose to meditate on the “But, He can!” and “He knows!” “He loves me!” “I am his!”

We are in this together. Take heart!

Calming activities

Read Psalm 91 in the first person out loud. Ask the Father to open your heart to the truth of his Word and fill you with his peace.

Listen to this song and sing it over your life:

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Posted on March 24, 2020 by beverlyeash

After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.) Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news …

2 Chronicles 20:1-3

The most beautiful aspect of this chapter is the people’s response to an enemy and God’s intervention on their behalf. I believe this passage teaches us about God’s character and what moves God to action.

We have three enemies of our soul. First, we live in a culture that values things that are contrary to the way of Jesus. John, the apostle, says it like this:

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

1 John 2:15-17

The second enemy of our souls is Satan. Jesus said that the enemy is here to steal, kill and destroy. Peter compares him to a roaring lion:

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

1 Peter 5:8-9

The third enemy of our souls is our own tendency to wander away. There is an old song that says it like this:

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Scripture agrees as Paul writes that the good he wants to do he doesn’t do, but it is the things he doesn’t want to do that he finds himself doing. (Romans 7:21-23)

Jehosphaphat faced three enemy armies coming together to conquer the kingdom of Judah. And his response is one we are quite familiar with: he “was terrified by this news!”

What enemies are coming togther to attack you? Perhaps you are familiar with the words of Psalm 91 where the psalmist writes “For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.” Is your enemy “the disease that stalks in darkness…the disaster that strikes at midday?”

Are you terrified by the news? Do you feel as if all the armies of the world are gathered together to destroy you? What has your response been? Is that working for you?

Come together this week to explore other ways of responding to the news. We have not been forgotten or forsaken. We are in his hands.

Calming Activity

Begin a list of 19 things for which you are grateful. Counteract fear with gratitude.

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Posted on March 23, 2020 by beverlyeash

Several times last week I heard the reference “2 Chronicles 20.” Curiosity got the best of me and I just had to check it out. Wow! It is a life changer! And by life changer, I mean it challenged my thinking which changes how I see life which is a life changer!

Today, I invite you to read the chapter. It is fairly long, but worth the effort. Before you start, ask God to challenge your thinking and give you a fresh perspective on the events in our world.

Read: 2 Chronicles 20

Join me this week as I unpack Jehoshaphat’s response to the enemies coming against him. It’s an exciting time to be alive!

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Posted on March 22, 2020 by beverlyeash

While we may not be able to meet in large groups, we can enjoy worship together. If you don’t have a service to join online, I invite you to visit our service at Maple City Chapel. We will be streaming at 9:00 and 10:45. Even if you have never visited church before, today is a great day to do so in a the safety of your own home!

I look forward to “seeing” you there! Click on the link above and scroll down to “LIVE STREAM.”

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Posted on March 21, 2020 by beverlyeash

Good Saturday morning to you! Today may not feel much different to you than every other day this week if you are home with the kiddos or unable to go to work. I get it. Staying in calls for creative action and creative action calls for energy that is sometimes missing.

The other night, Dave and I finished dinner and looked at each other and said, “well, now what? It’s only 6:45!” We decided to bake…pie! One of his favorites is Shoofly pie (pictured above). If you have never enjoyed a slice of freshly baked shoofly pie, you are missing out. It is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch pie eaten for breakfast with plenty of coffee. Molasses, brown sugar, flour and egg are the primary ingredients. And we didn’t wait for breakfast to indulge. It was our evening treat!

Dave also thought he should take pie to work as a means of bolstering spirits. So, we made a peanut butter pie. Also a Pennsylvania Dutch favorite, it is a simple pie with peanut butter crumbs made from peanut butter and powdered sugar on the bottom of the crust and vanilla pudding on top of the crumbs. Topped with whipped topping and more crumbs, it is a tasty treat for sure.

I had a bit of pie dough left over, so I made a mini apple pie as well. I will say, it was also quite delicious.

None of these recipes were gluten, dairy or sugar free. But it was relaxing to do something together and it produced some yummy treats for both us and others.

Today as you embrace joy why not try something you haven’t done in a while? Or maybe try something new? It might be baking pie or learning a new game. But today is a good day to have a good day!

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

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Posted on March 20, 2020 by beverlyeash

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

The book of Nehemiah is an interesting account of the people of Israel rebuilding the wall of their city and the foundations of their community after spending seventy years in exile. In chapter 8, Ezra, the teacher of the law, is reading the Book of the Law of Moses to the people. As they listen, it moves them to tears.

Nehemiah encourages the people to rejoice for this is a good day! I love what he says in verse ten. He tells the people to enjoy great food and drinks but then adds a really important clause: share with those who have nothing!

It moves me to read accounts of generosity in our communities and our nation. I encourage you to cultivate a generous spirit as you become aware of the needs around you. Bless others with the blessings you have received. And I believe you will continue to receive!

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Posted on March 19, 2020 by beverlyeash

Last week a friend asked if it was okay to be happy when a situation causing her a great deal of angst changed. Or should she continue to hang her head and be sad?

It’s funny how often we hesitate to find joy during difficult times. Somehow we play with the idea that we should be sad. Today I want to challenge you to find joy.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

I am making efforts to fill my days with uplifting themes from the music I listen to, the books I read and the TV I watch. This artist and his music encourages me and I hope it brings you joy today!

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Posted on March 18, 2020 by beverlyeash

Every day when I sit down to write, I imagine you, my reader. Are you like me, wanting to stay informed about currrent events but not wanting to drown in it? Do you want something else to think about for a few minutes? I know I want reprieve from the constant coverage of something that may or may not materialize in any sort of dramatic way.

I genuinely wish I had a basket full of funny anecdotes to pass along. But I don’t. Although I do think my general view of things tends to see the humorous. Today I took my granddaughter to the doctor for a recheck of her ears and decided to brave the grocery store at the same time. It wasn’t too bad. There was even toilet paper which I didn’t need but it was there.

As I observed the contents in the carts around me, I was filled with gratitude. Gratitude for fresh fruits and vegetables. Gratitude that I know how to prepare a meal from fresh ingredients. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me what to do with a buttercup squash and fresh asparagus.

I’m convinced that a spirit of gratitude makes all the difference. In 2008, the last time our economy took a serious nose dive, I experienced some serious anxiety. At the time, a friend gave me a plaque that said, “Celebrate Abundance!” And that is what we did. We celebrated an abundance of love and joy around the dinner table, a table filled with home cooked food, board games and great conversations with friends who truly loved us. There is so much to be grateful for and I truly believe that counting my blessings will make all the difference to me.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

How about you? What are you grateful for today? I’d love to be overwhelmed with your expressions of gratitude!

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