Memorials!!

Memorials

June 4, PA, MD, NY

Genesis 12:7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he build an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.

 Exodus 17:15 Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner.

Judges 6:24 then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

 Highway 14 from Pennsylvania up to upstate New York is a beautiful ride. It is two lanes and has many sweeping curves as you travel through the Allegheny Mountains and around the Finger Lakes. As we rode through Elmira, we noticed there were banners hanging from the light poles. These banners were pictures of men who veterans from the town. How cool is that? What an honor to place these men where all can see and honor their courage in giving to their country. Some read WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and even Global Peace times.

The Lord spoke to me through those banners. I was reminded of how altars were used as a memorial to the place where God met the Israelites in a personal encounter.  We may not be able to make a physical altar but we can establish them in our hearts and memories.

In the Bible, altars took different forms: a place of encounter, a place of forgiveness, a place of worship, a place of covenant or a place of intercession. Those altars were built of earth or stone. People often placed sacrifices on them. They were very significant because they represented communion with the Lord. They were a place of worship and a place to remember His covenant. It was also a place of “approach”, a place to call upon the name of the Lord and remember His gracious promises.

As Christians, we need to make memorials when God does something in our lives. I think about our kids and grandkids. We need to be sharing prayer requests with them and encouraging them to pray. Then, have them write down when their prayers are answered so they have something to remember them by.It should be a time that we can share with others as the altars are usually an encouragement in letting us know that Go  d is with us and watching over us and taking care of us—just like He did the Israelites. These memorials we make have a huge impact on those around us in their walk.  I have a couple I remember vividly I’d like to share.

First was a time when Meagan, our daughter and Dale, our son-in-law were trying to get pregnant for the first time. They had tried for several months to no avail. All during that time I was praying that God would perform a miracle. Meagan talked about having children since she was a child. She loves kids and is great with them. Nothing was happening. Then one morning God spoke clearly to me—what will you do if Meagan never has kids? Will  you continue to praise Me and who I am?  WOW! I don’t mind saying that was a difficult time and a difficult question to answer! However, how could I say anything but yes? I knew God was sovereign and had Meagan and Dale’s best interests at heart. I knew He would always have something for them if they couldn’t have kids. He has a plan and He would execute that plan in their family. I said, “Yes, Lord. I will continue to trust you and praise you, even if Meagan and Dale never have children.” A peace came over me !! It was awesome and gave me an excitement and expectancy to see what God had in mind for them.  It wasn’t long before God spoke to me again and said, “Meagan and Dale are going to have a baby.” What? I asked? Is that me thinking this or is that you, Lord?  I would not tell them what I felt God had said. And, then He told me again.  Again I held it in. What if I was mistaken? What if it was just a mother wanting something for her daughter?  About four months later I told them what He said. And, guess what, four months later they became pregnant. God is faithful. I remember that time well. I have used His faithfulness in that to pray for other things with confidence. Memorials build us up in our faith and move us to maturity.

Second, was August 27, 2014. It was biopsy day on my right breast. I went to Roper and had the biopsy. On the way home, I felt the Lord whisper to me, “this is going to be cancer and I am going to handle it.”  Wow! Is that me, Lord thinking you said this? I would not share it with Norm or Meagan or Angie until later in the day. I don’t know why I don’t trust myself when God speaks. He is clear when He does. I did finally share it and sure enough the next day the doctor’s office called to set up an appointment to talk about the results of the biopsy. I was not surprised. God had already told me it was going to be positive. And, boy did He handle it. He has sent ministering angels all along the journey and they have brought scripture verses, prayers, songs, cards, texts, emails, phone calls and visits. I could never have imagined how He was going to ‘handle it’ when I heard the words. He is amazing and faithful. You can trust His words.

I have memorials to use to encourage others when they face bumps in their walk of faith. I can say with confidence and boldness that God is faithful and true to what He says He will do, He will do.

A spiritual journal might help to record some of those “memorials” in your life.

Think back over your spiritual journey. When have been sometimes you could mark as memorials? What happened to you during that time and how have you used them to encourage others?