8/31/16
“Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and
Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, hitherto hath the Lord helped
us.” I Samuel 7:12
Dear Congregation,
I have lately been
reflecting on the fact that Grace
Community Church Israel
had just won a victory against the Philistines by God’s great power. If the
nation had tried themselves, as they often did at other times, to fight in
their own strength, failure was assured. Therefore the Ebenezer is set up to
remember the Lord’s help and the people’s dependence. When we seek our desires
for the church, we cannot hope for success. The Lord’s Word and will must be
done. Our great gift is a rest in him to work and to fight for us. As Israel , we
shall hold our peace. Exodus 14:14
This 30th
anniversary is in a sense an Ebenezer. A reminder of where our whole reason for
everything lies. This is why it is healthy to reflect and praise God for the
past as well as to pray that He continues to care for us in the future. Let us
humbly walk with Him and lean on Him totally as a church and as individuals for
everything.
I encourage all of
you to invite as many people as possible to our anniversary service on Sunday
October 16th. Whether they have been part of this church in
the past or not, it is an opportunity to celebrate together and glorify God for
his care. Send those invitations, raise the Ebenezer, for hitherto hat the Lord
helped us! Praise Him Praise Him!
In Christ,
Pastor Basile
