Killing lions, cleaning toilets

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Indiana Jones would be a little jealous of all the amazing acts of bravery by this Mighty Man, Benaiah. Never heard of him? He was in charge of David’s bodyguards. He wasn’t over the army, Joab was The Big Cheese there but once a year Benaiah took a month-long shift as the leader of David’s army. He also supervised the mercenary forces that also fought for the cause and for David. Details are important here, stick with me! (smile)

Benaiah was especially known for his bravery and skills in combat. “And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab.” 2 Samuel 23:20a ESV.

The meaning of the word ariel is not known. The KJV originally translated it to lion-like because the word ariel was similar to lion. Others think the meaning might have been closer to an army or a cohort of men, meaning he killed more than two by himself. Regardless, we see he was not afraid to take on the impossible.

The next verse says, “He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.”

I have read this so many times my head hurts. My big question is “Why?” and all I can come up with is because it needed to be done and I am sure no one else volunteered.

If the oversized cat was injured, or stuck in the pit, then Benaiah was on a mercy mission. Maybe he thought the lion could escape and do more damage so it would be best to take care of him while he was semi-captive.

Think about it: It’s snowing outside so the pit would be slick and difficult to get in and out of if you did need to get away. He is fighting the King of Beasts under the worst possible conditions in a most difficult place. If he starts swinging he had better not miss!

This group of scripture also tells us, “And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.”

Other translations say this huge Egyptian was 7 ½ feet tall. Not quite as tall as Goliath but still a giant of a man. The giant had a spear in his hand as big as a weaver’s beam and Benaiah only had a club. He decided these were not the best odds so he just took the spear from the Egyptian by using his club to swipe it out of his hand! Then he proceeded to kill him with his own spear.

Fearless.

“Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors.  He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.” 2 Samuel 23:20-23 NIV

As famous as The Three, held in greater honor than any of The Thirty but not included among The Three. We are not told why Benaiah was so well thought of but then not elevated to the prestige of The Three.

And it doesn’t really matter.

For if Benaiah was anything like the other men in David’s elite group of warriors, he wasn’t looking for fame and notoriety. He was looking to serve and do for David whatever it took to keep him safe and to forward the kingdom. Benaiah wasn’t afraid to take on the enemy!

The devil is talked about as a roaring lion, going about and seeking anyone that he can devour. We can picture a lion roaming and stalking its prey until the time is right to pounce. But Benaiah didn’t wait for the attack he went in and took care of the enemy before he had time to do any damage.

We can do that same thing today. As Mighty Warriors in the army of God, we are given one offensive weapon in the Armor of God.  This Sword is the Word of God and if we use it offensively, to fight back the kingdom of this world, the kingdom of darkness, we can build a hedge of protection around our families, churches, neighborhoods, etc.

This Sword is powerful! “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…” Hebrews 4:12.

It is our job to serve, as Benaiah did David, to be ready at our post in the Kingdom of God and do whatever it is that needs to be done.

Think you are called to preach the Gospel? Begin your ministry in the janitor’s closet.

Maybe you literally are the janitor at your church; there is no greater honor than to make sure the house of God looks its very best! If you can clean toilets, and do it with a joyful heart, God knows He can use you for other things; maybe to kill a lion or two!

Learn to serve, to humble yourself and realize that ministry is more than just standing behind a pulpit.

Ministry is all about serving, not being served.

Benaiah realized that and just did what needed to be done for his king. He wasn’t elevated to the level of The Three but he did go on to the position of General when Solomon became king. He was trustworthy because he had spent his time working for the kingdom, not for himself.

It wasn’t about him, it was about the one he was following.

May we be moved by Benaiah’s story of fearlessness today to do our part in the Kingdom of God. Whether it is killing lions, or cleaning toilets in our local assembly, let’s do it all for the glory of God.

This post is part of a series on David’s Mighty Men. Check it out! Frozen to the Sword, But Shammah took his stand and All for a cup of water.

Kingdom2

Stranded.

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This adventure of a lifetime began August 4, 2020 in Paducah, Kentucky. The place is insignificant, it is just where we rented the 32 foot Sunseeker motorhome that would be our home for the next two weeks.

Our plan to see the west was something we had always wanted to do. The RV seemed sensible since I have so many issues with my back. This would afford me a way to move around or even lie down if pain or muscle spasms were causing major discomfort. All in all, it was a good plan!

We headed to Sioux Falls, Iowa for our first night and we were already adjusting to life in the RV. We had a 26 ft. camper when My Three Sons were growing up so we were somewhat familiar with campgrounds, etc. The RV was operating smoothly as we entered The Badlands.

Our next stop in Rapid City, South Dakota, we were able to view the Crazy Horse monument, and then on to what would be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream: to see George, Thomas, Theodore and Abe sitting high on Mount Rushmore.

We were putting miles on this little home-on-wheels like crazy but the views were absolutely breathtaking! Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Old Faithful, everything was so gorgeous it made you want to stand and sing, America, America, God shed His grace on thee! 

And finally, we were heading to Colorado where we would spend the rest of our second week. Desolate doesn’t begin to describe this area of Wyoming that we were driving through to get to Colorado Springs. Beautiful though it was, there were just miles and miles of nothing and nobody! 

It was along Interstate 80, outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming, that suddenly we heard and felt what seemed like large boulders raining down on our little recreational vehicle! The wind was absolutely insane anyway and we pulled to the side immediately to discover the awning was beginning to come loose and was flapping like nobody’s business. (Side note: most RV rentals do not allow you to use the awning while renting because it is so expensive to replace if a wind gust catches it while it is extended in a campground. We had NOT used the awning at all and have no idea what caused it to come loose and begin its crazy whirlwind dance.)

Now, it sounds like an easy repair, but as handy as The Sweetheart is, and I know he can fix about anything, this cannot be done alone and without a ladder. And we couldn’t leave it to flap away because we were afraid the wind would grab the entire awning and rip it from the vehicle.

So, fortunately, we were a quarter mile from an exit, and driving a gentle, even-I-could-walk-faster-than-that speed, pulled off, but there was NOTHING at this desolate exit except for a state highway salt drop. The Sweetheart slowly pulls in there even though it said, “NO TRESPASSING, NO ENTRY, STATE PROPERTY.” He figured that he needed the salt mound to be a wind break for the motor home injury and said he would talk his way out of it later if need be. It will be.

Pause for effect: The next morning someone pulled up in a truck and we assumed it was our technician. Unfortunately, it was a guy from the State Highway Department who was NOT happy with us being there. He was quite rude, and a little condescending, but we understood he had a job to do as well. Once we told him a state trooper had been out he calmed down a bit but still was adamant that we leave as soon as possible. No one wanted out of there more than we did!

Every renter must pay $35/day for insurance and roadside service, a good thing, correct? Their motto?  “Million-dollar peace of mind with insurance and 24/7 roadside. Real people ready to help with 100+ advisors here 24/7.”  If million dollar peace of mind meant shielding you from the ridiculous number of phone calls, promises, details, more promises, no-shows, state trooper visit, a thunderstorm coming up and nightfall on its heels, I would have been okay with that. But allow me to just sum it up by saying we had to spend the night beside the salt mound, totally dark, totally alone.

We were promised a technician would arrive first thing in the morning. 

To say that The Sweetheart’s nerves were frazzled would have been the understatement of the year. That million-dollar peace of mind was nowhere to be found and the real people ready to help were suddenly totally helpless. 

I began to pray while the love-of-my-life was stuck with endless phone calls. I am a believer in the miraculous, you too? I have seen the miraculous but I admit I wasn’t expecting it at that moment. Can I get a witness? I just knew we needed help and that God cares about the big, the small, the insignificant and even the stranded. Yes, He surely does. 

My prayer was for God to send someone quickly so we could get on down the road. God’s plan was something entirely different. I don’t know if you would call it a vision, I’ve never had one, but what I saw immediately while I was praying shook me and gave me the utmost strength and peace. It was as clear as the ski-slope nose on my face: I vividly saw angels surrounding our motorhome, at least 50 of them, and every single one had a sword in his hand, guarding, protecting and prepared to do whatever necessary to make sure we were alright. 

I was expecting the phone to ring at any time with a technician telling us help was on the way. That didn’t happen. God wanted to let us know that no matter what we were facing, He was there! It meant that even if we had to stay in our dilemma, even if we were in the midst  of our own fiery furnace, God wasn’t about to leave us by that giant salt reminder of Lot’s wife! He wasn’t going to leave us afraid and unable to sleep. 

In fact, we slept pretty well, considering! We got up early, made breakfast, thanks to our generator, and cleaned up the motorhome. 

Pastor Ken Gurley said in a devotion this week, “An answer delayed is not an answer denied!” Help will come in His unhurried time and while we are waiting, He will give perfect peace and strength to endure the trial.

Were we ever in any real danger? I may never know but we may have been. Reflecting this morning I wondered why the angels all had a sword? Were they expecting a battle? Did they know something we did not? Are they always prepared with their sword in hand? I see so many places to go with these thoughts but this is already way over a comfortable word count. 

Even though help did not arrive until almost 2:00 in the afternoon, 22 ½ hours from the time we pulled off, we were safe, we were in the hands of the Creator of the universe who loves us enough to let us know HE is in control and as the song goes, “I know You’re able, and I know You can, save through the fire with Your mighty hand, but even if You don’t, my hope is You alone. I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt, would all go away if You just say the word, but even if You don’t, my hope is YOU alone!” 

Even if You don’t answer when I think You should, Lord, You know what’s best, You have a better plan for me, a way to show me Your power and might and if I never find myself in difficult situations, I would never know Your power or see Your glory! 

Anxiety comes knocking loudly at your door when you are faced with something out of your control. Then, the enemy will magnify any test or trial, or just circumstances of LIFE, and make you think things are ten times worse than they are. He wants you to worry, wants you wringing your hands and unable to think or sleep. 

But my God wants you to know that if you are stranded, spiritually or physically, or going through a test or trial you don’t understand or may not see an end to, don’t give up! God knows where you are and He has not abandoned you. There is nothing our God cannot do. He knows the end from the beginning, He sees down the road and whatever obstacle is in your way He can either remove it or use it as a stepping stone in your walk and relationship with Him. He always has you as His number one priority!

Now, I wrote this several days ago when it happened and have not had WIFI to finish it until tonight. Do you know why? Because I am STRANDED again!!! I am not kidding you, friend, we now have engine trouble, three hours from turning this back over to its rightful owner. We are in a much better area, a shopping center parking lot, surrounded by restaurants, yay. But, once again, “Thank you for calling, ____________, we promise to give you million-dollar peace of mind….tomorrow.” True story, tomorrow. 

I wonder what my God has up His sleeve for tonight? He may send 50 angels, He may send a mechanic, but He will always send peace that passes all understanding. The same is true for you, friend. He may send angels, He may send a next door neighbor but He will always BE THERE FOR YOU. 

All in His good time; and He is always, always good.

Here is another great true story of how God kept us during a real and harrowing storm while we were overseas. Where was Jesus in MY storm?

For the kingdom

What if it isn’t a Happy Mother’s Day?

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Mother’s Day weekend is a time of gathering, celebrating and loving on those in this world who give so very much. But for some it is one of the most difficult times of the year.

If you have lost your mother, if she has fought a good fight and reached her reward, your heart is grieving, broken. My prayer is that God will send a forgotten memory to you and love you through that sweet reminder of your mother this weekend. It is okay to grieve and it is healing to sit down and have a good cry! Relive the good times and find joy in the blessings that your mother brought to your life.

If you do anything this Sunday, take time to sit and REMEMBER. Remember how blessed you were by your mother and the way she shaped your life. Her influence lives on in you and you will pass so much of her on to your own children.

May you be comforted by all the great things she was to you and your family and rejoice that you will be reunited one day!

For those with a Momma’s heart but nothing to fill it yet…I have not walked in your shoes and cannot imagine the pain. I have walked it alongside my sweet daughter-in-law and son and remember every year that Mother’s Day would roll around how very difficult it was for her to even go to church on that otherwise happy day. Most services are not happening in churches around the country this Mother’s Day but a few are having their first service this weekend. If you choose to go to Mother’s Day service, I pray our Good Father wraps His arms around you and helps you to find an unexpected joy in a pew. Sometimes reaching out to others that are hurting is so very healing for your own soul. By serving, by giving, God will bless and cheer up your own hurting heart.

And if you choose NOT to go, or maybe not to watch, if the pain is just too much, He understands your hurt and can comfort you wherever you are. But do your best to not hide on this painful day but find joy in blessing another. I have friends that would avoid that day at church and I truly understand it is just too difficult for some who have lost so much or not been blessed with their hearts desire. Jesus truly knows your hurt and it’s OK. You do YOU. ♥

May God encourage you with His great love that He knows right where you are and although His timing is perfect, it is rarely ours. He hasn’t forgotten you and will continue to weave your great story in His kingdom.

My heart truly breaks for the mother who has lost a child today. No matter how old or how young they were, you should never have to bury your own child. We all know families that have suffered this great tragedy, only God knows the answer and truly, only God can heal their heart.

If this is you today, I am praying our great God wraps His arms around you and gives you comfort through your memories and the love of those close to you. He is able to literally carry you through this trial and even though the grief, the heartache and the longing will always be there in some fashion, He will help you bear it, He will help you carry on.

Do you know someone that has lost a child? Will you see them this weekend? Just say,  “I love you.” “I’m praying for you.” Or just say nothing at all, that hug, that squeeze of the hand, that arm around the shoulder lets them know you have not forgotten, no matter how long it has been. (Of course, social distancing has to be considered so make sure you respect others.)

To write a post from this perspective when your mother is still living and you have three grown children might seem as if I just don’t know what I am talking about and do not understand heartache and loss. I may not have walked the road, friend, but God can give compassion for us to love on those that are broken. He can help us understand and empathize with those that are suffering loss or have not experienced the joy of motherhood yet. My heart truly goes out to those who are hurting today.

We are called to be the church and encourage those that are broken, to walk this road TOGETHER.

So, if you find yourself sitting near a shattered heart today, whether in church or at the dinner table, be a comforter, a doer, a friend. Words are not even necessary if that is your struggle! Just let them know you care and if their heart is hurting, so is yours.

Jesus will send them strength today and it just might be through you.

God wants us to love on those around us, whether our heart is full or aching. The best way to fill that longing is to give, love and serve. Love like Jesus and He will fill your heart to overflowing on Mother’s Day and every day after. My love and prayers to you all.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” Proverbs 31:30

For the kingdom