My friend Melissa from Colorado sent me this YouTube video. Please take the time to watch the full 5 and a half minutes. While you do, please pray for our service men and women and their families who are sacrificing for the sake of my freedom and yours. My brother-in-law is on active duty in the Navy, and I am so grateful for his faithfulness and commitment to our country. He makes me proud to be an American! Love you, Mike!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Esther 1-4, 7-8
The story of Esther is very familiar to many of you. It was even more interesting to me as I read through it this week, however, in light of the chronological study we are doing. It was interesting to think that Esther and Mordecai's struggles in the Persian city of Susa were going on about the same time Ezra and Nehemiah were trying to motivate the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
The other item that jumped off the page at me is in reference to what we have learned about the laws of the Persian kings. Our recent discussions about the reasons King Darius did not repeal the law about throwing Daniel into the lions den make me totally amazed at the courage of Esther in today's reading. Every other time I have read this story, I looked at Esther as someone who had to work up enough courage to invite the king to a banquet. Like you and I have trouble deciding if we should invite our boss to dinner or not because we don't want to look like we want to be the class favorite. Now I understand that Esther was putting her very life on the line! To ask the king to change an edict was to ask him to impale you on a tree!
I am so impressed with Mordecai's support and encouragement to his niece. Esther needed reassurance that she was called by God "for such a time as this." Can you imagine the torment they all went through as they fasted and prayed those three days? I like Esther's attitude, "If I perish, I perish." We have to come to that place in our faith walk. We have to realize that nothing else in this world matters except fulfilling the calling God has placed on our lives.
So, do you know what that calling is for you? Have you fasted and prayed until God showed you His vision for how you fit into His Kingdom?
My God-given calling is to Glorify the LORD! And the second part is to invite others to join me! Will you come and glorify the LORD with me? Can we exalt His Name together?? I am willing to do this no matter the cost. I would be so grateful if you would join me!!!
The other item that jumped off the page at me is in reference to what we have learned about the laws of the Persian kings. Our recent discussions about the reasons King Darius did not repeal the law about throwing Daniel into the lions den make me totally amazed at the courage of Esther in today's reading. Every other time I have read this story, I looked at Esther as someone who had to work up enough courage to invite the king to a banquet. Like you and I have trouble deciding if we should invite our boss to dinner or not because we don't want to look like we want to be the class favorite. Now I understand that Esther was putting her very life on the line! To ask the king to change an edict was to ask him to impale you on a tree!
I am so impressed with Mordecai's support and encouragement to his niece. Esther needed reassurance that she was called by God "for such a time as this." Can you imagine the torment they all went through as they fasted and prayed those three days? I like Esther's attitude, "If I perish, I perish." We have to come to that place in our faith walk. We have to realize that nothing else in this world matters except fulfilling the calling God has placed on our lives.
So, do you know what that calling is for you? Have you fasted and prayed until God showed you His vision for how you fit into His Kingdom?
My God-given calling is to Glorify the LORD! And the second part is to invite others to join me! Will you come and glorify the LORD with me? Can we exalt His Name together?? I am willing to do this no matter the cost. I would be so grateful if you would join me!!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Zechariah 1-2
"Return to me," declares the LORD Almighty, "and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "Do not be like your fathers. . . they would not listen or pay attention to me," declares the LORD. (Zechariah 1:3, 4)
"And I myself will be a wall of fire around [Jerusalem]," declares the LORD, "and I will be its glory within." (Zechariah 2:5)
"Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD." (Zechariah 2:10)
"Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." (Zechariah 2:13)
Everything taking place in our world today points to the return of Jesus to this earth. Am I ready to take a stand for Christ? Are you ready? Are your friends and relatives ready?
"And I myself will be a wall of fire around [Jerusalem]," declares the LORD, "and I will be its glory within." (Zechariah 2:5)
"Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD." (Zechariah 2:10)
"Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." (Zechariah 2:13)
Everything taking place in our world today points to the return of Jesus to this earth. Am I ready to take a stand for Christ? Are you ready? Are your friends and relatives ready?
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