Esther 3:13 and 4:3
13 Letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces [telling the officials] to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jewish people—young and old, women and children—and plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.
3 There was great mourning among the Jewish people in every province where the king's command and edict came. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.
Esther 8:11,12,16
11 The king's edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war. 12 [This would take place] on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar.
16 and the Jews celebrated [d] with gladness, joy and honor.
Wow! Another example of how what Satan plans for evil, God can turn around for good! He IS our Redeemer! Do you see the specific reversal of destinies here? Not only in who is victorious vs who is annihilated, but look... God's Word is SOOOO awesome in its detail! Look closely in Esther 4:3...
They...
fasted
wept
lamented
lay on sackcloth and ashes
But then look what happened in 8:16 after God was through working "behind the scenes" on behalf of His people!!!
fasting >>>was turned to>>> celebrating (with a feast!)
weeping >>>was turned to>>> gladness
lamenting >>>was turned to>>> joy
the humilation of laying on sackcloth and ashes >>>was turned to>>> honor
Again I ask... is God still the same yesterday, today, and forever???
YES!
Right now, the overall picture of my circumstances is:
painful
unfair
lonely
exhausted
Yet, I am His! My heart is fully His! He, of all, knows this! Therefore, I can expectantly wait and watch for the reversal of these...
pain >>>turning to>>> relief
unfairness >>>turning to>>> justice
lonliness >>>turning to>>> a place to "fit in"
exhaustion >>>turning to>>> energy
Everything that characterizes my (and has characterized) my life up to this point can be not just simply restored.... (That seems, at this point, to be a "limited", "in-the-box" request.) No, not just simply re-stored... but REVERSED!
Oh, Sweet Redeemer!
I believe! Help my unbelief!
I wait expectantly and...
I love You, too!
J
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
More on Obedience!
Check out Leviticus 9:1 - 10:3.
Why do I "do" what I do? Is it personal obedience to the calling on my life and personal direction from the Lord? Or is it simply because it "worked" for someone else? Or for the approval of someone else? Or is it maybe just ritualism... or even worse... legalism? Whoa! Is God the same yesterday, today and forever? Does He take our "going out on our own" any less seriously now than He did then? The consequences may look a little different or come a little later down the road... but none-the-less, equally destructive. How can I KNOW what it is that He wants ME (personally) to do? A personal relationship with Him!!! Everyday learning more about Him through His word and then one-on-one personal, still, quiet time listening to what He has to say to me. Prayer is not just about me lifting up my "wish-list" to Him. Its about listening.... and then... obeying.
Oh, Sweet Lord!
I want to hear Your Voice and personal direction for me. May I only step on the pavers You lay ahead of me. May I know Your Voice so well that even the slightest whisper would be my Guide - allowing me to stay within the parameters of Your plan for me!
I love You, too!
J
Why do I "do" what I do? Is it personal obedience to the calling on my life and personal direction from the Lord? Or is it simply because it "worked" for someone else? Or for the approval of someone else? Or is it maybe just ritualism... or even worse... legalism? Whoa! Is God the same yesterday, today and forever? Does He take our "going out on our own" any less seriously now than He did then? The consequences may look a little different or come a little later down the road... but none-the-less, equally destructive. How can I KNOW what it is that He wants ME (personally) to do? A personal relationship with Him!!! Everyday learning more about Him through His word and then one-on-one personal, still, quiet time listening to what He has to say to me. Prayer is not just about me lifting up my "wish-list" to Him. Its about listening.... and then... obeying.
Oh, Sweet Lord!
I want to hear Your Voice and personal direction for me. May I only step on the pavers You lay ahead of me. May I know Your Voice so well that even the slightest whisper would be my Guide - allowing me to stay within the parameters of Your plan for me!
I love You, too!
J
Obedience - Its Good!
If you'll go back and look over my posts, you'll see that there was a real theme of OBEDIENCE. This is how God so graciously IS with me. Because He knows my frailties, He is gracious to put about "themes" everywhere I turn. Complete obedience is it right now. As He began to show me the importance of complete obedience and I began to "catch on", He then gave me opportunity to put it in to action with the command of forgiving pre-offense. It works, folks! Obedience is a sweet thing. I wish it were appropriate to give more details... maybe one day I will be able to... but for today, take my word for it... it works! Obedience works and forgiveness works. Not that any circumstances have changed, but the power of the bondage to those hurtful circumstances is being released, torn apart and torn down.
Oh, Sweet Redeemer!
How I look forward to seeing all the ways that Your behind-the-scenes-working will manifest itself in my life and the lives of my loved ones. Thank You for allowing me sweet victories over the evil one whose goal is to discourage and debilitate my confidence and my effectiveness. Sweet Sovereign One pour forth Your Spirit on me and on each person that is on my heart right now. (I LOVE that you already know who they are!) Lord, pour it forth and let that have its perfect result in each of our lives!
I love You, too!
J
Oh, Sweet Redeemer!
How I look forward to seeing all the ways that Your behind-the-scenes-working will manifest itself in my life and the lives of my loved ones. Thank You for allowing me sweet victories over the evil one whose goal is to discourage and debilitate my confidence and my effectiveness. Sweet Sovereign One pour forth Your Spirit on me and on each person that is on my heart right now. (I LOVE that you already know who they are!) Lord, pour it forth and let that have its perfect result in each of our lives!
I love You, too!
J
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Forgiveness
John 13
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
1 Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. (A) Having loved His own who were in the world, (B) He loved them to the end. [a]
2 Now by the time of supper, the Devil (C) had already put it into the heart of Judas, (D) Simon Iscariot's son, to betray (E) Him. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into His hands, (F) that He had come from God, (G) and that He was going back to God. (H) 4 So He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, (I) took a towel, and tied it around Himself. (J) 5 Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him.
Ya know how God shows you something you know... and in that, lets you KNOW it? Mmmhmmm. Aha moment! That's what I've just had!
This revelation came from reading a "note" of the husband of an old friend I have reconnected with on Facebook unexpectedly. God is SO timely isn't He? (sing it Ms. Patty!!!)
Anyway the particular section of the note that really hightened my understanding was the section of the note that talks about Jesus washing the feet of those who were ABOUT to "hurt" Him. So many times I think, "It would be so much easier to forgive if the offense from that person wasn't daily. If it were just something from the past that didn't keep on happening and hurting me on a daily basis, I could forgive a little more quickly and easily." PSHHHHH!!!! Jesus forgave and served KNOWING the offense was ABOUT to happen. If I forgive PRIOR to the offense (knowing full well its coming)... could it maybe even take a little of the sting out of the hurtful offense? Just a thought.... one I shall ponder tonight as I drift off to sleep.
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
1 Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. (A) Having loved His own who were in the world, (B) He loved them to the end. [a]
2 Now by the time of supper, the Devil (C) had already put it into the heart of Judas, (D) Simon Iscariot's son, to betray (E) Him. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into His hands, (F) that He had come from God, (G) and that He was going back to God. (H) 4 So He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, (I) took a towel, and tied it around Himself. (J) 5 Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him.
Ya know how God shows you something you know... and in that, lets you KNOW it? Mmmhmmm. Aha moment! That's what I've just had!
This revelation came from reading a "note" of the husband of an old friend I have reconnected with on Facebook unexpectedly. God is SO timely isn't He? (sing it Ms. Patty!!!)
Anyway the particular section of the note that really hightened my understanding was the section of the note that talks about Jesus washing the feet of those who were ABOUT to "hurt" Him. So many times I think, "It would be so much easier to forgive if the offense from that person wasn't daily. If it were just something from the past that didn't keep on happening and hurting me on a daily basis, I could forgive a little more quickly and easily." PSHHHHH!!!! Jesus forgave and served KNOWING the offense was ABOUT to happen. If I forgive PRIOR to the offense (knowing full well its coming)... could it maybe even take a little of the sting out of the hurtful offense? Just a thought.... one I shall ponder tonight as I drift off to sleep.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
I Wait and Trust!
Isaiah 30:18
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him.
If I am having to wait on God's justice, there IS purpose because He is longing just like I am!!!! He has great desire (to the point of rising) to be gracious to me, to show me compassion and His justice. So if he has that type of longing I know that He who "knows how to rescue the godly from trials" (2Pet. 2:9) is working in ways that I cannot yet see to bring about the result that will bring Him insane amounts of glory... which is what I have prayed... that my life will bring Him glory (show a correct estimation of Who HE Is!)!
Oh, Sweet Guide!
Like a driver on one of these back FM country roads with the big curves that feel like you're making a 180, I sense that You are bringing me through this curve.... slowly and in complete control (by You) into a new view. I wait... and... I trust... and...
I love You, too!
J
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him.
If I am having to wait on God's justice, there IS purpose because He is longing just like I am!!!! He has great desire (to the point of rising) to be gracious to me, to show me compassion and His justice. So if he has that type of longing I know that He who "knows how to rescue the godly from trials" (2Pet. 2:9) is working in ways that I cannot yet see to bring about the result that will bring Him insane amounts of glory... which is what I have prayed... that my life will bring Him glory (show a correct estimation of Who HE Is!)!
Oh, Sweet Guide!
Like a driver on one of these back FM country roads with the big curves that feel like you're making a 180, I sense that You are bringing me through this curve.... slowly and in complete control (by You) into a new view. I wait... and... I trust... and...
I love You, too!
J
Friday, February 5, 2010
Tearing Down Idols
2Kings 23: 1-25
I have God's Word.
I have everything I need pertaining to Life.
Now... what will I do?
Will I participate "in covenant" with Christ? Or will I continue to bow down to the idols that have been raised up in my "world"? For me, the idol of "approval" must be torn down! This "temple" must be rid of such idols! Completely... leaving nothing of its resemblance. How will I ever find confidence to LIVE without complete obedience to complete annihilation of idols such as this in my mind? I CAN do all things (including "move" without the approval of others) through Christ Who strengthens me! I CAN overachieve in taking down this and every other idol that raises up against the knowledge of Christ! I CAN follow Him with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength! I CAN and will celebrate the beauty of His redemption in my life!
Oh Sweet Redeemer!
You indeed have beauty for ashes for me as I follow You with all of me!
Lord, make me an overachiever that brings You Glory (which is nothing more and nothing less than my life showing a correct estimation of Who YOU are!)
I love You, too!
J
I have God's Word.
I have everything I need pertaining to Life.
Now... what will I do?
Will I participate "in covenant" with Christ? Or will I continue to bow down to the idols that have been raised up in my "world"? For me, the idol of "approval" must be torn down! This "temple" must be rid of such idols! Completely... leaving nothing of its resemblance. How will I ever find confidence to LIVE without complete obedience to complete annihilation of idols such as this in my mind? I CAN do all things (including "move" without the approval of others) through Christ Who strengthens me! I CAN overachieve in taking down this and every other idol that raises up against the knowledge of Christ! I CAN follow Him with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength! I CAN and will celebrate the beauty of His redemption in my life!
Oh Sweet Redeemer!
You indeed have beauty for ashes for me as I follow You with all of me!
Lord, make me an overachiever that brings You Glory (which is nothing more and nothing less than my life showing a correct estimation of Who YOU are!)
I love You, too!
J
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A Kept Woman
Isaiah 42:16
I do not have to know every detail of the path ahead because He does! I don't have to be afraid of what I cannot see around the corner because He already has it covered! I do not have to be afraid of "the dark" because He is the Light and guides my every step as if all these harrowing rocky roads are level ground! And I can trust Him to keep me... ALWAYS!!!!
Oh, Sweet Sovereign Father!
How thankful I am to You that I am a Kept Woman!
I love You, too!
J
I do not have to know every detail of the path ahead because He does! I don't have to be afraid of what I cannot see around the corner because He already has it covered! I do not have to be afraid of "the dark" because He is the Light and guides my every step as if all these harrowing rocky roads are level ground! And I can trust Him to keep me... ALWAYS!!!!
Oh, Sweet Sovereign Father!
How thankful I am to You that I am a Kept Woman!
I love You, too!
J
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sad About Sin
2Kings 22:11-20
He tore his clothes??? Is this my response when God shows me how I am missing His Way in His Word? Am I this aware of the result of sin? Do I truly believe God and what His Word says about sowing and reaping?
Sweet Saviour!
May I see my sin as You see it... Repulsive... so that I mourn deeply and repent immediately. Thank You for providing a way to live in Your Grace - Forgiven and Free to Live according to Your Perfect Word! I thank You that You have promised that if I lack wisdom, all I have to do is ask with right motives and You will give generously.
I love You, too!
J
He tore his clothes??? Is this my response when God shows me how I am missing His Way in His Word? Am I this aware of the result of sin? Do I truly believe God and what His Word says about sowing and reaping?
Sweet Saviour!
May I see my sin as You see it... Repulsive... so that I mourn deeply and repent immediately. Thank You for providing a way to live in Your Grace - Forgiven and Free to Live according to Your Perfect Word! I thank You that You have promised that if I lack wisdom, all I have to do is ask with right motives and You will give generously.
I love You, too!
J
Monday, February 1, 2010
Obedience
2Kings 22:2
He did [accomplished, produced, worked, attended to , put in order] what was right [straight, upright, correct, level, pleasing, just, fitting, proper APPROVED] in the Lord's sight and walked [to live,die/manner of life, to lead, bring, carry] in all [totality] the ways [road, distance, journey, manner, direction, HABIT, course of life] of his ancestor David; he did not turn [depart, to be removed, to put aside, leave undone] to the right or to the left.
What has He asked me to accomplish? to produce? to attend to? to put in order?
Is what I am doing approved? upright? correct? pleasing? fitting?
Is my walk a representation of these approved things I am accomplishing? Do I live and die according to this manner of life?
Does it include all? the totality of God's way? His direction? His road? His course for my life?
Sweet Sovereign God,
May I never turn from, remove myself, put aside or leave undone what You have called me to do!
I love You, too!
J
He did [accomplished, produced, worked, attended to , put in order] what was right [straight, upright, correct, level, pleasing, just, fitting, proper APPROVED] in the Lord's sight and walked [to live,die/manner of life, to lead, bring, carry] in all [totality] the ways [road, distance, journey, manner, direction, HABIT, course of life] of his ancestor David; he did not turn [depart, to be removed, to put aside, leave undone] to the right or to the left.
What has He asked me to accomplish? to produce? to attend to? to put in order?
Is what I am doing approved? upright? correct? pleasing? fitting?
Is my walk a representation of these approved things I am accomplishing? Do I live and die according to this manner of life?
Does it include all? the totality of God's way? His direction? His road? His course for my life?
Sweet Sovereign God,
May I never turn from, remove myself, put aside or leave undone what You have called me to do!
I love You, too!
J
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