Lessons from Life

The Blessing and the Wait

2011-12-09T16:23:00.001-06:00

Psalms 13

Psalm 13 is a representation of a typical day in the life of a believer, especially when we're waiting for God to work on our behalf. Or when we've been praying for some situation in our life and we have an answer for it but it hasn't reached us and there is usually no tracking number for our shipments from God so we can keep checking with its status. We would probably end up in David's despondency in this Psalm.

God has forgotten me(v1a) - He must be busy with His work, or maybe my situation is not important to Him.
Seems like God is hiding Himself from me (v1b) - I don't know what more I should do to get His attention!
How long must I keep worrying and be sorrowful (v2)- Is there anyone else who would care enough to lessen my burden and share my worry for my situation ?
Even my enemies know about my situation and making fun of me (v2)

His prayer (verse3)

Consider me - Oh God that you would think about me, pay attention to me.
Answer me
Lighten my eyes [of my faith to behold Your face in the pitchlike darkness] (Amp)- I like how Amplified Bible writes this verse. God that you would enable me to see your face in this time of aimlessness and darkness. Let me see your face at least Lord that I know You are watching my situation. Sometimes thats all we need, not even the answer really matters, we just need to see His face.

His temperament

I have trusted
I have leaned on
I have been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness

The outcome of it all David sums up is that he will rejoice and be in high spirits in the Salvation of the Lord! He knows Jesus will redeem. He is faithful. David reassures himself of God's faithfulness in the past and therefore he knows God will come through for him

Conclusion
What do we have that we are waiting for desperately. Is there some decision, some situation, some matter that needs a ruling, a result that will change your life forever; be assured that we have God's promise from His word in 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."(AMP) Now this is exactly what David was looking for and God has it written down for us to be a promise in our lives. All we got to do is seek out His face in the pitch darkness of our situations and we will KNOW He has been watching us every step of the way.

Oh Culture!

2011-11-07T13:03:00.001-06:00

Psalms 12
^"7 You, LORD, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,
⁸ who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race. "

Lessons
1- Wrong place wrong time? Maybe not- Many a times I wonder, if the world we live is so depraved right now, what will be in the future! Is it worth living here, when I can take my kids back to a place where they would probably have lesser moral dangers to deal with. But we are called to be in the place where God has planted us, we are to be there to do the work He has ordained for us to do and God will take care of the rest.

Verses 5-7 from the same chapter give us hope!
^"5Now will I arise, says the Lord, because the poor are oppressed, because of the groans of the needy; I will set him in safety and in the salvation for which he pants. ⁶The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over. ⁷You will keep them and preserve them, O Lord; You will guard and keep us from this [evil] generation forever."

2-Salvation is near-In the time when it seems like no one is watching, God Is! The verse above starts with an everlasting hope in God. "...He will protect us from the wicked forever." Now that is our God. Our God, our Father waiting for reconciliation with His children, when we turn to Him and His love by our own will. Deciding once and for all, that as for me and my household, we will serve our Living God and remain under the shadow and protection of our Almighty God. Let's not venture out of our safe zone in God.

Conclusion
The more I think about life on planet earth right now, the more it reminds me of Sodom and Gomorrah and the more I think about Sodom and Gomorrah, I think about Lot. I wonder, what would have been going on, on his mind when he saw the depravity of his generation. How did he hold onto his faith? How much did he compromise? Did it hurt when he did let down his beliefs to try to fit in? I'm sure it must have, because it hurts on the inside of me, when I am not being normal, just so I can fit in with a bunch of people who do not really care for my faith and my stand, my narrowmindedness of having just ONE SAVIOUR and NO ONE ELSE. Sometimes the people who reject/exclude you may be your own family but you know what God gave me an answer for Lot's lot. I'd love for you to read 2 Pet 2:6-8 and I particularly looooove this -
"...and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless" 2 Peter 2:6-8, how much more all of us, who are in a depraved world of degraded moral principles where anything goes!
Go ahead, stand up! Be a square peg in this round hole, of a world! Be Holy just as He(our Living Lord God) is Holy!

When you feel cheated!

2011-06-27T15:31:00.005-05:00

Psalms 10 & 11
"v1 Why, LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"

Lesson
Personally I feel very wronged when someone deserving does not get the reward and its given to someone less deserving or not at all deserving! Something of that kind happened in our lives recently and it hurt! Why wouldn't God do something about it? He does see everything that's going on in my life so He should do something "to" those people and teach them a lesson!

When you see the wicked getting aggressively wicked, liars and manipulators becoming richer, walking in truth and love becoming harder and even then when we see the wicked prosper it doesn't seem fair. But no matter what our feeling may feel like feeling, God IS at work. God may not sometimes seem to be fair, but He always is a just God.

This verse from the NT came to my rescue, from Romans 11:10-12 (NIV)^"10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”^[a] Ingrafted Branches ¹¹ Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. ¹² But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! "

If the Israelis would have been everything that God wanted them to be, we the gentiles would not have had a chance to know such great a salvation, such wonderful a God. Sometimes God would choose to allow a wrong to seem to flourish right before our eyes. We can choose to get offended by it and reject the walk of faith, the walk of surrender, quit the narrow road and join the bandwagon of underhanded work - OR - let it be a time of humbling, a time of introspection for with God there is nothing meaningless that God does in our lives. Deuteronomy 32:4
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."

Conclusion
The next time God does something in your life, which seems like injustice to you, think about this, if the Israelis had not had a season of hardened hearts, we would not have had a chance to know their Awesome Living God - A God who was just engaging His plan of extending His love to us. If a wrongdoer is seemingly getting all the best things and nothing, that we think is right for us, is falling on our plates, remember this - God is engaging His plan of a greater blessing for us, something which has our name on it. Psalmist continues his words with this verse Psalm 11:7 "For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face." Yes the upright WILL see His face, what a blessing for just hanging on to God's plan for our lives.

Learning from David

2011-04-13T12:10:00.007-05:00

^{Psalm 9
"10} Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

Lesson
How to give Praise

Thanks for what you have received-" v1 I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."
Above all, recognizing Who your Giver is- " ⁷ The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. ⁸ He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.
⁹ The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. " David never failed to Praise God and recognize who God is. If we see a person helping out a stranger for no personal gain, we know that person must be kind. If we see a person giving off of his own lack, we know he must be generous. Actions define the character of a person. David learned that full well. He therefore, praised God for what God did, but also for who He IS.

Conclusion
The one thing that especially stuck to me from this passage is the verse ^"10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. " Unlike people, God is exactly what His name is.

JEHOVAH-JIREH "The Lord our provider"

JEHOVAH-NISSI "Our banner, a banner of love and protection"

JEHOVAH-SHALOM "Our perfect peace"

JEHOVAH-TSID-KENU "The Lord is our righteousness"

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH "The One Who is with us everywhere for He is Omnipresent"

JEHOVAH-SABAOTH "The Lord of Hosts, our Protector."

JEHOVAH-RAAH "Our Shepherd Who tenderly leads us, loves us and will keep us safe."

JEHOVAH RAPHA "I am the Lord Your Physician or I am the Lord Your Healer"

Now those who know the Name of their God, WILL trust in Him. For our God always keeps His Word ! His promises are Yes and Amen. Take comfort and strength in the Name of our God, for He is Who He says He is and He does what He says He will do! He will never forsake His people!

Praise Power

2009-08-26T05:27:00.003-05:00

Background: Ps 8:2 "From the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."

Lesson
It doesnt matter who is praising. It doesn't matter the size od the person praising. It doesn't matter the language of the person praising. It doesn't matter the fluency in a multitude of ornate words used for praising. The Word of God says that God ordains: meaning "confer holy orders upon/to establish by law/to decree/to destine" even infants, the Amplified Bible says "unweaned infants" to praise God in the face of His enemies and you know what the impact of that is "to silence the foe and the avenger." God can silence His enemies not by great macho praise people, but from unweaned infants. What an Awesome God we serve. Ordaining glorious abilities on people whom we may think incapable/weak. That is our God Who empowers the praise of His people, no matter how low, tiny, small you feel before the enemy. Your God thinks BIG of you and empowers you to be BIG before our enemies.

Conclusion: Our God is a powerful God. Able to transform people by one utterance of His Word. When God ordains/establishes praise from infants, they receive the power to silence the enemy. God is able to impart to YOU the power needed to silence the enemy. Don't fret about how tiny, incapable, weak, babyish, helpless you are, but rejoice and Praise in God, Praise our Living Lord Jesus and God will empower you to put your enemies to silence.

Love
Godzheart

Righteous Judge

2009-02-12T17:07:00.007-06:00

Background: Psalm 7 David is crying out to God for His righteous judgment in a situation when he was hurt by his own. In your Bibles you will notice the chapter begins with a short heading "[A shiggaion[a] of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.]"

For better understanding shiggaion from the verb shagah, "to reel about through drink," occurs in the title of Ps. 7. The plural form, shigionoth, is found in Hab. 3:1. The word denotes a lyrical poem composed under strong mental emotion; a song of impassioned imagination accompanied with suitable music; a dithyrambic ode.

Lessons I learnt

Voiced all his fears to the Lord - God knows us full well, but it is when we speak up to the One Whom we cannot see, we activate our faith on our Living God, engaging His power to work on our behalf. I guess thats the deal with praying aloud, we hear for ourselves as the Holy Spirit puts word in our mouths to help us pray, mixing with our faith, and we begin to realize in our minds as we listen - God has indeed stretched out His hand for us. David spared nothing to tell God, his Friend.
Inward Cleanliness - "v3 O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands-v4 if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe..." We go great lengths to make ourselves presentable before people around us, David was constantly checking his heart to make sure his heart was pure and clean before God. Most all his psalms talks about being pure, being holy, being righteous before God, hiding God's Word in his heart so he may not sin. He made sure he kept his inner self clean.
Righteous Judge - The world may deal judgments in the favor of the one who has more money, irrespective of the truth of the matter, but David knew a Judge and based all of his life before him, because his Judge judged rightly. God our Judge knows ANY situation from the inside out and what would be better than to pour out all our energy in bringing our cases before this Righteous Judge, than to go to anybody else?

Conclusion-David exerted all of his energy in serving the One Who had and Who could make a difference in his life and therefore the life of this man who lived centuries ago, speaks to us so profoundly. He knew how ordinary and how broken he alone is, but he also knew the One God Who could change His life immensely. He made sure his life stayed right with our Living God, so that he would have constant connection-a live connection with our Living God. How much more do we need to keep our inner beings in constant check and purity, to make sure we are not lured by bathing Bathsheba's - satan's bait of the flesh to pull us down from the place of closeness with our Lord Jesus.

Desperate Tears

2009-01-16T12:52:00.002-06:00

Background: Psalm 6 David cries out to God in a very profuse, heart rendering cry. Desperate for a change, an intervention, redemption, deliverance from his enemies. He is so desperate for the relief that, unrestrained and unstoppable tears flow down his eyes. They're sore, for he has cried for long. You should read the Amplified Version to get the intensity of his supplication. This psalm of David's ignites in me a passion for God.

Lessons I learnt

Desperate to reconnect-v3-43 "My [inner] self [as well as my body] is also exceedingly disturbed and troubled. But You, O Lord, how long [until You return and speak peace to me]?
No matter what error David made, he cried out passionately to God to forgive him and take him back. His heart longed for reconnecting with God always.
Desperate for intervention-v4"Return [to my relief], O Lord, "David desperately desired God to be a part of his life. He needed God to guide his life in the way God would have it go.
Desperate for deliverance-"4deliver my life; save me for the sake of Your steadfast love and mercy." David did not sit complacently when enemies surrounded him and he always had enemies right from the time he was anointed king. He knew God can deliver, but he also needed to pray and so he did. Not just casually, he poured his heart out in his prayers with such passion and fervor. Would not God deliver His anointed king? He can and He could, but David's prayers engaged God's power to action on his life. An affirmation saying-"Lord come work on my life. I need You Lord."

Conclusion: Thats the making of a man after God's own heart. Man full of passion regarding his life, his struggles, his deliverance. We have an enemy too and if we look around, we'll see him pressing down on our lives from all sides. Social degradation, moral degradation, economic meltdown, family break-ups. Its our time to be desperate and not just watch while the enemy takes all. Our time to stand up, cry profusely to our Living Lord Jesus, to reconnect with our Lord and ask Him to intervene in our lives in His everlasting mercy and give us victory in all corners. Now is the time to live passionately for our Lord, right NOW!!

Good Morning Daddy, I have a problem!

2008-11-21T12:32:00.004-06:00

Background: Psalm 5 A prayer, a declaration and a great lesson. I liked this chapter as it taught a wonderful lesson on how the psalmist converses with God. No matter what we're struggling with in life or what the enemy is threatening us with, we've got a way before our Father in heaven.

Lessons I learnt

Directing the prayers rightly-v2 "Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. "
First to God-"v3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you". The Psalmist specifically mentions, that in the morning, in the first light of day. The first thing of the day, he does is, goes before God with his requests. Giving God a place of honour and respect similar to how we'd like to see our most precious person/persons first thing in the morning. More than that, going first to God at a time of trouble, shows that he trusts God with his problem and knows He's the best person to share it with.
Expectant-"v3b and wait in expectation." He doesn't go there just pouring out his requests, he even waits for God's intervention. Waits!!! He knows God CAN DO something about his situation and he waits.
Knows his God-v4-v6. The key to having peace at troubled times and when praying, is knowing WHO you are praying to. If we have no clue WHO God is and WHAT He can do, then we'll have no effect in our prayer, for we will be unable to expect anything.
Doing his part, while he waits-v7-v8Goes to the house of the Lord, worships and lives righteously.
Venting frustrations- I could have never thought, how a person can go and speak like that about their enemies before God. Its like a small child going before his father and complaining about the bully who threatens him at school everyday. The child is free to share his feelings with his father. Not scared that his dad will think of him to be a wimp. He knows his father would take action on behalf of him to protect him. Surely our Heavenly Father knows much better than an earthly dad, to protect His children. We have the opening to go share our happy, sad, frustrated, joyful, worried or whatever else kind of heart, with our Heavenly Father as He avenges us, isn't that what friends do?

Conclusion: No matter what we're facing in this point of time in our lives, the surest thing I have learnt from this Psalm is that our God is a patient listener, a fervent deliverer and a terrific avenger. He will work in a manner who knows, even our enemies will see and be delivered from sin and come into righteousness. Take heart and share your burdens with your Living God who IS ABLE to work out all your situations for your good and His glory.

Blessings in Distress

2008-10-29T14:06:00.004-05:00

Background: A study on Psalm 4 (Amp). It is amazing how the Psalmist finds himself describing his blessings in he midst of trouble. He begins with a plea for God to hear his cry and then his tone(as usual) changes over to one as if prophesying to himself of what his God can do. The powerful blessings that follow a one who follows God rightly.

What the Psalmist does in a time of distress?

Calls God in Prayer(v1)
Offers "right" sacrifices(v5)-Its easy to do the right thing when everyone is doing the right thing. But when everyone is doing the wrong thing, it can be pretty difficult to do the right thing when someone has wronged you or you are in a tough situation. Hence the bible refers to it as a "sacrifice". When it costs us to do the right thing.
Trusts the Lord(v5)

What God does for His people in times of distress?

Frees his people-"v1 You have freed me when I was hemmed in ". The situation was pretty tight(hemming) and God frees his people
Enlarges or Increases-"v1...enlarged me when I was in distress". Did you see that. God enlarges people even in the middle of distress. Do you remember how the Israelites multiplied exceedingly in the time of slavery and when the egyptian king was killing infant boys!!! Thats the kind of God we have.
Sets apart His people-"v3 set apart for Himself [and given distinction to] him who is godly [the man of loving-kindness]. " In the midst of adversity people will still be able to recognise who you belong to. God shows in marvellous ways to other people, that You belong to Him.
Joy and Peace-"v7You have put more joy and rejoicing in my heart than [they know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly." Even if it may seem like we've got nothing in distress, our God is able to fill our lives with such joy and peace it values much more than the seeming abundance the enemy has.

Conclusion: What have we got to do in times of distress? In the midst of distress when you think life can not get any worse. Nothing seems to work. Right then and there our Living God is at work in our lives, IF ONLY WE WILL SEE, how we've been set apart(shown distinctively as His kid), how our boundaries have been enlarged and how we're at peace. The psalmist ends this chapter wonderfully."v8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust." Be so sure and confident in the Lord that He is able to perfect everything that concerns you. He never does an incomplete project. He who has started the good work in you WILL bring it to completion.

When Life Seems to Pause

2008-09-24T16:39:00.004-05:00

Background: This is a study of Psalm 3. I did the study in the Amplified Version for want of details. The word Selah captured my attention in this chapter. Its not that I have not met that word before but this time it really stood out. It was amazing the points where God has chosen to put the Selah in this chapter and thats what I learned from this Psalm of David written when he was fleeing for life from his own son Absalom.

Its worth mentioning that Amplified Bible describes Selah as "pause, and calmly think of that"

Lessons

The Pause:when everything seems to be working against you-v2 Many are saying of me, There is no help for him in God. Selah" There are desperate times and situations that we face and it seems like time has just decided to stop on this chapter of our life nothing could change it.Even people around you are convinced this is how it ends. David probably felt this and wrote this portion, but the pause is short lived and the verse continued
The Pause: when we've prayed and are waiting for an answer -v4 With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He hears and answers me out of His holy hill. Selah Then this is another time when we are so sure our God has heard our prayers and then we wait, we pause expecting an answer. The hope in this verse doesn't end here too, and the verse continues.
The Final Pause: when God intervenes-v8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people. Selah I am so glad this Psalm ends here. Here's the final pause when God intervenes. The word meaning as defined by dictionary is amazing...Salvation stands for the act of saving/protecting from danger or harm, the state or process of being saved, the source cause or means of being saved. I didnt know that and it makes a world of difference to me. My God is the one Who acts on my behalf to deliver me. My God is my source of protection and deliverance. My God delivers me and is my deliverance.

Conclusion: Take heart my friend, whatever be the situation that you face. Our Lord God Jesus Christ is THE SALVATION. He's the One to make the final Pause for our lives' destination. He's is the final authority of our lives. If it seems like the situation you are in is unending, take courage and have faith thats just a short pause. If it seems like its taking forever for the answer, to your prayer, to come- it is on its way. Salvation belongs to our Living Lord Jesus and Jesus is God who never fails us in any situation when we call upon Him. Therefore we have hope because Salvation is in the rightful and faithful hands of our Saviour.

Where is the fear of the Lord?

2008-09-03T10:47:00.004-05:00

Background:Psalms 2 Nations rising up against a Holy God, to this the Word of God responds saying "v10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. v11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling." The kings and rulers of this earth may be ruling a set or group of people but they should never forget they have been appointed in their place by a Higher Authority.

Lesson
We have liberally forgotten Who God is and I don't see the fear of the Lord anywhere, not even in my life many times.

A consuming fire-Deuteronomy 4:24 "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."
Spans heaven and earth-Isaiah 66:1[ Judgment and Hope ] This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?"
Creator of heaven and earth and of me-Isaiah 29:16"You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows" nothing"?"

Conclusion:Just because our Lord has been patient with us, He has called us friends, that in no way diminishes the fact that He is a powerful God. It is amazing to me that He chose to show us the vulnerable side of Him, His immense love for us. No wonder we take Him for granted in all we do, because we know He is so much in love with us, that He was willing to die for our sins and take our guilt upon His head. This won't be for much long though, for when He comes in His full glory, we will not even have the guts to look at His glory. Lets honour God in the fullness of His being, with respectful fear and we will have wisdom to live our lives before Him.Proverbs 9:10"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding"

You Win!!!

2008-04-22T11:30:00.007-05:00

Background: At the end of it all I found a very important lesson from the book of Job, as Job himself declares in Job 42:2 "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted."

Lessons

Enduring the Unexplained-Sometimes we just face situations in life that are unwanted, unnecessary and you can't explain where it came from. You don't know what you've got to learn from it and you can't find the reason why. Times like these Job's experience encourages us to keep on going strong. Just living life exactly like God would have us live and come out victorious
God's unchangeable plan-This is what encouraged me most from Job's experience.In the end, after all the pain, after all the heartache when no one, not even his friends could understand his situation, Job understood it well-God's plans cannot be thwarted. This is a good thing, for His plans for us are to prosper us and NEVER to harm us.

Conclusion-If you are going through a situation you don't understand, and more than that when you look for people to comfort you, you find none who is able to know what you are going through, then take heart, God our Living Almighty Father knows and understands you and your circumstances very well. He knows how much you can endure. At the end of it all, when you've stood your ground, YOU WIN!!! for He who called us is Faithful and True to do what He has promised.

Winning All Trials

2008-04-15T10:34:00.005-05:00

Background:Trials are a part of a believer's life, how we come out from it determines our stand and the next round. I guess its almost like writing a GMAT exam where the more you answer correctly the more difficult the next question gets, thereby assessing your actual ability to perform not just how much you know or can memorise. GMAT assesses your ability to take on the curriculum. Life's trials determine your faithfulness in stewardship, whether you can handle the responsibility of carrying God's glorious power and how much of it.

Here I list some lessons I learnt from Job which guides us the way to take when trials come our way and how to come out of top.

Lessons

Honoring Sovereignty- "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 2:10 I believe Job understood "Who God is" and knew there would definitely be a meaning in all the trouble he was going through in spite of his faithfulness

Knowing your stand with God-Job did not condemn himself when bad things happened to him. He knew his position before God, he knew that he had been faithful in his stand with God and would not let even a shadow of a doubt from his friends come between him and God. He was confident of his relationship with God. "19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God " 1 John 3:19-21

Knowing God -When we have fellowship with God day by day by day everyday. We start understanding His ways and His methods, we start knowing God and that builds confidence in us regarding all that God does in our lives and we can believe in Him without a shadow of a doubt through all ups and downs. As David says in Psalm 25:9 "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way".

Conclusion: As in our earthly relationships, the more we spend time with someone the more we understand them, and the closer you are with that person you even think and act like them. You will understand that person so well, that you can even guess their reactions to various situations and how they will deal with it. So also with our God, He called us friend,John 15:15, so that we may know Him. What other God gives that kind of an invitation? No other. When we know God as friend we will learn to trust Him in everything that happens in our lives and trials will no longer be a boulder, but a stepping stone in developing a deeper relationship with Him.

A Serious "JOB"

2008-04-01T17:11:00.005-05:00

Background: Job, a righteous man in the sight of God. One whom God recommended satan to look at. One whom God boasted about, wow, being boasted by God!!!. This is a man's painful story I have read and heard many times since my childhood, but it had never spoken to me the way it did, this time I read it. So here I present the precious lessons I learnt from the book of Job.

Lessons

Diligent devotion to God-v5"This was Job's regular custom." If you'd like to make a ritualistic religion out of christianity, here is one to follow, which is even commended by God. "To fear God and shun evil." He was so devoted to God he might have looked like a fanatic before people, but he made God proud.

Serious Responsibility-Job is a perfect example of a good overseer, a good and faithful servant. He took his responsibility for his children very seriously, so that until they put their faith in God themselves, he was willing to carry their faith for them. I think he was responsible in everything, no wonder he was living an abundant life, which we are still trying to achieve. When we take our responsibilities seriously, whatever has been given by God in our hands, our families, our children, our jobs, our friends, our loved ones, our property, we are sure to become good and faithful servants. We want to save children in some remote part of the world by throwing in some money at some charity, yet unwilling to pray and uphold the faith for our children, our loved ones who don't know the Lord!!!

Audacity to Honour Sovereignty-v20"20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship ". Say what!!! Fell to the ground in worship!!! Unbelievable!! This guy is seriously crazy, he should have stood up and rebuked the devil and bound things in heaven and earth and all the jazz, but chose to worship. Here's why-- I believe the more he had spent time with God, Job had developed a "divine ear". He knew God is not the One Who comes to steal, kill and destroy. I believe he also knew that God is able to protect him. Yet he knew if God didn't save him from this disaster, it must have been within his control and God chose not to do so and he respected that Sovereignty of God. As modern Christians we've now turned the Bible upside down, to mean "what we say is what we get???" Nuh-huh...What He says is what we get. I am sure we will not be able to digest the fact that God is Sovereign, we are people who want to change God's mind and run our own lives the way we choose, with our kind of prosperity. Now this man showed us true Sovereignty. The REAL FACT IS the devil cannot lay even his tiny finger on any one of God's children and if there is something he is able to touch , don't you dare think that it happened without the knowledge of a Sovereign God. God knows, and if He still let that happen, worship Him, for He is Sovereign. He knows His business better than we do, He's been running it since eternity, can we, who lived a mere fraction of God's time tell Him what to do??? Think about it.

Conclusion:This man Job has stolen my spiritual heart and showed me things I had seen and ignored and tried my own ways to please God. I wanted, not that God would be my God, but that God would be "my kind of God". Well the fact is He's not my kind, I am His kind. So if my life has to be the one up in line for His recommendation to the devil, I'd better be the seriously His kind of a gal. A God's gal who is serious about His Sovereignty who will have the audacity to worship His Sovereignty in her life no matter what. Isn't that what Paul teaches us, the guy who was flogged, shipwrecked, imprisoned and yet had the audacity to say "4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 from a prison cell. So when will we be serious about our job?

Glorious Victory

2008-02-15T18:19:00.005-06:00

Background:Esther 9,10 The Jews went through tough situations from the time they and their kings began disobeying God (Book of Judges, Book of Nehemiah, Book of Ezra) from the time David's kingdom got divided and then through various captivities by many rulers among whom this Persian king was one. Yet in all this, the book of Esther ends on a positive note for the Jews. They went in as captives under the king of Persia (though many years ago) yet they come out gloriously victorious through the obedience of Esther and Mordecai, to doing the right thing. I loved the book of Esther, because it portrays silently the work of God, who didn't forget His people even in the midst of their captivity under a non-Israelite non-believer king and turned what was meant for harm into glorious victory for His people who called out to Him

Lessons

Captivity can be turned to victory-Captivity & weeping may last for a time but victory and joy come for those who will stay their ground for the Lord and do the right thing even when they are in captivity.
God is able to turn harm into good, for those who love Him-Nothing demonstrates Romans 8:28 better than the book of Esther. When Haman thought he could get the Jews annihilated, God turned tables on him through the obedience and prayer of the Jews.
God can move unbelieving hearts in your favor even when you are in captivity especially when you choose to do the right thing and walk with God, no matter whether you feel like it or not.
There is freedom from bondage and captivity no matter who caused it-The freedom is definite for those who correct their ways and walk rightly before God and God i able to bring them out on top, always.
Glorious Victory-You will see the triumph with which God brings out the Jews from this episode, Esther 10 (must read to get the picture). God never brings out His people from captivity or bondage in a just-escaped or a mediocre status, but in a glorious, honored, rich, royal manner. Remember when the Israelites came out of bondage from Egypt, Exo 12:35-36 says "35 The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. 36 The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians." For Esther and Mordecai, their captive situation not only changed but God propelled them into a place of authority and royalty.

Conclusion-When you set your face like a flint and determine to follow God no matter what captivity you are in, no matter what is keeping you tied down, no matter what reason you went into captivity-God can change your situation and bring you out unscathed, honored, respected, in authority, in royalty. The only thing between your captivity and freedom is your walk with God in total obedience to the guidance and ushering of the Holy Spirit.

What Happens When You Know the New Decree

2008-02-08T10:12:00.000-06:00

Background:The New Decree is now being spread in all the regions, the king of Persia ruled over. As a result of this "15 Mordecai left the king's presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them." (Esther 8:15-17).

Lessons

Go in dressed poorly, come out royally-"Mordecai left the king's presence wearing royal garments " Just by having been in the presence of the king, Mordecai was transformed in his appearance to the world, he went in a regular Joe, got introduced to the king through Esther and the next thing he knows, there's a new edict he's writing and his appearance has changed. Thats what happens to us when we come out of the presence of the King of kings 1 Peter 2:9"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Knowledge of the decree brings joy -"For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor". When they came to know that the king was on their side they found strength, courage and honor. Similarly when we read the Word of God especially what Jesus says on our behalf, as in Isaiah 61:1 [ The Year of the LORD's Favor ] The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners," we will have the joy that comes from knowing Lord Jesus.

Power to change other people- "And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them" Its amazing to me that this one edict was so powerful that people from other nationalities changed their nationalities even. As the news of the decree spread all around, the Jews celebrated its knowledge and non-jews knew there was something these Jews had which they didn't have and shifted gears immediately. If we as believers are doing it right with the decree that Jesus Christ has given us, people around us would be doing the same, wanting what we want. Our life should look like a celebration of the knowledge of what Jesus Christ has done for us. The least we can do is to rejoice and be grateful for the awesome power Jesus our Lord has bestowed upon us through His sacrifice on the cross.

Conclusion:If we truly would understand the weight of the power, the new decree that Jesus has written down for us, has for us who believe in Him, our lives would be transformed into a celebration, we would be so glad that Jesus set us free and it would show through our lives, as we face every situation boldly, knowing we've got the right and power to fight the enemy of our souls and come out winners all the time. No matter what the enemy may try to do to quench out our celebration of our power through the new decree, let us never forget the precious sacrifice of our Lord Jesus that has enabled us even now to stand against and come out victorious through any attack of the enemy. Know the decree through Jesus and be joyful, for the joy of the Lord is our strength and see the people around wanting what you've got.

A Day to Avenge

2008-02-01T16:29:00.000-06:00

Background: Is there something that the Lord has promised and you are waiting for it to come to pass. I am. These verses from Esther 8:12,13 encouraged my heart today.Esther and Mordecai have recently managed to change a decree that their enemy Haman had written, to annihilate the Jews, into defending themselves and now the new decree has gone out into the kingdom which gave the Jews a day to avenge themselves from their enemies."12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. "(Esther 8:12,13). Now here are the lessons that blessed me

Lessons

The lesson that stood out from these verses is this,- though the decree was issued and the Jews had been given authority to fight and annihilate anyone who would attack them, this was not to happen until a certain appointed day. Why was it supposed to be that way? Why another day? Why not on the day the decree was issued?

You know why-Esther 8:12-13 say "12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. "

The decree had to be made known to the people of every nationality
The Jews had to get ready for that day
Also, probably to tell the enemies of Jews ...beware, the Jews are now empowered to defend themselves

Conclusion:The lesson points out two special messages it hints at the Big day when Satan and his hosts will be fought and defeated once and for all and all this time we have is that we may get ourselves ready and bring in all the souls we can into the Kingdom of God by letting them know of the awesome decree giving humans(sons and daughters of Adam and Eve) the power to fight and resist any enemy that attacks them, through the sacrifice of the Son of God

In a more specific manner it empowers a believer in Jesus Christ with the message that , if you've been dragged down by situations of defeat through the enemy's attack on our life, be it spiritual, physical, mental or any other, we have a New Decree through our Lord Jesus Christ which has turned the tables on the enemy and empowered us even now to fight back and that THERE IS A DAY APPOINTED FOR US TO SEE VICTORY in every situation in our lives. So if there has been something you have been petitioning before our Lord the King, take heart a day of its fulfilment has already been declared, victory is inevitable.

Now what ...its for us to be ready for that day of victory, it will not come without a fight and we've got to be strong that we may be able to stand the enemy's last attack on our life, the final moment of battle before we become victors...so GET READY

Happy Christ-centered Christmas

2007-12-21T02:11:00.000-06:00

I love December for I get to celebrate the Birthdays of the two most important people in my life. My Lord Jesus and my hubby. So I am planning to make him Black Forest cake and just hope it turns out well. Now you don't go telling him his surprise ok...In the meanwhile, my twin dolls are doing well, they're growing well, they have learnt to recognise me and they now smile at us. Above all, the most precious thing is they look like me and my hubby. I feel such joy when we sit and watch them and say "This one's nose is like you, that ones lips are like mine."Wow my lil ones look like me, my image. I feel a little nervous when they cry and scream if I'm a bit late in getting them their food but times when they are happy I feel strangely proud and sooo immensely loved when they stare into my eyes and smile.
This feeling has encouraged me to get even closer to God my Father, in Whose image I am made. Wouldn't He be feeling so proud when He sees His image in me and wouldn't He feel loved when I look into His eyes and smile, just smile, not crying or screaming and asking for food or other needs, just smiling and being a child admiring her Dad.My lil ones have been made in my image and came through me and they belong to me, given to me by my Heavenly Father. The Word of God reads in Matthew 22:20-22 "20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 21"Caesar's," they replied.Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." We've been made in the image of our Heavenly Father and so we belong to Him, this Christmas as we celebrate the best gift we ever received from our Heavenly Father, His Son and a new life in exchange for our sin and suffering and death, let us remember to give to God what belongs to Him....even ourselves.
Love

Your Power through the New Decree

2007-11-08T14:14:00.000-06:00

Background: Its amazing how the Word of God can come alive and speak to us different things at different times through just one verse sometimes. This verse is one of them which blessed me immensely. Esther 8:11" 11 The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies."

Lessons I learnt

The lessons from this verse remind me of all the power that our Lord Jesus bestowed upon us by His cancelling our sins and seating us in the heavenlies with Him to reign along with Him not only in the future but, for those who believe in Him, even now.

Power to every Jew in every city-"..The king's edict granted the Jews in every city ". The power of our risen Lord thats at work within us is not only for people in close proximity to Jerusalem, remember the Jews in this chapter were not in Jerusalem, they were elsewhere. It doesn't matter where the child of God is, the power has been given to all, in every city under the king's jurisdiction. Our Lord reigns over all the universe and all creation, earth or space and we have authority through the decree anywhere we are.

Power in assembly-"The king's edict granted the Jews...the right to assemble". The Word of God declares, Matthew 18:20"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." No doubt the power of the Lord is in every believer but when these believers assemble there is even greater power for the Lord Himself has declared ..."I am with them" No ifs, buts or doubts but He is with us, so can you imagine the power of assembly?

Power to Protect-"..The king's edict granted the Jews to....protect themselves". To protect, I think, is also an extention of resistance. To resist any causes of destruction. It is to resist disaster from attacking us. We have been vested with power to resist our enemy and he must flee from us.

Power to destroy the enemy's efforts-"11 The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to...destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children" To destroy means to disable, to disarm the enemy of his power and bring an end to the ability of the enemy to harm us. We have the power to bind our enemy, we have been given power over satan for he is under our feet. This plan not only covers us but all our loved ones, every one of them, whoever is connected to us in any manner...so lets make use of this full coverage plan.

Power to plunder enemy property-"11 The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to...plunder the property of their enemies." This part of the verse reminds me of the verse from Matthew 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it." Now if a kingdom has been expanding, it must be because of the acquisition of more territory. We have the power to increase our Lord's kingdom, that which the enemy has been holding up, all those lives which he has put a claim on due to sin and ignorance of the person. We have the right to reclaim lives, places, people, families for our Lord because the Word of our God declares in Deuteronomy 10:14 "To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it." Lets get our Dad's stuff back.

Conclusion: We as believers and children of our Living and Loving God have not been working at our full potential, our full authority else this earth sure would have been a different place to live in. We have been given all the authority through the New Decree in our Lord Jesus Christ and we've done nothing if we compare as to how much ground we need to cover. Lets get busy for our Lord and Living King.

Power of the New Decree

2007-10-30T12:51:00.000-05:00

Background:Esther 8:8-10 The king has granted that Mordecai write a new decree and handed over his signet ring to Mordecai to seal the new decree in all his authority. This decree changed the current situation the Jews were facing. On further thinking on these verses I found some beautiful lessons in these verses.

Lessons

A decree that overturned a death sentence-Haman's decree had established a death sentence for the Jews but Mordecai's decree gave the Jews power to defend themselves from death. We had a decree of death sentence hanging over our heads. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death....but then we have a new decree on account of our Lord Jesus Christ who "forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross"(Col 2:13-14)
A decree which covered all of the king's jurisdiction-Est 8:v9 "They wrote out all Mordecai's orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush." The decree that Mordecai wrote with the king's authority was valid over all of king's territory. The decree we have through our King Lord Jesus is also valid on our behalf over all of our King of King's Kingdom and do you know how far our King's territories reach!!! Deuteronomy 10:14"To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it"

A decree which addressed all people of all languages-Est 8:v9 "These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language." The decree was not just for one group of people it was written for all under the king's power to know, the enemies of the Jews as well as the Jews themselves. To the enemies-so that they would know not to mess with the Jews, to the Jews in order that they may know the power of defence they had been given through their highest authority. So also for us when our Lord Jesus disabled the power of the death decree on our lives, it was a spectacle for our enemies to know not to mess with God's children and also for us to know that we have been given power from on high to take up our swords and defend ourselves and our property from our enemies.

A decree that granted the Jews power to defend themselves-Est8:11 The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies. In the way that the king's decree gave Jews the power to defend, our Lord Jesus has also given us the power to defend ourselves, not only ourselves but also our families, our properties and even to take more from the enemy too.

Conclusion:We have a decree that has canceled the death sentence on our lives, we have a decree that is written in a universal language which our enemies are able to understand and are bound to stay away from us and which we are meant to understand to know the power vested in us, we have a decree that gives us the right to defend our lives from death and destruction, not only our own lives but all that belong to us, our families and not only that even our property and to take over enemy property as well. Do we fully know/understand the power of the new decree?

Why am I busy???

2007-09-28T10:32:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,

Me and my husband have been blessed with our very first babies, twin girls on the 12th Sept. I am extremely grateful to my friends who have been praying for me and upheld me and my family during my pregnancy.

Right now I am in the process of setting up a routine for our family and getting organised with the day..so I can resume my studies again.

Love

The Signet Ring

2007-08-22T11:52:00.000-05:00

Background: Esther 8 Haman has now been hanged to death in the gallows he had made for Mordecai. The king not only gives the signet ring he took from Haman to Mordecai, queen Esther appoints him over Haman's estate.Queen Esther and Mordecai have revealed themselves as Jews before the king and Esther pleads with the king to do something about Haman's edict. The king hands over the work to Mordecai to "..write another decree in the king's name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king's signet ring—for no document written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can be revoked"

Lessons I learnt

Related to the deliverer-"And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her." I see Esther as a deliverer for the Jews during this time, being the one who could speak to the king on their behalf. When humans had gone far astray from God the Father, only His Son could plead our case before Him, as there was no one good, not even one to stand before the Father in Heaven. And those who know Jesus, God's Son as their Saviour and Lord, them He introduces to His Father(the King) "This one is related to me".

Transfer of authority-"2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate." With the introduction to the king, Mordecai received authority, and suddenly he now becomes an important man. Once an ordinary citizen not knowing what his plight would be, now has the power to change the very edict Haman had written for his death. For us who have been introduced to our Father in Heaven through our connection with our deliverer, Jesus says"19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." Luke 10:19

The New Edict- This is what was amazing to me, when the king tells Mordecai "8 Now write another decree in the king's name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king's signet ring—for no document written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can be revoked." it would make sense to me if Mordecai had just written a decree cancelling the previous one, but we know, that was stamped with the king's signet ring and no one could change it. However as Mordecai wrote "11 The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies" we see the edict wasn't to sit back and watch, but to get up and fight for their lives. Jews were not saved just by watching Esther and Mordecai do the works, and we are not saved by sitting and reminiscing on what Jesus demonstrated 2000 yrs ago, ours is a battle too and every time the enemy attacks, we have the right and work to resist and the enemy will flee from us. The enemy does not go if we just wait for him to leave, we've got to show some resistance. Matthew 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."

Conclusion:So what have we been doing with the signet ring we have received from our King of kings?

Behind the Scenes...

2007-08-02T11:18:00.000-05:00

Background:Today I put myself in Esther's shoes on the night she risks her life to meet with the king. I am nervous almost to death, yet I take that step toward the hall as I am noticed by the king and the king is pleased with me. I touch his scepter and bow down to greet him. Now what!!! How can I tell the king whats weighing down my heart? Well, he has offered me up to half the kingdom, I could probably take that and move all the Jews in there, but the enemy....what about the enemy of the Jews, Haman, and his edict? That would still be hanging like a noose over our necks. The king esteems him highly and has bestowed upon him an honor much higher than all other nobles in his court, even to the effect that people must bow to him just like they would bow before the king himself. The king's special man. I don't know what to say or how to plead my case against Haman's edict to annihilate the Jews sealed with the king's signet ring given to Haman, moreso the king has no idea I am a Jew too. Will my life end up like Vashti? It cannot - for her it was only her life at stake, for me, its all these people who have stood by me in fasting, my people, my uncle/brother Mordecai who has loved and cared for me like his own daughter since I lost my parents.
Thus must have Esther thought and decided to do what she thought best to do for that moment, Esther 5:4"If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him." As the banquet continues, the king asks again what Esther's petition was, but she had not mustered enough courage yet (I guess) for she says Esther 5:8 "If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question.". She had got away from the situation she so dreaded (the possibility of offending the king) another time.

Lessons I learnt

Taking the step of faith-She risked her life , by stepping out to meet the king without being summoned.

The Wait-She had survived the meeting with the king, this would have probably encouraged her that God was involved for her life had been spared..especially with a king who would rather listen to his advisors and nobles, than his wife. She would have probably waited for that special hint from God, the nudge, when God says in your heart "Ok go ahead", "speak, for I am with you". And as she waited, that nudge from God came, quite vividly and clearly, because God moved in a powerful way.

God moved-What are the odds for a sleepless king, entertaining himself by reading the chronicles of his reign? I'd think for the kind of king Xerxes has been portrayed so far, he should have called for some dancers or something. More than that, ironically, Haman was in the courts to talk to the king about hanging Mordecai while the king investigates v3 "What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?". As the event unfolds, Haman gets the task to honor Mordecai whom he had sought to kill.

Go for the knock out-With all this now donoe for Mordecai, Esther suddenly has found her strength in going before the king, as she sees, an impossible turnaround in the circumstances, Haman(the enemy) honouring her uncle Mordecai before the entire country. So she spoke "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king. [a] "

Victory-In a blink of an eye the atmosphere changes from one of fear, to stress(hoping what the king would do about Haman), then in quick succession Esther views the fall of Haman, the enemy. She sees her victory manifest right before her eyes as "v9 ..Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "A gallows seventy-five feet [b] high stands by Haman's house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king." The king said, "Hang him on it!" 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided."

Conclusion:Our God calls us more than conquerors . Every conquest requires careful planning and strategy. If we are conquerors, we would surely have a lot to conquer. Esther's experience with the king has taught me how God desires for us to fully win all the battles the enemy intends to use to annihilate us. In a battle though our face is turned toward the enemy our ears and concentration must be behind the scenes in our camp to wait and listen for our Leader's command to charge at the opportune time and not be moved by what is happening in the enemy's camp no matter how powerful the enemy might seem as Haman had seemed to Esther.

Meeting with the King

2007-07-30T09:50:00.000-05:00

Background:Esther now convinced by Mordecai of the responsibility she had before the king to go and present the case for her people. She is the queen, but she knew the preparation it would take for her to meet with the king. She prepared herself, first spiritually, then physically in order that there was nothing undone on her part. As she went before the king, she knew the results of the meeting were not her hand and was willing to risk even her life for the case of the Jews.

Esther's preparation to go before the king

She fasted (Esther 4:16)
Change in her attitude from concerning herself to concern for others(Esther 4:16)
She put on her royal robe (Esther 5:1)
She waited at the inner court before being summoned by the king to enter into his hall (Esther 5:1)

Lessons I learnt - I have often wondered why prayers sometimes go unanswered even if they sound right. This lesson from Esther's life taught me, there is a preparation to pray or to make a petition before the King of kings and Lord of lords. Our Living God is not just another person we go to ask a favour from. Too many times because of the goodness of our Lord we forget His status, His power, His authority, His mightiness, His glory, His very being.

Fasting-Esther fasted, her petition was regarding the deliverance for the Jews. Thats the kind of fast our King is looking for especially pertaining to deliverance. Isaiah 58:6"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" Fasting, as Esther did was not a temper tantrum, saying "I wont eat till you grant my petition". It is an act of spiritual preparation for the petition she was going to make whether it be granted in her favour or not.

Attitude-Esther had been thinking about her life, until Mordecai had her realise, it wasn't about her alone, but for all the Jews. Too many times we love to take a petition before our King so that when its answered we'll get some glory out of it for having done so. Wrong attitude!! James 4:3 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

Royal Robe-Though Esther was queen, she had to specially get dressed up to go before the king. Why would a wife have to do that? She was no regular wife, she was a king's wife and she had to represent that when she went before her husband, in order that she may respect his position, his authority as a king. If she goes in tattered and torn, what kind of outlook would the king have had for her. We are brides of the King to come. Our King is the Almighty King of kings and Lord of Lords and we have a robe too. Romans 13:14 "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ...". Our petition to our King is not heard because we made the petition, but because we make the right petition "In the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ". This is our covering our robe that our Saviour Lord Jesus has given to us, to approach our Father in Heaven, the King.

Waiting at the Inner Court to be summoned in-Esther, though being the queen could just go into the king's chamber, yet with respect for her king's authority she remained at the inner court where she could be seen from the king's hall, until the king summoned her in. The best times I have had in prayer have been times when I have begun with praise and thanksgiving and then waited on the Holy Spirit to guide me and take me past the outer courts into the Holy Place where my King waits to hear my petition. Esther knew she had favour with the king when the king raised his sceptre toward her. For us our King has raised His sceptre towards us too Hebrews 1:8 "But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom."1 Corinthians 1:30 "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

Conclusion:Are we ready to meet with the King of Kings and Lord of lords? Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." The confidence that is based upon our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and not our own ability or position. Honouring and revering the power and authority of our King.

For Such A Time As This

2007-07-22T16:07:00.000-05:00

Background:Esther had a number of reasons why she could not go speak to the king regarding the Jews about the edict that was in circulation from Haman, who sought to annihilate all the Jews. She had not been called by the king for 30days, also as per Persian rule, no one could seek audience with the king without the king inviting them to do so. In spite of this if someone chose to meet the king it would be at the risk of their lives, unless the king would stretch out his gold scepter to them to indicate, their presence before the king was welcome. To all this excuse/reasons to avoid confrontation with the king, Mordecai replied to Esther 4:13-14 "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Lessons I learnt

You have been chosen for your time and place-Like Esther all of God's children who believe in Him and walk in His will have been appointed to be in specific places at specific times. Acts 17:26 "From one man he(God) made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."
Purpose of our being at our appointed places and times-Esther was chosen for her time, and so are we who have been chosen by our Lord to follow Him in these times. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
The effect of the times comes on everyone, believer and unbeliever alike-"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish." Mordecai declares something very critical to Esther. It didn't matter where she was the edict would affect her as much as it would the other Jews, moreso if she were silent. When governments make a decision it affects all people in the country, aliens and residents alike. Whether they are working at the parliament or running a coffee shop in the corner unless the people involved take the initiative and speak out(not be silent).
To act upon the good works is our decision- "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place." It was for Esther to decide whether she would act and go before the king without his permission and die, or just plain die as per the command on the edict. The edict could be stopped but as for God's plan , it cannot be stopped Job 42:2"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.", so we can decide to either participate and be blessed and be a blessing or just be an onlooker and gain nothing and be nothing. God's plan of salvation for the Jews would come from elsewhere and it did not depend ONLY on Esther's obedience.

Conclusion: Each one of us, have assignments (good works) to do before we depart. We have been saved for a cause, we are living in these times for a purpose, to shine out our Father's light before all the earth. Our tasks may include prayerfully voting and being faithful in our duties for our country, our families, our neighbours...in reverence to our Lord. For who knows, it could be your vote, which could sway the decision toward the right candidate. For who knows it is your life that could show someone the light and give them hope to live. For who knows it is your prayer that could bring a soul to the Lord. But be not mocked, God doesn't need to depend upon our work to fulfil His plan. We can choose to be a channel of God to the world around us. Lets face it, the more the amount of water that flows through a channel, the less likely it is that the channel will be clogged. Whereas an unused channel with some water it continues to hold without letting it flow, is likely to attract only mosquitoes and other insects and that channel will soon find itself to be in a stinky situation.