January 01, 2010
Esther 4–8: (Continued)
Mordecai went about his life simply. He sat outside the gate. He was faithful. He put himself at risk to do what was right. He was self-less. The honor Haman sought was given to Mordecai. Haman ended up losing his honor, his things and even his life—exactly what he intended to happen to Mordecai.
Esther 8:7 - "I have given his things to Esther." The king declared that Jewish people had the right to protect themselves. They also had the right to take by force the property of their enemies. ON THE VERY DAY the enemies hoped to defeat the Jews, the Jews defeated their enemies. ON THE VERY DAY!!
Esther 9:2 - "No one was strong enough to fight against them." The Jews completely destroyed their enemies (verse 10) but did not take their belongings; (verse 15) but did not take their belongings; (verse 16) but did not take their belongings.
Esther 9:16 - They protected themselves to get rid of their enemies.
Job 1–3; 42
The story of Job. "... an honest and innocent man; he honored God and stayed away from evil." All his earthly possessions and his children were taken yet in all these things he praised the Lord. (Verse 21)
I love what Job says in Job 2:10 - "Should we take only good things from God and not trouble?" The question isn't, "Why me?" The question should be, "Why not me?" Satan thought Job would try to avoid the pain and turn his back on God. It is during times of pain that we have the opportunity, yes the opportunity and the privilege of getting to know God better. It is often during times of suffering that we are the most willing to listen to what God wants to teach us. Who knows how God will use what He has taught us in the future? And through it all? PRAISE! When our hearts are focused on praise and who God is we have the strength to carry on because it is HIS strength and not our own. Then Job 42 becomes real. Job 42:5–6 - "My ears had heard of you before, but now my eyes have seen you ... I will change my heart and life," and your attitude becomes like Job 42:2 - "I know that you can do all things and that no plan of yours can be ruined." Our confidence is in the Lord.
And now ... the rest of the story. Job 42:12–17 - "The Lord blessed the last part of Job's life even more than the first part." His blessings doubled!! He had more children and lived to see his great-great grandchildren.
The story of Jonah. The last thing Jonah wanted was to see his enemies saved—and he ran. But God had other plans. When God put Jonah where he would listen, Jonah finally prayed and God heard those prayers. Jonah 2:2 - I called ... you heard. Jonah 2:7–9 - Jonah finally acknowledges that salvation comes from the Lord, and Jonah obeys. Yet he still can't quite stand it that God would forgive those evil people.
We must never take on an attitude of "we are better" than you. Our desire must always be to see the lost saved and to do whatever we can to facilitate that. Our hearts desire for ALL people is found in the kings response in Jonah 3:8–9. "Everyone must turn away from evil ... stop doing harm ... maybe God will change his mind ... maybe he will stop being angry..." II Chronicles 7:14 - "IF—my people (repent), THEN—I will heal..." That is our hope and prayer. We don't ever want it to be said of us that we were like Jonah, slow to do what God wanted and unwilling to extend God's mercy to all. After all, it is just that—God's mercy!
Philippians 1
Verse 6 - God began a good work—and He will finish it.*
Verse 9–11 - The prayer I prayed for our children and the prayer I pray for my SS girls. It is certainly how I want to live my life.
Verse 19 - Because of the prayers of many and the Holy Spirit's help—this trouble will bring my freedom.
Verse 27 - Be sure you live in a way that honors Christ; stand strong with one purpose; don't be afraid of those against you; you will be saved by God.
What promises! What purpose!
Hebrews 11–12
Hebrews 11:1 -- Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing something is real even if we don't see it. Faith ... faith ... faith! To live by faith you cannot be looking back. You must look forward and believe. (verse 15)
Hebrews 11:33 - "They did what was right, received God's promises, and shut the mouth of lions."
Hebrews 11:34 - "They were weak, and yet were made strong."
Hebrews 12 - Run the race. Never give up. Look only to Jesus. Hold on. Do not get tired. Don't stop trying. Our troubles are meant to help us. It is painful. But after we learn from it we have peace because we start living in the right way.
Hebrews 12 ends with verse 28: So let us be thankful.
So, today is January 1, 2010. Wow! On the VERY DAY my sister and brother-in-law chose for their covert plan (and our destruction) to come to a culmination, God positioned me to be reading about His faithfulness. While I am reading Genesis 37, my Bible Exploration sends me to Esther, Job, Jonah, Philippians, and Hebrews. Coincidence? Absolutely not. My heart just overflows with praise and gratitude to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He has been our strength and shield during these last three years of battling "the storm" and their secret agendas.
We are so thankful for how His loving hand has so clearly guided us. He has truly led us every step of the way. His word is a light unto our path. I just stand amazed. Pieces of the puzzle that just didn't seem to make sense, times of putting our heads into the mouth of the lion, decisions that were made—ALL—part of His perfect timing and plan. ALL!!! God's perfect plan. We need to understand that God's ways are not our ways. God's plans are not our plans. What He plans for us is so far beyond our human comprehension. When we surrender all; when we step aside and get out of His way; when we truly open our hands; THEN we receive the greatest gift of all—God himself.
Addendum: 9/5/13 ~ I still stand amazed at the sixteen chapters the Bible Exploration Verses for Genesis 37 sent me to. As far as I can recall, there was never another time that it sent me to read chapters. Certainly not sixteen chapters. Yet those chapters perfectly chronicled and described our situation and came ON THE VERY DAY planned for our ruin.
Esther 4–8: (Continued)
Mordecai went about his life simply. He sat outside the gate. He was faithful. He put himself at risk to do what was right. He was self-less. The honor Haman sought was given to Mordecai. Haman ended up losing his honor, his things and even his life—exactly what he intended to happen to Mordecai.
Esther 8:7 - "I have given his things to Esther." The king declared that Jewish people had the right to protect themselves. They also had the right to take by force the property of their enemies. ON THE VERY DAY the enemies hoped to defeat the Jews, the Jews defeated their enemies. ON THE VERY DAY!!
Esther 9:2 - "No one was strong enough to fight against them." The Jews completely destroyed their enemies (verse 10) but did not take their belongings; (verse 15) but did not take their belongings; (verse 16) but did not take their belongings.
Esther 9:16 - They protected themselves to get rid of their enemies.
Job 1–3; 42
The story of Job. "... an honest and innocent man; he honored God and stayed away from evil." All his earthly possessions and his children were taken yet in all these things he praised the Lord. (Verse 21)
I love what Job says in Job 2:10 - "Should we take only good things from God and not trouble?" The question isn't, "Why me?" The question should be, "Why not me?" Satan thought Job would try to avoid the pain and turn his back on God. It is during times of pain that we have the opportunity, yes the opportunity and the privilege of getting to know God better. It is often during times of suffering that we are the most willing to listen to what God wants to teach us. Who knows how God will use what He has taught us in the future? And through it all? PRAISE! When our hearts are focused on praise and who God is we have the strength to carry on because it is HIS strength and not our own. Then Job 42 becomes real. Job 42:5–6 - "My ears had heard of you before, but now my eyes have seen you ... I will change my heart and life," and your attitude becomes like Job 42:2 - "I know that you can do all things and that no plan of yours can be ruined." Our confidence is in the Lord.
And now ... the rest of the story. Job 42:12–17 - "The Lord blessed the last part of Job's life even more than the first part." His blessings doubled!! He had more children and lived to see his great-great grandchildren.
"For God gave Job more than Job ever dreamed. God gave Job himself." From In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado.Jonah 1–4
The story of Jonah. The last thing Jonah wanted was to see his enemies saved—and he ran. But God had other plans. When God put Jonah where he would listen, Jonah finally prayed and God heard those prayers. Jonah 2:2 - I called ... you heard. Jonah 2:7–9 - Jonah finally acknowledges that salvation comes from the Lord, and Jonah obeys. Yet he still can't quite stand it that God would forgive those evil people.
We must never take on an attitude of "we are better" than you. Our desire must always be to see the lost saved and to do whatever we can to facilitate that. Our hearts desire for ALL people is found in the kings response in Jonah 3:8–9. "Everyone must turn away from evil ... stop doing harm ... maybe God will change his mind ... maybe he will stop being angry..." II Chronicles 7:14 - "IF—my people (repent), THEN—I will heal..." That is our hope and prayer. We don't ever want it to be said of us that we were like Jonah, slow to do what God wanted and unwilling to extend God's mercy to all. After all, it is just that—God's mercy!
Philippians 1
Verse 6 - God began a good work—and He will finish it.*
Verse 9–11 - The prayer I prayed for our children and the prayer I pray for my SS girls. It is certainly how I want to live my life.
Verse 19 - Because of the prayers of many and the Holy Spirit's help—this trouble will bring my freedom.
Verse 27 - Be sure you live in a way that honors Christ; stand strong with one purpose; don't be afraid of those against you; you will be saved by God.
What promises! What purpose!
Hebrews 11–12
Hebrews 11:1 -- Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing something is real even if we don't see it. Faith ... faith ... faith! To live by faith you cannot be looking back. You must look forward and believe. (verse 15)
Hebrews 11:33 - "They did what was right, received God's promises, and shut the mouth of lions."
Hebrews 11:34 - "They were weak, and yet were made strong."
Hebrews 12 - Run the race. Never give up. Look only to Jesus. Hold on. Do not get tired. Don't stop trying. Our troubles are meant to help us. It is painful. But after we learn from it we have peace because we start living in the right way.
Hebrews 12 ends with verse 28: So let us be thankful.
So, today is January 1, 2010. Wow! On the VERY DAY my sister and brother-in-law chose for their covert plan (and our destruction) to come to a culmination, God positioned me to be reading about His faithfulness. While I am reading Genesis 37, my Bible Exploration sends me to Esther, Job, Jonah, Philippians, and Hebrews. Coincidence? Absolutely not. My heart just overflows with praise and gratitude to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He has been our strength and shield during these last three years of battling "the storm" and their secret agendas.
We are so thankful for how His loving hand has so clearly guided us. He has truly led us every step of the way. His word is a light unto our path. I just stand amazed. Pieces of the puzzle that just didn't seem to make sense, times of putting our heads into the mouth of the lion, decisions that were made—ALL—part of His perfect timing and plan. ALL!!! God's perfect plan. We need to understand that God's ways are not our ways. God's plans are not our plans. What He plans for us is so far beyond our human comprehension. When we surrender all; when we step aside and get out of His way; when we truly open our hands; THEN we receive the greatest gift of all—God himself.
"I know the plans I have for you, and they are good plans, not plans to harm you. I will give you hope and a good future. You will call to me and I will listen. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart you will find ME, I will let you find ME. And I will bring you out of captivity and I will restore the land." Jeremiah 29:11-13We choose to believe.
Addendum: 9/5/13 ~ I still stand amazed at the sixteen chapters the Bible Exploration Verses for Genesis 37 sent me to. As far as I can recall, there was never another time that it sent me to read chapters. Certainly not sixteen chapters. Yet those chapters perfectly chronicled and described our situation and came ON THE VERY DAY planned for our ruin.
- Esther was in the situation she was in for such a time as this. We came to realize that even though "the storm" was ugly and we were caught in it, God had us positioned right where He wanted us.
- Esther was willing to put herself at risk to follow what God asked her to do. When "the storm" hit, we started following HIS footpath knowing our financial security was at risk and not knowing where it would lead, but knowing that God was leading.
- Haman's arrogance, pride, and revengeful heart is what caused his downfall. What Haman planned for others happened to him.
- The Jews had the right to protect themselves.
- The Jews had the right to take their enemies possessions but they (we) chose not to do so.
- Job was honest and innocent.
- Job's time of pain was actually an opportunity to know God better. We are not victims—we are the recipients of a Blessed Event.
- In the end God blessed Job abundantly. God has already blessed us beyond measure.
- Jonah had an attitude of "they deserve what they get." We have chosen to focus on who God is and not on what man has done. Our hearts desire is for ALL to surrender their lives fully to the Lord. We must show mercy as God shows mercy.
- In Philippians God promises to complete what He has started.*
- He has been faithful!
- The troubles we experience actually brings our freedom if we learn to surrender ALL.
- It is not "our" life—it is our life through Christ.
- Through Christ we can stand strong and not fear the storms in our lives.
- Faith is knowing what God has promised is real even if unseen.
- We choose to believe His promises.
- What we say and what we do must match. Our lives must point others to Christ.
- God's promises are not for everyone. They are reserved for those who follow Him.
- Following Christ may mean you have to put your head in the mouth of the lion.
- God is stronger than the lions in our lives.
- On our own we are weak and could have never survived.
- HE made us strong.
- We are running the race and we won't give up no matter what.
- We will continue to look only to Jesus for our help and salvation.
- We have peace—a peace that passes all understanding and can only be God-given.
The last verse of Hebrews ends with: So let us be thankful. At all times, in all things—PRAISE THE LORD!!
*In 2013 God opened the door and unexpectedly provided a way for my husband and I to go to Honduras on a mission trip. Our last night at El Sembrador Honduras was extra special. Our rooms surrounded an open veranda. We had all just retired to our rooms to prepare for the long drive to Tegucigalpa in the morning when we heard the sound of beautiful Spanish music wafting through the still night air. In the open veranda, a group of boys from the school were singing a serenade. We all came out of our rooms and stood outside on our balconies to listen to them sing. They sang in Spanish while playing guitars. It was beautiful. I didn't recognize any of the songs until the last one. I stood there thinking I should know this song. Later in the night it came to me.
Next Entry: Genesis 38
*In 2013 God opened the door and unexpectedly provided a way for my husband and I to go to Honduras on a mission trip. Our last night at El Sembrador Honduras was extra special. Our rooms surrounded an open veranda. We had all just retired to our rooms to prepare for the long drive to Tegucigalpa in the morning when we heard the sound of beautiful Spanish music wafting through the still night air. In the open veranda, a group of boys from the school were singing a serenade. We all came out of our rooms and stood outside on our balconies to listen to them sing. They sang in Spanish while playing guitars. It was beautiful. I didn't recognize any of the songs until the last one. I stood there thinking I should know this song. Later in the night it came to me.
"He who began a good work in you, He who began a good work in you, Will be faithful to complete it, Will be faithful to complete it, He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it in you." (Watch a video of the boys singing it here.)God's promise from Philippians 1:6. Tears ran down my face. Because of "the storm," we thought it was going to be impossible to have the funds to participate in mission trips again. What we, in our simple human minds thought was impossible, God accomplished. With God, nothing is impossible. I stand amazed. God is SO faithful.
Next Entry: Genesis 38
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