“If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” Esther 7:3,4  Did King Ahasuerus’ love for Esther compel him to act to save the Jews? God orchestrated Esther’s life so that in this moment the king of Persia, who had all he desired by worldly standards, found that his desire for his queen was the greatest desire of his life.

Who loves you wholeheartedly? Who will run to rescue you regardless of the cost because of their love for you? God loves you so much that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins. Hope for the future is found in the love of God that was expressed on the cross of Calvary. This love is the greatest love you can ever know. This love of God gave hope to the people of Israel all throughout Persia. Can you imagine how the sorrow and grief fled from the Jews the moment they heard the decree written by Mordecai? Will you let the Love of God impact your life?

In 1 King chapter 7 we are given greater detail about the home that Solomon built for himself and the furnishings that were created to fill the temple. When reading about detailed descriptions about a home made of cedar from Lebanon, bronze pillars ‘Boaz’ and ‘Jakin’, bronze basins, utensils, massive cherubim surrounding the ark, and many other assorted items made of bronze and gold you can start to wonder why should I care? Why are such things made?

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hand, saying, ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel from Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, but I choose David to be over My people Israel.’ Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he will build the house for My name.’ Now the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; for I have risen in place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built the house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. There I have set a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord, which He made with our fathers when He brought them from the land of Egypt.

1 Kings 8:15-21

The words spoken by Solomon continue in 1 Kings chapter 8 to praise God for His goodness and faithfulness to the people of Israel. The prayer of Solomon pleads for God to remember the people of Israel when they turn back to God after straying from following Him. In life when we are wavering in our faith in God we need to be to be assured that God’s faithfulness endures in the midst of our unfaithfulness. Solomon knew that God is far greater than he could comprehend but he earnestly prays that God is true to His nature as he remembers His people. Solomon reminds the people of Israel to walk before God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength because then they will be blessed. I have been amazed at how throughout the Bible the need for us to love God and love people is continually proclaimed.

So what is true worship? We are repeatedly exhorted to love God with all of our heart, with all of our mind, with all of our soul, and with all of our strength. As we cling to God our love for Him will pour out to those around us. This is true worship in it’s most simplistic form. This worship can be manifested in many different ways and I believe that Solomon’s building of the Temple is an extension of his love and worship of God. I pray that as you worship God you will remember that you are to love God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength because as you seek Him more you light will shine brighter to those around you.

After God tells David that he will not be the one to build a temple what were David thoughts? Did he feel confused, fearful, or sad? No matter what David felt it I don’t think it would have lasted very long because God tells of how he will bless David and his descendants. It is both interesting and amazing that there is no qualification that David needs to meet for this blessing to happen. God in His sovereignty was going to bless David. How often do we tell people that we will do something for them if they do another thing first? I am thankful that my faith in Jesus Christ has nothing to do with who I am or my abilitys but my salvation is based wholly upon who God is and what He choose to do. In 2 Samuel 12-16 who is God talking about? Is the scripture foreshadowing Solomon or is God giving David a glimpse into the future when Jesus Christ will deliver mankind?

I love David’s reaction to God’s promised blessing because it is exactly how I would react. If there were something promised to happen in my future I would want some kind of reassurance that it would truly happen. As David prayed to God he knew that it was by God alone that he and Israel were where they were in that moment. It is amazing to see the tender heart of David before God who already knows all the feelings that are going through David’s mind. David finds assurance for his future in who he knows God to be knowing that God always speaks the truth and what He says will never fail to happen.

Your life needs an anchor point where you can place all of your hope and trust. The only place that you can truly anchor your life is in Jesus Christ. God desires us to love Him more than anything in this world and He doesn’t need what we can build for Him, do for Him, or say about Him. Place your faith in the unchangeable truth that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and in that sacrifice you can have hope for for your future.

It is critical that a leader is someone willing to serve and help those under their authority because the moment it becomes a quest for power the foundation of leadership crumbles. The dependance upon God that David consistently displayed in his life made him stands out over Saul. Was Saul a better leader when he first became king? As Saul drifted away from God did his leadership wain? When a leader with a shepherd’s heart also seeks to love God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength will truly be a strong leader because their foundation is built upon God alone. These qualities that David exhibited gave him victory in Battle over the Jebusites within Jerusalem and the Philistines. How will David’s leadership stand the test of time? I look forward to seeing how the story unfold as I continue reading through the Old Testament.

In times of celebration when people are happy and finding great joy in the Lord to you ever feel bitter, sad, or angry? When the Ark of the Lord was brought to Jerusalem it was a time of great celebration compared to the despair and loss that was felt when the Ark was taken captive by the Philistines. It was a time for music and dancing in the streets because God was in their midst and a shepherd king was ruling over Israel. How would you feel if you were in the city as the Ark entered? Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s first wife, did not find joy and happiness when the Ark of the Lord came to Jerusalem. She was jealous and ashamed of David’s celebration before God. Why could she not find joy in the Lord? Were the concerns and worries of life so consuming to Michal that she looked away from God? In moments when I lose focus on God and look toward the temporary instead of the eternal I  easily lose joy in life because the worries that consume my mind become all I look at. In the moments when you feel down and you lack joy in the midst of joyful moments I encourage you to turn back to God and give up the worries that cloud your mind and focus on the faithfulness of God.

In 1 Samuel 11 and 12 another piece is added to the grand picture of God’s work for and through the Israelites. The city of Jabesh-gilead was besieged by Nahash the Ammonite. How did the men of the city react to this danger? These men initially attempted to make a deal to serve the Ammonites but when that failed they turned to people of Israel asking if there was someone to deliver them. How often is coming to God with concerns and worries the last thing we do? We often want to expend all of our ability, resources, connections, and strength before we admit to God that we need help. God knows that we need help long before we acknowledge it to Him just as Saul was being built up before he delivered the people of Jabesh-gilead.

The news of the besieged Jabesh-gilead spread throughout Israel. When word came to Saul in Gibeah of what was happening the Spirit of God came mightily upon him and he cut up the yoke of oxen he was tending and sent the pieces throughout Israel saying “Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” 1 Samuel 11:7b  This action by Saul unified the people of Israel so that they went together to deliver Jabesh-gilead. After the battle question of Saul’s ability to lead the nation of Israel was answered in a great way because he rallied the people to deliver the city. When Samuel wanted to have all those who questioned Saul’s ability as king put to death Saul said that no man would die because the Lord had accomplished this deliverance for Israel.

It was in direct defiance to God’s rule over Israel when they called for a king to rule over them. Samuel reminds the people of Israel that they were acting wickedly before God in 1 Samuel 12. He reminds the Israelites that it was God who delivered them from Egypt and gave the promised land to them. God sent thunder and rain to remind the people who He was, of His power, and their act of disobedience. A choice again is laid before the people of Israel where they can choose to follow and obey God or they can reject Him and do what is right in their own eyes as their fathers had done. “If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the Lord, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God. If you will not listen to the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the command of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers. Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes.” 1 Samuel 12:14-16  Will the people of Israel fulfill the commands in the Law of Moses by loving God and loving people or will they live a depraved life of separation from God. This is exactly the choice before all mankind today. Will you trust and believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to live or will you continue to live your life for yourself. The choice is there but only you can make a decision. Find hope in the words of wisdom that Samuel spoke to the people:

Do not fear. You have committed all this evil yet you do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit of deliver, because they are futile. For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider the great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away.

1 Samuel 13:20-25 NASB

God is faithful to us even in the midst of our fruitless unfaithfulness before Him. I encourage you to make a choice today as to who you will serve. Will you serve yourself or will you give up authority to God by trusting in Jesus Christ as the only way to live? The choice is before you.

So I have a question about the rest of chapter 21. Why does the woman who is taken captive in battle have shave her head and cut her nails as she mourns the loss of her mother and father before she is taken as a wife? It seems a little weird to look at someone being taken into slavery and then taken for a wife. Was this normal? Is the head shaving and nail trimming a sign of submission to the people of Israel? Does this signify the woman leaving her past and taking a new future?

Common sense sundry and morality laws are repeated by Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 22. It is true what Jesus Christ said that the law can be summed up by loving God and loving people. If the people loved God and love their neighbor they would adhere to the laws given you would seek to help those in need around you. The morality laws God has Moses repeat in chapter 22 concern men and women having sex outside of marriage. Many different cases are given but it all comes down to purging the evil out of the people. God desired for the Israelites to be set apart from the inhabitants around them and when they obey God’s commands they will show their love for God.

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister had left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” but the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

My viewing life in all of it’s stress and worry is my Martha. I am consumed with not having a job and what will happen if I do not have a job. How long can I support myself? Will I find a job in this economy? I live in fear of what may happen to my health. Will I stay healthy? Will my body recover from all the trauma?  Will I get sick again? I am a single guy living in a world that depicts sexual needs as the greatest and utmost thing you can obtain. Will I ever get married? Why do girls have to dress so seductively? How does one overcome the sexual temptations that encompass society? Why Lord? Why, why, why? This is my Martha, I am so consumed by the circumstances of life I have lost focus of what truly matters. Is my worth and value found in my money, health, job, friendship, or love?

Now enters the moment where God shows me a different way to live. For Martha this is where she questions the perceived laziness of her sister Mary. Jesus says to her that she is too worried and bothered about non-important things and she is not focusing on what is necessary. This transformation in my life was brought about in the midst of the worries I held so important. As I healed from all of my illness I was forced to slow down my life and in that slowness I was able to hear God. In those quiet moments I was able to as my why questions in life and God answered me. I had a lot of time to look upon my life think about all of choices whether good and bad that I have made through out my life. In light of God’s truth contained in the Bible I was able to look back at my life and by the Grace of God a mighty transformation occured. Not having a job became a blessing that I had not anticipated because I was drawn to study the Bible with a voracity I have never seen before in my life. This abundance of time time feasting in the Bible and getting to know Jesus Christ has filled me to over flowing spiritually. The biblical truth that I have  seen in scripture time and time again but never applied to my life are now impacting me in a renewed way.

Freedom from the bondage to depression, sadness, and anxiety and my transformation to my Mary came hand in hand. If I would have kept my life view like Martha where I was too concerned about everything going on in life whether good or bad there would be no freedom or renewal. My Mary was formed in the development of a daily time of study in the Bible where I sought God daily and I desired to learn about Truth more than anything. I have been living in this state of Mary where I am now so consumed with Jesus that nothing else matters. I have been transformed into a man who now seeks God above all things. I desire to know Him and the power of His resurrection. I find that my life is being renewed physically, spiritually, and emotionally from this life changing encounter with God allowing me to go through life with renewed passion as I seek out what God has for me.

What does this story about my life change from a person who worries about all things around me, my Martha, to one who is fixated on Jesus, my Mary, have to do with you? I am convinced that the only true way that we can find freedom in life is to know Jesus Christ. This post is for the people who are in bondage. I do not care what type of bondage that you find yourself in whether it is to depression, stress, sickness, pornography, drugs, alcohol, or sex. I stand here today and I want to point you to Jesus Christ as your only way out of the chains that hold you. I can tell you that the process to freedom is not an easy road but if you genuinely seek God you can find freedom.

I exhort you to seek God!

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Jude 24-25

Three years ago I was facing the hardest trial I have ever experienced in life. I was going in for surgery on my foot and I didn’t know if I would walk again or if the surgery would be a success. Today it is three years since that hard day. The surgery was successful and I look at a God who passionately loves me and has been holding me in his hands my entire life. I cannot say that I have not felt lost or mad at God but I know that the experiences that I have had are ordained of God.

I could reference so many other times I have experienced that loving hand of God in my life. I feel like I am a living anomaly with all that has happened to me because by human perspective I should have lost my foot or died from infections. I give God all the glory for helping me get to a point where I feel healthier than I ever have felt. Why would God choose to heal me and help me? I cannot say why but I know God is faithful.

Valentines Day will always be a special day and I wanted to share some of experiences I have gone through which have built my faith.