“Do no think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” Esther 4:13,14 When you see trouble in the world around you do you take a stand for what is true and right or do you seek to blend in the hope of going unnoticed? Do you believe that this moment in your life could be orchestrated by God to be the most pivotal in your life and the lives of those around you? Do you live with an eternal perspective? Do the comforts of life lull you into an apathetic dullness to the world around you and even to the direction of the Holy Spirit? Continue Reading…
Deliverance found in such a time as this: Esther 3 and 4
What is the source of David’s hope and strength in 2 Samuel 17 and 18
Who is ultimately in control of the events of life? There are different views that people hold about the catalyst of events that happen in life: Qi the circulating life force, luck is sought out to bring favorable outcomes, fate and destiny direct the course of life, or there simply is no rhythm or reason to life requiring sheer will power to make it through. Do any of the previous ideas listed bring hope? How do we make it through the low and high times of life without losing hope? When a loved one suddenly dies, when you find yourself unemployed, when you are abandoned, when monotony overwhelms life, or when you come to a point where suicide becomes an option will you just hope that there is more to life or will you seek out the true catalyst in life? Continue Reading…
Depravity, sin, death: inherent without Jesus Christ: 2 Samuel 13 and 14
” ‘Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife’ Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, an he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.’ ” 2 Samuel 12: 10-12 The words God spoke to David through Nathan tell of the direst to come within the house of David. Did David’s actions lead to his family thinking that they were above reproach in all of their deeds? How was David as a father? Was David like many men today who give all their effort and skill at work only to reserve nothing for their family where the greatest effort and energy is needed? Continue Reading…
God’s plan and preparation in His people: Exodus 27 and 28
What was it like for Moses on the mountain when God was giving him instructions on how to make everything? God tells Moses to make it like it was shown to him. What an amazing thought to think about what Moses saw. Continue Reading…
Life on the precipice
I seem to always find myself in this place every time I have have a surgery or a setback where I feel trapped. I have lost my abilities to go out on my own, drive wherever and whenever I want, and workout at the gym. It is very difficult for me right now to wait. I know that God is building my faith and patience up during this time but I never enjoy it because I have to give up my will and let God lead. Letting God lead has gotten easier through all these trifle episodes I so frequently find myself aquatinted so personally with. Submitting my will and desire is difficult but I truly believe that the refinement that God is imparting is for a higher purpose. Continue Reading…
Joseph throughout his journey is never forgotten by God
As I sit here listening to an audio Bible I am amazed of the story of Joseph. I think of all the pain and despair that must have gone through Joseph’s mind as he was sold by his brothers. He was sent into prison and forgotten after serving faithfully Potiphar when he was accused by Potiphar’s Wife. He served in prison and helped the baker and cupbearer interpret their dreams. Continue Reading…
It is well and good to follow God
My teaching time on sunday went well. I was nervous about teaching again because I have not taught or lead a Bible study in a long time. I lost confidence in my abilities that God had given me. I spoke way to fast and started to lose focus during the first 10 min of the sunday school. I finally relaxed and all of my anxiety went away. I imparted that passion and love that God gave me during my preparation. Thank you for your prayers they were used for a greater purpose than I will ever know here on earth.
Resolute resolution through the good, bad, and ugly times of life
I have been thinking of all that I have gone through this last year. I am amazed of all that I have endured. I had 3 operations and over 10 months of non-weight bearing on my left foot. I wonder how I came through the pain, disappointment, fear and long nights which at times made me lose sight of morning. During the new year many people make resolutions because they feel that during the next year they will be able to make all of those changes in their lives that they deem necessary to fix a problem they have. After the year that I have been through I don’t care about resolutions….. I want to be resolute in my remembrance of how I overcame each hour of need. Continue Reading…
Blessings… scarred uncommon pain through sorrowful joy
What would you call a blessing? Would it be a new job, winning the lottery, getting married, having a great vacation, missing that car you almost hit, not becoming pregnant before marriage, not getting caught cheating in school….. The list could be endless. I have heard many people talk of how much a certain experience was a blessing. I will never refute anyones claim to call something a blessing. Yet life can color in a deeper shade of blessings that is beyond our deepest understanding. That greater understanding is found in the midst of our sorrow.
The book of James talks about when we face trials of many kinds we are to consider them pure joy. Continue Reading…
