Can you believe it? This is it, the end of another study! In the categories to the right you'll see this and the Breaking Free study. So if you missed any part of Esther, or you want to begin one of these, you can always go back and read the thoughts of this crazy lady ;o).
There is something so fulfilling about finishing something! What is something in your life that gave you a sense of accomplishment? What did you see through to the end?
Here we are enjoying this grand finale, when Beth says:
The Jews in the early first century did what most religious people do when they lack a fresh work of God. They turned to legalism.
Legalism - focusing on the rules ignoring the relationship
I love Beth's insight on this ~ without a FRESH WORK OF GOD in our lives, we will get stale, focusing on rules.
This study has opened my eyes to the very real truth that God is at work ALL THE TIME! He hasn't missed you. He sees what is going on! He knows how that job loss will impact you and those you love. He understands how being left by your spouse causes you to doubt yourself everyday. He heard your cry when you got the diagnosis.
Open your hands and let go of your grip on life. We hang on so tightly to what we know, what we think, what we understand that we think anything else must be a mistake! Maybe I didn't hear Him correctly.
Think about the constant twists and turns this story of Esther has taken? In the beginning, she was an unknown! The king and queen had the world by the tale. Then one by one the pieces began to shift. Did you notice that nothing, NOTHING happened immediately? NOTHING! There were days that were slammed packed with stuff, but Esther and her story didn't go from "orphan to ordained" overnight.
One of my favorite quotes from this study is this:
"Maybe God allows 'Hamans' to come along so we'll quit being so at home here."
Throughout this entire study, if you and I had been in charge of the story, we might have ended it before it even begun! We might have said, "Well, she is an orphan, but at least she has a nice home with her cousin. Why do we want to rock the boat and send her off to be in the middle of that harem? Or maybe we would have stopped when she got to be queen with "and they lived happily ever after." You can be sure, we would not have chosen any of the hard times that happened throughout this story!
We like the road of least resistance! We want things to be smooth and consistent and when they aren't we feel somehow that life is out of control. My friend, that is not the case at all.
God wants us to lose control knowing that He's got it. He wants us to be uncomfortable with ho-hum lives. He has much to accomplish and it can't be done sitting in our pajamas on the couch!
Let's remember what shape the Jews were in when the little orphan girl came on the scene. They had been carried into exile from Jerusalem years earlier. They had become so accustom to their surroundings that it didn't even seem foreign anymore. If felt familiar, comfy, even friendly.
Some might say they had 'made the best of a bad situation.' But God had bigger plans. Plans that could not possibly happen if everything remained the same. There had to be some scary moments, some tense times, some nail-biting times for God to move the circumstances so drastically that everything got turned upside down!
Maybe now you can see why He has allowed a Haman in your life. Do you think that your world turned upside down could be a good thing?
When the divine presence of the Holy Spirit resides in your temple, you can be sure that God has much bigger plans. At times you may feel lonely and forsaken, but open your grip; you are on a road from Orphan to Ordained!
I have so enjoyed this ride with you! My biggest take-away value from this study is to THINK BIG! We serve a big God who can do all things. He has never been limited by our inabilities! God's plans rock my world!
What have you savored most about the journey?
There is something so fulfilling about finishing something! What is something in your life that gave you a sense of accomplishment? What did you see through to the end?
Here we are enjoying this grand finale, when Beth says:
The Jews in the early first century did what most religious people do when they lack a fresh work of God. They turned to legalism.
Legalism - focusing on the rules ignoring the relationship
I love Beth's insight on this ~ without a FRESH WORK OF GOD in our lives, we will get stale, focusing on rules.
This study has opened my eyes to the very real truth that God is at work ALL THE TIME! He hasn't missed you. He sees what is going on! He knows how that job loss will impact you and those you love. He understands how being left by your spouse causes you to doubt yourself everyday. He heard your cry when you got the diagnosis.
Open your hands and let go of your grip on life. We hang on so tightly to what we know, what we think, what we understand that we think anything else must be a mistake! Maybe I didn't hear Him correctly.
Think about the constant twists and turns this story of Esther has taken? In the beginning, she was an unknown! The king and queen had the world by the tale. Then one by one the pieces began to shift. Did you notice that nothing, NOTHING happened immediately? NOTHING! There were days that were slammed packed with stuff, but Esther and her story didn't go from "orphan to ordained" overnight.
One of my favorite quotes from this study is this:
"Maybe God allows 'Hamans' to come along so we'll quit being so at home here."
Throughout this entire study, if you and I had been in charge of the story, we might have ended it before it even begun! We might have said, "Well, she is an orphan, but at least she has a nice home with her cousin. Why do we want to rock the boat and send her off to be in the middle of that harem? Or maybe we would have stopped when she got to be queen with "and they lived happily ever after." You can be sure, we would not have chosen any of the hard times that happened throughout this story!
We like the road of least resistance! We want things to be smooth and consistent and when they aren't we feel somehow that life is out of control. My friend, that is not the case at all.
God wants us to lose control knowing that He's got it. He wants us to be uncomfortable with ho-hum lives. He has much to accomplish and it can't be done sitting in our pajamas on the couch!
Let's remember what shape the Jews were in when the little orphan girl came on the scene. They had been carried into exile from Jerusalem years earlier. They had become so accustom to their surroundings that it didn't even seem foreign anymore. If felt familiar, comfy, even friendly.
Some might say they had 'made the best of a bad situation.' But God had bigger plans. Plans that could not possibly happen if everything remained the same. There had to be some scary moments, some tense times, some nail-biting times for God to move the circumstances so drastically that everything got turned upside down!
Maybe now you can see why He has allowed a Haman in your life. Do you think that your world turned upside down could be a good thing?
When the divine presence of the Holy Spirit resides in your temple, you can be sure that God has much bigger plans. At times you may feel lonely and forsaken, but open your grip; you are on a road from Orphan to Ordained!
I have so enjoyed this ride with you! My biggest take-away value from this study is to THINK BIG! We serve a big God who can do all things. He has never been limited by our inabilities! God's plans rock my world!
What have you savored most about the journey?
What a difference a day makes! Whew! Our new friends who stopped by two days ago made my head spin. My iPhone kept dinging, telling me a new comment had just been delivered. Carnival was fun! Now I'm afraid I might have scared away all of our first time visitors yesterday with my realness.
My friend Carol said, "Luann, you have to stop wondering if your site is effective based on the comments. God uses your obedience."
And so today we crack open the Esther study and hear those words from Beth, "Life goes on, whether we want it to or not."
Have you ever wished you could just hit the pause button on life and really soak in a moment? There are a few I would like to hold on to, what about you?
Some of those classic moments like when my children or grandchildren said something so cute and priceless or maybe they just had that "look" - you know what I'm talking about, that little 3 year old face that cocked gently to the right with big eyes smiling up at you - yea, that one. And for a moment you said, "Wow, I hope I remember this forever."
Today we realize that God allowed this book of Esther to remain a staple in His scripture so we would REMEMBER that God remembers His people even when they forget about Him.
Beth points out, "Getting the credit is the wrong reason to do the right thing."
Esther and Mordecai really are not the heroes of this story. No, God is. He delivered them even though they had blended into the society and were really unrecognizable in the day-to-day happenings of their country.
I wonder if we could be accused of the same thing? Do we blend in with the scenery? Could someone spot us as a child of God? Not because we wear our dresses to the floor or our sleeves to the wrists, but because His light shines in us and through us in the everyday mundane things of life?
She challenged us to think today about holidays and why we celebrate them. The levitical feasts of the Old Testament versus holidays like Purim and Hanukah, might be this:
Some were prescribed by God to bless man;
Others were prescribed by man to bless God.
What holiday, feast or tradition do I celebrate that blesses God?
I loved hearing about Anne Rice, the former atheist novelist, who wrote:
"The mystery of the survival of the Jews....It was this mystery that drew me back to God. It set in motion the idea that there may in fact be God. And when that happened there grew in me for whatever reason an immense desire to return to the banquet table."
Has God revealed Himself to you? He has to me. When my chin starts to drag, He lifts it by showing Himself in a beautiful sunrise.
He shows Himself everyday, if we open our eyes to see Him.
My prayer is that just like Anne Rice described, an immense desire will grow in me and all who have wandered away, to return to the banquet table.
Are you one of His children? You can be. If you click these words, DO YOU KNOW HIM? you'll find your way to a personal relationship with Jesus.
How fitting that Beth pointed out today the 3-sided triangle that depicts divine providence in our lives.
I SUPPLIED FOR YOU - Ephesians 1:11 He works out everything
I WORK IN YOU - Philippians 2:13 According to His purpose
I WORK FOR YOUR GOOD - Romans 8:28 In all things, God works for our good
God moves heaven and earth and allows every move of your life, for your good.
Universally, personally and beneficially God is at work.
If you peeked into my life yesterday you may have had different emotions. You may think, what in the world is she doing speaking and writing for God! Or you may have wanted to pat my head and think to yourself, poor, poor soul.
It seems upside down.
No coincidences in life.
I'm sure Esther wondered at times, what in the world, Lord! But in the end, God turned their world upside down to give them the best.
I love My Story because it has God's fingerprints all over it, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Will you let Him touch yours?
My friend Carol said, "Luann, you have to stop wondering if your site is effective based on the comments. God uses your obedience."
And so today we crack open the Esther study and hear those words from Beth, "Life goes on, whether we want it to or not."
Have you ever wished you could just hit the pause button on life and really soak in a moment? There are a few I would like to hold on to, what about you?
Some of those classic moments like when my children or grandchildren said something so cute and priceless or maybe they just had that "look" - you know what I'm talking about, that little 3 year old face that cocked gently to the right with big eyes smiling up at you - yea, that one. And for a moment you said, "Wow, I hope I remember this forever."
Today we realize that God allowed this book of Esther to remain a staple in His scripture so we would REMEMBER that God remembers His people even when they forget about Him.
Beth points out, "Getting the credit is the wrong reason to do the right thing."
Esther and Mordecai really are not the heroes of this story. No, God is. He delivered them even though they had blended into the society and were really unrecognizable in the day-to-day happenings of their country.
I wonder if we could be accused of the same thing? Do we blend in with the scenery? Could someone spot us as a child of God? Not because we wear our dresses to the floor or our sleeves to the wrists, but because His light shines in us and through us in the everyday mundane things of life?
She challenged us to think today about holidays and why we celebrate them. The levitical feasts of the Old Testament versus holidays like Purim and Hanukah, might be this:
Some were prescribed by God to bless man;
Others were prescribed by man to bless God.
What holiday, feast or tradition do I celebrate that blesses God?
I loved hearing about Anne Rice, the former atheist novelist, who wrote:
"The mystery of the survival of the Jews....It was this mystery that drew me back to God. It set in motion the idea that there may in fact be God. And when that happened there grew in me for whatever reason an immense desire to return to the banquet table."
Has God revealed Himself to you? He has to me. When my chin starts to drag, He lifts it by showing Himself in a beautiful sunrise.
He shows Himself everyday, if we open our eyes to see Him.
My prayer is that just like Anne Rice described, an immense desire will grow in me and all who have wandered away, to return to the banquet table.
Are you one of His children? You can be. If you click these words, DO YOU KNOW HIM? you'll find your way to a personal relationship with Jesus.
How fitting that Beth pointed out today the 3-sided triangle that depicts divine providence in our lives.
I SUPPLIED FOR YOU - Ephesians 1:11 He works out everything
I WORK IN YOU - Philippians 2:13 According to His purpose
I WORK FOR YOUR GOOD - Romans 8:28 In all things, God works for our good
God moves heaven and earth and allows every move of your life, for your good.
Universally, personally and beneficially God is at work.
If you peeked into my life yesterday you may have had different emotions. You may think, what in the world is she doing speaking and writing for God! Or you may have wanted to pat my head and think to yourself, poor, poor soul.
It seems upside down.
No coincidences in life.
I'm sure Esther wondered at times, what in the world, Lord! But in the end, God turned their world upside down to give them the best.
I love My Story because it has God's fingerprints all over it, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Will you let Him touch yours?
Wow! Yesterday was a blast! We had so many friends stop by to share their favorite celebration food and comments. Our winner on this site for the Encouragement Cafe latte coffee mug & t-shirt is listed at the end of today, with a challenge. Don't be discouraged if it wasn't you, you may have one on the Encouragement Cafe site! Check it out.
One friend asked what mine was and I guess if I could relive a moment in time it would be coming home to my mom's famous "wacky cake with Aunt Wilma's icing." More on this in a minute and I'll dig out the recipe and leave it for you tomorrow.
Ok, let's get into today's lesson from Beth Moore's study of Esther. Did you LOVE the story of the little girl with the missing hand? What an inspiration! She reminded us that:
Esther shows that ordinary events are never coincidental in the lives of God's people.
Turnarounds in your life - have you noticed them? Did you read Psalm 30:1-3 and 11-12?
This nugget jumped out:
We need to go out of our way to remember the wonderful works God has done in our own lives.
My day of celebration is December 6th. It will be forever burned in my memory as the day I made the decision to follow hard after Christ. I had known about Him my entire life, but had never really consulted Him for direction.
The 700 Club
One friend asked what mine was and I guess if I could relive a moment in time it would be coming home to my mom's famous "wacky cake with Aunt Wilma's icing." More on this in a minute and I'll dig out the recipe and leave it for you tomorrow.
Ok, let's get into today's lesson from Beth Moore's study of Esther. Did you LOVE the story of the little girl with the missing hand? What an inspiration! She reminded us that:
Esther shows that ordinary events are never coincidental in the lives of God's people.
Turnarounds in your life - have you noticed them? Did you read Psalm 30:1-3 and 11-12?
This nugget jumped out:
We need to go out of our way to remember the wonderful works God has done in our own lives.
My day of celebration is December 6th. It will be forever burned in my memory as the day I made the decision to follow hard after Christ. I had known about Him my entire life, but had never really consulted Him for direction.
The 700 Club
Woo Hoo! I love God's timing. If you are visiting us today because you are enjoying the Proverbs 31 Carnival,with my sweet friend Suzie Eller, WELCOME!!
We are in the final throws here of Beth Moore's Esther study and "as God would have it" today is all about the PRESENTS!
So if you leave a comment you will be entered into a drawing for an Encouragement Cafe latte mug and t-shirt! And if you jump over to the Encouragement Cafe site and leave a comment you just might win again!
Today we are celebrating with the Jews who were allowed to defend themselves against certain destruction. The fought back and with the divine intervention of an Almighty God, they overcame amazing odds...and won!
Beth asked a fun question on this day:
What is your favorite menu for a celebration? I'd love to hear yours!
I must tell you the final page for today is the one that gripped my tears and yanked them out of my eyes.
When she described lot, portion and favor, basically saying, "The way your life has worked out. Amid the chaos and crisis, the threats and doubt, God caused my life to work out. Instead of falling apart, the lines of my life have fallen together!"
So the Jews took a day to rest after the fighting and celebrate.
I wonder how long it has been since you've taken a day to rest and celebrate with the One who fights for us, who 'works out' our life?
The tears for me fell when I read this:
Here you are, Beloved, Satan tried to destroy you along your life's path, but clearly, he didn't get his way. You're still standing, aren't you? Instead of falling apart, your lines are all starting to fall together. Piece by piece. Glimpse by glance.
So today, I celebrate life and I long to share it with you. Please leave your comment and maybe you'll receive our special gift; a latte mug and t-shirt from Encouragement Cafe. But even if you don't win that gift, I pray that God will shower you today with the knowledge that your life is 'falling together.'
Year Chronological Bible and her book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The
Transforming Power of God's Story.
beautiful jewelry pieces to begin a spring wardrobe with! One for a Glamour
Girl, one for a Movie Star and one for a Rock Star!
Untroubled Heart, and a cute clutch purse for those fun summer evenings!
Francesca's Gift card, redeemable at www.francescascollections.com
marriage conference call (see her blog for details) and her new book What a
Wife Needs from Her Husband.
a prize for a teen girl in her life - the 3 book series B.A.B.E. series by
Andrea Stephens (Beautiful, Accepted, Blessed, Eternally Significant) for
the teen and for Mom a $10 gift card to Starbucks along with Lynn's CD
"Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart".
Basket that includes Skin Milk body wash, a white loofah, Winter White
Citrus Bath & Body Works products, white lily linen and room sprays, white
hot cocoa, a white mug and white-chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Along with
it, a copy of her book on celebrations entitled Homespun Memories for the
Heart: More Than 200 Ideas to Make Unforgettable Moments.
Suzie Eller
copy of My Heart's Cry by Anne Graham Lotz and a piece of jewelry Zoe style!
$20.00 Starbucks Gift Card and a copy of Karen Ehman's book: A Life That
Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others.
"Overcoming Stress with Extraordinary Faith" and a Soulmates Slipper with
Christian Notepad and Pen.
a hardback copy of The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year by
Eugene Peterson (which you can read this along with her this year) and the
Williams-Sonoma Muffins cookbook.
giving away a copy of her book Out of the Mouths of Babes and her CD Yes,
No, and Maybe of a Balanced Life
Luann Prater
www.EncouragementCafe.com are giving away an Encouragement Cafe mug and
t-shirt at both sites!
cookbook Sharing Grace: Recipes- Family Traditions-Gift ideas and a
Starbucks gift card.
away her Birds in My Mustard Tree Bible Study with an I-tunes gift card.
Renee Swope
"Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" 6 week DVD set and a copy of
Renee's message "Living Beyond the Shadow of Doubt" on DVD.
Club gift pack including 4 copies of Lysa's book, Am I Messing Up My Kids?
and a 30-minute Q&A conference call with Lysa.
children - From the Pound to the Palace
Glynnis Whitwer
work@home: A Practical Guide for Woman Who Want to Work from Home and a
French Country Wire Silverware Basket
She Reads is giving away two novels, Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish and
Screen Play by Chris Coppernoll, and chocolate, courtesy of the authors.
They will tell the story of how their writing brought them together - a love
story, quite literally, fit for a novel!
giving away a copy of Do the Hard Thing along with a RadRev t-shirt!ur
We are in the final throws here of Beth Moore's Esther study and "as God would have it" today is all about the PRESENTS!
So if you leave a comment you will be entered into a drawing for an Encouragement Cafe latte mug and t-shirt! And if you jump over to the Encouragement Cafe site and leave a comment you just might win again!
Today we are celebrating with the Jews who were allowed to defend themselves against certain destruction. The fought back and with the divine intervention of an Almighty God, they overcame amazing odds...and won!
Beth asked a fun question on this day:
What is your favorite menu for a celebration? I'd love to hear yours!
I must tell you the final page for today is the one that gripped my tears and yanked them out of my eyes.
When she described lot, portion and favor, basically saying, "The way your life has worked out. Amid the chaos and crisis, the threats and doubt, God caused my life to work out. Instead of falling apart, the lines of my life have fallen together!"
So the Jews took a day to rest after the fighting and celebrate.
I wonder how long it has been since you've taken a day to rest and celebrate with the One who fights for us, who 'works out' our life?
The tears for me fell when I read this:
Here you are, Beloved, Satan tried to destroy you along your life's path, but clearly, he didn't get his way. You're still standing, aren't you? Instead of falling apart, your lines are all starting to fall together. Piece by piece. Glimpse by glance.
So today, I celebrate life and I long to share it with you. Please leave your comment and maybe you'll receive our special gift; a latte mug and t-shirt from Encouragement Cafe. But even if you don't win that gift, I pray that God will shower you today with the knowledge that your life is 'falling together.'
Year Chronological Bible and her book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The
Transforming Power of God's Story.
beautiful jewelry pieces to begin a spring wardrobe with! One for a Glamour
Girl, one for a Movie Star and one for a Rock Star!
Untroubled Heart, and a cute clutch purse for those fun summer evenings!
Francesca's Gift card, redeemable at www.francescascollections.com
marriage conference call (see her blog for details) and her new book What a
Wife Needs from Her Husband.
a prize for a teen girl in her life - the 3 book series B.A.B.E. series by
Andrea Stephens (Beautiful, Accepted, Blessed, Eternally Significant) for
the teen and for Mom a $10 gift card to Starbucks along with Lynn's CD
"Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart".
Basket that includes Skin Milk body wash, a white loofah, Winter White
Citrus Bath & Body Works products, white lily linen and room sprays, white
hot cocoa, a white mug and white-chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Along with
it, a copy of her book on celebrations entitled Homespun Memories for the
Heart: More Than 200 Ideas to Make Unforgettable Moments.
Suzie Eller
copy of My Heart's Cry by Anne Graham Lotz and a piece of jewelry Zoe style!
$20.00 Starbucks Gift Card and a copy of Karen Ehman's book: A Life That
Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others.
"Overcoming Stress with Extraordinary Faith" and a Soulmates Slipper with
Christian Notepad and Pen.
a hardback copy of The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year by
Eugene Peterson (which you can read this along with her this year) and the
Williams-Sonoma Muffins cookbook.
giving away a copy of her book Out of the Mouths of Babes and her CD Yes,
No, and Maybe of a Balanced Life
Luann Prater
www.EncouragementCafe.com are giving away an Encouragement Cafe mug and
t-shirt at both sites!
cookbook Sharing Grace: Recipes- Family Traditions-Gift ideas and a
Starbucks gift card.
away her Birds in My Mustard Tree Bible Study with an I-tunes gift card.
Renee Swope
"Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" 6 week DVD set and a copy of
Renee's message "Living Beyond the Shadow of Doubt" on DVD.
Club gift pack including 4 copies of Lysa's book, Am I Messing Up My Kids?
and a 30-minute Q&A conference call with Lysa.
children - From the Pound to the Palace
Glynnis Whitwer
work@home: A Practical Guide for Woman Who Want to Work from Home and a
French Country Wire Silverware Basket
She Reads is giving away two novels, Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish and
Screen Play by Chris Coppernoll, and chocolate, courtesy of the authors.
They will tell the story of how their writing brought them together - a love
story, quite literally, fit for a novel!
giving away a copy of Do the Hard Thing along with a RadRev t-shirt!ur
Today if you're visiting because you jumped over from my sweet friend Rachel's blog, WELCOME!
We are in the 9th week of Beth Moore's - Esther study. Rachel asked us to write about ANY aspect of LOVE and today's lesson ties in perfectly!
"The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder." Esther 9:15
Now you may be wondering, what in the world have I stumbled on to here! How can putting 300 men to death have anything to do with love?
This entire Esther study has focused on watching God move in unexpected ways to save those He loves. He allowed tragedy, created opportunities, permitted injustice, offered hope, provided relief, empowered the unlikely, all to bring victory to His loved children. He is passionate about His children.
Have you ever searched for love and felt let down? Sometimes we may wonder if 'the good old days' held something better or easier. Finding love and happiness seemed effortless in the era of our parents, or grandparents or the movies about Pleasantville. Love can feel like jello in your fingers, the harder you grasp the more it slips away.
The word God is never mentioned in the book of Esther but His fingerprints are everywhere! The divine happenings that occur can only be explained by a God who had a plan.
So on this day of the study, the Jews were given the ability to defend themselves from slaughter, but they declined to take any of their enemies 'stuff,' even though they had an edict order that said they could. The reason? It was their opportunity to show God their love and respect for Him. They realized that they had been saved from certain annihilation and now they had the chance to honor God by living their love for Him.
Everyday God allows circumstances in our lives. We often look at them and wonder, "God, do you see me down here? Have you forgotten about me? Do you even hear my prayers? Why are you letting this happen?"
He sees you. He knows what is going on. Don't believe for a second that you have been abandoned. His love never fails. He has a plan for you. It doesn't look AT ALL like what you expected! He knew about the trouble you had coming long before you did. He warned us that Satan is never going to let us rest, so in this world we will have trouble.
But He also promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. God is love. He is the definition of the word we so loosely toss around. We use the term as a verb, "I love this ice cream," yet when you are His child, He moves heaven and earth and circumstances to show you He is love.
You have the right to plunder and take things into your own hands. Believe that God is at work in your life. You cannot possibly figure out His plan. It involves more than you can see. Instead of worry, try worship. Love Him back today. Give Him thanks for rescuing you even before you see how He is going to do it!
Watch God move in unexpected ways to save you. He may allow tragedy, create opportunities, permit injustice, offer hope, provide relief, empower the unlikely, all to bring victory to you, His loved child. He is passionate about His children
We are in the 9th week of Beth Moore's - Esther study. Rachel asked us to write about ANY aspect of LOVE and today's lesson ties in perfectly!
"The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder." Esther 9:15
Now you may be wondering, what in the world have I stumbled on to here! How can putting 300 men to death have anything to do with love?
This entire Esther study has focused on watching God move in unexpected ways to save those He loves. He allowed tragedy, created opportunities, permitted injustice, offered hope, provided relief, empowered the unlikely, all to bring victory to His loved children. He is passionate about His children.
Have you ever searched for love and felt let down? Sometimes we may wonder if 'the good old days' held something better or easier. Finding love and happiness seemed effortless in the era of our parents, or grandparents or the movies about Pleasantville. Love can feel like jello in your fingers, the harder you grasp the more it slips away.
The word God is never mentioned in the book of Esther but His fingerprints are everywhere! The divine happenings that occur can only be explained by a God who had a plan.
So on this day of the study, the Jews were given the ability to defend themselves from slaughter, but they declined to take any of their enemies 'stuff,' even though they had an edict order that said they could. The reason? It was their opportunity to show God their love and respect for Him. They realized that they had been saved from certain annihilation and now they had the chance to honor God by living their love for Him.
Everyday God allows circumstances in our lives. We often look at them and wonder, "God, do you see me down here? Have you forgotten about me? Do you even hear my prayers? Why are you letting this happen?"
He sees you. He knows what is going on. Don't believe for a second that you have been abandoned. His love never fails. He has a plan for you. It doesn't look AT ALL like what you expected! He knew about the trouble you had coming long before you did. He warned us that Satan is never going to let us rest, so in this world we will have trouble.
But He also promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. God is love. He is the definition of the word we so loosely toss around. We use the term as a verb, "I love this ice cream," yet when you are His child, He moves heaven and earth and circumstances to show you He is love.
You have the right to plunder and take things into your own hands. Believe that God is at work in your life. You cannot possibly figure out His plan. It involves more than you can see. Instead of worry, try worship. Love Him back today. Give Him thanks for rescuing you even before you see how He is going to do it!
Watch God move in unexpected ways to save you. He may allow tragedy, create opportunities, permit injustice, offer hope, provide relief, empower the unlikely, all to bring victory to you, His loved child. He is passionate about His children
Ok, this is probably wrong on my part, but can I just say -
It was refreshing to hear Beth Moore say she has the same struggles we do???????
On page 193 she said:
Keith and I have a good marriage, but we still have fights. I still get my feelings hurt. Brood over something he said. Wonder if he'll always love me. We have terrifically serious and demanding extended family problems. Our lives also collide regularly with several close loved ones who battle mental illness. At times I feel stressed beyond human capacity and other times profoundly lonely. Sometimes I feel so frustrated I could scream and other times so ill-tempered I could panic. And those are only the things I feel free to tell you. The far more challenging conditions are too private to share.
WELL, SLAP MY MY BACK AND CALL ME GIDDY!
No, I'm not giddy that she has struggles, I am thankful that she was 'real' enough to let us peek under the hood of her life! Here is a woman who's face is plastered all over the shelves of LifeWay. Who pops up on the internet smiling from ear-to-ear. Who visits Israel to do video lessons that are life-changing....and yet, she has her moments.
That should tell us all that everyone struggles. Even those who appear to have it all together. If you have ever thought, 'if only' I could get my act together things would be better ~ even when you're act gets together, you will have your moments.
Her challenge to us was 'life is hard' - but - we all have windows of happiness! And when we do
TAKE IT AND RUN!!!!!!
Happiness means 'lightness' - woo hoo! No darkness!
We are women and FEELINGS are important to us. So when God gives us the joy and tops it off with happiness too, CELEBRATE!
LOVED THIS LINE:
Times of happiness are glimpses of heaven until we get there.
Mourning turned to Happiness
Fasting turned to Joy
Weeping turned to Gladness
Wailing turned to Honor
God reversed every negative into a positive for Esther's people. He will do the same for you and me.
What 'reversal' would you like to see God do in your life? Did you write the four words down that best describe your circumstances right now? What words would describe a reversal to you?
The Jews did nothing to earn it. Neither do we. Wait and watch for it.
And when it comes
CELEBRATE!
It was refreshing to hear Beth Moore say she has the same struggles we do???????
On page 193 she said:
Keith and I have a good marriage, but we still have fights. I still get my feelings hurt. Brood over something he said. Wonder if he'll always love me. We have terrifically serious and demanding extended family problems. Our lives also collide regularly with several close loved ones who battle mental illness. At times I feel stressed beyond human capacity and other times profoundly lonely. Sometimes I feel so frustrated I could scream and other times so ill-tempered I could panic. And those are only the things I feel free to tell you. The far more challenging conditions are too private to share.
WELL, SLAP MY MY BACK AND CALL ME GIDDY!
No, I'm not giddy that she has struggles, I am thankful that she was 'real' enough to let us peek under the hood of her life! Here is a woman who's face is plastered all over the shelves of LifeWay. Who pops up on the internet smiling from ear-to-ear. Who visits Israel to do video lessons that are life-changing....and yet, she has her moments.
That should tell us all that everyone struggles. Even those who appear to have it all together. If you have ever thought, 'if only' I could get my act together things would be better ~ even when you're act gets together, you will have your moments.
Her challenge to us was 'life is hard' - but - we all have windows of happiness! And when we do
TAKE IT AND RUN!!!!!!
Happiness means 'lightness' - woo hoo! No darkness!
We are women and FEELINGS are important to us. So when God gives us the joy and tops it off with happiness too, CELEBRATE!
LOVED THIS LINE:
Times of happiness are glimpses of heaven until we get there.
Mourning turned to Happiness
Fasting turned to Joy
Weeping turned to Gladness
Wailing turned to Honor
God reversed every negative into a positive for Esther's people. He will do the same for you and me.
What 'reversal' would you like to see God do in your life? Did you write the four words down that best describe your circumstances right now? What words would describe a reversal to you?
The Jews did nothing to earn it. Neither do we. Wait and watch for it.
And when it comes
CELEBRATE!
"Holy to the Lord" - were the words inscribed on the plate worn on the forehead of the priests. Everyone coming at you would see it!
We just finished a WOW weekend with God at the Encouragement EXTREME Event, or as some lovingly called E3. Carol spoke on Friday night about the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healed. The take-away value from that talk for me was "she could no longer go unnoticed."
I wonder how many of us blend into the scenery? When the Holy Spirit takes us residency in our lives, we should never look or act the same! Others should be able to spot us as if we were wearing that plate on our head; not because we are thumping a Bible and preaching; not because we act holier-than-thou; no, when God plants His Spirit in us, Peace should ooze out! His touch is recognizable!
Isn't that a cool vision that Beth gives us today? Satan's goons see us clearly marked as God's children because of our robes of righteousness.
Loved this line: A servant of God is no secular priest in God's estimation. His devotion to God's will automatically sets him apart from the common to the sacred.
Do you feel common or sacred? I must admit many days I feel common. I even wonder, "God, what on earth are you doing with a girl like me?" And He whispers to my heart, "That scarlet thread that runs through my Word, is present in your royal garment. I have called you, Luann Prater, to be mine, Holy and chosen. My Son paid the price and His blood covers over every FEELING you may have of inadequacy."
I want to be dressed to reflect the glorious royal priesthood, even when my feelings tell me I'm not! Let's stay in the King's presence and let Him light up our face so others may recognize the family resemblance.
We just finished a WOW weekend with God at the Encouragement EXTREME Event, or as some lovingly called E3. Carol spoke on Friday night about the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healed. The take-away value from that talk for me was "she could no longer go unnoticed."
I wonder how many of us blend into the scenery? When the Holy Spirit takes us residency in our lives, we should never look or act the same! Others should be able to spot us as if we were wearing that plate on our head; not because we are thumping a Bible and preaching; not because we act holier-than-thou; no, when God plants His Spirit in us, Peace should ooze out! His touch is recognizable!
Isn't that a cool vision that Beth gives us today? Satan's goons see us clearly marked as God's children because of our robes of righteousness.
Loved this line: A servant of God is no secular priest in God's estimation. His devotion to God's will automatically sets him apart from the common to the sacred.
Do you feel common or sacred? I must admit many days I feel common. I even wonder, "God, what on earth are you doing with a girl like me?" And He whispers to my heart, "That scarlet thread that runs through my Word, is present in your royal garment. I have called you, Luann Prater, to be mine, Holy and chosen. My Son paid the price and His blood covers over every FEELING you may have of inadequacy."
I want to be dressed to reflect the glorious royal priesthood, even when my feelings tell me I'm not! Let's stay in the King's presence and let Him light up our face so others may recognize the family resemblance.
Impulsive.
On today's lesson Beth challenges us to have morning prayer time because the day may bring ANYTHING!
"If we're not surrendered to God already that day with all our hearts and minds guarded by Scripture, we'll more likely react by impulse than by the Holy Spirit."
Let's pause here for a second. First, let's note that Luann is impulsive. I will pick up something at the grocery that I didn't intend to get but because it was displayed right there at the checkout, it got put in my cart. Not always, mind you, but definitely when I'm going in without being prepared or when I'm hungry!
Now she said something in that quote that hit me square between the eyes. "surrendered"
I have my quiet time in the morning. It is 5:00 a.m. now. I am reading my study. I am soaking it in. I offer my prayer. But am I surrendered? Check me God. Have my prayers been with a rendered heart or have they been a checklist of items needing Your attention?
Before I go any farther Lord, take my life, completely. I don't want to hold back even one thing. I surrender my plan to You. My hopes to You. My dreams to you. I pour out my thoughts of how I believe You will answer prayer and accept that Your ways are not my ways. Neither are Your thoughts my thoughts. Forgive me for trying to cram You into the confines of my small brain, You are infinitely more! Today, I surrender. Take my life and use it, for Your glory. Guard my heart and mind so everything I do today will be directed by Your Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name, amen.
Not battle ready.
Sometimes we get soft. Things in life seem to be going along 'just fine' thank you very much. We like things to remain the same. Jobs are secure, kids are healthy, no one close to us is in trouble, routines aren't rocked, yea, life is 'good'. Don't mess up our smooth ride because quite frankly we didn't sign up for the roller coaster ride! We signed up for the scenic train trip. We wanted to grab a window seat and watch the world from a distance.
Oh we see the things that are happening to others....from our window seat. We see the heartache and pain from sickness, lost jobs, broken lives, but that is out there. In here we're having a picnic with our little protected family. We're praying for those poor, poor people, 'out there' but life is pretty smooth here on the train ride.
And then you realize that your ticket put you on the adventure express! You look ahead and see the track is leaving the ground and you are about to plummet!
If you have very little battle experience, lock arms with your sisters in Christ. You are not alone! He is allowing us to go through this to make warriors out of us!
Come on, LET'S GO!
On today's lesson Beth challenges us to have morning prayer time because the day may bring ANYTHING!
"If we're not surrendered to God already that day with all our hearts and minds guarded by Scripture, we'll more likely react by impulse than by the Holy Spirit."
Let's pause here for a second. First, let's note that Luann is impulsive. I will pick up something at the grocery that I didn't intend to get but because it was displayed right there at the checkout, it got put in my cart. Not always, mind you, but definitely when I'm going in without being prepared or when I'm hungry!
Now she said something in that quote that hit me square between the eyes. "surrendered"
I have my quiet time in the morning. It is 5:00 a.m. now. I am reading my study. I am soaking it in. I offer my prayer. But am I surrendered? Check me God. Have my prayers been with a rendered heart or have they been a checklist of items needing Your attention?
Before I go any farther Lord, take my life, completely. I don't want to hold back even one thing. I surrender my plan to You. My hopes to You. My dreams to you. I pour out my thoughts of how I believe You will answer prayer and accept that Your ways are not my ways. Neither are Your thoughts my thoughts. Forgive me for trying to cram You into the confines of my small brain, You are infinitely more! Today, I surrender. Take my life and use it, for Your glory. Guard my heart and mind so everything I do today will be directed by Your Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name, amen.
Not battle ready.
Sometimes we get soft. Things in life seem to be going along 'just fine' thank you very much. We like things to remain the same. Jobs are secure, kids are healthy, no one close to us is in trouble, routines aren't rocked, yea, life is 'good'. Don't mess up our smooth ride because quite frankly we didn't sign up for the roller coaster ride! We signed up for the scenic train trip. We wanted to grab a window seat and watch the world from a distance.
Oh we see the things that are happening to others....from our window seat. We see the heartache and pain from sickness, lost jobs, broken lives, but that is out there. In here we're having a picnic with our little protected family. We're praying for those poor, poor people, 'out there' but life is pretty smooth here on the train ride.
And then you realize that your ticket put you on the adventure express! You look ahead and see the track is leaving the ground and you are about to plummet!
If you have very little battle experience, lock arms with your sisters in Christ. You are not alone! He is allowing us to go through this to make warriors out of us!
Come on, LET'S GO!
Oh my goodness! I'm sorry Beth, but your first two paragraphs of today's lesson or so rich and packed with truth, I simply have to repeat them word for word! See if you can relate, in even the slightest way.
"I've been looking for the perfect person all my life. I'm not talking about a romantic interest. I'm talking about a real, live tenable hero. Someone who'll never let me down, whose love will never cool, whose dark side doesn't exist. Someone who will never lose my respect, whose passion for God only swells with time, hitting its highest pitch with the last breath. Someone perfect right here on earth where I could let my idealism bask in the sun of him.
The only place I haven't bothered to look for that person is in my bathroom mirror. The embarrassing irony is that the only time I've come close to finding a perfect human, I fought so much self-condemnation and failure around her, I eventually had to distance myself from her. I'm just offering a little transparency here. There's something I want that I can't find. And someone I want that I can't be."
First let me confess ~ THIS IS ME! I've so wanted someone to ride up and save the day, but it doesn't happen. Oh, don't get me wrong, I have a great hubby and my kids are fantastic and no one could ask for better friends, but when the tears are flowing and my world is crumbling, I'm looking in the rear view mirror to see if someone is going to ride up to save me!
I'm also guilty of not finding anything heroic in the mirror! If someone says something nice about me, I look at the reflection and say, "Her? You must be mistaken. You only say that because you don't know ALL there is to know about her."
The fact is no one is worthy of the title, KING (or Queen) except the King of Kings! We keep trying to crown others and are quick to jerk the crown off our own head because we want desperately to find a rescuer, a Redeemer.
Jump over to the next page where she asks if anyone has ever responded to you when you asked for help with the equivalent of "it's not my problem?"
Oh the scenario she paints of Xerxes and Esther is priceless! He is ticked because she doesn't give him credit for what he DID give her and she is saying, "Did I ask you for that? No, listen to what I DO need from you!"
Sounds terribly familiar doesn't it? I think there was a very famous book written about it, Men Are from Jupiter Women are from Mars....or something like that ;o)
"You'd rather someone yell at you than act like you don't matter."
This is a very real truth. We all want to know that our feelings matter. Ok, please forgive me, but I have to give you a word for word from Beth again when she is talking about Xerxes and how he had given more than he had ever given before, because this just needs to be said:
"At times like these, individuals as self-centered as Xerxes say to themselves, "See, that's why I don't like to get involved. People keep asking you for more. Give 'em an inch, they take a mile." Sound familiar?"
YES, IT DOES!!! It sounds familiar on two fronts! I've searched for a hero who has let me down and I've been the one to let someone else down! Both make you feel lousy!
So here are her two reasons she gives why God allows us to have - and to be - fallen heroes:
God is jealous for our true enduring hero to be His own Son.
Sometimes God wants to show us what we can do rather than let us find someone who can do it for us.
Ok, now I know why I had to do the rest of this study NOW instead of on time. God knew I was going to need it at this moment, for such a time as this!
I have been so longing for a hero to ride up and rescue me .... have you?
Maybe God is allowing us to go through this exact thing so we can lean only on His Son and to be stretched to become more, so much more.
"I've been looking for the perfect person all my life. I'm not talking about a romantic interest. I'm talking about a real, live tenable hero. Someone who'll never let me down, whose love will never cool, whose dark side doesn't exist. Someone who will never lose my respect, whose passion for God only swells with time, hitting its highest pitch with the last breath. Someone perfect right here on earth where I could let my idealism bask in the sun of him.
The only place I haven't bothered to look for that person is in my bathroom mirror. The embarrassing irony is that the only time I've come close to finding a perfect human, I fought so much self-condemnation and failure around her, I eventually had to distance myself from her. I'm just offering a little transparency here. There's something I want that I can't find. And someone I want that I can't be."
First let me confess ~ THIS IS ME! I've so wanted someone to ride up and save the day, but it doesn't happen. Oh, don't get me wrong, I have a great hubby and my kids are fantastic and no one could ask for better friends, but when the tears are flowing and my world is crumbling, I'm looking in the rear view mirror to see if someone is going to ride up to save me!
I'm also guilty of not finding anything heroic in the mirror! If someone says something nice about me, I look at the reflection and say, "Her? You must be mistaken. You only say that because you don't know ALL there is to know about her."
The fact is no one is worthy of the title, KING (or Queen) except the King of Kings! We keep trying to crown others and are quick to jerk the crown off our own head because we want desperately to find a rescuer, a Redeemer.
Jump over to the next page where she asks if anyone has ever responded to you when you asked for help with the equivalent of "it's not my problem?"
Oh the scenario she paints of Xerxes and Esther is priceless! He is ticked because she doesn't give him credit for what he DID give her and she is saying, "Did I ask you for that? No, listen to what I DO need from you!"
Sounds terribly familiar doesn't it? I think there was a very famous book written about it, Men Are from Jupiter Women are from Mars....or something like that ;o)
"You'd rather someone yell at you than act like you don't matter."
This is a very real truth. We all want to know that our feelings matter. Ok, please forgive me, but I have to give you a word for word from Beth again when she is talking about Xerxes and how he had given more than he had ever given before, because this just needs to be said:
"At times like these, individuals as self-centered as Xerxes say to themselves, "See, that's why I don't like to get involved. People keep asking you for more. Give 'em an inch, they take a mile." Sound familiar?"
YES, IT DOES!!! It sounds familiar on two fronts! I've searched for a hero who has let me down and I've been the one to let someone else down! Both make you feel lousy!
So here are her two reasons she gives why God allows us to have - and to be - fallen heroes:
God is jealous for our true enduring hero to be His own Son.
Sometimes God wants to show us what we can do rather than let us find someone who can do it for us.
Ok, now I know why I had to do the rest of this study NOW instead of on time. God knew I was going to need it at this moment, for such a time as this!
I have been so longing for a hero to ride up and rescue me .... have you?
Maybe God is allowing us to go through this exact thing so we can lean only on His Son and to be stretched to become more, so much more.
Yes, yes, we started this study a thousand years ago (it seems) and Luann stopped cold-turkey to tend to new grandbabies and the birth of a new Encouragement Cafe event called - EXTREME! You may be sick to death hearing about our baby, but we just can't contain ourselves!
We keep checking to see if it's still breathing because after the birth it seems to lay so perfectly still! Please know that this EXTREME baby is growing and we can't wait to see how God develops this bundle of joy.
However, now He has called me to get back to finish the task He assigned, Esther. You ready to dig in? Let's go!
So we are on Day 1 of Week 8 - Where, "Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping."
Whew! Talk about a whirlwind of activity! Have you ever had so much happen in a very short period of time that you feel your head spinning? I have never felt it so much as in the past 2 months....hmmmm, coincidence? Not on your life!
Right now I can relate to that vision of Esther at first standing before the king, then sitting before the king, but now she is completely emptying herself and FALLING before the king!
Two days before our EXTREME event the weatherman said we were in for a record-breaking snow storm. I saw the plans 'we' had made beginning to crumble and I questioned, "Why am I doing this? What on earth was I thinking? I could be cozied up in front of the fireplace with a hot cocoa without a care in the world! And yet, I'm here, catching the pieces as they fall apart. Why?"
There were plenty of things that didn't go as planned, however God took center stage. Carol, Ramona, Luann, Dallas, Betty, and Pam all became the backdrop for the King to step into the limelight and show Himself to every single woman who braved the elements to be there.
For such a time as this, we hold ourselves together as long as humanly possible, then we have what Beth describes beautifully:
"Then just about the time the first ounce of pressure came off and you imagined feeling relief, here it comes: the ugly cry. You can't stop it. You can't hide it. You can't excuse it. It's been storing up inside of you for months and the pressure cooker begins to blow. The face contorts, the chest heaves, the nose snorts, and the flood falls."
What a perfect picture! My girlfriend Carol says she is 'an ugly crier' so she never wants me to make her cry in public. And I've had the pressure cooker blow and it shot the valve right through my ceiling! When that kind of build-up finally releases, it's gonna cause a scene!
I LOVED this insight too:
"Sometimes people advise us to do instantly what can only be accomplished gradually."
Oh, I have so been there! There is a balance between seeking God's face and seeking godly advice. God uses His Word, people and circumstances in our lives to lead and direct us. However we must be so in tune with God's Word that all other advice becomes confirmation to what He whispers.
The final line in today's lesson:
To lay everything on the line for her people would either kill Esther....or heal her.
God has called this woman, Luann, to lay everything on the line in 2010 for others. I'm praying for healing.
Where is He calling you this year?
We keep checking to see if it's still breathing because after the birth it seems to lay so perfectly still! Please know that this EXTREME baby is growing and we can't wait to see how God develops this bundle of joy.
However, now He has called me to get back to finish the task He assigned, Esther. You ready to dig in? Let's go!
So we are on Day 1 of Week 8 - Where, "Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping."
Whew! Talk about a whirlwind of activity! Have you ever had so much happen in a very short period of time that you feel your head spinning? I have never felt it so much as in the past 2 months....hmmmm, coincidence? Not on your life!
Right now I can relate to that vision of Esther at first standing before the king, then sitting before the king, but now she is completely emptying herself and FALLING before the king!
Two days before our EXTREME event the weatherman said we were in for a record-breaking snow storm. I saw the plans 'we' had made beginning to crumble and I questioned, "Why am I doing this? What on earth was I thinking? I could be cozied up in front of the fireplace with a hot cocoa without a care in the world! And yet, I'm here, catching the pieces as they fall apart. Why?"
There were plenty of things that didn't go as planned, however God took center stage. Carol, Ramona, Luann, Dallas, Betty, and Pam all became the backdrop for the King to step into the limelight and show Himself to every single woman who braved the elements to be there.
For such a time as this, we hold ourselves together as long as humanly possible, then we have what Beth describes beautifully:
"Then just about the time the first ounce of pressure came off and you imagined feeling relief, here it comes: the ugly cry. You can't stop it. You can't hide it. You can't excuse it. It's been storing up inside of you for months and the pressure cooker begins to blow. The face contorts, the chest heaves, the nose snorts, and the flood falls."
What a perfect picture! My girlfriend Carol says she is 'an ugly crier' so she never wants me to make her cry in public. And I've had the pressure cooker blow and it shot the valve right through my ceiling! When that kind of build-up finally releases, it's gonna cause a scene!
I LOVED this insight too:
"Sometimes people advise us to do instantly what can only be accomplished gradually."
Oh, I have so been there! There is a balance between seeking God's face and seeking godly advice. God uses His Word, people and circumstances in our lives to lead and direct us. However we must be so in tune with God's Word that all other advice becomes confirmation to what He whispers.
The final line in today's lesson:
To lay everything on the line for her people would either kill Esther....or heal her.
God has called this woman, Luann, to lay everything on the line in 2010 for others. I'm praying for healing.
Where is He calling you this year?
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