The Thanksgiving holidays give us a reminder and an opportunity to be thankful to our God for who He is and for what He has done for us. I’ve been convicted this week that thanksgiving should be a greater part of my prayer life. It’s so easy to rush into my needs, rather than to be thankful. I’m reminded of the ten lepers who were healed and only one came back to thank Jesus for the miracle of healing.
An article in the Dallas Morning News also encouraged me to pray for those who may have needs in areas for which I am giving thanks. For example we daily thank God for the provision of food and that can be a reminder of those around us who are unable to provide food for their families. It also should remind us of those ministries who serve others by providing food for the hungry. Perhaps God may lead us to help one of those ministries in some way.
Perhaps the story of the lepers can remind us to be thankful for our health. Many around us are physically suffering and struggling with debilitating illnesses. These past few weeks my wife has struggled with her health and has been told she will contend with an immune deficiency the rest of her life. We are thankful for good medical care and that the diagnosis was not worse. We’ve been reminded anew of the need to pray especially for those we know who are struggling with debilitating diseases.
We read daily of strife around our world and are thankful that we live in a peaceful nation. Many in other countries such as Sudan, Iran, Israel, etc. live in physically dangerous situations and we should pray for them as well as those who are striving to help them obtain a peaceful existence.
As we thank God for our religious freedom we should regularly pray for those persecuted Christians around the world. We should also pray for those who earnestly seek to protect our freedom worship. Are you praying for missionaries you know who are taking the Gospel to these strife torn areas?
We also thank God for His provision in our life and are reminded of several we know who do not have jobs or are under employed. As we pray for them we should be sensitive to need we might help meet.
Finally, as we approach the Christmas season and the reminder of the birth of our Savior we should thank God for His love and willingness to send His Son to pay the price for our sins and provide an eternal life with Him.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Esther 17 - Characteristics of Strength and Dignity
I would like to close our study in the book of Esther by sharing with you some characteristics that Chuck Swindoll mentioned in his book on Esther. The first is that she exhibited a grace-filled charm and elegance. We first notice this when she was brought under the care of Hegai. We see that she pleased him and found favor with him. The literal translation of (2:9) is “she lifted up grace” before Hegai. We notice later that she won the favor of everyone who saw her (2:15).
The second characteristic we notice is that she lifted up unusual restraint and control. We also saw this trait exhibited in a couple of places. First, she did not reveal her identity. Secondly, when she revealed Haman’s plot, she waited until she felt the time was right to tell the king; the second banquet. She could keep a secret. As you develop close friendships that becomes especially important. If you can keep confidences, your friends will respect you much more. It is especially important to keep the confidences of your husband and family.
The third characteristic is that Esther maintained a continually teachable spirit. Some learn things easily and others are “hard learners”. It doesn’t mean that they are ignorant, but that they have a difficult time accepting counsel or learning lessons from experience. We learn in the book of Esther that she had a pattern of listening to Mordecai and accepting his counsel. She did the same with Hegai. Those who have experience and are wise can help you avoid some difficult and painful experiences if you will listen to their advice.
The fourth trait we see in Esther is that she exhibited an unselfish modesty and authenticity. Remember when her turn came to go into the king (2:12-15). She had the opportunity to take with her anything she desired. She took nothing except what Hegai suggested. This was the chance of a lifetime for her, but she does not succumb to the temptation around her; the superficiality, the selfishness, the seduction, the self-centeredness. Her life did not revolve around her physical appearance. Please don’t try to be someone you are not.
Next we see that Esther modeled a kind winsomeness, regardless of her surroundings. She found favor in the eyes of all who saw her (2:15), including the king (2:17). Winsomeness is being pleasant, delightful, attractive in an engaging way.
Finally, she displayed a respect for authority. Notice that even when she became queen (2:18-20) she remembered the wisdom of Mordecai and followed his counsel. There will always be those who have some authority over you. It is in your best interest to respect that authority.
I pray that these characteristics might describe you just as they described Esther.
The second characteristic we notice is that she lifted up unusual restraint and control. We also saw this trait exhibited in a couple of places. First, she did not reveal her identity. Secondly, when she revealed Haman’s plot, she waited until she felt the time was right to tell the king; the second banquet. She could keep a secret. As you develop close friendships that becomes especially important. If you can keep confidences, your friends will respect you much more. It is especially important to keep the confidences of your husband and family.
The third characteristic is that Esther maintained a continually teachable spirit. Some learn things easily and others are “hard learners”. It doesn’t mean that they are ignorant, but that they have a difficult time accepting counsel or learning lessons from experience. We learn in the book of Esther that she had a pattern of listening to Mordecai and accepting his counsel. She did the same with Hegai. Those who have experience and are wise can help you avoid some difficult and painful experiences if you will listen to their advice.
The fourth trait we see in Esther is that she exhibited an unselfish modesty and authenticity. Remember when her turn came to go into the king (2:12-15). She had the opportunity to take with her anything she desired. She took nothing except what Hegai suggested. This was the chance of a lifetime for her, but she does not succumb to the temptation around her; the superficiality, the selfishness, the seduction, the self-centeredness. Her life did not revolve around her physical appearance. Please don’t try to be someone you are not.
Next we see that Esther modeled a kind winsomeness, regardless of her surroundings. She found favor in the eyes of all who saw her (2:15), including the king (2:17). Winsomeness is being pleasant, delightful, attractive in an engaging way.
Finally, she displayed a respect for authority. Notice that even when she became queen (2:18-20) she remembered the wisdom of Mordecai and followed his counsel. There will always be those who have some authority over you. It is in your best interest to respect that authority.
I pray that these characteristics might describe you just as they described Esther.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Esther 16 - God's Timing
An important concept for us to remember is that God’s timing may not always be the same as ours. Most of us tend to get very impatient rather easily and sometimes it is easy to make demands on God as well as others that may not be in His perfect will.
Chuck Swindoll wrote a book on Esther and makes the comment that God lives and moves outside the realm of earthly time. He does this because He exists eternally. God instituted the concept of time for the convenience of humans, but He transcends it because He has no beginning and no end. It is critical that we never lose confidence in God.
Sometimes as we bring our requests to Him it seems that He is silent; that He does not answer. Nevertheless He is still at work in our lives. If we don’t believe this, during the times when we think He is silent we may panic, doubt, become cynical, resentful and even bitter at Him.
There are a couple of things we need to remember about the way God works. First, there are times when it seems He is silent and not responding. Secondly, the turning points of life, the significant events, are often subtle. A sensitive heart is required to detect those things. Remember that time in the book of Esther when the king could not sleep and by reading he remembered Mordecai had saved his life and then shortly after that Haman shows up in the court. This is a subtle, but very significant event in the story of Esther. Nothing is coincidental in the Christian life. Luck has no place in our vocabulary.
Esther had a sensitive heart and a sensitive ear. Remember she didn’t tell the king about her problem at the first banquet. I think she sensed the timing wasn’t right and created another opportunity by asking them to come back for a second banquet. Eccl. 3:1, 7 says “…there is a time for every event under heaven…a time to be silent, and a time to speak”.
You may go through some very tough periods in your life; most of us do. Remember that no barrier is too high, no chasm too wide for God. He is not limited by space or time, by the visible or the invisible. He lives in a realm that transcends all that. He is all powerful. God will have His way when He pleases and for His glory.
I urge you to be sensitive to God’s leading in your life. He may seem silent at times, but He is not absent. Listen for His voice. How do you do that? Study the Bible and pray. Listen to the counsel of those Christians who you know are mature and balanced believers. Remember that the workings of God are not related to our clocks; they are related to our crises. Don’t hesitate to come to God with your frustrations. Prayer can be very calming when there is a crisis in our lives. Remember He loves you and desires His best for you.
Chuck Swindoll wrote a book on Esther and makes the comment that God lives and moves outside the realm of earthly time. He does this because He exists eternally. God instituted the concept of time for the convenience of humans, but He transcends it because He has no beginning and no end. It is critical that we never lose confidence in God.
Sometimes as we bring our requests to Him it seems that He is silent; that He does not answer. Nevertheless He is still at work in our lives. If we don’t believe this, during the times when we think He is silent we may panic, doubt, become cynical, resentful and even bitter at Him.
There are a couple of things we need to remember about the way God works. First, there are times when it seems He is silent and not responding. Secondly, the turning points of life, the significant events, are often subtle. A sensitive heart is required to detect those things. Remember that time in the book of Esther when the king could not sleep and by reading he remembered Mordecai had saved his life and then shortly after that Haman shows up in the court. This is a subtle, but very significant event in the story of Esther. Nothing is coincidental in the Christian life. Luck has no place in our vocabulary.
Esther had a sensitive heart and a sensitive ear. Remember she didn’t tell the king about her problem at the first banquet. I think she sensed the timing wasn’t right and created another opportunity by asking them to come back for a second banquet. Eccl. 3:1, 7 says “…there is a time for every event under heaven…a time to be silent, and a time to speak”.
You may go through some very tough periods in your life; most of us do. Remember that no barrier is too high, no chasm too wide for God. He is not limited by space or time, by the visible or the invisible. He lives in a realm that transcends all that. He is all powerful. God will have His way when He pleases and for His glory.
I urge you to be sensitive to God’s leading in your life. He may seem silent at times, but He is not absent. Listen for His voice. How do you do that? Study the Bible and pray. Listen to the counsel of those Christians who you know are mature and balanced believers. Remember that the workings of God are not related to our clocks; they are related to our crises. Don’t hesitate to come to God with your frustrations. Prayer can be very calming when there is a crisis in our lives. Remember He loves you and desires His best for you.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Esther 15 - Do What is Right
The conflict between Mordecai and Haman presents a good lesson for us. It is apparent that at the beginning of the story Haman has been given much power from the king. He wanted people to bow before him and treat him as God. Mordecai refused to do this and Haman became very angry. Mordecai probably remembered the first commandment that God had given Moses in Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Mordecai’s refusal to bow before Haman led Haman to issue an edict that all the Jew’s should be killed. We know that God protected Mordecai and his people as later in the story Haman’s plot is exposed to the king and Haman is hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. Mordecai is honored and actually receives from the king the power that Haman had.
In the middle of that story we see another incident. Mordecai learned that a couple of men were plotting to kill the king. He was able to get word to the king and these two men were caught and killed. That could have been a dangerous thing to do because if he had not been believed and they had not been punished, they may have attacked him.
I would like to remind you one more time of Esther’s actions as she exposed Haman’s plot to the king. She risked her life doing that and the consequences could have been severe.
Each of these situations bring out the point that we should do what is right and let God take care of the circumstances. You will be faced with many choices in life and will be tempted often to take the easy way out. My counsel to you is to pray about what God wants you to do in those situations and then have the courage to do what is right. You can be confidant of God’s protecting hand if you act in His will. He may allow testing to give you an opportunity to mature, but He will protect you through that testing. I’m reminded of I Cor. 10:13 which says “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
In the middle of that story we see another incident. Mordecai learned that a couple of men were plotting to kill the king. He was able to get word to the king and these two men were caught and killed. That could have been a dangerous thing to do because if he had not been believed and they had not been punished, they may have attacked him.
I would like to remind you one more time of Esther’s actions as she exposed Haman’s plot to the king. She risked her life doing that and the consequences could have been severe.
Each of these situations bring out the point that we should do what is right and let God take care of the circumstances. You will be faced with many choices in life and will be tempted often to take the easy way out. My counsel to you is to pray about what God wants you to do in those situations and then have the courage to do what is right. You can be confidant of God’s protecting hand if you act in His will. He may allow testing to give you an opportunity to mature, but He will protect you through that testing. I’m reminded of I Cor. 10:13 which says “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
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