Ladies! Are you looking for a good book? One packed with drama, romance, and intrigue? Well then, you have got to read Esther! This book is a TRUE story, lived and written centuries ago. More than an entertaining read, it is a story of God’s sovereignty and power.
Esther was a beautiful woman filled with amazing, character. She was orphaned, raised by an uncle, and was loved by a King. She set aside her own fear and took action while risking her own life standing against racism. Esther was a true woman of strength. Because of Esther’s courage a whole nation was saved. She was more concerned for others than for her own security. Esther 4:16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are is Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish”. The book of Esther is an example of God’s divine guidance and care over our lives. With God in charge, we can take courage. He will guide us through circumstances we face in our lives. I know of some ladies who are going through such difficult times such as illness, death of a loved one, broken relationships, persecution, etc. I have experienced such brutal pain in my life. There are times we may question circumstances in our lives, but we MUST have faith that God is in control, working through the good and the bad times. God is able to save us from the evil of this world and deliver us from sin and death. Because we trust God, we are not to fear what people may do to us, or the events that happen in our life. We can walk with compete confidence because God is in control. Some of the mistakes we make when it seems like circumstances may not indicate that God is in control is that we assume we understand what is needed and we expect God to agree and answer our prayers that way. Another mistake would be that we could assume that God doesn’t answer our prayers or respond to our needs and therefore we can disobey God’s commands. We clearly see in the book of Esther that God was in control in the lives of individuals and the affairs of a nation. When you turn on the news and it just seems like the world is in the hands of evil people but God is still in control protecting those who are His. We may not always understand everything that is happening but we must trust in God’s protection. We need to know how special and loved we are by Him. Friend, no matter how hopeless our condition, or how much we would like to give up, we have a Father who is ALWAYS faithful. GOD IS IN CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE WORLD! Are you experiencing tough circumstances in your life right now? Would you like prayer? We would love to hear from you; contact us today. As always, lots of love, encouragement, and joy to you all friends!
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Philippians 3:12-14-
Not that I have obtained all this. Or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Forgetting what is behind: Paul had reason to forget what was behind before his conversion (where he was known as Saul). He was the ringleader of the movement to make Christianity extinct by imprisonment the norm and death the ideal. He also had held the coats (meaning he was in approval and part of) those who stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr. We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. Most importantly, REALIZE and BELIEVE that you are FORGIVEN! You are free indeed! Thank you Jesus! Are you jumping for joy yet? The GOAL: Paul says that his goal is to know Christ to be like Christ, and to be all Christ has in mind for him. This is an awesome example for us. We should not let anything take our eyes off our goal---knowing Christ. The PRIZE: What an amazing prize we have in Christ, to know Him and to be called heavenward for ETERNITY! Jesus paid the price so we could receive this. His love is so intense and amazing. It is my prayer that we may try to grasp the reality of His forgiveness and love for us. John 14:1-4- “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” These verses are so rich with love and promises for us. The above scripture says, “I am going there to prepare a place for you, and “I will come back”. We can LOOK FORWARD to eternal life because Jesus has PROMISED it to all who believe in Him. Lots of LOVE, JOY, PEACE, & HOPE to you ALL today and always!! |
About AngelaAngela lives in Oconomowoc, WI with husband Christian, son Christian Tyler, and the cutest Bernese puppy (Winston), and kitty (George) ever! (= Archives
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