Esther 4:1
Esther was a Jewish orphan - raised by her cousin Mordecai.
The account contained in this book unfolds as God prepares the
way for Esther and for all who will keep His priorities.
In the presence of recognition, success, wealth, and luxury - an
environment many may covet, but proves to destructive to spiritual
commitment -Esther retained her sense of perspective and integrity.
Esther's Hebrew name was "Hadassah", which means "Myrtle",
the well-known beautiful evergreen shrub. Just like an evergreen,
which never wanes in color, her courage and obedience was the
same never waning, even when she was faced with death!
"Esther" in Persian means "star".
Her beauty, grace and character shone bright and unwavering against the
darkness threatening the Jewish people.
It is noted for our growth to see how quietly she served the living God.
1) Her response to Mordecai's call, to recognize God's providence in her
placement on the throne, was belief that God had put her there. (4:14)
2) Her respect for the power of prayer and fasting was evident as she saw
the reality of the spiritual realm and the Holy Spirit. (v.16).
3) Her unswerving will to lay down her own life for others and her
practical good sense and patience in pursuing the call God placed upon her life.
May it be that we can heed the call God has placed upon our lives and
walk as Esther did, with integrity, beauty and grace, that we too would
shine brightly in the darkness of the world.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
14 : Abigail - A Woman of Understanding
1 Samuel 25:2-35
Abigail's life was difficult.
Her husband was" harsh and evil in his doings".
Yet Abigail was a "woman of good understanding" (vs. 3).
She was wise and respectful, and obviously kept her heart right before the Lord.
When her husband Nabal played the fool (vs.25), she did not
try to change his behavior, but she did intervene. She went directly to
David and he interceded for the lives of her people.
So struck by her courage and wisdom, David not only spared her people
but with great respect he also heeded her counsel, which had eternal consequences for his own life. (vs 32-35).
Abigail knew and trusted God and His ways.
As a result, God could use her to powerfully influence others - even a king.
This is one of several instances in Scripture where women who where called of God
are used by God in crucial situations.
Abigail shows herself worthy to be a queen.
Understanding, wisdom, respectful, courageous, heart right before the Lord, are these characteristic ones that describe the life we have before our lord?
May it be that we strive toward serving our Lord as Abigail - a powerful influence to those around us.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1 Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity together.
Abigail's life was difficult.
Her husband was" harsh and evil in his doings".
Yet Abigail was a "woman of good understanding" (vs. 3).
She was wise and respectful, and obviously kept her heart right before the Lord.
When her husband Nabal played the fool (vs.25), she did not
try to change his behavior, but she did intervene. She went directly to
David and he interceded for the lives of her people.
So struck by her courage and wisdom, David not only spared her people
but with great respect he also heeded her counsel, which had eternal consequences for his own life. (vs 32-35).
Abigail knew and trusted God and His ways.
As a result, God could use her to powerfully influence others - even a king.
This is one of several instances in Scripture where women who where called of God
are used by God in crucial situations.
Abigail shows herself worthy to be a queen.
Understanding, wisdom, respectful, courageous, heart right before the Lord, are these characteristic ones that describe the life we have before our lord?
May it be that we strive toward serving our Lord as Abigail - a powerful influence to those around us.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1 Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity together.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
13: The Woman The Lord Remembered Hannah
1Samuel 1:19
Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord,
and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew
his wife and the Lord remembered her.
The Lord remembered does not imply the He has forgotten, but that He
is now going to bring His answer to Hannah's prayer and unfold His purposes.
Barrenness was the ultimate tragedy for a married Hebrew woman.
The inability to perpetuate the name of her husband and secure the
orderly transfer of his estate upon his death ( Gen 15: 1-4 )
often resulted in insecurity and humiliation.
Hannah's prayer ( 1Sam 1:10,11 ) as we saw last time, demonstrated the
proper way to handle situations over which we have no control.
She sought God for something only He could do. ( Ps. 34: 15 )
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
(James 5:16 ). Hannah's repetition during her prayer, stating
her position as a maidservant, exemplifies her humility and
dependence on God.
Firm in her conviction she worshiped , and the Lord remembered her.
This brought fruitfulness to her womb and removed the social disgrace
associated at that time with infertility.
Full, complete and final . . . when God does His work.
May we know this fervency, conviction and humility which moves us to be remembered by the Lord.
Be blessed this day!
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1 Behold! how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord,
and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew
his wife and the Lord remembered her.
The Lord remembered does not imply the He has forgotten, but that He
is now going to bring His answer to Hannah's prayer and unfold His purposes.
Barrenness was the ultimate tragedy for a married Hebrew woman.
The inability to perpetuate the name of her husband and secure the
orderly transfer of his estate upon his death ( Gen 15: 1-4 )
often resulted in insecurity and humiliation.
Hannah's prayer ( 1Sam 1:10,11 ) as we saw last time, demonstrated the
proper way to handle situations over which we have no control.
She sought God for something only He could do. ( Ps. 34: 15 )
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
(James 5:16 ). Hannah's repetition during her prayer, stating
her position as a maidservant, exemplifies her humility and
dependence on God.
Firm in her conviction she worshiped , and the Lord remembered her.
This brought fruitfulness to her womb and removed the social disgrace
associated at that time with infertility.
Full, complete and final . . . when God does His work.
May we know this fervency, conviction and humility which moves us to be remembered by the Lord.
Be blessed this day!
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1 Behold! how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
12 : A Woman of Surprising Purpose Hannah
Samuel 1:11 Then she made a vow and said," O Lord of hosts
if you will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and
remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your
maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days
of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.
God uses the burden of Hannah's heart to bring a surprisingly larger
solution to a desire of His own heart.
Barrenness was not only Hannah's condition, but Israel's as well, it was a
season of spiritual need and with little prophetic activity, (Samuel 3:1 )
God sought a voice to speak to His people.
Hannah could not have known that her intense intercession for a child was
moving in concert with God bringing her a son, but also bringing forth the
will and blessing of God for a whole nation.
As she entrusted the longings of her heart to God, He moved on her behalf, but also
advanced His larger plan through her a the same time.
Intercession :
reaching God with a urgent request Jer. 27:18
plead on behalf of another Heb. 7:25
With such a great calling, we,through our prayers for our child or even the intercession for other can be used mightily in God's kingdom.
This might inspire us to think on our families, health issues and other concerns that weight heavy on us. Take all your cares to Him, for cares for you.
A little concerned about how to pray or what to say, may our encouragement come from Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
if you will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and
remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your
maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days
of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.
God uses the burden of Hannah's heart to bring a surprisingly larger
solution to a desire of His own heart.
Barrenness was not only Hannah's condition, but Israel's as well, it was a
season of spiritual need and with little prophetic activity, (Samuel 3:1 )
God sought a voice to speak to His people.
Hannah could not have known that her intense intercession for a child was
moving in concert with God bringing her a son, but also bringing forth the
will and blessing of God for a whole nation.
As she entrusted the longings of her heart to God, He moved on her behalf, but also
advanced His larger plan through her a the same time.
Intercession :
reaching God with a urgent request Jer. 27:18
plead on behalf of another Heb. 7:25
With such a great calling, we,through our prayers for our child or even the intercession for other can be used mightily in God's kingdom.
This might inspire us to think on our families, health issues and other concerns that weight heavy on us. Take all your cares to Him, for cares for you.
A little concerned about how to pray or what to say, may our encouragement come from Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
11:Tenacity that takes the Throne ( Ruth )
Ruth 1:1- 4-22
Ruth's oft-quoted poem found in these verses is one of commitment not mere emotion.
She is clearly reaching beyond friendship to faith.
1:16 "Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
1:17 Where you die, I will die
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me."
No where else in the Bible do we find a lovelier picture of a true and loyal friend.
Ruth's primary virtue is tenacity to purpose.
She was a woman who was steadfast.
Constant in her commitment to her mother-in-law, a commitment which is rooted in an understanding of the living God, of whom she has learned from Naomi.
(Ruth 1: 16,17)
Tireless as she gleans in the fields. (Ruth 2:7,17)
The result of this constancy is seen in her marriage to Boaz and the birth of Obed, who became the father of Jesse, whose son was David the King. (Ruth 4:17)
Moreover, since Jesus was born of the seed of David, we see how Ruth, the alien Moabitess
became part of the lineage of the Messiah. (Luke 3:31, 32)
Ruth's understanding the nature of God (Yahweh) is seen in the poem when she uses the words "the Lord do so".
Ruth's character of showing submission and obedience is needed by all who desire to realize the fullest benefits of Christ's redemptive work towards them.
May we reach beyond the things that may confuse our purpose.
That purpose being our place before God and all that our hands find to do.
(Ecclesiastes 9:10, Romans 12:11, Colossians 3:23).
God's blessings be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Ruth's oft-quoted poem found in these verses is one of commitment not mere emotion.
She is clearly reaching beyond friendship to faith.
1:16 "Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
1:17 Where you die, I will die
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me."
No where else in the Bible do we find a lovelier picture of a true and loyal friend.
Ruth's primary virtue is tenacity to purpose.
She was a woman who was steadfast.
Constant in her commitment to her mother-in-law, a commitment which is rooted in an understanding of the living God, of whom she has learned from Naomi.
(Ruth 1: 16,17)
Tireless as she gleans in the fields. (Ruth 2:7,17)
The result of this constancy is seen in her marriage to Boaz and the birth of Obed, who became the father of Jesse, whose son was David the King. (Ruth 4:17)
Moreover, since Jesus was born of the seed of David, we see how Ruth, the alien Moabitess
became part of the lineage of the Messiah. (Luke 3:31, 32)
Ruth's understanding the nature of God (Yahweh) is seen in the poem when she uses the words "the Lord do so".
Ruth's character of showing submission and obedience is needed by all who desire to realize the fullest benefits of Christ's redemptive work towards them.
May we reach beyond the things that may confuse our purpose.
That purpose being our place before God and all that our hands find to do.
(Ecclesiastes 9:10, Romans 12:11, Colossians 3:23).
God's blessings be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
10: Woman essential to Victory
Judges 4: 8,9
And Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!
So she said," I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.
Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Barak, a great man of the faith (Heb 11:32), was a great example of a man's acknowledgment of a woman's contribution to a goal.
Because of Deborah's godly and skillful leadership traits, Barak, a commander of Israel's armies, would not go into battle without having her with him. This for him, was like knowing God's mind, for she was a prophetess.
Having her with him in battle was like God's presence and continual direction.
All this Barak wanted even though he knew he would not get full honor for the victory God was to give them. ( Judges 4:9).
Barak's priority was the welfare of the nation of Israel , and he knew their combined efforts would ensure success as each brought their distinctive, God given strengths to the challenge.
Deborah knew her presence was essential to the victory and that her supporting leadership was significant.
Are we as supportive as we can be in situations that call for our presence?
Do we represent strength in challenging situations?
There are many victories to be had as we trust and carry God's word into our lives and challenges we face.
God has, through His word, imparted grace and wisdom to all who ask.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
P.S.
New post April 8th.
And Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!
So she said," I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.
Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Barak, a great man of the faith (Heb 11:32), was a great example of a man's acknowledgment of a woman's contribution to a goal.
Because of Deborah's godly and skillful leadership traits, Barak, a commander of Israel's armies, would not go into battle without having her with him. This for him, was like knowing God's mind, for she was a prophetess.
Having her with him in battle was like God's presence and continual direction.
All this Barak wanted even though he knew he would not get full honor for the victory God was to give them. ( Judges 4:9).
Barak's priority was the welfare of the nation of Israel , and he knew their combined efforts would ensure success as each brought their distinctive, God given strengths to the challenge.
Deborah knew her presence was essential to the victory and that her supporting leadership was significant.
Are we as supportive as we can be in situations that call for our presence?
Do we represent strength in challenging situations?
There are many victories to be had as we trust and carry God's word into our lives and challenges we face.
God has, through His word, imparted grace and wisdom to all who ask.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
P.S.
New post April 8th.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
09: Multi-Talented Woman Deborah ("Honey Bee")
Judges 4: 4 , 5
Now Deborah, a prophetess the wife of Lapodith was judging Israel at that time.
and she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountain of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Here is another women who is as her names states Honeybee or bee is the nature of her name.
She answers to her name by her industry, sagacity -shrewd and practical, and great usefulness to the public, sweetness to her friends and sharpness to her enemies.
Deborah the wife of Lapidoth also known as the name of a place, Lapidoth signified lamps which Deborah made wicks for then supplying the Tabenacles.
Known as a woman of illuminations or splendours, extraordinarily knowing and wise.
Deborah the prophetess, one who is intimately acquainted with God, was raised up and given leadership qualities. Those who came to her seeking God for grace would have grace and peace, grace and comfort, and grace and glory.
Deborah the judge, entirely devoted to serving Israel, an officer recognized by the people of Israel as she rendered decisions upon their inquires.
Deborah by God's desin became a celebrated leader of political influence and authority, all the while maintaining the grace and dignity of womanhood.
Deborah had a reputation of arbitrator of justice, counselor, wife, prophetess and deliverer in time of war. The people of Israel witnessed Gods providence as they saw the defeat of Sisera;s superior armed force by Deborah's appointment of Barak of Naphtali.
Deborah depicts the finest possibilities of a gifted God-fearing woman , who trusts the Spirit of God to develop her full capacities as she impacts the world around her.
How are we impacting our world - our families, our church family, and our co-workers?
May God through the Holy Spirit be our strength as we seek to be strong in the grace and dignity of womanhood for we are called to this great office.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Now Deborah, a prophetess the wife of Lapodith was judging Israel at that time.
and she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountain of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Here is another women who is as her names states Honeybee or bee is the nature of her name.
She answers to her name by her industry, sagacity -shrewd and practical, and great usefulness to the public, sweetness to her friends and sharpness to her enemies.
Deborah the wife of Lapidoth also known as the name of a place, Lapidoth signified lamps which Deborah made wicks for then supplying the Tabenacles.
Known as a woman of illuminations or splendours, extraordinarily knowing and wise.
Deborah the prophetess, one who is intimately acquainted with God, was raised up and given leadership qualities. Those who came to her seeking God for grace would have grace and peace, grace and comfort, and grace and glory.
Deborah the judge, entirely devoted to serving Israel, an officer recognized by the people of Israel as she rendered decisions upon their inquires.
Deborah by God's desin became a celebrated leader of political influence and authority, all the while maintaining the grace and dignity of womanhood.
Deborah had a reputation of arbitrator of justice, counselor, wife, prophetess and deliverer in time of war. The people of Israel witnessed Gods providence as they saw the defeat of Sisera;s superior armed force by Deborah's appointment of Barak of Naphtali.
Deborah depicts the finest possibilities of a gifted God-fearing woman , who trusts the Spirit of God to develop her full capacities as she impacts the world around her.
How are we impacting our world - our families, our church family, and our co-workers?
May God through the Holy Spirit be our strength as we seek to be strong in the grace and dignity of womanhood for we are called to this great office.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
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