Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements.  Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people.  He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”

His faith is strong.  He is sure that You will save Your people.  The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me.  The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here.  No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death.  But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle.  And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with.  Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message:  “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen.

The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did.  But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to.  And give me the courage to act.

It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call.  It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me.  Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power.  Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10

Aug 9 Your Word lights my way

Father, thank You for Your Word that guides me every day in my prayers and in the choices I make in life.  In today’s scriptures there are many reminders of things that deserve my attention.

First, like Ezra, I need to remember that my actions speak louder than my words. And my actions reveal what I believe about You.   Ezra didn’t ask for a military escort because it would look as if he didn’t trust in Your protection.

What do my actions say to others around me about my faith in You?

When I seem afraid and worried over circumstances, does that show others I don’t really trust Your protection and provision?  Father help me show my faith in You in my responses to difficulties.

When things don’t go my way, remind me that You are in control, and that You have my back!

There is absolutely nothing that can happen to me that You are unaware of.  And I believe that You filter everything that comes to me, through Your fingers of love.  Even in the bad times, You have prepared me, and You are with me.  Thank You that You never, ever leave me.

Ezra fasted.  I believe this is something that You honor.  And it is good for me to relinquish something in order to spend time in prayer and humble myself before You.  Sometimes it’s food.  Sometimes it’s an activity, like the internet, or tv, or addicting games.

Whatever it is, I believe it is the act of focusing my attention and energy on hearing from and submitting to You.   Father, I express my desire for You; to “clear my plate” of anything that is not of You.   Help me see my attitudes and actions from Your perspective, and tap into Your power for course correcting changes.

Ezra felt the burden of the sin of his people personally, and interceded for them.  I also have a burden for the “corporate” sin of my nation.  I think of how far my country has fallen away from Your precepts, from Your commands, and I weep.  I cry out with Ezra, “O my God, I am too ashamed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached the heavens…we have disregarded the commands You gave…”

But Father, I have faith that You are still in control.  That You have the power to move in the hearts of men and women, young and old, and call us back to You.  “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”

Your work is not done and You are not finished with my country yet.  Or my family.  Or me.

Thank You Father for the hope You give me.  You are my “rock of refuge, a strong fortress.”   And I trust in You.    Amen

Ezra 8:21-23; 9:1-15; Psalm 31:1-5; Proverbs 21:1

Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements.  Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people.  He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”

His faith is strong.  He is sure that You will save Your people.  The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me.  The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here.  No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death.  But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle.  And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with.  Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message:  “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen.

The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did.  But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to.  And give me the courage to act.

It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call.  It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me.  Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power.  Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10

Aug 9 Your Word lights my way

Father, thank You for Your Word that guides me every day in my prayers and in the choices I make in life.  In today’s scriptures there are many reminders of things that deserve my attention.

First, like Ezra, I need to remember that my actions speak louder than my words. And my actions reveal what I believe about You.   Ezra didn’t ask for a military escort because it would look as if he didn’t trust in Your protection.

What do my actions say to others around me about my faith in You?

When I seem afraid and worried over circumstances, does that show others I don’t really trust Your protection and provision?  Father help me show my faith in You in my responses to difficulties.

When things don’t go my way, remind me that You are in control, and that You have my back!

There is absolutely nothing that can happen to me that You are unaware of.  And I believe that You filter everything that comes to me, through Your fingers of love.  Even in the bad times, You have prepared me, and You are with me.  Thank You that You never, ever leave me.

Ezra fasted.  I believe this is something that You honor.  And it is good for me to relinquish something in order to spend time in prayer and humble myself before You.  Sometimes it’s food.  Sometimes it’s an activity, like the internet, or tv, or addicting games.

Whatever it is, I believe it is the act of focusing my attention and energy on hearing from and submitting to You.   Father, I express my desire for You; to “clear my plate” of anything that is not of You.   Help me see my attitudes and actions from Your perspective, and tap into Your power for course correcting changes.

Ezra felt the burden of the sin of his people personally, and interceded for them.  I also have a burden for the “corporate” sin of my nation.  I think of how far my country has fallen away from Your precepts, from Your commands, and I weep.  I cry out with Ezra, “O my God, I am too ashamed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached the heavens…we have disregarded the commands You gave…”

But Father, I have faith that You are still in control.  That You have the power to move in the hearts of men and women, young and old, and call us back to You.  “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”

Your work is not done and You are not finished with my country yet.  Or my family.  Or me.

Thank You Father for the hope You give me.  You are my “rock of refuge, a strong fortress.”   And I trust in You.    Amen

Ezra 8:21-23; 9:1-15; Psalm 31:1-5; Proverbs 21:1

Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements.  Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people.  He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”

His faith is strong.  He is sure that You will save Your people.  The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me.  The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here.  No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death.  But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle.  And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with.  Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen.

The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did.  But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to.  And give me the courage to act.  It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call.  It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me.  Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power.

Because “Your love reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies, Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep, and Your unfailing love is priceless,” let me and my loved ones “take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”

Protect us from whatever comes against us, attacking us in any area of our lives: financial, physical, emotional, psychological, relational, spiritual.  I give our finances to You, and place them in the shadow of Your wings.  I offer You our relationships, our emotions, our thoughts, our attitudes.  Father, keep our spirits safe and turned to You alone.

Let me and my loved ones “feast on the abundance of Your house”, let us “drink from Your river of delights.  You are the fountain of life”.  Let us live in this abundant blessing.   Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10; Psalm 36:5-9

Aug 9 Your Word lights my way

Father, thank You for Your Word that guides me every day in my prayers and in the choices I make in life.  In today’s scriptures there are many reminders of things that deserve my attention.

First, like Ezra, I need to remember that my actions speak louder than my words. And my actions reveal what I believe about You.   Ezra didn’t ask for a military escort because it would look as if he didn’t trust in Your protection.

What do my actions say to others around me about my faith in You?

When I seem afraid and worried over circumstances, does that show others I don’t really trust Your protection and provision?  Father help me show my faith in You in my responses to difficulties.

When things don’t go my way, remind me that You are in control, and that You have my back!

There is absolutely nothing that can happen to me that You are unaware of.  And I believe that You filter everything that comes to me, through Your fingers of love.  Even in the bad times, You have prepared me, and You are with me.  Thank You that You never, ever leave me.

Ezra fasted.  I believe this is something that You honor.  And it is good for me to relinquish something in order to spend time in prayer and humble myself before You.  Sometimes it’s food.  Sometimes it’s an activity, like the internet, or tv, or addicting games.

Whatever it is, I believe it is the act of focusing my attention and energy on hearing from and submitting to You.   Father, I express my desire for You; to “clear my plate” of anything that is not of You.   Help me see my attitudes and actions from Your perspective, and tap into Your power for course correcting changes.

Ezra felt the burden of the sin of his people personally, and interceded for them.  I also have a burden for the “corporate” sin of my nation.  I think of how far my country has fallen away from Your precepts, from Your commands, and I weep.  I cry out with Ezra, “O my God, I am too ashamed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached the heavens…we have disregarded the commands You gave…”

But Father, I have faith that You are still in control.  That You have the power to move in the hearts of men and women, young and old, and call us back to You.  “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”

Your work is not done and You are not finished with my country yet.  Or my family.  Or me.

Thank You Father for the hope You give me.  You are my “rock of refuge, a strong fortress.”   And I trust in You.    Amen

Ezra 8:21-23; 9:1-15; Psalm 31:1-5; Proverbs 21:1

 

Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements.  Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people.  He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”

His faith is strong.  He is sure that You will save Your people.  The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me.  The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here.  No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death.  But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle.  And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with.  Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen.

The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did.  But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to.  And give me the courage to act.  It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call.  It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me.  Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power.

Because “Your love reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies, Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep, and Your unfailing love is priceless,” let me and my loved ones “take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”

Protect us from whatever comes against us, attacking us in any area of our lives: financial, physical, emotional, psychological, relational, spiritual.  I give our finances to You, and place them in the shadow of Your wings.  I offer You our relationships, our emotions, our thoughts, our attitudes.  Father, keep our spirits safe and turned to You alone.

Let me and my loved ones “feast on the abundance of Your house”, let us “drink from Your river of delights.  You are the fountain of life”.  Let us live in this abundant blessing.   Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10; Psalm 36:5-9

Aug 9 Your Word lights my way

Father, thank You for Your Word that guides me every day in my prayers and in the choices I make in life.  In today’s scriptures there are many reminders of things that deserve my attention.

First, like Ezra, I need to remember that my actions speak louder than my words. And my actions reveal what I believe about You.   Ezra didn’t ask for a military escort because it would look as if he didn’t trust in Your protection.

What do my actions say to others around me about my faith in You?

When I seem afraid and worried over circumstances, does that show others I don’t really trust Your protection and provision?  Father help me show my faith in You in my responses to difficulties.

When things don’t go my way, remind me that You are in control, and that You have my back!

There is absolutely nothing that can happen to me that You are unaware of.  And I believe that You filter everything that comes to me, through Your fingers of love.  Even in the bad times, You have prepared me, and You are with me.  Thank You that You never, ever leave me.

Ezra fasted.  I believe this is something that You honor.  And it is good for me to relinquish something in order to spend time in prayer and humble myself before You.  Sometimes it’s food.  Sometimes it’s an activity, like the internet, or tv, or addicting games.

Whatever it is, I believe it is the act of focusing my attention and energy on hearing from and submitting to You.   Father, I express my desire for You to “clear my plate” of anything that is not of You.   Help me see my attitudes and actions from Your perspective, and tap into Your power for course correcting changes.

Ezra felt the burden of the sin of his people personally, and interceded for them.  I also have a burden for the “corporate” sin of my nation.  I think of how far my country has fallen away from Your precepts, from Your commands, and I weep.  I cry out with Ezra, “O my God, I am too ashamed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached the heavens…we have disregarded the commands You gave…”

But Father, I have faith that You are still in control.  That You have the power to move in the hearts of men and women, young and old, and call us back to You.  “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”

Your work is not done and You are not finished with my country yet.  Or my family.  Or me.

Thank You Father for the hope You give me.  You are my “rock of refuge, a strong fortress.”   And I trust in You.    Amen

Ezra 8:21-23; 9:1-15; Psalm 31:1-5; Proverbs 21:1

Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements. Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people. He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”   His faith is strong. He is sure that You will save Your people. The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me. The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here. No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death. But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle. And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with. Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen. The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did. But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to. And give me the courage to act.

It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call. It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me. Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power. Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10

Aug 9 Your Word lights my way

Father, thank You for Your Word that guides me every day in my prayers and in the choices I make in life. In today’s scriptures there are many reminders of things that deserve my attention.

First, like Ezra, I need to remember that my actions speak louder than my words, and my actions reveal what I believe about You.   Ezra didn’t ask for a military escort because it would look as if he didn’t trust in Your protection.

What do my actions say to others around me about my faith in You? When I seem afraid and worried over circumstances, does that show others I don’t really trust Your protection and provision? Father help me show my faith in You in my responses to difficulties.

When things don’t go my way, remind me that You are in control, and that You have my back!

There is absolutely nothing that can happen to me that You are unaware of. And I believe that You filter everything that comes to me, through Your fingers of love. Even in the bad times, You have prepared me, and You are with me. Thank You that You never, ever leave me.

Ezra fasted. I believe this is something that You honor. And it is good for me to relinquish something in order to spend time in prayer and humble myself before You. Sometimes it’s food. Sometimes it’s an activity, like the internet, or tv, or addicting games.

Whatever it is, I believe it is the act of focusing my attention and energy on hearing from and submitting to You.   Father, I express my desire for You to “clear my plate” of anything that is not of You.  Help me see my attitudes and actions from Your perspective, and tap into Your power for course correcting changes.

Ezra felt personally the burden of the sin of his people and interceded for them. I also have a burden for the “corporate” sin of my nation. I think of how far my country has come away from Your precepts, from Your commands, and I weep. I cry out with Ezra, “O my God, I am too ashamed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached the heavens…we have disregarded the commands You gave…”

But Father, I have faith that You are still in control. That You have the power to move in the hearts of men and women, young and old, and call us back to You. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”

Your work is not done and You are not finished with my country yet. Or my family. Or me.

Thank You Father for the hope You give me. You are my “rock of refuge, a strong fortress”. And I trust in You.  Amen

Ezra 8:21-9:15; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1