I just read the story of Esther. The most well known verse in this book is Esther 4:14. The story of Esther is a rags to riches or nobody to somebody story that intrigues me. Not because Esther was an unknown Jewish girl who became Queen of Persia but because her Uncle Mordecai was convinced that she was Queen in order to save her people...born for such a time as this.
As I think about it, I was born for this time. When I was born and where I live and work is not an accident or coincidence. God has had plans for me from before I was born. Granted I ran from God for many years and often tried my best to thwart His plans because I wanted to do what I wanted to do. That only led to disaster.
But God never gave up on me and His plan for me is still unfolding. As long as I live, He has purpose and plans that only I can fulfill. There is no one in the universe like me. I find that to be absolutely mind boggling. I may not ever do anything "great" in the eyes of men but being obedient in all things, big and small, that God puts before me, means that I am fulfilling my purpose.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
I Wonder...
I just finished reading Nehemiah. One of the things I like about Nehemiah's writing style is he puts short little prayers everywhere. As he's telling what the "bad" guys did to oppose the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, he just lights into a prayer asking God to deal with them. (Neh. 4:4-5) Then he goes on with his narrative.
Sometimes it's just one sentence like the end of Nehemiah 6:9 - strengthen my hands. Over in the New Testament writings, Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. I think Nehemiah already had that one down.
One of the most interesting things in the book is the prayer of confession of sins in Chapter 9. The people don't just confess their sins but go all the way back to the beginning to the promise God gave Abraham after calling him out of Ur. They confess the sins of their fathers starting with Moses in the wilderness and God's great mercies toward them and come forward until the present day. One theme is the people are stiff necked and sinful but God always forgives when the people cry out in their distress.
I wonder...what would happen if we could get the leaders in America to stand before the people and pray for forgiveness for the sins we've committed as a people, as a country. The hatred, the violence, the abortions, the homosexuality, the lust, the debt, the greed and on and on and on. But I think too often, Christ followers believe THEY have been unfaithful when in reality WE have been unfaithful. So maybe is we just confessed our sins more and then were more obedient God would respond in a favorable way to our country in our time of distress.
Sometimes it's just one sentence like the end of Nehemiah 6:9 - strengthen my hands. Over in the New Testament writings, Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. I think Nehemiah already had that one down.
One of the most interesting things in the book is the prayer of confession of sins in Chapter 9. The people don't just confess their sins but go all the way back to the beginning to the promise God gave Abraham after calling him out of Ur. They confess the sins of their fathers starting with Moses in the wilderness and God's great mercies toward them and come forward until the present day. One theme is the people are stiff necked and sinful but God always forgives when the people cry out in their distress.
I wonder...what would happen if we could get the leaders in America to stand before the people and pray for forgiveness for the sins we've committed as a people, as a country. The hatred, the violence, the abortions, the homosexuality, the lust, the debt, the greed and on and on and on. But I think too often, Christ followers believe THEY have been unfaithful when in reality WE have been unfaithful. So maybe is we just confessed our sins more and then were more obedient God would respond in a favorable way to our country in our time of distress.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Prayer and Action
In the book of Nehemiah we are told the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after the exiles returned from Babylon and Persia. The Jews were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who was later defeated by the Persians.
The people were allowed to go back home at 3 separate times. Nehemiah was in the last group to go. He was the cup bearer (aka wine taster/poison control) to King Artaxeres. Nehemiah had always been cheerful but one day he was really sad because he had gotten word that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins and the gates had been burned. When King Artaxeres noticed Nehemiah's distress he asked the cause and then allowed Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding project.
As the people were working there were those who opposed them fiercely. They tried to discourage the Jews every way they new how. When that didn't work, they planned to fight them. Nehemiah had been praying and telling the people to be courageous but when he learned of the planned battle the Bible tells us in Nehemiah 4:9 that they prayed and then set up a guard. Later we learn that half the men worked on the walls and half were dressed and ready for battle.
Too often when we pray we are inactive in our waiting on God. Waiting is actually an active thing not passive. Nehemiah prayed for God's protection but armed the men for battle. When I pray for God's intervention in my life, I should also be active. If I am in the midst of financial distress, I should be cutting my expenses and living on a budget as I wait for God to help. If I need a job, I should let people know I am looking and send out some resumes or go back to school. If I need physical healing, I should see the doctor and take his advice and the prescribed medications.
God expects our faith to be in Him but at the same time He expects us to use the resources He puts around us. I heard a funny/sad story one time of a man caught in a flood. The rescue team comes by to take the man to safety but the man wouldn't leave. He said I've prayed and God will save me. A little later when the man has to go to the 2nd story of his house because the water is rising, a motor boat comes by but again the man won't leave. Finally the man is on the roof of the house and a helicopter comes but again he refuses to leave and dies in the flood. When he gets to heaven, he tells St Peter I thought God would save me when I prayed. St Peter replied, God sent you the rescue team, the motorboat and the helicopter...what more did you want?
God's remedy for my finances will not be the lottery or money falling from heaven. A new job will hardly be offered if I don't let people know I want one. God is the Great Physician but He gives doctors wisdom to be His instruments in the process of healing. I should pray fervently but also take action to prepare for battle.
The people were allowed to go back home at 3 separate times. Nehemiah was in the last group to go. He was the cup bearer (aka wine taster/poison control) to King Artaxeres. Nehemiah had always been cheerful but one day he was really sad because he had gotten word that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins and the gates had been burned. When King Artaxeres noticed Nehemiah's distress he asked the cause and then allowed Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding project.
As the people were working there were those who opposed them fiercely. They tried to discourage the Jews every way they new how. When that didn't work, they planned to fight them. Nehemiah had been praying and telling the people to be courageous but when he learned of the planned battle the Bible tells us in Nehemiah 4:9 that they prayed and then set up a guard. Later we learn that half the men worked on the walls and half were dressed and ready for battle.
Too often when we pray we are inactive in our waiting on God. Waiting is actually an active thing not passive. Nehemiah prayed for God's protection but armed the men for battle. When I pray for God's intervention in my life, I should also be active. If I am in the midst of financial distress, I should be cutting my expenses and living on a budget as I wait for God to help. If I need a job, I should let people know I am looking and send out some resumes or go back to school. If I need physical healing, I should see the doctor and take his advice and the prescribed medications.
God expects our faith to be in Him but at the same time He expects us to use the resources He puts around us. I heard a funny/sad story one time of a man caught in a flood. The rescue team comes by to take the man to safety but the man wouldn't leave. He said I've prayed and God will save me. A little later when the man has to go to the 2nd story of his house because the water is rising, a motor boat comes by but again the man won't leave. Finally the man is on the roof of the house and a helicopter comes but again he refuses to leave and dies in the flood. When he gets to heaven, he tells St Peter I thought God would save me when I prayed. St Peter replied, God sent you the rescue team, the motorboat and the helicopter...what more did you want?
God's remedy for my finances will not be the lottery or money falling from heaven. A new job will hardly be offered if I don't let people know I want one. God is the Great Physician but He gives doctors wisdom to be His instruments in the process of healing. I should pray fervently but also take action to prepare for battle.
Grandkids and the Rain
I wasn't sure how this weekend was going to stack up. It's been raining a lot for several days. When the grandkids come on the weekend, I like having options...like going for a walk or going to the park or riding skateboards and bicycles but when it's pouring down rain those are not really good options.
While we were at supper Friday night, Nathan's best friend called to ask him to go to the 7 PM movie. So we met Cole and his mom and dad at the theater and then Bella and I headed home to a Little Rascals movie. By the time it was over Nate was home so we watched Shrek. When Bella fell asleep...she brought her princess tent and set it up in my bedroom, Nathan wanted to watch I Am Legend. Since his mom sent it with him, I said OK. About 30 minutes in we turned it off and put Shrek back in. I Am Legend was just too intense for a 9 year old, and me too.
I think we watched Shrek 5 times this weekend. I hope I don't have to see it again any time soon. I guess we didn't REALLY watch it all those times, but it was playing. Nathan was busy with his Teck Decks most of the time and Bella was jumping on the mini trampoline.
Teck Decks are little finger skateboards with removable trucks. He also has a ramp, some stairs with a rail and a quarter pipe for doing tricks. I knew he had 'em but I didn't know they are such a big deal. We watched several videos on You Tube about how to do tricks with them. Nathan amazes me sometimes. He can do all the tricks with his fingers on these little boards that he can do on his real skateboard.
We also went to the hardware store and got Nathan a roll of duct tape. Seems there is a fad where kids make hats and wallets and such out of duct tape.
Bella, the little princess, got to help cook breakfast and lunch. At 4 1/2 she is REAL slow but loves to help so I try to slow my pace to hers. She was so proud of all she did to help. All in all it was a much quieter weekend than we usually have and don't really know why. I love it when they come, but I also love it when they leave! Ah, the joy of being Grandma Nancy!
Now, for a long night's sleep and a full day of volunteering at NewSpring Church.
While we were at supper Friday night, Nathan's best friend called to ask him to go to the 7 PM movie. So we met Cole and his mom and dad at the theater and then Bella and I headed home to a Little Rascals movie. By the time it was over Nate was home so we watched Shrek. When Bella fell asleep...she brought her princess tent and set it up in my bedroom, Nathan wanted to watch I Am Legend. Since his mom sent it with him, I said OK. About 30 minutes in we turned it off and put Shrek back in. I Am Legend was just too intense for a 9 year old, and me too.
I think we watched Shrek 5 times this weekend. I hope I don't have to see it again any time soon. I guess we didn't REALLY watch it all those times, but it was playing. Nathan was busy with his Teck Decks most of the time and Bella was jumping on the mini trampoline.
Teck Decks are little finger skateboards with removable trucks. He also has a ramp, some stairs with a rail and a quarter pipe for doing tricks. I knew he had 'em but I didn't know they are such a big deal. We watched several videos on You Tube about how to do tricks with them. Nathan amazes me sometimes. He can do all the tricks with his fingers on these little boards that he can do on his real skateboard.
We also went to the hardware store and got Nathan a roll of duct tape. Seems there is a fad where kids make hats and wallets and such out of duct tape.
Bella, the little princess, got to help cook breakfast and lunch. At 4 1/2 she is REAL slow but loves to help so I try to slow my pace to hers. She was so proud of all she did to help. All in all it was a much quieter weekend than we usually have and don't really know why. I love it when they come, but I also love it when they leave! Ah, the joy of being Grandma Nancy!
Now, for a long night's sleep and a full day of volunteering at NewSpring Church.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
God's Will
Someone recently said to me that you can't know God's will but I think you can. I know God's will for me is to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love my neighbor as myself.
I know I am to be sexually pure in and out of marriage; give a tithe to the church; give offerings to help the poor. I am to avoid drunkenness, greed, gossip and malicious anger among other things. I am to gather with other believers for worship. I am to pray and to fast. I am not to partner with someone in marriage or business who does not have the same beliefs I have. I am not to worry but trust God to take care of me. I am to spend less than I make so that I don't have debt. I am to live a life of freedom. I am to tell others about the saving power of Jesus Christ. I am to serve Him by serving others. I am to live at peace with others and to be holy.
Does it help me know who to marry? Yep...someone with the same beliefs. Does it help me know which house to buy? Yes...the one I can afford. That also can be applied to colleges and cars and all sorts of things. Should I actually commit to membership in a church? Absolutely...to be with other believers and to give my tithe. Should I volunteer in the community? Yes, to serve Christ. Invite friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances to church? Yes, to tell them about Jesus. And that doesn't even get me started on all that I know is God's will for me.
Some things are more easily known than others perhaps like hiring and firing employees, changing jobs, moving to a new city, investing money. But if I read the Bible, seek God in prayer - really pray without ceasing, and LISTEN for His voice He will make His will known for every situation.
I know I am to be sexually pure in and out of marriage; give a tithe to the church; give offerings to help the poor. I am to avoid drunkenness, greed, gossip and malicious anger among other things. I am to gather with other believers for worship. I am to pray and to fast. I am not to partner with someone in marriage or business who does not have the same beliefs I have. I am not to worry but trust God to take care of me. I am to spend less than I make so that I don't have debt. I am to live a life of freedom. I am to tell others about the saving power of Jesus Christ. I am to serve Him by serving others. I am to live at peace with others and to be holy.
Does it help me know who to marry? Yep...someone with the same beliefs. Does it help me know which house to buy? Yes...the one I can afford. That also can be applied to colleges and cars and all sorts of things. Should I actually commit to membership in a church? Absolutely...to be with other believers and to give my tithe. Should I volunteer in the community? Yes, to serve Christ. Invite friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances to church? Yes, to tell them about Jesus. And that doesn't even get me started on all that I know is God's will for me.
Some things are more easily known than others perhaps like hiring and firing employees, changing jobs, moving to a new city, investing money. But if I read the Bible, seek God in prayer - really pray without ceasing, and LISTEN for His voice He will make His will known for every situation.
God's Plans Always Succeed
Ezra 1:1 contains an interesting statement. God stirred the heart of a pagan king to do something that would fulfill a prophecy spoken by God through Jeremiah 70 years before.
The prophecy is Jeremiah 29:10, the next verse 29:11 completes verse 10 by stating "for I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." We fret and worry and struggle when we don't have to.
The prophecy is Jeremiah 29:10, the next verse 29:11 completes verse 10 by stating "for I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." We fret and worry and struggle when we don't have to.
Rainy Days
Rainy days...I don't like them much when it's cold or even chilly or windy. I don't like them much when I have to get out of bed and get out in the weather. Today is one of those days. I really did want to just turn over and stay in bed for a long time. I guess a lazy streak has attacked me.
I don't think I could live in a section of America - or the world - where days are gray more than they are sunny. Too much gray is not good for you; your mood can begin to turn gray too.
I am thankful, though, for the rain and the gray days we've had recently. The upstate of SC has been in a serious drought condition for several years. Finally having rain on a semi-regular basis is an answer to prayer. The grass, trees and flowers love a little regular rain. The creeks, ponds and lakes are getting a little fuller. The water table is rising a little. And for that I can thank God.
In Old Testament times, God withheld the rain to show his power and to humble his people, does He still do that today - or is it just global warming or something? I believe my God is the creator who controls it all and still has His hand on this world. The wind and waves obeyed the voice of Jesus during a storm 2000 years ago, why would they not obey today?
I don't think I could live in a section of America - or the world - where days are gray more than they are sunny. Too much gray is not good for you; your mood can begin to turn gray too.
I am thankful, though, for the rain and the gray days we've had recently. The upstate of SC has been in a serious drought condition for several years. Finally having rain on a semi-regular basis is an answer to prayer. The grass, trees and flowers love a little regular rain. The creeks, ponds and lakes are getting a little fuller. The water table is rising a little. And for that I can thank God.
In Old Testament times, God withheld the rain to show his power and to humble his people, does He still do that today - or is it just global warming or something? I believe my God is the creator who controls it all and still has His hand on this world. The wind and waves obeyed the voice of Jesus during a storm 2000 years ago, why would they not obey today?
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