Lessons from Esther: The Special Banquet

6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; 8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. 9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. Esther 5:6-9

The banquet is ready and the food and wine are served. Still very curious about why the queen would request his presence the king asks again, “what is your request?”

Esther does not have complete peace. Fasting for wisdom and guidance from the Lord she knows this is not the time to speak about the situation regarding her people. Esther quickly asks for another banquet. Again she requests the presence of both the king and Haman. The king, as we see from previous chapters, loves a good banquet. He confirms for both of them and I’m sure Esther starts the preparations right away. This next banquet needs to be perfect and the time needs to be right for her to brooch the delicate subject.

Imagine the pride that is welling up in Haman. Not just one banquet but two, he is “beside” himself. Being invited to a private banquet with just the king and queen, could he be any more special.

Haman’s joy is soon turned to indignation when he sees Mordecai. Indigation from the Hebrew means heat; figuratively anger, poison (from its fever): - … In other words, he is so hot with anger that it makes his blood curdle.

There are a few lessons to be learned from this short portion of scripture:

1. There are times to speak and there are times to be quiet.

… a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: James 1:19

2. Don’t let pride “creep” in

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:4

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.  Proverbs 14:3

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 29:23

3. Beware of anger

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.  Proverbs 15:18

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  Ephesians 4:31

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.  Ecclesiastes 7:9

As we travel in our daily life let’s put on the courage of Esther (#1) not the character of Haman (#2&3).

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Lessons from Esther: Anger controls or Control anger

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. 7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. 8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Esther 3:5-11

Have you ever been angry? I mean really really angry? Well, Haman was so angry that he was ready to burst!! He was full of wrath. His anger was taking complete control of him. He was so angry he didn’t just want to kill Mordecai, for his act of disobedience, but destroy all of his people, the Jews.

Haman had a plan, to kill all the Jews. He needed to pick a time when this would happen. Haman and his cronies got together to “cast pur” today we would call it “throwing dice.” They decided which day and month would be the best to kill the Jews by casting pur. Albert Barnes says, “A lot seems to have been cast, or a throw of some kind made, for each day of the month and each month of the year. The day and month which obtained the best throws were then selected.”

Once the decision was made which day would be best, Haman goes to the king and presents his plan. Basically he said, “O King there is a certain people who are not like us, they have strange laws and they certainly don’t keep the king’s law. I really don’t see much profit for the kingdom in having them around. So king, I have a plan. What a deal! Let me kill all these people and I’ll give the kingdom 10,000 talents”.  After looking at various commentaries and authors many had different amounts that would have equaled 10,000 talents, but all agreed that it was a considerable amount of money.

If there was any doubt in Ahasuerus’ mind, it was dissolved with the discussion of money. It did not take the king any time to make his decision as a matter of fact; he didn’t even ask who the people were. Whatever you say Haman, do what you want with these people. The king seems so wishy washy to me, no problem just do whatever you want. I’ll get the money.

Everything Haman did was anger driven. Anger was in every pore of his being.

 Let’s take a minute to see what the Bible says about anger.

Anger hinders

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. Psalm 38:3 

Watch your words

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1 

Pick friends carefully

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Proverbs 22:24 

Self control

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32 

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Ephesians 4:31 

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Ephesians 4:26 

Does anger control you or do you control your anger?

Pray and ask God for help. We need to “hid God’s word in our heart” by memorizing anger verses to help us conquer the problem.

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Lessons from Esther: The King’s decree

And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. 19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. 21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: lo; 22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.  Esther 1:16-22

Vashti has refused the king. The king is furious, so angry, he cannot think straight.

Anger is a choice. Unfortunately a choice too many Christians make, anger can destroy friendships; marriages; as well as work places. Here are a few verses on anger to help with making good choices.

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Proverbs 22:24

An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. Proverbs 29:22

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Ephesians 4:26

Ahasuerus called all his “wise” men to help him make a decision. What should he do to the queen who disobeyed?

Memucan, one of the wise man spoke and said Vashti had not just offended the king but all the people in the provinces. Remember he was over 127 provinces; also remember this was before TV, newspaper or other public medium. How was this news to travel to all the lands?

Memucan was appealing to the pride of Ahasuerus. “O King remember how great you are and no one should dare offend you, not even your wife. Something must be done and the sooner the better.”

After a brief time the decision was made. Vashti would be “dethroned”, not just dethroned but a royal commandment; a written law would go into effect. Verse nineteen explains the purpose of the written law, “so it be not altered”. Once a law was made by the king and written down, nothing could change it.

The law was twofold, Vashti would no longer be the queen and all the wives would give their husbands honor and the man would be the ruler of his house.

John Gill’s explanation: “for so it was, that when a law was made, and signed, and sealed, and registered among the laws of the kingdom, it remained unalterable, this precaution Memucan took for his own safety; for had the king acted upon his advice, without passing it into a law in such form, he might change his mind, and recall Vashti, who would not fail of venting her wrath upon the counsellor, and so he be in danger of losing his life for it:”

The king had letters sent, all over his provinces, written in the languages of each area. There would be no excuse, everyone would know the law.

The next step, “let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she” would now begin.

Join me the next time as the “search” begins.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

A warning about anger

9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. Ecclesiastes 7:9-10

Anger is not good, but uncontrolled anger is the worse of all types of anger. There are many books written about anger and how to control it. In my own library I own the following counseling books:

Anger is a choice

Uprooting Anger

The Heart of Anger

The reason there are so many books about anger, is there are many people who have anger issues. The Bible tells us we can be angry but the key is not to sin in our anger. (Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:)

Solomon tells us that anger rests in the bosom (within) of fools. I do not want to be a fool. There are many times I was a fool with uncontrolled and very foolish anger. What does God’s word say about anger?

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8 

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1 

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. Proverbs 15:18 

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32 

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Ephesians 4:31 

An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. Proverbs 29:22 

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Proverbs 22:24 

I Googled the word anger, 43,000,000 sites with the word anger came up. Wow! Do you think people today have a problem with anger?

Some of the titles of the sites were:

Controlling anger

Anger management

Taking charge of anger

What is anger?

Strategies for Controlling Anger

National Anger management association

Here are some quotes that should make one think before letting anger get the upper hand.

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ~ Buddha.

Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. ~ Ambrose Bierce.

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

      

 Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools. ~ Albert Einstein (Ecc. 7:9)

Whenever anger comes up, take out a mirror and look at yourself. When you are angry, you are not very beautiful. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind. ~ Robert Green Ingersoll

Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. ~ Mark Twain

Anger is not new but it is certainly something we need to control. Anger is a problem in the world today both in Christian and non-Christians circles. As Christians we do have the answer but the question is: What are we going to do about it?

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. Psalm 103:8 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from a trip – Camera

My youngest grandson is four years old. This year we gave him a digital camera for his birthday. Oh please don’t be alarmed, it was a child’s camera that I purchased on clearance after Christmas. Don’t you just love the clearance aisle? 

He was so excited when he realized it was a “real” camera. He started to “shoot” everything he saw, toys, pictures on the wall, the dog, the table, can’t you just picture him with it in his hand aiming at everything in his sight.

Wherever he went the camera was sure to follow, in a backpack on his back. One night after supper we all went for a walk at the local park. Throughout the walk my grandson would stop and take a picture of something, a bunny, a tree, his brother, whatever was in his path. He would also stop others on the path to tell them he had a camera.

We stopped at the playground to let him and his brother play. After the playground break we headed back to the car. My daughter and youngest grandson walked a good distance in front of us. As I chatted with my older grandson I noticed we were closing the gap between us and the four year old with the camera. As we got closer we could see him talking with a woman who was walking a dog. By the time we caught up the woman and her dog was sitting so my grandson could take a picture. This woman took a few minutes of her walk to make a young boy happy. Her kindness gave all of us a little boost in our step.

It doesn’t hurt to be kind. It rarely takes much time but the joy you bring to someone else because of the kindness is priceless.

Is there someone you can be kind to? Ask God to put opportunities in your path today. Help put a smile on someone’s face.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  Colossians 3:12

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Deliberately seek opportunities for kindness, sympathy, and patience. ~ Evelyn Underhill

Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind. ~ Henry James

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Job’s Wife

[9] Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.[10] But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.  Job 2:9-10

When you first hear “Job’s wife” what runs through your mind. My first thought, “she was not supportive but wanted him to just curse God and die.” Think for a minute with me, Job was not the only one who lost everything, so did his wife. The livestock that was killed was part of her livelihood too. The children that died were her children also. Her heart must have been breaking. I cannot image losing a child never mind ten, all at once. Not only did she lose everything with her husband, but it appeared that she was now losing him.

He was covered from head to toe with boils. Boils are extremely painful. He did not have one or two but so many that he was literally covered. He probably could not walk very well, because they were on the soles of his feet. His hands, most likely, were covered so he could not carry or hold anything without being in excruciating pain. He could not sit, he could not stand, and he could not lie down without pain wrenching his whole body. Thoughts from theologians believe it was anything from small pox, or leprosy to elephantiasis. The Hebrew meaning of boil is to burn; inflammation, that is, an ulcer: - boil, botch.

It appears that her faith was not as strong as Job’s, “do you still retain your integrity?” was the question asked. She was suffering too. She did not know how to reach out and comfort her husband. Maybe communication was not good between them. We need to remember this was a time when women kept silent. Eugenia Price says, “She saw her husband strictly from her own viewpoint, not at all from his.” We learn in Job 19 that his breath was offensive to her. It probably was because of the dreaded infection he had.

Only four verses mention Job’s wife. We do not know much, most is conjecture. We do know God gave Job double at the end than what he had in the beginning (Job 42:12).  God gave his wife a second chance with the birth of more children. Again there is much said about the end of Job’s life. Some believe it was a second wife, some believe it was his first wife. I side with it being the same wife. After looking through scripture I could not see the “second wife” theory.

Lessons I learned from Job’s wife:

Judgemental – do not be quick to judge, we need to walk in someone else’s shoes

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. ~ John 7:24

Offend – don’t be offensive, think before you speak, think before you act

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. ~ Psalm 49:3

Bitter – Bitterness festers inner “sores”

Let all bitterness… be put away from you… ~  Ephesians 4:31

Stern – Watch the tone of your voice

… a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7

Weary – when one is emotionally drained it brings everyone down

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. ~ II Thessalonians 3:13

Inadequate –  realize we are inadequate but Jesus is there to help us

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ~ I Peter 5:7

Fatigue – when going through hard times find time to rest your tired body (physically and emotionally)

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: ...~ Psalm 37:7

Encourage– pray and ask God to help you be an encourager not a discourager

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Have a blessed day,
Donna

False prophets

[10] Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee. [11] And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. [12] And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. [13] Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. [14] My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. Nehemiah 6:10-14

The plot thickens; Nehemiah goes to visit Shemaiah, a prophet. We are not told why but while there Shemaiah suggests, “Let’s go up to the temple and hide for the enemies are going to come and kill you in the night.”Nehemiah’s immediate response is, “why should I run and hide, would someone in my position hide?”

Shemaiah had an ulterior motive, to get Nehemiah away from the work. Without a leader the work would fail. His plan was foiled when Nehemiah refused to go with him. As Shemaiah was expounding on this plot Nehemiah realized God had not sent him but his enemies, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired Shemaiah to give this false prophecy.

It was all “falling in place” for Nehemiah. He now knew why Tobiah and Sanballat had hired Shemaiah. If they could make Nehemiah afraid enough to hide it would be easy to concoct an evil report about him.

Nehemiah prays to God asking Him to reward the false prophets according to their own works.

As I thought on this portion of scripture a few things come to mind:

1. One does get “caught up” in his own deceptions.

Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive. - Sir Walter Scott

2. Nehemiah had a discerning spirit. Discernment is a quality trait we should yearn for. We need to be in the Word to learn discernment God’s way.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Ephesians 4:14

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Fear tactics

[1] Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) [2] That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. [3] And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? [4] Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. Nehemiah 6:1-4

The enemies are at it again. The “old gang” is back, Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem, they heard the news that the wall was built and it was strong and sturdy. As usual they had plans for Nehemiah’s demise. A letter was sent to set up a meeting with Nehemiah. Nehemiah was not born yesterday, and realized they only wanted to meet with him for mischief. The Hebrew meaning for mischief includes: bad, affliction, calamity, distress.

Nehemiah’s answer to them is exactly what one would expect, “Oh no, I cannot go to Ono! I am doing a great work.” My translation is “I have way more important works to do than meet with the likes of you.” As with all the followers of the evil one, they were very persistent. They would hassle and pester until he relented. They obviously did not know Nehemiah’s fortitude.

The barraging continued, three more letters followed, with the same results. Nehemiah was not budging. He knew what he was called to do and he was going to do it. No temptation was going to pull him from the work of the wall.

~ Are you being tempted by others who do not know the great works of God? Is someone trying to break down your beliefs? Do you feel pulled in a hundred directions?

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Ephesians 4:14

~ Take a lesson from Nehemiah, do not waver.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10

~ Go in prayer to the One who will help you with all your problems.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. Psalm 6:9

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Psalm 66:20

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Let’s be honest

I’m on a little rant – I am so tired of people not being honest. They will tell you one thing to your face, and then you will get an email or voice mail saying something totally different. Let’s just be honest we are all adults if you disagree with something please let me know. We can agree to disagree. We don’t all need to go to the same church, the same school or even the same grocery store.

This world is made up of choices. We have a choice to choose how we live. We have a choice to attend a certain church or a certain school. We make choices each and every day. We are also responsible for the choices we make.

Improvement can only come if we are honest with each other. I am not talking about being rude and insulting but be honest. Be honest when you speak to each other. We do not need to say what we think the other person wants us to say. When you can’t think of something honest to say then make a choice to be quiet.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Ephesians 4:25

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4:15

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 2 Corinthians 8:21

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Skirting the channel

I work in the recreational boating service industry i.e. yacht club. Whenever someone does something questionable, but not really illegal, I have a co-worker who will say, “They’re skirting just outside the channel. “Skirting just outside the channel” is nautical slang meaning sailing the boat outside the “legal” place of sail. It may be too close to the shore; shallow water or rocks might be just under the surface.

A channel is “A navigable route on a waterway, usually marked by buoys. Channels are deep enough for ships or boats to navigate without running aground.” There is a reason why the coast guard has channels in the waterways. The channels are not there to confine the vessel but to help and guide it to the right destination. When sailing a boat (under normal circumstances i.e. not in stormy weather) and staying in the channel the chances are great that the vessel will arrive safe and secure.

Sailors use charts to help with the navigation at sea. The charts have everything marked out; basically it is a map for the water. As sailors in the world of life we also have a map for our life as a Christian. Our chart is known as the Bible. The Bible is our navigation tool to guide us through our course.

There are Christians who are “skirting the channel”. They will follow the course of the chart some of the time, but certainly not all the time.

Recently, I have heard a number of very questionable statements that are just outside the channel of Christian life. Here are a few of them:

God is not bound by His Word.

• Yes God can do anything He wants, He is God, but if it is in His Word He has to keep it because - God cannot lie.

• That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Hebrews 6:18

• A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. Proverbs 14:5

• Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:25

• In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; Titus 1:2

That verse is opened to interpretation.

• Whose interpretation? When we all have our own “take on a verse”, Someone is right and someone is wrong. We cannot all be right, but God is right. We need to dig in the scripture and find God’s answer.

• Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. II Peter 1:20

That is the Old Testament.

• What does that mean? Do we not “pay attention” to the Old Testament?

• What did Jesus quote throughout the New Testament – the Old Testament. It certainly is relevant. God’s principles whether Old or New Testament are still God’s principles. We need to follow what God says.

• Here are a few places were Christ quoted the Old Testament: Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; Mark 7:6, 14:27; Luke 4:4, 10; John 6:31; 12:14

• For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: I Peter 2:21

How can we stay in the channel?

Study the scriptures

• Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39

• These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Act 17:11

Be ready to change your ways

• And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Act 17:30

• And they went out, and preached that men should repent. Mark 6:12

Repent in these verses are from Strong’s Greek number 3340
1) to change one's mind, i.e. to repent
2) to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins

"Repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness." (F. F. Bruce. The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.)

When you fail – don’t stay down but dust yourself off and get up.

• Not one of us is perfect, we all fail, and this is recognized in the book of Proverbs.

• For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Proverbs 24:16

Be careful what you follow – make sure it is of God not of men.

• That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Ephesians 4:14

Only you can answer the following questions:

Am I skirting the channel?
Am I following the chart?

We need to get back on course, steering our vessel in the middle of the channel.


Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Have a blessed day,
Donna

Attitudes

Attitudes, we all have them whether good or bad. Have you ever noticed the type of attitude you have will affect your whole day? I have really been thinking about attitudes lately.

My husband was out of work since the end of December. He injured his back, went through physical therapy, an operation and more physical therapy. He used crutches, canes, wheelchair, and walker, and some days could not stand on his own power. Through all of this his attitude was excellent. He did not blame God or someone else for what he was going though, he took it all in stride as another day in his life. He was positive through this entire time, he kept working toward his goal of getting better. Slowly, some days slower than others, he has gotten his strength back, he is not at 100% but he continues to work toward the goal. He may never be at 100%, this may be his “new normal” but his attitude and hard work has gotten him where he is now– how we think affects how we act.

I worked with a person who complained about everything, and I do mean everything. No matter what the situation something negative was said, the weather was too hot in the summer but way to cold in the winter, the phone rang too much or not enough, people asked too many questions or did not ask enough. The negativity was constant and I had enough; I was starting to capture the “negative” bug myself. Finally when I heard for the umpteenth time that another job was better than the one she had I said why don’t you apply? The excuses started but it made her realize I did not want to hear all the pessimistic comments. Negative attitudes can affect everyone. Negatively will “rub” off on us if we let it.

Sometimes it is hard for Christians to stay focused on the Lord. Our mind works overtime and the negative attitudes start to cultivate in our thoughts. We look around and see others doing so much better than we are, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. The “grass is greener” syndrome is everywhere even in the Christian realm.

What can we do to have better attitudes?

Realize where the negative comes from
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Ephesians 2:2

Think differently
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Ephesians 4:23

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Praise God for what you have
I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 35:28

Meditate on the blessings of God
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3

Don’t compare yourself to others
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. II Corinthians 10:12

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Kindness

I hardly ever read “Dear Annie”, an advice column, but today this just happened to catch my eye. My husband and I have a ministry to a couple of assisted livings and an elderly apartment building. There are many lonely people who live there. There are also many who have very loving and caring families who spend lots of time with them.

If this little essay “touches” you in anyway, call, visit or send a card to a senior citizen. You will bring a RAY of beaming sunshine into their life.


It Was Grandfather's Birthday
by Rudy Joe Mano
It was Grandfather's birthday. He was 79. He got up early, shaved, showered, combed his hair and put on his Sunday best so he would look nice when they came.

He skipped his daily walk to the town cafe where he had coffee with his cronies. He wanted to be home when they came.

He put his porch chair on the sidewalk so he could get a better view of the street when they drove up to help celebrate his birthday.

At noon, he got tired but decided to forgo his nap so he could be there when they came.

Most of the rest of the afternoon he spent near the telephone so he could answer it when they called.

He has five married children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. One son and a daughter live within 10 miles of his place. They hadn't visited him for a long time.

But today was his birthday and they were sure to come.

At suppertime, he left the cake untouched so they could cut it and have dessert with him. After supper, he sat on the porch waiting.

At 8:30, he went to his room to prepare for bed. Before retiring, he left a note on the door that read:

"Be sure to wake me when you come."

It was Grandfather's Birthday. He was 79.


And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Colossians 3:12

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:31
Have a blessed day,
Donna