Prayer

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

As I watch the steady decline of our country, I mediate on this verse. I pray this verse often asking God to show me my short comings as well as others who call themselves “by His name”.  The action of this verse is a group action not just an individual but an entire community of believers coming together to seek and plead for the interceding of the Heavenly Father.

Watching the news and following different blogs I see that the world as a whole and our country in particular is no longer following the tenets of God. Even some churches are calling “good evil and evil good”. People are saying certain things are right or “ok” when the word of God, the Bible, tells us not to do it. Everyone is following “what is right in their own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7)

Now is the time to turn back to God. How does one do this? By doing it God’s way and not our own way, here’s how:

The steps:

·        Humble ourselves

·        Pray

·        Seek God’s face

·        Turn from our wicked way

The result:

·        God will hear

·        God will forgive

·        God will heal the land

The Bible has many verses regarding prayer. Here are a few:

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:17

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippines 4:6

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. I Timothy 2:8

Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17 

Prayer is talking to God. Have you talked to Him today?

Have a blessed day,
Donna

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: Sitting at the King’s gate

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. Esther 2:21-23

The workings of the palace went on as usual. Everyone was in their right place doing their job. Again, we find Mordecai at the king’s gate. As I mentioned in the last blog, he had a position of authority, probably as a judge or an official of the court.

One of the jobs of this position was listening. Mordecai sat and listened, maybe to complaints, maybe to cases, maybe to people asking for favors, whatever the reason, he was listening and probably making decisions.

One day, Mordecai got an “ear full.” Someone came and told Mordecai about a plot to kill the king. Mordecai probably researched the source, and then he went to Queen Esther and told her.

Esther documented the incident in “Mordecai’s name” meaning she had it written down with the details noting that Mordecai was the one who discovered the “plot.” After an investigation was held and verified, the men were hung on a tree. The case was written in the king’s book.

What can be learned from this portion of scripture?

Mordecai being in the right place at the right time was not an accident. Mordecai hearing about the plot to kill the king was not just hearsay.

God is in control

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. I Peter 3:12

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. Proverbs 5:21

Pay Attention

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

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.  Epictetus 

When I was a child, my grandmother would quote this to me often. Usually it was when I was talking away and not listening or “carrying tales” about others.

A wise old owl lived in an oak

The more he heard the less he spoke1

The less he spoke the more he heard.

Why aren’t you like this wise old bird.

Be aware

We need to be aware of our surroundings. Mordecai was aware of what was going on around him. He was listening more than he was talking. He was a captive in a strange land, he needed to keep “his guard up”.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: I Peter 5:8

Today as you do your daily tasks, pay attention, know God is in control and be aware of your surroundings.

I’ll end today with the words of an old hymn:

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Looking heavenward,

Donna

Lessons from Esther: A Great Feast

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. Esther 1:1-4

Esther is a wonderful book with a beautiful story. Esther is one of two books named after a woman. It is also one of two books in the Bible that does not mention God’s name. As we will see, as the story progresses, God’s name is not mentioned, but one can see the “presence of God” throughout the entire book.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

Background info:

Writer: Unknown

Time: 486-464 B.C.

Place:  Persia

The story begins “in the days of Ahasuerus” (Xerxes his Greek name). The king reigned from India to Ethiopia and ruled over 127 provinces, a huge kingdom, to rule and reign. There were about 60 nations that were under the reign of Ahasuerus (A. Barnes).

This king was extremely powerful and when he spoke people listened and obeyed. In his third year, Ahasuerus decides to have a great feast for all his princes, nobles and servants. I’m sure all the RSVPs came back with “will attend”.

It appears that the reason for the feast was to “show off” all his great and wonderful possessions. The “brag” fest lasted for 180 days. Can you imagine hosting a party for 180 days? Can you image the cost of hosting a party for 180 days which included food, drink and lodging?

The king was full of pride. His main concern was for his welfare. It was all about him. He obviously did not know the verse, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

Pride is an attribute we should not try to attain. When we are prideful it is all about us, nothing absolutely nothing matters but what we want. A prideful person does not care about anyone else.

Take a few minutes to do a study on pride. Here are a few verse to get you started:

Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Psalm 73:6 

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

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

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:16 

Join me the next time to find out what else the king is planning. Until then,

 Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Words, words and more words

11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. 12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.  Ecclesiastes 10:11-15

Have you ever had a problem with the way you use words? It may be saying too many, it may be using our words to hurt someone; it may be using them to say foolish things. Solomon is telling us to watch our words. Pay attention to what we say, no one wants his words to “swallow him up”.  Be careful about saying too many words. “think before you speak” is always the best route to follow.

Have you ever listened to someone who just rambles on and on? Within a short time we “turn them off”. Solomon is giving us wisdom on how to use and not use words. As usual the choice is ours. Will we be wise or foolish in the use of our words?

Here are a few verses that have helped me:

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 

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

 

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 

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

Contrasts

7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:7-8

At first glance one might  say, “What is this talking about.”  We need to do a little word study to help with the explanation of verse seven.

Word meanings from the Hebrew:

Oppression means injury, fraud … unjust gain: … extortion…

Mad means …to shine; hence to make a show; to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; …

Gift means … a present; specifically (in a good sense) a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe: - …

Destroyeth (destroys) means … wander away, that is lose oneself; by implication to perish …

The interpretation would be this: Surely fraud makes a wise man to boast, and a bribe makes the heart wander.

Solomon tells us the end of something is better than the beginning. One is usually apprehensive embarking on a new project or a new phase in life. When we have dealt with some new period in our life, we become familiar with all the workings weather it is a new job, new family member, or some other activity new to us.

Solomon then tells us it is better to be patient than proud. John Gill says, “…patience is a fruit of the Spirit of God; and is of great use in the Christian's life, and especially in bearing afflictions, and tends to make men more humble, meek, and quiet; and such are highly esteemed of God;…”

The Bible says many things about the proud and the patient here a just a few verses:

Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Proverbs 16:5

The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. Proverbs 15:25

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.  Romans 12:12

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 1Thessalonians 5:14

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  James 5:8

Patience is not one of my strong points, but through the years the Lord has taught me many lessons. I am still learning but I am extremely thankful that the Lord is patient toward me. Can I be any less toward others?

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Discouragement?

When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. Nehemiah 2:10

Right in the middle of Nehemiah’s trip we are introduced to new individuals. According to Adam Clark, Sanballat the Horonite was “Probably a native of Horonaim, a Moabite by birth, and at this time governor of the Samaritans under the king of Persia. Tobiah the servant was an Ammonite; and here, under the Persian king, joint governor with Sanballat.”

The revival of Jerusalem as a great and strong city, which was Nehemiah’s aim, was likely to interfere with the prosperity, or at any rate the eminence, of Samaria. – Albert Barnes

Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite were not happy when they heard that someone was coming to help the children of Israel.

Nehemiah is on his journey, but people know he is coming. Even in Old Testament times word traveled quickly, especially when you have letters announcing the travel plans. Some were not happy with his coming and probably were plotting against Nehemiah.

As in our day, there is always someone who tries to discourage us, when we move forward to do work for the Lord. It grieves the world when God sends someone to help His children.

Nehemiah continued his travels and kept his eyes on the job before him. We need to keep our eyes on the job before us, remembering God knows what we are going through.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

Have a blessed day,
Donna