Scriptures:
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Psalm 139:14
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Luke 12:7
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Thoughts:
These scriptures speak about our purpose with God. He chose us and we are valuable to Him. We started off with reading in Jeremiah that God knew us and ordained us before we were even born. He had a plan before we were even seen by our parents. He knew who we were and what we were supposed to be. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Too many times, we spend a lot of time on our flaws and weaknesses. We find a lot of excuses and reasons why we can't do things or be what we know we should be. God did not make a mistake. He formed us and said we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We need to rest in that knowledge and realize that God can use us as we are. He already knows all about us anyway and knows best how to use our strengths and our weaknesses.
He has called us and chosen us. He has a work for us that is for His purpose. He will equip us and guide us in His plans. Our purpose was given even before the world began. He sees us as valuable and precious. He even knows how many hairs are on your head. He counts them. He knows how many cells make up your body. He formed us in His image and had a plan for humans to be in relationship with Him based on a mutual love. He wants us to love Him enough to grow in relationship and in love.
He chose you! He chose me! We did not choose Him. He knows everything about us and yet still chose us.
It is like choosing that one person to marry. When I chose to marry my husband and he chose me, that was very exciting and special. He chose to marry me because he loves me God chose us because he loves us. He is asking us to choose Him.
When we realize who we are in Christ. We are a royal priesthood, chosen and valuable to the Savior.
Many folks struggle to realize just how valuable they are. They allow their personal outlook to be one of disfavor, poor self-esteem and low value. Many struggle with understanding that they are important to God. God loves each one of us so much he died on a cross just because He loves us. He didn't have to, He wanted to offer us a better way. He wanted us to be able to reconnect to our original purpose that sin had taken from us.
Lets' evaluate how we see ourselves.
1. Do I see myself through God's eyes?
2. Do I allow my self-image to become negative?
3. How can I change my self-image to what God sees in me?
4. Have I allowed what I think about myself to hinder me from the purpose God has for me?
5. Pray and ask God to give us new confidence in who we are in Christ.
We are a child of God and we have access to our heavenly Father. We can have a deep relationship with the Creator and there is no need to hide who we are from Him. He already knows and He can provide us the strength to be our best in Him.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Peace in the storm 2
Last week, we started talking about peace in the storm. So we will continue along that theme this week. This is part of the sermon on the mount, but it always speaks to me every time I read it. I do struggle with worry. I may even like to worry. I really need to let go of worry and trust in His peace. That is really the only thing that works.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than food, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin;
29 and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Therefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed?
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things.) For your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the affliction thereof.
Thoughts:
Worry is another form of fear. Worry is fearing what might or might not happen. It is really the opposite of peace and trust. Worry does not change our situations, in fact it actually makes things worse. When we worry, we begin to stress out, which can lead to physical problems, irritability, arguing, etc. That is definitely not helpful. God does not want us to worry, Just like we studied last week. He wants us to trust Him for all things. He gives strength, love and a sound mind.
Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
When we have worry, we can cast it on the Lord. He will keep us firm and take care of all the needs.
I grew up with a wonderful lady named Edith Mayes in our church. She was an amazing prayer warrior and role model of what a powerful Christian should be. She told about a time that they were out of food and had no money to buy food at all. Her husband and her prayed. She got up in the morning and put on a pot of water and started it to boil. Her kids were asking what she would cook. She said, "God will provide." There was knock on the door. When they opened the door, someone had brought them rice and some other groceries. He delivered and provided.
Philippians 4:6-7 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We don't need to worry, all we have to do is ask and make our requests known before God. He is good and will provide. He knows what we need and He has it ready to deliver.
Questions:
1. Have I let worry control me?
2. Has worrying helped?
3. Has God provided for me and have I remembered to thank Him?
4. Can I exercise self-control in my thoughts but choosing to put aside worry and choose peace and trust instead?
Help me Lord to really trust you and not worry about things I really can't control anyway. You are really the one who is in control and You are the one who provides for all my needs. Thank you Jesus.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than food, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin;
29 and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Therefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed?
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things.) For your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the affliction thereof.
Thoughts:
Worry is another form of fear. Worry is fearing what might or might not happen. It is really the opposite of peace and trust. Worry does not change our situations, in fact it actually makes things worse. When we worry, we begin to stress out, which can lead to physical problems, irritability, arguing, etc. That is definitely not helpful. God does not want us to worry, Just like we studied last week. He wants us to trust Him for all things. He gives strength, love and a sound mind.
Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
When we have worry, we can cast it on the Lord. He will keep us firm and take care of all the needs.
I grew up with a wonderful lady named Edith Mayes in our church. She was an amazing prayer warrior and role model of what a powerful Christian should be. She told about a time that they were out of food and had no money to buy food at all. Her husband and her prayed. She got up in the morning and put on a pot of water and started it to boil. Her kids were asking what she would cook. She said, "God will provide." There was knock on the door. When they opened the door, someone had brought them rice and some other groceries. He delivered and provided.
Philippians 4:6-7 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We don't need to worry, all we have to do is ask and make our requests known before God. He is good and will provide. He knows what we need and He has it ready to deliver.
Questions:
1. Have I let worry control me?
2. Has worrying helped?
3. Has God provided for me and have I remembered to thank Him?
4. Can I exercise self-control in my thoughts but choosing to put aside worry and choose peace and trust instead?
Help me Lord to really trust you and not worry about things I really can't control anyway. You are really the one who is in control and You are the one who provides for all my needs. Thank you Jesus.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Peace in the Storm 1
Jesus walked on this earth and performed many miracles and taught many lessons. One of the great miracles he performed, then used to teach us lessons was calming the great storm.
This is in Matthew 8:23-27.
23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24 And, behold, there arose a great moving in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves; but he was asleep.
25 And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us; we perish.
26 And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then, awake, he rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey him!
So the highlights are there is a great storm. The disciples are scared to death. Jesus is fast asleep. He is not worried. When they asked for his help, he spoke with authority and the winds and waves stopped the relentless beating of the ship. A great calm came over the sea. They were amazed.
Thoughts:
I love how peace came over the storm and peace spread and settled the disciples as well. The peace of God comes and we can rest in His peace even when the world may be in chaos.
I heard a story once about a contest that asked for artists to paint a picture of what peace means. Many artists painted beautiful serene scenes of sunsets, nature, etc. But the painting that won depicted a huge storm with huge waves crashing against a high cliff wall. In the middle of the cliff was a bird nest perched on a small ledge. A mother bird sat carefully covering her young babies in the nest. That is peace. Knowing we are cared for even when storms are raging.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We do not have to understand everything. We might want to and we might like to understand all things, but only God really understands. We may be able to walk right through a situation with God's peace when others may fall, cry, fear and give in to the crashing waves. God's peace carries us and we only have to trust Him. There have been times that I really didn't know what was going to happen and the only thing I could do was trust the Lord. I knew He was faithful and He promised peace. You may be going through tough situations, but when we hold on to His peace, we can walk on.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of strength and of love and of a sound mind(temperance).
God does not want us to be fearful. He gives us strength, love and a sound mind. One version interprets that as 'temperance.' Temperance is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Temperance is: moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control.
God does not give us fear. He conquers fear and replaces it with strength, love and peace. He gives us the ability to maintain self-control and make a choice about how we respond.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
He left peace here for us to enjoy and trust. It is not a peace that comes from the world around us. The world holds uncertainty and troubles. But Jesus said to not let our hearts be troubled or afraid. We make a choice here to be afraid or troubled or to live in the peace of God. We can choose to let God's peace flood through our lives and lean on Him. We can respond to the peace He gives. We do not have to allow fear and worry to dominate our lives.
Questions:
Do I allow fear and worry to control me?
Do I really trust God enough to allow Him to give me the peace I need?
What storm do I face that Jesus has spoke peace and I need to rest in His peace?
Pray for God's peace to overwhelm and remove the fear.
This is in Matthew 8:23-27.
23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24 And, behold, there arose a great moving in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves; but he was asleep.
25 And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us; we perish.
26 And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then, awake, he rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey him!
So the highlights are there is a great storm. The disciples are scared to death. Jesus is fast asleep. He is not worried. When they asked for his help, he spoke with authority and the winds and waves stopped the relentless beating of the ship. A great calm came over the sea. They were amazed.
Thoughts:
I love how peace came over the storm and peace spread and settled the disciples as well. The peace of God comes and we can rest in His peace even when the world may be in chaos.
I heard a story once about a contest that asked for artists to paint a picture of what peace means. Many artists painted beautiful serene scenes of sunsets, nature, etc. But the painting that won depicted a huge storm with huge waves crashing against a high cliff wall. In the middle of the cliff was a bird nest perched on a small ledge. A mother bird sat carefully covering her young babies in the nest. That is peace. Knowing we are cared for even when storms are raging.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We do not have to understand everything. We might want to and we might like to understand all things, but only God really understands. We may be able to walk right through a situation with God's peace when others may fall, cry, fear and give in to the crashing waves. God's peace carries us and we only have to trust Him. There have been times that I really didn't know what was going to happen and the only thing I could do was trust the Lord. I knew He was faithful and He promised peace. You may be going through tough situations, but when we hold on to His peace, we can walk on.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of strength and of love and of a sound mind(temperance).
God does not want us to be fearful. He gives us strength, love and a sound mind. One version interprets that as 'temperance.' Temperance is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Temperance is: moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control.
God does not give us fear. He conquers fear and replaces it with strength, love and peace. He gives us the ability to maintain self-control and make a choice about how we respond.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
He left peace here for us to enjoy and trust. It is not a peace that comes from the world around us. The world holds uncertainty and troubles. But Jesus said to not let our hearts be troubled or afraid. We make a choice here to be afraid or troubled or to live in the peace of God. We can choose to let God's peace flood through our lives and lean on Him. We can respond to the peace He gives. We do not have to allow fear and worry to dominate our lives.
Questions:
Do I allow fear and worry to control me?
Do I really trust God enough to allow Him to give me the peace I need?
What storm do I face that Jesus has spoke peace and I need to rest in His peace?
Pray for God's peace to overwhelm and remove the fear.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
power of words study
Scriptures to Read:
Proverbs 14:1-3 Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.
2 He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he that is perverse in his ways despises him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold inscribed with silver.
Colossians 3:12-17 Clothed, therefore, (as the elect of God, holy and beloved) with bowels of mercies, with kindness, with humility, with meekness, with tolerance,
13 forbearing one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a quarrel against another: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, into which likewise ye are called into one body, and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of the Christ dwell in you in abundance in all wisdom, teaching you and exhorting you one to another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with grace singing in your hearts unto the Lord.
17 And whatever ye do whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God and Father by him.
Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without dissimulation, abhorring that which is evil, causing you to come unto that which is good; 10 loving one another with brotherly love, with honour preferring one another;
Thoughts:
These verses really talk about the words we say and things we do. How we treat others, especially the in the family of God or our own family, it very important to God. There are so many that I hear that use words that tear down their family members or church members. There is complaining, gossiping, back-biting, etc. This only brings destruction. God wants us to speak words that are going to build-up others, not tear down. As Proverbs says, a wise woman builds up, but a foolish woman plucks down. Our words are very serious. There is probably nothing as hurtful as hearing an unkind word spoken about you or a loved one. I cringe to think someone would even want to speak a negative word about me or my children. I may even become angry. Words spoken cause more trouble that most physical actions. Words can hurt, cut and cause deep wounds. God is not pleased with words that are destructive. We are to exhort or lift up one another. We are to encourage one another. We are to do so in brotherly love and without evil.
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Matthew 7:3-5
3 And why dost thou behold the mote that is in thy brother’s eye but dost not consider the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou be able to see to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Our mouth should be used for edification and words that bring joy to our savior, not bring about distention , and destroy unity or another soul. If we are guilty of such things, we need to make it right. Jesus said if we realize a brother has anything against us, we need to make it right before we even bring any sacrifice to him Matthew 5:23-24. It is not right for us to not attempt to make something right. We are to love others, even our enemies. I know there are cases when some are not willing to accept our attempts of apology or forgiveness, but if we have actually done all we can, including pray continually for that particular person, then we just trust God to touch their heart as well. That is not easy at all.
Basically, we are responsible for the words we say. Word can bring forth life or death.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat its fruit.
I think of that old children's song, Oh be careful little mouth what you say, Oh be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, Oh be careful little mouth what you say.
Challenge:
1. What do my words reveal about my attitude?
2. What do my words reveal about my heart and relationship with God?
3. How do my words affect others when I say them?
4. Do I have a habit of speaking words that curse rather than bless?
Proverbs 14:1-3 Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.
2 He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he that is perverse in his ways despises him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold inscribed with silver.
Colossians 3:12-17 Clothed, therefore, (as the elect of God, holy and beloved) with bowels of mercies, with kindness, with humility, with meekness, with tolerance,
13 forbearing one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a quarrel against another: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, into which likewise ye are called into one body, and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of the Christ dwell in you in abundance in all wisdom, teaching you and exhorting you one to another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with grace singing in your hearts unto the Lord.
17 And whatever ye do whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God and Father by him.
Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without dissimulation, abhorring that which is evil, causing you to come unto that which is good; 10 loving one another with brotherly love, with honour preferring one another;
Thoughts:
These verses really talk about the words we say and things we do. How we treat others, especially the in the family of God or our own family, it very important to God. There are so many that I hear that use words that tear down their family members or church members. There is complaining, gossiping, back-biting, etc. This only brings destruction. God wants us to speak words that are going to build-up others, not tear down. As Proverbs says, a wise woman builds up, but a foolish woman plucks down. Our words are very serious. There is probably nothing as hurtful as hearing an unkind word spoken about you or a loved one. I cringe to think someone would even want to speak a negative word about me or my children. I may even become angry. Words spoken cause more trouble that most physical actions. Words can hurt, cut and cause deep wounds. God is not pleased with words that are destructive. We are to exhort or lift up one another. We are to encourage one another. We are to do so in brotherly love and without evil.
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Matthew 7:3-5
3 And why dost thou behold the mote that is in thy brother’s eye but dost not consider the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou be able to see to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Our mouth should be used for edification and words that bring joy to our savior, not bring about distention , and destroy unity or another soul. If we are guilty of such things, we need to make it right. Jesus said if we realize a brother has anything against us, we need to make it right before we even bring any sacrifice to him Matthew 5:23-24. It is not right for us to not attempt to make something right. We are to love others, even our enemies. I know there are cases when some are not willing to accept our attempts of apology or forgiveness, but if we have actually done all we can, including pray continually for that particular person, then we just trust God to touch their heart as well. That is not easy at all.
Basically, we are responsible for the words we say. Word can bring forth life or death.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat its fruit.
I think of that old children's song, Oh be careful little mouth what you say, Oh be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, Oh be careful little mouth what you say.
Challenge:
1. What do my words reveal about my attitude?
2. What do my words reveal about my heart and relationship with God?
3. How do my words affect others when I say them?
4. Do I have a habit of speaking words that curse rather than bless?
Monday, June 1, 2015
For such a time as this.
For such a time as this?
Esther 4:14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. So, I would encourage anyone who hasn't, to read Esther. It is a story of tragedy and redemption. It is a story of rags to riches. It is a story of courage and wisdom. There are so many aspects to the story of Esther. She starts out orphaned and taken in by relatives and ends up saving her people, the Israelites from destruction. There is a yearly celebration, Purim, in honor of this amazing story of salvation. At a critical moment, Mordecai asked "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
I love how God uses the individuals that most of society would have ignored or wrote off. We may not recognize the greatness of an individual, but God does. He has set a plan in motion for each individual life.
Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O coastlands, to Me, And take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.
Psalms 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
Job 31:15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?
We are formed by the hands of God. Even in Genesis 2:4 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. God did not just speak man into existence, he formed them and breathed into their nostrils. We are special in His sight.
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
Esther was called for a purpose. SO are we. We all have a purpose. The basic purpose is to have a relationship with Jesus. We are also called to be examples of the believers. We are called to worship. We are called to pray. We are called to be kind one to another. We are called to bear the fruit of the Spirit. When we are faithful in these things, he gives us rule over bigger things. Luke 16:10.
I do not proclaim to know every purpose in every thing. But I do trust that God has a purpose for me.
We are created to be here, right now, in this exact place serving God.
I think many times, we underestimate our impact. We do impact everyone around us. I know my own mother often questioned her impact in life. But, when she passed away, there were so many people who were impacted, we lost count. There were people with stories to share about her important contributions to their lives. I know she never realized the impact she had. Never underestimate that little kind word or deed. Never underestimate even a smile.
God uses you just the way you are. He created you to be you. He gave you that personality and body to be used of Him.
Read about Esther.
Then think about your purpose.
Be faithful in the little things.
He will make them great.
Esther 4:14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. So, I would encourage anyone who hasn't, to read Esther. It is a story of tragedy and redemption. It is a story of rags to riches. It is a story of courage and wisdom. There are so many aspects to the story of Esther. She starts out orphaned and taken in by relatives and ends up saving her people, the Israelites from destruction. There is a yearly celebration, Purim, in honor of this amazing story of salvation. At a critical moment, Mordecai asked "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
I love how God uses the individuals that most of society would have ignored or wrote off. We may not recognize the greatness of an individual, but God does. He has set a plan in motion for each individual life.
Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O coastlands, to Me, And take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.
Psalms 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
Job 31:15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?
We are formed by the hands of God. Even in Genesis 2:4 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. God did not just speak man into existence, he formed them and breathed into their nostrils. We are special in His sight.
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
Esther was called for a purpose. SO are we. We all have a purpose. The basic purpose is to have a relationship with Jesus. We are also called to be examples of the believers. We are called to worship. We are called to pray. We are called to be kind one to another. We are called to bear the fruit of the Spirit. When we are faithful in these things, he gives us rule over bigger things. Luke 16:10.
I do not proclaim to know every purpose in every thing. But I do trust that God has a purpose for me.
We are created to be here, right now, in this exact place serving God.
I think many times, we underestimate our impact. We do impact everyone around us. I know my own mother often questioned her impact in life. But, when she passed away, there were so many people who were impacted, we lost count. There were people with stories to share about her important contributions to their lives. I know she never realized the impact she had. Never underestimate that little kind word or deed. Never underestimate even a smile.
God uses you just the way you are. He created you to be you. He gave you that personality and body to be used of Him.
Read about Esther.
Then think about your purpose.
Be faithful in the little things.
He will make them great.
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