"Only Life Changes"

Father God let this encourage someone not to give up and to move forward in all that they say and do for Your glory today in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
What is cool about walking with God is that we don’t go where we think we are going each day. Each day is a new day full of blessings worth being thankful for. Life happens God’s way.
( Apostle Paul is laser-focused on the race, the goal, and the finish line of his journey of faith.)In the Christian life, we run the race of faith. We don’t strive for the crown that only one can receive. We strive to finish strong in our faith. God makes us all winners when we cross the line.
“Crossing the starting line may be an act of courage, but crossing the finish line is an act of faith. Faith is what keeps us going when nothing else will. Faith is the emotion that will give you victory over your past, the demons in your soul, & all of those voices that tell you what you can & cannot do & can & cannot be.”

{“The finish line is the culmination of a journey. As such, we should never pay it so much attention that the culmination of the journey becomes the whole of the journey at the expense of the journey.” © Craig D. Lounsbrough quote)
Walking in faith is choosing to believe God long before the finish line is in sight. Walking in faith is demonstrating faithfulness to show up and faithfully serve God with what we’ve been given. Trusting that if He is going to work the miracle He will do it using the limited offerings we bring.
It reads in Philippians 3:13-14 NIV Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We cannot interpret these words to mean that for Paul the past counts for nothing. Rather this is a statement about the overall outlook of Paul’s life. On balance, the future was more important to him, more in his thinking, than the past. The way this is recorded in Scripture, suggests that this should be our outlook too.
It reads in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, ~ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that I am Your child. I want to live my life the way that You have ordained and run the race that You have set before me. Guide me to press on towards the goal of my calling in Christ Jesus, trusting in Him to overcome every problem, disappointment and challenge I may face. I believe that in the power of Your Holy Spirit I may conduct my Christian life in spirit and in truth. Guide me to exercise self-control and to consider the needs of others before my own. Guide me to endure patiently in the trials of life, life godly in Christ Jesus and run the race that is set before me in Your Precious Name Jesus Amen.

{Power Verse}
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

Proverbs 6:6

Father God, let this touch someone’s heart and let them know they are loved in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
And above all this put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14

I remember when I was younger there was this girl with short blond curly hair. She would be mean to us; call us names and we would actually walk on the other side of the street to keep away from her. This one day she followed me and as I was going in the house, she was calling me names. I would ignore her and go in the house. We had tried to be friends and talk nice to her. But she just yelled at us. I thought maybe she just had something wrong with her. Then days went by, and I didn’t see her. Couldn’t understand, but I was enjoying that peaceful walk home. Just saying. We found out from a friend she had passed away. I was upset. I should of prayed from my heart instead of letting fear get the best of me. But who knew. No one taught me to pray from my heart that young. I remember talking to God from my heart though. I felt it when I was just not thinking it. When things was hard not easy I say inside me God help me. Or Oh thank you when something worked out. But you know no matter what someone else does or says pray from your heart always. Cause you do not know what they are going through. I have learned over the years to ask questions even if someone yells in my face. Sometimes its God’s way of telling me to be still and pray for that person and to encourage and bless them in what ever they are going through. Or guide someone who can assist them in what they are going through.
God’s word speaks often about God’s acceptance of us and how we should be accepting of others. When Jesus walked on earth, He was our perfect example of accepting others, no matter their sin or choices. Jesus extended grace and forgiveness to all, and we are commanded to do the same! Accept your people for who they are. The people in your life may or may not have values and habits that are similar to your own. If you re out there in your neighborhood put on love. If you know someone is having it rough ask them if they need any assistance or prayer. Appreciate others for what they do. If you have people in your life who love you, help you, and support you, try to express to them how grateful you are for their encouragement. Thank God for these gifts. God calls us to love others, just as He loves us. We show love to others by forgiving, accepting and honoring them. We can only love others when we are full of God’s love. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” “John 13:34” The bottom line is that simple (not big and glorious) acts of kindness are effective ways of loving others like Jesus. None of these are glamorous. None of them will get you recognized in church. God will bless, compassionately love those and God answers their prayers and you see the blessings from your prayers to God working in others’ lives. This is being the family of God. We are all His treasure and HIs children (The Church).

Here is an ideal project. Help your child place all the small hearts face down in a circle around the large heart. We can teach our children the benefits of prayer and love for others. Have your child turn over the large heart first. Explain that Jesus loves him so much that He puts people in his life, people who love him and whom he can love. When we love Jesus, it helps us to love others. Like you can also make a bunch of large hearts and put his or hers friends name on each heart. So they can see that each friend is just as important as he or she is. If your child should see that a child fell while he is out. You can teach him or her to say Jesus please heal that little boy. When my children was growing up it was easier to teach them to pray and follow Jesus. Once the world get’s them we pray for God to keep them safe, guide Christians in their path to encourage and bless them. We can’t help their choices. Only pray they make the right ones. Amen.

{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for Your Word. I need to have a gentle spirit of compassion, humility and love into my life so that I may be an example of a godly believer and help me Lord to apply this in my life give You all the glory. Let me help those less fortunate than me with the knowledge You have given me to share. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

{Power Verse}
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

“Everything Is God’s”
Father God, let this touch someone’s heart in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
“If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
It reads in 1 Corinthians 3:17-23, ~ No one will get by with vandalizing God’s temple, you can be sure of that. God’s temple is sacred, and you, remember, are the temple. Don’t fool yourself. Don’t think that you can be wise merely by being up to date with the times. Be God’s fool – that’s the path to true wisdom. What the world calls smart, God calls stupid. It’s written in Scripture; He exposes the chicanery of the chic. The Master sees through the smoke screens of the know-it-alls. I don’t want to hear any of you bragging about yourself or anyone else. Everything is already yours as a gift, Paul, Apollos, Peter, the world, life, death, the present, the future, all of it is yours, and you are privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with God.

Christians believe the spirit of God lives within and the body houses the Holy Spirit. To keep a healthy temple, it’s important to eat healthy foods, get the right amount of sleep and exercise. What do you need to do to give it the respect, love, and care that it deserves? Because our bodies belong to God, we should not use it in committing sin. Romans 6:13 says, “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So, use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Rest in the Lord’s presence. This is beyond physical and emotional rest – it’s about us spending time with God, who heals all diseases. Enjoy His presence daily. Rest in His love, and trust in His goodness to take care of you. Claim His promises and believe His Word. Remember, by Jesus’ stripes, we are healed. It reads in Isaiah 53:5,~But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I believe that I may abide in You and grow in grace so that day by day I may be conformed into Your image. So that I may become more and more like You. I thank You and praise You for the many warnings against worldliness and fleshly desires. Help me to press on for the upward call of eternity through Jesus Christ. I want to become one whose focus is on Jesus. My desire is to live and work for Your honor and glory. I love You, Thank You, praise You in Your Precious Name Jesus Amen.

{Power Verse}
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

Father God, let this touch someone’s heart in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
Let me say thank you to all the mothers out there in this life who do their best and work hard for their families. You are precious and a child of God and God looks on you as His princess. {All glorious is the princess in her chamber; her gown is embroidered with gold. All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. Psalm 45:13}
It reads in Matthew 6:25-34, ~ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Now my nephew brought me a black bird he found that fell on the ground Friday. I took a plant container and put cedar bedding in the container and rest it on its side. Rest the little bird on the cedar. I took a cover and put water. I took bird food and placed it on a saucer. The bird was sleeping by the time I was finished. I looked closely to make sure he was still breathing. I checked on him before I went to bed, and he was still sleeping. I got up Saturday morning and the bird had found his way out of the garage. We have openings on the on the roof on the side walls. This is a mother’s love. Always caring and concerned about the needs of others before herself. Amen.
I want to talk a little about Miriam and the encouragement that can be grasped in helping those in need, also how disobedience brings obedience and forgiveness working for God’s glory.
The sister of Moses and Aaron, “Miriam the prophetess” (It reads in Exodus 15:20,~ Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. ) was assigned to watch Moses when he lay as a baby in the bulrushes. Moses’ is older and married. Miriam and Aaron Opposes Moses. Moses was a humble man. The Lord spoke directly to Miriam and Aaron when they took pride in their prophetic gifts, and He cursed Miriam with leprosy (It reads in Numbers 12:1-16,~ Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this. (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. Humble means: having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance: ) At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them. When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous, it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!” The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back. After that, the people left Hazeroth and encamped in the Desert of Paran.} “Like what my mom told us growing up. You judge someone wrongfully, then you get it back double by someone who isn’t associated with the one you judged. She’d say think before you judge and put yourself in that person’s shoes first. Not everything is what it seems.” Miriam is later named as one of the three who helped lead the children of Israel out of Egypt: God speaks: “I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam” {It reads in Micah 6:4, ~ I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery . I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.} Learning that team work between the three makes a big difference and they was never alone on this journey. Reading the relationship between Moses and Aaron that God knows our hearts and our capabilities, and He places us in positions suited for us. Aaron had to humble himself to accept God’s choice, and Moses had to accept the help. By working together, the brothers and Miriam accomplished much more than either of them could do alone. By Aaron serving faithfully as the spokesman for Moses, Aaron compensated for his brother’s weakness and feelings of inadequacy. Aaron, in turn, was given “dignity and honor” It reads in Exodus 28:2. Because of their cooperation with each other and with the Lord, the nation of Israel survived a difficult and challenging time.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that sometimes You have to step in our sin to get us to snap out of it and to walk in righteousness. I thank You and praise You that You made Miriam a example of how we should walk so we don’t make You upset enough to show us the hard way out of our selfishness. I thank You and praise You that You can make a bad situation through us work out for Your glory and our good. I thank You and praise You for Your word of truth and the amazing way they all point to Jesus Christ, Who is the one and only way to You, and that by faith in the redemptive power of Jesus shed blood on the Cross, we may receive forgiveness of sin and life everlasting. I thank You and praise You that Jesus Christ ever lives to make intercession for His people and I believe that I too may learn to pray without ceasing, to give thanks in all things, and to love You with all my heart and soul and mind and strength and You fulfill our needs in our weakness. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Your Precious Name Jesus Amen.

{Power Verse}
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Proverbs 31:8

Father God let this encourage and touch someones heart today in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
May we see Esther’s life as an example of how to continue to follow God through both joyous and challenging seasons of life. Despite adversity that we will face, God has equipped and empowered us to overcome and accomplish the purposes good God has for us. I invite you to learn and be inspired by Esther in the Bible who never wavered in her commitment to following God. In the face of adversity, Queen Esther demonstrated amazing courage. Esther was courageous when she spoke to King Xerxes of Persia asking him to spare the life of the Jews. She knew that her speaking up would have consequences, but she spoke up anyway. Esther wanted to defend her people. To follow God with boldness, she was willing to let go of her position or status to be led by God and follow out his calling.
It reads in Read Esther Chapters 1-4, ~
“Queen Vashti Deposed”
It reads in Esther 1:1 -22, ~ This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present. For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished. Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him, Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas, to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger. Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14 and were closest to the king Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom. “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.” Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.” The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.

“Esther Made Queen”
It reads in Esther 2:1-18,~ Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it. Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem. Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her. Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name. When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.

“Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy”
It reads in Esther 2:19-23, ~ When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.

Haman’s Plot to Destroy the Jews
It reads in Esther 3-1-15, ~ After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.” So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.” Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people all Haman’s orders to the king’s satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring. Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, women and children, on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day. The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.
“Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help”
It reads in Esther 4:1-17,~ When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

{To all woman out there in this life. I want to know whether teens, single women in general, mom’s, grandmothers, Great grandmothers on and on. All women. God will equip you with all you need to courageously live out the calling He has placed on your life. Similarly, to Esther who rose to speak on behalf of the Jews, we must rise up and take our rightful place. With tenacity and zeal, I invite you step out and fulfill the specific assignment that God has for you. Same for men who respect and honor their lives and others. Mordecai respected and was dedicated to Esther his adopted daughter that he loved and cared for. We can learn from Esther’s story the value and importance of standing up for what is right, even when we are standing alone.}
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that no problem we face in our life, church fellowship, local community, or nation, is too difficult for You and that You are the God of the possible and impossible. I thank You and praise You for Esthers boldness and encouragement. I thank You and praise You for Your truth and the book of Esther and the wonderful way that You used her and Mordecai to prevent the annihilation of the Jewish nation during the time of the Persian empire. I rejoice to see how their faith and hope in You was rekindled, and that despite their many failings, You used them to forward Your redemptive plan. Put us into families and set a father as the leader and role model for each family, but Lord, there are many families that are being torn apart by a spouse and or parent that has become addicted to alcohol, drugs or something worse. Knowing the damaging home wrecking stuff and the nature of this disease, I believe that You would prompt each one to turn away from this evil habit to become the responsible spouse and or parent that You desire each one to be. Lord Jesus, we know that there are many alcoholic spouses that abuse their spouses both physically and emotionally and that many children are also placed in danger due to abuse from an alcoholic spouse. And also Lord, we know that such drinking habits can often leave families with insufficient money to live on and poverty stricken. Protect all those that are vulnerable from all forms of abuse, and convict such people of the responsibilities of being loving spouse’s and dependable parents. We are believing that they turn from their evil ways to turn to You Lord Jesus, knowing that only in You is true freedom found. I commit all families that are in this position into Your safe-keeping in Your Precious Name Jesus Amen.

{Power Verse}
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Luke 11:28

Father God, let this touch someone’s heart in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

Mary, the mother of Jesus was an incredible woman who followed God with strength and boldness. Her “yes” and trusting God’s plan for her life allowed for her to give birth to Jesus, the Messiah. Despite extraordinary circumstances, Mary decided to trust God without understanding. Her tenacity, strength, and unwavering commitment proved to be one of the greatest decisions of her life and for the Christian faith. When God spoke to Mary through the angel Gabriel, she was a virgin, unmarried and afraid.

It reads in Luke 1:26-38, ~ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most ~ High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most ~ High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary, the mother of Jesus was an incredible woman who followed God with strength and boldness. Her “yes” and trusting God’s plan for her life allowed for her to give birth to Jesus, the Messiah. Despite extraordinary circumstances, Mary decided to trust God without understanding. Her tenacity, strength, and unwavering commitment proved to be one of the greatest decisions of her life and for the Christian faith. When God spoke to Mary through the angel Gabriel, she was a virgin, unmarried and afraid. Although Mary was afraid and faced uncertainty, she trusted God’s plan for her life and followed with faith, hope and trust. You may not have all the answers or don’t understand where God is taking you in this season, but I invite you to be encouraged by Mary’s example. Say “yes” to God’s plan for your life and be encouraged that He will strengthen you, provide guidance and always for fill His promises. Jesus Himself spoke very highly of John: “I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is” Matthew 11:11. Mary found out how it was to lose her son to the cross. Jesus didn’t want His Mother Mary to be alone. This account, found in John 19:25-27, tells us that the Lord Jesus entrusted His earthly mother, Mary, into the care of John, His disciple. Why did He do that, and what can we learn from this act? Many Christians, in an overzealous attempt to refute false beliefs regarding Mary’s identity, falsely claim that Christ did not really care for her. It reads in John 19:25-27, ~ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

{Let’s Pray}

Father God, I thank You and praise You for the beautiful girl Mary Jesus’s mother that You used her to bring the Lord Jesus into the world. She surely loved Jesus with the special love and bond of a mother to her child, but she also rejoiced in Him as her Lord and Savior. I thank You and praise You for Jesus and for the wonderful way that You used the nation of Israel to protect and carry the Seed of Christ through the generations. I thank You and praise You for the wonderful miracle of new life in Jesus Christ that only could come because You sent Your only begotten Son to be born and die so that I may be reborn and live eternal life. You loved Jesus and Mary so much that You gave John whom You loved so much Mother Mary to be taken care of by him. Abba Father I am believing for those who have lost loved ones, that You will guide others in their life to help them cope. I am believing healing for mothers who have to go through this holiday with broken hearts, guide them to look to You for comfort and peace. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Your Precious Name Jesus Amen.

{Power Verse}
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs15:33

Father God, let others see that their prayers reach to eternity. Let this touch someone’s heart and soul today in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
All of us know elderly people who have touched our hearts one way or another. I remember this elderly lady that walked across Gosling Rd to Woodlands Church, and she would go to the chapel every Sunday. We asked her if she wanted a ride first time, we saw her, and she said no. Just walking to church, she was walking in God’s light and being a light to others. Some people just don’t understand the elderly when they are older are either like a child or they just need special care. Elderly people never give up on us. They may not be able to do all that they used to, but they do their best. God knows this most of all. Can you think of elderly people that you know that you could just say to them I am proud of you and give them a hug and just know you are going to be where they are at one day? Just saying. I have had a lot of elderly people in my path all through my past. I thank God for all of them. They have taught me a lot.

It reads in 1 Timothy 5:17, ~The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
I want to speak of a elderly woman Anna that was an 84-year-old widow who was present when Jesus was taken to the temple as a baby. Luke wrote that she “departed not from the temple, but served God with fasting’s and prayers night and day.” When she saw the baby, she “gave thanks, unto the Lord, and spoke of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem”
It reads in Luke 2:36-38,~ There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Anna was dedicated and she was a child of God. Can you just imagine all her prayers God answered because of her love for Jesus and others she knew. Anna loved the Lord Jesus with all her heart and embraced His love for her.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for Your word of truth. I really can comprehend that God the Son would lay aside His heavenly glory and be willing to come to earth, be born as a little baby, and live a perfect life, so that He could die a sacrificial death for the sin of the world. I thank You and praise You that Anna believed and prayed for You Lord Jesus and being a elderly woman showed glory and eternity from Your perspective. I thank You and praise You that Anna’s prayer to You is still influencing us to this day. I thank You and praise You for Jesus’s wonderful example of obedience through You and thank You that He demonstrated to us how to live a life that was totally dependent on You Lord. I believe that like the Lord Jesus, I would grow in grace and increase in wisdom and understanding, for Your praise and glory. I believe that I would learn to say, without hesitation, “Thy will not mine be done in all things.” I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Your Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
Proverbs 16:17

Father God, let this touch someone’s heart today, especially those that don’t believe women can be leaders. Thank You for Your truths in this bible in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

I think it is amazing how women were dedicated in the old times that still encourage to this day bring encouragement to all women who believe in God, including myself. Praise God for Deborah’s courage and commitment to God. At this time, Israel’s judge was a woman named Deborah. Oh, don’t be surprised, well you could. She was a prophetess, yes, women, like Moses, and Moses’ sister Miriam; they were prophets. Judges 4 is an historical account of God’s deliverance of Israel through Deborah, Barak, and Jael. It began with the children of Israel once again doing evil in the sight of the LORD. They started again once the current righteous judge died, which was Ehud. When Israel stopped serving the LORD, the LORD would make them serve their enemies.

It reads in Judges 4:1-24,~

Again, the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim. Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help. Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’” Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. There Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali, and ten thousand men went up under his command. Deborah also went up with him. Now Heber the Kenite had left the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, and pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh. When they told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, Sisera summoned from Harosheth Haggoyim to the Kishon River all his men and his nine hundred chariots fitted with iron. Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him. At Barak’s advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot. Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth Haggoyim, and all Sisera’s troops fell by the sword; not a man was left. Sisera, meanwhile, fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was an alliance between Jabin king of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite. Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come, my lord, come right in. Don’t be afraid.” So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. “I’m thirsty,” he said. “Please give me some water.” She opened a skin of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him up. “Stand in the doorway of the tent,” he told her. “If someone comes by and asks you, ‘Is anyone in there?’ say ‘No.’” But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died. Just then Barak came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. “Come,” she said, “I will show you the man you’re looking for.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple, dead. On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites. And the hand of the Israelites pressed harder and harder against Jabin king of Canaan until they destroyed him.
“She exclaims, “Awake, awake, Deborah!” With all of the turmoil in the world these days, we can relate to Deborah as a role model who lived in troubled times. After twenty years of oppression, while most of her people cowered in fear, God awakened within her a zeal to do something. The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.”
It reads in Judges 5:7-12,~ Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel. God chose new leaders when war came to the city gates, but not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel. My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the LORD! “You who ride on white donkeys, sitting on your saddle blankets, and you who walk along the road, consider the voice of the singers at the watering places. They recite the victories of the LORD, the victories of his villagers in Israel. “Then the people of the LORD went down to the city gates. ‘Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, Barak! Take captive your captives, son of Abinoam.’

{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for the great example of Deborah who was ready and willing to be used by You in the most difficult of circumstances. I thank You and praise You for the truths of Your word and for the encouragement of Deborah, still teaching us that You are a faithful God Who is long suffering towards Your people and ready to forgive the sins of those that call out to You in humble repentance, in times of trouble. I thank You and praise You that Deborah was leading, she made clear the importance of glorifying You, in her actions. She knew that You God, used and elevated her to accomplish Your purposes, and she ensured that You would continue to be glorified. Use me, I believe in Your service, no matter what the cost may be, and keep me low at the Cross and broken before You and give You all the glory. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}

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

Father God, let this touch someone’s heart in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

Having a happy heart sometimes hard isn’t the word for it. But we can choose to be happy. How? Looking to the good and looking to our knowledge of what we really like to do. Sing, dance, do a sport you like to do, do a hobby you like to do or really want to do. You can even get others to join in on the fun. If you are healing, look to doing what you like to do as you heal. Measure your strengths each day as you heal so you can keep a tab on your improvements. There is every day have to do stuff that can be annoying. But we can also make that fun. By looking forward to what we really want to do can make the annoying stuff go by faster.

It reads in Proverbs 17:22, ~ A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. “This phrase here crushed spirit means the spirit as “crushed” or “broken down;” that is, as in the other phrase, a spirit that is oppressed by sin or trouble. The world blooms with instances of those who can fully understand this language.”

It reads in Psalm 68:3, ~ But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God.

{Our minds can heal our body and choose to be happy with the powerful mind God has given us as a gift. Amen!}

{Let’s Pray}

Father God, we give this day to You to use Your will for our life. I thank You and praise You that others and myself can call on You in times of trouble or illness or loneliness and know that You are always there to hear and answer, to heal and comfort and help. I believe that You would help me to really apply this truth in my life, not just when I am sick, but every day. Guide me to learn to go each day with a cheerful outlook and whatever comes my way look to You in its goodness and truth. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 2:26

Father God, let this touch someone’s heart in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
“It reads in Luke 11:1, ~ And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
Being alone and just freeing your mind from all the clutter. Sometimes this is so hard. I will take a walk in the woods and take my camera. I free my mind of every thought. It becomes easier as I do this. I will walk and take pictures. God sends different things in my path to just take a picture. By the time I am done with my walk I am done taking pictures. Do I talk to God? Yes! I say oh thank you Dear Blessed Lord Jesus for guiding that crane in my path to take his picture. My mind is clear, and I am focusing on all that God has for me on the walk. I get some amazing pictures. Not like what God lets me see though. I can find quiet time with God even if I am busy. I can find peace in Him as I go about my day and feel His peace and presence. I can pray for the love of Jesus to heal or fill someone’s heart in a way they will know His presence. You ever hear the saying? “God is just a breath away.” I ask God to put peace in my heart. He does. People say if you pray for patients, God is going to give You trouble. Not so. Once you know God is just a breath away and you pray honorably. He is right up in your business. If you pray bad for others, even for yourself it will happen just the way you predicted but even worse it will come back on you hard. Just saying. For Christians, that means there is no such thing as going it alone. God lives inside us and will remain until we get to heaven, where we will meet him face to face. That’s a tough truth to believe to those who don’t believe.
The Bible reads that Jesus found an unoccupied mountain which allowed Him the opportunity to be alone with His Father. He ascended the mountain, and the sun began to set. As the evening drew nigh and was upon Him, there He was in the cool of the night with His Father, alone in prayer. We spend time alone with God and in corporate worship for the best nourishment. Without time alone with God, we will find needs unmet; we will not truly know the abundant life He gives. Spending time alone with God rids our minds of distraction so that we can focus on Him and hear His Word. If you are among those who had a bad experience with a local church, or several, there is that pull to withdraw and walk with God alone. However, there is value in being a part of a living and growing body of Christ that is beyond measure. Can I walk with God alone? It is important to recognize just what is meant by this question. God didn’t stop there. He didn’t create man to be in community with him alone. After he created the world and Adam, God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” It reads in Genesis 2:18-25, ~ The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So, the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So, the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
We can pray for someone who is deathly ill and watch as days go by, and they make a total turn around and are healthy. We can pray for someone’s marriage to be healed and months down the line see the marriage blooming. Isn’t this the best adventure to be on with God? Watch and pray as God springs into action and every day is a great exploration that never grows old. As the Holy Spirit opens our heart, mind and soul we come alive with God. With God we gain knowledge of His love and Salvation that awaits us. As we grasp His truths and promises as God advances His work in us.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for Your word. I thank You and praise You for Your never-ending love for all Your children that You pursue peace for us. I thank You and praise You that You grow all Your children to become mature and whole in You. Let me bring forth fruit, more and more fruit, much more fruit to glorify You. I listen to Your voice, hear Your promises and grow more and more in Your faith. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 1 Peter 2:2