April 18, 2024

If We Keep Quiet

October 16, 2015 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

Hathach came back and related Mordecai’s words to Esther.  Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to Mordecai:  “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.”  

So Hathach gave Esther’s message to Mordecai.  Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed.  If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die.  Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”  

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”

So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

Esther 4:9-17 NLT

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Esther is one of my favorite books of the bible.  I love the story line and how it reads like a romance novel.  In this chapter of the book, there has been an evil plan that will end in the Jews losing their lives.  Mordecai is Esther’s uncle and he has begged her to save them by going to the king and telling him of the plan.  However Esther knows that if she dares go before the king, without being summoned, she is likely to be killed.  Big risk!

Can you imagine not being able to go to your husband that you have grown to love dearly unless he calls you?  And, in this passage, the king hasn’t summoned her in about 30 days.  She is a little afraid, really.  (Wouldn’t you be?)  She sends a message back to Mordecai saying that it’s too dangerous.  After hearing his reply and thinking more about it, she comes to the conclusion that either way she could die…so why not choose the role of hero.  She also knows that her God is bigger than all of this and she would rather trust Him and obey what she feels He would ask of her.

We all have fears and anxiety.  If we let them, they can consume us and actually keep us from the calling that God has placed on our lives.  And what if we, like Esther, are called to do something big, too.  For this season, in this time, you could be changing lives for the kingdom.  Saving people simply by sharing the good news of Jesus!  And if there is any question in your mind about “if” you are called to tell all who will listen,  then, may you be reminded that Jesus calls everyone to go into the world and tell of Him.  This decision to follow Him is life.

And then He told them,
“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
Mark 16:15

So today, I pray that God will show us those who need to hear the hope of Him.  And that He will give us all the courage to step out and share all that He has done for us.  I celebrate with you today that we have Him as our Father!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let us pray: Dear God, we thank You for giving us the opportunity to live in a free country where speaking Your name is not met with punishment but well received.  Thank You for continuing to bless us and for the free gift of grace that is free.  We don’t deserve it; yet You forgive our every sin.  Lord, today, I pray that You will reveal to each one of us those around us who need to hear Your name and the hope that we have in You.  Give us the wisdom and the courage to share this good news so that when You do come back to get us, Lord, we will all be ready!  We love You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Filed Under: encouragement Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Go Tell It On The Mountain

December 22, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn

Written by: John W Work Jr./ Fredrick Jerome Work 1907

   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God,
and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.
Luke 1:19 HCSB

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,
for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people:
Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord,
was born for you in the city of David.
Luke 2:9-11 HCSB

Today, I’m taking it old school. I grew up listening to this song sung by gospel choirs and country artists.  It is meant to be belted out in joy and adoration!

To me, this song conveys the joy and the hope, along with the excitement and the message of Christmas.  I love the simplicity of the words and the depth of their meaning.  This is what Christmas was intended to be—a time of great joy and sharing.

Too often we get caught up in the trappings of Christmas and forget it’s purpose.  Many people do not fully understand the importance of Christmas.  They get lost in the hustle and bustle.  Sometimes, we ourselves get lost in all the Christmas preparations and forget the real reason we celebrate.  Luke 2:11 reminds us of the “good news…for all people.”  The birth of our Savior is news we need to celebrate and share, especially at this time of year.

Mark 16:15 (NLT) instructs us to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”  To ‘preach’ simply means to share.  Psalm 96:3 (AMP) says we are to “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.”  We are to go and tell so others can share our great joy.  Such joy should be too great to contain.  When we share His glory with other, Christ’s light shines through us, creating a beauty within us.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald,
who proclaims peace,
who brings news of good things,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!
Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings!
[How welcome is the coming of those who preach the good news of His good things!]
Romans 10:15b AMP

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Lord, as we celebrate the wonders of Your birth, may we keep our focus on the Good News Christmas represents and not be hesitant to share our joy with others. In Your Holy name we pray, Amen – it is so!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

February 12, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

O soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His word shall not fail you He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well.
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

~  Helen H. Lemmel, 1922  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The inspiration for Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, which Helen entitled ‘The Heavenly Vision’, came from the writings of author and artist Lilias Trotter (1853-1928), a brilliant artist whose talent opened the doors to wealth and influence. Her other love was missions. After struggling in prayer for two years, she laid down her love of art in order to fix her eyes solely on Jesus and on His calling to the mission field. She served for more than 38 years as a missionary to the Muslims of Algeria. She also authored several books and tracts. The following is an excerpt from her tract, “Which Passion Will Prevail?”

“Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen harmless worlds at once — art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the good hiding the best.” It is easy to find out whether our lives are focused, and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day? Dare to have it out with God, and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His Glory. Turn your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him.”

Life gets busy, and even crazy! But whenever I sing this song, my eyes focus on Jesus, and I do find refreshing in “life more abundant and free.” This is what Jesus desires for us each and every day.

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Hebrews 12:1,2

There are others who are “weary and troubled” in the darkness of life.   Jesus commands us to share His light with them too.
Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
Mark 16:15

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Lord, I don’t want the good of life to hide Your best.  Help me focus on “Your wonderful face,” and do what You say, go where You call, and share with those You lead me to.  You promised Your Word would never fail me, so I’m turning my eyes on You, Lord.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

God and Life Balance: Take God With You

January 13, 2013 by

Hello Friends!

This is week 2 of learning HOW to be successful with balancing your relationship with God and other things in your life. Today our focus is going to be on taking God with you throughout your day.

Do you do this already? If so… good for YOU!!!!! It’s not something that comes naturally for us to do and it takes some work on your part to make it a habit. Let’s dive right in and take a closer look at HOW we can keep God with us throughout our day, no matter where we go or what crazy situations we find ourselves in!

 

girl on rocks

1. Pray

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always,  pray continually,give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I want to challenge you not to limit your prayer time to when you wake up or when you go to bed… or even before you eat a meal. God calls us to pray, to stay in constant communication with Him throughout the day. He cares about your school day and even your soccer practices…. your time with friends and even the guy you like in 6th period. He wants you to talk to Him about your concerns at home and even about what to wear to prom! He cares about you that much, dear heart….. and wants to hear from you more than you know!

2. Be Still with God

I know you are super busy. I know you move from one class to the next and one activity to the next all day long. But, in His Word, God calls us to take time to be still.

Hebrews 4:10-11

…for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Throughout your day, you are bombarded with information and noise which make it pretty impossible to hear from God. As you are able to give yourself time in your schedule, God will certainly meet you right where you are and help you rest and feel balanced through His promises. Please, dear sister… make a commitment to make room in your schedule to be still with your Heavenly Father.

3. Share The Good News!

Mark 16:15

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

God calls us in His Word to share His good news through all the earth. Do you talk with your friends about God? What about your relationship with Him? I know those types of conversations can be hard to start-up, but I do know that God will guide you and give you the perfect words to say if He nudges you to share about Him! I think that is a pretty awesome way to keep God with you during your day and to help stay balanced. Not only will that keep Him on your mind and your heart, but I know it will make Him so happy to know You care about Him enough to tell people about how He has changed your life! What a blessing!

Next Sunday, I will be back and ready to talk to you all about Accountability and how that fits in with your God and Life Balance. I hope you will come back and let me know how everything is going as you work on maintaining balance in your life every day! This will certainly help to prepare you for the GCH:decaf new online Bible study of NOT A FAN starting in just a few weeks!

Let’s Pray:

Father God, thank You for being with each of us everyday as we strive to walk in step with You and Your will. Come with us, Lord. Be with us all day long as we do our best for Your Glory. We ask for Your wisdom in discerning what changes You might have us make in order to have more time to be still with You and keep You with us always. We love You and thank You for this mighty provision. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen <3

 

Blessings to you all,

 

Megan 🙂

 

*****************************************

If you are interested in more information about GCH:decaf, email us at: GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

If you would like to send a personal message to Megan, you may email her at: Megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

 

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,