The Festival of Purim

The Festival of Purim will be celebrated this year on March 19-20. I thought it would be good to learn more about this important Jewish holiday as we study the book of Esther this week.

When Haman threw the lot of the pur (3:7) to discover what day would be the best day to annihilate the Jews in Xerxes' kingdom, he unwittingly established a festival called Purim, when, instead of annihilation, the Jews celebrated their deliverance. Esther and her cousin Mordecai jointly worked to overturn Haman's plot and when they were successful, they sent out a proclamation to all the Jews living in Xerxes' kingdom to "celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy, and their mourning into a day of celebration" (9:21-22).

Worship and fasting typically make up the first day of the festival. The entire book of Esther is read aloud, and the congregation responds with, "Let his name be blotted out" each time Haman's name is read. The children in the group respond to Haman's name with noisemakers and rattles. On the second day of the feast, rejoicing and celebration break out. Food, music, dramas and plays, special songs, and recitals all add to the festive mood. People give gifts to each other and also make sure they don't forget to give gifts to the poor, as that was a special wish of Mordecai (9:22).

Like the Passover, the Feast of Purim celebrates divine deliverance. Saved from Pharaoh's rule and slavery in Egypt and delivered from the destruction planned by Haman, the Jews celebrated a deliverance that only God could have orchestrated. Previously doomed, they were now delivered.

As believers, we too have something to celebrate. Instead of a Moses or an Esther, God sent his own Son to deliver us, saving us from the terrible destruction of sin and death. Surely, that's reason enough to celebrate!

* Taken from Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler

BLOG QUESTION: What are you celebrating deliverance from?
Guilt, shame, perfectionism, anger, bitterness, depression, pride, laziness, unforgiveness, addiction, grief, abuse, selfishness, greed, etc.

Work Zone Begins...

Has God given you a major project He wants you to complete? Does it appear to be an impossible task? Are you feeling inadequate? Do you wonder where to begin? Do you fear failing God?

Nehemiah was devastated when he heard the troubling news that the walls of the city of Jerusalem were still in ruins. It had been almost 100 years since the first group of exiles had returned and nothing had been done to re-construct the walls. Without walls, a city was subject to raids and attacks from their enemies - and Jerusalem had plenty of those. It also represented an unstable establishment. Back in the day, Jerusalem was a bustling city - with its own king, army, commerce, etc. - now it was just a desolate and destroyed pile of rubble.

After much prayer, mourning and fasting, God reveals to Nehemiah that he, Nehemiah, was the one God wanted to take on the project of rebuilding the wall. God had gifted Nehemiah with leadership skills and it was time to put these into action. Nehemiah asks and receives the king's permission to return to Jerusalem, where he leads a team of builders - against much opposition- in reconstructing the wall in only 52 days! A miracle that shocks the Jew's enemies who finally realize "that this work had been done with the help of (our) God" (Nehemiah 6:16).

What are you "building" for God? Is there a "work zone" He has you in today? Maybe you're not reconstructing an entire city wall, but if it's an assignment from God, it is just as important! Let's look at four things we must consider, as Nehemiah did, when undertaking a God-sized project:

1) Prayer - Never underestimate the importance of prayer in all areas of life. Prayer is the first and most important step in any project. Nehemiah was faithful in prayer and took it seriously. He prayed about the situation with the wall (1:4-10). He prayed before he answered the king (2:4b). He prayed instead of returning insults and taunts from the enemies (4:4-6). He prayed after receiving threats of attack (4:7-9) and he prayed for strength in Nehemiah 6:9. Nehemiah went to God first - included God in his plans, put the results in God's hands and relied on God for emotional and physical stability. Do you consult with God before starting an assignment or do you tend to just dive in? Do you take matters into your own hands when you face opposition? Where do you turn when you're under pressure - physically and emotionally?

2) Preparation - Nehemiah had to prepare for his three-month trip back to Jerusalem by getting permission to leave his position as the king's personal advisor and get proper paperwork in order to pass through enemy territory. Once he arrived, he prepared himself mentally by spending three days surveying the damage and seeking God's guidance and direction. Although God had gifted him with leadership qualities, Nehemiah still acknowledged his dependence on God. As opposition rose and threats of attack ensued, Nehemiah had to prepare for both physical and spiritual warfare. How are you preparing? Are you consulting with God in prayer before you begin anything? Are you taking steps toward the goal or waiting for someone else to step up and solve the problem? Are you prepared for the attacks you will encounter whenever you commit to God's assignment? Many things we do for God's purposes will require acts of faith.

3) Priorities - Nehemiah knew what God had assigned him to do and dispite opposition, distractions and attempted derailment - Nehemiah refused to compromise God's plan. He knew what his task was and he set out to complete it- and with God's help - in record time! The Enemy will try all kinds of ploys to get our priorities out of balance and our focus off the task at hand. We may eventually find ourselves far away from the "work zone" and on a detour away from the job all together. It's amazing what can be accomplished when our work and priorities are devoted to the Lord.

4) Perseverance - Nehemiah is one of the best examples of a man committed to a vision and to encouraging others to join him in fulfilling that vision. The laborers were working around the clock, with a sword in one hand and a shovel in the other. They were getting tired of the taunts and ridicule from their enemies. They were reminded daily of how impossible this task was. Their perseverance was beginning to waver. As the great leader he was, Nehemiah reminds them - "...Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight..." (4:14). Just when we are tempted to give up, God provides a "Nehemiah" in our life to give us the push we need to make it to the end. Are you that person?

Maybe God has given you the gift of leadership. Are you using it to do a task He's assigned to you? Nehemiah is a great role model for godly leadership qualities: He demonstated total confidence in God. He was faithful in prayer. He refused to compromise and he had a willingness to share in the work.

Just remember - seemingly impossible tasks can be accomplished when God is helping those who honor Him and when their efforts are united!

BLOG QUESTION: Of the four things to consider when taking on a project from God - Prayer, Preparation, Priorities and Perserverence 1) what things come natural to you? and 2) what things are a struggle?

Obstacles to Obedience

Can you relate to the Israelites as they allow their enemies to pressure them into not completing God's work? Are you able to identify the obstacles that stand in the way of your own obedience? With excitement and a restored commitment to God, the once exiled Jews have returned to their homeland of Jerusalem and are eager to begin rebuilding and restoring God's temple.

As we study the book of Ezra this week, we realize that there has always been and always will be people who oppose God's work. The Jews have just celebrated the completion of the foundation (Ezra 3) and look forward to rebuilding the entire temple; God's dwelling place. But their neighbors have different plans. Through a series of letters to and degrees from the reigning authorities, the construction of the temple comes to a halt. For the next 14 years, nothing is done to restore the once magnificent house of the Lord.

The Enemy, as well as the Israelites enemies, used three obstacles that caused them to quit; to not finish what they had started and what they had been told to do - restore the temple.

1) Discouragement - "Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah .... " (Ezra 4:4a). Discouragement eats away at our motivation. Discouragement leads to disappointment, depression and despair...just what the Enemy wants - whatever it takes to keep us from completing God's work.

2) Fear - "...and make them afraid to go on building" (Ezra 4:4b). Fear leads to paralysis; the grip of fear takes over and leaves us motionless. The Israelites feared their neighboring enemies more than they trusted their God. Has fear kept you from stepping out and obeying God?

3) Frustration - " They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans/purpose...." (Ezra 4:5). Frustration causes us to just give up and quit. Give up was exactly what the Israelites did and how it pleased the Enemy as well as the adversaries around them.

Can you relate? Have you "quit" God's work because you've been discouraged, fearful and/or frustrated? Maybe someone let you down. Maybe hurtful words were exchanged? Maybe you doubt you could ever do anything good for God, so you've never tried. Whatever the case, the real question today is, How long did you stay discouraged, fearful and frustrated? Is it permanent? Are you still struggling with completing God's work? You may not be building a physical temple, but whatever God has asked you to do, He's waiting (patiently) for you to complete.

Fourteen years have passed since the Jews stopped working on the temple - enter Haggai, a prophet God uses to speak to His people (Haggai 1:1-15). During these past 14 years, the people have been busy building and beautifying their own homes and neighborhoods, while God's temple still lies in ruins. Through Haggai's message, God challenges and convicts the people to ignore their neighbor's threats and resume the restoration of God's house. The people heard and obeyed (Haggai 1:12) and in verse 13, God reminds them, "...I am with you..."

It only took 23 days from the time of Haggai's message for the Israelites to start rebuilding. What about you? When you hear a convicting and motivating message, how long does it take you to respond? Let me be your Haggai today. Don't let the obstacles to obedience -discouragement, fear and frustration - keep you from completing God's work. Be reminded of His Word:

"Let not your heart be troubled (discouraged). Trust in God...." John 14: 1.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

and finally, God never gives up on us - His workmanship (Eph. 2:10) - "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

BLOG: Will you be a Haggai to someone this week? Share with us your message of encouragement that God may use it to motivate them to stick with it and complete the work God has given them...Thanks!

Your "Life Sentence"

Attended a family reunion lately? Shared laughs and memories as you reminisced years gone by with favorite family members? Unfortunately for many of us, these times usually take place at a loved ones funeral. Nevertheless, reunions are important. They are times of touching and connecting with other branches of the family tree, tracing one's personal history back through time and culture. Knowing one's genetic and relational path gives a sense of identity, heritage and destiny.

With the same purpose, the writer of Chronicles begins his unifying work with an extensive geneaology. He traces the roots of the nation of Israel in a literary family reunion from Adam onward. We read in I Chronicles and gain a glimpse of God at work through His people for generations. If you are a believer, these people are your ancestors, too!

If you were to randomly choose an ancester and look closely at their life, what kind of legacy would they have left? What kind of example were they to the next generation? How would you describe their life and did they contribute wisely to your own spiritual heritage?

Eventually your life will be summarized in a single sentence. What will your "life sentence" be? If you live intentionally, people at your funeral won't be left to wonder. As I mentioned at the beginning, many of my reunion memories are from funerals. I have had the privilige to speak at both of my grandmother's funerals over the past few years. It was not difficult for me to come up with a sentence that summarized their lives. One was a strong woman with strong convictions and a strong character (although some would call it plain stubbornness!) The other was a quieter woman, but with the same desire and love for God. Both of these women are part of my spiritual heritage and have left a lasting impression to all who were honored to know them.

Your life is your greatest legacy and you've only got one, so make it count. Here are four things we should strive to leave:
1) A legacy of excellence. In his book, Leadership Gold, John Maxwell has a chapter entitled, "Don't send your ducks to eagle school." In it he writes, "Ducks are not supposed to be eagles - nor do they want to be. Who they are is who they should be. Ducks have their area of expertise, that's where they excel." Do what God created you to do and do it with excellence.

2) A legacy of encouragement. It's said, "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others cause happiness whenever they leave." Are you the kind of person someone will call ten or twenty years from now and say, "Thanks, I couldn't have made it without you?" Don't wait until it's too late to encourage others with your words and/or kind deeds.

3) A legacy of purpose. We're most energized when we're investing our strengths and talents into a God-given purpose. So make your life about something bigger than yourself. You won't live forever, but you can live on through the impact your make now in the lives of others. William James said it well, "The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it."

4) A legacy of love. Jon Gordon says, "My Mom..passed away a few years ago..I don't recall her faults and mistakes or the disagreements we had. After all, who's perfect? What I do remember..was her love. She gave me a legacy of love that will embrace generations to come." What better legacy can we leave than to share the love of God with everyone we meet?

What is your "life sentence"? How will people describe you one day? What is the spiritual heritage you are passing on to the next generation? It's not too late to start!

Blog Question: 1) Share with us a person from your spiritual heritage who left lasting legacy and/or 2) What are you doing to prepare your legacy for the next generation?