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?

Worshiping America's Idols

Have you bowed down to any false gods lately? Have you been influenced by those around you and find yourself following after what they "worship"? Granted, we may not build golden calves or pray to dead saints, but we must admit that we live in a very "idol" oriented society. More on that in a minute......

The definition of an "idol" is any idea, ability, possession, activity or person that we regard more highly than God. As we continue our look at II Kings this week, we see where their obsession with idolatry finally cost them their freedom as a people and a nation. God's patience had run out with them. In II Kings 17, He allows Israel to be conquered by the Assyrians. 136 years later, He permits the Babylonians to capture the people of Judah. His people, the Israelites, who once gloried in a united-kingdom who worshiped the one True God and was blessed because of their obedience, has now been conquered and led into captivity because of their sin. Because they looked around and wanted to be like the other nations. They wanted to worship what the other nations worshiped. They wanted to be godless and corrupt people like their neighbors.

So how does this message relate to us today? Does America have its own idols? I believe so. Maybe not in the form we see in II Kings, but certainly ones that fit the definition. Let's look at a few:

1) Money - I once heard a lesson by Beth Moore who used the verses from Psalm 115:5-8 to describe the obsession our culture has with worshiping money. " But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet but they cannot walk.....Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." Beth related these verses with gold and silver coins and paper money. It has a mouth, but cannot speak, eyes, ears and noses, etc. This is the idol of money that we worship. The love of and obsession with money takes us away from God, our families and the kind of life God desires us to live. It becomes all some people can think about, work for and desire more of. We have allowed money to become a useless god.

2) People - We don't have to go far to see the obsession we have with celebrities, athletes, powerful and beautiful people and even with our own relationships. Millions of dollars are spent each year by those wanting to look like someone they "worship." Thousands of hours and tons of energy are spent by those trying to become the next great athlete - so they can acquire what? Fame and fortune! Hundreds of dollars are spent on a few hours in front of the latest, hottest, and loudest scream inducing performer, all so we can bow down and worship at their feet. We put people on pedestals and then wonder why we are so disappointed when they fall. We're worshiping the ability and the image of these people without really even knowing them personally.

3) Busyness - Oh the god of busyness. It's probably caught us all off guard at times. Not until we realize that our good deeds and full lives have created a separation between us and God rather than a closer relationship, do we see the need to slow down. Somehow we think the busier we are, the more impressed people (and God) will be with us. We look at the "super-women" around us and long to be like them. They always seem to have it all together. If only we could look, act, smell, talk, walk, etc. like her - our life would be fulfilled. But when that woman's family falls apart, her "all-togetherness" crumbles, her children rebel and her worshipers disappear, what do we have left to look up to?

Is our nation on the same path as Israel and Judah? Are we bowing down to so many false gods, that we've forgotten the real God who desires and deserves our true worship and devotion? Have we allowed the Enemy to slowly distract and deceive us? Whatever he can do to deviate our attention from God, he will do.

How long will God's patience last with us? "So the Lord was very angry with Israel (America) and removed them from his presence. Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel (America); he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of the plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence/ cast them out of his sight." II Kings 17:18,20

Blog Questions:
1) What are your thoughts? Are we living in the day when God has removed us from His presence as He did with Israel?

2) What other idols do you see Americans worshiping?

The Ultimate Source of Wisdom

We all want wisdom and knowledge, but do we know where to find it? Are we seeking worldly wisdom or godly wisdom? What are we doing with all the knowledge that is available to us?

In First Kings, we meet the next in line for the throne, David and Bathsheba's son, Solomon. In I Kings 3:9, Solomon asks God for wisdom and a discerning heart so that he could govern the people of Israel successfully. God was pleased with his request and grants him wisdom, along with great riches and honor.

So how do we gain wisdom? As we go through life, we discover there are many ways to gain widsom, such as: 1) Writing down and reflecting on what we've learned through our experiences. 2) Gleaning knowledge from others. "By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom" (Proverbs 13:10). 3) Thinking outside the box. It's ok to try doing things a new way. 4) Not rushing to closure. Growth is always a work-in progress. Creativity is untidy and unnerving. The ability to stay focused and faith-filled in the midst of change is a mark of wisdom and maturity.

But the ultimate source of wisdom is God! A young executive told his secretary he had an important meeting and didn't want to be interrupted. But his boss needed to see him and and walked in. When he found the young man on his knees praying, he withdrew quietly and asked the secretary, "Is this usual?" "Yes," she replied, "he does it every morning." "No wonder I come to him for advice! " said the boss.

Do others look to you for godly wisdom and advice? God is inviting us, just as He did Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you (I Kings 3:5). If you need wisdom, talk to God: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6). "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally...." (James 1:5). What does godly wisdom look like? James 3:17 describes "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peacable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." Does this describe what others see in you?

One of my favorite verses in all the Bible is Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will guide you/watch over you." God is ready to instruct and teach us. To give us godly wisdom that we can in turn share with others who are hurting and seeking encouragement. Have you gone to the ultimate source today?

Blog Question: Let's see how many verses we can find with the words wisdom and/or wise.

Sex, Murder, Lies.....

"Military leader killed in line of duty; his wife has an affair with his Commander." "Man rapes his half-sister." "Man murdered by enraged half-sister's brother." "Man flees to escape revenge and his own death." "Son returns with plans to overthrow his father's throne." No, these are not themes for a new TV crime series or movie box-office hit, but they may have been the headlines in the Jerusalem Journal during the reign of King David!

The book of 2 Samuel highlights the vital importance of the choices we make. We learn that 1) blessing comes to us and those around us when we choose to obey God's commands. 2) There are always consequences to the sinful actions we choose to partake in and 3) When we choose to repent, our relationship with God is restored.

If you are familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12), you know their affair led to cover-up attempts and eventually, murder. God was displeased and disappointed with the choices David had made and intervenes before more damage is done by sending the prophet Nathan to confront David of his sin. David repents, God forgives; but the consequences remain. In David's life we see the grace of God in action and David's life also gives us a sobering look at sin in action.

How did David's sin affect him and those around him?
1) Emotionally - One of the consequences of his sin was the death of the child he conceived with Bathsheba. "David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted...and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food." (2 Samuel 12:16-17). David was emotionally spent and filled with grief.
2) Physically - David wrote Psalm 32 during this time. In verse 3, he describes how his body dealt with the guilt he was carrying - "When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long." Up until this point David had not confessed his sin to God and his body was being affected. The stress of covering up our sin can and will have physical ramifications.
3) Spiritually - David goes on in verse 4, of Psalm 32, to describe - "For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer." God's conviction was weighing heavy on David. His sin had separated him from the God he loved and sought after all his life.
4) Relationally - Another consequence was the impact his sin had on his family. The "headlines" I stated at the beginning were all events that happened in David's family after his sin with Bathsheba. Sin and its consequences will always affect others - sin is not committed in a vacuum.
5) Financially - David's sin also affected the nation of Israel. With all the drama going on in David's life and family, the nation must have suffered. 2 Samuel 21:1 states that there was a famine in the land for 3 successive years. Men from other tribes rebel against David (2 Samuel 20). What once was David's pride - a strong and united nation - is now suffering because of his sin.

My question is - Do we learn from the consequences of others' sins or do we as a society tend to glamorize it? Think about the TV shows that highlight "reality"? Many of them seem to make light of sin, ignore its consequences and give the message that if you're good looking, have money and can talk your way out of trouble, you'll make it in the world unscathed. Other shows highlight sex, drugs/drinking and irresponsible behavior with little attention to the affects these "unrealistic" shows have on its viewers - many times, young viewers. Yet, I must say that shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom (MTV) have done a decent job of showing the not so glamorous side to teen promiscuity and the parenting challenges young teens face.

So, do you learn from others consequences? We watched as the Tiger Woods' saga unfolded and saw how his sin affected him financially and tore his family apart. We see a young and talented Lindsay Lohan unravel before our eyes. We witness spiritual giants lose their ministries and athletes destroy their bodies all because of choices they make; many times without giving any thought to the consequences of their actions. I hope we are able to learn from these examples. I hope we will see the devastation sin and its consequences can bring and not fall into the Enemy's trap. The story of David and Bathsheba was put in the Bible for a reason. I believe 1) to show us that God does not let sin go unpunished and 2) that with repentance and God's forgiveness, once a failure is not always a failure.

BLOG QUESTION: Share your comments about the following statement: Sin will take you further than you thought you'd stray; keep you longer than you thought you'd stay; and cost you more than you thought you'd pay.