Love God Greatly ~ Esther Study - Week 8 - Day 5

Reading Esther 9:1-32

S:  Esther 10:3 Mordecai the Jew ranked second in command to King Xerxes. He was popular among the Jews and greatly respected by them. He worked hard for the good of his people; he cared for the peace and prosperity if his race. 

O:  Respected and cared for his people. 

A:  This was an amazing life changing study. It has taught me to be bold. It has taught me to stand up for what I believe. It has taught me to trust. And most importantly that God is by my side always. He will use me in a mighty way to get his work accomplished. Not my will Father, but your own. 

P:  Father thank you for using Esther and Mordecai  and even Haman in such a mighty way to get your work done. You have taught me so much through this study. Thank you for these lovely women who openly shared how you were teaching each of them to help us all grow. Be with each of us as we continue to grow and give us all courage to stand up for you and spread your love in this lost dark world. In your precious son's name, I pray. ~Amen

Love God Greatly ~ Esther Study - Week 8 - Day 4

Reading Esther 9:11-22

S:  Psalms 71:24 I will tell about your righteousness deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated. 

O:  Talk about God all day long. 

A:  I think we talked about this last week, too. How much better our lives we be if we did this. But I get done with my reading and devotion time and get busy with my day and don't talk much about it anymore. How shameful. I was thinking this yesterday, I wish I would consume my life with the things of God as much as I do all the other stuff. How much better would my life be. 

P:  Father God, consume me. Give my your holy fire to burn with a longing to be about your work. Forgive me for not being a better steward of my time. I love you Father and praise your holy name. ~Amen

Love God Greatly ~ Esther Study - Week 8 - Day 3

Reading Esther 9:1-10

S:  Psalms 71:13  Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers. Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me. 

O:  God has my back and is by my side. 

A:  I've been thinking about what it means to stand up for what I believe based on what God says. I tend to blend into the crowd, not wanting to draw attention to myself. It's this washy washy attitude that will get me in trouble. That's not standing up for God and witnessing for him. It's not right to sit by and watch all the world changing their values and thinking God is okay with it. If it doesn't go along with what the bible says, it's wrong. While I believe we should live in harmony it's not okay to accept what the world is saying is acceptable. Sisters what I'm saying is, in my opinion, God will stand by our side, just like he did with Esther and her people as long as we are standing for Him. It's okay to stand up for our beliefs. God has our back. Being complacent is a sin. 

P:  Father thank you for being by my side, always. Please forgive me for being complacent. Forgive me for standing by and not speaking up on issues that I know blatantly are against what you say in your word. Forgive me for being accepting and tolerant with issues I know are against you will. Give me a love for you so strong that I will stand up for you and your word. I know you will bless me. Like Amy said yesterday, it may not be easy and even unto death, you have my back. If I would die defending you and your word, I know you have prepared a home for me in eternity. ~Amen

Love God Greatly ~ Esther Study - Week 8 - Day 2

Reading Esther 8:11-17

S:  Psalms 97:10 You who love The Lord, hate evil!  He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. 

O:  Love. Protect. Rescue. 

A:  More words of comfort!  I'm am thankful to be His child. Thankful for protection. Knowing I can step boldly out in faith and God having my back gives me confidence. I need to do more witnessing and sharing and spreading His word. 

P:  Father again I come before you this morning praising you and thanking you for your hand of protection and rescuing me from the evil one. I know you are by my side always. Give me the armor of God to boldly step out in faith to proclaim your name to all. I need not fear. Father, I also ask you be with Doug and Amy as Doug heads into surgery. Guide the surgeon's hands. Be with all who care for him. Be with Amy as she waits. I also ask you be in the recovery process. May his pain be minimal. Be with Amy as she cares for his needs. I ask in Jesus' precious name. ~ Amen

Love God Greatly ~ Esther Study - Week 8 - Day 1

Good morning Sweet Sisters~

I can hardly believe it is day 50 of our study. I am so thankful for what I have gained from this study and for each of you. 

Reading Esther 8:1-10

S:  Proverbs 28:20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches with get into trouble. 

O:  Trustworthy = reward   

A:  Trust is tough, for me at least. I trust easy, but when that is broken it's hard to trust again. I've been faced with some challenging trust issues in my life with people very close to me.  However, God has never failed me. I have not always trusted God. I need to always remember he has my best interest in mind. He knows the plan for my life. I only need to trust. Oh that I would have the faith Esther had!  I have been changed by this study. 

P:  Praise you Father for your love and mercy. Praise you for forgiving me when I had no trust. Thank you for your constant and abiding love and for never leaving or forsaking me even when I did not trust. ~Amen

I am praising God for putting us in this state and giving us new friends who love us like family already. Praising him for a home and jobs and so many things that could have been so different when moving to a new state. Praise you Jesus for this and so much more.

Love God Greatly ~ Esther Study - Week 7 - Day 5

Reading Esther 7:9-10

S:  Proverbs 26:27 If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself.  If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead. 

The Message says this:  Malice backfires; spite boomerangs. 

O:  Sabbatoge yourself. 

A:  This week has been my favorite so far in the study. I realized so many things and have become more aware of how I affect situations I am faced with. This verse today makes me think of how I will respond and do respond to conversations and other situations. My attitude is important. My words are important. If I am being negative or oppositional, my attitude can sway the conversation or situation in a different direction. I need to be careful to always put what God would have me to say or do as my priority. I need to make sure I am listening to Him and not being disappointed or victorious prematurely. For example I interviewed for a job last week. I claimed it to be mine and trusted God would see that it was. I didn't get the job. Even in my disappointment, I realized God's plan is bigger than mine. I need to wait, just like Esther. It isn't over. The victory will come. God's glory will be revealed. 

P:  Father, thank you for this week of breaking chains. Thank you for revealing your word to me and giving me a new way of thinking, a new way to bring honor and glory to you. You are so good. Thank you for showing me the wicked and evil are part your plan, too.  They cannot ruin it. I ask that you help me to be very careful in using my words and actions to bring glory to you. Help me not be spiteful or mean. Help me to show love and kindness always. ~Amen

FFF~ Father I lift Amy to you as she finishes up this busy week. Help her to be renewed and refreshed. Thank you for her willingness to be our leader. She is committed to you and for her I am so thankful. Be with each woman in our group this weekend. Keep us safe.  Refresh our souls this weekend. Thank you for your word. In Jesus precious name. ~Amen

Love God Greatly ~ Esther Study - Week 7 - Day 4

Reading Esther 7:7-8

S:  Proverbs 16:4  The Lord has made everything for his purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. 

O:  Made everything for His purposes. 

A:  Doesn't this bring it all together for you?  It does me. When I finally realize the reason for everything is for God's purpose, it just makes sense. It's not about me. It's not about you. It's not about anything else.  It's just about Him. His will. His purpose. Everything. Period. 

P:  Father, I try to make everything so hard. You make things so easy. I need to put you first in all things and realize that it's all because of you. ~Amen

One of my favorites songs. Share one of yours today. Let's praise Him and his purpose. 

http://youtu.be/gQVxuxXeXm4