Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favour with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people— this is my request. Esther 7:3 (NIV) Did you know that the word “God” is not mentioned in the Book of Esther even once? But was God involved in Esther’s story? Of course He was! God was involved in Esther’s life and He used her to save His people. But when you read the story, nothing particularly spectacular happened. Esther was chosen to be one of many beautiful young girls to meet the king. She received months of beauty treatments and training before finally meeting him. The king fell in love with her and made her …
Spectacular or Supernatural?
Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV) There’s a big difference between the supernatural and the spectacular. Looking for the supernatural is okay. God is supernatural, so it’s good to look for evidence of His work everywhere you go. But when God is at work, it’s not always spectacular. The problem occurs when we assume that if we don’t get holy goose bumps, clouds of smoke or some other spectacular evidence, God must not be at work. In thinking this way, we miss what God is doing. We miss the sacredness in the …
Love Drives out Fear
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection]. 1 John 4:18 (AMPC) How can you tell when your love for God has grown? One way to know is if you’re experiencing less fear. You see, as you grow in God’s Word and develop in this love walk, you push out fear. If you struggle with being afraid of what people think about you, the answer is to develop your love walk with God. If you’re worried …
No Matter What
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35 (NIV) How much would it take for you to deviate from God’s ways? I’m not asking what would make you renounce your relationship with Jesus. But what would it take to make you bend your morals? Would some sort of hardship or temptation cause you to stop living a life of integrity? I believe the Apostle Paul may have been contemplating this as he wrote today’s verse. What could cause us to pull away from Christ’s love? Would trouble, hardship or persecution make us want to look outside the boundaries of God’s principles for answers? If you read the story …
It’s an Everlasting Love
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) Years ago when I had to be away from home for speaking engagements, the kids would write little notes for me, hiding them in my luggage as a surprise. Sometimes it would take a few days before I’d find one, but as I read their words, I felt loved and refreshed. Here’s what’s interesting. That note may have been written days before I found it, but the passing of time didn’t diminish its impact one bit. When I picked it up and read it, the love from …