Esther Chapter 2

These are the notes from the second study from the Book of Esther. Esther chapter 2

2:1 ; *It’s been three years since the war party. King Ahasuerus failed to conquer Greece, and returns to Shushan in humiliation. Adding to his shame, he remembers the stupid law. Vashti still belongs to the King but wherever she’s being kept, her quarters would be more of a prison than a home. She can’t be thrown out for she’s the former Queen, and she can’t be tossed into the harem for the same reason. Xerxes problem, he doesn’t have a Queen beside him while he attempts to reorganize his kingdom and its defeated army. His kingdom is a shambles.

The most amazing thing? God sees all and knows all. There is nothing in the hearts of all mankind that God doesn’t know about. God even sees what is coming. Almighty God is without equal!

The king has concubines galore, but the throne needs a woman of beauty with a sound reputation, whom the court approves joined to the king with a proper setting. An already owned sex-slave cannot fill that position. Just like in chapter 1—two wrongs don’t make a right.

In ch 1, it was the wise men who instructed the king to write the law dethroning Vashti. Ch 2:2, it’s not even the wise men but his servants suggest gathering virgins for the king to choose a queen from.

So the order goes out to herd young women to the palace, like cattle. Conscripted by order, yanked from their homes and parents arms, many never to be seen by family again. They were essentially kidnapped for the king’s pleasure.

Can you imagine the crying? The terror? The sorrow that they will never be loved wives, or mothers? No homes, nor husbands or children to take care of? Only one can be Queen, the rest will be sex-slaves for the rest of their lives.

2:2-4. It’s not his wise men but his servants that advise him now. And this thing pleased the king. The thing being kidnapping beautiful girls. What do you think? (In a moral society, this would, should be, be sickening.)

2:5,6,7. God inserts Himself in between Xerxes idea & his implementing it. By inserting Mordecai into the palace, God has changed the outcome already.

2:5-6. God shows up! God is so amazing. Although never mentioned, Holy God appears regularly in the movement of different events and different lives. Something horrible is about to happen but Almighty God inserts His presence into the story.

It’s like Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. God knew they would need powerful encouragement, as the persecution became very heavy in that city. God sent them a wonderful love letter through Paul’s hand. Thessalonians 2:7-12. You need God—God shows up!

Mordecai lives in the Capital city, and more importantly, he has retained his heritage. This is more proof of God appearance in this book---the choice of Mordecai as a devout Jew, strong in his faith and the pride of his heritage.

What can Christians express pride in? (Psalm 34:2, 44:8, 2 Corinthians 9:2, Galatians 6:14)

God told the Jews to always remember their families names and heritage. It seems Mordecai was born while his family was captives, as it was his great great grandfather who was carried away from Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar captured the city. (2 Kings 24:14) Kish must have been a mighty man in Jerusalem, because the best were taken during the first captivity. Kish was taken the same time as Daniel, but he wasn’t placed with Daniel with the eunuchs, as he certainly had children.(1st captivity Jeremiah 29:5-7) (Forbidden Marriage Due 7:1-3, Joshua 23:11-12, Ezra 9:1,2)

It seems Kish and his decedents kept their Jewish linage clean from inter marriage.

For some reason Mortdecai did not return to Jerusalem when Ezra and Nehemiah returned to rebuild. He and his family still reside in the capital Persian city of Shushan.

Esther has the same clean Jewish Lineage as Mordecai. And she is hauled off to the palace with the rest of the young girls. Her prospects of a Jewish family line ends. 

There is another young girl we know in the Bible whose family heritage was kept pure for an awesome reason. Who is that young girl? Mary. (Matthew 1:1-17)2

2:9 Esther’s character was different than any of the other girls in the harem. And her difference was noticed by the major guard of the woman, Hegai. He knew there was something different about her and he treated her with a greater respect than he did all the other women there.

2:8,9. Esther exposed the darkness of the king’s harem by her difference. Her personal holiness in a dark place made her godly character standout among the crowd, thus creating a different atmosphere around her. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

2:10, Esther is an ambassador of her people and of God. Daniel’s account was a historical fact in the Jew’s history of their captivity. There could not have been many that didn’t know how Daniel stood up for his Jewish heritage. But unlike Daniel, Esther kept her Hebrew blood a secret but she retained her learned character.

We may never have an opportunity to speak of our Christian heritage, but our character needs to be the higher standard. It doesn’t matter where we are, who we’re with, we have the mind of Christ, we have the power of God, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. There needs to be something extraordinary about our holy conduct that even the ungodly will have to take notice.

What is holiness? What are some holy actions? Things Christians do or don’t do publically that sets them apart from the world?

Esther was different from the other women, and her difference gave her an edge in becoming Queen. Hegai was on the look-out for Queen qualities, it was part of his job. And by her more beautiful, composed, lady-like behavior, she expose the hidden things of darkness. She shined brighter in a room full of lesser characters.

Esther was beautiful but she went through the beauty treatments to make her gorgeous. Her beauty treatments went on for a year.

God says women are to shine with an inner beauty, which will shine through any mars of our outward frailties. We’re familiar with the woman of 1 Peter 3, and the Proverbs 31, woman)

We’re the Bride of Christ. We need an extraordinary interest in making ourselves beautiful in Christ.

We have a simpler beauty treatment with less stress. We’re already the Bride of the King. You want to be made beautiful? To have the inner beauty of the heart?

The Bible is your beauty treatment. Get into God’s word to be cleansed from the world. John 17: 17, Ephesians 5:22-27, Titus 3:5, Proverbs 31:17,18 & 30,

We have the Shulamite as our example also, of the love of God shining our beauty that no one else can comprehend. Loving God will draw out the beauty that only He can see in a woman.

You want to have a successful beauty treatment? Get into the word of God. Pray, read, fellowship, worship. Determine to make the effort to love the Lord with all your heart, your strength, your mind. You will be beautiful and others will see it. They may not understand it, but they will certainly see it.

2:21-23. When the trouble came, Mordecai and Esther were able to do the right thing, the right way, to have the right decision made to stop the wrong. This was just a foretaste of their work to come. And now God has Mordecai moved into the palace business district. He’s one of the movers’ and shakers in the palace politics. He’s gaining a reputation as a man of integrity. His peers trust his wisdom. They may hate him but they know he’s an honest man.

Christians need knowledge of the world. God says be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves. God says the serpent is crafty. Know the ins and outs of ruthlessness business, yet conduct business with different deliverance & purpose.

Esther and Mordecai from different positions, exposed the hidden darkness.(Ephesians 5:8-13.)

Lesson Points:

1. God knows the innermost secret hearts of all people.

2. Boast of your salvation in Christ

3. As the Bride of Christ, take an extraordinary interest in making yourself beautiful for Christ Jesus.

4. The Bible is your beauty treatment. Let God’s word cleanse you from the world.

*Historical information from Bible Knowledge Commentary & Commentary, study notes of J. Vernon McGee

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Brother Against Brother: Short Fiction

Reassuring himself the Enfield was loaded; Seth pointed it at the Confederate. The man remained calm, propped against the remains of the stonewall.

“How old are you, Son?”

“What?”

“You ain’t old enough for fightin’, Son. You should be in school, or fetchin’ for your mother.”

“You shut up!” He tried to be threatening but failed. He was just a scared kid in a war that was supposed to be over.

A Private in Colonel Joshua Chamberlain’s Twentieth Maine Infantry, who were occupying this hill, miles from the main battle, Seth was still amid the horrors. The moans and screams of the wounded and dying added to his mental anguish. Somehow, when they swung down the side of the mound named Little Round Top, he had separated from the main group and stumbled into this depression, and away from the major shooting.

Falling into the hole, Seth landed on a body, which grunted and moved. Terrified, he scrambled around for identity, discovering the powdered blackened face of one of General Hood’s Texans, the very army they were killing. The Texan was unarmed, his Springfield broken beside him and his arm too mangled for bayonet use. Triumphantly, Seth had ‘captured’ an enemy single-handed. This glory soon faded, as he realized he was as trapped as the other was. Where could he go? He didn’t know if they had succeeded.

"Son, you ain’t fighin’ for slavery any more than I am.”

“Ain’t you?”

“Nope,” the Texan replied. “I’m a Texas soldier. That I’m in the Confederate army is just an odd detail.”

“But this is about slavery, ain’t it?” 

The man chuckled. “This war is about Government and politics, neither of which you or I care one whit about.” The Texan waved his good hand. “You let me palaver. You’ve probably heard speeches ‘bout the horrors of slavery, most not even half-told of the evils. There's a man in Washington that made some noise about the evil and it made a large part of this country a bit worried 'bout their rights as slave owners. I don’t own slaves, never have, never will. I’m in this ‘cause Texas said we’d fight and I’m Texas. As for the Cause, the Good Lord above will abolish slavery. He hates it and He won’t allow it, no matter what some may think. I can't agree havin' a war over the trouble is the best way to fix it, but that's the way it's come about. You and me are just a part of something a whole lot bigger." he chuckled. "hate to admit it, but it's even bigger than Texas."

Shifting slightly made his coat open, revealing his bloody chest. A grimace twisted his dirty face. he asked Seth, “Ya got any water?”

Seth tossed his canteen. “You said the Good Lord. You mean Jesus?”

“Born again into Jesus Christ twenty three years ago. Bet I was older’n you are now. How old are you, Son?”

“Sixteen.”

The Texan smiled. “Yup. Was seventeen when I accepted Jesus’ salvation. Have you, Son?”

Seth swallowed hard. “Yes, Sir. Three years now.” In fear, he lifted his rifle as the Texan reached under his coat. For a pistol?

“Whoa, Son, just getting’ my Prayer Book.” He held up a small ragged book bound together with twine. “A’right if I show you somethin’?” The Texan shifted and then settled back. “No need to keep pointin’ that gun. I surrender. I ain’t gonna fight no more ag’in ya.” He settled down next to the boy. “Do you know that right here, in the second letter to Timothy; we have the power to end all wars?”

The sour-sweet smell of the dark, thick, of the Texan's congealed blood rose in his nostrils. Swallowing bile, Seth leaned over and read from the Texan’s Bible. ‘All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

He smiled, although through the blood, grime and black powder soot the action made him seem more a ghoul than a man. There was no threat to Seth from the wounded man as he talked.

“An old man named Paul wrote that to a young soldier for Christ. And I’m sharing it with you, ‘cause there’s a place for enemies and there’s a place for killin’, but there’s a place in the hearts of all men for the truth of God. That, Son, if every man believes it, would end all wars. If only all people would turn to God, wars would cease.”

Seth never saw the rock. Lights burst in his head. Aware through a fog, the gun taken from his hands, he lay stunned and helpless.

“Forgive me, Son.”

Incredibly, he saw the sadness in the face of his enemy.

The Texan gazed at him a moment longer before turning to walk into the bullet shattered forest.

Seth thought, ‘Lord Jesus, that man’s not my enemy, he’s my brother.’

The End

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Hard Questions

These are personal study questions at the back of my EBook

Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

How strong is your faith in Christ Jesus, the Lord? Maybe you will never have to face anything as severe as Joseph, Job, Ruth, or Esther but when everything appears to deteriorate, focus on the joy of the Lord; the joy that we have because we are “they who are looking for a country of their own” (cf Hebrews 11:13,14,15). These scenarios intend to challenge you to think about how close your personal walk is with Jesus and how much is earthly baggage.

*  *  *

1. How would you respond if your house burned down today? Everything in it is now ashes, not one thing survives. Mentally walk through your house right now and look at the things you have. Right now, it is gone! It no longer exists!

What are you feeling the loss of most?

What will replace that loss?

Whom are you going to trust to relieve the loss?

What is it you are afraid of facing the most at the loss of your house?

*  *  *

2. How would you respond if your spouse died today? Are you walking close enough to the Lord to accept it? How do you answer these questions if the person you love never comes back to you alive today?

Do they know you love them?

Have they trusted the Lord as their Savior?

Have you prayed for them lately, really prayed for their safety, well being, love, strength, spiritual growth? That they are walking close to the Lord daily.

Are they ready to meet the Lord Jesus today?

If the scenario was your children died today, ask the previous questions for this also.

*  *  *

3. What if your home church burned, there is not a shred of anything left; to what do you associate the building?

What constitutes as loss when the building is no longer available?

How does this affect your worship?

How strong is your feeling toward the activities that you attended?

How much are you accustomed to what was available inside the building?

If how you served depended on the material inside the building, how will you serve now?

*  *  *

4. What does the pastor mean to you in terms of your church attendance and service?

Do you come to church to hear him or God?

Do you feel uncomfortable when someone unfamiliar speaks?

Are you reluctant to listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart through a different speaker?

Do you think all sermons are supposed to speak personally to you?

*  *  *

5. What happens if you died today?

Are you ready today to meet Jesus?

Is your daily desire to meet Jesus face to face?

Is your family’s faith strong enough to walk with Jesus after your death?

Is there someone you need to tell about Jesus?

*  *  *

How much of your life since your salvation would be considered building with straw, hay, and stubble?

How much of your life since salvation would be considered building with gold, silver, and precious stones?

These questions are not to depress you but to help you examine your daily spiritual life. Where are your values? Is it your stuff, your people, your activities? Today, can you walk through your house and say to Jesus, ‘I throw it all away.’ The challenge is to do just that.

Where have your thoughts been lately?

Where are they right now?

Do these scenarios hurt? Why or why not?

With the Psalmist say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23,24). Ask Jesus to clean your house, physically and metaphorically. Ask Jesus to show you where your stuff is hindering your service to Him. Be real.

*  *  *

Are you ready today for the rapture?

Do you really want to go home?

Is your desire to stand before the Lord and see exactly what He is and whom He is?

Do you love Him enough to let Him have everything?

Do you fear Him that much?

*  *  *

In the next month do this daily. Think about these scenarios and pray about your thoughts daily.

Revival begins when we want to live. Revival begins when we want others to live.

LIVE!

Revival begins with Jesus!

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The Lamb Of God

As He grew up, Jesus saw the yearly Passover lamb killed for the Atonement for sin.

At some point in the 33 years prior to the cross, Jesus, fully human and fully God the Son, accepted the knowledge of why He came to earth.

John the Baptist said on seeing Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

His last night on earth, facing the horrifying death of the cross the next day, Jesus said to God the Father, "Not My will, but Yours be done."

At some point, Jesus the Man knew what His life was worth. He knew what His sacrifice was worth.

It was worth our lives.

Do we know this?

Do you know this?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16.

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, forgive you and be your Lord, pray something like this. Pray from the heart, with faith.

"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner who deserves hell. I know You love me so much You died on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me of my sins against You God and against my fellow men. Please save me Jesus and be my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus for saving me."

If you prayed this prayer, begin reading the Bible and find other believers. Go to a Bible teaching church or join a Bible teaching group.

You may feel differently, you may not, but believe that God has heard you and He has heard your heart say the prayer. He has come to you and He has saved you forever and ever.

Tell someone you have been born again into Jesus and want to learn more about Him.

And I, Susan Estes, welcome you my Brother, my Sister, into the family of God.

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The Author & Finisher to Begin 2017

Beginning the New Year 2017 with thoughts from the letter to the Hebrews. This is an appropriate beginning as the writer of Hebrews teaches us Jesus is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. 12:2.

ONE GOD but Elohim

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" Hebrews 3:12,13

After the opening four verses of chapter 1 establishes Jesus' Deity, the writer jumps right in with OT proof of the afore stated matter and continues on for several pages of the Theocratic position of Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent GOD of heaven and GOD the Son, Jesus, called the Christ.

You can't miss the point he's making unless you tear the entire book from the Biblical text while never having read it!

Jesus is GOD the Son, Co-equal with the GOD the Father. You cannot separate the Two from being ONE. And since the Holy Spirit is the One who helped the writer with the accuracy of Scriptures, GOD the Holy Spirit is speaking the Almighty truth of what is written through the entire book.

Three in ONE GOD.

Perfect Sacrifice

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: 

"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me."

"In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure."

Then I said, "Behold, I have come---In the volume of the book it is written of Me--To do Your will, O God."

Previously saying, "Sacrifices and offering, burnt offerings and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law) Hebrews 10:5-8.

The sacrifices that the Law required to take away the sin of Adam inherited by all people, (For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:32), were not to please God and therefore gain forgiveness. The blood of bulls and goats and lambs was to substitute for the earned death of the sinner.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23.

God did not make man to be a sinner, nor does He desire sinners to die. (2 Peter 3). So something has to die to save the sinner, otherwise the sinner dies for their sin alone. God does not take pleasure in the sacrifice of animals, nor did He take pleasure in sacrificing His only begotten Son.

When the perfect time came, Jesus became the substitutionary sacrifice to fulfil the need of the death of all mankind.

Only GOD could do that. Only GOD could carry out such a perfect plan. Only GOD could die on the cross and resurrect from the dead, thus overcoming the sin debt.

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified" Hebrews 10:12,13,14.

One offering---Jesus

Our Faith

"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." Hebrews 11:4.

The faith that gives the more excellent sacrifice makes one righteous. Born again Christians have put their faith in Jesus as the more excellent sacrifice, which, alone, makes the believer righteous.

That's all that is done and all that can be done for you to be saved for ever and ever and ever.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" Hebrews 11:6.

Faith to believe Jesus died in your place for your sin is all God asks and He rewards that believing faith.

Seek God today with diligence as if you were seeking a paramedic to staunch a life threatening injury. It's for your eternal life after all.

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Video : The Angel That Visited The Shepherds Luke 2:9

This video is an excerpt from the sermon giving by Pastor David Ray Jr at Grace Bible Church, Sangerville Maine on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2016. This was part of his advent series on the visitations of the angels to various people during the amazing incarnation and birth of the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The sermon title: "The Angel that Visited the Shepherds" from Luke 2:8-21

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.'
'For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign unto you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'
And suddenly there with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill
toward men!"
Luke 2:9-14

(Transcript of the video)

(Angels) They were aware that He’d laid those things aside for a little while, to come to earth to become one of us. To become a sacrifice really for us. You see, they also knew of the fall of man. They had been informed also that God was going to provide a way for the salvation for man. They knew about that. They knew the prophesy had been made that a Savior would come and that a sacrifice would be made. And they understood all of this and they were praising God because they were seeing God’s grace on display. They were thanking God for His indescribable gift. They were looking into the things… our salvation.

Peter talks about that, when he says that angels long to look into our salvation to try to understand. You see they never experienced the kind of salvation we can experience. They haven’t experienced the grace and mercy and forgiveness that we can experience.

You see, angels have never been forgiven. They’ve never been redeemed . And so they long to look into that. They’re interested in how God is working to save us and make salvation available to us.

You know, if the angels glorify God for this wonderful work, how much more should we raise up our voices and praise God for this wonderful work, and honor our Lord and Savior. It’s the greatest thing we can do with our life, is to live for the glory of God. 

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Video by Susan L. Estes

The Miracle of Good Works: Part 3

My home church, Grace Bible Church, offered me the privilege of speaking at the ladies Christmas Tea this year. Here are my notes from my 20 minutes talk to the room of 40+ women, representing

several churches.

This is part three. Be sure to read parts part 1 & part 2 also.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Miracle of Good Works: Part Three

Just as Jesus had works to do for God the Father while He walked on this earth, so we also have works to do for God while we are still living here.

When Isaiah saw Almighty God on His throne, he asked God to send him into his work.

Ephesians 3:11 says we have a boldness to enter into the throne room of God. That’s where our marching orders come from. And the more we come to the throne room of God—the more we will see God and His glorious works on earth. And apart from the times of direct Divine interventions, God glorious works get done through His church. That’s us! What a privilege!

Do you know that just coming to a Sunday service is exercising your faith? Why else would you come to hear a man speak for an hour from this book? You believe in the God who wrote it, that’s the why.

James 1:27 says pure and undefiled religion before God is to visit widows and orphans and keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Consider this--women who have unsaved husbands can be seen as widows in the church, and children who are the only Christians in their homes can be seen as orphans. They need your help, your strength, your Spiritual guidance?

The Bible is our key to the mind of God—If you want to make a list of what constitutes good works in the name of God—read the Bible.

Ephesians 2:10 implies God has different good works for everyone to do. Don’t get hung up on someone else’s service to God. Somethings God has given to me weren’t meant for you and things He’s given you weren’t meant for me. God is still the originator.

Corinthians says the body of Christ has different functions. I’m a Big Toe and you’re an Ear. I as a big toe can’t listen compassionately to the pain of others, but my work is to keep the body balanced and mobile. And no one walks on their ears.

The ears wear pretty jewelry, but piercing a big toe would be weird. The ear is out in the open and delicate, while the big toe gets shoved into stinky socks and slammed into furniture.

No matter our different works, our most important work is to be witnesses to Him. The Holy Spirit enables us to walk naturally as Christians. The good works will just happen as we live our lives in Jesus. That’s not something consciously done but unconsciously done.

Not everyone is suited for children’s church, nursery, teen groups, Senior services. Or you can’t possibly give any more then you’re already giving? You’re not able to visit homebound, or make telephone calls? But everyone can encourage those who can and do. Strengthen their ministry. Be a firm foundation of faith for them.

The first church in Acts 2 grew because the believers gathered together and rejoiced in their salvation. That’s all they did and God brought more people in.

Your presence where you gather for worship is a witness to everyone who drives by your church. Jesus said where two or three are gathered in My name, I am in their midst” Where you consistently gather, God will bring people, because He wants the unsaved saved.

Our good works originate in heaven—always remember that. God created us—that means He created our faith and good works. They’re His works to begin with—we just do them as they come to us. The more you do, the more will come. God knows your capacity and your limits. Don’t worry about the power, He is it. He empowers us to do all the things we need to do for Him.

Ask Him to fill you afresh every day to do all you can for His glory.

Whatever you do as a Christian woman to help build, strengthen, and encourage others is a good work. Whatever helps spread the gospel is a part of the greater work Jesus left for us to do. “Go therefore into all the world and present the gospel, making disciples.”

We’re familiar with Galatians 6:9 & 10. "And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith”

But there’s an added extreme to our commissioned works for God. We have the privilege of not only having Almighty God reveal His plans for us, He empowers us to do all He has planned for us. We don’t do it on our own strength, power, and resources. God supplies all of it. We’re just the head, hands, & feet that get it done.

Hebrews 12 teaches me to recognize the Author and Finisher of my faith. The one who commissioned me for it.

When the disciples came back rejoicing because they overpowered demons, Jesus said “Don’t rejoice over that, Rejoice your names are in the Book of Life” (Luke 10:20). Our boasting’s not in the work—but in the One for whom we work.

Paul, while shut up in prison was occupied with his major employment, his prayers.

He says in his 1 letter to the Corinthians “I work harder than any of them, though it is not I, but the grace of God that is with me” 1 Corinthians 15:10. 

If you can’t do something physically, prayer is the ultimate expression of faith. For no one can see your prayer. No one can quantify your prayer. No one can put a cost on your prayer. No one can steal your prayer. No one can destroy your prayer with hate, or material harm. No one can take the credit for your prayer. No one can speak the prayers God has given you to speak. 

Your faith is proven the greatest when you pray. If you can’t do anything else—prayer is your greatest work for you are seeking God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. He can work through your prayer of faith to do mighty things.

Conclude Repeat Ephesians 2:8-10

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 explicitly explains that if you’re not a born again believer in Christ Jesus—you have no good works to do for Him. You are saved by grace through faith, not of works. No good work is able to save anybody.

You cannot expect God to accept your work before you are born again into Christ Jesus by faith. You first have to come to God the Father believing Jesus took the wrath of God by His death on the cross for your sins.

And after we’re saved, let’s not approach doing good works as a duty—I have to do this because I’m a Christian—instead let us live as a Christian because it is the most ordinary thing we do as one in Christ Jesus. They originate with Him.

The good works are ready for us—the miracles of good works on earth for God our Father’s glory.

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Are They All Spiritualy Healthy?

Are you concerned about the Spiritual health of your brothers and sisters?

Do you think because someone is a member of your assembly that they have a good grasp of their salvation in Christ?

Or because someone comes on Sunday, or to any studies, or Bible activities in your church building that they are safely living their new life of Christ in the world?

God shows us that just by asking a few simple questions, we can find out the spiritual health of a fellow believer. To know this, read the gospels and the book of Acts to see how the many gifts of God are used to bring people to know Jesus and His death on the cross. It was for their Spiritual needs; the immanent necessity of knowledge to obtain the righteousness given by Jesus' death on the cross.

God has more concern for the spiritual health of His people than their physical needs.

"Therefore, do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" Matthew 6:31-33

• We trivialize the cross of Jesus Christ by making it pretty.
• We make the cross of Jesus Christ frivolous by making it a symbol.
• We accessorize the cross of Jesus Christ as what God did from love.

The cross of Jesus Christ is the wrath of God.

"The only ground on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the cross of Christ; to put forgiveness on any other ground is in unconscious blasphemy."

Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" Proverbs 1:7

"Bear one another's burdens , and so fulfil the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2.

(Jesus said), "This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you" John 15:12

Ask a few questions to see how your brothers and sisters in Christ are doing in their Christian walk and help them where they need strengthening.

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God Designed Christianity for His Glory!

Paul's letter to Ephesians reveals the awesomeness of the grace of God that saves us. Our God is so awesome!

The entire first chapter of this book explains the simplicity of our faith. He established all of Christianity before we even knew anything about Him. He laid down the foundation of our faith in heaven in Christ Jesus before man existed.

That's one of those things we can't really get our heads around but when we're born-again and in Christ Jesus by faith, we can see the kingdom of God. We can undeniable accept our life in Christ because God is the power in us to do so.

And then there's the great explanation of grace in 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works. lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

We have something supernatural that the religions based on the world ideas cannot even comprehend. Heavenly God is the Author of the Christian faith. We are saved in Jesus' sacrificial death for it pleased God to do so to save everyone in the world. And all those who accept Jesus as Savior have that predestined power of Christianity in this new life in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Amazing Grace!!!!

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The One & Only Jesus Christ

It is so sad to find as you're talking to someone about Jesus and they begin to speak about the Jesus they worship and you soon learn he isn't the same as the Jesus, the Son of God, written of throughout the Bible.

How awful that they are being lied to by someone who is teaching them another Jesus and is taking them in the wrong direction from the Biblical truth of an afterlife in heaven & hell and eternal salvation & damnation.

And these people are so deceived because the n...ame of Jesus is spoken from the pulpit and so they believe it is the right name.

There are soooo many Scriptures that speak against these false teachers, it is astonishing how these people can be so blind and lost!

here is a list of verses warning to watch out for and how to identify false teachers. Also in this this list are verses that explain what is going to happen to false teachers when they meet the God they refuse to accept, and that they continue to slander.

Matt 7:21-23, Acts 20:28-30, Romans 1:18- 25, 2 Cor 11:3-4, Gal 1:8,9, 3:1-5, 5:7-12, Col 2:4-10, & 16-19, 1 Tim 1:5-7, & 4:1-3, & 6:20,21, 2 Tim 2:14-17, & 3:5, & 4: 1-4, Titus 3: 9-11, Heb 10:23-31, James 1:21-24, & 3:1, 2 Peter 1:16-2:3, & 2:12-22, 1 John 4: 1-3, 2 John 7-11, 3 John 9-10, Jude 4 & 12, Rev 22:18,19.

The Bible teaches a Holy Triune God, One in Three Persons, Co-Equal, Yet One. (Only a Born Again believer can understand this fact without total confusion. It is supernaturally known.

"Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" John 3:3.

"For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which men's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" 1 Corinthians 2:11-14.

The Bible teaches the truly is Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and no other.

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" 4:12.

The Bible is a complete book of 66 books. Born again Christians are to be taught from the entire book to be like Jesus was in the world. The Holy Spirit living in each believer empowers us to be such people for Jesus.

"But you shall receive power when they Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth" Acts 1:8.

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Notes From The Gospel of Luke, Part 2

Here are more notes and comments from my Bible reading in the Gospel of Luke, along with the expanded clarifications of my thoughts.

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Luke18 & 19

     Chapter 18 introduces us to a young man who comes to Jesus with a question of the value of his own righteousness.

     The rich young ruler is upset when he finds he cannot buy his salvation but that he must have a change of heart. And Jesus says this after he leaves:

     "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" 18:25.

     Then we meet Zacchaeus in chapter 19, a very rich man who proves a rich man can enter the kingdom of God because he met Jesus and understood his riches meant nothing at all for his salvation.

Margin Note for the conversion of Zacchaeus: Contrast the rich young ruler who thought keeping the law would save him. Zacchaeus met with Jesus and was saved.

Expanded: Unlike the rich young ruler who was upset because salvation wasn't obtained through his social status, Zacchaeus' was commended by Jesus for his life-changing faith

     "And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham" 19:9.

     Cross referenced Zacchaeus' story with Matthew 5:3.

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Luke 20:27-38 record the absurd question of the Sadducees about the resurrection.

     The Sadducees are the silliest cult that questions Jesus. They don't believe in the resurrection, the afterlife, spirits, or souls, yet they follow Jesus and pester Him about His knowledge of God? Whatever for?!

     Just like today. Born again Christians are followed by many who pester us about our faith in Jesus. They do not bother so much to question Buddhists, or Muslims, or witches, or Hindus, or Evolutionists about their faith or the origins of their religions. They ridicule, persecute and question the faith of Christians and attempt  to turn people from following Jesus.

     Notice Jesus' response to their question did not answer the Sadducees according to their religion, but He did speak Biblical truth to them, quoting Scripture.

     Matthew 4, Jesus answers Satan the same way--with Scriptural truth, quoting the Bible correctly. Not answering Satan according to his lies.

     Ephesians 6 says put on the armor of God and use the sword of the Spirit--the Word of God--The Scriptures. So does 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

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"Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was one of the twelve" 22:3

     What a sad verse. And after Satan used Judas, he destroyed him with so much guilt that Judas hanged himself. Matt 27:5)

     For many lost people today it's the same story. The same demons and Satan destroy people today with hate, anger, drugs, crime, murder, sex, possession and the like. And Satan even uses power and wealth sometimes to destroy people. After the demons are through sadistically playing with people as toys, they leave them broken and destroyed. If they haven't gotten them killed, then they bury them in so much guilt their former hosts kill or destroy themselves.

     And it all began in the Garden of Eden when Satan asked Eve to question God's love for her because God told her not to do something. Satan is still getting people to not believe God loves them.

But the Christian has a different perspective.

     "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. but against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" Ephesians 6:12.

    There are a lot of movies and books with the topic of demon possession. How interesting that many people will believe in demonic spirits possessing people to commit evil, yet they cannot accept the fact of God the Holy Spirit indwelling people to give them eternal life.

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Bonus: from Luke 9:12-17, the record of Jesus feeding the multitude

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Jesus Wants Us To Be Happy

Have you ever been wildly, hysterically happy, laughing, smiling and rejoicing?

What makes you happy?

"...I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly" John 10:10.

Jesus came to a sinful world to give us all things in great amounts—that is abundance. He certainly gives us salvation to the fullest. No one who asks Jesus to save them is only a little bit saved are they? No, if we accept Christ’s death for our sins, we are altogether saved. Just as He gives us the promise of eternal life, Jesus wants us to enjoy ourselves while we wait here.

Jesus said we would live life more fully. That means we get to enjoy food, games, our families, friends, sunsets and sunrises, more than the unsaved. We sing more wonderful songs. We have more love for everyone, and we enjoy the company of others who believe the same things. That’s Fellowship. If we are trusting in Jesus for our salvation, our lives should show others that we are happy that we are saved and going to heaven.

Can we be happy all the time? no.

Jesus came to give us the same happiness He gave the Israelites in His days here on earth. Why would Jesus need to tell the Israelites in His day He came to give them full lives, or abundant lives? The Israelites in Jesus’ day were all under the Roman Government rules. The Romans were hard rulers, making life hard for anyone not Roman and most certainly anyone who was Jewish.

Today, just as then, many factors such as discrimination, oppression, and a strong growing hatred the world over make life difficult for Christians. We have victory in Jesus that overcomes the standard of anger and hatred. We can spread light, laughter, joy and happiness, because Jesus wants us to be happy.

That doesn't mean to be stupidly ignorant of the bad things happening around us. Nor is a sin to be sad or depressed. But as Christians, we should exhibit a joy that we know Jesus, and especially are known by Jesus.

How does our happiness affect others around us? Ever start to giggle and have others begin to giggle because you’re giggling?

How does it affect you when other people are happy? Ever start laughing because the other person is laughing?

Jesus wants us, as Christians, to let other people know that we have our happiness in Him. That the joy and happiness others see in us will make them want Jesus as their Savior.

This week, use your love of Jesus as your reason for all that you do. When you do your schoolwork, your chores, when you’re in town, when you’re talking with anyone, or whatever it is. Note the affects it has on you. Note the effects it has on others. Our obedience in the simplest acts of love makes Jesus happy.

Jesus wants us to be happy and to share our happiness with others.

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It Is Today's Commission Too--Guest Blog by Joel Littlefield

This is an excerpt from the 30 day devotional Grace In Crossville by Joel Littlefield, Assistant Pastor at Calvary Chapel Crossville Tennessee.

This is used by permission, with minor editing and change of formatting.

Day 18

It Is Today's Commission Too

"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority

in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe

all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am

with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19

Allow the words of Christ to sink deep into your life, so you will not forget. Shape your life, your church, and your family goals around this Great Commission. This not a mere suggestion as I'm sure you've heard before, but it is a holy command That comes fully equipped with the power to carry it out.

The Creator, Jesus, the one who upholds the very universe we live in, the one who flung the stars into the deepest space, the one with the authority to save a soul from the pit of hell, He is with you until the very end. He has commissioned you, His Church to make disciples. the fields of your communities, towns, workplaces, and even your homes are white for harvest. Bring the love of Jesus to someone. lead them to the cross. Baptize them as a testimony to the world of the all sufficient blood of Christ to cleanse man from sin. teach them the word of God with your very life, and remember that you are not alone.

Jesus is building His Church and has chosen to use you in His mission to save souls out of every nation, tribe, and tongue. The words of His commission were among the last words of the savior. Cherish them unto obedience.

Father, You sent Jesus, and now Jesus sends me.

The world He came to was dark, and so is the

world that I live in.

Even still, You have commissioned me to be

Your witness. Show me the harvest that I

should take part in. Burden my heart with

Your compassion for the lost, and give me

boldness to proclaim the gospel, the only

message that saves.

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Joel Littlefield is the father to 3 wonderful children, and blessed to be married to Callie. Joel currently serves as the worship leader and assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel in Crossville, TN.  His passion is to preach and teach Christ to the Church, and show that His glory, His joy, and His will are our primary mission in life as Christians.

Joel is the author of

Grace In Crossville (Amazon)
and
Beeline to the Cross (Barnes & Noble)
(Tate Publishing & Enterprises LLC.)

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Leaven Once Allowed

"Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD. You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the first fruits to the LORD" Leviticus 23:17.

Leaven is forbidden in almost every Jewish feast and festival. It is a representation of corruption or sin. But in the Feast of the First Fruits leaven is one of the elements God commands eaten during this feast.

The Feast of the First Fruits comes 50 days after The Feast of Passover and today we know it as the Day of Pentecost. 

Remarkably, the Day of Pentecost is when the church was born and was the beginning of the Gospel being spread all over the world. 

What God began with making the Jewish nation from Abraham, where all peoples would be blessed through him, was started when the 'leaven' of Gentiles was brought into the Holy of Holies. When the veil was torn in two when Christ died, everyone could worship God directly through Jesus. Gentiles no longer have to be proselytes of Judaism to enter into the very presence of God.

That's Christianity. Christ-followers the world over, from every tribe, peoples and tongue because of the First Fruits of the Born Again Christians on the Day of Pentecost.

"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation" Ephesians 2:14.

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Recognize Your Adversary For Life

"When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite” Luke 12: 58,59.

I had thought this verse was talking about the affairs of mankind toward one another. I see it now is about accepting or rejecting Jesus’ salvation. Wow! Scary!

Before salvation, our Adversary is the Lord. We’re the enemy of Jesus. "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind, by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled" Ephesians 2:1.

The ‘going’ spoken of in Luke 58 is the life we live from birth to death. All mankind is born to stand before God someday, so we are all going toward the Magistrate, God the Father.

We are told to make every effort to get near Jesus. Obviously, Jesus makes every effort to get near to us. Though God came to earth to reconcile every sinful man to Himself, there still is the need for every man to go to Jesus for salvation. If you have doubts of your salvation, there's a verse for you.

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified" 2 Corinthians 13:5.

If you need to accept Jesus Christ, then ask Him to save you. Say something like this.

"Dear God, I am a sinner and the death in hell forever

is my fate without you.  I know You are Holy God.

You came to earth and died on the cross to save me

from the fate of my sins, Please, Holy God, forgive

me of my sins and save me for Yourself.

Thank You God for forgiving me, and

saving me. Amen."

(reference verses for this salvation prayer)

(Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, John 14:6, Romans 10:9-11, Revelation 3:20, 1 John 5:13)

"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers" 1 Peter 4:7. A simple prayer to God asking for forgiveness will erase the separation between you and Him because Jesus death on the cross took all the wrath of the fate of sin.  "and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven; having made peace through the blood of His cross" Colossians 1:20. So settle the differences with Jesus in this life.

God the Father is the Judge. Anyone not covered with the blood of Jesus is standing in front of the Judge in Revelation 21:11. "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away. And there was no place found for them."

Anyone covered by the blood of Jesus has this promise from God, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the Spirit"Romans 8: 1.

The unsaved and condemned have to face the officer and then into prison. "Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" Revelation 21:14.

And they will be there until they have paid the very last mite! That is eternal death! ETERNITY!

How’s your witness to the lost around you? Do they know you’re a Christian? Do you look at them and see they need to make peace with their adversary now?

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Did They Really Believe Him To Be More Than A Man?

Have you ever wondered what the disciples were doing when Jesus came into Jerusalem on the donkey? What they were thinking? Do you think they really understood?

Just a few days before Jesus entered the city, Peter had answered Jesus' question “Who do you say I am?" with “You are the Christ, the Son Of God” but none of them were thinking of the prophecies of Isaiah, even after Jesus explains it to them.

On the way to Jerusalem, James and John asked for the two seats on either side of his throne, but they are thinking of an earthly throne. We can assume that Judas might be thinking of the monies he would have to hand; about having permanent place in the court next to the king. However, what were the others thinking; Andrew, Simon the Zealot, Bartholomew; what of the women?

It appears from the texts, they believe they’re on the way to Jerusalem to see the Deliverer of the Hebrews take over the kingdom of Rome. They know he has the power. For three years he’s shown them incredible things. But do they really believe him more than a man?

I doubt anyone was surprised by this entrance. Jesus has a big crowd of followers and the news of his coming has probably been circulating for days. What everyone is waiting for is a powerful leader charging in to defeat Rome.

They're most likely thinking Isaiah's prophecy is being fulfilled right in front of them. "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. And the government shall be upon His shoulders and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. but they stopped at the Government shall be upon His shoulders."

Jesus enters the city with great fanfare. No Jewish person has ever been welcomed into Jerusalem with such spontaneous celebration. During this cheering and praise there were Romans on the streets, watching and probably at arms ready, Red Alert. But the first thing Jesus does is go into the temple and chase out the religious cheats. Jesus stays at the temple the rest of the week. He doesn’t go anywhere near the Romans or the seat of power of Rome in Jerusalem. The soldiers probably relax.

But the Disciples are still waiting, all week, for him to attack Rome. Judas is getting disgusted but are the rest getting perplexed? Wondering?

What the people got was a quiet man with one thing on his mind, of which they failed to understand.

They just didn't get it.

The night of his betrayal, his disciples are so unaware, they go to sleep. They’ve completely forgotten that Jesus came there to die. He’d told them. But nothing has happened and they’re not paying attention. To them, at what we call the last supper, the cup and bread didn’t mean what it does to us. Christians know what it means.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him, will not die but have eternal life." John 3:16.

His broken body and spilled blood is our salvation. That whole week of Jesus in Jerusalem was the examination of the Lamb for Passover. The Priests examined Him and in the end could find no fault. They had to accept a lie to kill him.

We have to accept his death to be saved. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23.

We look on the beautiful, perfect Lamb of God at the end of that week, broken and bloody for our salvation. Jesus rode into quietly Jerusalem on a donkey and at the end of the week died horribly on a cross to give us the kingdom.

What the Disciples thought was going to happen that particular Passover week, ultimately happens, at the end of times. And this ride into Jerusalem means just as much to us today in bringing in the kingdom.

Later, they fully understood Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, but just then, they were blind.

Jesus is fully God and fully Man.
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I Challenge Your Faith!

These are some question that I ask in the workbook section of my EBook Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit. I had to answer these questions for myself when my home church went through a difficult time. I had to ask myself who or what was my I basing my faith in or on? Was my faith real?

How strong is your faith in Christ Jesus, the Lord? I want to challenge you right now to think about the consequences of sudden disasters like those that hit Job. These may sound gloomy but I want you to focus on the joy of the Lord; the joy that we are to have because we are pilgrims looking for the country where we are going. With these scenarios I challenge you to think about how close your personal walk is with Jesus and how much is just earthly baggage.

 What if your house burned down today? Everything in it is now ashes, not one thing survives. Mentally walk through your house right now and look at the things you have. Right now it is gone! It no longer exists!
1. What are you feeling the loss of most?
2. What is going to substitute for that loss?
3. Who are you going to trust to relieve the loss?
4. What is it you are afraid of facing the most at the loss of your house?


What if your spouse died today? Are you walking close enough to the Lord to accept it? If the person you love never comes back to you alive today, what do you think about?
1. Do they know I love them?
2. Have they trusted the Lord as their savior?
3. Have I prayed for them lately? Really prayed for their safety, well being, love, strength, spiritual growth? That they are walking close to the Lord daily?
4. Are they ready to meet the Lord Jesus today?


       If the scenario was your children died today, ask the previous questions for this also.

What if your home church burned, there is not a shred of anything left; to what do you associate the building?
1. What constitutes as loss when the building is no longer available?
2. How does this affect your worship?
3. How strong is your feeling toward the activities that you attended?
4. How much were you accustomed to what was available inside the building?
5. If how you served depended on the material inside the building; how will you serve now?


 What does the pastor mean to you in terms of your church attendance and service?
1. Do you come to church to hear him or God?
2. Do you feel uncomfortable when someone unfamiliar speaks?
3. Do you think this is the proper way you are to listen to sermons?
4. Are you reluctant to listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart through a different speaker?

What if you died today?

1. Are you ready today to meet Jesus?
2. Is your daily desire to meet Jesus face to face?
3. Is your family strong enough to walk with Jesus after your death?
4. Is there someone you need to tell about Jesus? 

     Examine your daily spiritual life.
1. How much of your life since your salvation has been building with straw, hay and stubble?
2.. How much of your life was building with gold, silver and precious stones?

Where are your values? Is it your stuff, your people, your

activities? Today, can you walk through your house and say to Jesus, I throw it all away. I challenge you to do just that.
1. Where have your thoughts been lately?
2. Where are they right now?
3. Do these scenarios hurt?
4. Why? Or why not?

Be Real!

Ask Jesus to clean your house, to show you where your stuff is hindering your service to Him. 

Do you love Him enough to let Him have everything?

Do you fear Him that much?

Think about these scenarios and pray about your thoughts daily.

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