Study Notes From Esther Chapter 5

Once a week, women from my home church gather for a Bible study. At this time, we are going through the book of Esther. These are the notes for the lesson in Chapter 5. Susan Estes

Esther Chapter 5

5:1, The Jews, at Esther’s request, have been fasting 3 days. (Daniel 10:3). Jesus said that when we fast we do not make it visible and He will see our faith and reward us, (Matthew 6:16-18.) Conceivably, Esther is still fasting, yet she is bathed and dressed in the royal apparel of Queen of the Medes and the Persians. More importantly, through fasting, she ‘washed’ and dressed herself in her faith in Almighty God.

Esther’s entrance is beautiful example of our cleansing by Jesus’ blood and our entrance into God’s Holy Throne room dressed in Jesus’ righteousness? Esther obtained her apparel when she became the bride to the king. All believers obtain glorious apparel when we become the Bride of Christ. (Isaiah 61:10)

5:2, Esther can’t see the future but her faith in action is entering Xerxes court knowing she could die. Trusting God is answering her prayers, she presents herself to Xerxes. Earlier Vashti refused to come wearing the Queenly raiment. Today Esther prepares herself in her royal clothing and presents herself for his inspection. Her care honors his throne, and for whatever reason, he approves.

We dress in royal robes of holiness and daily present ourselves to our King. But unlike Esther’s danger, our King’s throne room is always open to enter with boldness, joy, gladness and praise. (Psalm 100, Hebrews 4:16, 10:19,13:6, Ephesians 3:12). And God approves. He has betrothed us to Himself through our faith. (Ephesians 2:9-10) Hosea 2:19)

5:3, This verse shows God’s sovereignty at work in the faith of His people. Evil is visibly amassing against the Jews while God is moving unseen on their behalf. (Proverbs 21:1) It is conceivable for Xerxes to sign half the kingdom to her control. Historical documentation records women of Persian royalty owned and manage property.

5:4-8, (Proverbs 31:10-12) Knowing the king has the power to kill her even now, her approach is calculated to appeal to his pleasures. (Xerxes is known for his drinking parties. J. Vernon McGee). She does not know what will happen, yet she prepares for God’s future answer. The banquet is not to deceive, but Esther utilizes it to appeal to Xerxes baser nature, which appears to rule much of his decisions.

Inviting Haman is strategic, her invitation deadens any suspicions he could have, plus Xerxes will have the one person who flatters him as his Queen serves him. Esther utilizes the weakness of her king and Haman’s megalomania to facilitate male bonding around food.

5:9-11, Haman thrives on his own self-esteem. When Mordecai still doesn’t bow, Haman cannot even take pleasure knowing he has ordered Mordecai and the Jews killed. Maybe he thought Mordecai would be begging for his life. Haman has no concept of faith in the true and living God.

“For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.” C.S. Lewis , Mere Christianity

God, the Holy Spirit, gives the extraordinary supernatural gift of faith to those who are facing serious consequences, (1 Corinthians 12:9). Those tortured and murdered for being Christian in the past, and present, are supplied this amazing gift to endure horrendous physical acts against them. Mordecai is sure of his God. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are three men who stood in the power of God without bowing to idolatry, Daniel 3:12.

“Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” Hebrews 11:35b

God says to ask for His supernatural grace and He promises to supply all we need, when we need it. For all that He does in and through us, His body, the church, will bring beautiful glory to Him, (1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1).

5:12-14, Haman’s hatred is driven by pride and it’s lethal. Xerxes is a fool and Haman is a servant in power.

“For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food” Proverbs 30:22a.

“A quick tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated” Proverbs 14:17.

5:14, And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made. Haman has no idea that there is a real, powerful, and living God, who does move on behalf of His people.

The very essence of secularism is the thesis that the here and now is all there is. There is no realm of the eternal. But as Christians, we are called to consider the present in light of the eternal. This is what Jesus preached again and again. What does it profit a man if in this time and in this place he gains the whole world, but he loses his own soul (Luke 9:25)? —Dr. R.C. Sproul, Founder & Chairman of Ligonier Ministries, and author of Crucial Questions

The world is full of false gods, and those who believe in them suffer blindness to the fact their gods never answer or move one way or the other. They base their ‘faith’ on favorable or unfavorable circumstantial acts that happen to them. (Horoscope, Karma, Luck, The stars, Chance, The lottery)

We have the Almighty GOD as our GOD. He really is HOLY GOD. Let us get to know Him in a truly personal way that transcends this earth. For this earth is passing away. Our GOD is Everlasting.

Lesson points:

1. Prayer is a real connection between us and Almighty God

2. Believe God at His Word. (Hebrews 4:12) Read it to know it

3. Daily ask God to empower you for His service. (2 Corinthians 4:6,7)

4. Get to know your God.

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Salvation Through The Word Of God

The awesomeness of God's Holy Bible is that if anyone wants to know God and finds a Bible, they can read it and come to know God and His free salvation. They don't need to study any other books along side the Bible to lead them to God.

Sometimes too many study helps can get us off track from the simplicity of the Bible. And that can be very, very dangerous. We can get into the most ridiculous arguments over which version is right, but it is the Word of God, not our interpreta...tions of it that save people.

Paul warns, through Timothy, "Remind them of these things charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers" 2 Tim 2:14
and to Titus Paul wrote,"But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless" 3:9.

I've read and heard testimonies of people who have found only a page, or a scrap of the Bible, even a Bible tract, that have been saved through the power and love of God.

If you are a born-again Christian, saved by the grace of God, don't ever, ever, ever say anything about the Holy Bible other than what it says in 2 Timothy 3:16, 

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work"

"For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piecing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" Hebrews 4:12.

"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement" James 3:1.(Jesus prayed to God the Father) "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" John 17:17.

Don't ever say any part of whatever version of the Holy Bible you prefer is not able to save, for it is the power of God to save. Your thoughts for or against which Scripture is used by God don't have the smallest iota one way or the other. If the words are between the cover of the Holy Bible, God can use it for His glory! And God preserves His word for that very purpose.

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A Partaker of Christ: Guest Post by Larry Linton

This is post is used by permission.

“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;“ Hebrews 3:14

It says we are made the partakers of Christ. We are made, denotes that it is nothing we do, or have done but entirely of God’s grace.

I am baking bread today and not one loaf can say that it made itself. I measured the flour, sugar, salt, water and oil and I pounded it until I was satisfied. The end product passed through the fire but not of it’s own choice and now I have nice brown loaves cooling on racks with no effort of their own at all.

I as someone outside of themselves did all the work and I’ll admit I might have been hard on them a few times but the end product is worth the toil and the pain inflicted upon each and every loaf of bread. There will be no halleluiah dance tomorrow when I put them in the van to sell, and not one will lift up it’s head if pride because of all that they had done to make that oven so hot.

As Christians we have a far too high opinion of ourselves and the things that we have done to make things happen down here on earth.

The passage says for we were made partakers of Christ. The Christ was the name for the long awaited one or the redeemer of Israel, or the man upon the throne from the very beginning. He is the one that picked out the ingredients for His Church and He is the one who designs our trials to fit each one of us.

But then some preachers talk of all the things that they have done, as if God had been nowhere in sight. We are nothing of ourselves but we have been made partakers of the Christ the redeemer, and it is only in him that we live and move and have our being.

This being a partaker of Christ is only possible when we remember who we are and where we came from.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8, 9 & 10

We plainly see here that we are saved by God’s grace and not by our own works, and it gives us a reason for this in verse 10. We are His workmanship and we are created in Christ Jesus for the express purpose of good works, and not works of our own choosing, but, after our salvation by grace, whereby God purchases us, for His own glory. He has chosen works for each one of us to do based upon our “God given” talents.

Both Ephesians and Hebrews tell us the same thing. Hebrews says that we are to hold the beginning of our faith steadfast unto the end and Ephesians says we were chosen to perform good works, which God hath beforehand ordained that we should walk in them.

It is very necessary to remember where God found us,----- on the road to Hell, and He chose us and saved us by His grace, never think more highly than we ought to think, we are nothing without God and God performed everything, all of the way.

Praise His Holy Name.

God Bless!

Larry Linton is a retired widower, a former Pastor and Church planter, who studied Bible Exposition at New Brunswick Bible Institute. He is an avid blogger on Facebook, posting almost daily going through the Bible book by book, verse by verse.

Larry also is a baker, who's fresh breads help a mission in Mistassini, Quebec.

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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 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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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.

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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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Leaders In Faith, Leaders Of Faith

"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" James 5:14,15.

It is the example of faith in the leaders of the church that helps in the healing faith of the sick. The oil may be medicine from the Doctor, or it may be the action of using the symbol of the Holy Spirit (the oil) that helps the sick recover.

But whatever way God choses to interact in response to the elder's prayer, it is the action of believing faith exhibited in our elders that comes to the forefront. It is all faith in the Lord that is the power.

The showing of faith is like the faith of the four men who brought the paralytic to Jesus by lowering him through the roof. It was their faith that brought God's blessed healing on the sick man. (Mark 2: 1-5)

In seeing the godly faith of others brings conviction of sins and repentance and finally forgiveness. The sick are healed physically and maybe healed spiritually also, if need be.

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Preach the Word, In Season & Out of Season

My Husband is in Hospice care, but thankfully he's still at home with me. His in-home care workers come 6 days a week to help me take care of him.

I had prayed some months ago that God would use our house as a place for the gospel to be told to people who come to visit. Specifically that my kitchen would be used for His glory and to somehow save the souls of some people who God would have me talk to.

God is SOOOOOO good! It is amazing how He answers prayers. While the need of my husband is sad, it seems to be the way God is using this time as the answer to my prayer. People are coming into our house where we can present Jesus' free salvation to them.

I had been still praying for that to happen, today God showed me He was willing to grant me the ability. Today, during the time my Husband and I share the Bible and prayer in the morning, I prayed for the salvation of the worker, and that God would help us/me be some way used today to introduce the woman to Jesus.

All of Husband's helpers know we are Christians, as they have all seen us pray together and read our Bibles.

I didn't want to speak during the woman's working time, as that means she would have to listen even if she didn't want to. But after I signed her voucher sheet at the end of her time, she began speaking about seeing angels and an experience she had while visiting a relatives' grave. She thought a dead relative had reached out to her from the grave when something unusual happened while at the grave side.

That was my opening! And she didn't have any more clients today so she stayed another 20 minutes.

After talking a bit about angels, I ended up at the passage of Luke 16 and Jesus' explaining about Lazarus and the Rich Man and how in the Afterlife, there's a gulf between the two eternal places, paradise and hell.
Jesus shows Lazarus is comforted and at peace, without worry, having trusted in God, while the rich man who trusted in his riches was in torment.
And the finality of Jesus' words that 'even if a man comes back from the dead, those who hear him will not believe.' But they have Moses and the prophets to learn from.

I explained as I understood it, that the dead do not have access to the living, nor does Paradise have access to Hell. The opposite is true that Hell has no access to Heaven.

And, although she refused to take an offered Bible tract, she said I had given her much to think about. And I know the Holy Spirit will use the Word to speak to her.

God says, "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and shall proper in the thing for which I sent it" Isaiah 55:10,11.

The Word of God is how people hear the gospel. Jesus says so.

"For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17.

(Jesus prayed to the Father) "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edge sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" Hebrews 5:12.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

GOD IS SO GOOD!

AMAZING GRACE!

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Today's Christians are Modern Daniels

The way the majority of Liberals want to suppress Christianity in America by making laws against us and our worship of God, has similarities to the way the leading rulers of Daniel's day attempted to kill him by making his faith in God illegal.

"Then these men said, 'We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.'" Daniel 6:5.

The modern pantheologist know they cannot be rid of true Christianity attacking us through our law-honoring live-styles, so they attack us through our worship of our God. So like these men set a trap for Daniel in making his worship of God illegal, so today's American Liberal community are attempting to do to us.

"All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisers have consulted together to establish a royal statue and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions."

"Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which does not alter"

"Therefore King Darius signed the written decree."

Daniel 6:7,8,9.

Since it is impossible to eliminate God from the earth, it is only reasonable for pantheologists to attempt to eliminate the people of God from the earth.

So what are we to do in defense?

"Now when Daniel knew the writing had been signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days" Daniel 6:10.

As difficult as it is sometimes, today's Christians need to be as steadfast as Daniel in our faith. We must know we will be attacked for our faith, yet our faith is in Almighty God, the Savior. Let us go into our rooms and pray to our God every day as habitually as Daniel.

Daniel's adherence to his faithful prayers, did result in being thrown into the lion's den, yet God saved him from the people who hated him. We have no guarantee of not being eaten by lions, but God is will intercede for us, making a distinction between us who worship Him and those who work to harm us. (Hebrews 11)

Let our faith be known as our witness. And may our God give us the strength and peace to do so.

"For 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.

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Motivation in Discouragement

Our faith in God doesn't change with our circumstances. My husband and I love Jesus and trust Him for all things. He is our Comfort and Guide, our Helper and the One who sustains us through all things.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1.

We are without a personal vehicle.
We are in some financial difficulties. (My husband's age and health have changed our financial situation)
We are awaiting an official decision about a situation that needs clarification.

They are troubling singly and very troubling when coming all at the same time.

But that has nothing to do with our faith in God. God hasn't changed.

• God is still Omnipotent.
• God is still Omnipresent.
• God is still Omniscient.

We still need to pray with thanksgiving and supplication. Our intercessory prayers are not hindered.

We still need to read our Bibles. The truth and power of God's word is still the same.

We still need to evangelize. People held in the bondage of sin need to hear about the free salvation of our God.

These truths are to be grasped with zeal in our faith in God!

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills---from which comes my help?

My help comes from the LORD. who made heaven and earth"

Psalm 121:1,2.

God is doing something about our troubles, even though we know nothing about His future plan at the moment. The outcome is in His hands. Our faith is in Him.

If you are in a struggle, trust God is able to do all things.

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The Sweetness Of God Changing Us, also known as, The Chocolate Pie Mix

Instant chocolate pudding mix was

created to become something more

I beseech you therefore, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  Romans 12: 1, 2

Every person born is created by God to worship Him. But does that happen? No.

Imagine a nice golden pie crust as God. He is available and ready to receive everyone. Now pour us, the instant chocolate pudding mix into this crust. Now there's just a pile of dark brown powder in the center of the crust. It has neither adhered to itself nor to the pie crust.

Doesn't do much for the appetite does it?

Can the powdered mix make itself into something more appealing, even though it's sitting inside the crust? No.

So, as this instant chocolate pudding mix, we are incapable of changing into something else. We’re just not going to make a pie of ourselves in the state we are in. Dust, powder. Nothing. No one would want to eat pie crust filled with chocolate powder.

But, God wants us to be in Him. To do that, we have to change into people who can worship Him. People who are in Him.

Imagine cold milk as the Holy Spirit. Now this chocolate powder wants to be a pie in God, so God pours in the Holy Spirit. Instantly, there is a change! God whisks us around, changing us. The instant pudding mix has now become something new. Now when in God, the pie crust, we are made a beautiful pie, sharable, sweet, and delicious.

To get to this new creation, we needed the Holy Spirit in us and then some whisking around to make us something we weren't before. But being beaten with a whisk is painful, disgusting, and messy.

Nevertheless, it had to happen. It is the only way to get us into what God wants us to be. This takes some changes we may not like, but in the end, we are better than we were before.

Because God loves us, He saves us. Jesus saves us and God immediately changes us. It is a fact of the Christian life. Otherwise, we are not part of Him. Lack of God’s changing us is visible to everyone. Other Christians know it and the world knows it. If you don’t change under God’s love and instruction, the world knows you are not a Christian. You won’t fit in the pie. You're just loose powder that can be blown here and there without the Holy Spirit, the mixed in milk, and without any adherence to God, the pie crust.

Expiration dates on packages mean that stores have to throw food away. Think of the millions of instant chocolate pudding boxes that get thrown into the dumpsters, never made into a pie. They’re lost forever, burned in incinerators and thrown on dumps.

Those people never asked God to save them or forgive them and they expired, their time was up and they are forever lost.

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A Few Thoughts on Judgement and Judging

Ultimate judgment belongs to God. The entirety of people created by God face His judgment, from Adam to the last person to die off this world. When this world ends, God will separate the sheep from the goats, (Matthew 25: 32, 33,) making the final judgment between those who are children of God saved by His grace, and those who rejected His Son Jesus’ substitutionary death in their place on the cross.

The theme of God’s judgment goes all through the bible, giving us instructions on what pleases God and what displeases God. In the finality, God will be the judge at two thrones, two judgment seats. The Great White Throne of Judgment and the Throne of Grace, (Bema Seat)

In Revelation 20, the unsaved face God’s sentencing at the Great White Throne Judgment. This is not a courtroom where anyone pleads their defense. They are there to accept that court has already convened, and they receive sentencing to their eternal prison, the ‘Lake of Fire.’ The court trial has already taken place at the cross and the sentence meted out. After Jesus took all of the sin of mankind onto Himself, God punished Jesus, thus fulfilling the required punishment of breaking the law- that is, our sin. Romans 6: 23.

1 Corinthians 3: 7-17; 1 Peter 1: 7; The saved will face the judgment of the Throne of Grace. (Bema Seat) Exodus 25: 17-22; Hebrews 9; 1 John 2: 1, 2)). At this throne, God will judge our works done here on earth after we accepted Jesus. This judgment seat is where God tests, through fire, our works done in Jesus’ name, and for the glory of God the Father. The works that did not glorify God will burn up like wood, hay, and straw. That which we did in the name of Jesus to the glory of God the Father will shine as gold, silver, and precious stones. This is where we receive our rewards.

The saved have the distinction of not having past sins brought up before the Father because He chooses to look at us as covered in the blood of His son Jesus. Hebrews 10: 17; Psalm 103: 12. The saved accepted the punishment of Jesus’ death on the cross and God’s punishment has passed from them. Romans 8:1.

While God has the ultimate judgment, Christians are to judge between right and wrong. The bible tells us to separate ourselves from the world, that is, live a different life than the unsaved, to learn what pleases God and what displeases Him. Romans 12:2. (Be holy for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16, (Leviticus 11:44)) We have to judge between the right things of God and the wrong things of the world. The bible is our tool to do this. Judge what is good to hear, to see, to do, and to speak. Philippians 4: 8, 9.

The commandment of Do not covet is for the purpose of distinction, this is an inner heart judgment.

We are to judge between each other. 1 Corinthians 6: 1-3, is our judgment of people we come in contact with.

Matthew 7: 16-20. This judgment also provides protection for our well-being, welfare, lives, and even our families. James 4: 1-7. We need to judge whether this person is harmful to us physically, mentally, morally, financially, or harmful to our ministries: can they make us ineffective, can they destroy our witness, or can they draw us away from God? (Do not cast your pearls before swine. Matthew 7: 6.)

The bible instructs us to judge between those who we count as friends and associates. To judge the other against what we know of the bible is acceptable. Titus 1:10-13; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15; Galatians 1: 8, 9; 1 Timothy 5: 24, 25; 1 John 4: 1, is to have knowledge of who we speak to, and how we act, or react to people.

If we see a person claiming to be a Christian, we are to hold up what we know from God’s word and judge if they are truly Christians. If we do not make this judgment, we can get into trouble. False brethren can bring us into God’s displeasure and His necessary judgment in a just punishment. Hebrews 12: 5, 6. Without judging, we may stumble and fall.

James warns us to keep a sense of humility when we judge. (We are not to condemn others, Matthew 7:1-5). We are not to stand in the place of God and point fingers to destroy anyone. If we judge, we are to take our knowledge from Jesus and make a distinction between right and wrong according to what the bible says. If we slander, or hurt in our judgment, we ourselves are wrong and God will judge accordingly.

If we judge, two or more people must substantiate our judgment or it is not to be accepted. 1 Timothy 5: 19; (Deuteronomy 16: 6, 19: 15)

We judge our brethren biblically to help them remain in the faith and walk in the light. Galatians 6: 1; James 5: 19, 20.

John 15: 18, our faith in Jesus is a judgment of the world. If we do not judge others, who are without faith, our witness is useless. There has to be the condemnation of sin before they accept Jesus’ salvation. We make this judgment only in imitating Jesus’ love for the lost. Do nothing without love.

So, yes, do not judge to condemn anyone and but the other-side of the coin says, yes, judge for the correct reasons.

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Bits and Pieces From A Notebook

As I listen to preachers on the radio, read scriptures, and have daily Bible devotions, I scribble notes here and there. Here is a selection from my collection of notes and quotes.

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Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve ate themselves out of house and home.

The Results of Justice = Jesus took my punishment
The Results of Mercy = God didn't punish me
The Results  of Grace = God lavished His favor on me

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Justice is getting a ticket

Mercy is not getting a ticket

Grace is Jesus paid for my ticket

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Salt purifies, preserves, gives flavor, protects, sterilizes, absorbs, irritates.

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled by men" Matthew 5:13.

Light reveals, spotlights, highlights, burns, dispels darkness, heals, brightens, shines, guides, gives safety, comforts.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" Matthew 7:14,15,16.

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We need to take a heavenly perspective on earthly situations.

"Set your mind on things above,
not on things of the earth"
Colossians 3:2

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"Money is a great servant, but a terrible master"

Unknown

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"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8.

3 Ways to put Others before yourself:

• 1. Recognize that Jesus went to the cross for them too. He sees us all the same.
• 2. Pray for others' needs when you are in distress--you will probably know someone else who is struggling with whatever you are struggling with at that time.
• 3. Recognize we all have the same basic needs. As sinners in need of a Savior, we are no different than anyone else.

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"But you shall receive power when the 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.

    If we are saved in Jesus, we are witnesses to what He has done for us. We are in the courtroom, in the witness box, with the unsaved world staring at us as we relate what Jesus has done.

Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!

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We are surrounded by the unsaved, yet are we using
our resources right to help them see Jesus?

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The Grace Gifts of God are all the power of God 

in us by God's grace to give the lost hope in the

salvation of Jesus. Let us not sporadically toss our

knowledge at them, but let God empower us to

tell them the gospel.

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As in water face reflects face: So a man's heart reveals the man" Proverbs 27:19.

    I pray my actions, words, deeds and life choices reveal the changes Jesus has made in me. May my Christianity reveal to others that I do not have 'religion' but a personal relationship with Jesus. He is not only My God but a loving Person to whom I return love. He is not only my Teacher, but my Friend. May others want what I have in Jesus.

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"You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. Teach me good judgement and knowledge, for I believe in Your word. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word" Psalm 119:65,66,67.

 God is perfect in justice; perfect in punishment.

    The repentant acknowledge their affliction may be God's chastisement for sin. Something needed correction and God brought some punishment that corrected the trouble, thus teaching His child the way he should go. The now corrected one praises and thanks God for starting them in the right direction again.

• I need to accept God's correction.

     As a loving Father, when He corrects me, He knows exactly what punishment is right. He knows just the right amount of punishment. And He knows just the right time for my punishment.

    God says I am His child if I accept chastisement. May I learn from God, my Father, the way I should go and the correct way to live for His glory.

"My son, do  not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives"
Hebrews 12:5,6.

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"Why do the nations rage, and the people
plot a vain thing?"

Psalm 2:1.

Why be so foolish as to rebel against God?

"He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The LORD shall hold them in derision"

Psalm 2:4.

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"Vanity of vanities", says the Preacher;

"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity"

Ecclesiastes 1:2.

Vanity = soap bubbles

Vanity = ephemeral beauty

Vanity = gusts of wind refreshing the face for a moment

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When it comes to authority we have a warped sense of right.

"There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way of death" Proverbs 16:25.

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Relying on our own sense of spiritual direction

is like blindly running into a brick wall.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path"

Psalm 119:105.

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