For such a time as this...

For Such A Time As This...

For Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur (that is, cast lots), to crush and to destroy them. But when it came before the king, he gave orders in writing that his evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows 

(Esther 9:24-24).

God's name is not mentioned one time in the book of Esther. Yet, I can't miss feeling His hand everywhere in this book. I love to read Esther because it reminds me that even when I don't see Him, He is there. He is faithful. He is just. Even when it seems my enemies are overtaking me, He knows it all. For my enemies, "...evil plotting returns on their own head". 

Vengeance is mine, and recompense,

for the time when their foot shall slip;

for the day of their calamity is at hand,

and their doom comes swiftly.’

For the Lord will vindicate his people

and have compassion on his servants,

when he sees that their power is gone

and there is none remaining, bond or free. 

Deuteronomy 32:35-36

Yes. I know what it's like to lay awake at night wondering how things will ever come right on the other side? I know what it's like to wonder how God will ever make things right. I know what it's like to have unforgiveness and bitterness reign in my heart. It's not pretty. But it's true.   

It's taken me 46 years to realize that God is the only One who sees all and knows all. His view is unfiltered while mine is clouded and prejudiced by my past experience and baggage. I always think I know how best to "pay back" injustices in my own eyes. But God is the only One who knows true justice. He asks me to forgive so that I can be free - not so that they can be free. I don't know why good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. But God does. I don't know why this mountain of hurt had to happen. But God does. He has restored the years the locusts have eaten in my life and He can do the same with yours. He allowed this trial to come into my life and I'm stronger because of it. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Absolutely yes.

The question isn't whether or not they will pay for the wrongdoing and injustice they've done. The REAL question is whether or not I have faith that God is good and faithful and just. Do I believe that 'God will vindicate me when He sees that my power is gone...' Do I believe? Do you believe? Once that question is answered - peace that surpasses understanding overwhelms my heart and it will do the same for you. 

Remember, forgiveness doesn't forfeit justice - it releases it to God. Maybe God has called us "for such a time as this" to trust Him with justice?  May grace and mercy and joy pour over us all the days of our lives as we remember these truths. In Jesus mighty name, amen.

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Worry is just negative prayer

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 
(Matthew 6:26-27)
It was 4 AM when I opened my eyes. The sun hadn't risen yet but I could hear the birds. I'm not sure how they had so much to say before the day even started but it was loud and persistent chatter. I tried to close my eyes but my mind started circling.
How beautiful are the words of Jesus in Matthew 6. Such a simple illustration, yet deeply profound. Why do we worry? Why do we spend boundless hours thinking, re-hashing, and ultimately perseverating? Countless sleepless nights have never led me anywhere good nor have they ever ended with solutions. We become what we think about. Uugh. There's a scary thought. If it's true that we have 60K-70K thoughts per day and 80+% are negative - it's no wonder our lives, and society as a whole, are a mess. Today is a new day. 
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).
I remember my Korean mother was a worry wart. She would constantly spend ceaseless hours in the night thinking of 'what might happen'. Before she died, she exasperatedly said over and over in her Korean vernacular, 'WHY I WORRY?!' 
Truth be told - we give others grief while we give ourselves the benefit of the doubt. We only know our motives and we only THINK we know theirs. It's a LIE. Stop. Just stop. The enemy gloats over our anxiety because it incapacitates our ability to focus and work. It steals our joy and it robs God of the glory He deserves and demands through the fulfillment of our God-given purpose. 
After all, most things we worry about never happen. One of my mentors said, "worry is just negative prayer". Let's choose today to give all things over to the Lord. Let's choose today to not waste another moment considering "what might happen" or "what we think happened" or "what that person's motives were". Only God truly knows. Let's be like the birds - carefree. Let's choose today to cast our burdens on Him – the only One who knows the beginning and the end and knows the secrets of the hearts of men. It's in Jesus powerful and matchless name I ask these things, amen.

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Just DO it

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers . And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47). 

I love reading The Acts of the Apostles, written by Dr. Luke. I love that Luke's works serves as a clear bridge between the life of Christ to the church of Christ. Verse 47 jumps out at me. All of the apostles effort in sharing the gospel...the Lord is the one responsible for the outcome. I hope that gives you more clarity today. For me - it's the hope for health with Yoli. For you it may be something entirely different. Regardless of what kind of work you do, He's the one who gives the favor. He's the one who gives the outcome. Just DO it -whatever He's given you to do and wherever He's asked you to go, just DO it in faith and watch Him do His work! Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. you are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24). It's in Jesus name I pray these things, Amen. 

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Focus on the Vertical

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12 -14).

I don't have to scroll Facebook very long or surf channels on TV very long before I realize, I am not at home. I ask God each day to keep my sights vertical and not horizontal. You see, when I focus on the horizontal my eyes wander left and right and anxiety begins - despair. But, when I focus on the vertical I remember who's in charge and I experience peace assurance - hope. When I focus on the vertical, my light shines brighter - permeating the darkness. Try it. Bow your head in humble prayer and study of the Word. Now raise your head in confident assurance looking to the only One who gives rest. Peace. Now, pray for someone that your flesh doesn't want to pray for. See if it doesn't lighten the weight on your shoulders. Once we realize"...we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places...", it's easier to keep our eyes vertical, resting in the one true Judge. God bless your day with peace, calm, and vertical focus. These things I pray in Jesus powerful and matchless name - amen. 

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Truth and Freedom

A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike; to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one's right hand. (Proverbs 27:15-16)

I used to hate reading Proverbs when I first started my walk with the Lord because I had an excuse for everything. But Lord, he...she...they...did this or this or that! Intriguing (smh) to look back at all I've written in my bible. Encouragement, conviction, pride, humility...it's been a roller coaster ride. One thing I know for certain, is that abiding in God's Word is TRUTH and FREEDOM. Is it easy? Certainly not. But is it worth it? Absolutely yes! Confession: I spent years trying to prove that I was right and Keith was wrong. I spent years trying to yell louder so I could be "heard:. I wasted years sitting up at night crying believing I was fighting with this man. God, through His Word, allowed me to see my error and poor judgement. He saved my marriage. 

You see, the enemy wants us to believe we're fighting with flesh and blood - Kieth's words against my words; Keith's wisdom; Keith's wants against my wants. The enemy wants us to believe that there is something good that God is keeping from us - something wonderful we are being denied of. 

But the truth is, there's a larger war going on amidst our personal battles. We can't see everything - even as "wise"  as we believe we are. All of the fences (laws/parameters/plumb lines) built around our lives through the truth of the Word are for our own protection and good. Why is it hard? Our pride and stubbornness. What makes it possible? Faith and humility. You choose - it's called free will. One will take you down a road of hardship and misery. The other will take you down the road of peace, sweet sleep, and rest. He is the only One who is faithful and true. Choose wisely. 

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When you don't know what to pray

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:26-28).

Have you ever had one of those days? One of those days where problems - big and small, come at you like dodge balls? You feel you've become a pro at bob and weave...still at the end of the day, by the time your head hits the pillow, you're exhausted?! Yeah, me too. It's those days that I'm not even sure what to pray - how to pray - who to pray for. Right?! Anyone with me? 

I have found that if I can just utter the words "thank you", immediately, I can feel the Spirit cover me in peace like a blanket. He searches hearts and knows what we need before we even ask. He intercedes on our behalf. Try it today. In Jesus mighty name I claim and ask these things, amen. 

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The Alpha & Omega

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lighting, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, like crystal (Revelation 4:1-6).

What do I see clearly in this passage today? He is SEATED on the throne. He's not pacing in worry and angst. He is not surprised by our world today. He's not anxious about who wants power; who thinks he's in power; or who has no power. He is all knowing, omniscient. He is all present, omnipresent. he is all powerful omnipotent. The Alpha & Omega. Therefore I am at rest and have peace that surpasses understanding. Lord, help me to remember this throughout the day and always. It's on the mighty name of Jesus I remember and ask these things. Amen.

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