Hi Ladies! No video today~ There just seems to be so much going on these days, and I am confident you all can relate. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, which also brings with it, lots and lots of things to do--on top of the normal craziness most of us live with every day! Am I right?
For this post, I want to do a couple of things. First, I want to ask you to please let me know who's out there. We only had 3 comments posted this past week and 1 of those one from Yours Truly. Even if you're shy or you don't have a Blogger account, we'd still love to know you're out there and with us. Feel free to comment using the "anonymous" option, and then just sign it with your first name. Jenifer and I are really hoping to help our community, even this online one, grow and we need YOUR help to make that happen. Are you with me?
Secondly, I want to let you all know that next week's Bible Study post will come from Jenifer! Make sure you check back. We won't "meet" for the week of Christmas or the week of New Year's, but we will plan to begin updating the blog with more stuff for all Chicks to enjoy--whether you're participating in the blog study or not, so make sure to keep checking back!
Okay, on to the post!
In the story of Esther, we see the sovereignty of God throughout the entire book. I don't know about you, but it is often very difficult for me to embrace the truth that God is sovereign when I see and experience things that hurt me or those I love, or when I see atrocities that take place on any given day around the world. It's often difficult to experience peace when we find experience the thoughts and emotions that we do when confronted with such realities. Jenifer and I were blessed to get to attend the Casting Crowns Christmas Concert (Check out her blog for some great pics). Mark Hall, the lead singer of the group, reminded us that Peace is a Person and His Name is Jesus Christ. With that being true, then what that also means is that if we know Jesus Christ, and if He lives in us, then WE carry peace WITH US wherever we go.
His words have continued to speak to me these past few days, and as I consider what the times were like for Mordecai and Esther, and how they experienced governmental leaders who didn't honor the One True God and as they experienced some very unfair situations, the God of Peace was sovereignly overseeing the entire thing.
That same God oversees every bit of every tiny detail of our lives as well. And just as He cared for Esther and Mordecai IN their circumstances, He cares for us in the same way as well.
So, my discussion question this week is brief: What is your response to the truth (not how you feel about what you may be going through or would like to see changed in your life) that this same God, and Prince of Peace, is very concerned about YOU and the challenges and circumstances you are facing? How do you respond to the fact that He doesn't always change our circumstances, but that He desires to do what is absolutely best for us in them?
Remember, too, that just as at this point in the study we aren't seeing HOW all of this will work out for Esther and Mordecai, they had to live this out without knowing how it would all work out either. May we be people who walk by faith when what we see isn't so convincing.
I am looking forward to hearing from you all--it's your turn. Press "comments" and type away!
Until Next Week~
Shelley
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Week 3 of On Purpose For a Purpose
Posted by Unknown at 12:25 PM
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3 comments:
I have learned alot in these 3 weeks.
I like that song that says, "Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms His child." God DOES at times show me His power by working miracles and lifting me out of challenges I am facing. Other times however, He allows me to walk through difficulties, and I experience Him in a totally different way. It is during these times that God draws me close to Himself and I experience God's compassion and love. God doesn't always change our circumstances, but He uses those times to not only draw us to Himself but also to use us in ways He would have not been able to had we not gone through those experiences.
I can honestly look back on many circumstances in my life and see God's work and plan so clearly, but I also remember in the midst of the mess sometimes I did not feel that way. I always try to tell myself his plan is far greater than anything I could imagine and I truly believe that, so even if the circumstances don't change, I know it's because HE doesn't want them to, it's not part of his plan for my life. My favorite part of this chapter is pg.52 "God sees the end from the beginning" Amen, I hear ya!
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