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Today’s Reading: Esther 7-10; Revelation 3

As we are in the middle of our Advent season, it’s no coincidence that this is one of the most stressful and tiring time of the year. 

We as Christians believe that this is the coming of Christ again into our lives. We have anticipation for that love and joy that he brings. When the original Heralds of Angels proclaimed the good news of Christ coming, they stated “peace beyond to you“. 

This is peace that we cannot understand and peace that we need for our spirits. But the adversary wants to distract us from that peace and that calmness. 

During the month of December, there are so many things to keep you busy. There are so many things to distract you from peace. There are so many things to distract you from calm. 

During December, many people are reliving grief from departed loved ones.

 

During December, so many of us have heartaches of unresolved angst. 

There is so much calamity that peace cannot be seen easily. That is why we have Christ to give us this peace during these tumultuous times.

In our reading in Esther,  there is a time of stress and chaos when Mordecai has been given a death sentence. Not only has he been given a death sentence, but his entire people and his race have been given a death sentence on an appointed day by his enemy. But God allows for his peace to come into this situation.  

“So the king and Haman went to dinner with Queen Esther. At this second dinner, while they were drinking wine the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what would you like? Half of my kingdom! Just ask and it’s yours.” Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your eyes, O King, and if it please the king, give me my life, and give my people their lives. “We’ve been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed—sold to be massacred, eliminated. If we had just been sold off into slavery, I wouldn’t even have brought it up; our troubles wouldn’t have been worth bothering the king over.” King Xerxes exploded, “Who? Where is he? This is monstrous!” “An enemy. An adversary. This evil Haman,” said Esther. Haman was terror-stricken before the king and queen.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, archenemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king because Esther had explained their relationship. The king took off his signet ring, which he had taken back from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther appointed Mordecai over Haman’s estate.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

This will bring so much calamity and so much strife to the best person. But God had a different plan. He softened the heart of King Xeres to hear Queen Esther‘s request and when the King heard the request he gave it graciously. This request actually saved Mordecai life in the Jewish people‘s lives.  Normally this would create discourse, but Mordecai was patient and allowed God to work through Esther for his own benefit. 

Sometimes we have to be patient and let God work through others for our behalf. We do not have to take the battle for ourselves, we do not have to defend our actions. We do not have to pick up any arms to protect us, if we know that God is for us. 

During this season, we can take solace in Christ, He has come before us and is working on our behalf. We do not have to endure the harshness of Winters alone. We do not have to do anything alone, because Christ is with us throughout everything.

This is the confidence that we have in Christ. This is what Christ sees in us :

““I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough. “And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan—watch as I strip off their pretensions and they’re forced to acknowledge it’s you that I’ve loved. “Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test. “I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Esther 4-6, Revelation 2

Chet is right.  The book of Esther needs to be made a movie.  Esther is clearly the hero, and every good hero has a mentor.  Bruce Wayne, for example, has Alfred and Luke Skywalker has Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Esther, has Mordecai.

Mordecai has superpowers.  The root of them is faith.  For example, he is so certain of God that he refuses to bow to Haman even when everyone else does (Ester 3:2).  Then, facing death, he displays total peace and confidence (Esther 5:9).  Given Mordecai’s faith it’s easy to wonder why he is not the hero. That would be too easy.  God likes to complicate is work with people that are not qualified and are not expected.  That is Esther.  But, she needs help.

Mordecai masterfully encourages her.  His way is not patronizing.  It’s challenging.  Check out their exchange in chapter 4.

Mordecai pleads to Esther, “Go tell the king about Haman’s plot to kill the Jews.”

“I can’t” she replies. “The king will kill me if I enter without an invitation.”

“Do it anyway.” He insists.  “This is why God brought you here in the first place.”

Clearly this story has some cinematic opportunity, but I am thankful that I dont need it.  I hear clearly the call of Mordecai to stand up, stand firm, and believe.  Believe in God that has you here, right now, with all of these challenges so that you too can be something – for Him.

Today’s Readings: Zechariah 9-11; 1 John 5

Zechariah 9–11 contains prophecies that address themes of judgment, deliverance, and the role of leadership. These chapters speak of God’s sovereignty over nations, His protection of His people, and the consequences of rejecting His divine leadership. These themes resonate deeply with the turmoil in the Middle East today.

In Zechariah 9, God declares judgment on oppressive nations and promises deliverance for His people. Verses 9-10 foretell the coming of a King who will bring peace, a prophecy foretelling the coming of Jesus. Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, this points to the need for a true, lasting peace—one that transcends political negotiations and stems from spiritual reconciliation.

Zechariah 10 emphasizes God’s restoration of His people. It highlights the failure of human leaders (“shepherds”) and God’s intervention to regather and strengthen His people. In today’s context, the instability and leadership crises across the region echo the need for divine intervention. It reminds believers to pray for God’s guidance and restoration for all who are affected.

Zechariah 11 warns of rejecting the true shepherd. It speaks of betrayal and the consequences of rejecting God’s chosen leader. This resonates with the ongoing rejection of Christ by many and the broader struggles for spiritual truth in a region marked by religious conflict.

These chapters remind us that human solutions to the Middle East’s strife will fall short without God’s peace. They call for prayer, a return to God’s sovereignty, and the hope of restoration through Christ, the ultimate Shepherd and King.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

Zech 2-5, Psalm 93, 1 John 3

How do you define accountability?  As I child, I defined it as a yard-stick.   A swift, thwack agains the back of my legs got my attention quickly.  I never liked it, but I always needed it.  I still need it now, as an adult.  It was true in Bible times too.  Throughout 1 John, the apostle John is exercising his responsibility to hold Christians accountable.  When you examine it you will see three distinct components.  A reminder of who Jesus is, how we react to that understanding and finally, why it matters.

I John starts with a reminder of who Jesus is.  If you haven’t noticed, its easy to get mixed up about Jesus.  That is as true today as it was 2,000 years ago when John wrote this book.  People everywhere were questioning Jesus’ divinity.  After all, how is it possible to be human and God?  Our faith is easily sidetracked with such questions.  Many of us already have. For example, it is far easier to believe that Jesus was just a “good guy” than it is to believe he is God.  In 1 John, John rebutts these falsehoods with a strong message of truth.  He reminds us that Jesus was, in fact, “from the beginning,” meaning that he was with God before all of creation.  He also points to evidence of his humanity, recalling that they saw him personally and were able to touch him physically (John 20:27).  These reminders of truth hole us accountable to the core truth’s of Jesus. 

As we recall his perfect nature, John begins to encourage us to act accordingly.  The behavioral change John is talking about starts with our heart which is justified through Jesus’ sacrifice. This starts by remembering our need for forgiveness and salvation,  behavioral change will follow. 

God fills our renewed hearts with His love and goodness.  Out of this river, flows righteousness and good deeds.

In conclusion, John encourages us to be confident.  Not just for eternal life, but for true life.  Right here on earth.  God cares about our struggles.  He wants to intercede.  He will intercede.  Sometimes, we just need a reminded.

Today’s Reading: Ezra 1-2: John 21

Advent is here! I am so excited to start the season of advent. At the beginning of last week I was a little bit sad and down, but with the change into December and the change in the temperature I’m getting excited about Advent and Christmas.  

I’ve got lights hung up outside. The front yard and the backyard are illuminated for the early evenings. I got the tree up with lights and the house is warm with the smell of coziness.  Jillian has set up the house with the beautiful decorations. We have started setting up the calendar for the world wind of weeks that we will have coming up soon. But we are excited about the coming together of family and friends and Christ.

In these two passages, we are gathering people. In Ezra chapter 1 and 2, King Cyrus is actually bringing the entire nation of Judah and Israel together to rebuild the nation and the Temple. This is the Exodus from Babylon. This is a celebration that was foretold several centuries before . In some of the previous blogs we have mentioned about the protection and provision that God has for us in Babylon. After we come out of Babylon, God has something amazing for us.

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—this fulfilled the Message of God preached by Jeremiah—God prodded Cyrus king of Persia to make an official announcement throughout his kingdom. He wrote it out as follows: From Cyrus king of Persia, a Proclamation: God, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has also assigned me to build him a Temple of worship in Jerusalem, Judah. Who among you belongs to his people? God be with you! Go to Jerusalem which is in Judah and build The Temple of God, the God of Israel, Jerusalem’s God. Those who stay behind, wherever they happen to live, will support them with silver, gold, tools, and pack animals, along with Freewill-Offerings for The Temple of God in Jerusalem.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭MSG‬‬

In the 21st chapter of John, Christ is meeting the disciples for the last time. Christ is making breakfast. Can’t you imagine that you have just finished up a long shift at work and you are tired.  You come home and when you walk in,  your special person is making your favorite breakfast.  Jesus is bringing the disciples together for a final meal.  This is the last breakfast.  In Advent, Jesus is bringing us together to celebrate each other.  Isn’t that what Advent for?  Bringing people together and restarting relationships.  

“Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭12‬ ‭MSG‬‬

King Cyrus brought together 42,360 people together. Jesus brought together 7 people together for breakfast.  How many people will you bring together this season?  You can call someone or a group to share coffee or stories.  You can bring a drink or treat to your friend.  You can pay ahead for the person behind you in line.  Just start the process of opening up the season of togetherness.  

Be blessed 

Daniel 10-12, John 20

What you believe matters.  In fact, your beliefs shape your actions.  If, for example, you believe that airplanes crash, you probably wont fly on one. If, on the other hand, you believe that its safter to fly than ride in a car, you’ll choose too fly.  From this example, it’s easy to see that not everything we believe is true.  Thankfully, we can change our beliefs.

Statements of affirmation are one way to shape our beliefs, but we have to be careful.  Scripture is the guide that puts our beliefs and affirmations to the test.  In fact, the entire book of John was written for that purpose.  John says so himself, “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

I believe that He died for my sins and rose on the 3^rd day.

I believe that I am forgiven and redeemed through his sacrifice

I believe that I have true life, because of him.

What do you believe?