Blog Archives

67. Pressing Toward the Goal

3/31/2017

67.

The Goal of Life (continued)

1. Today's Passage: Philippians 3:12-21

Get to know your bible.

Or, read from New American Standard Bible (NASB) version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the chapter below from the New Living Testament (NLT).

12. I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
13. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:
Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
14. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

15. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.
16. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

17. Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.
18. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.
19. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
20. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior,
21. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
Philippians 3:12-22 NLT

2. Please consider re-reading and using
the 2nd Strategy, Worship
It is found on the
Reading/Reflecting Strategies page
click Here

3. This is such a rich and powerful passage.
I ask that you bring your heart and mind to these words.
These words are given to us to become better acquainted with God,
The Almighty.
Please consider these verses.

4. Please leave your name and your last initial in the comments.
Getting into the word daily,
We have been here for 67 days.
Blessings on each of you.
We are so happy you are here.
Please pray for us, We pray for you.

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4 Comments

66. The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ

3/30/2017

4 Comments

66.

The Goal of Life

1. Today's Passage: Philippians 3:1-11

Get to know your bible.
Or find the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.
Or for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the New Living Testament (NLT).

1. Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord, I never get tired of telling you these things and I do it to safeguard your faith.

2. Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.
3. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.
4. though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. I indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

5. I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin⎯a real Hebrew if there ever was one. I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.
6. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

7. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.
8. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
9. and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
10. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
11. so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
Philippians 3:1-11 NLT

2.
As always, please begin reading after prayer.
Ask God for revelation over this scripture.
Please read this passage slowly.
These three questions came to me as I read these verses.
Paul counted all of his good deeds as worthless.
Would you be willing to list your good deeds today?
Would you be willing to lay them before Christ's feet?
What does it mean to you to enter the resurrection, to share in his death?

3.
Please ask yourself three questions about the passage.
Meditate on those questions.
Answer them as you are given insight.
Would you be willing to share your questions in the comments?

4.
God, Righteousness Complete.
We come to you today and ask you to open our minds that we may
understand these verses.
Place these words in our hearts.
In your holy name Jesus,
Amen

4 Comments

65. The Angel and the Small Scroll

3/29/2017

3 Comments

65.

God Has a Mysterious Plan

1. Today's Passage: Revelation 10
Get to know your bible.
Or find the chapter NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.
Or for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the New Living Testament (NLT).

1. Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire.
2. And in his hand was a small scroll that had been opened. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.
3. And he gave a great shout like the roar of a lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders answered.

4. When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Keep secret what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down."

5. Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand toward heaven.
6. He swore an oath in the name of the one who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and everything in them, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it. He said, "There will be no more delay.
7. When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God's mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets."

8. Then the voice from heaven spoke to me again: "Go and take the open scroll from the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."

9. So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. "Yes, take it and eat it," he said. "It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!"
10. So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach.

11. Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings."
Revelations 10 NLT

2.
Revelations.
A book of mystery.
A book with this promise:

"God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church,
and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says,
for the times is near." Revelation 1:3

3.
So, even though Revelations is a
difficult book to understand ⏤ it is an important book to read
and take God at his promise.
That said, I encourage you to read this particular passage
using Lectio Devina
Reading/Reflecting Strategies.
the page is linked here:
1st Strategy Lectio Devina

4.
Abba,
Thank you for these words.
Show us the meditations You would have us focus one from Your
precious prophetic Revelations.
Allow us to place them in our hearts
And give us the opportunity when we see you face to face to ask you
exactly what it all means.
In your precious name Jehoshua,
Amen

3 Comments

64. The Greatness of Xerxes and Mordecai

3/28/2017

3 Comments

64.

The Jew Mordecai is still read about, talked about, and even taught to children as a man who worked for good.
What a wonderful heritage.

1. Today's Passage: Esther 10
Get to know your bible.
Or find the chapter NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.
Or for your convenience I have typed the chapter below from the New Living Testament (NLT).

1. King Xerxes imposed a tribute throughout his empire, even to the distant coastlands.
2. His great achievements and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, who the king had promoted, are recorded in 'The Book of the History of the Kings of Media and Persia."
3. Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself. He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he continued to work for the good of his people and to speak up for the welfare of all their descendants.
Esther 10 NLT

2.
Do you think that Mordecai ever imagined himself to be recorded in 'The Book of History of the Kings of Media and Persia."
3.

Do you know someone that you would consider a hero in your life?
Take the time to give a prayer of thanks for that person.
Do you desire to be considered a hero in someone else's life?
Take the time to ask God to give you the opportunity to follow His path and give a glimpse of His life to the lifeless.

4.
Abba,
These final verses from the small book of Esther remind me how important it is to:
tell the truth

be honorable in my decisions
stand firmly in my convictions
be protective of those you have placed as leaders over me

May You go before us as we desire to be Esther and Mordecai in our world today.
In Jeshoshua's Name
Amen

3 Comments

63. The Festival of Purim

3/27/2017

5 Comments

63.

The Word of God encourages us to record and celebrate days.

1. Today's Passage: Esther 9:20-32

Are you getting to know your bible?

Or if it is better for you find the chapter NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or for your convenience I have typed the chapter below from the New Living Testament (NLT).

20. Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes,
21. calling on them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days.
22. He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy.

23. So the Jews accepted Mordecai's proposal and adopted this annual custom.
24. Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them on the date determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim).
25. But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman's evil plot to backfire, and Haman's evil plot to backfire, and Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole.
26. That was why this celebration is called Purim, because it is the ancient word for casting lots.

So because of Mordecai's letter and because of what they had experienced,
27. the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews. They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year.
28. These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.

29. Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter putting the queen's full authority behind Mordecai's letter to establish the Festival of Purim.
30. Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes.
31. These letters established the Festival of Purim⎯an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. (The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.)
32. So the command of Esther confirmed the practices of Purim, and it was all written down in the records.
Esther 9: 20-32 NLT

2. Does your family have a traditional way to celebrate?
A certain day?
A certain memory?

3. Consider the 2nd Strategy, Meditation in Worship.
The passage above is not an easy one.
I encourage you to ask yourself the questions in the 2nd Strategy, to see if any apply.

4. Almighty God,
Creator and keeper of heaven and earth.
You have given each of us breath for life and You alone have the power to stop that life.
We know that Your plan for all of your creation is good.
Even when we don't understand it. Allow us to enter into the peace it is true.
Give us wisdom to understand as much as we are able.
Thank you for traditions.
Thank you for celebrations after going through hard times.
Give us wisdom, Father, God Almighty, El Shaddai!
In Your sweet name Jehoshua,
Amen.

5 Comments

62. The Victory of the Jews

3/26/2017

7 Comments

62.

The Jews Destroy their Enemies

1. Today's Passage: Esther 9:1-19
Get to know your bible.
Or find the chapter NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.
Or for your convenience I have typed the chapter below from the New Living Testament (NLT).

1. So on March 7 the two decrees of the king were put into effect. On that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened. It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies.
2. The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king's provinces to attack anyone who tried to harm them. But no one could make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them.
3. And all the nobles of the provinces, the highest officers, the governors, and the royal officials helped the Jews for fear of Mordecai.
4. For Mordecai had been promoted in the king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces as he became more and more powerful.

5. So the Jews went ahead on the appointed day and struck down their enemies with the sword. They killed and annihilated their enemies and did as they pleased with those who hated them.
6. In the fortress of Susa itself, the Jews killed 500 men.
7. They also killed Parshandath, Dalphon, Aspatha,
8. Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,
9. Parmashta, Airsai, Aridai, and Vaizatha⎯
10. the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not take any plunder.

11. That very day, when the king was informed of the number of people killed in the fortress of Susa,
12. he called for Queen Esther. He said, "The Jews have killed 500 men in the fortress of Susa alone, as well as Haman's ten sons. If they have done that here, what has happened in the rest of the province? But now, what more do you want? It will be granted to you; tell me and I will do it."

13. Esther responded, "If it please the king, give the Jews in Susa permission to do again tomorrow as they have done today, and let the bodies of Haman's ten sons be impaled on a pole."

14. So the king agreed, and the decree was announced in Susa. And they impaled the bodies of Haman's ten sons.
15. Then the Jews at Susa gathered together on March 8 and killed 300 more men and again they took no plunder.

16. Meanwhile, the other Jews throughout the king's provinces had gathered together to defend their lives. They gained relief from all their enemies, killing 75,000 of those who hated them. But they did not take any plunder.
17. This was done throughout the provinces on March 7, and on March 8 they rested, celebrating their victory with a day of feasting and gladness.
18. (The Jews at Susa killed their enemies on March 7 and again on March 8, then rested on March 9, making that their day of feasting and gladness.)
19. So to this day, rural Jews living in remote villages celebrate an annual festival and holiday on the appointed day in late winder, when they rejoice and send gifts of food to each other.
Esther 9:1-19 NLT

2. Why do you think that God allows these gruesome facts to be in His word?

3. I encourage you to try Lectio Divina on this section of Esther -
the 1st Strategy in Reading/Reflecting Strategies

4. Abba,
May we be aware of the importance of your records of war, enemies, and victory for your chosen people, the Israelites.
May you embed your thoughts into ours.
We love you
Desire to serve you
and
Know that our Hope is in You.
In Jehoshua's name
Amen.

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7 Comments

61. Then Esther seeks wisdom once again from Mordecai

3/25/2017

4 Comments

61.

Remember the destruction of the
Jewish Nation was granted by Xerxes.
Now what must Esther and Mordecai do?

1. Today's Passage: Esther 8:1-17

Are you getting to know your bible?

Or if it is better for you find the chapter NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or for your convenience I have typed the chapter below
from the New Living Testament (NLT).

1. On that same day King Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for Esther had told the king how they were related.
2. The king took off his signet ring ⎯which he had taken back from Haman⎯and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman's property.

3. Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews.
4. Again the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. So she rose and stood before him.

5. Esther said, "If it please the king, and If I have found favor with him, and if he thinks it is right, and if I am pleasing to him, let there be a decree that reverses the orders of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who ordered that Jews throughout all the king's provinces should be destroyed.
6. For how can I endure to see my people and my family slaughtered and destroyed?"

7. Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, "I have given Esther the property of Haman, and he has been impaled on a pole because he tried to destroy the Jews.
8. Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king's name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king's signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king's name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked."

9. So on June 25 the king's secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Mordecai dictated. It was sent to the Jews and to the highest officers, the governors, and the nobles of all the 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. The decree was written in the scripts and languages of all the peoples of the empire, including that of the Jews.

10. The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king's signet ring. Mordecai sent the dispatches by swift messengers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king's service.

11. The king's decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies.
12. The day chosen for this event through all the provinces of King Xerxes was March 7 of the next year.

13. A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would be ready to take revenge on their enemies on the appointed day.
14. So urged on by the king's command, the messengers rode out swiftly on fast horses bred for the king's service. The same decree was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa.

15. Then Mordecai left the king's presence, wearing the royal robe of blue and white, the great crown of gold, and an outer cloak of fine linen and purple. And the people of Susa celebrated the new decree.
16. The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere.
17. In every province and city wherever the king's decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.
Esther 8:1-17 NLT

What would you have done if you were Esther?
Can you imagine Mordecai's position?
Why would Esther ask Mordecai to write the decree?
Can you imagine the care that went into the writing of Mordecai's drawn up decree from King Xerxes?
Are there any characters in this section of the story that you can relate to?

3. Abba,
May we trust that You have our circumstances in Your hands.
May we trust that You have our lives surrounded by Your love.
May we trust that You understand our fears, our concerns for our families,
and our desire to protect.
God give us courage as Esther.
Give us wisdom as Mordecai.
Thank You Jesus for being our ALL.
In your name, Jehoshua.
Amen.

4. Please leave your name and your last initial.
It am excited to read through Esther with you.
We only have a few more chapters.
I've seen some things I would not have seen without you.

4 Comments

60. Haman Exposed

3/24/2017

3 Comments

60.

King Xerxes is more than a little peeved.

1. Today's Passage: Esther 7:1-10

Are you getting to know your bible?

Or if it is better for you find the chapter NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience, I have typed the chapter below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther's banquet.
2. On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, "Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!"

3. Queen Esther replied, "If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request, I ask that my life and the lives of my people will be spared.
4. For my people and I have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter, and annihilate us. If we had merely been sold as slaves, I could remain quiet, for that would be too trivial a matter to warrant disturbing the king."

5. "Who would do such a thing?" King Xerxes demanded. "Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you?"

6. Esther replied, "This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy." Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen.
7. Then the king jumped to his feet in a rage and went out into the palace garden.

Haman, however, stayed behind to plead for his life with Queen Esther, for he knew that the king intended to kill him.
8. In despair he fell on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining, just as the king was returning from the palace garden.

The king exclaimed, "Will he even assault the queen right here in the palace, before my very eyes?" And as soon as the king spoke, his attendants covered Haman's face, signaling is doom.

9. Then Harbona, one of the kings eunuchs, said, "Haman has set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall in his own courtyard. He intended to use it to impale Mordecai, the man who saved the king from assassination. "

"Then impale Haman on it!" the king ordered.

10. So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai, and the king's anger subsided.
Esther 7:1-10 NLT

2. Oh my, Oh my!
Your thoughts?

3. I encourage you to read and reread this passage.
It is a wonderful example of God in His wildly protective and strong support.
It doesn't sit well for the world to attack His Children.
That's us folks!
That is us!

4. Thank you El Elyon, the Most High God.
Thank you for coming in and supporting us.
Keep us aware of your hand in our lives.
From the smallest to the largest things.
May we be aware of saying Thank You, for all you do for us.
El, Elyon
in gratitude
we worship you.
Amen

3 Comments

59. Insomnia - not always a bad thing.

3/23/2017

3 Comments

59.

King Xerxes honors Mordecai

1. Today's passage: Esther 6:1-14

I encourage you to read from your own bible - Your bible will become your best friend.
Also, you might want to find the NASB version and more here: Bible Gateway
Or, you may read below for the New Living Testament NLT

1. That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him.
2. In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king's private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.

3. "What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?" the king asked.
His attendants replied. "Nothing has been done for him."

4. "Who is that in the outer court?" the king inquired. As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to impale Mordecai on the pole he had prepared.

5. So the attendants replied to the king, "Haman is out in the court."
"Bring him in," The king ordered.

6. So Haman came in, and the kind said, "What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?'

Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?"
7. So he replied, "If the king wishes to honor someone,
8. he should bring out one of the king's own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden ⎯one with a royal emblem on its head.
9. Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble officials. And let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed in the king's robes and led through the city square on the king's horse. Have the official shout as they go, 'This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!"

10. "Excellent!" the king said to Haman. "Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!"

11. So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, placed him on the king's own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, "This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!"
12. Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated.

13. When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, "Since Mordecai⎯this man who has humiliated you⎯is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him."

14. While they were still talking, the king's eunuchs arrived and quickly took Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.
Esther 6:1-14NLT

2. Can you imagine?
Who are the characters in this story?
List them on a piece of paper, or in your head, or on your computer/mobile.
Would you be able to list plot changes for each one of those characters?
Would you be able to list emotion changes for each one of those characters?
Would you be able to relate to any of those plot changes, or emotional changes from these characters?

3. How does this particular section of the story of Esther help me today?
Abba,
Help me know how best to apply these words today.
Let me see your hand in this day.
In Jehoshua's Name
Amen
(ps. Remember I use the Hebrew version of Jesus: Jehoshua
only because it is more personal to me. I had a kinda'
frightening experience when I was a missionary.
I learned this name then and have used it ever since.
It is neither more powerful, nor more important
than the Sweet Name of Jesus
They both mean: Emmanual - God is With US)

4. Thank you for being here. Thank you for commenting with your name. We are so thankful for your presence. Thank you for commenting with a thought. It allows us each to think about another person's perspective.
This is a place for testifying to what God is showing us in our own worlds.
As we see each other's names,
as we see each other's 'take-aways' from the word,
we are built up and encouraged to trudge forward in our world, with more confidence.

Thank God for His building into our days.
He is so very good to us.

3 Comments

58. Haman's 'happy' takes an unexpected turn.

3/22/2017

7 Comments

58.

Haman's pride is revealed.

1. Today's Passage: Esther 5:9-14

Get to know your bible.

Or, find the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience, I have typed the verses below from the New Living Testament (NLT).

9. Haman was a happy man as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai sitting at the palace gate, not standing up or trembling nervously before him, Haman became furious.
10. However, he restrained himself and went on home.
Then Haman gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife,
11. and boasted to them about his great wealth and his many children. He bragged about the honors the king had given him and how he had been promoted over all the other nobles and officials.

12. Then Haman added, "And that's not all! Queen Esther invited only me and the king himself to the banquet she prepared for us. And she has invited me to dine with her and the king again tomorrow!"
13. Then he added, "But this is all worth nothing as long as I see Mordecai the Jew just sitting there at the palace gate."

14. So Haman's wife, Zeresh, and all his friends suggested, "Set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall and in the morning ask the king to impale Mordecai on it. When this is done, you can go on your merry way to the banquet with the king." This pleased Haman, and he ordered the pole set up.
Esther 5:9-14 NLT

2. What are your thoughts of Haman?
What are your thoughts about Mordecai?
There are several characters presented in this particular slice of the passage.
Do you relate to any of them?
Can you see sections of yourself, in your past perhaps even in your present state of mind?

3. Abba,
Come to us and do some open heart surgery.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Thank You Jehoshua
Thank You
Amen

4. I hope you are getting as much out of this book as I am.
Please leave your name and your last initial.
We are built up by each other's presence.
May God continue to help us plant this seed of faithful reading, reflecting, and testifying.

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67. Pressing Toward the Goal

66. The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ

65. The Angel and the Small Scroll

64. The Greatness of Xerxes and Mordecai

63. The Festival of Purim

62. The Victory of the Jews

61. Then Esther seeks wisdom once again from Mordecai

60. Haman Exposed

59. Insomnia - not always a bad thing.

58. Haman's 'happy' takes an unexpected turn.

May God Be Glorified in our Reading and Hiding His Word in our Hearts.

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