ESTHER CHAPTER ONE
Still taking a time out but dropping in here for a moment...now that you have been thinking about the marriage of leaders and how they affect leadership, how public spats affect the body of Christ...
Let us consider: we as Christians are called the bride of Christ...
what do our attitudes, character and actions tell the world about the state of our "Marriage"
consider your response as the 'Church" and as an individual both as the Bride of Christ...
Are we faithful to our "spouse", does the world see that we truly hold Him, Jesus Christ our Bridegroom in high esteem, are we the bored spouse, are we the "flirty" spouse, are we the adulterous spouse, are we the open - marriage spouse, the spouse of convenience, the complaining spouse, the adoring spouse, are we a stranger to our spouse, are we frigid and aloof,are we the newlywed, ....you get the idea...
In chapter two Esther and the other women are in a time of preparation...if anyone already knows what that involves ...please share...
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
I Too Will Be Taking A Time Out
For awhile I have felt that I wanted to write/comment and did not know what to write/comment.
I know that the Lord has asked me several times in the last few years to come away and spend time with Him. I confess I have not really responded with my whole heart. I have not given the Lord my full attention. I even doubted that I heard correctly. I know that others are also experiencing this call and are taking time away from blogging. I just read Edie's blog about taking a time out and sense that I also need to finally heed the call. So I too will be taking a time out.
I know that the Lord has asked me several times in the last few years to come away and spend time with Him. I confess I have not really responded with my whole heart. I have not given the Lord my full attention. I even doubted that I heard correctly. I know that others are also experiencing this call and are taking time away from blogging. I just read Edie's blog about taking a time out and sense that I also need to finally heed the call. So I too will be taking a time out.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Questions- Esther Chapter One
Esther Chapter 1
As you read Chapter one...consider the marriage of king Ahasuerus and queen Vasti..
what role does marriage of leaders play in their ability to lead? How can the marriage of a leader affect those that they lead? What are your thoughts on public disputes between married couples?
Can public outburst be avoided? How so? If not then what remedy is there for the outburst?
As you read Chapter one...consider the marriage of king Ahasuerus and queen Vasti..
what role does marriage of leaders play in their ability to lead? How can the marriage of a leader affect those that they lead? What are your thoughts on public disputes between married couples?
Can public outburst be avoided? How so? If not then what remedy is there for the outburst?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
ESTHER
WOMEN OF THE BIBLE DISCUSSION SERIES
FEBRUARY 14, 2009
ESTHER
"And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." Esther 5:2
ESTHER CHAPTERS 1-5
ESTHER CHAPTERS 6-10
FEBRUARY 14, 2009
ESTHER
"And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." Esther 5:2
ESTHER CHAPTERS 1-5
ESTHER CHAPTERS 6-10
Monday, January 5, 2009
Rebekah
Women of The Bible Discussion -Saturday January 10th, 2009 @ Deeper Life Fellowship
Rebekah -
Genesis 24-28 click on the link below for these passages (NIV version)
Passages for Rebekah
One of the things we discussed this morning about Rebekah was why did she deceive Isaac? How could she? When I first read this I was focused on Rebekah's deception. She knew God and heard from God; she knew what the promise was for Jacob. So I had wondered why she felt the need to deceive. Here was a woman of God and yet she didn't turn to God as she did when she was pregnant. I began to wonder how and if I would have acted differently...Rebecca knew God's plan for Jacob but she hears Isaac say that he is going to bless Esau...did she act in panic fearing that Isaac would thwart God's plan? Had she taken the time to think and process her actions I believe she would lean on God in full confidence of His being able and faithful to carry out His will. This was God's plan after all that the elder should serve the younger.
Something triggered a panic response in Rebecca ,perhaps the immediacy of the circumstance prevented her from seeking the Lord. I know the pressure for an immediate response usually leads me to making unwise choices. When things require my immediate response I should not forget that God is in control and I don't have to panic. That I can trust Him to carry out His plan.
We also discussed how Esau was representative of the old covenant and Jacob represented the new covenant. In the culture of the time the elder son would have been the one to obtain a double portion of the inheritance. It would be his responsibility to become head of the household and care for his family. God had chosen Jacob. Esau sold his inheritance for food. Esau eyes were on the moment and the need of his flesh. Esau was looking for immediate gratification. Had he thought it through perhaps he would have made a different choice. We too sometimes give into our demanding flesh and reap dreadful consequences. Sometimes our flesh cries out so loud it deafens us to hearing wisdom. We say words that may feel good for a moment but the effect of that word brings damage to self and others. We make monetary decisions that bring pleasure for a moment but leave us in debt. When we react hastily it often lacks wisdom. Acting hastily often reveals a lack of discipline. Esau not only acted on his flesh but when the consequences were apparent he did not accept responsibility for his own actions. He not only blamed Jacob but intended to kill him. Some of us are also guilty of placing the blame on others rather than taking responsibility for our own actions. How can we make wise choices when confronted by our own hunger, when the flesh is screaming so loud attempting to drown out the voice of reason? When we do make mistakes how can we change from placing the blame on others and accepting our responsibility for our choices?
Rebekah -
Genesis 24-28 click on the link below for these passages (NIV version)
Passages for Rebekah
One of the things we discussed this morning about Rebekah was why did she deceive Isaac? How could she? When I first read this I was focused on Rebekah's deception. She knew God and heard from God; she knew what the promise was for Jacob. So I had wondered why she felt the need to deceive. Here was a woman of God and yet she didn't turn to God as she did when she was pregnant. I began to wonder how and if I would have acted differently...Rebecca knew God's plan for Jacob but she hears Isaac say that he is going to bless Esau...did she act in panic fearing that Isaac would thwart God's plan? Had she taken the time to think and process her actions I believe she would lean on God in full confidence of His being able and faithful to carry out His will. This was God's plan after all that the elder should serve the younger.
Something triggered a panic response in Rebecca ,perhaps the immediacy of the circumstance prevented her from seeking the Lord. I know the pressure for an immediate response usually leads me to making unwise choices. When things require my immediate response I should not forget that God is in control and I don't have to panic. That I can trust Him to carry out His plan.
We also discussed how Esau was representative of the old covenant and Jacob represented the new covenant. In the culture of the time the elder son would have been the one to obtain a double portion of the inheritance. It would be his responsibility to become head of the household and care for his family. God had chosen Jacob. Esau sold his inheritance for food. Esau eyes were on the moment and the need of his flesh. Esau was looking for immediate gratification. Had he thought it through perhaps he would have made a different choice. We too sometimes give into our demanding flesh and reap dreadful consequences. Sometimes our flesh cries out so loud it deafens us to hearing wisdom. We say words that may feel good for a moment but the effect of that word brings damage to self and others. We make monetary decisions that bring pleasure for a moment but leave us in debt. When we react hastily it often lacks wisdom. Acting hastily often reveals a lack of discipline. Esau not only acted on his flesh but when the consequences were apparent he did not accept responsibility for his own actions. He not only blamed Jacob but intended to kill him. Some of us are also guilty of placing the blame on others rather than taking responsibility for our own actions. How can we make wise choices when confronted by our own hunger, when the flesh is screaming so loud attempting to drown out the voice of reason? When we do make mistakes how can we change from placing the blame on others and accepting our responsibility for our choices?
Women of the Bible Discussion Series
October 2008 we began our Women of the Bible Discussion Series. We only meet once a month and decided to do a different woman each month. We still had plenty of unanswered questions and things that we would like to discuss further. This blog is being set up so that anyone interested can continue the discussion. This will be a work in progress. So far we have discussed Deborah and Jael (October), Mary and Elizabeth (November), Sarah (December) and this Saturday we will be discussing Rebekah. I hope to post on Rebekah by Saturday or Sunday. Thank you for your patience as I work on setting up this blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)