NCarolinian

I am a sheep, my shepherd is the LORD Himself.  Wanting anything will not consume me because the Shepherd directs me to rest in and on His provisions (green pastures).  The Shepherd even leads me into a time of refreshing, beside quiet waters, where He restores my soul from my daily wanderings. The Shepherd guides me down the right path that I might boast on Him alone.  And even though I may come close to death sometimes I will not be afraid of any evil because The Shepherd is with me, protecting and comforting me with His rod and staff. While the lions, tigers, and bears - my enemies - stand before me and look on they are powerless as you, The Shepherd, prepare a trough (table) of provisions before me. The Shepherd anoints this sheep's head with oil and I witness my blessings/provisions (cup) overflow. For sure, His goodness and His love will follow me around every day of my life and I will be in the Shepherd's house forever.

My first observation is Haman's wife, Zeresh, and friends were the major contributors to his downfall. Haman still was the one who kicked it all off and kept it going but he was helped along his path of destruction by his own wife and friends. My second observation is that as you read the book of Esther from front to back (not skipping around) I saw a shift of character focus.  The main character in the beginning is Esther with slight undertones of Mordecai.  Then in the middle of the story Mordecai is a greater figure, at least equal to all the other characters of the story.  Finally, there is no doubt Mordecai is the prominent character at the end of the story. To elaborate on my first observation let us look at what happened in the story.  To summarize and paraphrase some (Esther 3:5 - 5:13) it all started when King Xerxes's high official, Haman, saw that a certain someone, Mordecai, would not give him any respect.  Haman not only thought o...

Do you sense "the joy of the LORD" in your life?  Is it "your strength"? In Nehemiah 8:1-3 it says, "They [the Israelites] told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.  So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.  He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women, and others who could understand.  And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law." Continuing on in verses 9-11 it states, "Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, 'This day is sacred to the LORD your God.  Do not mourn or weep.  For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.  Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjo...

"In the third year of his [Jehoshaphat] reign he sent his officials ...to teach in the towns of Judah.  They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.  The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat.  Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks;" The officials who went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people had their part of THE WORD to share - the Book of the Law of the LORD.  Notice what happened as a result of them spreading the news of this Book .  "The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat."   And on top of that Jehoshaphat gets tribute in the form of costly gifts, silver, and animals.  All of this because the Word of th...

I guess there could be several analogies drawn to the situation that surrounded Jesus at the time of His betrayal, trial, scourging, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.  Analogies like "the chess game" analogy or "master puppeteer" analogy or "the great play" analogy.  In each scenario there are many participants with roles that are manipulated by one or more to acquire a desired outcome.  Satan tried to "pull his own strings" by influencing those close to Jesus to try to thwart Jesus' plan.  Like whispering into Peter's ear for Jesus not to go through with His plan.  And Judas being possessed by the Fallen One himself to betray the only begotten Son of God.  BUT God the Father knew the schemes of Lucifer and whatever Satan threw at Jesus for bad God turned for good. Everybody around Jesus was "moved" (chess perhaps) into position before, during, and after Jesus' ministry here on earth.  The fact that the Son of God was...

I knew the Islamic faith had many times during the day when they called upon their members to face Mecca, bow, and pray, but I did not know there was any such similarity within Judaism. Evidently, the history of the Jews "praying toward..." was important enough to have documented twice.  1 Kings 8:22-53 and 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 are the same account - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication (Temple).  When Solomon prays he asks the Lord, God of Israel, to hear the prayers prayed when the people pray a certain way - toward the location of their focus.  Their attention is where the Ark of the Covenant resides - in the temple on top of Mt. Moriah where Solomon is giving this Prayer of Dedication.  There is no mention of bowing, just facing the direction of who should be their passion.  There is also no mention that this is a command, but what I get from Ezra's (2 Chronicles 6) recording of Solomon's words is a cultural practice of respect. Solomon prayed to God...

Ever heard the expression "just tie a knot and hang on" or heard it explained that life can get so challenging that you feel like you have "hit the bottom of the barrel and now there is no way but up"?  These may be great don't give up sayings or messages but I want to go a different direction.  To those who have experienced this end of the rope or bottom of the barrel phase of life, you know the emotions attached.  Feelings like helplessness, confusion, and resourcelessness may abound.  A lot of "lessness" words can be applied here.  But when life gets to this point we are likely on our knees consulting someone who should have been consulted before getting to this point - God.  Surprisingly enough, a lot of times this is right where God wants us and can use us, minus the negativity of life's circumstances. I am speaking about humbling thyself.  Bringing yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually to be totally dependent on God.  Intenti...