Verse of the Day

My Musings, Observations, etc.

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September 30, 2011
Esther 3:7-11 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. (8) And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. (9) If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. (10) And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. (11) And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

Now, it is not just Mordecai who is in danger, but the entire Jewish population. An entire race of people is in danger. However, there is a Jewish queen sitting beside the king and no one knows it. Perhaps we are starting to see why God wanted Esther to be the queen. Perhaps God is working things out so that HE can use one person to save an entire race of people. Perhaps God is working things out to use one person to save HIS chosen people. What is God planning to do with you?
September 29, 2011
Esther 3:4-6 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. (5) And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. (6) And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
Now, people know Mordecai is a Jew and they hate him for it. Haman wants to kill him and all the Jews that live in the entire kingdom. Are you starting to see why Esther is so important as a queen? We never know what God has waiting for us on tomorrow, but we do know that God has already worked everything out for HIS glory!
September 28, 2011
Esther 3:1-3 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. (2) And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. (3) Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

The only person we should bow to is The King. No, we should not bow to a king here on earth, but King Jesus. Mordecai knew that this man was not worthy of a bow. How often do you and I put things ahead of God? Is there something in your life which takes you away from God? Is there something in your life which you honor or respect more than God? Would your actions say you have something in your life which is more important than God?
September 27, 2011
Esther 2:20-23 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. (21) In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. (22) And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. (23) And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

There are still a lot of things going on that no one understands. In this passage, Mordecai discovers a plot to kill the king. The right thing to do is to let the king know about the danger. Sometimes doing the right thing will not have immediate rewards, but it does build our character and our testimony. A good testimony is worth more than anything we can own. A good testimony could even be worth someone's life. What will Mordecai's testimony be worth to him?
September 26, 2011
Es 2:17-19 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (18) Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. (19) And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

Even though they did not understand what was going on, Esther and Mordecai were trusting God to take care of them. Now, Esther was in a position where she could have a great deal of power as well as a great deal of influence over the king. Might it be possible that God has put her here for a reason? Could it be that God has something special in store for her? God does have something special in store for all of us. The real question is whether we are willing to allow God to work in our lives.
September 25, 2011
Esther 2:12-15 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) (13) Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house. (14) In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. (15) Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

Esther still does not know what will happen to her, but God does. God has a plan for her, just as God has a plan for all of us.  We don't understand God's plan. Often, we don't even understand what God's plan is for our lives. However, we must simply trust God. God is in control and God will accomplish his will: both for us and for His glory.

Do you really trust God no matter what might happen?
September 24, 2011
Esther 2:9-11 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. (10) Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. (11) And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

Sometimes, we do not understand what God is doing with us or in our lives. We may not even realize that God IS doing something with us. However, we must always remember that God is in control. Even in Esther’s case, God was in control, working out a miracle. Neither she nor Mordecai knew what was going to happen, but they did trust God. Little did they realize what a great miracle was about to happen because they trusted God.
September 23, 2011
Esther 2:5-8 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; (6) Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. (7) And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. (8) So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

It may seem like she has no choice in what is happening around her. It may even seem like a dark time for Esther. But, we have to remember that even when the times look dark, that God is in control and God has a plan.
September 22, 2011
Esther 2:1-4 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. (2) Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: (3) And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: (4) And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

The king has come to his senses and knows what he has done. Perhaps he even regrets what he did to Vashti. Even though he is the king, he cannot undo what he has done. The law of the Persians and the Medes cannot be changed. It is permanent. We all do things which are wrong. Sometimes, our sins seem to have very small consequences. Sometimes, our sins cause big problems for us and even those around us.
September 21, 2011
Esther 1:18-22 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. (19) If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. (20) And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. (21) And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: (22) For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.

Even though Vashti was right for not doing the evil thing the king asked her to do, she was punished severely. She lost everything she had – all her wealth, her servants, her home and her status as queen. Still, what she did was right. Every day, there are people in the world who get saved and every day there are saved people who are murdered because they believe in Christ. Every day, there are parents who reject their children because the children get saved. Would you be willing to lose everything to please God?
September 20, 2011
Esther 1:13-17 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: (14) And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) (15) What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? (16) And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. (17) For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

Vashti had disobeyed the king, but what the king was asking her to do was wrong. Sometimes, there may be a man-made law which is not right in God’s eyes. Sometimes, unsaved parents, teachers and employers will ask a saved person to do something that is wrong. No matter who your authority is, it is always right to serve God. There may be a time when obeying God might mean disobeying an earthly authority.
September 19, 2011
Esther 1:7-12 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. (8) And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. (9) Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. (10) On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, (11) To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. (12) But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

There are many times in life when people want us to do something we know is wrong. Sometimes, even people who are in authority want us to do bad things. This happened to the queen. Her husband wanted her to come and dance in front of a bunch of drunken men. She did the right thing and refused. Sometimes, like the queen, we are even punished for doing the right thing. Still, we must do the right thing, no matter what may happen.
September 18, 2011
Esther 1:1-6 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) (2) That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, (3) In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: (4) When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. (5) And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; (6) Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
Worldly people want to put on a good party. They want the party to be the best one anyone has ever been to. Sometimes, it even seems like people will put more work into having a good party than we put into serving God. Which is more important: serving God or a fancy party? Do you always do your best for God or is there something else you work on?
September 11, 2011
As the day draws to a close, I take a moment to reflect upon the state of our country. As I do on every Sunday, I was in church today exercising my right as an American Citizen to worship as I please. It is because the United States is a Christian nation that I can worship God. Because America is a Christian Nation, the Mormon can do what they do. And because America is a Christian nation, the Muslim can pray to whomever they pray to. Of all mainstream religions, it is only the Christian which is truly tolerant of others. If a Muslim is adherent to the teachings of their book, and that same Muslim is given the opportunity, that Muslim will try to force you to convert to Islam. This is not tolerance. It was an outgrowth of this very belief which led a group of Muslims to attack the United States of America on September 11, 2001. Their attack was a success on many fronts. Initially, we could all see thousands of people die. What we did not see on that day was the perpetual change of the face of America. We could spend hours talking about the numerous ways Americans have so willingly given up their privacy and their rights. Are we really any safer? No. More importantly, September 11, 2001 saw a great revival of the public naming of God. It was commonplace for people to spontaneously sing "God Bless America." It was equally common for people to invoke God's name in prayer. I wouldn't presume to believe that everyone who used God's name during those weeks was saved, but I believe God smiled as this great Christian nation seemed to turn toward Him. Sadly, it was not long before those calls to God were silent. What changed? We forgot we were in a war. No, not necessarily a war with Islam (though our country is at war with Muslim aggression), but in a war with powers and principalities we cannot see. More importantly, we are in a war which no amount of missiles or bombs can fight, let alone win. We are engaged in spiritual warfare and we, as a nation can only win if God is on our nation's side.
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Yes, this verse does specifically apply to the nation of Israel, but we must remember that we, as Christians, are adopted children. If we, as a nation, will humble ourselves, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways God will hear our cries -- God will hear from us in Heaven. As long as we, as a nation, embrace the enemy, God will not smile upon us and we will be vulnerable for another calamity.
September 10, 2011
For personal reasons, I have been working toward regaining a certification I once held. In the process of regaining that certification, I must take (and pass) Anatomy and Physiology. In this case, I am taking the equivalent of two semesters of college-level A&P in four weeks. My brain hurts every time I think about all that I must retain to pass this class. However, so far, the class has been quite exciting. I expected the class to be memorizing which bones were where, the names of various muscle groups, etc. When this class started, I was shocked to see that our study would begin on the molecular level then progress to the cellular level. As we have progressed, I am learning just how wonderfully our bodies are assembled and how skillful our creator had to be. I had never considered the complexity of the simple cell. We all studied cellular construction in middle and high school. However, I do not recall ever learning anything to this depth about the cellular biology and human anatomy.
Ge 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Ge 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
The time will shortly come when we will be studying which muscle is where, what each bone is called and so on. But now, I am simply amazed at the intricacy of cellular anatomy and the glory of God revealed through our very construction. Anyone who spends any time at all studying the human body (or any animal) must see the hand of a Supreme Creator. Anyone who denies that Supreme creator is willingly ignorant.