One Month Anniversary

It is hard to believe that it has only been one month since I opened this Weblog. It has taken on something of a life of its own – causing me to feel that God is definitely leading in this endeavor.

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I started this blog by journaling some thoughts about how God has led in the past, particularly concerning ministry. As I said before, my experience is that God always answers prayer about ministry and usually rather quickly.

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This morning I walked around my neighborhood, plugged into my radio, listening to a discussion on spiritual gifts. I must admit that this subject has always fascinated me – I have taken numerous “spiritual gift tests” (which are usually personality tests slanted a little by the person or persons who wrote them.) They are fun though, so a while back I found myself thinking, once again, about what my gifts are and how I should be using them.

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In the very act of analyzing my strengths and weaknesses, I felt a strong conviction from the Lord. I needed to stop looking inward and just wait on Him. God has a plan now, just as He has always had a plan, to use me for His purposes and glory. I needed to stop panicking about the shortness of life and the urgency to be useful. God has, you see, given us all the time we need to do His perfect will.

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That strong word from the Lord to my heart resulted in waiting – not idly – for Him to show me what He wanted me to do. In the meantime, I continued to spend extended time in the Word and in prayer, writing in my journal and even taking a step toward a couple of ministry possibilities that both resulted in a closed door.

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August 19, 2007 just seven months ago, I wrote in my journal: “I think my next Bible study goal will be to write a through-the-Bible devotional.” As I look back at my journal entries I see that the Lord was putting into my heart a desire to write for publication, after ten years of setting it aside.

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During those years, I read and marked eight Bibles for my adult children and their spouses, giving them as gifts. Now the logical next step was to write devotionals based on the applications of Scripture relevant to each of them – male, female, single, married, with children, with teenagers, etc. – and to me at the various stages when I was marking those Bibles.

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So—-I began to write, and I couldn’t write as fast as the words were coming. This might not seem so unusual for a writer, but considering the length of time since I had set writing aside, it felt like the Lord was carrying me along, and I was almost sitting back mentally and watching what He was going to do with this. In a rather short time, I had the rough drafts for almost 200 short devotionals from Genesis through Acts.

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Sept 18, 2007 I wrote, “Would it be beneficial to contact the writer’s group here in Town? Should I attend the Writer’s conference? Give me direction in this, Lord.”

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September 28-29 I attended the San Diego Christian Writer’s Conference. I wrote in my journal, “a lovely black woman at the snack table turned to me and said, ‘If God is in it, consider it already done.’ Then she just walked away.”

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I wrote also a quote from The Message, “Walk – better yet, run – on the road God called you to travel . . . not in fits and starts, but steadily pouring yourself out.” Ephesians 4:1-2 TM “From now on,” I resolved, “I am going to give serious time to writing my book. ”

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December 5, 2007 I wrote, “Last night I attended our writer’s group. I was encouraged to come up with a working title. For now it is THE GOD WHO SEES ME – A Devotional Prayer Journal.”

. . . A quote from 1 Timothy: “Do not neglect the gift that is in you … meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them … continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:14-16

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Well, this is already getting a little long to be posted on my blog, I will write more next time on how God has continued to work in 2008 up to the present.

One Month Anniversary (Continued)

On January 3, 2008 I wrote in my journal: “I am sending my devotions to my family and some friends by e-mail. I am thinking of maybe expanding the list I send to. I will be praying about this.

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January 4 -”Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes establish the work of our hands” Psalm 90:17 “Lord, I pray that as I write and send these devotions You will establish my work in a way that will bless other people.

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January 5 – “Gather the people to Me and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and they may teach their children.” Deut. 4:10

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February 16 – I spoke at the Women’s Connection Breakfast – my testimony about marking Bibles for my children as they grew up and left home. Many women in our group are about to face empty nest – I felt it was well received as several indicated they wanted to do that for their children. I added some names to my e-mail devotion list.

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February 21 – Today Lynn Donavan, a writer for Laced With Grace, a large devotional blog asked if she could write my story. I said I would be honored – and I was introduced to the world of blogging.

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February 27 – I followed my son David’s advice and set up a blog at blogspot.com. Great fun in picking out template, downloading pictures, etc.

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March 5 – Lynn’s devotional was published at http://lacedwithgrace.com/ called “Not An Ordinary Gift” and within a couple of days it had 41 responses.

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This opened my eyes to the direction I would take with my book. All of a sudden, my greatest fear about writing was eliminated – I hated to market and promote to publishers – plus do all it takes to sell a book. This new world of blogging and instant publishing was definitely the direction I would choose to go.

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March 14 – I claim this promise from God’s Word – “So will My Word be which goes forth from My mouth, It will not return to Me empty without accomplishing what I desire,” Isaiah 55:11

REASONS TO BE THANKFUL

On March 15 I realized that Easter was going to be early this year. So since a week ago Saturday, I have been focusing on the events leading up to Good Friday and Easter. What a blessing the Easter message was to me in church this year – after 9 days of soaking in the words of our Lord. Now it is time to take a bit of a break and just journal some of my thoughts this Easter Monday.

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This morning I had my devotions on the back balcony as the sun rose up in the sky. Truly it is Spring! The white Lady Banks roses bloom early and are in their glory this morning, draping across the back fence. The pansies I planted this winter are still going strong in the cool Spring mornings. Colorful Petunias sit around the patio waiting to be planted – promising a pleasant day of gardening when I have the time.

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This weekend we celebrated two family birthdays – of the 23 we celebrate throughout the year. Ron and I marvel as we look around the crowded room and think back many years to when we said, “I do” – having no idea it would come to this!

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Yes, I have much to be thankful for – good health, family living nearby, quiet moments with the Lord, beauty all around – when we remember to notice it.

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What are you thankful for this morning?

STORY OF PURIM – MORDECAI

Read Esther 5–10

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That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him….”What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. Esther 6:1, 3

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The book of Esther contains some similarities to the story of Joseph in Egypt. Esther and her guardian, Mordecai, were captives in Persia, and like Joseph, God’s providence brought them into favor with the King. Esther was crowned Queen – and Mordecai, in the end, was second only to King Ahasuerus. He …was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen. (10:3b NKJV)

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Mordecai ‘just happened’ to hear about a conspiracy against King Ahasuerus in time to warn Esther, and the king ‘just happened’ to awaken in the middle of the night–calling for the record that Mordecai had saved his life–just in time to foil the conspiracy by Haman to annihilate the Jews. (Esther 6-7)

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The truth is that nothing ‘just happens’ to God’s people. If we truly believe this, we will live with the confidence that God works out everything according to His good plan. Lord, remind me when I forget, that I will never be sorry for trusting in You.

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“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29

THE STORY OF PURIM – ESTHER

Read Esther Chapters 1–4

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Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah… This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. Esther 2:7

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Esther’s story takes place when the Jews were captives in Persia. She was gathered up with many other beautiful young women into the harem of King Ahasuerus, and then chosen to be the queen. Her cousin, Mordecai had instructed her to be silent about her Jewish heritage, but then came her time of decision: Her people were in grave danger, and only she could approach the king to save them. After calling for a fast, she said, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (4:16b)
Esther could have never imagined, as she was being carried off into captivity that she would become Queen of Persia and the rescuer of her people. She couldn’t see into the future, and neither can we. But we can trust Esther’s God to use us for His glory.

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Lord, just as You had a plan for Esther, I know You have a plan for me and for each member of my family. Help us to trust and obey Your leading, knowing that you are in control of the events of our lives.

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“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NIV

PURIM

This morning I looked at my calendar and realized that as I have been preparing my heart for Easter, I missed two important dates. Thursday, March 20 was the first day of Spring. It also began the Jewish holiday of Purim at sundown. This takes us back to the book of Esther – which I think would be appropriate to read at this time.

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I have also been contemplating that Easter, which is different each year, (the first Sunday after the first full moon, after Spring begins) really ought to be celebrated the Sunday after Passover.

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Whatever day we celebrate, this is a special time to remember that Jesus fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophesies about Messiah. Many of those prophesies are connected with the Jewish feasts. This year I am going to watch my calendar more closely.

THIS SAME JESUS

Read: Acts 1:1-11

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He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 NKJV

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After forty days of being with Jesus and rejoicing that He was truly alive, the disciples asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) He told them that it was not for them to know the times and dates, “But,” He said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)

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Then just when they must have wanted to ask Him many other things, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight! Just imagine how alone they must have felt at that moment. We know now – and they knew in just a few days – that they would not be alone.

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Lord, I praise You that You have given us Your Holy Spirit to guide us. Thank You that Though we cannot see Him, He dwells within us and prays for us according to Your will.

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They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11 NIV

THOMAS BELIEVES

Read: Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24-31

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Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” John 20:25 NIV

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Eight days before this, the disciples had stood in amazed unbelief. Jesus suddenly appeared, and they thought they were seeing a ghost. Then He asked for something to eat and said, “Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” (Luke 24:39) Now Thomas is unconvinced, since he has not yet seen the Lord. When Jesus appeared again, and showed him his hands and side, Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

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Jesus had been telling His disciples all along that he would arise from the dead, but this was something they couldn’t comprehend. We have the advantage of the complete Scriptures, explaining how all these things fit together with Old Testament prophesy; yet Lord, there are times I struggle to understand Your plan for us. Perhaps it is just enough to say, “My Lord and my God!”

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Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 NKJV

MARY MAGDALENE

Read: John 20:1-18

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They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” John 20:13

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Mary Magdalene was one of the devout women who supplied the needs of Jesus and His disciples throughout His ministry. She was a woman who had been delivered from demon possession as were others who followed Him. Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

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Now she came to the tomb to grieve – but instead she had an encounter with angels. Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, so changed that she did not realize that it was He-at least until He said her name. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (John 20:16)

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This woman was forgiven much and she loved even more. Her life was dedicated to the ministry and to being a friend to other believers. God chose her to be the first one to see her risen Lord.

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Thank You, Jesus, that You came to set people like Mary free from their sin. Thank You that You saved me too.

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Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” John 20:18 NIV

SECRET DISCIPLES

Read John 19:38-42

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After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus.

John 19:38 NKJV

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Here are two Jewish men, one of them Nicodemus, a Pharisee and the other Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent wealthy council member; both of them secret disciples of Jesus. On one occasion Nicodemus tried to speak up at a council meeting by saying, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They ridiculed him by saying, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” (John 7:52)

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After the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea gathered up his courage and asked Pilot for Jesus’ body. He and Nicodemus – no longer secret disciples – prepared the body for burial and laid it in Joseph’s new tomb – fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that Messiah would be buried in a rich man’s grave.(Isaiah 53:9)

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Lord, forgive me when I have been reluctant to speak up for You among unbelievers. Give me courage and discernment to know when and where to share my faith.

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And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. John 19:39 NKJV