Haman Day 35

We read about Haman in Esther chapters 3 thru 7.

I think this guy had a real pride issue. He could not stand the fact that Mordecai would not bow down to him. He was so enraged that he not only wanted to kill Mordecai but to kill all of the Jews thruout the whole kingdom. So the plotting begins.

Fast forward to Esther 5:9 Haman's ego is flying high. He is the only invited guest to a banquet with Esther and the King. He brags about his vast wealth, how the King honored him and placed him higher than all the other nobles. All of this and he still is not satisfied. Mordecai is in his head big time.

This is the cool part. Haman builds the gallows for Mordecai but little does he know it will be used on him.

Esther 6:1   Check this out, why do you think the King could not sleep. What prompted him to read the chronicles of his reign. Thus allowing him to find out about Mordecai.

Rage filled Haman so much so that he could see nothing else.

He was also filled with pride.

They say pride comes before the fall! I got to ask God to reveal where pride is holding me back.

There is a lot more to this story. I would encourage you to read it. 5 short chapters with a plenty that relates to our lives today. 

Till next time... 

Nehemiah day 35

So what did Nehemiah do when he heard of the disrepair of the walls and the gates of Jerusalem.

He wept, fasted and prayed for many days. Pretty much the same thing you and I would do right?

What's the next thing he does? He prays some more. He asked for favor from God before he did anything else.

Under Nehemiah's leadership the walls and the gates were rebuilt in 52 days. AMAZING

I really admire how Nehemiah went to God in prayer first.

Why does it seem that the men of the old testament had a much more passionate prayer life? I wonder if we are getting way too comfortable with God's grace and have lost our fear of the Lord?

Till next time...

Shecaniah Day 34

Ezra 10:1-4

I think Ezra is a man I would like to know more about. He has led the 2nd group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He is a priest, scribe and a great leader. In chapter 9 he finds out that the people of Israel including the priests and Levites had not kept themselves seperate from the neighboring people. They had mingled the holy race with others.

Ezra 9:3 When he heard this. He tore his cloak and tunic, pulled hair from his head and beard and sat down appalled till the evening sacrifice.

Ezra 9:5 referred to his "self-abasement" Not being an English scholar I had to look this up. Here is the definition:  Humiliation or abasement proceeding from consciousness of inferiority, guilt, or shame.

This was not Ezra's sin but yet he felt deep guilt for the sins of the people. 

Ezra 9:6-15 This is Ezra's prayer. Take a moment to read it.

Ezra 10:1-4 Here is where Shecaniah comes into the picture. Shecaniah speaks up as Ezra is still praying. He acknowledges their sin but in spite of this he recognizes there is still HOPE! 

He offers a solution and then he does it. Vs. 4 "Rise up, this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it." I got to say I love this. Shecaniah speaks up, offers a solution, challenges Ezra, and offers support. He's telling Ezra let's do what we know is right. We don't need more prayer. We already know what to do. God gave us the answer a long time ago.

I suspect this Shecaniah dude was a pretty good leader in his own right.

Till next time...   

Day 33

I just want to remind you men that we are meeting tomorrow morning.

KFA, South Commons @ 9am. Come on out. The discussion adds a unique perspective to the weeks readings. See you there.


Till next time...

Day 32

2 Chronicles 16:9

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him"


Till next time...

Obedience

I just wanted to share something that I read this morning. Straight out of my NIV Bible study notes on Hezekiah.

• "Past obedience to God does not remove the possibility of present disobedience"

Till next time...

Wondering

 I keep hearing people talk about how the world today is so bad, so far away from God. On the surface I get that but reading the Old Testament makes me wonder;

What's up with all of the genealogy? Was it really neccessary to go over it again in Chronicles? 

Why did God feel it was neccessary to repeat things. Did we need all of the details for the temple twice.  

If we could interview God,

• How would he respond to comparing the people of todays world with the people of the Old Testament times? 
• How would he explain the importance of the genealogy?
• Why is it we need to be told or asked more than once? Especially us men.

B90X has been a wonderful challenge for me. Writing about it has been an even bigger challenge. I am so glad that I am though. It has renewed my passion for reading and understanding. It has also created all kinds of questions, things to research and study up on when I am done with B90X.

What are you wondering about?

Till next time...