JUNE 21, 2016

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― William Faulkner

ESTHER 1-3

Mordecai and Esther become players in the future rescue of the Israelites...

19When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.

21During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana^b and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.

ACTS 5:1-16

The apostles now filled with the spirit become powerful...

12The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed. 

JOURNAL 

The one thing that all of those God uses in scripture have in common is that they become very content and present in their circumstances. They don't depend on circumstances to give them courage or integrity...they act with courage and integrity regardless of the circumstances. 

Being thankful for the now means that I don't fantasize or wish for the past or the present moment and circumstances to be different. I embrace being thankful of them which leads me to an acceptance of reality. By accepting reality, I am then free to see the good in it and learn from it and then look to make changes so that I can learn to face any situation with honesty, integrity, strength, courage, discipline and love. This is my hope for the future, that no matter what circumstance I face...that I will face it honestly in courage, discipline and love. It means that no matter how scary or what triggers a circumstance has...I will take it on in an honorable, powerful, loving way and will teach my boys to do the same.

It means I will not hide, or lie or shrink back. It means I will stand up, confront and act without shame or fear.  I will lead and will teach my boys to do the same. It means I will not be fearful of negative responses, or other people's anger, selfishness or sin. It means I can look them in the eye and confront evil while letting the love, power and discipline of God flow through me. 

It means I also am willing to see the flaws in my own responses and without shame, confront them, acknowledge them, own them and work to change them.

 20David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.~ 1 CHRONICLES 28:20