JUNE 23, 2023

“Before success comes in any man’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to quit. That is exactly what the majority of men do. More than five hundred of the most successful men this country has ever known told the author their greatest success came just one step beyond the point at which defeat had overtaken them.” 

― Napoleon Hill

ESTHER 7-10

 24For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25But when the plot came to the king’s attention,^a he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles.(9:24-25)

1King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.(10:1-3)

ACTS 6

8Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

JOURNAL 

Mordecai, Esther, and Stephen have become Outposts of the Kingdom. Their lives have become conduits of the power, love, and joy of God. What can I learn from them?   

We all are part of a team...whether that be a family, a job, an athletic organization, a country or in the very least, the human race. The problem often comes when we don't like our team or wish we were on another team or don't believe we belong to our team.  That usually is a result of experiencing heartache, difficulty, and failure, then interpreting those as evidence that something is wrong rather than just the harsh realities of life.

That dilemma can lead to a toxic mindset of always searching for, my place, my purpose...always hoping for a better circumstance, opportunity or for someone to come along and invite me to join the perfect team. The reality is that the perfect team is the one where I currently exist. It's in my dysfunctional family or bad job or screwed up country. God gives me the talent skills and power to better my team...because God has invited me to join his. 

Bettering my team is best done in service and love, rather than through criticism, fear, hate and violence. The world of the new testament was really a messed up place...far worse than anything we deal with today. Christians aren't fed to lions or hoisted up and burned as torches to light the city of Rome. History shows us how far we have come, how blessed we are and yet we still have work to do. We still have a place in God's story. For me that means that every day that I am alive, with breath in my lungs, I am working to bring God's love and power to all the circumstances of my life. No matter how I feel or what those circumstances are...I am to bring the love and power of God to them. 

Today is a great day and it really is a miracle and a gift. When I truly can embrace that I am part of God's Kingdom, then I actually have the power to create Outposts of his Kingdom, because I have become one and his Kingdom exists within my own heart and mind. 

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:1-2

JUNE 22, 2023

  “It is impossible to escape the impression that people commonly use false standards of measurement — that they seek power, success and wealth for themselves and admire them in others, and that they underestimate what is of true value in life.” 

― Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents

ESTHER 4-6

15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”(4:15-16)

ACTS 5:17-42

29Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

40His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

JOURNAL 

Both Esther and Peter risk death to speak truth. Their lives are fully devoted to God, no matter what may happen to them. Peter states that the spirit of God is given to those who obey God. This spirit is what turns humans into glimpses of the eternal, it is what turns them into Outposts of the Kingdom. His argument is backed by the test of time and that truth will hold up but lies will die. 

Seeking to be filled by God every morning, seeking to obey and be filled up with his power and love is the secret to living this life as an outpost of God's Kingdom. It is so hard because it often goes against the world and against the grain of what is easy. For Esther and Peter...to follow God meant stepping into death, yet they followed and obeyed. "...And if I perish, I perish." 

What a witness and what a life. Ultimately Esther does not perish and in fact she saves her people. Father, thank you for this life and the opportunity to share your love and to be an outpost of your kingdom.

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:1-2

JUNE 21, 2023

“To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” 

― Winston S. Churchill

ESTHER 1-3

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.(2:19-23)

ACTS 5:1-16

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 

Mordecai does the right thing and honors God. It does not matter that it is in exile. It does not matter that he has suffered because of others and their disobedience. Mordecai takes in Esther, raises her as his own and then helps to uncover a plot to kill Xerxes. Just because it is the right thing to do. Mordecai is not bitter, or angry or vengeful. 

It is amazing to see how things have turned...Jesus is gone but the spirit is present and the influence of the apostles is gaining momentum. They are healing the sick and performing miracles and people are starting to follow them. I'm sure it had to be surreal...here is Peter who had denied being associated with Jesus, boldly preaching about him and becoming "famous" as a result. 

Great moments often happen when least expected, yet it is the preparation of the heart and mind that leads to those great moments. Often that preparation is from adversity and the lessons learned by experiencing it and getting through it. All the more reason that when adversity comes, to welcome it, for very likely it is preparing the heart and mind for something great. It also is a lesson that mindset is so important, taking on the mindset that everyday is an opportunity for greatness is critical to keep moving forward, staying humble and hungry. 

Time and time again in life, those that have success are ruined by that success. They fail to realize that the winds of change blow suddenly and without warning. Success in life happens before the big moment, it happens in the quiet of the mind, the resolve of the spirit and the persistence of the body. Success is the harvest but the planting, the growing, and the actual success happen long before.

 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

HEBREWS 12:7-11

JUNE 20, 2023

 “The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.”  

― Gordon B. Hinckley

NEHEMIAH 12-13

10I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. 11So I rebuked the officials and asked them, “Why is the house of God neglected?” Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.

ACTS 4:23-37

32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

JOURNAL 

What an amazing vision of community.  I am reminded again this morning that it is not what we get but what we give. Surrendering to God and trusting him first starts with humility and gratitude. You simply cannot be a servant unless you are truly grateful for the life you have today, here in this moment. But then you must turn outward and be willing to share and give what you have.

I am so blessed, I have been given so much...health, family, friends, community, a free nation. I am living the dream that so many throughout history fought and died to achieve. It is such an amazing blessing and yet so often I forget and let silly worries rob me of a grateful heart. I get caught up in the current challenges of the news or social media. In the parable of the talents I have been closer to the one who buried his talent rather than the one who multiplied it.  

Actions don't earn salvation but rather they are evidence of it. Just as fruit is evidence of a healthy tree, so are loving actions and gratitude evidence of a redeemed heart. Today I am to produce the fruit of love and service. I don't need to worry with tomorrow or next week or next year...today and today is more than enough.

 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,  a new creation has come:^a The old has gone, the new is here! ~

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

JUNE 19, 2023

 Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them,

but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children

as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,

and He bends you with His might

that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies,

so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

NEHEMIAH 9-11

22“You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon^c king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan. 23You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their parents to enter and possess. 24Their children went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you gave the Canaanites into their hands, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. 25They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.26“But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law. They killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. 27So you delivered them into the hands of their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.

ACTS 4:1-22

13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

21After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

JOURNAL 

 "If I do not spend time in thanksgiving and surrendering my will to God's I will operate out of survival and the emotions of the moment. It simply is a fact and therefore I must realize this and take actions that put me humbly in the presence of God every single day and every moment...grateful for my life and humble in obedience." June 18, 2016

Wrote this then and it is just as true today as it was then. Reading through chapter 9 of Nehemiah it is heartbreaking to see the rebellion of the Israelites. After all that God has given them and provided for them. Yet time and time again they dismiss the blessings and begin to move away from God. Reality is that I do this every day. Thankfully, most often it is in small subtle ways...yet that spirit of rebellion is still there and it must be acknowledged and fought or it can creep in and take over. 

Surrendering my heart and will to God at the beginning of every day is the only hope I have in living a life that will glorify God. Thankfulness is required because without it I will begin to look around and find situations and circumstances that seem better than my own. This then leads to bitterness and anger and jealousy. Surrendering my will is required because otherwise I will look for the easy way rather than God's way.  I think this is why Jesus is so adamant that we live life in the present...it is the only way to live and not get consumed with bitterness and laziness. 

 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,  a new creation has come:^a The old has gone, the new is here! 

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17