Holy Spirit said, Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu, Melekh Ha'olam

On March 11, 2018, As I was writing a letter to Tria, my daughter, I had the thought of her situation as "For Such A Time as This" which in turn made me think of the story of Esther.  After thinking those thoughts, the Holy Spirit said, Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu, Melekh ha'olam.

Why are you positioned where you are? Why do you work where you work? Why do you live where you live? Why do you go to school where you go to school? Why do you go to church where you go to church? You do what you do because God has assigned you there - and here – “for such a time as this.”

The challenge Esther received is found in Esther 4:14 and it may very well be the challenge that our Savior has for you at this point in your life. “Who knows but that you have come to your position for such a time as this?” In other words, God has placed you where you are, not just to enjoy the benefits of life in America, but to build His kingdom, to help His people, to fulfill His purposes.

If you’ve ever experienced brokenness in your life – if you think you’ve been dealt a tough hand, there is a beautiful lesson here for you. If you’ve been crushed by life - if you have a troubled past that is fractured, then you can learn some unforgettable truths from Esther.

God created you for a divine appointment - a unique role to fulfill in your life - just like Esther! There is something you can do for God that no one else can do - a God-given niche only you can fill.

God issues His challenges, His teachings to us in many ways. He does it though His Word. He does it through His pastors. He does it through His church. He does it through family members or friends or bosses or co-workers or fellow students. 

Listen, we are not the source of power to fulfill our divine appointment for such a time as this. God is the source! Through the Holy Spirit, God will faithfully empower us to take the actions we need to take “for such a time as this.” Every now and then, we find ourselves at a moment in time that might be called a “pivot point” in history.

Today, in America, we aren’t living with the threat of physical death. But God’s people are in distress!

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.         Hosea 4:6

People are dying for the truth. That’s why we are here – to bring life where there is death!

Today, we see the threat of death to family.

We see the threat of death to morality.

We see the threat of death to eternity.

Wherever there is a people of God there are enemies of God.

You are where you are for such a time as this because God’s people are in distress!

This was the testing of Esther’s character. She was beautiful on the outside. But was she beautiful on the inside?

I believe these verses go on to teach us that she was incredibly more beautiful on the inside. I Samuel 16:7 says, “The LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” What did He see when He saw Esther’s heart? What does He desire to see in your heart and in mine?

What is God looking for in your heart?

God challenges our values, doesn’t He? What is most important to you? In order for us to fulfill our divine appointment in such a time as this, we must be willing to let go of the selfishness. We’ve got to let go of our need to be in control. We’ve got to let go of our telling God when it is convenient in our schedules to serve Him. We’ve got to sacrifice our time, our talent, and our treasure.

God is looking for a sacrificial heart.

What does God see when He sees your heart?

For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.  II Chronicles 16:9

“Enough of the easy life,” said Esther. “It’s time to put my life on the line. I am Jewish and I believe in the living God. I’m ready to stand up for my people. And if I perish, I perish.”

What does it matter if you get involved or not? It matters greatly because it shows what’s in your heart. Yes, it’s true that God has other ways to accomplish His objectives. He has other people He can use. He isn’t frustrated or restrained because you and I may be indifferent. But when that happens, we are the losers. When we are called “for such a time as this,” how tragic if we do not have what it takes to stand when invited.

I am only one,

But still I am one.

I cannot do everything;

But still I can do something;

And because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

God’s person has been discovered! That person, I believe, is you and it’s me!

Esther had asked for prayer and fasting to prepare for the moment when the doors to the Throne Room opened and she walked through the door. She knelt as soon as she was clear of the doorway and waited for the response from the King. Would she live or would she die? When the King extended his golden scepter, he had spared her life. His response was very tender. The king listened to her pleas for her people.

The tables were turned on the man who wanted to kill Mordecai and all the Jews. The king saw him for what he was – a selfish, power-hungry, ego-maniac. He was executed on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai’s murder. Not only were the Jews allowed to live, they were permitted to defend themselves against their enemies. Esther, a Jew, remains the queen. And Mordecai, another Jew, becomes second-in-command.

Behold, God is exalted in His power…Job 36:22

O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!  Psalm 68:35

Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. Daniel 2:20

Wicked plans have been thwarted. Corruption has been rooted out. Evil has been fully dealt with.

Are you struggling today? Caught in between a rock and a hard place? Stop, take a breath and look around. Look for the hand of God leading you and orchestrating the events around you. Who knows, but that you have been lead to right where you are, for such a time as this.

Never let the fact that God is invisible cause you to doubt the fact that God is invincible.

God’s power is on display!

Notice something. The link between God’s people in distress and God’s power on display is God’s person. Are you God’s person?

God knows everything about you and sees you as His masterpiece, and will never give up on creating you to be everything he created you to be. So, give permission to God to take control of your life. If you don’t know Jesus, He’s here. He loves you. He died to pay the penalty for your sins. He rose again. If you haven’t already, ask Jesus to come into your life right now.  ~Bits and Pieces of the Sermon by Rick Duncan

Baruch Ata Adonoy Shehechianu | Jonathan and Aviva Settel

( Shabbat Shalom Prayer ) In Hebrew and English Lyrics

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, Melekh ha'olam

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu

Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us

l'had'lik neir shel Shabbat. (Amein)

to light the lights of Shabbat. (Amen)

You have kept us Alive for Such a Time as This.

Jonathan Settel - Shehekianu/Shehecheyanu - Lyrics. Messianic Praise and Worship

My Glimpses of Heaven with Divine Guidance

Holy Spirit gave a Gift to Halee my Granddaughter

As I was praying for my granddaughter, Halee, I had the prompting to say, "Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit".  As I said, "Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit", I saw the Holy Spirit in the like of a clothed man from the shoulders down to the waist, he give her a gift and then he turned and gave me a big beautiful red rose and I received it, taking hold of it.  

Jesus calls Himself first, "the Rose of Sharon," and then, "the Lily of the Valleys." Let us consider what He means.

THE ROSE OF SHARON. Of all the flowers that God has made, the rose, take it all in all, is the loveliest and the sweetest. It has three things in perfection — shape, color, and fragrance. Indeed, we may call it the queen of flowers. Now, it is in its sweetness especially that the rose reminds me of the Lord Jesus Christ. His character was marked not only by manliness, but also with what we may call "sweetness," for he had all the firmness of a man and all the tenderness of a woman. I will give you another reason for the comparison of Christ to a rose. The rose is the most common as well as the most beautiful of all the flowers. You find it wherever you go, — in all countries and in all places. In fact, it is the universal flower: it belongs to everybody. And in this respect it resembles Christ, for Christ is the common property of all — of the peasant as well as of the prince; of poor as well as of rich; of the child as well as of the full-grown man. He belongs to all nations, too — to the dwellers in north and south and east and west; arid there is no one, whatever he may be, or wherever he lives, who cannot say, "The Lord Jesus Christ is my Saviour, and I claim Him as my own."

But the Saviour calls Himself in the text THE LILY OF THE VALLEYS, and we have now to consider what this second title is intended to teach us. Supposing that "the Lily of the Valleys" is the flower which we know by that name — you all remember how graceful it is, with pretty little white bells ranged in a row on a tapering stalk, and how it appears to hide itself modestly under the shade of its broad green leaves. Now, why is it thus chosen? Partly because the lily is of a beautiful white colour, and represents purity. And you know how pure the Lord Jesus Christ was. Never at any time did He think, or say, or do anything that was wrong. As a child, as a boy, as a man, He was absolutely free from fault. But the lily of the valley — because it has a drooping head, and retires behind the shade of its broad green leaves, instead of thrusting itself forward — may be taken as an emblem of lowliness or humility, and so will serve to remind us of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We will try, in conclusion, to APPLY THE SUBJECT TO OURSELVES, So that we may be the better, by God's blessing, for having talked about it and thought about it. We have the example of the Lord Jesus Christ proposed to us. He is perfect, and we can never hope to be perfect. But we may become, by the kind help of His Holy Spirit, more and more like Him every day.  (G. Calthrop, M. A.)

History of Red Roses

The red rose began its illustrious symbolic history in Greek and Roman iconography, where it was tied to Aphrodite, or Venus, the goddess of love.  Later, in early Christian times it became associated with the virtue of Virgin Mary.  By the time Shakespeare rolled around it had already become a poetic standard that he, and later Gertrude Stein, both famously played with in their works.  Throughout its long, storied history, the red rose still reigns as the ultimate symbol of passionate affection.

Our New Reality as Christians Is That We Are Born of and Walk by the Spirit

“In the beginning, man’s spirit was the dominant force in the world. When he sinned, his mind became dominant. Sin dethroned the spirit and crowned the intellect. But grace is restoring the spirit to its place of dominion. When man comes to realize this, he will live in the realm of the supernatural without effort.”  ~John G. Lake

John G. Lake was a powerful healing evangelist who walked and lived by the Spirit. Lake and his team of “Divine Healing Technicians” were used by God to effect over 100,000 healings between 1915 and 1920. Following is an excerpt from John G. Lake’s article, "The Power of the Name":

Born of the Spirit:

“Unless one is born of…the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

Receive the Spirit:

“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Live/Walk by the Spirit:

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing” (John 6:63).

Worship in Spirit:

“We are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3). “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

We Honor BOTH the Word and the Spirit

Logos

Greek word translated “word;” it means “the entire communication process.” One example of Logos is the Bible, the Word of God. The Bible is to be meditated on (Joshua 1:8) and treasured in your heart (Ps. 119:11).

Rhema

Greek word translated “word;” it means “when words leave one’s lips.” The Spirit’s voice in our hearts is one example of rhema, while verses leaping off the pages of Scripture and into our hearts is another example.

God’s voice

sounds like flowing, spontaneous thoughts that light upon our mind (Jn. 7:37-39). The Holy Spirit is sensed as a river which flows within.

Naba

Hebrew word translated “prophecy;” it means “bubbling up,” so when I want to prophesy, I see Jesus present in the situation (Acts 2:25; Ps. 16:8) and ask for His thoughts and speak forth the thoughts and words that are bubbling up within me.

Paga

Hebrew word translated “intercession” – God’s voice leading me in prayer. The literal definition is “to strike or light upon by chance,” or “an accidental intersecting.” Spirit-led intercession is sensed as spontaneous thoughts that light upon my mind while I am praying. I honor these thoughts as they have been sent by God. So I fix my eyes upon Jesus, and tune to flow and pray, being guided by the flow (Heb. 12:1-2; Jn. 7:37-39).

View more:  Born of the Spirit

Prayer for a Spirit-Controlled Life

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made __________ free from the law of sin and death. His/her life is governed, not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but by the Holy Spirit. __________ is not living the life of the flesh. __________ is living the life of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God dwells within and directs and controls him/her.

__________ is a conqueror and gains a surpassing victory through Jesus who loved him/her. __________ does not let himself/herself be overcome by evil, but overcomes and masters evil with good. __________ has on the full armor of light. __________ clothes himself/herself with the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and makes no provision for indulging the flesh.

__________ is a doer of God’s Word. He/she has God’s wisdom. He/she is peace-loving, courteous, considerate, gentle, willing to yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits. __________ is free from doubts, wavering and insincerity. He/she is subject to God.

__________ stands firm against the devil. __________ resists the devil, and he flees from him/her. __________ comes close to God and God comes close to him/her. __________ does not fear, for God never leaves him/her.

In Christ, __________ is filled with the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is his/her Lord!

In the name of Jesus, amen.

Scripture References:

Romans 8:2,4,9,14,31,37 amp James 3:17 amp

Romans 12:21 Hebrews 13:5

Romans 13:12,14 James 4:7,8

James 1:22 Colossians 2:10

Prayers That Avail Much

My Glimpses of Heaven with Divine Guidance

Halee Nora Yvonne Evans

Birth: February 19, 2014

O MAGNIFY THE LORD

Holy Spirit said, "O Magnify the LORD" as I was looking out my kitchen window this morning.  I love it when he speaks encouraging words.  Thank you LORD.

Psalm 34:1-9. It is good to wake up in the morning with a word of worship in our mouths. It is good to speak well of the LORD throughout the day. It is good to lie down at night in praise and thanksgiving. Come, says David, “taste” His goodness with me.

We “taste and see” the goodness of the LORD when the words of the LORD have their rightful place in our lives Psalm 119:103. Along with the good word of God, we also have a powerful foretaste of things to come Hebrews 6:5. Peter encourages us in our desire for “the sincere milk of the word” which we have already tasted 1 Peter 2:2-3.

When we first believe, we savour the things of God, and put our trust in the LORD. We feast with Him in our day to day living. We draw nourishment from the table of the Lord, and all that the sacrament represents to us.

When the LORD blesses us, He adds something to us. He saves us from our sins, and redeems us from the full penalty of the law. He sends seasonable weather, and our crops are given increase. He grants health, wealth, wisdom, status, success - and children. The LORD protects us, and delivers us - and gives us “the peace that the world cannot give” John 14:27.

Psalm 34:1. For us to “bless the LORD” is to tell forth His goodness. What we say reflects Whose we are. What we speak about should reflect who we are in Him. To “bless the LORD” is to bow the knee in worship and praise.

The words which we speak effect our attitudes and behaviour. When we speak positively about the things of the LORD, good things can happen. The converse is also true: when we ‘speak up’ bad things, that’s often just what we get! David determined that the praises of the LORD should constantly be in his mouth.

Psalm 34:3. The ‘sweet Psalmist of Israel’ sought to honour God in what amounted to a public act of praise. This Psalm is not addressed to the LORD, but to the congregation. They are “the humble”: the poor, the lowly, the weak, and the afflicted. “Those in distress, those in debt, and the discontented” 1 Samuel 22:2.  David’s testimony calls for a response, and participation.

Psalm 34:4. This encourages the once-fearful. “The LORD delivered me from all my fears.” Negative fears are the opposite of faith, and destructive to our peace and well-being.

Psalm 34:5. This could be the choir’s response to the voice of the soloist. The once-shameful respond with their own observation. “They looked to Him, and lightened were: not shamed were their faces. 

Psalm 34:6. Those in distress find their encouragement here. “This poor (humble) man cried…” This is answered prayer - even where prayer is scarcely articulated. “The LORD heard the cry of the children of Israel” in Egypt Exodus 3:9. The LORD hears, and saves, and redeems us from trouble.

Psalm 34:7. The angel of the LORD is in the midst of the camp, surrounding those who have a right kind of fear - reverence and godly fear - toward the LORD. He is there to protect, and deliver.

We are reminded of the glory of the LORD, reflected in the face of Moses. The idea of “being radiant” is echoed in Isaiah 60:5 as the people thrilled at the prospect of the abundance of the nations flowing to Zion. Also in Jeremiah 31:12, as they beamed with satisfaction at the goodness of the LORD. 

We are also reminded of “the glory of the Lord in the face of Jesus Christ”  2 Corinthians 4:6. When we look to Him, the light of the LORD is reflected in our lives.  ~Excerpt from Christopher Holdsworth Sermon

MAGNIFY - mag'-ni-fi (Hiphil of gadhal; megaluno, "to make great," "extol," "celebrate in praise"): Used especially of exaltation of the name, mercy, and other attributes of God (Genesis 19:19 2 Samuel 7:26 Psalm 35:27; Psalm 40:16; Psalm 70:4 Luke 1:46 Acts 10:46); of God's "word" (Psalm 138:2); or of Christ (Acts 19:17 Philippians 1:20).

My Glimpses of Heaven with Divine Guidance