Reputation

Esther 10

What could be more important than a persons reputation.  Well, a few things but it definitely ranks up there fairly high.  

I have always been concerned about how people see me.  My reputation has been something that I strive to make sure is positive.  

I remember thinking after I became a Christian that I wanted my kids to remember me when I pass as a bible thumbing momma.  It is important to me for my kids to see me reading and living out the scriptures.  

I have always wanted to be seen as a person that loves her husband and respects and submits to him.  

I want those looking at my life to know that yes I have made billions of mistakes but that my heart is not vindictive and that I desire to love more than I hate.  

I also want those watching this bleep of a life to know how much My Savior means to me and how He changed my life from ashes to beauty.  

As I finish reading the book of Esther I realized that the one thing that was keep intact was Mordecai's reputation.  He had a good reputation among the Jews and the King.  

It was also a good reminder while reading Esther that even when the world looks like it is in the hands of evil people, God is still in control and he protects His people.  Although we may not understand everything that is happening in our life we can trust that God is in control.  We also need to maintain our integrity by doing what we know is right, even when it would be easier not to.    

No matter how hopeless the condition, or how much we want to give up and throw in the towel we need to remember that God is in control of our world.    

This is sometime easier said than done.  Our family is dealing with some hard things right now.  I have ask God many time Why? and questioned His decision to have our family carry this certain cross.  I keep hearing Him say "Monica I am God and you are not".  Although I know this I sometimes act like I am in control.  I try to act like I know better.  

There could not be anything farther from the truth.  

While I'm asking God to help me and show me what I can not see for myself, I am also continuing to pray that the cross be taken.  With that said, I end my prayers with but if you choose not to I will still serve you.  I want to leave a reputation of a person that followed God to the ends of the earth carrying what ever my lot.  

In the end I want to live a life that magnifies that He is God and I am not!

God's Goodness

Esther 9

My bible reading today was from Esther 9.  We see in this passage that the Jews have been given the right to defend themselves.  We have here a decisive battle fought between the Jews and their enemies, in which the Jews were victorious.  Haman has been killed and now his sons receive the same fate as he does.  

Reading this chapter I am struck by a few different ideas. 

The main thought is of Gods Goodness to his people.  What looks like a total possible annihilation of the Jews turns out to be a victorious fight for the Jews.  

However, they take nothing from their victory in means of possessions.  This was left because victory was not theirs but Gods.  

Interesting fact about this fight was that they gathered themselves together in their cities.  If they had not had an edict to warrant them, they may not have done it.  Had they acted separately, each family apart, they would have been an easy prey to their enemies; but acting as one, and gathering together in their cities, they strengthened one another, and face their enemies. 

Wow!!!  We talk a lot about relationships at MPC, about the R in C.O.R.E.  (C-corporate worship, 

O-Others focused, R-relationship with other believers, E-education of Gods word)

This passage talks about Gods people uniting together to defeat the enemy.  

Today the enemy would like nothing more than to separate us so that he could pick us off one by one.  

However, when we are in fellowship with other believer, when we are standing shoulder to shoulder against the enemy we are able to stand stronger against the enemy and draw strength from one another. 

Today we see so many people bashing and talking about other believer or other churches.  We see lots of people fighting and taking other beleivers to court over stuff.  

I think that we need to be very careful about this.  Yes I believe that we need to warn people when false teaching is being taught or when something is being said that is unbiblical but bashing just to make ourselves or our church look better can be very harmful to the body.  The big C-church as a whole.  

I don't say this without fingers pointing back at me.  I have been guilt of this on many occasions.   I hope that as I mature in Christ,  I begin to see things the way He sees them.  That my eyes are open to the things that hurt him and that they begin to have the same impact on me.  

I want to make it very clear however that when a church or its pastor begins go down a road that looks and  feels unscriptural that they should be called out.  I also believe that their are some that seem to look the part but if you listen carefully to their teaching you'll find that its really about them and not about God.  I believe that scripturally as believers its the obligation of the church to point this out.  

This is very different than just talking down about a church or pastor to make yours look better.   

Ok enough of that soap box!

Sometimes when I'm wrapped up in my own problems my own stuff I stop looking up.  I stop looking at where my help comes from.  The Jews relied on the goodness of their God and the justice of their cause, and resolved to make their utmost efforts against their enemies.  

I need to remember that my fight, my enemy is not flesh and blood but against the rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12) Amen

Join me as I begin a two week journey to get Spiritually Ripped.  Catch up and listen to the past messages they are really good!!!

 http://meridianpointchurch.com/category/weekend-messages/

Vision

I talked to my Team Members on Sunday about the type of vision we wanted to have-

Panoramic Vision

 types of vision that we sometimes can have-

Myopic, tunnel, peripheral

I want for all of us to see the BIG picture.  To see beyond ourselves, beyond what only our eye see.  

Vision is SO important.  

I left Sunday feeling like oh I certainly have the capability of doing that in my Ministry but wow is that hard to do in my life, with my kids.  

I have began to read another book on prayer, which I am loving.  It is by Stormie Omartian, called Just enough light for the step I'm on.....trust God in the Tough Times.  

I have been enjoying this book very much.  I have been doing the study guide in the back during my quiet time and have found it to be very good for my soul.  I recommend buying it if you have not read it before.  

What I believe has been most fascinating thought is this over arching theme of trusting even when there is very little light.  When I have not idea where the situation that God is leading me to or through is going to take me.  

Easy enough right...just trust God in the tough times?  Nope not so easy.  Even after all theses years.  Yes I admit it has gotten easier, but definitely not easy.  I have lots of reservations still.  Which I know must hurt Gods heart.  He has done so much and has never failed me and yet......

Life is a walk.

Each day we take

steps.  Our tomorrow 

is determined by 

the steps we 

take today.  

Today as I continue on in my walk with the Lord I am choosing to not stay still but to take another step closer to him.  Knowing that he will be there with me to help and support no matter what.  

MICAH 4:2

 COME AND LET US GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD,

TO THE HOUSE OF THE GOD OF JACOB;

HE WILL TEACH US HIS WAYS

AND WE SHALL WALK IN HIS PATH!

I know how to count...... 1,2,3

Sometimes, life seems to just go by day by day, month by month until you look back and think, wow where has the time gone?  

There are other seasons where you find yourself counting down the minutes.  Realizing that you have managed to get through five or even 20 without thinking about this or that situation.   

God has made us so wonderful, this I know.  My brain continues to think on many nights way past what my body believes is a good thinking time.  

Sometimes I have to talk myself down off the thinking train long enough to get a few good hours of sleep so that I'm able to function the next day.  

Recently my brain is in over drive.  A desire for more information about certain topics is driving me crazy and maybe my husband too.  God is continuing to talk to me and explain that He's got me and my family and that all the knowledge is not going to be enough because what I am lacking right now is........FAITH

Seems like such an easy thing right?  He has always been faithful right?  He has never steered me wrong, has He?  And yet when I come to this fork, the fork I've been to before, different situation different time......always the same fork will I choose to trust him or will I choose my own road I stand scared.  

Not because I don't know which way to go but because I don't have any control.  When I feel a lack of control the forward motion ceases.  I feel like I'm in quick sand.  Have you ever felt that way? 

Oh God why?  You have not changed.  You are still the same God as yesterday!  Why do I doubt?  

And so as I ponder choosing His way, living by FAITH and not by sight I will count because that is one thing I have not forgotten how to do.  

I will count all the ways he shows up in my life.  I will count all my blessings.  I will count every way I see Him moving in my life and sometimes the way he sit right beside me while I cry.  I will choose to even in the hard Eucharisteo count.  I will choose to count I know how to count.....

1. thankful for western medicine and holistic medicine
2. for a husband who knows no end to the way he loves me
3. for the opportunity to be the mom to 3 little kids who came to me at different times, at different ages, but found their way to my home and into my heart forever                                              

and the counting begins, again so that I may see Him better 

#learningtocountagain