Tag Archives: presence

Extend Your Stay

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Queen Esther found fullness of joy and everlasting pleasures in the king’s presence. (Psalms 16:11)

She was forced to go to the king because of the decree that was sent by Haman to kill and annihilate her people, the Jews.  She mustered up the courage after fasting for 3 days and 3 nights along with her maidens, her cousin Mordecai and all the Jews.

Esther put on her royal robe and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace.  The king saw and extended the golden scepter.  She found favor instantly and without uttering a word, the king was ready to give even half of the kingdom.  Instead of telling him what she wanted, she invited him for the banquet she had already prepared (Esther 5:4).  Though there was a pressing need to be addressed, she missed being with the king and wanted to be in with him longer.

Do I enjoy His presence more and worship Him before I bring up my needs?

Esther had a second chance at the banquet to ask whatever she wanted (Esther 5:6).  The joy and pleasure she enjoyed with the king made her invite the him for another banquet the next day, extending her stay, instead of addressing the urgent need.  Finally, when the king asked her a third time she requested to spare her life and her peoples lives (Esther 7:2).  The king granted her request and the people were saved.

Esther and her people would have been saved since she found favor and could ask anything.  The king could have demoted or fired Haman as punishment.  Her time with the king, her love and hospitality towards him not only gave her what she wanted but also exposed Haman’s pride (5:9-14) and he was hung on the gallows (7:10).

The sleepless king had the journal read to him and realized he did not reward Mordecai for saving his life.   The next day Mordecai was honored and rewarded (Esther 6:1-9).

Regardless of what brings us to God, stay with Him and enjoy His presence first, our prayers will be granted, our enemies will be destroyed and our loved ones will be rewarded for serving God.

Previous blog from the Book of Esther: This Is Your Day

 

Lingering Long Enough

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Mary Magdalene stayed long enough at the tomb and heard Jesus call her by name and saw the resurrected Lord (John 20).

She went to the tomb with Mary, mother of James, Salome (Mark 16:1) and Joanna (Luke 24:10) to anoint Jesus’ body with spices.  They found the stone rolled away and Jesus’ body missing.  The women went back and reported the news to the disciples.  Peter and John came to the tomb, confirmed that the body was missing and went back to their own homes (v:10).

Mary Magdalene’s name was the only one mentioned in all 4 gospels.  Luke says the angels addressed them as “women” but John says the angels addressed her as “Woman.”  I believe all the women were there but the angels saw the longing in her eyes and talked to her personally.

Mary Magdalene and the women went back home (Luke 24:9,10).  But she could not stay home because she did not find Jesus.  She returned to the tomb and hung around for an answer.  Jesus could not ignore her and showed up, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:19).  He asked, “Woman, why are you crying?”  Initially, she did not recognize his voice but continued to tell him why she was there, thinking he was the gardener.  Jesus responded to her desperation, called her “Mary” and revealed himself to her.  God will address our desire and desperation if we persist in our pursuit of Him.

Linger in the Word (His presence) and we will hear him call us by name and will see the resurrected Savior!  He will teach us (Rabboni!), and will give our assignments (go and tell, v:17).

 

 

 

 

Crippled Beggar’s Thanksgiving

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(Song: Acts 3:1-10)

Peter and John went to pray.
they met a lame man on the way
He asked for alms and held out his palms,
and this is what Peter did say
Silver and gold have I none,
but such as I have give I you.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
The man went walking and leaping and praising God,
Walking and leaping and praising God,
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”.

A man crippled from birth was carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put everyday out side the gate to beg from people going into the temple courts (Acts 3:2).  One day Peter and John were going up to the temple to pray and this man asked them for money.  But they gave him more than what he was expecting, he received complete healing.  Peter reached out, took him by the right hand, helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  Then, he went with Peter and John into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Am I a crippled beggar?

When my prayer is only for my needs (bless me, give me, help me, protect me, guide me), I am a crippled beggar being brought into the “temple” to beg.  Jesus wants me to have more than daily sustenance.  He wants me to be with him inside the temple joyfully praising God.

Lord, thank you for lifting and strengthening me and I worship you because of your faithfulness.  Heal me of my crippled attitudes, actions, wants and ways so I will be in your presence daily enjoying your fellowship.  Lord, transform me from a beggar to a worshiper.

Dear child of God, what are the things in your life that are carrying you to the temple gate to beg instead of going to the Holy of Holies to worship?  Are your children, spouse, health, finances, fear of lack, greed for more, or trying to keep up with the “Kardashians,”  the only reasons you pray?  

Jesus is reaching out his hands to lift you up and strengthen your feet and ankles to walk with him into His Presence.  Reach out your hands, take hold of his and enter into the gates with thanksgiving and into the courts with praise (Psalms 100:4).


In His Presence

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1 Kings 10:1-13 

Queen Sheba heard about a king who was famous, who had great wisdom and wealth and a relation to the name of the Lord.  Being a queen she was acquainted with many royalties but Solomon’s wisdom and relationship to God urged her to see him personally.  She came with large amounts of spices, gold, and precious stones to test him with hard questions.  She spent time with him asking all that was on her mind and Solomon answered all her questions, nothing was too hard for him.  She said to the king, “The report I heard in my country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.  But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes.  Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.” 

Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  Twice the word hearing is used in this verse.  Queen Sheba heard about the greatness of Solomon but only believed when she saw for herself (1 Kings 10:7). Last year I came across a phrase “the 18 inch drop” in a bible study I attended.  This 18-inch drop from head knowledge to heart knowledge will only happen in the presence of our Great King.

Go to the King with all that you are going through (questions, doubts, challenges, needs, ideas) because nothing is too hard for Him.  You will come out with faith from the royal bounty that will sustain you until He gives you what you need, desire, and ask for (1 Kings 10:13).

Lord, remove obstacles from the life of this reader so that he or she can have an intimate relationship with you.  Grant them wisdom to know what to do and faith to hold on until they receive an answer from you.