Celebrating Deliverance" by Karolyn Parsons Esther 9:
20 Mordekhai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far, 21 instructing them to observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day, every year, 22 [to commemorate] the days on which the Jews obtained rest from their enemies and the month which for them was turned from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; they were to make them days of celebrating and rejoicing, sending portions [of food] to each other and giving gifts to the poor.
23 So the Jews took it upon themselves to continue what they had already begun to do, and as Mordekhai had written to them;
28 and that these days would be remembered and observed throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and that these days of Purim would never cease among the Jews or their memory be lost by their descendants.
29 Then Ester the queen, the daughter of Avichayil, and Mordekhai the Jew, gave full written authority to confirm a second letter about Purim. 30 He sent copies of it to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Achashverosh, ensuring their peace and security 31 and requiring the observance of these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordekhai the Jew and Ester the queen had enjoined them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants concerning the matters of fasting and lamenting. 32 At Ester’s order these matters of Purim were confirmed and put in writing in the book.
***People have always had the need to remember significant moments in history. We hold memorials, days of remembrance, and celebrations to commemorate events that touched many lives. We do not want to forget what happened. We want the future generations to remember those moments that so deeply shape who we are and where we have been, especially when we can see the hand of God at work.
Esther and Mordecai had been through a lot together in their journey to save the Jewish people from Haman’s plan to have them killed. They were guided by God in ways that saved the lives of countless Jews. Today's passage reveals that God continued to give Mortdecai and Esther the authority to speak and move on His behalf, as they worked to create a time to celebrate the lives that were spared from massacre. This holiday, called Purim, is still celebrated today. The rituals and commands that were set forth became the standard for the celebration to be held, so that no generation could forget what God had done to save them from destruction.
Hymn for Today: "It Is Truly Wonderful" by Barney E. Warren
1. He pardoned my transgressions,
He sanctified my soul;
He honors my confessions,
Since by His blood I’m whole.
Refrain: It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
Glory to His Name.
2. He keeps me every moment
By trusting in His grace;
’Tis through His blest atonement
That I may see His face.
Refrain: It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
Glory to His Name.
3. He brings me through affliction,
He leaves me not alone;
He’s with me in temptation,
He keeps me for His own.
Refrain: It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
Glory to His Name.
4. He prospers and protects me,
His blessings ever flow;
He fills me with His glory,
He makes me white as snow.
Refrain: It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
Glory to His Name.
5. He keeps me firm and faithful,
His love I do enjoy,
For this I shall be grateful,
And live in His employ.
Refrain: It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
Glory to His Name.
6. There’s not a single blessing
Which we receive on earth
That does not come from heaven,
The source of our new birth.
Refrain: It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful!
It is truly wonderful
What the Lord has done!
Glory to His Name.
Thought for Today For sin will not have authority over you; because you are not under legalism but under grace.(Romans 6:14).
Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Tonga.
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Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - The Global Church of the Nazarene's The Foundry Publishing in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Saturday, 3 March 2018 - "Hear Our Prayers" by Karolyn Parsons - 1 Samuel 1:12-19
Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - The Global Church of the Nazarene's The Foundry Publishing in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Saturday, 3 March 2018 - "Hear Our Prayers" by Karolyn Parsons - 1 Samuel 1:12-19
"Hear Our Prayers" by Karolyn Parsons - 1 Samuel 1:12 She prayed for a long time before Adonai; and as she did so, ‘Eli was watching her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart — her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard — so ‘Eli thought she was drunk. 14 ‘Eli said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Stop drinking your wine!” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a very unhappy woman. I have not drunk either wine or other strong liquor; rather, I’ve been pouring out my soul before Adonai. 16 Don’t think of your servant as a worthless woman; because I have been speaking from the depth of my distress and anger.” 17 Then ‘Eli replied, “Go in peace. May the God of Isra’el grant what you have asked of him.” 18 She replied, “May your servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went on her way, and she ate, and her face was no longer sad. 19 They got up early in the morning and worshipped before Adonai, then returned and came to their house in Ramah.
Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah his wife, and Adonai remembered her.
***I remember the first time I was in a church service where the people did not pray quietly during the pastoral prayer. The voices were loud and seemed to be jumbled up together, getting collectively louder, sounding like shouts. This was new for me because the churches I grew up in prayed silently while the pastor led the prayers. It’s not that one way was right and the other was wrong. It was simply different from my prior experience.
We do not know why Eli thought Hannah was drunk while she was praying, but perhaps what he was seeing was just so different than what he was used to that he didn’t know what else to think. He saw a woman praying so passionately that it was misunderstood. We can be thankful, however, that God does not misunderstand our prayers. He hears and knows the cries of our hearts. For Hannah, being able to unload the burden of her heart to the Lord was enough to give her peace and hope. She left with a renewed spirit.
May you carry your burden to the Lord and find peace and blessings.
Hymn for Today "Pass Me Not by Fanny J. Crosby
1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
Refrain: Savior, Savior,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
2. Let me at thy throne of mercy
find a sweet relief;
kneeling there in deep contrition,
help my unbelief.
Refrain: Savior, Savior,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
3. Trusting only in thy merit,
would I seek thy face;
heal my wounded, broken spirit,
save me by thy grace.
Refrain: Savior, Savior,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
4. Thou the spring of all my comfort,
more than life to me,
whom have I on earth beside thee?
Whom in heaven but thee?
Refrain: Savior, Savior,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
Now I call on you, God, for you will answer me.
Turn your ear to me, hear my words.
(Psalm 17:6)
Please pray: That many people in Tonga will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - The Global Church of the Nazarene's The Foundry Publishing in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Friday, 2 March 2018 - "Sharing Our Burden" by Karolyn Parsons - 1 Samuel 1:1-11
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Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - The Global Church of the Nazarene's The Foundry Publishing in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Friday, 2 March 2018 - "Sharing Our Burden" by Karolyn Parsons - 1 Samuel 1:1-11
Sharing Our Burden" by Karolyn Parsons - 1 Samuel 1:1 There was a man from Ramatayim-Tzofim, in the hills of Efrayim, whose name was Elkanah the son of Yerocham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tochu, the son of Tzuf, from Efrat. 2 He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other P’ninah. P’ninah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 This man went up from his city every year to worship and sacrifice to Adonai-Tzva’ot in Shiloh. The two sons of ‘Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, were cohanim of Adonai there.
4 One day, when Elkanah was sacrificing, he gave a portion of the sacrifice to his wife P’ninah and portions to each of her sons and daughters; 5 but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved Hannah, even though Adonai had kept her from having children. 6 Her rival taunted her and made her feel bad, because Adonai had kept her from having children. 7 He did the same every year; and each time she went up to the house of Adonai, she taunted her so much that she would cry and not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why are you crying, and why aren’t you eating? Why be so sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” 9 So Hannah got up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. ‘Eli the cohen was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the temple of Adonai. 10 In deep depression she prayed to Adonai and cried. 11 Then she took a vow; she said, “Adonai-Tzva’ot, if you will notice how humiliated your servant is, if you will remember me and not forget your servant but will give your servant a male child, then I will give him to Adonai for as long as he lives; and no razor will ever come on his head.”
***Hannah endured much ridicule for her childless state. Her husband loved her, his heart ached for her, but the cruel actions of others were almost too much to bear for her. Year after year, Hannah not only carried her heartache, but suffered the relentless provoking of her rival for it. Her grief hit the tipping point and she could no longer hold it in, so she began to pray and pour her heart out to God. As all her emotions spilled out in prayer, she asked God for one thing: a son. She asked for a son whom she would be willing to hold for a time, but give back to the Lord to be a special servant of God.
Many times, our hearts carry our silent burdens, our griefs, things that seem too heavy to carry. Much like Hannah, we can face the scorn and ridicule from others whose comments only add to our heartaches. We can also choose to remain faithful and ask God to somehow bring joy to our sorrow, and bless our lives in some way. We can always trust that the Lord hears our prayers and knows our heart’s cry.
Hymn for Today: "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" by by Joseph M. Scriven
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
Thought for Today: By David:
I lift my inner being to you, Adonai;(Psalm 25:1)
Please pray: For the faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Australia.
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