"Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for
just such a time as this?"
Esther 4:14
just such a time as this?"
Esther 4:14
My Take Aways
Something Old:
I felt the joy of Passover as a read. How wonderful this must have been for them!
Something New:
Many new things:
- Others were able to celebrate passover 6:21
- Esther had another name 2:7
- 12 months of beauty treatments 2:12
I pray that when appointed a "such a time as this" opportunity I respond as Esther did...radical living here I come.
14 Comments:
"For such a time as this" ... I hope this isn't the only one for me, because I desperately want to know that I'm doing what God wants me to do and that something in my life will make a difference somehow, but ... A few years ago some friends and I went to hear Renee Swope speak - my first women's conference! As I parked the car, I heard a voice in my head say, "You should do this." I was confused and scared but mentioned the idea to my friends, who loved it, and we planned all day. Less than a week later we had full funding from my very inactive church, a booked speaker, and a new committee, ready to go. The conference ended up being great and seven women were saved. :-) It was definitely a God thing!
I thought that 12 months of beauty treatments were a bit much, myself .. if that's what's required, my husband is surely disappointed!
I also liked how Esther kept her heritage and what Mordecai taught her even after becoming queen. we should always respect our heritage and our elders, no matter our position, and this must not have been easy for her. God has shown over and over that this is important - He must really want us to do this!
Congrats, Jodi, on the first steps! That's so exciting!
I'm excited to have the day to spend with Luke today! We're going to take in story time at the library and maybe go to school to eat lunch with Andi. I think they'll both like that.
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
"For such a time as this..." A little over three years ago I awoke during the night with a distinct command in my head "Show your father the new Senior Citizen apartments in your town." A few short months later, another command came to "stand with" my ill sister and her husband in the midst of a family dispute. Both of these times I followed the command, and both times have led to me encountering the most difficult emotional pain and work of my life. (I could write a book!) But it has all led me to my new life in Christ, in which I rely solely on Him. I would not trade this journey for anything, because it brings joy to balance the pain. The pain has had divine purpose, and I thank Almighty God for the opportunity to serve Him through serving my father and sister.
Amy, praying that you would get your heart's desire. Stay calm while He works out His wonderful plan for your life.
Have a blessed, 4:8 day all.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Wendy, thank you for your faithfulness through the fog! I was concerned that something had happened when I first saw you, and then your passion brightened up your face as you taught. Thank you, Lord, for giving strength and peace to Wendy in her obedience.
My big for such a time moment was when God asked my husband and I to adopt a very medically needy baby girl. When filling out our adoption paperwork, I was going to put an "x" in the box for no medical needs. I did not feel that I could handle it. My husband encouraged me to leave the door open for God to give us whooever He had in mind for us. I knew that He would not ask much of me in this area, so I said "yes" to medically needy. Three years later, God brought us to a fragile little girl with a trach, a feeding tube, vision and hearing issues, and numerous things...When we met her in the hospital, my daughter asked, "How could we say no?" And God said, "I will not give you more than you can handle!" Because we adopted her and said "yes" to God, we have been blessed beyond measure, I have done things that I never thougt I could do and God opened the door for fostering and adopting amazing children that each have their own incredible story. It was definitely not me, but God at work. I am so thankful that He prepared my husband and I for such a moment as meeting our dear Annika.
I often think of our reading and being prepared and being ready to stand firm in the days ahead. As we stay faithful and seek God, He is preparing us for whatever lies ahead and we know that we can trust Him with all the details to come whatever they may be. He truly does direct our steps and will not let us stumble. Psalm 37:23 & 24.
Have a great day in the Lord!
Michelle in VA
Well, I just posted on yesterday's vlog, yikes, so now, will re-post over here!
Sweet Wendy~ Thank you for your post –even when you’re feeling under the weather, you’re still bubbly! What a role-model you are to the rest of us!
“If you keep quiet at a time like this…Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this” ((Esther 343:14)?
Can we believe God, when we can’t see Him? The more we anticipate and look for Him, the more we realize how He is Sovereign. He is working even when we do not see Him.
There have been many opportunities I have passed up, because of His voice – “this my daughter is what I have called you to do, right now, ‘for such a time is this.’ And, I will say, before I was in His Word daily, my thoughts were bitter at times. Now, He’s teaching me to walk in love as I serve the elderly in my family. He’s also teaching me how to love relatives from my heart, from inside, not just outwardly. He’s giving me His eyes to view them!
Day 5 praying –am I right on the day? Dear Lord, thank you for the privilege you give us; the privilege to converse with you intimately, through praying. As I pray today, may Your Spirit guide me, and give me words to say, that come from your heart. Amen.
Ladies ~ enjoy His glory all around you today! Anticipate it.
Love, Lori
PS Amy, I believe Brayden left because God has something else in mind for you! Lord, I know you are working on this situation right now, guide Amy, and give her peace as she turns this trial over to you. Allow her special moments with Luke in the meantime. Supply and provide for the needs of this family. Thank you that you are with them and will not leave them. Amen.
Jodie, thinking of little Elliot walking-I bet his arms are straight out like an airplane! So cute, as they are learning and using their little arms to keep them balanced. Aahhh, enjoy these fun times!
I've used that phrase at other times, but none more than 7 years ago when our Pastor and good friend suddenly went home to Jesus. His precious wife was so grief stricken many of us could not see it ever ending until she too went "home". I felt called to be her friend even though I too was suffering. It wasn't always easy and required many hours of "extra" prayer, but I'm happy to say that this weekend she is re-marrying and is finally happy again! God was faithful. I can't wait to celebrate with her and with Him.
Have a wonderful day my sisters in faith.
Linda in Texas
For such a time as this…..
Today is:
Being a stay at home Mom…..Each day seems like “such a time as this.” Today’s world tells us different.
It says:
*You are suppose to work out….*Somebody else is to raise your children….*There is much - much more important things for you to be doing….You need the second income….etc…etc…etc….
Cooking, cleaning, laundry, changing diapers, wiping runny noses, caring for them while they are sick,…. teenage years most think they are old enough now to handle the world…Who is telling them answers when they do have questions? Most think kids are always suppose to be having fun. When most today are never told No. (Parents are usually too tired or feel guilty because they weren’t there when something happen/so they cave in). How are they going to be in society when they get older? Can I/We be a Esther today? Or a Mordecai refuse to bow down or show respect to what we know is right and bow to our God only.
….Do you truly trust me Rhonda/Gals? Can we save our Nation women by changing the way America thinks…..and do just what we were made to do…..for “such a time as this”
Parents, their duties, Gn 18:19; 21:19; 24:2; 25:6; 34:4ff, 49; Ex 10:2; 12:26; 13:14; 21:9f; Lv 19:29; Nm 30:6; Dt 4:9; 6:7; 11:19; 21:19; 22:15; 32:46, Jos 4:21; 1 Sm 2:23; 3:13; 1 Kgs 2:1; Tb 1:10; 4:10, 12f; 14:5,12; Jb 1:5; Ps 78:5; Prv 1:8; 4:1; 5:7; 11:29; 13:24; 19:18; 20:7; 22:6, 15; 23:13; 29:17; Sir 4:23; 7:23; 8:9; 25:7; 30:1-13; 42:5. 9-14; Dn 13:3; 1 Mc 2:49ff; 2Mc 6:24, 28; 7:20-29; Mt 10:37; Eph 6:4; Col 3:21; 2 Tm 3:15; Ti 2:4.
My Spirit turned me to this page just the other morning on the word “women” Really has had me doing a lot of pondering? My to do: Look up the rest of these verses on “women and on parenting.
*Women, must not preach or teach, 1 Cor 14:34, 37; 1Tm 2:11.
*Women, beauty of , Gn 12:4, Song 1:8; 4:1-7; 5:9; Sir 36:22
__celebrated in salvation history, Gn 11:29; 24:15-67; 35:19f; Nm 20:1; Jgs 4:1-5, 32; 1 Sm 25:3-39; 2 Sm 11:21; Jdg 15:13; Mt 1:1-17; Lk 2:36f; 1 Pt 3:5.
__complement man, Gn1:27; 2:23; 3:12: 5:2; Mt 19:4; 1 Cor 11:7.
__condition of, 1 Cor 14:34; Eph 5:22; Col 3:18; 1 Tm 2:12.
__emancipation of, Lk 10:38; 24:22; Acts 1:14; 16:13; 3:28.
__Gift of God, Gn 2:22; Prv 19:14; Sir 26:14f.
__helpmate for man, Sir 36:24; 40:19ff.
__ideal wife, Prv 31:10-31.
__love for, Sir 7:19, 26; Mk 10:7f
__strength of, Jgs 5:29; 9:10f; 11:21; 13:18; Song 4:1-5, 7:2-10
For such a time as this,
Rhonda
I did need this reminder today….doubt was setting in.
Michelle in VA...Your an inspiration.
Amy...Enjoy the yrs. with your children. Hugs to you today. Andi and Luke are blessed to have you home.
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oops! just lost my post.
I've experienced many "such a time as this", but will share one. God used a difficult situation at work to prepare me for "such a time as this" when I took a position in Germany for the US Army. My boss returned to the states and I was put in his position during a time we were closing the post, moving to a new post in another city, and after getting the office settled, I took a position at Headquarters in Heidelberg. My experience had prepared and equipped me for each of those situations. I knew the Lord had His hand in each of them! (I could write a book) His mercy and goodness are indeed new every morning as I surrender to His plan for the day.
Wendy, I pray you are feeling better today and had a restful night. Thank you for your perseverance to prepare for us each day.
Your posts encourage me and I thank each of you for digging for me.
Have a 4:8 day everyone.
Oh, arrived home about 4:30 p.m. on Monday and went to our revival at church last night. Great seeing my church family and heard an inspiring message.
teeny
My "such a time as this" story:
About 4 years ago, my church wanted to start an American Heritage Girls troop (AHG is a Christ centered scouting organization). The lady organizing it needed moms from the church to volunteer to be leaders for the girls. I felt God calling me to volunteer. I kept resisting, after all, I have no daughters, only 2 grown up sons, and I had never felt comfortable enough with children to even volunteer for children's ministry at church. But God kept after me. One day, as I was talking to the organizer, I heard myself saying "I'll do it." And inside my head, I thought, Did I just say that out loud?? Yes, I had, I was committed.
Of course, I immediately began to panic, thinking that I am just not equipped to do this! But I realized that these thoughts were coming from Satan. He was already fighting against this great ministry for the young girls of our church. So I prayed and told God "You are just going to have to help me with this. You have to guide me & help me mentor these girls to grow up and love You, Lord." And that is what He did. Before every troop meeting, I would pray and ask for guidance and He gave it to me every time.
I am still with AHG and our troop is growing. The girls are prospering and learning to love and serve God. And I am learning to trust God when He calls me to serve Him. No matter what He asks, He will equip you for that task and help you accomplish His work.
I am learning so much from all of you. I have such trouble pulling a "nugget" out of the Bible passages, but you ladies always make me say "Oh yea! Now I get it!"
Blessings to all you ladies!
Mary in SW Ohio
You girls with some amazing "such a time as this" stories have my eyes filled with tears!
My "such a time as this" was prepared during my nursing career. 10 years ago I thought God was preparing me to take care of others in the hospital setting.Little did I know He was surrounding me with friends that I would need when I was pregnant with Claire & giving me the skills & knowledge to care for her.
Just as He is surrounding me with all of you during this time as I am about to go new places He wants me to go!
Michelle in VA-not so sure I could have done it with out being a nurse,in awe of your strength!
Jodie-Yay for Elliot,what a blessing :)
Happy belated 13th birthday Blaire!
Ladies, watch out for the Haman's. He was outraged and wanted revenge upon Mordecai because M. wouldn't bow down to honor him. Hamon found out M. was a Jew and wanted to slaughter all Jews, so he devised a plot-bribe the king with money, then get a law to kill all Jews.
Of course, we know how the story turned out, but at "such a time as this", they were living it, without knowing a happily ever after ending. For Esther to appear before the king without being invited meant death, unless the king hold out his gold scepter. She was laying her life down for her people, God's people.
Mordecai and Esther were both close to God. God directs, even behind the scenes. Esther believes in prayer, we will find out.
My moment: I was teaching first grade at a Christian school. The Princ. and Supt. chewed me out about the way I was not handling a student. I sat there and took it, but cried all the way home. They were trying to get me to quit. I was probably the highest paid teacher due to my yrs. of experience, and the school was having financial difficulty. I understood, but it wasn't easy.
In my heart, I knew I had to stay. It was the hardest thing I ever did.
You see, that week it was my turn to share my testimony with the staff and in my Bible class, it was time to teach about salvation and give the children a time to accept Christ.
I did give my testimony, with both people listening, and it changed attitudes, not theirs, but others.
I gave the plan of salvation and some first graders accepted Christ.
The devil was so strong, but I relied on Christ, and He was stronger. Glory to His name.
Needless to say, my contract wasn't renewed. (It just happened that my church youth group had prayed for me the day before that meeting.:0) What a blessing to allow God to work.
God had other plans for me-here I am with ya'll and have my blog going throught the N.T., plus keeping my granddaughter every other week. Can it get any better?
Thank you Lord.
Linda from Ark.
......"for such a time as this...."
My story is nothing flashy, nothing glamorous, just a simple country gal meets a country boy. Being raised in a close-knit, all female sibling household, we were all called upon to assist our dad on the farm. Cooking, cleaning, and creativity abounded, and all these teachings helped shape me to be the woman and help-meet for my husband that I am today.
Wendy's blogs came into my life at just the time when I needed to be on my knees the most, with our teenagers. Thank you for your obedience in following God's leading, Wendy. I have truly grown in my spiritual walk, and it is with this new maturity that I humbly look back and see how God has lead and meshed both my husband's and my lives together. And I look to the future knowing that everything is in His hands, I need to simply remain faithful in obedience to His word.
Continuing to pray for requests and the children's list,
Franny
"such a time as this"....
I would have to say that my time IS this Bible study and how it has changed my walk with the Lord, influenced my thinking and my actions, my desire to know His word and to love it more than I ever thought possible,(and on and on). I believe in my heart that God has used a time such as this---this period of reading, studying, praying, meeting new GIG ;) to prepare me for all the events that have taken place in my life and that of my family's since I began the study in Jan. I'm not sure that this makes sense, but it seems that over the months, I have had the opportunity to share with my family and church family what I have learned from Wendy as she has led us each day and what I have learned from each of you.[POWERFUL STUFF!!!!!] I have wanted to lead in a Bible study for women for YEARS but have felt so inadequate, but God is changing that fear to confidence. It will still be a loooong time before I "put myself" out there to lead because I still have so much to learn so that I can share the Lord with others. THEN, this past Sat. I gave an "eulogy" for an 18 yr. old young man who had fought illness all of his life--kidney transplant at 4 yrs. old, cancer, lung disorder, and more. I could not refuse his mom and grandma. They are not Christians, and Devan accepted the Lord while he was in Brenner's Hospital. They've known me only for a few years, and I thank God that my love for Him was apparent. Never had I known someone who had fought so courageouslyas this fella did. I NEVER thought I could speak in front of probably 300 people. BUT THE LORD gave me His word----scripture that I have cherished since Jan. and some that has been in my heart for quite a while. God gave me ease and assurance in preparing to speak. So, as you stated, Wendy, perhaps in 5-10 years, I can look back and see that He was preparing for a time such as this....even now!! What He has done for me and carried me through in these last 2 yrs. of my life should not be kept "secret", for I was created to honor and glorify such a Father as Him.
For such a time as this, I am blessed,
Jeanne, NC
Because of my schedule, I was not able to read these until this morning. How moving to hear about God working in your lives and hearts! Wow! God is so good! Rhonda, your words about stay at home moms is so true! The enemy wants us to think that it is not an important job...being a wife and mother is high calling! Thank you for all the scriptures you shared on women.
Blessings!
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