How are you doing during the quarantine?

It has been a while. WOW.

I have been working from home since mid March. I caught a cold right at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and so I worked at home for 2 weeks before the governor's order to stay in place (I live in south Louisiana). Seems like the order will be starting to lift more May 15th but my bosses (I work for a couple of psychologists) are in agreement when I asked if I could for the most part continue working from home.

So what am I doing with my spare time? I had cut my hours back to 4 hours a day as we aren't having the volume of patients we had in the office. I am normally off on Fridays and that has continued.

So I have a granddaughter due June 3rd so I have been sewing and crocheting things for her. I just (last night) finished a bag for the back of my daughter's van to hold diaper changing items.

I am making me one out of different fabrics to use as a project bag. I will do the tabs and handle attachement differently on mine as it was hard to sew through as many layers as I had.  That is only area I had trouble with and the bag went together really quickly and easily. It is a free pattern from Sew Sweetness. https://sewsweetness.com/2018/02/video-oslo-craft-bag.html?v=7516fd43adaa. This is the link to the video and how to get the free pattern. Let me know if you try it. I love her tutorials. She makes things very easy to understand.

I will post pictures of a couple of crochet items I made for the baby. Most of them are already at my daughters and I didn't take pictures. UGH. 

Good Morning, or is it Afternoon?

Today has been a productive morning. I picked up my craft room and made sure everything was in its place.

I did my bible journaling of 2 scriptures.

I am coloring a page I had printed out a while back to use as a divider in my bible journal.

I have finished up a load of laundry. Load 2 is in dryer and load 3 is in washer.

Made our bed.

Swept craft room, bed room and bathroom.

Empty all trash in bathroom, bedroom and craft room.

Folded blankets that are on couch.

About to deal with load 2 and move over load 3. Start load 4. I am washing blankets, slippers, rugs, etc.

Need to clean breakfast items in kitchen.

Not much left in cleaning. Will work on a more intense bible study this afternoon.

Have an amazing day. It is nice and sunny here for the most part. Hubby is cutting grass and picking up the yard.

Do something fun today, and be sure and spend some time with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What A Day!

Yesterday was quite a day!

I woke up to find we had no clean towels. Had to dry off with hand towels lol.

Banged my knee hard on my desk after my bible study.

Loss track of time and had to rush out the door for work.

Hubby texted me to call the doctor, the area where he took his shot had a huge bruise. Doc said it should be fine, he just took shot to high up and it had swollen alot right after and the bruising is from where it was taken.  Hubby is diabetic but just 2 weeks ago after over 20 years of being diabetic he had to start a shot once a week. Only other time he has had to do shots was right after the crane accident. As soon as he was out of all the hospitals we were able to get it under control again with diet and regular meds. He hasn't been sticking to the way we usually eat and we think that may be what is going on.  Hopefully the shots are temporary again.

As I am typing our cat is sitting next to me on the desk purring away.  When she was a tiny kitten she would sit here every morning while I drank coffee and read blogs. She has recently started doing it again.  She is 7 years old now. Usually our 5 lb yorkie poo is on my lap, but this morning she is playing with our middle daughter.

Today, so far, the plan is to meet a friend and her daughter for breakfast, drop dog off at groomers, pick her up about an hour later. Maybe run by work and pick up some modems that need to be returned to Cox. Have lunch with same friend. Target, Dollar Tree (maybe a few of these lol), Michaels, Hobby Lobby. The stores aren't absolute. Just some ideas. Oh and go to grocery to get what we need for supper. Then home to clean a little and do a little more involved bible study. Get planners ready for next week if they aren't already. Rest? Maybe. Spend time with hubby tonight/this afternoon if he gets off at usual time.

Oh, btw, I work Monday - Thursday. Love this work schedule as I have extra time off.

We are off Monday and will spend time with our children.

I hope to spend some time quilting this weekend. I haven't touched my current project in forever it seems like. I will post pictures if I work on it. Also pictures of the planners if I work on them.

Good Rainy Morning To You

Hello? I know you are out there. Please leave me a hi at least when you stop by. I would love to visit your blogs especially if you aren't in my list already.

So as you may or may not know I live in south Louisiana. We are praying hard for the people in Texas as we went through Katrina and Rita 2 weeks later.  We were affected more by Rita than Katrina and that storm brought as much flooding to our area as Katrina did to New Orleans. We are really praying for the people in the smaller less known areas around Houston. Just as with Katrina most of the help went to the big city because that is what they were hearing about on the news. We weren't really mentioned in the media. But the people here pull up their boots and help each other.

That is why as soon as we heard about the conditions in Houston and that area our Cajun Navy activated and went to help. Most are from areas around me and they will look out for the smaller areas as they remember Rita all to well. They will help in Houston also of course. Please keep these guys in prayer. They are giving up time at work and time away from their families for the sake of others. That is true love. They are risking their lives along with others to rescue and help as many as they can. They, along with all the others from Houston and around the country deserve our prayers as do the people they are helping.

Stay safe, stay dry, and spend some time today with the Lord.

A Peek Into My Inspire Bible

Here are the pictures of the pages I have completed (a couple are still in the works but almost done).

Hope you enjoy them. Please leave me a comment if you stop by. I would LOVE to hear from you.

Update on our family

If you have read my blog in the past you know a little about our family. Here is an update if anyone is curious.

Our oldest daughter and her family are doing well. Our 18 year old granddaughter is a freshman in college. She wants to work with sick children and still researching how she wants to do that.  Their 15 year old son is a sophmore in high school.  He hasn't made a decision of what he wants to do after graduation. There is still plenty of time.

Our middle daughter's divorce is final. She is living here for the time being. Our oldest grandson just finished his freshman year in college. He is going to be a vet.  Her youngest son stays here every other week. He is 15 and a sophmore at a stem academy.  He is studying engineering. For now he wants to be an architect.

Our youngest daughter and her husband bought a home a couple months ago. They have 3 lots total so she will get her lifelong wish to have a small homestead. Their 4 year old is getting so big!  He is a country boy at heart and loves all the land.

Our son (our youngest child) and his wife bought a home in December. So far they only have fur babies. Two guinea pigs, two rescue dogs and a rescue cat that he helped raise with a bottle. 

My hubby is doing pretty well. He is able to hunt! We weren't sure with his injuries if he would be able to. Last year he killed a deer and two pigs. A week ago he killed another 2 pigs. He still hasn't had the reverse shoulder replacement. He is trying hard to avoid doing it and as long as he can do the things he loves (fishing and hunting) he won't have it. He has no pain since they cut the muscle that was causing the pain. They would have to cut it during the replacement so the surgeon did it when they tried the repair.  He will always have a limp and numbness down the side of the right leg, but he is dealing with that pretty well. 

I have to have some testing in a couple of weeks to recheck a spot on my liver and then in February I have to recheck a spot on my lung. Prayers, good thoughts, whatever positive you have would be appreciated.

I went back to work in November as the Lord dropped a job in my lap. I love the doctors I work for, they are both awesome. They will retire in about 5 years, and I will be ready to retire too.  So a good fit. 

Our little 5 lb yorkie poo, Ebbie, is spoiled rotten. The bigger dog is with a family with a lot of land. She is loving it and the children that are always around her. The family has 9 children lol.

Well I guess that is all for now. If you have questions I didn't answer please feel free to ask. 

Hi, my name is Kim and I have a blog lol

Well, I have had a blog for a long time now. Years in fact. And there are seasons when I post a lot, a little, in between those two, and not at all. I hope to remedy that. I hope to start posting more.

The theme of the posts are gonna vary (I have 3 or 4 other blogs and am consolidating them into 1).

Here are my current interests. Bible study, my family, cooking, quilting, planners, bible journaling and I am working 4 days a week again.

So I am 60ish, married 43 years to my amazing husband, we have 4 adult children and as of now 5 amazing grandchildren. The grandchildren are 19, 18, 15, 15, and 4.

Enough about me for now. I am gonna post a little something I feel God laid on my heart today.

I love spending time in God's word. But working 4 days a week makes it challenging. Given the chance I spend hours studying His word. My hubby belongs to a hunting lease so there are weekends he is gone all weekend. I spend hours then diving into the Word. It helps me to miss him less and I get closer to God at the same time!

Most work days I at least spend my coffee time scripture writing and praying. Some times I can get a little more than that done. It just depends on how much I need to do before leaving for work. Some days I need to put supper on in the crockpot (like tomorrow), other days we are going out to eat or hubby is cooking. Some afternoons when I get home I have a little while to spend in His word. Other days life takes over. I do always send up prayers throughout the day giving Him thanks, prayers for a friend in need, etc.

I do various types of bible study and will discuss some of them along the way.

Now let's talk bible journaling! I love reading scriptures (and writing them) , Also I like to write down what I get from the reading/writing. It's a way to remind myself later and helps me remember in the short term also. I am in my 60's after all lol.

Here is a picture of a recent entry in

my bible. I found the free sticker download on pinterest.

Here are some of the scripture writing and journaling that I have done recently in some of my planners (yes I have multiple.)

I think this is long enough. Next post will be about my washi addiction lol.

DITL (Day in the Life)

So today has picked up from yesterday. I did finish scrubbing the living room floor yesterday.
Did my bible study and then started on cleaning.

Today I am working in the kitchen. I really never got around to spring cleaning this year so that is my goal for now. To deep clean all my house.

So far I have moved the table and scrubbed the floor under it, washed out a bin that used to store large bags of flour. I want to use it as an extra bin for snack foods.

My oldest grandson has a weimaraner / german shepherd mix. She is HUGE. Almost 100 pounds. Our dog is a poodle/yorkie mix that weighs 5 pounds. They are great friends. Problem Nova (big dog) can reach the counter top, table, etc. And sometimes when they are left alone (they have food down so it isn't that she is hungry) she will get into various snacks that I get to clean up when I get home. So the bins will keep her out of things she shouldn't be getting into. We have custody of her right now and will until daughter is on her feet and finds some place to live that will accept her. Right now daughter is living with us. (Divorce in works). Her soon to be ex was making our grandson give up his dog. She is very well behaved and the most gentle thing. Just like my grandson. Grandson is 18 and 6'4" (well last time I measured him). I call him my gentle giant. We weren't gonna let him lose his dog (he is in college to become a vet) so we took her in. She sheds ALOT.

I also scrubbed the bin I keep laundry products in. Was dusty and a little detergent had spilled in it.

Our two youngest children are both married (all 4 of our children are) and live in apartments without washer/dryer hookups. So they come here to wash and dry clothes. Daughter comes one day during the week and usually on Sunday. Son or his wife usually come on Saturday. Son doesn't have children as of now and his employer takes care of uniforms so they have less laundry. Daughter has a 3 year old so lots of laundry lol.

Also today I have changed our sheets and washed our comforter. Washed up breakfast dishes. Talked to a friend on the phone. Talked to a friend's hubby who is a handy man and is working up a price to change out 2 windows for us.

Our home is over 40 years old and the windows (except kitchen which he changed last year) are that old and single pane. We are changing out the main room ones to help with cooling/heating costs.

I am handling our daughter's finances for her and she gets paid today, so I will be paying bills for her this afternoon.

This is her week with youngest son, (he's 14) so he will come here after school. He is a character and I love spending time with him (with all 5 of our grandchildren). He makes me laugh every day. The week he is with his dad I miss him.

Supper tonight will be us all going to a local chinese restaurant that we like. yummo

Alright off to put away morning dishes and decide on lunch.

Random

So trying things a little different today. Hopefully this will help me to be consistent with blogging. 

So today started out with plans to deep clean the living room. After my bible study (and breakfast) I started on the cleaning. Things went pretty well till about 12:30. I managed to reorganize my desk, vacuumed really well (hard wood floors) and mopped about half of the floor. 

Took a lunch break and then the call came. 

The bus my grandson rides home from school (well one of them) wasn't going to be running this afternoon so he would need to be picked up from school at 2:06. No problem I would leave the house about 1:30 and be there in plenty of time.

 His school is a STEM academy (he's in 9th grade taking engineering).

 It is on the other side of town from us. Arrived there around 2 and got in the looonnnngggg line and waited. Finally about 2:25 I was at the area where they call out the child's name. Went up a little further to where the child is supposed to be waiting. No grandson. I ask and they tell me I will have to go inside and see what's up. I decide to call his cell and see if he has turned it back on. Thankfully he had. Only to tell me he is boarding the second bus he takes to come to my house. UGH. The bus that wasn't running was the one he takes from second school to his dad's house. That is not what the message said. He beat me back home lol.

Came home finished up the mopping of living room and now have started supper. 

Supper is pork chops in a gravy, rice and baby lima beans. Yummy can't wait to eat. 

Love

Jn 15:9-14

:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Are you willing to lay down your life for you family/friends?

What about for people who don't like you?

Jesus did it for EVERYONE. Even for the ones who hung Him on a tree. If they repented and accepted Him as Savior they became His.

Trust

Pr 27:11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.

Trust is not an all or nothing proposition. It comes in stages, some now, more later. It must be earned and that doesn't happen all at once.

Trust with something small. Then as the person proves trustworthy, trust them with a little more.

Open My Eyes

Ps 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”

Grumbling blinds you to God’s blessings, but gratitude opens your eyes to enjoy them.

1 Cor 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,

:2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

:3 all ate the same spiritual food,

:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ.

:5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

:6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

:7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

:8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;

:9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;

:10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

:11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to hear it.

Beware of pride when you hear or see someone stumble in their walk with Christ. It could happen to you.

Your temptation may not be exactly like theirs, but yours can make you stumble also.

The Greatest One

Mt 22:34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.

:35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,

:36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

:37 Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

:38 This is the first and great commandment.

:39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets.”

The questioner wanted to test Jesus, but the Lord answered him with the key element in pleasing God.

First and foremost, our relationship with Him is a matter of the heart.

If we see God as a taskmaster and consider obedience to Him as a burden, then we have joined those of whom the Lord said:

Rev 2:4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

Joy is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind.

Fruit

Jn 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My Name He may give you.

Ever ask God for something in the Name of Jesus and not get it? Be honest.
Are you bearing the fruit God has appointed you to bear? If not, could that be why? God's word is true. But we must do our part. What we ask for must be in God's will. He's not gonna give you anything that is against His will. And you must be bearing the fruit He has for you to bear.

Journeys and Ants

Mt 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
:19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
:20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
:21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,
:22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

The journey we are called to walk as Christians is not always easy. Sometimes it seems it would be easier to just give up. But when things are difficult, we can rest awhile and renew our strength. We need to rest awhile in the Lord, seek His rest, and His strength for the rest of the journey.

Only God knows where the path will lead us, but He is always with us on the journey. We are never alone.

Knowing He is with us makes the journey easier.

Ps 6:1 My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger;
:2 you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth.
:3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: go and humble yourself; plead with your friend.
:4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.
:5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.
:7 Which, having no captain, overseer or ruler,
:8 provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
:9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
:10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -
:11 so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.

Off and on we have ant issues. Sugar ants (the little tiny ones) inside and regular ants outside. After a recent battle I thought of this verse about the ant and decided to check it out.

Verse 6 is directed tot he sluggard. Another way to say it would be it is directed to the lazy.

Proverbs is full of things said urgently. Above it says to not take on someone else's debt. That's good advice even today. He says get out of it NOW! Don't delay.

So back to the ants. Ants are anything but lazy. They work hard and work together. Ever watch them at work?

1. Ants take the initiative.

They don't have anyone over them telling them what to do, or how to act. They just do what needs to be done.

2. Ants plan in advance.

They are planners. They don't procrastinate. They don't have to worry about food in the winter, because they have gathered and preserved it already. Planning in advance can keep things running smoothly.

3. Ants work as a team.

Pr 30:24 There are four things which are little on the earth, but are exceedingly wise:
:25 the ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer.

Notice it says ants aren't strong. They are tiny little things. We think of them as problems, even though it takes nothing to squash one. It's because they work as a team. We can handle one little ant, but when they work as a team and are many, it becomes a problem.

They do everything as a team. They each have their jobs. Some take care of babies, some gather food, some dig, some fight in protection. They each know their role, and do it for the good of each other and for their survival. They all have the same goal.

Our goal as Christians is to spread the gospel. We need to work as a team to get it done and not be lazy about it.

Let's learn from the ant so we can be wise in the end.

Waiting

Luke 2:22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord,
:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord",
:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
:26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
:27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
:28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
:29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word;
:30 for my eyes have seen Your salvation
:31 which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
:32 a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."
:33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against,
:35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
:36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years form her virginity;
:37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
:38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Is 30:18 Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.

Do you ever get impatient waiting for God for anything? We often equate "wait" with "waste".

If you are waiting for something or someone, you think you are doing nothing, which seems like a waste of time.

Waiting serves many purposes. It proves our faith. Those whose faith is weak are often the first to give up waiting, while those with the strongest faith are willing to wait indefinitely.

Not receiving an answer immediately when we pray is not a reason to give up faith.

Peace and Esther # 12

Esther 10:1 And King Xerxes imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.

:2 Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

:3 For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Xerxes, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitudes of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.

King Xerxes was killed during his twentieth year as king. He is mostly remembered today for his Queen, Esther, and the way God worked through him to save the Jews. Esther and Mordecai have lasting fame for the strength of their faith and conviction. From Esther’s courage we can draw strength, especially when we must take a stand for God and do more than we think possible.

Without directly mentioning God’s name, the writer lets us know that God is at work through the incredible string of events. The Jews know that God will take care of them even if His name isn’t mentioned.

This finishes the book of Esther.

Deceivers and Esther # 11

2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
:14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Even though these words were written long ago, they could have been written about the world today. We must hold tight to Christ and the Word of God so we aren't deceived.

Esther 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the king's command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them.
:2 The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of them fell upon all people.
:3 And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king's work, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.
:4 For Mordecai was great in the king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent.
:5 Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them.
:6 And in Shushan the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.
:7 Also Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,
:8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,
:9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vajezatha -
:10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews - they killed; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
:11 On that day the number of those who were killed in Shushan the citadel was brought to the king.
:12 And the king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the citadel, and the ten sons of Haman. What have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now where is your petition? It shall be granted to you, or what is your further request? It shall be done."
:13 Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do again tomorrow according to today's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows."
:14 So the king commanded this to be done; the decree was issued in Shushan and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
:15 And the Jews who were in Shushan gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men at Shushan; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
:16 The remainder of the Jews in the king's provinces gathered together and protected their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
:17 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. And on the fourteenth of the month they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
:18 But the Jews who were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day, as well as on the fourteenth; and on the fifteenth of the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar with gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and for sending presents to one another.
:20 And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Xerxes,
:21 to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the month of Adar,
:22 as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of fasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.
:23 So the Jews accepted the custom which they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them,
:24 because Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to annihilate them, and had cast Pur (that is, the lot), to consume them and destroy them;
:25 but when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letter that this wicked plot which Haman had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
:26 So they called these days Purim, after the name Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to them,
:27 the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their descendants and all who would join them, that without fail they should celebrate these two days every year, according to the written instructions and according to the prescribed time,
:28 that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, and that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants.
:29 Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter about Purim.
:30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews, to the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Xerxes, with words of peace and truth,
:31 to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them, and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning matters of their fasting and lamenting.
:32 So the decree of Esther confirmed the matters of Purin, and it was written in the book.

The Jews were told to take the plunder, yet they didn't. Their motive was to protect themselves not to profit.

God loves us to celebrate His work and actions on people's behalf.

Just as the Jews were able to fight their enemies with God's help, we can fight our enemy the devil with God's help.

Our weapons are:

1. Prayer
Col 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

2. The armor of God
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil

3. Power of the Holy Spirit
Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Tongue and Esther # 10

Pr 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

:2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

:5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent.

:6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so.

In verse 2, pours forth translates to explodes out. Rash accusations, angry words, and verbal abuse can do immeasurable and lifelong damage.

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

No dirty or ugly talk.

Eph 4:25 Therefore putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

No lying

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

No character assassination.

What comes out of your mouth should be wholesome and uplifting.

We are careful what goes into our mouths. Let’s be just as careful what comes out of our mouths.

Esther 8:1 On that day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her.

:2 So the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman.

:3 Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the Jews.

:4 And the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king,

:5 and said, “If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight and the thing seems right to the king and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to annihilate the Jews  who are in all the king’s provinces.

:6 For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?”

:7 Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “Indeed, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they hanged him on the gallows because he tried to lay his hand on the Jews.

:8 You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring: for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke.”

:9 So the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all, to every province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.

:10 And he wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses bred from swift steeds.

:11 By these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to gather together and protect their lives – to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assult them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions.

:12 On one day in all the provinces of King Xerxes, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

:13 A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province and published for all people, so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

:14 The couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king’s command. And the decree was issued in Shushan the citadel.

:15 So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

:16 The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor.

:17 And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.

God’s intervention becomes even clearer as Mordecai receives everything Haman wanted: power, property and position. Even the king’s signet ring.

Since the previous decree can’t be changed, a new one is issued saying the Jews can fight back.

Here’s what the new decree said:

1.     Jews had the right to assemble.

2   2.     Jews could defend themselves.

     

     3.  Jews could destroy any who attacked them.

  

      4.  Jews could claim the possessions of their attackers.

                                                                                                                                                                                               

The Devil’s Lies and Esther 9

John 8:37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.

:38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.”

:39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.

:40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.

:41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him,  “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father – God.”

:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.

:43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.

:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

:45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

:46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?

:47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

Satan’s influence over mankind began when he turned the minds of Adam and Eve against God. He had to lie to them to do it. He lied to them about God’s goodness, His word, and His intentions. He is still doing the same thing today.

It’s not surprising when trouble comes around, that he is whispering in our ears and begin questioning God’s goodness.

Our problem is just like Adam and Eve, we believe satan’s lies. That compromises our loyalty to God. Then he slithers away to the next person, leaving us to face our regrets for believing the lies.

Who are you listening to today?

Esther 7:1 So the king and Haman wet to dine with Queen Esther.

:2 And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be grated you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”

:3 Then Queen Esther answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.

:4 For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.”

:5 So King Xerxes answered and said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?”

:6 And Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!” So Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

:7 Then the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden; but Haman stood before Queen Esther, pleading for his life, for he saw that evil was determined against him by the king.

:8 When the king returned from the palace garden to the place of the banquet of wine, Haman had fallen across the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he also assault the queen while I am in the house?” As the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

:9 Now Harbonah, one of the eunuch’s said to the king, “Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king’s behalf is standing at the house of Haman.” Then the king said, “Hang him on it!”

:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided.

Esther tells the king if the Jews had been sold as slaves at least the king would have gotten money. Apparently the king has a very short memory because he forgot his own orders.

Haman’s day got even worse just as his family said it would. Harbonah must not have liked Haman, as he is quick to tell the king about the gallows.

God is a God of justice. The fact that Haman was hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai shows that.