Mordecai's Admonition

What I am thinking about: Esther 4:13-14
Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not imagine that you in the king's palace can escape any more than all the Jews. 'For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this/"

What it makes me think: God gives each of us talents, abilities and opportunities. Just like Esther, he gives us a calling to fulfill. If we don't fulfill it; then he can get someone else to do it, but we might lose out on blessings in our lives. When called to act, I want to respond like Esther responded after Mordecai's admonition.

As I consider starting a new business, I am having to consider if this is how God has called me to invest part of my life.  Is this a manner in which I can serve God and is He calling me to serve in this way?  Is it the task that God has laid before me for this time and part of the reason that my life has  been such as it is.  If my life had been easier or more straightforward, would I even have considered this opportunity.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Matthew 19: 27 -30

The passage below challenges me today. Have I given things up to follow Jesus? Am I willing to give up other priorities to make Him first in my life? When all is said and done, will I be one of those who receives many times over? These are some of my thoughts from this passage.

Matthew 19: 27 -30 from www.Bible.com
Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

The preceding passage is the story of the Rich Young Ruler who in the end is unwilling to give up everything to follow Jesus.  He is still too attached to what he has to make that life changing decision.  When he counts the cost, the cost is too high.

The following passage is the story of the vineyard owner who goes and hires laborers at various times during the day.  He pays them all the same when the day ends.  Some of the first question him and he states that he has a right to do with his money what he will.

Do we follow Jesus regardless of our reward out of our love for Him?  Do we long for Him like we long for breath?
Jesus, be my first thought of the day and the last thought of my night!

Broken Hearts

This week, there have been two tragedies involving shooters and the heart's of many are breaking, including mine, over these tragedies.  They are horrific and unimaginable events for those involved and startlingly eye-opening for those that observe them from a distance.

However, it comes to my mind that they are not the only tragedies that we observe or partake of in the lives of us and our friends.  When these other tragedies occur, do we notice them as readily?

How about the friends that got married, however many years ago, perhaps we went to their wedding or were even in their wedding and then somehow over the years they got divorced leaving wreckage for their lives and their children's lives if they had any.  Do our hearts weep for the loss that this brings?

How about the person we pass on the street, who is trying to get enough money for their next fix or for a bite to eat?  We think, "They are just trying to make a fool of us by taking our money." or "They will use it in the wrong way." or "I don't have time for them right now."  Do we notice them?  Do we see them through the eyes of Jesus?  Do we long for their healing?  Are we able to love the unlovely?

Do we ache over friendships lost over the years?  Do we hurt for friends that have lost their way or who have lost their love for Jesus?

Does our heart break over the things that break the heart of God?

Mine is starting to.

Here is a passage that I think relates to my thoughts.
I copied this passage from here:  https://www.bible.com/bible/100/mat.25.nasb

Matthew 25:31"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
34"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry, and you gave Mesomething to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'37Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?38And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the leastof them, you did it to Me.'

Jesus, give me your heart and your eyes.