Archive | March 2012

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor (Review)

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

By Deborah H. Bateman

Author of the

(Daily-Bible-Reading Series) [Kindle Edition]

Amazon’s e-book, The Book of Esther, is “for just a time as this”.  What timing that it is being brought to the forefront, as the Feast of Purim was currently celebrated.

This e-book is structured with 18 chapters converted into lessons, with its opening chapter setting the scene with King  Ahasuerus (Xerxes) sitting at the throne, over a kingdom spanning 127 provinces from India to Cush, abundantly blessed with wealth and the King celebrating it with his  nobles, princes, officials and military leaders from Media and PersiaKing Xerxes held his celebration for a period of 180 days “displaying” his vast wealth.

Each chapter holds the author’s point of view, including a daily bible scripture, and a prayer of the day.

Deborah H. Bateman is always pointing to the scriptures and giving God the glory,  requesting insight for the reader as the reader applies each chapter’s occurrence to their own lives ie.:

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

“As we read this Scripture help us to see drinking too much wine can cause all kinds of trouble. Help us as wives to submit to our husbands as unto the Lord.  But help us to know where the boundaries are.  In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.”

She sets the tone for disciplined, committed bible reading (making it ideal for the christian classroom bible study) to further educate the reader into how God uses Esther to teach the modern-day christian who wants to know more about how God continues to genuinely touch an individual from yesterday’s events to today’s turbulent times.

The author has generously included a section “Things to Think About” further prodding the reader into going beyond what is written on paper and applying principles to effect their own lives.

As in the Book of Ruth, this author’s earlier e-book, Deborah manages to capture the spiritual layer of God’s involvement in Esther’s life relevant to today’s christian.

Esther is a Jewish orphan who is raised by her cousin, Mordechi.  Esther is taken into the King’s palace and “prepped” for one night with the King.

This story has such a deep love from an orphan to her King, and the King’s genuine love and affection for a commoner, flowing from one dramatic event to another culminating into a final decision of life or death from Esther to stand up for her people or she and they all perish.

I love prophecy.  Israel is currently contemplating striking Iran to prevent Iran’s build up of nuclear weapons to prevent Israel’s total annihilation threatened by Iran.  This is really ironic as Esther and King Xerxes ruled over ancient Persia and Media – today modern day Iran.

Megillah – Scroll of Esther, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel

Megillah – Scroll of Esther, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel

Recently on March 9, 2012, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  gifted President Obama a Scroll of the Book of Esther:

“…he gave the President the megillah (scroll) of the Book of Esther, which Jews read during Purim…”

“Purim conveys three lessons. First, the survival of the Jewish people is assured — not by the words or edicts of foreign rulers — but when they have the ability to defend themselves.  As Netanyahu said, “As prime minister of Israel, I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation.”

Second, Purim suggests that the Jewish people — and religious liberty — will always be threatened by regimes that regard self-governance and civil society as the enemy.  Alluding to the Passover Haggadah, Netanyahu stated: “In every generation there are those who wish to destroy the Jewish people.”

“Indeed, the third and most important lesson of Purim is that ability to take pre-emptive military action is essential to Jewish survival.  As Netanyahu said: “The purpose of the Jewish state is to secure the Jewish future. That is why Israel must always have the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat…” (source:  Spectator.org)

Amazon’s e-book, The Book of Esther, A Story of Love and Favor, is “for just a time as this.”  Indeed, prophecy unveiling today?

  • For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

Read the e-book today and follow Esther’s journey.  Will she perish?  Will God intervene and deliver His people?

About the Author:

Deborah H. Bateman

Deborah H. Bateman

The Author,  Deborah H. Bateman loves studying the Bible and is dedicated to “Sharing God’s Word”.

She is the Founder of Christian Daily Resources a Christian Online Ministry.

Deborah also enjoys cooking, crafts, interior decorating, and working on her computer creating websites and blogs.

She is happily married, the mother of two daughters, and a grandmother to five grandchildren. She is an active member of her church.

Deborah has a Daily Bible Reading Blog where she does a Daily Bible Study.

She wrote this e-book so other people could experience the joy of studying The Book of Esther as she has.

She hopes you have enjoyed this study and have learned some valuable lessons about God’s love and favor for His children.

You can follow and connect with Deborah Bateman:
Website: Deborah H. Bateman-Author
Website: Christian Daily Resources
Blog: Daily-Bible-Reading
Blog: Bible Verse Tweet

Facebook:
Facebook.com/DeborahHBateman
Facebook.com/ChristianDailyResources

Facebook.com/DailyBibleReading
Facebook.com/BibleVerseTweet

Facebook.com/SharingGodsWord
Twitter:
Twitter.com/DebBat
Linked In:
Linkedin.com/in/DeborahHBateman
You Tube:
Youtube.com/DebBat0519

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New World Order: Secret Societies and Biblical Prophecy

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)

  • Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.  (Deuteronomy 8:19)

There are so many reports, videos, news articles, on the collapse of the financial economy not only in America but across the world, with Greece, Spain, and Italy being the most current who have extended their financial downfall by “borrowing” to stay afloat from a total global economic collapse.

Common language refers to the One World Order already in effect and not merely a conspiracy theory.

Forming a One World Order is contrary to God’s instructions to “you shall have no other gods before me.”

A One World Order is any new or alternative global social or political organization or system, esp. referring to that after the Cold War with one ruler:

  • one government
  • one economy
  • one military
  • one society
  • one religion

As Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900), German philosopher, stated:

“We, however, want to become those we are—human beings who are new, unique, incomparable, who give themselves laws, who create themselves. To that end we must become the best learners and discoverers of everything that is lawful and necessary in the world: we must become physicists in order to be able to be creators in this sense—while hitherto all valuations and ideals have been based on ignorance of physics or were constructed so as to contradict it. Therefore: long live physics! And even more so that which compels us to turn to physics—our honesty! by Friedrich Nietzsche” (source: dictionary.com)

“His key ideas include the death of God, perspectivism, the Übermensch, amor fati, the eternal recurrence, and the will to power. ” (source: Wikipedia)

“The common theme in conspiracy theories about a New World Order is that a secretive power elite with a globalist agenda is conspiring to eventually rule the world through an authoritarian world government—which replaces sovereign nation-states—and an all-encompassing propaganda that ideologizes its establishment as the culmination of history’s progress.” (source: Wikipedia)

To understand the future, we must understand where we have been that leads us to forming the New World Order.

The following view: debt (effectively destroys economic freedom) involving the Federal Reserve System.

YouTube video about the financial banking system and it’s historical 1929 collapse.  So sit back, relax with a cup of tea, and listen to events triggering the New World Order with its secret societies.

Wake Up Call – New World Order

(2 of 16)

For a full version of the 16 videos view here in one video (length 2:29:41)

Wake Up Call - Remastered Edition - Full Movie

God set up a full proof economic system: tithing, offerings, sacrifices.  Follow His commands, honor His economic system, include His principles into your life, for it is He who will provide for you effectively, not the government with it’s baseless values and hidden agendas to promote themselves.

  • There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. (Deuteronomy 12:6)
  • And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD. (Leviticus 27:30)
  • As for me, I will praise and worship the Lord, creator of Heaven and Earth:
  • In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

Blessings,

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SeashoreMary

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The Artist

And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all

manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. (Exodus 31:3-5)

I’ve had a desire to explore and write poetry for sometime now but I didn’t have the  true inspiration, the prose, the rhythm to compose on the “spot.”

However, I prayed about it and lo and behold, a poem has risen out of my spirit!

All one has to do is look around and see so many wonderfully created human beings, with varying personalities, races, and cultures for inspiration:

  • Fields of nature, beautiful, colorful flowers saturated in greens, blues, reds, oranges, pinks, purples, the green pastures, in the summer and white in winter, the low valleys and the high mountains;
  • Architecture with so many different designs-art deco, minimalist, round buildings, square, rectangle all performing their own functions;
  • Texture with its varying characteristic quality of coarseness, smoothness, sensitive to the elements and colors;
  • Animals some huge, some small–elephants, zebras with their stripes, peacocks, alligators  (which creep me out);
  • Ladybugs, flies, ants some red that can crack a wallup in pain if bitten by them, scorpions, spiders;
  • the blue green oceans, rivers, tributaries all leading in different directions, much like life;
  • Fish, sharks, sea horses, dolphins, whales, seashells, sand;
  • The universe with its wide expanse of nebulas, stars, the Black Hole, Wormwood, the Sun, the Moon, and the planets

I  know that Father God is the initial master artist.  He started it all, the Master Creator of Masterpieces.

 The Artist

(by Ms. Mary Pacheco, Author)

One who paints a picture, tells a story,

Weaving, sliding in his own course, the artist.

Picking, choosing colors,

Colors of life, colors of death

Pinks, yellows, vibrant hues of life

Blues, blacks, cool colors of death by the artist.

Setting the mood, the sense, the action

Touching the senses, stroking the

Emotions of the “story.”

Caressing life’s events by

Fingering the atmosphere the impression by the artist.

That character, that personality, inspiring an air of quality

Capturing the vibrations of life,

The temperament and personality of what he sees.

Spirit filled with life’s enduring moments

Overflowing with integrity, packed with visual interpretation, by the artist.

Understanding and translating his version of

Life’s happenings; its affairs coupled with consequences,

The aftermath of an episode exploding with meaning,

Its implications, its importance, and its values

Its principles, morals, and ideals by the artist.

One who sees beyond or outside of a given object,

a situation, or a specific position

Yet affirming, asserting, and

Maintaining an aura of preciseness.

Focusing, centering for today, for the moment, for the present

For that work of art, that image on life’s canvas

Filled with reflections of times past,

Varying with textures, electrifying shades of  paints, watercolors, and oils.

Ever tasting life’s differences, shapes,

Ideas and visions by the artist.

Blessings,

___________________________________

SeashoreMary

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Bible Prophecy: Why Should We Care?

  • And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
  • Then he took up his oracle and said:

“The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,
The utterance of the man whose eyes are opened,

  • The utterance of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide open:  (Numbers 24:2-5)
  • Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. (Daniel 9:24)

Prophecy is God’s mouthpiece,  the foretelling of future events, using man by initiating and revealing visions, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues.

Some believe in it and some people just smile and laugh it off as another way to scam innocent people.

However, below is an article that clarifies it’s importance for understanding it, hope in it’s promised destiny in eternity, highlighting comfort and encouragement and faith in God’s Word.

It dictates God’s sovereignty, His mercy, His compassion, rewarding His elected faithful, and providing for His people, as a  Just and Righteous God.

It states why prophecy, it’s accuracy, and reasons to believe:

*********************************************

Bible Prophecy: Why Should We Care?

In a Peanuts cartoon, Peppermint Patty reminds Charlie Brown, “You heard what that speaker said, Chuck. He said we’re in the last days!” Charlie Brown responds with: “I know. I heard him say the world is coming to an end.” In the third frame, Peppermint Patty continues with: “Marcie said the world can’t end today because it’s already tomorrow in Australia.” In the final frame, we see this final interaction, as Charlie Brown begins with: “Maybe we should go to Australia.” Finally, Peppermint Patty retorts: “Don’t make jokes, Chuck.”

For many, Bible prophecy is understood no better than it seems to be by Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty. It is like the definition of eschatology (the study of future things) given by a confused student who wrote: “It is the study of eschats.”

Bible prophecy buffs do not seem to help the clarity of this study when they are all over the map with their “understandings” of the issue. Neither do they help people take Bible prophecy seriously due to some of the embarrassing predictions that have been proclaimed in recent years.

As a result, most do not see the importance of understanding Bible prophecy. This is a tragedy, because God assigns it much importance for us. How do we know that? One-fourth of God’s written communication to us-the Bible-deals with the future. Clearly, the massive amount of material God has given to us about the future broadcasts importance.

But there are also other important reasons why Christians should seek to understand Bible prophecy. For example, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 indicates that understanding prophecy produces strength and stability in a Christian’s life. An uncertain future will produce uncertainty and instability in our lives now; however, a certain future, which an understanding of Bible prophecy can produce, will grant the Christian confidence and strength in facing the future.

Of course, certainty and stability in our lives begin with knowing where we will spend eternity. Fortunately, Jesus clearly presents how to know for sure you will be with God forever. In the Gospel of John (which was written to show readers how to receive eternal life, life with God forever-see John 20:31 for the purpose statement), Jesus proclaims that anyone who simply believes Him for His offer of eternal life has it, from the moment the person believes Him for it (e.g., John 3:16-18; 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26, etc.).

Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (especially verse 18), we learn that a proper understanding of Bible prophecy brings encouragement and comfort to the Christian. For example, understanding that deceased Christians are not only very much alive in heaven right now, but will have an awesome future can provide us with much comfort concerning our loved ones who have passed on.

In addition, Bible prophecy can be a great tool for evangelism, as indicated by its usage by the apostles Peter and Paul (see Acts 3:16-26 and 17:2, 31-34). That is, it can be used to show people the importance of believing in Jesus for their eternal destiny.

Bible prophecy can also be a great encouragement for the Christian to remain faithful to Christ (see 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, especially verse 58). In fact, properly perceived, Bible prophecy is one of the greatest motivations there is for Christian living. For example, via eschatology, we see that it will be well worth remaining faithful to Christ through difficult times, as He will eternally reward our faithfulness.

Furthermore, prophecy can confirm our faith in God’s word (cf. Deuteronomy 18:21-22).

Based on the thousands of predictions in the Bible that have already been fulfilled-perfectly, to the very letter of each detail-prophecy provides us with great confidence in God’s word; it strengthens our faith in it and in Him.

Bible prophecy also teaches us much about God; and the more we understand about God and how He works, the greater will be our encouragement, comfort, and confidence in facing life. Understanding Bible prophecy can enable us to learn about God’s immeasurable love for people. For example, the Bible shows us that God will continue to reach out to an unbelieving world in the future, seven-year tribulation period (the final seven years before the return of Christ to the earth).

In addition, information about the future informs us of God’s magnificent mercy. We see that at the Judgment Seat of Christ (the future assessment of believers in Christ to determine kingdom reward) God will extend great mercy toward those who showed mercy toward others (see James 2:12-13). Those who did will receive a very merciful assessment (cf. Matthew 5:7) and far greater eternal reward.

Of course, the future also teaches us about God’s justice. For example, the Bible presents three future judgments that will take place. One will assess Christians (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10), one will assess unbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15), and one will judge survivors of the future tribulation period.

No doubt, Bible prophecy informs us of God’s sovereignty. In fact, that prophecy is fulfilled (100% of the time) demonstrates that God is in control. He is the God of the future, as well as the God of the present. That should bring us great comfort, especially when life seems out of control. It can quiet our hearts and strengthen our faith knowing God has it all in control.

We also learn from Bible prophecy that God is a rewarder of the faithful (see Hebrews 11:6). This shows us that living in obedience to Christ will be well worth it. It gives us hope and purpose for life now.

Understanding the future gives us great confidence of God’s faithfulness to provide for our every need. For example, we see that while Jewish followers of Jesus will be on the run, with no possessions other than the clothes on their backs for the last three and a half years before the return of Christ, God will provide for their every need each and every day! Realizing that strengthens our faith to trust God with our situations. As a result, we have greater confidence to face the future, no matter how bleak it may look, because we know God will faithfully provide for our needs as we trust Him for them.

Bible prophecy also shows us that this is not all there is. God has an immensely better future in store for those who have believed in Jesus Christ for their eternal destiny. We will one day soon be rid of the pain and suffering, the heartache, and all of the other problems, including death, that sin causes. That fact alone can help us to face another day, realizing that as we do, we are one day closer to a much better future.

There are many other benefits for studying Bible prophecy, but, hopefully, these will stir you to take eschatology seriously and allow it to bring benefits into your own life.

About this Author

Doctoral work, Phoenix Seminary; Th.M., New Testament Greek, Dallas Theological Seminary; B.A., English, University of Northern Iowa

Author; Conference Speaker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Claeys

Blessings,

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SeashoreMary

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The Word: A Double Edged Sword

  • For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
  • And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  (Ephesians 6:12)

Speaking of the sword, let me first use an analogy of creating and molding, honing (sharpening), and polishing a sword.

“A sword is a bladed weapon (edged weapon) of more than 50 cm (20 in) in overall length used primarily for cutting or thrusting. All have a blade and a handle, known as the hilt. Blades may be straight, curved, single-edged, double-edged or just pointed. Hilts vary considerably in style and length, and may include protective guards for the hand. Detailed design depends on the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration.” (source Wikipedia)

Swords are both either single (razor-sharp on one side) or double-edged (razor sharp on both sides).

Here’s a short video on the making of a steel edged sword and creating the hilt (handle) using modern techniques like a kiln hot enough to melt the steel into a hot liquid for molding the sword:

Fathers Sword

Did you notice the fiery, intensive heat which melted the steel into a hot molten liquid that it took to create the sword?

Some of our unspeakable circumstances can be considered a fiery event in our lives and we “need” God’s Word to help us fight and win the battle. Why?

  • For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
  • Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15)

We need the Word, which is a Double Edged Sword, both to fight the battle and to bring correction and discipline into our own lives.

Words have a power all their own

Words have a power all their own (Photo credit: waɪ.tiː)

The bible provides the Word (activated by and through the Holy Spirit–the Word of God), the knowledge, the battle plan and the reason for the battle.

Without the knowledge and the power of the Word, we cannot stand and expect to win the victory.

Our spirits require the feeding of the Word and in order to access God’s (Jesus‘) supernatural power, it must be kept razor-sharp to be used at a moment’s notice as a wielding weapon.

I am reminded that when I became a newbie in Christ, one of my friend’s grandchildren, a relatively newborn baby, had taken seriously ill.  She had the “instruction” (the Holy Spirit unction) to call me because she knew I believed in Christ and in His supernatural power.

When she called me she stated: “Mary, my grandchild is desperately ill. He’s stopped eating. We’ve taken him to the doctor for treatment but it doesn’t look good.  They’ve released the baby from the hospital to come home to spend his last days with family.” I got the impression the child was lifeless.

Shocked, I immediately answered her,  “Esther, let’s go to God and pray.  There’s nothing that He can’t or won’t do.  Let’s believe He will heal the baby.”

“Is the baby with you now?” I asked her.

“Yes.” she answered softly.

“OK, hold the baby in your arms and come into agreement with me,” I responded.

Pulling my bible, I opened it to two of what have become my favorite prayers, Psalm’s 91 and 103.  I verbally read these prayers back to back several times over the phone, as in the Book of Joshua who fought the battle of Jericho–seven times.

At one point, I uttered “Hey, hold the child!” (How on earth, did I “know” there was a problem holding the child?  I’m at home on the phone with Esther.)

Laughing Esther responded, “I’m trying Mary!  He’s squirming trying to get out of my arms!”

Encouraged, I kept on praying and praising the Lord for His healing virtue ending with “I call it done, in the Name of Jesus!”

Esther never stopped believing either.  She gave thanks and praises to the Lord, and told me “thank you, Mary!”

I distinctly remember hearing the mom in the background “Look, he’s moving!”

I mentioned to Esther that if it was necessary, we would pray again the following day if she felt the need and to call me.

I did hear again from Esther but to tell me that the child was well and eating!

A few years passed and one day, I was visiting my mom; Esther dropped by to visit.  She had the now grown youth with her and introduced me formally pointing out “this is Mary, who prayed for you when you were so sick.”  Apparently this is now a family miracle story.

All Honor, Glory, and Power to the Lord Jesus Christ!

How powerful the Word, when activated, in faith to believe, in the midst of a battle; a battle of life and death.

  • May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double edged sword in their hands, (Psalm 149:6)

John’s vision of God, the son, Jesus Christ, in the Book of Revelation prophesying (decreeing and declaring the Word) over the seven churches:

  • 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)
  • 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:10-11)
  • In his right hand He held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (Revelation 1:16)
  • “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of Him who has the sharp, double edged sword. (Revelation 2:12)

Jesus Just The Mention Of Your Name

by Jimmy Swaggart

Blessings,

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SeashoreMary

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