The Beauty Pageant
Esther 2
The chapter begins with the following in verse 1, “After these things when the anger of King Ahasuerus had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her.” After the embarrassment of the banquet and his subsequent decree regarding women’s requirement of submission, the king most likely diverted his attention and engaged in warfare with the Greeks. At some point he returned to the palace and the sting of missing Vashti hit him. Read more
The Unseen God Rules
A flashback to 2012
Esther 1
The story begins with a pagan king who “appears” to be the main character of the story while the Hebrew writer chooses to not include God in the story. This is a departure from the typical practice in Old Testament narratives but clearly intentional and effective. Effective in that the narrative conveys the way the world views God or should I say doesn’t view God.Read more
Esther Intro
A pastor in Malawi, Africa drew this picture after I taught on a firm grasp of God's Word. Hear, read, study, meditate and memorize God's Word.
The Background of the book of Esther
The story takes place in ancient Persia during the period when Persia was the reigning world empire. Nearly 50 million people resided within the empire during this time period of the early 400sBC.Read more
Esther
We are at a Love Fosters Hope gala. Like Stevie Wonder used to say, "Isn't she lovely?"
Introduction to Esther
I sometimes complain about the challenge of gaining devotional insight from some of these narrative books in the OT. Nevertheless, I’m drawn toward Esther as my next devotional study. To challenge my devotional perspective further, did you know that God is never mentioned in the book of Esther? The reality is that we’ll find God all over the book even though He is never mentioned.Read more
Final Reflections
Nate with Auntie Brooke - Esther begins tomorrow. She will rock your world!
Reflections on Revelation
Several weeks ago as we were reciting the Lord’s Prayer in church, I realized more than ever (after reading and praying through Revelation) that the Lord’s Prayer is thoroughly Millennial in its meaning. First, it makes sense that the Lord’s Prayer is in its fullest form in Matthew (Matthew 6:9-13).Read more
The Final Events
Sunset in Hawaii - Esther is coming on Friday!
Revelation 21, 22
These are the final chapters of Revelation. The Millennium has come to an end with the final great white throne judgement. Satan, once and for all, is cast into the lake of fire along with all those whose name is not written in the book. The lake of fire is the final state of eternity for those who have rejected Christ. It is an ominous reality.Read more
1000 Years
Do you know what book in the Bible never mentions God? Coming on Friday is the book of Esther! Don't miss it!
Revelation 20
This is the “reign for a 1000 years” chapter. The tribulation ends in chapter 19 with the coming of Jesus, the mighty warrior. He throws the beast and his side-kick, the false prophet, into the lake of fire, (the place of eternal punishment), along with all people on earth that follow the beast. Now that His enemies are gone, He sets up His earthly kingdom, the Millennium, His 1000 year reign on earth. Read more
Psalms 146
This is a pic from last week of my balcony at my apartment in Houston. In the fifteen years we have lived in Houston, it snowed lightly once. Until this winter! It has snowed twice and last week remained in the 20"s for a couple of days. Global cooling is happening in Houston!
We have a few more posts from Revelation coming. But for this morning, let's look to the Psalms!Read more
He Has Arrived!
The mighty Potomac River! God's mighty power on display!
Revelation 19
Hallelujah!!! We are through the grinding details of the tribulation in chapters 6-18! Jesus is not just coming but He has arrived!!! I use the word Hallelujah because it is used 4 times in verses 1-6. Hallelujah is a word used often in the OT but only 4 times in NT and only here in Revelation 19. Hallelujah!Read more