by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Esther 1-2
Esther is the first of a few books which will be written during the Jewish captivity in Babylon. Even though these people are in a foreign land, having been judged by God, there are those who remain faithful to Him and they see tremendous miracles.
Ronald Reagan once made a remark which I thought was splendid.During an election season he was encouraged by some to speak more blatantly about some of his views. He refused. He said, “I have no intentions of jumping off a cliff, waving a banner, just because it feels good on the way down.” Now that’s what I call wisdom. His job was to get elected; not to rant and rave. He could openly lead his charge after he was president.
Esther seems to subscribe to the same wisdom. I have heard women describe this passage of Esther as someone who was willing to stand up for her rights (Vashti), versus someone who wouldn’t (Esther).
I see it in a different manner. I see someone who is foolish (Vashti), versus someone who is wise (Esther). Or someone who is prideful, versus someone who is humble.
Either way, I side with Esther. She’s the one who is going to get the job done.
Mordecai is a man of great wisdom, and he raised her as a daughter. She grew up knowing that it was good to accept his advice. She heeds his instruction concerning her preparation for royalty. and she heeds his advice when he wants her to remain silent about her heritage.
As we continue in this book, I hope you will put yourself in Esther’s place. As she humbly accepts the inevitable and works within the system – trusting God, she is in for some tremendous surprises.
I love to see God at work on someone’s behalf. When we are faithful to Him, He tops us every time.
Acts 5:1-20
Our God is a God of miracles. As we continue in our study of the early church. we see the people constantly witnessing God’s hand.
First Ananias and Sapphira fall dead after lying to the Holy Spirit. People are selling their land and bringing the money to the apostles. Ananias and Sapphira sell their land and pretend to be bringing all of the proceeds, but they are keeping some for themselves.(V.1-10). It isn’t that God requires them to give it all, it’s that he wants no hypocrisy. They are doing it for show and pretending to be more generous than they are. A big mistake!
God’s Spirit is Holy, and when He is present in our midst, darkness can’t stay.
Second, we see many signs, wonders, and miracles happening by the hands of the Christians. People are even bringing their sick on cots to the streets, so that when the disciples walk by they may be healed. Even Peter’s shadow heals the sick. (V. 15) What an anointing!
Third, we see the high priest and his crew trying to stop the activity, so they put some of the apostles in jail. But an angel comes and opens the gates so that they escape from the prison, and go to the temple to preach again.
These early Christians know what it’s all about. They throw themselves into their walk with God, and they hold back nothing from Him. These are exciting times in the kingdom. After all of the years of God’s dealings with the Jews, it’s becoming clearer what God has been up to all along. He has meticulously been bringing forth His plan for man to have His Spirit in them.
That’s still His plan. Over the years, people have tried to water down the faith. They have even tried to say that miracles no longer exist, but these nay-sayers are wrong.
I have witnessed many miracles, and expect to see more. Some you have to look for, but some are very obvious. I have seen sudden healings and restorative miracles. I have also seen people set free from drugs and alcohol. Any of these are miracles.
As we seek a greater closeness to God, we will see more and more of His handiwork. There’s nothing greater than being in His presence, hearing His voice, and watching Him do His work.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Nehemiah 10-13
Nehemiah wants a do-over, it seems. By searching out the scriptures, he attempts to start once again in the Promised Land.
First he has someone recite a proclamation declaring the history of the Jews, and God’s faithfulness to them. Then he has all of the leaders sign a decree that they “are taking upon themselves a curse and an oath to walk in God’s law which was given through Moses.”( 10:29)
Next comes the division of land, just as when the Jews first entered the Promised Land.
They then gather together and dedicate the wall of Jerusalem – with great singing and rejoicing. “So that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar!”(12:43)
Finally, they search the law to see anything which isn’t being done correctly, and they try to straighten out the policies.
When comparing these chapters to the books of Moses, it’s easy to see that they are trying to recapture the first entrance into the Promised Land. Nehemiah and his gang are acknowledging all of the sin that has transpired, and they are trying to do it right this time.
When we read the scripture, it’s good for us to notice principles which are not being followed. We are no longer under the Mosaic law, but the New Covenant. Yet there are principles in this covenant which we have to follow.
For instance, Jesus talks a lot about forgiveness. Are we forgiving? He mentions alms and giving. What about that?
If our hearts are right, we will want to implement things which are God’s principles. We won’t be adhering to everything Nehemiah did, but we will have our own set of principles. In fact, our new set of principles are harder to implement than the old ones, because they are from the heart. (It’s not just that you don’t commit adultery, but you don’t even lust after someone).
Our principles are harder, but they are doable. Now, as born again believers, we have the ability to do what our Father desires because of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
Acts 4
The new Peter even has the boldness to stand before the high priests and declare the truth of God’s Word – and the truth about Jesus. Starting with, “If we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,”…and ending with, “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Quite a sermon!
Their hearts must really be hard. After hearing all of the testimony of Peter, and all of the confirming scriptures, they still are angry and want this behavior to stop. To even make it more startling, these leaders admit that a “notable miracle” has taken place. They just want them to stop!
It’s hard to believe that leaders of the Jews, when seeing the Spirit of God now in the hearts of men, performing the same miracles that Jesus had done, don’t at least stop and think about their actions. But they don’t.
These leaders are so prideful and full of lust for power, that they have no compassion on a blind man who sees. They don’t care. They just want to keep their position and power.
Pride can cause unbelievable evil. Today, we wouldn’t deny Jesus and His healing power, but we still have to watch out for pride. With us it takes a different form.
It might be that we see people through judgmental eyes. Perhaps we judge based on education or status or ethnicity.
Any such judgment comes from a heart of pride. God doesn’t see us or them that way. He sees us through the eyes of Jesus. Using the prideful judgment, we never would have chosen Abraham, or David, or Gideon, or even Mary.
Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.
As we pursue God with everything that’s in us, let’s be sure to watch for pride trying to creep in. It’s sneaky and it’s dangerous.
Yes, Lord, I want to be humble before You.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Nehemiah 7-9
What a history these Jews have. After the walls are rebuilt and genealogies are taken, the people are gathered for Ezra to read the law.
These people have been in captivity in Babylon all of their lives, so they have never had any personal experience in the Promised Land. Yet it shows how the traditions have been passed on from generation to generation.
These have heard from their parents and grandparents about the wonderful land they left behind. They have heard the age-old stories about how God had called their ancestor Abraham, and how He had led them all of those years – through Egyptian bondage to the wilderness and to the Promised Land. They recognize themselves as God’s covenant people -who have always had His mercy and favor, but who have not been faithful to Him.
By pulling out the law for all to hear – and by enumerating in detail all of the years of God’s dealings with them, these people are committing their lives back to their one true God.
In the middle of these events, they have a tremendous day of celebration. In fact, the edict goes out that no one is to be grieved or sorrowful that day. It is a Holy day to the Lord, and everyone must eat, drink celebrate with joy.
Today there are those who are being called by the Lord to wake up and restore the age-old dealings the Lord has had with us. We do it the same way they did. We take out the Word of God, dust it off, and read, read, read.
Within the pages of our Bible there is a history and a promise to all who will walk with Him. Not every one is interested in such a walk, but some people are.
I want to be counted with those who are wiling to do just that. Now our Bible contains much more than theirs did in Nehemiah. Now ours contains the New Testament – with the completed work of Jesus on the cross, the Holy Spirit now living within us, and a fresh new vision from God – for all men everywhere who desire to be His.
As we read, we always see more of the mystery being revealed. We see more of what our covenant entails – and more of our mission from our Father.
We get energized and encouraged to run the race with vigor and determination, always keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Acts 3
A lame man, who has been set down at the gate of the temple every day so that he could beg alms, must have seen Jesus many times. Our savior went by that way as He taught in the temple and healed many others. For some reason, Jesus never healed this man. Obviously, the man never asked to be healed, but I think there was another reason. I think that Jesus was saving this notable miracle for His disciples.
So what happens here? He doesn’t ask to be healed, he wants Peter and John to give him alms.
But Peter gazes at him and says, “I do not possess gold and silver, but what I do have, I’ll give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise and walk.”(V. 6)
The man, who has been lame from birth, gets up and begins to walk, leap, and praise God for his healing.
Then, of course, the transformed Peter can’t help himself. He stands up again and preaches to the gathered crowd – once again proving the scriptures about God’s mighty deliverance through Jesus.
Peter and John are acting just like Jesus Himself. These transformed men are sights to behold! This Holy Spirit they have just received must really be something!
He is!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Nehemiah 4-6
Rebuilding is not an easy task! In Ezra, we saw that the locals officials used many tactics to stop the rebuilding of the temple. Many of these same tactics are used against Nehemiah. He is taunted and ridiculed by the leaders as he is trying to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Then, just as with Ezra, he is threatened.
Yet Nehemiah refuses to stop. Good for him!
Ezra and Nehemiah are excellent books for us to ponder as Christians. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, the first thing we do is rebuild our temple – the place of God’s Spirit. That’s actually what happens when we get born again. Our spirit man comes alive. As the temple in Jerusalem is the place of God’s presence, so is our spirit within us. We reconnect with God.
Then we start rebuilding the walls which have been torn down. The broken walls represent all of the areas of our lives which have been trampled by the devil while God was not being honored.
Every person has broken places before they come to the Lord. It’s a good idea to do some soul-searching and see what the Lord would try to show you.
Have you had addictions? Drugs? Alcohol? Pornography? Have you been abused? Have you had hurts which have damaged your confidence?
All of these are examples of broken down walls in your life. The enemy of your soul has been allowed free rein. But no more!
It’s time to rebuild, and restore. Our God is a God of restoration.
When our church purchased an old theater building, we began the lengthy, back-breaking job of refurbishing it. It was in total disrepair, but we saw beauty there, and knew that it could be restored.
One day, as I was scraping some popcorn grease off of the wall (not my favorite part), the Lord spoke to me. He said, “this is a picture of what I want to do in the lives of my people. I want to take lives which are broken down and seem beyond repair and turn them into lives of great beauty.” I love that!
So back to Nehemiah, when there are threats in the low places of the wall as they are rebuilding, a trumpet is blown, and the troops rally to those places. Special attention is applied where it’s needed.
My husband teaches about this often. The low places in your wall are those areas where you have greater weakness as you grow in the Lord. Those are the places where you need additional attention.
So what do you do? “Our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.” (Ephesians 6:12). The devil is the one who wants to stop your progress.
Your weapon against the devil is the “sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.”(Ephesians 6:18) So you take the scriptures which strengthen you in those low places. For instance, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”( Philippians 4:13) Or “If God is for me, who can be against me?” (Romans 8:31) Or any other appropriate scriptures.
As you speak and meditate on those scriptures, you will find greater strength coming to you – the strength you need to overcome and rebuild.
That’s the way you and I rebuild our walls. The longer we stay at it, and the more diligent we are to do it, the higher and stronger our walls get.
Our Father has a terrific design in us – and a special purpose. As we allow His Word – and His purpose – to work in us, we will see His beautiful plans unfold.
“The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, it grows brighter until the noon day sun.” (Proverbs 4:18)
Acts 2:22-47
Speaking of boldness, Peter has it for sure! And not only that. He also has understanding of scripture.
As Peter stands up to speak, he sees the meaning of scripture throughout the Old Testament. Suddenly truths unfold which he had never seen before.
Remember Peter of a thousand questions? The Peter who tried to talk Jesus out of going to the cross, and who ran when He did? Well here he is, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit who is now living inside of him. What a transformation!
Now he stands and explains scripture which he had not understood before, and the fruit is evident. Three thousand souls are added that day.
Boldness, understanding, and unity. That’s the third element in this transformation: unity. These early Christians are in one mind and one accord. They share with each other, they are eating together, visiting, discussing with each other all that is transpiring. They are truly one.
Over the centuries since those days, the devil has managed to divide the church into a thousand parts. There are many denominations and doctrines which are aimed to separate. But our Father is calling us to be one again.
We actually might not agree on one doctrine. But we can agree that Jesus is the Savior having gone to the cross for us, having been raised from the dead so that we can be born again, and having sent back His Holy Spirit to live within us. Other doctrines are nuances compared to these central issues. He wants us to honor each other, to share with each other, to pray for each other – and with each other.
In the 17th chapter of John, Jesus prays that we will be one. Our Father is calling today for us to return to this attitude of heart. He wants us to join hands for the common cause of awakening in our land and in our world.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Nehemiah 1-2
Ezra had brought two groups of people back to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Now it’s Nehemiah’s turn. He will come and rebuild the walls.
Just as with Ezra, when it’s time for Nehemiah to return, God gives him favor with the king. This time it’s Artaxerxes, who is the stepson of Esther. (She probably had opportunities to speak to him concerning her people, giving him a soft place in his heart for them).
And, as Nehemiah says, the “good hand of my God was on me.”(2:8)
So Nehemiah takes the letter from the king, and makes the trip to Jerusalem. The local officials are angered, but they have to obey the king.
Notice some of Nehemiah’s wisdom. He waits for the right moment to tell others about what he is doing. (Most of us would have immediately told everyone who would listen). He goes out by night, alone, and rides around the walls, examining the damage and making his plans.
Just as with Ezra, the local officials mock them, but Nehemiah isn’t moved by it.
He declares, “The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build.”
Nehemiah has a confidence in his God – and he will succeed.
Acts 2:1-21
This is the game-changer. This is what it’s all about!
All that we have been reading, and will continue to read, about the descendants of Abraham and God’s dealings with them, have led us to this moment. It took a long time, didn’t it? Centuries of Egypt, the wilderness, up and down kings, Babylonian captivity, the return of a remnant to rebuild, then Jesus.
So since God’s perfect Lamb has been slain, taking our sin, a way has been made by the Lord for us to walk in a whole new life. A whole new realm, even.
On the day of Pentecost, God’s Holy Spirit came from Heaven like a mighty wind, filling them with Himself. No longer would men be cut off from God, if they didn’t choose to be. He would actually come to live inside of them. He would make His abode in them.
This is more significant than anyone can imagine.
So the disciples were obedient to Jesus. They stayed in the upper room, praying, with one mind, and He showed up. Nothing like they had expected. Who ever said anything about tongues?
But that’s what happened to them. They began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
After this experience, Peter gets up and with boldness declares to the spectators what had just happened. Going into the scripture, he reminds them that Joel had prophesied about this very thing happening.
Wait a minute, that’s Peter! He’s the one who was too afraid to admit that he knew Jesus. How could he stand up there and speak with boldness? He could do that because the Holy Spirit had empowered him to be a witness – just like Jesus said he would.
What a change in personality and confidence!
Throughout the book of Acts we will see dramatic demonstrations of the Holy Spirit, and His power. We will see healings, miracles, more people coming to receive Jesus.
We will see the birth of God’s church. It’s a new day!
