When Mordecai overheard the King's two guards plotting to kill the King he told Queen Esther, who in turn told the King.  The King's life was saved; "And it was recorded in the chronicles in the presence of the King."  (Esther 2:23).  Mordecai was never honored for his bravery and kindness. One night the King could not sleep and asked his subjects to read to him from the chronicles; when the story was read how Mordecai had saved his life, the King asked 'what honor or distinction was given this man?  The reply was, nothing has been done for him.  Then Mordecai was bestowed great honor by the King.  GOD waited until the PERFECT TIME to let Mordecai's loyalty be known, a time that benefited everyone, a time that GLORIFIED GOD.  A time which was GOD'S PROVIDED TIME.  Our greatest accomplishments are not those which bring great recognition and rewards; it is the ones we do because THE RIGHT THING TO DO, IS ENOUGH.

When there is no where else to turn, options are absolutely ZERO, and the mind is spinning beyond reason, do we cry out "Why GOD"?  No, this is a time of no words, just a deep conviction of helplessness and of sin.  A time when our weaknesses are revealed as the greatest strength (2 Corinthians 12:10).  A time when the LORD blesses you, HIS face shines upon you, HIS graciousness and countenance give you Peace; (Numbers 6:24-26).  It is a time of CALM, a time when SPIRITS speak and we understand.  A time when we are in AGREEMENT with GOD about everything; who HE is, who we are, and our greatest desire is HIS WILL BE DONE!  A time when communion with GOD is above words and HE reveals that "HE is GOD, and there is none else (Isaiah 45:22) a time when HE says "Come to ME" (Matthew 11:28); a time when we Trust HIM in ALL things.  It is a time when we do not scorn an idolatrous world, but invite them to share our experience with GOD. These are MY FAVORITE TIMES.

"I am HE, who blots out your transgressions for MY own sake..." (Isaiah 43:25).  We forgive all things according to the love, compassion, empathy and humility within us.  It is not a thought process, it is an instantaneous Act of GOD.  Our forgiveness is only a great as our love.  Forgiveness is for OUR OWN SAKE, where the Soul has no anger, bitterness, resentment or self-justification.  "To forgive, is to set a prisoner free; and then discover the prisoner was you".  Forgiveness is freedom for others and ourselves, it is our TRUST that all things will be orchestrated for our good.  "Forgive and you will be forgiven"; "be forgiven as you forgive".  Do you think FORGIVENESS is maybe FOR OUR OWN SAKE?  AMEN.

Can a lasting relationship result from fear or threats?  So, if I am told I must love GOD or HE will throw me into hell; well, I might consider trying to love HIM - or at least pretend I do.  The threat of hell may get us to repeat "the sinner's prayer" or join a Church, but it doesn't create a Loving and Trusting Relationship.  Love is knowing our, and other's weaknesses, imperfections and worldly insignificance; then totally EMBRACING them in  humble will of Blessings for another and willingness to sacrifice ourselves for their good.  2 Corinthians 10:5, "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of GOD..." What happened to GOD between Malachi and Matthew anyway?  Before, HE was depicted as angry and now loving; is this the same GOD?  GOD'S wrath against sin is not HIS rejection of us in anger, but rather an awakening to the depth of HIS love for us because HE cannot look away as sin destroys us!  Pretending to love GOD to "Get-out-of-hell- FREE card" will not give the loving relationship we and GOD really desire.  Yes, Heaven and Hell are real; and HE is the same Loving GOD from before there was a beginning, to where there is no end;  Yes, the same loving GOD, from BEFORE MALACHI AND BEYOND MATTHEW.

When we pray, we come boldly before "The Throne of Grace", such a beautiful description of the place of Mercy and Pardon.  To come "boldly" does not mean being arrogant or presumptuous.  It is being confident of GOD'S WILL for us; HIS love for us and HIS DIVINE FAVOR for us.  The greatest confidence and assurance of GOD'S Presence and Mercy, is when we have the deepest awareness of our need for forgiveness.   Prayer becomes a need and privilege of coming before such THRONE; it is the absolute confidence that when we ask GOD "all" that we want for HIS purpose, will be given. When we find great JOY in HIS Will being done we are "Humbly Bold". Hebrews 4:16, "...come boldly unto the throne of Grace..."  The Apostle Paul said, "life is a constant prayer"; DO YOU PRAY ENOUGH?

The HOLY SCRIPTURE is multi-dimensional.  It's TRUTH applies equally to those giving and to those receiving. It brings transparency to all of our intentions to what we and others consider HOLY. Matthew 7:6, "Do not give dogs what is HOLY, and do not throw your pearls before pigs..." Followers of CHRIST are to be merciful, forgiving, and not judgmental, (Matthew 7:1-5), yet we are to wisely discern the character of people.  Do all of our efforts honor GOD?  Is our precious time with GOD interrupted by those who do not perceive the value of the Gospel?  Do we sacrifice time with our family (a HOLY Institution), our health (a Gift of GOD) by working long hours to satisfy the immediate "wants" of others?  Do we respond to others from "guilt" (thinking we are not Christian if we don't help) or in TRUTH, giving to those who give Glory to GOD for the Blessings they receive?   Our efforts are to always (in All Ways) bring Glory to GOD. In everything we do, we are to PRAY, ASK AND DISCERN. Then we won't THROW AWAY OUR PEARLS.

Nothing can separate us from GOD'S love.  GOD'S love for us goes far beyond our ability or willingness to observe HIS commands.  We find that when we abide in HIS love, we continue to find further revelations and depths of HIM.  We continue to learn the  depths of HIS love in TRUTH.  It is not a syllogism If (IF, we obey, THEN, HE loves us, THEREFORE, we go to Heaven).   John 15:16, "If you keep MY commands, you will abide in MY love..."  SCRIPTURES ARE NOT SYLLOGISMS.  

Our lives can speak volumes about FAITH.  Others may see us in what they think are hopeless circumstances, the ultimate misery, and want to disassociate themselves to us because of the pain involved.  Then they see us going to Church with our family, rejoicing and giving thanks.  They realize the "moment" is all any of us have.  The way we live in adverse circumstances can speak of "THE GLORY OF GOD" in our lives; far more than any sermon or words.  Stephen, fixed his eyes intently on heaven and saw the magnificence and splendor of the presence of GOD; (Acts 7:55).  He looked beyond his Faith into the FACE OF GOD!  All of this happened while Saul (later to be the Apostle Paul) stood by and not only watched but perpetuated the "stoning of Stephen".  Later in his life, the Apostle Paul talks about the impact Stephen's death, and the way he died, had upon his life, (Acts 22:20).  Yes, Stephen lived beyond his circumstances and FAITH, and inspired  others to want what he had; SOMETIMES WE JUST NEVER KNOW.

When we succeeded and reveled pridefully in our accomplishments, who prayed that we would know GOD?  When we had failed and felt there was no where else to go, who held our hand, walked with us and prayed we would know GOD?  When we were afraid, no matter how old, who would hold us and prayed we would know GOD?  Who prayed that we would understand the Scriptures and quietly dedicated us to GOD with unwavering sacrifice?  Whose example taught us to seek a righteous betrothed relationship with JESUS CHRIST;  one that is inseparable and Faithfully obedient? Whose life taught us Fidelity in keeping what JESUS has entrusted to us, HIS Gospel.  Who prayed, LORD take them, do whatever YOU must, so that they are YOURS; even at great pain to herself?  Who would we see before the break of day, praying alone (much like JESUS would go be alone) showing her readiness to every good work with cheerfulness and not relying on her own strength.  Who selflessly prepared all readiness so that the family could go about their business uninterrupted?   And in the darkest of times whose light shinned and feared no want?  Who did not speak much, but when they did, you listened because they did not speak with foolishness?  Who taught us the simplicity of worship and that Holiness is the real beauty and true riches?  Who taught us that Proverbs 31:10-31, was not about her, but about us BEING THE BRIDE OF CHRIST?  OH, HOW WE WISH TO BE HELD BY HER, ONE MORE TIME, THIS MOTHER'S DAY!  

We have been taught that we can seek Favor.  As a result we become one person to our spouse, another to our friends and even another to the rest of the world.  Why do we do this?  To seek their approval or their FAVOR.  Mark 10: 51-52, "...LORD, that I might receive my sight...thy Faith has made thee whole..."  The blind man did not ask JESUS what he had to do to earn JESUS' "Favor" to regain his sight; JESUS restored his physical sight and his Spiritual sight.  Is this different than the rich man who was to "sell" everything and follow JESUS?  No, JESUS offered both the blind man and the rich man eternity; one thought he could earn it (by being who he needed to be for JESUS) the other knew the Favor he would receive was not by his own power.  Do we fall into the trap of thinking we can "earn" GOD'S Favor; do we start thinking, HE loves me, HE loves me not?  DON'T GO DAISY PICKIN!