“For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.” – Esther 10:3

The book of Esther tells the remarkable story of how God used two individuals – Esther and Mordecai – to save His people from an enemy determined to kill them all. One of the most profound lessons of the story is how important it is for God’s people to embrace the time and place in which they live as a decision of God to be embraced rather than an accident to be avoided.

Esther and Mordecai lived in what seemed the worst possible time imaginable, yet God used them powerfully and blessed them abundantly. They embraced the possibility that God has sovereignly placed them precisely where they could make a difference. They risked their lives on that premise and God honored their willingness to act in faith. They saved their people and God gave them great influence and impact.

These days in which we live are also very challenging. These are perilous times for the faith and the church. We face turbulence socially, politically, legally, economically, and globally. Plague, famine, injustice, disaster, and warfare make the news every day. If you’re a follower of Jesus, you must make a choice each day…

Will you lament these times, wring your hands, withdraw from the world, and simply try to avoid pain? Will you get angry and lash out? Will you give up in futility? Or will you embrace these times in which we live as a sovereign placement by God Almighty? Will you embrace the fact that you have been called to represent Jesus in THIS time? Will you risk everything to speak and teach God’s truth in love, making disciples of Jesus Christ in THIS time?

“The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
so quit before the quarrel breaks out.”
– Proverbs 17:14

When we begin a conflict, we start something that’s fundamentally out of our control. We may believe we’re doing something good or necessary. We may feel temporary relief because we “got that off our chest” after unloading on someone in a most un-Christlike fashion. Nonetheless, what we’ve really done is release primal forces within ourselves and everyone involved that will be extraordinarily difficult to get back under control.

What may begin with a single word, conversation, text, email, or letter can quickly escalate to all-out war. The water of conflict flows out as it wills rather than as we will. There becomes an overwhelming, terrible inevitability to the flow that requires enormous prayer and effort to get back under control.

The message of Proverbs is simple – if you’re wise, you’ll quit BEFORE you release that conflict. It isn’t worth it! Rather than dump your heart on others in a hurtful and human way that releases the flood of strife, prayerfully consider everything Scripture teaches about self-examination, self-preparation, and humble, Christ-honoring confrontation of sin in others. Get the log out of your own eye first – carefully and intentionally. Commit to glorify God in how you talk to others, no matter what that looks like. Seek good and appropriate times to speak privately with others either alone or with witnesses they’ll trust to help them address the source of conflict. Pray without ceasing for a peaceful resolution.

“The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.”
– Proverbs 15:19

The Bible has quite a bit to say about working hard. God’s people are expected to be hard workers because He created and ordained work for us to do. Our souls certainly aren’t saved by hard work, but hard work is an expected part of life. Having to work hard isn’t a curse, it’s a blessing!

Unfortunately, human beings have vivid imaginations and a wonderful ability to make excuses. For those struggling with laziness (“the sluggard”), there’s always an excuse for not getting started or for not taking the next step. There’s always a reason (or several) not to work. There are always obstacles and more obstacles. This is the hedge of thorns described in this verse. It isn’t real! It’s simply the thick wall of excuses and rationalizations given to justify doing nothing.

Laziness doesn’t honor God. Making excuses doesn’t bring Him glory. For those who love God, we simply need to get out there and keep moving forward. That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges, obstacles, and setbacks. But it means that your path will be clear of the most crippling of those – the ones we imagine which keep us from ever trying.

When you contemplate all that you must do – in a day, week, year, or lifetime – what do you think about? Do you think about all the challenges, hardships, obstacles, and reasons you’ll fail? Or do you step out in the confidence that God is with you and that He’ll guide you over, through, past, or around every obstacle? That mindset is crucial for believers! Whatever your next steps are in days to come, don’t make excuses. Make progress!

“And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’” – Luke 19:17

Like the servants in this parable, Jesus has given each of us a certain amount of time, a certain amount of talent, and a certain amount of treasure to use in this life. These things aren’t gifts for us to use however we please. Rather, they’ve been entrusted to us to use for the business of the Kingdom. All our time, talent, and treasure still belongs to God and one day, there will be an evaluation of our work by Him.

Do you long to hear, “Well done, good servant!” from Jesus? Do you earnestly desire the eternal rewards for a lifetime of faithful service to King Jesus? You should!!! Faithfulness in life will be rewarded for all of time to come. The pleasure of Jesus is sufficient reward in itself but, as always, Jesus gives far more abundantly than we deserve. For those found faithful during the brief years of this earthly life, the reward of greater and more joyous kingdom responsibilities stretches endlessly ahead!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Go and make disciples. Devote your life to the joys and challenges of faithful Kingdom service. Find your strength and daily renewal in Christ your Savior. Enjoy His pleasure today. Look forward to His reward for all the tomorrows of eternity! Be faithful, good servant!

“So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.” – Luke 19:4

How eager are you to see Jesus? Sure, you like Him but how desperate are you to see Him, hear Him, and experience Him? Zacchaeus was rich, powerful, and deeply unpopular. He was also beyond desperate to see Jesus. Are you that eager to catch a glimpse of Jesus or has your enthusiasm for Him cooled over time since you became a believer?

Zacchaeus was willing to embarrass himself by climbing a tree just to see the Lord. Are you tree-climbing eager to see and meet with Jesus each day? How excited are you for your daily quiet time with God? How hungry are you each day to read the Bible and hear Jesus? How desperate are you for your prayer-time talk with your friend and brother Jesus? How delighted are you to gather with others and worship Jesus?

If your fire has cooled, take time to reflect, once more, on Who Jesus is. He is the eternal Son of God. He is God come in the flesh. He is your Savior. He is your Lord. He walked on water and turned water into wine. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead. He sacrificed Himself for your sins, suffered terribly, died brutally, and rose from the dead. He loves you and walks with you and has united Himself with you.

These are extraordinary things! He sustains the universe and yet is always with you. He reigns over all things but enjoys spending time with you. Are you as eager as Zacchaeus to spend time with Jesus? Get excited about your times with Jesus every day and throughout each day!