A Time Like This

“Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

You may not have been made “queen”, but you may have been made wife, mother, neighbour, babysitter, teacher, friend, hairdresser, dental hygienist, engineer, writer, speaker, doctor, grocery clerk, librarian, sales girl, unemployed, grandma, single, married, the list is endless, for such a time as this.

A time as this. A defining moment. You have been placed in your circle of influence for such a time as this. You are on the Kingdom calendar, positioned where you are, right now, by the God of the universe, for this very purpose. Your present location is part of your destiny. Will you walk it in obedience or turn away?

Your entire life purpose could be waiting on your response. Everything in your life up until now could have been leading to this exact second. Suddenly does being made “queen” not seem so attractive? Does the crown bring cowardice? We can either watch life or take part in it. Be a spectator or a participant.

A decision awaits. Don’t miss the opportunity.

There is a miracle waiting in this moment.

Prisoner of Hope

“Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope!” Zechariah 9:12

Prisoner. A person held against their will. One confined. A person held in involuntary restraint, whether in prison or not.

There are things that hold us captive. Emotions, people, situations that chain our hearts and minds. The binding is strong and we suffocate in cells, shackled to pain and suffering.

God is calling us back to a place of safety. He desires we become prisoners of hope. This is not a prisoner to wishful thinking. Our hope is a reality. A guarantee. Hope is a confident expectation based on God’s promises. It removes doubt, dismisses chance, clings to faith. When there appears to be no possible release, we see a key and believe we won’t be held enslaved forever.

A prisoner of hope is imprisoned for life, to life. They never stop believing that God can. The opportunity for intervention could be at any time. It’s a complete trust in the unseen. At any moment the sound of footsteps approaching their cell could be heard and their hearts could be free of the burden that convicted and desired to sentence them to endless days of worry, disappointment, agony and despair.

When we place our hope in Christ, it is secure because it is in One who never changes. He is certain. Complete security. He is our hope.

"That by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both steadfast and sure and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order Melchizedek." Hebrews 6:18-20.

A prisoner of hope lives in freedom.

A Bowl of Popcorn

Kernels of truth were popping up throughout all of today’s reading. Just like the salty goodness of a bowl of popcorn, I couldn’t stop at just a taste. Please indulge with me today as I share all that the Lord spoke to my heart.

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“All expenses will be paid by the royal treasury.” Ezra 6:4

This verse excited me because just two days ago I read a post written by my friend Zoe. She was sharing how her son has wanted to be a pilot since the age of two. Without sharing all the details, he is currently receiving training, at no cost to him or his family, at over $150,000.00. As far as I can explain, all expenses are being paid by the Royal treasury. The King of Kings has provided a way from His storehouse of blessings. How exciting.

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“During the seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting? And even now in your holy festivals, aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves?” Zechariah 7:5-6

*Ouch* God is stepping on my toes again.

I don’t know how many of you read Lysa TerKeurst’s blog, but on Thursday she held a little contest. In honour of her friend Holly’s birthday, the reader was encouraged to go and sprinkle happiness on the life of another and then return to comment on the good deed that had been completed. Knowing Holly, and having already written a post in celebration of her life here, I embraced this challenge with enthusiasm. My goodness, by about 9:30am I already had a list of seven things I had done to make another smile and I had many more ideas in mind.

Driving home from repairing an elderly ladies kitchen floor with Fabric Paint (long story), and mentally chalking up another good deed accomplished, the Lord spoke to my heart. “Joy, why are you doing all of these things today? Is it because you want to win a contest or because you love Me?” (Here’s where my feet began to ache!) I was doing kind things, but for the wrong reason. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord saw my heart. This shouldn’t be a one day effort, but a lifestyle. This needs to be a natural overflow from a heart that is truly His. My love for others must flow from the abundance of His love for me. Getting my motivation in check again.

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“They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the LORD of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them. Since they refused to listen when I called to them, I would not listen when they called to me, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” Zechariah 7:11-13

These verses caused me to remember my recent ear problems. I had a blockage that had to be removed by my doctor. It caused a physical hearing loss. What about our spiritual ears? Do they sometimes also need an appointment with the Great Physician? Do we sometimes turn away stubbornly, refusing to listen to what He is speaking to us? These verses tell us that if we put our fingers in our ears, displaying no willingness to listen to God, He does not listen to us. His silence is quieter and more unnerving than any physical deafness. Let’s keep our ears open to hear Him speak to our hearts.

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“All this may seem impossible to you now…But is it impossible for me? Says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” Zechariah 8:6

What encouragement!!! When I think of my Dad’s situation…the dear one who has turned their back on family, friends and God…Melanie's son Andrew…Susan’s cancer diagnosis…etc, I am reminded that NOTHING is impossible with God. Now that’s a good kernel to chew on!!!

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“Be strong and finish the task!” Zechariah 8:9

My friend Elaine reads my unspoken words so well. She knows when I’m getting weary and contemplating surrendering to this daily task. She senses discouragement and immediately speaks words of life into me. Last night I received a message from her that infused me with strength to keep writing. Not only that, but she prayed God’s breath would be all over me today as I opened His Word. I guess we know that prayer was answered.

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“Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing.” Zechariah 8:13

A symbol and a source. Both the representative and the reservoir. The sign and the supply. I just really liked that thought.

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“So don’t be afraid…So don’t be afraid.” Zechariah 8:13,15

This little Much-Afraid needs to hear those words daily. Fear has far too much freedom in my life. God needs to constantly speak these words into my heart. Someday I’m going to truly believe them.

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“The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration…” Zechariah 8:19

Does this verse remind you of another passage of scripture? It did me. Isaiah 61:3, “…bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” The replacement of mourning for joy. Always thankful to make that wardrobe exchange.

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“I’m determined to go.” Zechariah 8:21

Determined. Devoting full strength and concentration to do something; resolute; strongly motivated; fixed or settled conclusively. Do we even see evidence of that type of commitment today in any area? Far too often when the going gets tough, we go alright. We leave the problem, situation, relationship and show no determination to remain, and with the Lord, work at a solution. Lord, keep my mind, eyes, heart fixed on You, devoted until the finish.

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“Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” Zechariah 8:23

Isn’t that beautiful? Can you imagine that request being asked of you? Nothing would delight my heart more and humble me deeper. That someone has heard of my faith in the Lord and desires to walk with me. Is your walk inviting such a request today? Let’s live so that other’s want to spend time as our companions on this journey, not because of anything we have done, but because of Christ in us.

My tummy is full. I’ve feasted well this morning. I trust something has filled your heart with His joy.

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Beginning Again

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…” Zechariah 4:10

Lord, I need a new beginning.

Just over eight months ago my heart was seeking You with great passion. I embraced Your Word each morning with fresh enthusiasm and expected You to speak to me. As time has passed, somewhere along the journey a subtle change began to occur.

God's Word was reduced to routine and became a textbook, replacing His story with history. Opening scripture daily, priding myself on not missing a day, yet missing the One who breathed the Words into being. I’ve been reading about life, but not receiving life. I am drenched in study, yet detached from the Savoir.

I have to confess that although I started this year writing my daily devotional blog posts with a heart to hear Him speak personally to me, somewhere along the line it became more of a daily project than a daily personal time. I went from reading His Word to see Him, know Him and abide with Him, to looking for a choice Word to share to create a great piece of literature. It has gone from the Lord impressing His truth on my heart for the purpose of changing me, to looking at ways to impress others with carefully crafted words. Don't misunderstand, I have still meant everything I've written, but it has somehow taken on a new agenda and as I reach for my Bible every morning, the desire to just see Him is clouded and overshadowed as I search for a phrase or verse that could be turned into a compelling devotional.

Father remove my desire for big. May I not despise small beginnings. Start a new work within me today. May I open Your Word with only one desire - to see You. Lord, help me come expectantly. Father, I long to hear You speak. Change me each morning. Lord, I want to follow hard after You.

The Appointed Time

“But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time.” Daniel 11:27

I am a worrier. A pain there. An ache here. A tingling feeling. My heart races or skips a beat. All these symptoms send me into instant panic. I over think and over analyze, consumed with self-awareness. Hearing stories of others suddenly diagnosed with cancer, brain aneurisms, heart disease or stroke scares the living daylights out of me, especially if these dear ones are approximately my age. I live anxious of sudden physical changes and magnify every perceived sensation. I do not run to the Doctors, but I inwardly live with the concern that subjective evidence is indicating something isn’t right. What a lot of wasted worry.

The end will come at the appointed time. The Psalmist tells us that God knows the number of our days before one of them came to be. His Word tells me that He formed me and knows me full well. My times are in His hands. Whether it’s the appointed time for the end of life, end of a trial or end of the day, it comes at the exact moment that God has already ordained. My fear makes no difference to my dying, but greatly affects my living.

Father, help me to trust You. Give me wisdom and discernment to know when to pursue a physical concern, but also help me not to focus on and react to each and every one that are just part of the natural aging process. Exchange my fear for faith and my thoughts of self with thoughts of ministering to others. Lord, guard my mind and let me rest in knowing You, the Great Physician, are caring for me.

Exile / Two Songs

Two scripture passages spoke deeply to my heart today. After debating which to write about, I settled on both. May the Lord use them to minister to you today.

“…returned from exile.” Ezra 2:2, 36, 40, 43, 55

Returned from exile. Sometimes it’s the exile who appreciates home more than those already on the inside. The desire is different. The longing more intense. Those on the inside can become complacent or critical, but the exile returning has a fresh appreciation.

There are those who are exiled by force, and those exiled by choice. A self-imposed exile, often during desert times, pulls us away and isolates us from God and others. Alone was never God’s design.

Whether the exile is by deportation or personal decision, there is separation. Distance divides. The disconnect isn’t just physical. In fact, quite often location isn’t the issue. Hearts go into exile. Walls are built. Defences strong. Exile becomes a protection.

Someone very dear to me is choosing a life of exile. Cutting all ties with friends, family and God, they are turning their back on everything and everyone. Each day another step is taken in the wrong direction. Their mind is held captive by evil. Only God can return this prisoner of darkness. The situation looks impossible right now. Praying that someday they too will be returned from exile. Father, turn this runaway toward home.

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"The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance." Ezra 3:13

In just a few days we will welcome Fall - although to look outside the window as I type this now, at flowers blooming and feel the warmth of the sun, it's hard to believe that cooler weather is actually on the horizon. Seasons in our world flow one to another. Our calendar each year records the first day of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Each one begins on a designated day, coming expected, unchanging and predictable. The seasons in our life are not as reliable. We experience spring's freshness, summer's warmth and rest, autumn's cool winds and winter's harsher climate at any time of the year. We can even live with the elements of two seasons running parallel across our lives at the same time.

The other morning I was awakened by the sound of nature outside my window. Two birds were welcoming the day. The little songbird's melody was breathtaking. The trills this little bird sang as he cascaded up and down octaves was a glorious song of celebration. Yet, joining in this duet was the mournful cooing of a dove. How sad this song appeared in comparison. Both were singing the song the Lord had given them. One sounded as if it was overflowing from sheer joy, the other offering a sacrifice of praise through pain.

How often in my life two songs are being played. I'm rejoicing because of God's goodness in one area, yet fearful and doubting in another. It's like looking outside right now and knowing summer is here, yet feeling approaching winter winds on my heart. Summer's joy is bridled by winter's pain. What I know to be true in my head, yet only seeing the reality of circumstances surrounding me. Living in the now and the not yet. Having the joy of one situation clouded by the trials and hardships of another. One brings laughter, the other tears.

I think of laughter as a gift. I often rejoice in laughter, yet hide my tears. Tears, too, are a gift from God. They do not go unnoticed by Him. Both are wordless emotions that express so much. I read recently that tears caused by laughter are very different than tears caused by sorrow. Their composition is different. Tears caused by sorrow matter so much to God that they even have a different consistency than "happy tears". That's how He designed us.

Ken Gire writes, "The closest communion with God comes, I believe, through the sacrament of tears. Just as grapes are crushed to make wine and grain to make bread, so the elements of this sacrament come from the crushing experiences of life."

It's so hard being caught in the middle of one piece of music. The treble part is victorious and lilting, while the bass accompaniment lingers long, low and harsh. Inside, my emotions are torn. The arms of my heart are stretched out. Each one is being pulled in the opposite direction. A battle is being fought. Joyful shouting and weeping mingled together. The journey of life brings the Road to Emmaus, but also the Via Dolorosa. Two paths. Two seasons. Both leading to the same Savior.

Blessed Assurance

“The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God.” Daniel 9:23

Oh Father, thank You. Thank You for this blessed assurance. After yesterday’s confusion comes today’s confidence. Lord, You have heard our cries. An answer is in place. We are not forgotten. A command has been given. Your response was immediate, but the fulfillment is still to come. Lord, help us trust between the cry and the completion. May Your presence fill the gap between our prayer and Your plan and purpose. Thank You for reminding me how precious I am to You. Thank You for the breath of encouragement Your Word has provided today. Oh, how I love You Lord.