In a social and political climate in the West that seems to be programmed incessantly towards tolerance, today’s chapter is almost unthinkable. It shows how noncompliance and an act of free will resulted in a death plot to destroy an entire people group, both young and old…
READ ESTHER 3 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Last century, the West had plenty to complain about when it came to the policies of communist country leaders that harmed ‘our human (democratic) right to choose’. In this century however, I wonder if our democratic countries have allowed a form of communism into their agenda for equality. Those who want the freedom of speech (to teach their children, or speak out publicly against modern policies) and the freedom of choice (to choose not to believe what’s being said at the top), apparently don’t have a human right to stand out as different, or noncompliant, especially when it disagrees with what ‘the party’ and their laws have sanctioned.
If this is true, then one thing stood out for me in today’s chapter: the fact the Mordecai chose noncompliance when it came to the latest issue to be sanctioned from the top. [v1-4] As a Believer in the Creator God and ‘Follower of the Book’ – in addition to being no doubt strengthened by Daniel’s story a few decades earlier[a] – Mordecai knew that His Maker wouldn’t have agreed to bowing down to humans, animals, crafted objects or the heavenly bodies.[b] However, in choosing a life-style that follows the Creator God, this meant that he was flagged up for not towing the party line. The knock-on effect meant that his freedom of choice as an individual (and as a family group) was then not tolerated. [v8] So the question for many Believers today may well be: What price are we willing to place on our freedom to choose non-compliance, when that freedom of choice ignites extreme intolerance in the very ones who advocate a culture of tolerance!?
Read More? …CLICK on “15 July – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wanting to keep connected with your Maker? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[c]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
Blessed are You, O Lord God our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty. Everything that’s in the heavens and the earth is Your dominion for You have exalted Yourself as head over all. [1 Chronicles 29:10-11]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: The Government decisions in Iran[d]
Your Country: Work & Unity of Local Churches
Yourself: An Eternal Perspective
Your concerns for today
Help me to wait for You, Lord! May I be strong and take courage and again, wait for You! [Psalm 27:14]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Regardless of what I face today, may I take Your warning, Father God, and give careful thought to my ways. [Haggai 1:5]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
When looking ahead I say “Amen”, to the God of Creation! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power and might, are yours, Lord, forever and ever. [Revelation 7:12]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[e] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = Our Maker’s Handbook
“Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth, but meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it; then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. [Joshua 1:8]
[a] Daniel c3
[b] Exodus 20:4&5 and 23:24; Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy 4:19; 5:9 and 17:3
[c] Matthew 6:5-15
[d] http://www.operationworld.org/country/iran/owtext.html
[e] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31