DEVO 03.07.23

DEVO. 03.07.23

"...And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?" (Esther 4:14 AMP)

- The story of Esther is such a compelling story. - It shows how God is at work in the lives of His people even when it seems like all hope is gone. - Jews and Esther had been in exile in Ancient Persia for over 100 years after Babylonian captivity. - As if that wasn't bad enough, Esther's parents had died and she was raised by her older cousin Mordecai. - She could have thought that the bad events in her life and her nation left her with no purpose. - But God has the ability to work through all things and every situation for His good. - The King at the time was King Xerxes. - He held a royal beauty pageant to find a new queen...and guess who was chosen? Yep, Esther. - Was it by Accident or chance?Not at all! - Because at the same time, the king's highest official, Haman, had devised a scheme to have every Jew in Persia killed. - The King, not knowing that Esther was a Jew bought into the plot and agreed to annihilate the Jewish people on a specific day. - Mordecai, Esther's cousin who raised her, learned of the plan, he shared it with Esther... - Then he challenged her with these famous words: - "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14, NIV) - Esther's story is your story! - Are you looking at your circumstances and situation as a random group of events? - Does it seem like God is not in control of your circumstances? - Do you feel like He has forgotten about you? - Ask God to help you to see what He sees. - Ask Him to show you the big picture. - You are not an accident. - Your situation is not random. - Just like Esther, you were born for such a time as this. - God has placed you in this time and this season for a purpose. - You are the change that your friends and your world needs. - God has placed His Spirit in you to guide you in the steps that He needs you to take. - Today, accept the challenge and embrace the calling on your life. - You were not placed where you are to live UNDER the circumstances that you are facing. - No, you have been created to Rise ABOVE your circumstances. - You have God's divine favor on you! - Don't settle for ordinary, choose to rise above and live the extraordinary life that you know God has placed inside of you. - Live out what you know you were created to live. - You can choose to either be a thermostat or a thermometer. - A thermometer simply reflects the temperature in the room. - But a thermostat changes the temperature! - Be the change! - Don't settle for what is. Change it to how you know God wants it to be. - May your prayer be, "Your kingdom come, Lord, your will be done, in earth as it is in heaven - through Me!" - God is simply looking for a willing vessel that He can work through! - Is that vessel you? - Have a great Thursday!