Esther 2 - Gods favour

Hello my lovely ladies!

I know the readings eash day are short but there is so much in this book and coz its so short i needed to really break it down.

1. God has a perfect plan for us (Jeremiah 29v11)
God had big plans for esther, she was to be queen and save all her people, big plan yeah? but esther was but a simple girl and even more a jew in a persian counrty. She wouldnt have thought for one moment when she was taken form her family that there was any way she would become queen!
We need to think big! Gods plan for us is bigger than we can imagine, He has it right there for the taking, all we have to do is stay inline with Him and be obedient

2. Gods blessing comes when we are obedient!
Esther obeyed her uncle (who she lived with) by not telling them she was a Jew, but also the picture that is painted of esther is that she was a very obedient child and did what her uncle told her, she could have gone home to Jerusalem whenever she wanted but choose to stay with her uncle.
When esther went into the palace she found favour with one of the Unics that were in charge of taking care of all the ladies, she was given many extra priviledges by him. When Esther went before the King she immediatly had favour in his sight and he picked her, above everyone else even though he may not have seen all the other girls. It was because Esther obeyed and stayed faithd\ful not only to her uncle but to her God (she would have prayed a lot) that she had favour. God places people above us teachers parents leader etc, and they are all there by His appointment. (cant remember the verse) We need to obey what our leader say, we may not always like what they have to say but they are put there by God so we need to obey. classic example is with our parents, (..obey your parents because for this is right. honour  your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promice, that it may go well with you and that you will enjoy a long and happy life) sometimes we dont agree witjh our parents and our parents may not be christian but God wants us to obey and honour them, (obedience is better than sarifice 1 samuel 55v22)

So go, Obey your authoritys, and really push into God, talk to him, do some further study..Being close to God is so awesome. You will see blessing when you begin to Obey..

Much Love!!!
xoxoxoxox

Esther! ..God is in control

Hello everybody
5 more days till Jaana is back! yay
Hope you are all behaving yourself..

About the Book of Esther

The events that the first chapter of the book of Esther describes happened about 483 BC (Before Christ). Over 100 years earlier, Nebuchadnezzar (the king of Babylon) had attacked Jerusalem. He overcame the Jews and he took many Jews to Babylon. Almost 70 years after that, the king of Persia defeated the armies of Babylon in battle. Then the people in Persia allowed the Jews to return to their own country, but not many Jews did return. When the story of Esther happened, most Jews were still living in the country called Persia.

We do not know who wrote the book. It may have been Mordecai or Ezra. Whoever wrote it knew the customs of Persia well. We know this from other history.

The Bible does not mention the book of Esther anywhere else. Some people think that it is only a story. They think that it is not true. But the writer wants us to know that the story is true. At the start of the book, he says when it happened. At the end of the book, he says that the official records included the story about Esther. (See Esther 10:2 and also Esther 2:23.)

The book of Esther does not mention the name of God. This is strange for a book that is in the Bible. Sometimes God seems to be silent. We might even think that he does not care about us. The writer of the book of Esther probably wanted his readers to realise that God is always in control. Although we cannot see God, he is always doing things in the world. Nobody can stop his plans.

·     Usually the kings of Persia only married wives from the 7 most important families in Persia. But God wanted Esther, who was a *Jew, to be queen. The servants of the king suggested that officials should search all the *kingdom for suitable young girls. The king would then choose his favourite girl and he would make her queen (Esther 2:2-4). God made Esther beautiful (Esther 2:7). And the king chose her to be queen.

·     Mordecai was Esther’s relative. He saved the king’s life. But the king forgot to reward him. That was unusual. But God knew that the best time for Mordecai to get his reward was much later (Esther 2:21-23).

·     Haman was the enemy of the *Jews. He wanted to select a lucky date when he could kill the *Jews. So he used the *Purim stones, which were a game of chance. God made sure that the *Purim stones chose a date nearly a year later. God had a special plan to save the *Jews from Haman’s plot (Esther 3:7).

·     Mordecai believed that God had made Esther queen. So Mordecai believed that God could use her to save the *Jews. But even if Esther did not speak on their behalf, God would still save the *Jews. Mordecai believed this also (Esther 4:12-14).

·     Esther went to see the king, although he had not invited her. In Persia, this was a dangerous thing to do. She knew that she was risking her life. But she also knew that God was in control. God helped Esther to please the king. The king promised to give her almost anything that she wanted (Esther 5:1-3).

·     We do not know why the king could not sleep that night. We do not know why he chose to read the books of official records. But we know that this was part of God’s plan. The records described how Mordecai saved the king’s life. So the king wanted advice about how to reward Mordecai. He decided to ask the first important official that he could find. It was Haman. Haman got up early and, at exactly the right time, he came to see the king. But Haman wanted the king to hang Mordecai (Esther 6:1-5).

·     Haman told his wife and his friends about Mordecai. He told them that Mordecai was a *Jew. They seemed to believe that God would protect his *Jewish people (Esther 6:12-14).

·     God changed the situation. Mordecai got the king’s reward that Haman had wanted for himself. And Haman got the punishment that Haman wanted Mordecai to get (Esther 7:5-10). Then the king allowed Mordecai to write a new law that would protect the *Jews from Haman’s evil plan.

·     The day that Haman had chosen for his plan came. The enemies of the *Jews had hoped to kill all the *Jews. But Mordecai’s law allowed the *Jews to defend themselves on that day. Haman’s plot had failed. God’s plan had succeeded (Esther 9:1-4).

·     The book of Esther records the origin of the holiday called *Purim. During this holiday, the *Jews remember how God saved them from their enemies (Esther 9:20-22).

ESTHER 1

This beginning of esther paints a very cruel and acurate picture of the persian empire at this time, that if you do not do what the king wants and according to the law, you will get thrown out, or even die.

But it also shows Persias great wealth, I mean holding two partys for the whole of the city not just for a day but sa whole week! farr!

But in all this, God had a plan, and used this incident with vashti being banished to save a whole nation, all by one girl.

Dont ever underestimate what God can do through you, to change things in your world..All you have to do is trust Him and fully be devoted to Him. In this day and age its pretty hard with so many ideas and wierd things going on, but does it really matter what other people think about us, when we know the truth?

I am definatly not saying it is easy, but God always comes through for us.

Be encouraged, trust God in everything, big or small things (money, transport, etc), and He will never let you down

:) have an awesome day!

xox

Job 32-37

Sup Girlys!

Job 32-37, is one of Jobs friends making a speech, he is a young man (probably a teenager). In those days they stictly believed with age comes wisdom and it was strange for a young person to be wise. This young man, Elihu, was a very brave boy, he waited for all the other men to have finished speaking, even then him speaking could have been dangerous for him, he begins by asking them to please listen to him because he has something to say, and each chapter he actually re asks for their attention just so he doesnt get into trouble I guess.
There are many thoughts on his speech, but personally I think he was the most correct out of all the friends and it sounds like Elihu really knew God, and also points towards that the spirit of God was talking through him.

In our world today there is so many views and opinions about God and why he does what he does and His reasonings. Elihu, in his speech point out clearly that God is just and He wouldnt have just smited Job with His troubles just because, but also points out that Job was a righteous man, not perfect but a good man..He doesnt come to a conclusion about why God did what he did to Job but simply tells to trust God that he has it under control, and we dont really need to know why.
In many situations we wont ever know why God does some of the things He does, But know that God is JUst and in control, and everything happens for a reason, plus He works out all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8v28). Sometimes it is hard to do this especially when we cant see a way out of a situation or cant see any possible just reason for things, but know we cant control much in this world and the more we do try the less control we will actually have. But when we simply just trust and depend on God, he takes control of it all!

Elihu knew what to say because he knew his God and God was with him, When we know what God says about us and everything else, what Gods like, and how powerful He is, nothing that is said or happening really matters if its against what you know about God. Because He NEVER changes and is ALWAYS there for us.

I encourage you all, that if something is happening you dont understand or is hard, talk to us cell girls (while jaana is away)  get into your word (ask us if theres something specific you want to learn) because thats how we get th know God more, and pray, even asking us cell girls to pray for you is awesome just so you know your not alone :)

Love you girls so much and see you all tonight!!
ABz...
xox

Job 25-28

Hey!

Chapter 26-27 is a really awesome Chapter, and lays an awesome foundation for Jobs speech over the next few chapters.
In essence Job describes how big and mighty God is and how little and powerless we are in comparison, then 27 Job begins to make a promise to God that while he is alive he will stay true and righteous before the Lord with all the strength he has.

Job is just in awe of God and His wonders, how awesome would it be that when we are going through hard times to just simply look at how awesome God is and all the good things He has done for us instead of focusing on all the bad stuff, its almost a form of worship to Him, just thanking Him and giving Him all the glory (credit) for all He has placed in your life.

Job knew He had been delt to unfairly and that he wasnt being punished for sin, and refused to take his friends advice that he was suffering for something he had done wrong.
Sometimes we care to much about what people think and take their thoughts as truth, but when you know your God you know how He feels and thinks anout you, and your situation and there is no need to come under human standards or thoughts if they arnt what God thinks.

Short Word today but we shall carry on tommrow.
I encourage you to read the commenary I am following
http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/job-lbw.htm
It really helps get that little bit extra understanding!

Have an awesome day!
xox
Abz...

Job 15-19

Hey girls!
Thanks heaps for the wee party you put on for me! was wonderful!!

Todays reading is quite an exciting reading, Job is beginning to get some revelation for God about life and death, and also getting sick of his friends with what they are saying.

To begin with Job and his friends had very simpl ideas about life and death, and how God punished bad people and rewarded good people. But in chapter 18-19 we begin to see that Jobs ideas are changing and God is revealing some things to him: (here is an exert from the commentary I am reading)

These verses (19v25-27) may be the most important verses in the Book of Job. Elsewhere Job explained his troubles, fears and doubts. But in these verses, Job explained the reasons why he still had hope.

Elsewhere Job had been doubtful whether he could ever prove himself innocent. He prayed. But he was not sure that God would ever help him. But in these verses, Job felt confident again.

Elsewhere, Job argued that death would be the end of everything. He did not think that a dead person could ever live again. But in these verses, Job was sure that God could make a dead person live again. And Job believed that he himself would meet God.

These are very important verses. But they are not easy verses to translate. Bible students are unsure about the exact meaning of many phrases.

But we understand enough to be confident about Job’s main ideas here:

·     Firstly, Job was developing his thoughts in Job 16:19-21. There, Job said that somebody in heaven was helping him. He described that person as a lawyer or a friend. Job probably meant God himself. With our knowledge of the whole Bible, we can add that these passages describe Jesus well.

·     In Job 14:7-9, Job remembered about trees. A tree that seems dead can often live again. And in Job 14:13-17, Job prayed that this would happen to Job himself. Here in chapter 19, Job seems confident that God will answer that prayer.

·     Job used a special word in verse 25. In the original language of the book (called Hebrew) this word is GOEL. A GOEL frees someone by either of two particular methods. Either the GOEL may pay a debt for that person. Or the GOEL may fight to free the person. The English word for GOEL is a redeemer. So:

(1) In the Book of Ruth, Boaz freed Ruth. He loved her. So he paid her debts and he married her. He was her redeemer or GOEL.

(2) God is often called a GOEL or redeemer. For example, Psalm 19:14 and Isaiah 63:16.

(3) The Bible teaches that Jesus is our redeemer (1 Peter 1:18-19). When he died for us, he freed us from the devil’s power. The price for our freedom was Jesus’ death.

(4) In Job 19:25, Job uses this special word to describe God. At last, Job trusts God completely. God will rescue Job, even if God has to take Job from the grave to save him. God will rescue Job, even if God must pay to rescue him. And God will rescue Job even if God must fight for Job.

·     Job realised that his body would die. But Job now knew that death would not be the end. In verse 26, the words ‘in my body’ might mean ‘without my body’. The translation is difficult but the meaning of Job’s words seems clear. After Job’s death, Job would see God. And Job desired that day, like Paul in Philippians 1:21-23.

I believe this can relate to us, so many people including ourselves may have traditional or wrong views or understandings about christianity and how things are that can bind us into fear or unbelief about things, but If we pray and seek God like Job did He can begin to reveal things to you that maybe you dont even understand.. And also Praying for your friends who have false Ideas about christianity that will stop them getting into church, because the media and everyone out there portrays christianity so different that what it really is people just dont wanna touch it. But we all know the reality that God is awesome and He just wants us to love us.

Action key: Pray for both yourself and your friends that God would reveal and open your eyes to things that may be holding you back or confusing you.

The other thing I want to take from this passage today was Jobs rightous anger at his friends...Job was sitting there for days/weeks listening to his friends tell him he was evil and God was punishing him for it and talking smack about his children and his life. Job in chapters 18-19 gets angry at his friends and sick of what they are saying because he knows that what they are saying cant be right.

Sometimes we sit and take crap from our friends and family about our lives or they say things over and over we know are not right or from God, and we dont have to take that, If we know Gods word and what is reality you dont have to take crap from other people. Doesnt mean you can yell at them and get all snarky but it is ok to say hey, what your saying isnt cool, or right and I don't appreciate it. especially if there words are attacking you or your family.

Jaana shared on the power of words a few weeks ago and this is where it fits, Know what God has told and promiced you, know what He thinks of you and etc...Dont let anyone speak out otherwise.

Words have power and my mother always said if what your saying is not uplifting or encouraging to someone dont speak...

So be encouraged, dont take crap, pray for things to be revealed.

And like was said last night if you simply have a willing heart, that can be key to break through

PRAY!!

Abz

xox

Job 8-14

Morena!

So we left Job just after his friend Eliphaz had spoken to him and had some really simple ideas about how God punishes evil people and reward good people, which is true but God does not sit in heaven waiting for people to do evil so he can punish them, and this theory also cuts out the whole area of testing so we can trust God more.

Eliphaz said somethings that really upset Job, like his crazy dream. Sometimes we look to wrong people for advise and its not exactly the right advice, and we really take it on board. When we feel like some advise you get is not right (for God) take it to our leaders, (things like our friends trying to help us), God will always talk though our leaders as to what we need.

Another friend called Zophar speaks out after Job tells Eliphaz that he upset him. Zophar sounds like a very traditional thinking friend, probably much like if we went to a catholic preist, he says all the right things about God being fair and praying for hope. Which was all very good advise and not wrong (apart from that he said his children died because they were evil!) but Jobs situation wasnt that simple, and like us sometimes there is no simple answer to our problems, we may never know why things happen to us, like job, but If we trust God is fully in control and that all we have to do is trust Him everything will work out in the end.

Sometimes its hard to see past out noses when we are in hard situations, and seeing that thing will actualli get better, Hanging on to God in these times is crutial, and will get us our breakthrough, and we will draw closer to God and trust Him more through them..

In chapters 12-14 Job begins to mope again and not want to live, but reading into it I have found that he still didnt blame God for his sufferings, and the reason he wanted to die was because he felt like he had no control over anything he was doing or saying because of his condition, and therefore in all this did NOT want to insult God in anyway, and thought the easiest way to make sure he didnt offend God was to as God to take his life..

Job felt useless and worthless, which can relate to how we feel sometimes..yeah?? and this would have been totally normal in Jobs situation and im sure I would react more than Job did to all his bad happenings..But its important to know that God made us perfect, Gods masterpiece (Ephesians 2v10), and we are so special to Him, No matter what we do, He is always there for us.
Never let anyone tell you you are less than this!

Today we can learn form Job 8-14, that advice from others is not always right, because its not always the place to get our advise from. (Job said he didnt trust his closest friends and couldnt trust their advice 6v14-15) We need to always look up for advice (leaders) and never across (friends) especially friends that do not know God. God will always talk to our leaders about us..and they will always have some past testimony or verses for us, if nothing else.. Yeah our leaders are human but God has placed them there for a reason and they have all we need, to help us walk towards God everyday..

Right
Have an awesome day!

Abz

Part 1 revision and Job 2-7

Hey girls

Right just a recap:

We can learn many important lessons from Chapter 1:

·     God is good. He protects us. He provides for us.

·     The devil is cruel. The devil causes our troubles.

·     Sometimes God allows the devil to test us. At these times, God is still protecting us. God will help us.

When we have troubles, we should still trust God. We should continue to respect God. And we should praise God in every situation.

Its important to know that all we have actually belongs to God, when we understand this material things mean nothing, well have no unhealthy attachment to them. Because God gives us all we need to fufill all He has planned for us, and will never fail us!

This morning i got up and my car window had been smashed, i immediately paniced and got upset, not for the car but the inconveince, and the fact I have no money to pay for repairs, I immediately cried out to God and asked Him for peace and to help me! I have such a busy day ahead and couldnt afford to be held up, but God really wanted to show me where my relience was. Unfortunatly my relience was heavly in my car to get me everywhere, and not trusting that God would provide me with an alternative! silly thing to think to someone who created and owns everything hey?!

Anyway, Job begins to complain and get really upset about his situation, but then he begins to curse the day he was born, and saying his life is meaningless.

Like me this morning, Job lost sight of Gods plan, and forgot God was still in control.

Im every situation in our lives we need to FULLY rely on God, because we will NOT FAIL US!

Jobs friends are also very negative toward the situation and don't help him, and uplift him and point him towards God..Its important for us when we are going through hard times and battles to get around people that will make us push into God and let us not get further into our misery.

Not saying that we cant hang around non christians, but we need to be carefull that we dont let our friends feel 'sorry' for us, but have awesome friends that say hey, Gods got it, you have strengh to get you through, they will pray with you are really help you push through!

We cant live our lives felling sorry for ourselves, because eventually it will spiral downwards maybe into depression, and thats exactly where the devil wants us to be! 

We are more than conquers! (Romans 8v37)

We are not people who shrink back! (Hebrews 10v39)

Take courage my girls and live strong

Jaana is our mummy and has an ear from God to us when we sometimes cant see and hear in our own situations!

ABz

I should have known my mother would have some wise words to say, 

Job 1-2

Hey girls!
Thought Id blog about our study just to give you some notes and share the message!
Found an awesome commentary on job, which Im reading as I read and it will help you understand!
http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/job-lbw.htm

My thoughts:
The author goes to great efforts to show that Job a really good man in the eyes of God,(blameless and upright 1v1)
He also cared about his children so much, his children werent really living for God and held big partys, Job as a Godly and caring Father after each party would purify them (1v5), which ment he got on his knees and prayed for them, Hard out! but not only that but he sacrificed an animal for each of them (thats 10 animals!)
If thats not a loving and caring Father! i dont know what is...
This kind of gives us a picture of Gods love for us and how Jesus interceeds for us, that although we live/lived in sin, Jesus prays for us day and night that we might know God..and wants us to be blameless.

1v20-22 amaze me!
Just after Job gets news that he has lost EVERYTHING! he falls to his knees, tears his clothes, and get this, WORSHIPS!  "Naked I came form my mothers womb and naked I shall depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be Praised"
Wow! man, if we praised God evertime we were in a battle, and simply trusted God that Hes in control and our lives are in His hand, this would be amazing...
Job must have really trusted God!

Even when Satan afflicted Job with sores (horrible boils! not nice) he still never blamed God for anything, even when his wife tells him to! (2v9) He held tight to what he knew about God...and it says in all this he NEVER sinned..

Its all about our attitude, God is always in control, He never leaves us or forsakes us, never wants to harm us or make us suffer. Sometimes God allows things to happen but only to make us stronger (1 Peter 1v5-7)
but He works out EVERYTHING for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8v28)

So heres your challange: when you feel like something is way to hard, or your going through a hard time, just think about how Job reacted (and im sure you havnt lost all 10 of your children, and like a million animals and servents) He never once blamed God or got angry (initialy) but Praised God and knew it was in His hands.
Keep your faith and know that God has control even if you feel like things are completly crazy, Hes got you in the palm of his hand and has an awesome future for you! (Jeremiah 29v11)
Yeah so stay positive, trust God coz He WILL come through for you.

Love you all!! xox
ABz

Interesting week

Yo homies!

well it certinally has been a very event filled week, car crash, fell off my bike, pbs at beach, some epic training times and awesome resluts with my healthy lifestyle challage with my cell.
Yip so my car crash was pretty horrific and scared me sooo much. was turning right and didnt see anything eventhough i checked so many times, and a speeding motorbike hit me, car was munted and his motorbike but we were both un hurt....fullf!!
it really chopped me up and was praying hard as to why and what im suposed to learn from it. a few personal things came up and it was something the enemy really used to creap in, and admittedly i made a few hiccups (sorry mum and dad) but i didnt let it ovecome me. God has blessed me tonight as i prayed for a new car as i could not afford to pay for repairs but for $75 bux dad got pretty much a complete new car, all the parts except one door i got and even more, like new CVs radiator carborator, etc etc man God is good...
Yeah and training has been good this week, got a flippn epic PB in the loop (thanks coach for the threat! it worked) and some real quality times on the track, pulled out a 25.8sec for a 200m.
Also Bec left on tuesday to go to OZ/Hong Kong then on to India!! so excited for her, we had a goodbye dinner and was sooooo yumm! hah as indian is! cant wait to watch her, and she will come back with a medal (just speaking it into being!!)
Am starting to really develop my business now, got lots of forms and planning exercise sessions to do with people (if your interested gimme a txt!!) and also getting geared up to train an athlete for course.
Today i had a day all to myself (except class) was so good to just chill and havnt done that in sooo long.
God spoke to me whilst putting out the rubbish! haha, just about sorting issues in life out and not throwing them away then wanting them back (prob dnt make sence but it does to me) wierd as place for God to talk to me but i heard Him! hah
*Deep Breath! yeah so we shall see what tommrow brings tommrow!
All for now
Amen
Haere Ra!

short and sweet

didnt really get up to much today, just work and training. Did a sweet session in the pool, was Rebecca Wardells special session (yes I do know her) and i had fun doing it. so thanks Bec!
She actually leaves to go to India soon (well with stops to Oz and Hong Kong first) but i shall miss her at training but cant wait to see her compete! i shall be glued to the TV screen during the games!
ANYONE HAVE SKY?? that i can borrow for like 2 weeks? lol
yeah so just kinda had life outside of training today as usual. cant wait for tommrows session though shall keep u updated! but i think i shal run fast :)
thts me for tonight
haere ra!

Pretty sweet sunday

Ok ao today started slowly, couldnt get myself out of bed for agggeess, but i got up and faced the day..church was real good today (as always) but had to leave after the first service to go to beach training!!!
went with my two bros, it took them awhile to get into it but by the time i was on my last run they got into and cheered for me, which made me feel pretty cool, then I made them run, was quite competive..got so inspired at the beach I thought we should play the flag game they do in beach, they loved it and so did I (sibling bonding! lol)
Yeah so beach training was pretty good, i did a massive pb on the 20sec run. I ran 23.29sec and previously my best was 24.38sec....was pretty stoked!
We went to visit our other family..the wilsons..James was his usual self sitting round being lazy and groaning haha..had a mean gossip session with mumma diana and mini me brie..meet the new puppy and sat in the sunshine all arvo!
Drama was next up on the scedule and we went pretty hard, getting geared up for a drama at 31 girl and next week i think.
It was also dads birthday today (Happy Birthday Dad!) so grandama and grandad came over, mum made a carrot and banana cake (suprisingly really good) and had a good chat.
Fun filled day but so ready for my bed!
ma te wa!

Random

Kia Ora!
so I decided to start a blog..thats probably so cliche! but i did, just so people can stalk me haha, na just so people can feel apart of my life and see and hear about all the exciting things i get up to. As i get quite busy all the time, just thought some of you might be interested in my life.
I will 'blog' updates on my business (body wise) woop woop! my athletics career, my christian walk..and anyother crazy stuff i get up to.
Lets start my saying today was a good day at the office, had a 400m time trial (first one since march! eek) and did pretty good 57.5sec not a bad effort, concerning that thats what I ran at nationals! hah. I have a real good feeling about this season, and i really cant wait, bring on the summer, crop tops and short shorts!! love it! then tonight I turned into a girl and went out and got my eyelashs tinted! hah aparently i have amazing eyelashes! sweet!
well i better go get some sleep!
Haere ra!