Taking Next Steps with Jesus

The Bible says, " For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."   Eph. 2:10* This resonates throughout the story of Esther.   A young woman name Esther is collected with other ladies, to be put through a grooming process, and then given to the king; to see who he liked best--and she would then become his queen.  Esther is chosen, out of all the others, and becomes queen; beginning a new season of life--but doesn't let people know her nationality.  She is a Jew.   An evil rises in the kingdom, and an old story takes place.  Pride isn't placated, ego is violated, and retribution is threatened. Esther's uncle Mordecai won't honor the official Haman.  Haman becomes furious, and decides that Mordecai and his whole people--the Jews--must die for this slight.   Now, it's one thing to vent and talk like this--not a good thing--but, when you have the influence and power to f

People came to Jesus with mixed motives, wanting Him to do miracles, and to feed their hungry belly’s...in other words, Jesus had their attention. It is at this point in the Gospel of John that Jesus clearly addresses the Gospel--the rescue plan of God--in a way that asks us to humble our hearts, and allow God to align them to His will and understanding, and not our own. With great clarity Jesus knew why He was here; “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” ‘For I have come down,’ this phrase appears 5 times in this passage. Do you hear the intentionality? Do you hear the clarity? Jesus knew exactly what He was here to do. His wh