Thursday, September 4, 2014

Personal Prayer, Blessings, and Bible Journaling

2014-09-04 08:12:39

LOVEGODGREATLY.COM AND THEIR BOOK OF ESTHER BIBLE STUDY JOURNALING

Here's the link for this week, week 1:

http://www.lovegodgreatly.com/2014/09/esther-week-1-fear-faith-choice/

Today's and Yesterday's Readings: Esther 1:9-18; Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 14:8

Esther 1:9-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with herroyal crown in order to display her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.

13 Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king so to speak before all who knew law and justice 14 and were close to him: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom— 15 “According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did notobey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?” 16 In the presence of the king and the princes, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but alsoall the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women causing them to look with contempt on their husbands by saying, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.’ 18 This day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s conduct will speak in the same way to all the king’s princes, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

For both the Queen and King, it was all about perception, power, greed, and self.

What they did, we might consider extravagant and think these verses don't apply to us or our lives. After all, we aren't royal or wealthy. We don't have to be any orchids to be greedy or prideful.

Ladies, when was the last time you chose an outfit or a shirt to wear to look nice--knowing others would see it? Gentlemen, what about your car? Do you want to impress others with your car? Ladies and gents, do you workout or diet so you can look better? Do you want to get a promotion or a new job so you can raise in power and stature? Do you ever do things to be seen?

Pride and power are dangerous. They sneak in through seemingly small ways and end up adding up to something big.

Proverbs 12:16 New Living Translation (NLT)

16 A fool is quick-tempered,
but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. (723)

Proverbs 14:8 Expanded Bible (EXB)

8 The wisdom of a ·wise [prudent] person will understand ·what to do [L his path],
but the folly of a foolish person is ·dishonest [deceptive].

Expanded Bible (EXB)

DAILY BIBLE READING

I need to read my readings from Friday through today. It looks like I need to read Psalms 140-145 and 1 Corinthians 10:19-1 Corinthians 14:40

Psalm 141:1-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A Davidic psalm.

1 Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me.
Listen to my voice when I call on You.
2 May my prayer be set before You as incense,
the raising of my hands as the evening offering.

3 Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips.
4 Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing
or perform wicked acts
with men who commit sin.
Do not let me feast on their delicacies.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

What a delightful morning prayer!

Yes. I want to pray those verses every morning for a while. They are a delightful prayer to center and focus myself on the Lord each day. Lord knows I am tempted and sin. I mess up, that is for sure.

Psalm 143:5 New Century Version (NCV)

5 I remember what happened long ago;
I consider everything you have done.
I think about all you have made.

New Century Version (NCV)

I try to remember to count my past, present, and future blessings all day and night long.

Psalm 143:5 Expanded Bible (EXB)

5 I remember ·what happened long ago [L the former days];
I ·consider [meditated on] everything you have done.
I ·think [considered] ·about all you have made [L the work of your hands].