Rediscovering Stillness

“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. … Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” —Psalm 62:1-2, 5 NLT Our culture has forgotten how to be still. Electricity means we no longer have the incentive to go to bed with the setting sun and wake up with its rising. Instead, we can push on through the evening, wearing out our bodies and our minds in the process. Social media has shortened our attention spans to the degree that many can no longer focus on reading a book. It requires too much concentration from a brain wired for […] Read more »

Day 22- Esther 9:20-10:3

Day 22 - Esther 9:20 - 10:3 Opening Prayer: Father, Thank You for memorials like Communion where we remember what Jesus has done. Thank you for birthday parties, Christmas get-togethers and Easter celebrations when we celebrate our birth, Jesus’ birth, and our new life in Christ. May we never forget that You have defeated the enemy and are coming again! Read: Esther 9:20 – 10:3 In your 4R journal: Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you? Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you. You did it! Woo Hoo! Yay! Praise God! We are ending our time together with a word-party because celebrations are underrated. In fact, I think we should celebrate more […] Read more »

Asking for your help

It's that time again. That time when we ask you to consider sending a small donation to this ministry. It's crazy how excited we get when we get a new donation either on-line or by snail mail. We know there are many places that are deserving of donations, so when you choose us? We are really happy and thankful. If you'd like to donate either by check and snail mail or in our secure system, click here: https://sweetselah.org/donations/ Thanks. Read more »

Day 21- Esther 9:1-19

Day 21 - Esther 9:1-19 Opening Prayer: Father, You are the God of victory. I want to live in the victory You have already secured! Increase my faith as I remember all You have done. Read: Esther 9:1-19 In your 4R journal: Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you? Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you. This part of Esther is like the final shootout in a western movie. The action is fast and furious but in the end the Jews overpower their enemies and there is peace. Mordecai our hero, is a foreshadowing of Jesus. He is faithful, always looking out for the good of Esther and his people, willing to […] Read more »

Day 20- Esther 8:1-17

Day 20 - Esther 8:1-17 Opening Prayer: Father, I pray for an eternal perspective when everything goes badly. Fill me with joyful expectation as I wait on You. Read: Esther 8:1-17 In your 4R journal: Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you? Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you. After his death, Haman’s property was given to Queen Esther. Mordecai is then ushered into the presence of King Xerxes because he was Esther’s Abba. In short, Mordecai replaces Haman as second in command, is given the king’s signet ring and bestowed all the wealth of Haman by Queen Esther. What a difference a day makes! But there was still a dark cloud […] Read more »

Seasons of Life

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1 Our family recently sat together with a box of old photographs from times gone by, reflecting together on life’s memories. Some of the snapshots were vaguely familiar, while others were unforgettable moments. Some brought long-forgotten memories back to life. Some memories were shared by all, while others by only a few. There were photos of our beautiful sister dressed for her prom, just starting to get her feet wet in life. Of brothers handsomely dressed in marching band uniforms, ready to carve out their niche in the world. Photos of family BBQs, weddings, and babies. Some photos showed the newness giving way to job responsibilities and growing family life, the […] Read more »

Day 19- Esther 7:1-10

Day 19 - Esther 7:1-10 Opening Prayer: Father, You are a God of justice and the ultimate defender and protector of Your people. Thank you for Your faithfulness and deliverance! Read: Esther 7:1-10 In your 4R journal: Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you? Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you. Wasn’t that exciting? The tension builds as King Xerxes, Haman and Queen Esther gather around the table once again. No doubt Esther spent the previous night in prayer. However, it’s unclear if she was aware of Mordecai’s ride through the city or Haman’s humiliation. Nevertheless, it is clear she was eager to share her request as soon as she heard those […] Read more »

Day 18- Esther 6:1-14

Day 18 - Esther 6: 1-14 Opening Prayer: Father, Your ways are not our ways. You are gentle and all powerful, gracious, and just. May we trust You more and more as we see Your masterful hand at work. Read: Esther 6:1-14 In your 4R journal: Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you? Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you. This chapter opens with the humanity of King Xerxes as he struggles to fall asleep coupled with the all-powerful and all-knowing God paving the way for deliverance. Providentially, the chronicles were read to the king to ease his slumber. And it “just so happened” that they recited the story recalling the murder […] Read more »

Day 17- Esther 5:1-14

Day 17 - Esther 5:1-14 Opening Prayer: Father, teach me to seek Your face in all things whether difficult or relatively simple. You always have a good plan of blessing and resurrection!  Read: Esther 5:1-14 In your 4R journal: Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you? Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you. Finally, after three days of fasting and prayer, Esther approached the King donning her royal robes. This is significant because it points to her identity. “I am the Queen,” she must have repeated to herself. “I am also part of God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood.” Like Esther, you and I are robed in royal robes of righteousness. We […] Read more »

Day 16- Esther 4:1-17

Day 16 - Esther 4:1-17 Opening Prayer: Father, when I face circumstances that look hopeless remind me who You are and what You have done. Keep me from despair for You are the God of hope! Read: Esther 4:1-17 In your 4R journal: Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you? Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you. Hopelessness can be paralyzing, especially when there is no possibility of human intervention. The laws of the King of Persia could not be revoked. Therefore, the Jews in all 127 provinces were going to be killed and their belongings plundered. Can you feel the despair in the heart of Mordecai and all the Jews in […] Read more »