ESTHER’S DIVINE MOMENT

Aloha!

“All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Esther was put to the ultimate test in Trusting God.  The benefit of her doing so enabled her, Mordecai, and all the Jews to live rather than be put to death!  

The book of Esther is a remarkable book and I encourage you to read it.  You’ll glean wonderful insights from it! It begins sounding much like a fairy tale, but you soon discover the powerful hand of God’s divine intervention and providence in the lives of his people.  He’s the same God today!

The next time you find yourself in a bigger than life predicament that looks like it’s going to destroy you and yours, remember this powerful true story and encourage yourself!  You don’t have to be a somebody to make a difference! Don’t worry and fret!  Do TRUST GOD!  God is at work in your life even when it doesn’t look like it!  “Even when we are not aware of His presence, God is still with us, orchestrating a story and an ending that is beyond anything we can imagine.”

Having been raised by her uncle Mordecai, Esther lived a life of TRUST. When you have a right relationship with someone, you learn totrust them.  It’s the same with the Lord.  You learn to Trust God with the big and little details of your life when you walk with Him.

Esther found herself in a challenging situation when she had been accepted as the new queen.  Her Uncle Mordecai’s life was in jeopardy due to the jealousy of one of the kings’ men.  When Mordecai asked Esther to go before the king on behalf of the Jews, she said, “If I perish, I perish.”  She also had her maidens fast and pray as well as all the rest of the Jews.  This beautiful woman knew she could be put to death if the King refused her.  Esther was very courageous and full of faith!  She trusted God! King Ahasuerus accepted her and she received his favor. Haman ended up being hung by the gallows he’d built to hang Mordecai. Mordecai was placed in a prominent position next to the King

 “Esther was willing to put her worries aside and act in faith, saving her own life as well as the lives of thousands of others.” 

Decide today to TRUST GOD!  His love never fails, falls short, or comes to an end!

Esther, 1 Corinthians 13

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

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JOSEPH’S UNEXPECTED RISE TO POWER

Aloha!

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”  Anatole France, French Poet

“God isn’t just in the details; he is also in the big picture.  God doesn’t just go with us; he goes before us preparing the way.  Though sometimes we encounter mind-bending challenges and crazy circumstances, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, still has it all under control.  There’s no need to worry.”

It’s important to remember that GOD HAS A PLAN!  Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Joseph had dreams that God gave him and after sharing them he quickly found himself being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers!  When you think it can’t possibly get any worse, he was thrown into the dungeon and forgotten after he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife.  Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there!

God didn’t forget Joseph or the dreams He gave him!  Joseph didn’t harbor ill will against his brothers, the pharaoh, or against any who wronged him.  Joseph walked in integrity trusting God amidst all of his trials and kept his heart clean.  In the end, God promoted Joseph and fulfilled his dreams.  Ultimately, Joseph had favor and authority that saved his family and all of Egypt.  Genesis 37-50

When things don’t go the way you think they should and you find yourself in adverse situations, know that God is with you!   Nothing catches Him by surprise.  God has a plan!  John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  God is the way maker!  Romans 8:28 God’s working it all together for your good! 

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice

SARAH’S ECHOING LAUGHTER

Aloha!

“Even when it seems all hope is gone, we can still choose to trust God.  Nothing is too hard for the Lord.”

After walking through the Princeville Resort in Kauai, I stepped onto the Lanai and was blown away with the incredibly gorgeous panoramic vistas that I beheld!  God’s creation is magnificent! From the depths of my being, I began to sing, “HOW BIG IS GOD?!” When I stopped singing, guests who were also enjoying the view, asked me to keep singing because that’s how they felt too!

We don’t always feel like singing.  Actually, sometimes we may feel like crying, screaming, or in Sarah’s case, laughing. When God tells us something, we need to remember to TRUST GOD and know that HIS TIMING IS PERFECT.  God is in control!  HE IS FAITHFUL!

God told Abraham he’d be the father of many nations.  With this promise, Sarah spent many years hoping and praying for a baby.  Over time, she grew old and began to lose hope because she was barren.  Sarah needed a miracle.  God sent messengers to speak to Abraham and she overheard them telling her husband she’d have a son. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Sarah laughed.

God’s promises are yea and amen!   David continually encouraged himself in the Lord.  “Why art thou cast down oh my soul?  Hope thou in God.” What has God promised you?  Place your dreams and hopes in His almighty hands because God is faithful and His timing is perfect.  Look to the Lord who is our hope and the anchor to our souls.  Quit striving!  Start Trusting!  Let God be God! 2 Cor. 1:20, Gen. 18-20, 1 Sam. 30:6, Psalm 42:5

“Only believe, only believe, all things are possible, only believe.”

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

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HAGAR IS PURSUED BY GOD

Aloha,

“One day we will meet beside the river and our Lord will dry every tear.  For now, we must live in the joy of that promise and recall that for every generation life is hard, but God is faithful.”  Bodie Thoene

Hagar soon found herself between a rock and a hard place after complying with Sarah to bear a son for her and Abram, since Sarah was barren.  Initially Hagar probably felt like she was doing what was right, but after Ishmael was born she was in quite a predicament! 

Sarah had become cold, harsh and very demanding towards Hagar.  Although she knew running away wasn’t the answer, Hagar felt hopeless and isolated.  God knew right where she was and in her lowest moment He taught her a very valuable lesson.  “God sees us.  We are never alone.”  She gave God a personal name:  “The God Who Sees Me.” 

It’s comforting to know that God sees you right where you are even at your lowest.  You may feel no one else notices the burdens you bear or the heartaches you face, but know that God sees you! 

Rather than running away from what may be causing grief and pain in your life, run into the Loving arms of our Lord!  Jesus is our blessed hope!  Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and our strength and will be present in our trouble.” John 11:25 “Jesus is the resurrection and the life.  We receive eternal life through Him.”  Isaiah 54:10 “God’s unfailing love for us will not be shaken.”

“Even when no one on earth understands the impossible situation you’re facing, God sees you.  That’s a powerful encouragement to not worry but instead trust in the God who sees.”

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

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ISAAC’S UNFORGETTABLE LOVE STORY”

Aloha!

“What-ifs cause worry and stress.  As children of God, we can walk in obedience and trust, knowing that God has all the details under control.”

Abraham desired for his son, Isaac, to have a wonderful wife such as he had.  He sent his trusted servant to find Isaacs perfect wife!  I’m sure there were many“what-ifs” going on.  What-if the servant couldn’t find the perfect bride?  What-ifshe didn’t want to come back with him?  God is sovereign and it all worked out from the greatest to the least detail! 

The “What-ifs,” can cause much distress in our hearts, minds, and emotions, if left unchecked!  Rather than asking “What-if…” we need to CHOOSE TO TRUST GOD, pray, walk in faith, and follow God’s directions fully and faithfully. 

God is still sovereign today.  “What-if God has something better than we ever expected waiting for us around the next corner?”  Let’s pray and trust God! 

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

I used a lamp as an example of being plugged into or Trusting God.  When it’s plugged in, it will turn on!  Trusting God is a choice.  Remember the little song,Psalms 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will trust in Him, I will trust in Him, I will trust in Him…”  Choose to trust God, even when you’re afraid, knowing He’s right there with you!

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice