But First She Prayed

“When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. 

And if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:15

These are the very courageous words of the Queen of Persia, Esther, as she prepared to approach a very young, inexperienced and emotional King Xerxes to plead with him to stop the TOTAL annihilation of the Jewish people. If the king was in a bad mood that day, he could have her killed instantly, even though she was Queen, and more importantly, his bride. What courage this must have taken, what a magnificent statement of faith Queen Esther displayed as she unselfishly prepared to sacrifice her life for her people.

Do you know that the Name of God is NOT mentioned anywhere in the story of Esther in the Bible, yet we see such magnificent evidence of HIS Hand all over the story. And the greatest evidence that we see of His mercy and grace in Esther, the absolute beauty of what we call “Reversal of Destiny”.

 

In Esther, we are given a close up look at the ongoing struggle of satan against the purposes of God and especially against His promised Messiah. The birth of Christ into the human race was totally dependent upon the existence of the Jewish race. Just as Haman plotted against the Jews in order to destroy them, so has satan set himself against Christ and God’s people. Just as Haman is defeated on the gallows he built for Mordecai, so does Christ use the very weapon that his enemy devised to destroy Him and His spiritual seed. For the cross, by which satan planned to destroy the Messiah, was the very means through which Christ “having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” Colossians 2:14-15

Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai, 

so the devil was crushed by the cross he erected to destroy Christ.

Esther proved to have a godly and very humble spirit that also showed great strength and willing obedience. Esther’s humility was very different from those around her, 

and this caused her to be elevated into the position of queen.

Woman everywhere would do well to emulate her godly attitudes in all areas of life, but especially in trials. Not once is there a complaint or bad attitude exposed in the Book of Esther. Many times we read she won the "favor" of those around her. This “favor” is what ultimately saved her people. We can be given such favor as we accept even unfair persecution and follow Esther’s example of maintaining a positive attitude, coupled with humility and the determination to lean on and fully trust in God.

So, in closing, it does not matter whether in prison or the free world, Jew or Gentile, white or black, rich or poor. We are all placed here to show love, grace, mercy, humility and unselfishness to ALL people, regardless of our circumstance, regardless of the cost!

Who knows but maybe God has placed YOU in such a position, for just such a time as this?

Thank you Melissa!!

WOW! I've been in tears all day! 

I got a letter today from Melissa whom God 

has allowed me to serve through Christ for years now. 

I just had to do a post of Love and thank you's to her! 

Melissa's journey has been a miracle through the power of Christ. She has been transformed and redeemed in God's Love. From Lowell to Gadsden and soon Hernando she is a miracle. A beautiful girl with a heart of gratitude and not one that thinks that ministries should bless her, 

but grateful for anything including open to be loved and treasured.  

Today she sent me a "thank you" for all I've done for her and a check for $50 payable to me (not the ministries) just because she is grateful and well loved. I take no credit Melissa, I give God all the glory, AMEN. I'm just so thankful you allowed me to love you through Christ. Thank you for your refreshment and your act of Love to give back. I'm in tears because I remember the days you didn't have a penny and was losing weight. And to see how God has blessed you brings so many tears to my eyes. I'm so happy for you! I also have tears because God showed me through your words of Love and encouragement that He is proud of me! WOW! And yes, I am overwhelmed too by your generous heart to give back and share. Thank you Melissa!! You are Loved deeply. And I hope your okay with me telling the whole world how much I'm proud of you and sharing your letter :) I also want you to know that I am so blessed to see you write your "Well Loved". That is what we all are called to do by God, "Love People Well". Thank you for opening your heart to me Melissa. May God continue to bless you richly in Jesus Name. 

Thankfulness

“WE thank you Lord for all your blessings upon me and my family.”

As I prayed and asked God what He wanted me to write for the November Issue of Pink Love Ministries, I heard the word “Thankfulness”.  Last October, my husband went to prison.  In December of 2013, my daughter went to prison.  My health started failing and my mind was tormented day in and day out missing 2 key pieces of my family puzzle heart.  I wondered how I was going to do this on my own and who was going to help me now.  I felt abandoned, hurt, angry, and so many more emotions and feelings.  For a long while, I thought why we have to go through this all the time.

Why can’t life just be ok and we have little problems and they are solved easy.  But it’s in the pain, the trials, the tribulations, the anger, the grief, and the heartache that we learn to be THANKFUL and to stand on our FAITH.  It is through all this that we learn valuable lessons and wisdom so that the next time we have to go through something we can take what we have learned and apply it to our life situations.  It is these lessons that show us who God is and how to be “STILL AND LISTEN” for guidance and instructions to live our lives right.

Will we fail?  Probably…Sorry but truth is truth and we are still human.    The difference is if we have Jesus in our hearts and He is the author of our life story, then we have a way maker, a healer, a doctor, a lawyer, and any other help we might need along the way.  He is there to take us by the hand to make the first steps so he can walk with us the whole way moving obstacles that need to be moved and leaving ones  that we need to  walk over ourselves.  We have to face obstacles, but with Jesus there is no impossible.  The word is not even in His vocabulary.

Isn’t it wonderful that we have a SAVIOR who loves us unconditionally, guides our path, and gives us wisdom.  Sometimes in life we complain about paying bills and giving up our money to make sure we have electric, gas, water, etc.  But we shouldn’t complain because there are people out there who can’t turn on a light switch, make a bed, take a hot shower, or even cook for themselves.  They depend on others to do it for them.  There are people who cook and serve the homeless, they bring out blankets and sleeping bags, they bring sandwiches, socks and toiletry bags to those who otherwise would not have these things.  The homeless people are so thankful for what they get and they show it with smiles and big thank you and sometimes a hug and hand shake.  I know this because I have been on both sides of this fence.  I was homeless and then God delivered me from crack cocaine 

and homelessness on March 14^th, 2007.  I was so thankful that everything I did from turning on a light switch to taking a hot shower every night, that I would thank God for each and every thing He blessed me with.  People probably thought I was crazy when I would holler “Thank You Jesus” but I did not care because I was ecstatic over my Abba Daddy and how much He loves me and takes care of me.  He blesses us every day that we wake up and breathe our first breath.  We should be thankful EVERYDAY NOT JUST THANKSGIVING DAY!  Thankfulness is a feeling, emotion, and action all wrapped in one 12 letter word:

THANKFULNESS

One thing I  am thankful for today is Steve and Trachena Muchnick, Surrender40, Pink Love, and Spinky Pets for the love, care, hononesty, truth, help, arms to hug, and lips to speak the Word of God into my family and I’s lives every day. They are an awesome couple who show their big God hearts to everyone.  There is no difference with them.  They love each and every person they encounter with total love and non sugar coated truth from the Word of God.  My family loves these two so much and we are so appreciative of them being a blessing to us from God.  We love you Both!!

So as of this day, please make sure to thank the ONE who gives you LIFE over and over every day.

Sincerely Yours

Jesus loves you and so do I.

Cheri Carlisle Bradford.