March 12, 2024 … Standing With Courage …

March 12, 2024 … Standing With Courage …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Danny Gokey singing … Stand By Faith …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians must stand by faith in Christ in a world that is hostile to our Lord.    

Esther courageously goes before King Xerxes ,,, 

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]Highlight Passage: … Esther 4:16 [NLT] … 

16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”.            

… Esther was willing to risk her life to go before her King to plea for her people.               

Highlight Passage (in context): …  Esther 4:10-17 … USE THIS LINK … 

… Esther courageously and illegally goes before King Xerxes to save the Jews from extermination.                  

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 1:1 [NLT] …    

1  Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 

… God is pleased when believers stand against those who mock the Lord and His ways.

Reference Passage: … John 16:33 [NLT] …   

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”   

… Jesus warns his Disciples, in the upper room, that they will encounter trials/troubles but that He, their Messiah, will overcome the world.           

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:1 [NLT] …   

1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.  

… The Apostle Paul calls for fellow Christians to stand in faith and not be bound to the Law.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 6:13 [NLT] …    

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to put on God’s armament of faith to stand strong against the evil in our world. 

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 3:12 [NLT] …   

12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  

… The Apostle Paul warns Timothy, and all Christians, that all those who stand for Christ will be persecuted. 

Reference Passage: … James 5:11 [NLT] …   

11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.   

… James teaches fellow Christians how the Lord will show mercy to those who enduring suffering from the world.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Katara Patton -  AT THIS LINK -  tells of Mary McDonald, who lived securely, away from the dangers of the Chicago stockyards at the end of the 20th century.  However, this courageous lady moved to that dangerous area of Chicago to be able to protest and work for those who lived in that troubled area of The Windy City.  

And that true story reminded the ODB author of how Queen Esther courageously chose to go before King Xerxes, which was a capitol offense, (see highlight passage and photo) in order to plea for her people, the Jews.  

And I’m praying this morning that my readers have taken in the linked song and the Reference Scriptures provided and are convicted - as am I - that we probably can do more - MUCH MORE - to stand in faith for Christ in this ever-darkening and Christian persecuting world.                    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me to do more to stand in faith for my Lord.  And I pray for Your enabling grace to do just that.    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to seek Your enabling grace, Lord,  … to stand, in faith, for Your ways today and tomorrow.   … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.