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Nehemiah 8:1 "And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses." Imagine the beauty of a group of people coming together and asking Ezra to teach the Bible to them. People with a deep and authentic love for the Lord have been gathering together for thousands of years. Even today, we join together in confession of sin and communion to know God better and to praise Him. By His grace alone, we are saved from sin. Only through His mercy can we become the person that He wants us to be. Listen for Him. Talk to Him. Talk about Him. But above all get to know Him and praise Him!

The author of the Book of Esther in The Bible weaves together numerous plots and numerous players. Each of these are beautifully coordinated for the good of God's people, and ultimately for God's glory. Even more beautiful is that if one person declines God's instruction, then God weaves another person in their place. Mordecai tells his cousin, Esther, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?“ (Esther 4:14). God also puts us in situations to help His people and to glorify Himself. God not only is the ultimate author of the book of Esther, He is the author of our lives.

In the Bible, Daniel was forced as a youth into a pagan land and culture. He rose to the top as an employee in a pagan government. Yet, from his earliest days Daniel never forgot The Lord. Daniel had the discipline to talk and walk with God during good times and bad. His decades-long walk with God gave him strength in faith when he was thrown unjustly into a den of lions. He trusted that whatever happened the will of God would be done. The Lord rescued Daniel from the lions, which led to a decree from the pagan king to honor the God of Daniel. We are encouraged to walk and talk with God daily, in good times and in bad, just as we see in the life of Daniel.

God spoke to Jonah and Jonah ran away. In fact, Jonah made several mistakes and was not willing to accept God's mercy for other people even though God had mercy on him. God brought Jonah back to a starting point. He gave Jonah a second chance to go to Nineveh and do His will by giving them His message. However, Jonah still could not accept that God had mercy on the people of Nineveh. In the accounts of Jonah, we learn that God offers to us His rescue from our storms. He offers us a reset, a new beginning. We must accept that His compassion is for all people. God will find ways for us to show His compassion to other people so that all lives bring glory to God.

The Bible is a very honest book. Our heroes of faith in the Bible had mountain top highs and at other times they wrestled with the devastating pain of this world. Elijah, Job and King David all knew what it was like when the Lord's response was different than they had expected. In their great faith, these biblical heroes did not push God away. Rather they submitted to His will. We also can be honest and specific in our prayers to God, listening and waiting on Him for His reply. We then receive His answer as soft as a whisper or as loud as the wind. We receive His rest and His strength for us to move forward in the Christian walk.

King Solomon had everything this world could offer: silver, gold, horses, chariots, knowledge, wisdom and women. There was no pleasure that he denied himself. As King Solomon aged, he realized that all of these worldly pleasures were temporary and meaningless. Today, marketing and social media are constantly telling us that we need more and more; more pleasure, more security, more money, more experiences and more accomplishments. We are told that these things will bring us happiness. Unfortunately, worldly pursuits are like chasing the wind. More is never enough. We must not be distracted by the desires of this world. We are to find joy in the Lord. We are to fear God; trust God; and to keep his commandments.

Pastor Brad Wickersheim and his wife, Gayle, spoke today on their upcoming mission work in Ukraine. They have served Ukraine in the past, but God has called them to an even greater responsibility. Canvas Church requests financial support and prayer support for their mission. Pastor Wickersheim related several miracles from God rooted in prayer. In Luke 18:1 Jesus tells us to “pray always, and never give up”. The Bible is full of miracles where humanly speaking there were no options. It is times like these when one clearly sees that God has acted. Praise be to God!

The state of our heart matters to God. The Creator of the universe wants to talk with us, to live with us and to live in us. Doing hard work for God is a Christian calling. But, never forget that the Christian life is not a matter of performing for God, it is a matter of allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. There are times when we are called to simply sit quietly and contemplate His goodness and glory. To ruminate on the beauty of Jesus' love for us culminating in the cross and resurrection. At the center of our worship, Jesus is the hero — at the beginning, middle and end of every changed life. Sit quietly and remember what He did for you. Worship Jesus with prayer and thanksgiving in a humble and gentle spirit.