Esther 4:14/Comfort Zones/Such a Time as This

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" ~Esther 4:14

This verse is the response Mordecai gave Esther when she explained to him that the punishment for appearing before the king without being summoned was death. The only way she could live to see the next hour, was if the king were to hold out his golden scepter to her. That was when Mordecai explained to her that she could have been placed in that position at just that time for a purpose... the purpose of saving the Jews from complete annihilation.

Thoughts...

Can you imagine the courage it took to do something like that? What would have happened if she didn't do what God had called her to do? All the Jews (including herself) would have been killed.

I have been thinking a lot about having the courage to step out of your comfort zone. Do Hard Things by Brett and Alex Harris has a whole chapter on it titled, "That First Scary Step" (I mentioned this a couple posts back). Here are some things I highlighted:

"If we take that first scary step despite feeling uncomfortable, afraid, or inadequate, our comfort zones expand. We grow in strength and skill. What we consider normal changes, sometimes radically."

"Outside my comfort zone, I learned to lean on God for strength instead of leaning on the small pleasures of this world for comfort. Outside my comfort zone, I found that I could serve God more fully and use all of my talents unreservedly for Him."

"Until we make that first step in spite of our fears, none of us will ever truly be able to do hard things."

"The First Step is always the hardest"

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an unknown God."

It is usually so hard to step out in courage and faith to do something out of your comfort zone. No matter what it is, big or small, it can still be difficult. Believe me, I know. It took me I don't know how long before I would step out of my comfort zone and sing for just one single person! lol! I am thinking that that would classify as a very small comfort zone step (In other words, it was in reality a small insignificant thing). Regardless to that, it wasn't easy at all.

The truth is, even small steps out of your comfort zone may lead to something much, much bigger. You may not even realize it at the time, but God may use one small thing you do for Him and turn it into something greater than you ever imagined! However, if you never make that first step... that one small step, you may miss something incredible that God has planned for your life.

This is something I have to remember a lot because I have a hard time stepping out of my comfort zone at times.

One more thing...

Below is my paper on Esther. If you read it, please tell me what you think! :)

For Such a Time as This...

At the time I knew not why. I also knew not how. However, there was one thing I did know - that my life would never be the same again. I was placed in a position I never imagined I would have. Little did I know, God had chosen me to occupy that position at just the right time for a purpose. Yes, He chose me, Esther, just an ordinary girl, to save the lives of many people... Read more

~Zoe

Philippians 4:13

I did not take this picture, I found it on google.com....I did the editing, though, on picnik.com. Check out the website! It's great!!!!:)

This is my all-time favorite verse. Plain, I know, but I love it. :) It's very encouraging.

Haven't posted in a while so here is one.

I went to camp this summer and heard about a book called Do Hard Things. It is really cool. I read the book and actually just finished it today but I loved it. I will probably read it again. It was a really good book I would recomend it. Also you can go here to see the website. It is really cool. There is also a modesty survey that was very intersting. I really don't have that much to say. Bye and I hope you check out the Rebelution.

No Matter What ~ Jeremy Camp

I know that every time
I find the one thing that holds me back inside
I want to tear apart
And bring my selfish pleasures at your feet
Every part of me is an offering,
I will set forth and lay it down at your throne
Because I live for you alone

[CHORUS]
No matter what it takes I will offer,
Everything I am I give to you
Even unto death I will follow,
No matter what the price I will give to you now

I won't throw this time I have aside,
Your the very prize I have in sight,
You've placed this purpose down in me,
And it burns so deep
Let this life I lead bring you all the glory,
I'm entrusted with a gift that I can't hide
Revive my heart, revive my mind

To live is to really die
I will keep this steady pace,
Until that final day


~Zoe

Verse Posted By Susan

This verse was posted by Susan...

No one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself if fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
~ Romans 3:20-26 (New Living Translation)

And here are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs...

Incomplete it all began
The broken state that I was in
I wished that I was someone else
Cause’ I was lost inside myself
I started seeing who I am
The day my life with you began
You clearly solved the mystery
That finding you meant finding me.

God, I’ve fallen to my knees
I’m bowing at your feet
I give you all of me
In you I am complete
It’s all because of love
I’m not who I was
I’m who I’m meant to be
In you I am complete

God who doesn’t need at all
I heard your voice I felt Your call
It’s echoing I can not shake you off.
The stars that shine they bear your name
They sing the song that gives you praise
You’ve captured me
My heart is lifting off

I’ve got to tell the world about the things
You’ve done
I want to shout it out, I’m going to live it now
Amazing grace is why I’m singing

I love that song called, "Complete"! It is from the new Kutless album - "To Know that You're Alive". Aren't the words great?

And finally, does anyone have any thoughts on post topics or discussions we could start having on this blog? I would love to see this blog pick up again and see it encourage those who read it. Let me know if any of you have any ideas.

~Zoe

What Different People Said..

Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Esther 4:14
And who knows but that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Leviticus 11:12
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.

Great verses!

And here's some of my favorites ~

1 Peter 3:3-4
3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Hebrews 12:1
Let us strip off every weight that slows us down… And let us run with endurance the race that God has set out before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends from the start to the finish.

The verse above really helped me one day. You can read about it HERE

John 15:18-19
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

~Zoe

What is your favorite Bible Verse?

Okay, nothing is happening much on this blog, so here's an idea...
Everyone post one of your most favorite Bible verses and what it means to you or why it is your favorite. If you are a member of this blog, post it on a post. If you are just dropping by and are not a member feel free to join in on comments.

Just an idea,
Zoe