“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV

There’ve been times when one of the biggest mistakes that I have made…
is to think that something’s just too hard, even after I’ve prayed.

“Is there anything too hard for Me?” the God of all creation asks.
Of course not. He’s the Champion of creative miracle tasks.

In Bible scene after scene, we see situations that are an example.
Recalling the hand of God in them, His help was more than ample.

The Bible speaks of some difficult times, ahead of Jesus’ return;
but we’re to share about victory in Him, so that others still can learn.

More need to trust in Jesus, our Savior, amid the world’s distress;
and we, as believers, know…that God’s deepest desire is to bless.

“EASY” is the encouraging word that my thoughts, in faith, should take.
That which seems insurmountable to me–for God, is “a piece of cake!”

P. A. Oltrogge

The last few words of this poem have been used by Ashley and Carlie Terradez of http://www.terradezministries.com in referring to the ease with which God can do the seemingly impossible. Their daughter, Hannah, was rescued from dying when very young. A video of that story is at “About Us” on the website. Carlie’s book, “Miracles Made Easy” can also be obtained there.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in tbe Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NKJV

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

by L. Mudrak
Guest Contributor

Today I’m writing about the story of Esther, who was a queen. She had been appointed queen during the reign of Xerxes, (in some texts Ahasuerus) and she hadn’t revealed what her nationality or family background was. Her “royalty” came in later, however. King Xerxes’ right-hand man, Haman, had decided the Jewish people would be killed. Esther was a Jew, but she was queen. Here was her chance to be bold.

Now Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, was deeply saddened by this edict and decided that Esther needed to do something about it. It was her “job” to save the Jews. This story is in Esther 4-7. You can read all of the book of Esther in a short amount of time if you would like to read the whole story.

“All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approached the king in the inner court without being summoned, the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” Esther wanted to remind Mordecai what the rule was.

Mordecai replied, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house, you alone of all the Jews, will escape. 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 that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

The pressure is really on Esther because she knows that what Mordecai said is true. There is no safety from Haman, who is out to destroy all the Jews. She knows she needs to step up and help her people. Now that’s a burden!

Esther tells Mordecai to have the people fast, along with her, and she will go to the king. “And if I perish, I perish.” That is bravery most of us don’t have.

Esther dressed in her royal robes and stood in the court to approach the king. He favored her and liked the way she looked, so he extended his gold scepter. It was going to be okay to speak to him. The king said, “Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

Esther has a banquet and the evil Haman comes along with the king. Here is where her bold request is made. “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life–this is my petition. And spare my people–this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” When the king asked who was behind this, Esther revealed that it was Haman. He knew, at that point, that he would now die. In fact, he was hanged for his evil plan.

The Jews were spared. Esther’s life was spared. God intervened for them through her courage. This is also where the tradition of Purim, a joyous feast on the fourteenth of the month of Adar (Hebrew calendar) happens every year. The Jews were spared death, and celebration of it is still held today.

Have you been bold enough to step up and speak up for those who are being abused or threatened? Have you stood up for a child who is hungry or isolated in this world? It will take the nerves of Esther to do it. Some things are easier to stand up for than others. We are all responsible for those around us–the poor, the elderly, the abused, the neglected, and the sick. If you see something that you know is wrong, you just can’t stand there and do nothing. Now is your chance to act–as Esther did.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” God will give you the strength you need. God will hear your plea. God will help you be bold when it’s needed.

I’m putting on my Esther robes….

“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’

“So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:14-16 NKJV

When troubles surround, look to the beauty of a flower.
Its magnificence reminds us of our creative God of power,
who stands with us against those who would seek to defeat us.
At the point of our need, God and angel armies meet us!

There are more who are with us than those who oppose–
and our deliverer is the King. From the grave, He arose!
There’s no other name under heaven higher on which to call.
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, Mighty God, and Lord of all!

P. A. Oltrogge

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2 KJV

“I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears…
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:4, 7 NKJV

“Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Psalm 103:20 KJV

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.” Psalm 104:1-4 NKJV

“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Ephesians 1:15-23 NKJV

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. Thus is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” from Acts 4:8-12 NKJV

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”
Revelation 19:16