2 Peter

2 Peter 2:9
So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.  

How often do I find myself saying "That's not fair"....
I try to decide what is fair and what is not but in all reality God knows everything and we will be rewarded in the future.  For now, I am to continue living a life that is holy to God.



2 Peter 2:8-10
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: 
A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.  The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think.  No, he is being patient for your sake.  He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.  But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief.  Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 

God is so good.  He is being patient with us, so that we can come to know him rather than be destroyed.  What an amazing act of love!



2 Peter 2: 17 
Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.
This verse caught me.  I have been falling away from what is important in this life, and my secure footing.  It was a great reminder of being able to live a holy life and not being tempted by those around me to do what I know is not right.

Country Wedding

This past weekend, Wes and I got a night to ourselves as we went up north to celebrate our friends getting married. 

It took place in a barn up north that was just stunning. 

It was such a great time as we pitched a tent for the night and enjoyed the company of friends, some of which we haven't seen for a few years. 

This was such a great way to end the summer,

it truly was a much needed "mini vacation" for Wes and I.

Note: More Photos will be added as soon as I upload Wes' phone pictures onto the computer

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Workman!  

1 Peter 1

I'm really excited to dive into this book, as the first chapter is so full of applicable life messages to everybody!

 

  

vs 6-7

So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- though your faith is far more previous than mere gold.  SO when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.  

There have been many trials in my life the last few years, and it's so nice to have the reminder about these trials not lasting and they are a way of testing my faith.  What an encouragement to keep going:) 

vs 14 -15

So you must live as God's obedient children.  Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.  You didn't know any better then. 

But you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 

We are God's children and we are to live like that.  For me this Bible study has been such a blessing as I am spending more quality time learning about my God, as before I was slipping into my ways of going about my daily schedule and honestly just doing what I wanted rather than living out my faith.  

Notice the word EVERYTHING in verse 15.  How often do we live "holy lives" in parts of our life but forget others?  

And finally, 

vs 2 

God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy.  

How awesome to think the God that created this earth chose us to be his children before we were even born?  I know we hear it a lot but if you really think about him choosing someone as little as me... it is a humbling thought!

What has God taught you through this chapter? 

Esther 10

In this chapter, I really saw that even though you may not seem to think people notice you and your hard work, they do.  Mordecai it says was held in high esteem because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all Jews.  No matter what happens, God sees the intentions of our heart and we must remember that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (as in Hebrews), so we must live each day working to further God's Kingdom.  

Esther 7-9

For these chapters, I found it interesting how much the King loved Esther and listened to her, even though he had every right not to.  Esther trusted him to go and ask her requests.  Often I forget to put Wes in the "decision making " seat.  I need to start doing this and trusting that he will take the needed steps to keep me safe.

Esther 6

Today's going to be a short post but I really found it interesting the part that Haman's wife played in this whole story.  Often, it is overlooked but she had a huge influence on his decisions and choose to encourage his acts.
I pray that I will be able to provide a positive influence on Wes and Peyton.

Esther 5

Today, we read about Esther taking the first steps of the plan and inviting Haman and the King to a banquet before she asks her favour.  

I found it very interesting how Haman boasted about all this to his friends and family: 

Then Haman gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, and boasted to them about his great wealth and his many children.  He bragged about the honors the king had given him and how he had been promoted over all the other nobles and officials.  

How often am I like Haman and boast about such little things in the eyes of God.

Little did Haman realize that God was moving through Esther in big ways, but he was too concerned about his wealth and promotions to see the big picture.  

It's also interesting how he goes on to say how this is all worth nothing since Mordecai was still sitting at the palace gate with no fear. 

The courage that Mordecai is showing is awesome and such a great example to live by.  

I pray that I will be able to live my life as Mordecai and trust God, and less like Haman- living only for the things of the earth.  

What have you learned in reading Esther 5 today?

Esther 4

In this chapter, Mordecai learns about the decree to kill all the Jews.

Esther asks about the decree and then is told the famous line from Mordecai: 

Don't think for a moment that because you're in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed.  

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. 

Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?

Though I have heard this line many times, the above lines really hit me today while reading them. 

I am learning more and more that God truly does place you in every small and big spot you are in for a reason.  It is my job to take advantage of the situations I am placed in and make the difference in the lives of those around me.  God puts people in my life for a reason, and though I am just one person, with the help of God I am able to do big things in my life and make a difference.

The even cooler thing about this though is that God uses us even when he doesn't have to
(if you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place)
though God doesn't have to use me, he choses to- and that is truly such a blessing! 

Esther 1,2,3

Today, I started my Blogging Through the Bible with Good Morning Girls. 

I had a bit of catch-up to do so I went through Esther 1-3.  

In these chapters, we are introduced to Esther and the situation she brings herself in.  

One thing that really stood out to me while reading this is how God's plans do not always make themselves known overnight.  

In fact, Esther had to wait over a year before she was even chosen to be a queen.  

A year of being away from your family without knowing how this was a part of God's plan. 

After reading through the "big person" version of this story, 

Peyton and I read through her version in her kid's Bible.  

I really want to be open about reading the Bible- especially in front of my daughter. 

I want her to grow good habits while she is young that will last the rest of her life.  

Well that was day 1 of the Blogging Through the Bible Challenge.  

If you want to join me, please feel free to email bkmarshall515@gmail.com 

and we can do this together and keep each other accountable.