Monday, November 29, 2010

Accept the call for you are chosen

Hadassah woke every morning before the sun shown through her window.  This time was her appointment with God she went to her secret place and wrote to her heavenly Father, her best friend her confidant.

This morning was particularly special, she was about to make a giant step and wanted to follow his lead.

Dear Father of heaven and earth,

You placed me here O’ God.  I feel your Heavenly Spirit pulling at my heart.  Lead me in your direction as I am faithful to do your will.  Continue to guide me, open the way so clearly that I might see your light shining before I enter.  Block the road that may lead to destruction so that I won’t be tempted to walk the wrong path.

Fill my heart with gladness and restore my thoughts of any hesitation to hearing your voice.  Rejoice over me this morning I am your obedient daughter who serves the most-high God, Lord you are my King.

Prepare me Lord as I obey the decree set from our earthly King Xerxes.  I know you direct his steps and I will follow after you.  I am anxious and afraid of the unknown.  Father, cover me with peace and comfort. 

Blessings to my dear cousin Mordecai he has always been like a father to me ever since my parents died, he raised me as his own.  He has been so wonderful to me, he loves me like a daughter and I love him more then I can express.  Lord shower Mordecai with double portions of favor while I am away.  Keep him under your wing of protection.  Guide him in every direction.

I feel your spirit all around me.  My heart is warm and happy with anticipation of what you are doing at this very moment.  It’s overwhelming!  I praise you that you always hear me when I call and you always answer me.

Thank you, Lord that I may serve you with my whole heart.  I accept your call on my life. I am ready Lord….send me.

Who is Hadassah? __________________________________

Read Esther Chapter 1 and Chapter 2: 1-8

What is your opinion of King Xerxes request to Queen Vashti? _______________________________________________

Did Queen Vashti over react?  __________________________

What decree was sent out because of Vashti’s behavior? _______________________________________________

Read Chapter 2:1-8

Why was a second decree sent out? _______________________________________________

Where was Esther brought and under who’s care? _______________________________________________

Read Esther 2:9 although all these circumstances seem like the fault of Queen Vashti, who was God strategically placing in the Kings palace? __________

Esther had the favor of God over her life.  She was obedient to the call and God began orchestrating his plans for her “at such a time as this”.

Begin today…set an appointment with God each day.  Enter into his courts with praise and adoration.  Write a prayer journal and begin speaking a favored life over you and your family.  Watch as God changes earthly circumstances into strategic plans for making your life more then you expected.

Stay tuned for what’s next… “Esther is Chosen”

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

How did it all come about?

Most of us define a cowgirl as a horseback riding lady with fancy sparkles on her hat and matching bolo, riding as “cowgirls” in Wild West Shows and rodeos.   The ladies are skilled performers, demonstrating riding, expert marksmanship, and trick roping while entertaining audiences around the world, such as Annie Oakley whom in my eyes is a hero.

My cowgirl warrior is a woman in the west who worked on cattle ranches.  Women ran them while the men went to war or on long cattle drives.  Wives and daughters of men who owned small ranches could not afford to hire men so they had to do the hard work.  They needed to ride horses and be able to perform tasks what you and I would agree was a man’s job. Keep in mind, these women also planted their own gardens, hunted, cooked, sewed their own clothes and many of them gave birth on their own, then had to get up and stoke the fire and feed the children and teach school and about living a life trusting in God.
These women were strong and able to take on anything.  They needed the hand of God, his direction and covering to able them to perform the necessary tasks of everyday life.  Sometimes God was the only strength they had and they trusted in him, “It’s the cowgirl way”.

Years ago, I was visiting my family in Montana.  We went to The Cowboy Church in Kalispell.  That night a woman teacher at the church was giving a message about relying on the strength of God not our own during times of trouble. During her message she gave an example of a woman who was trusting in God. She smiled and said “It’s the cowgirl way”.  Instantly the Holy Spirit hovered over me and begin speaking and showing me visions of ministering to women in the Flathead Valley.  That night he gave me an outline of topics to teach and an acronym for “cowgirl”. 

A cowgirl is:
Called ~ many are called but few are chosen
Obedient ~ Jesus is master of my life
Warrior ~ Divine wisdom of the Holy Spirit the ability to discern right from wrong
Grace ~ God’s free and unmerited favor
Inherited ~ Identified by Christ, receive a legacy or promise; possession as a rightful heir
Redeemed ~ refined replica of the most high God
Loved ~ God’s ultimate expression of loyalty, purity, and mercy

The Lord continued to birth His vision in me for hours, weeks and years.  I would write and listen as he excited me with the thought of a ministry for women called “It’s the cowgirl way”. Just one problem…. I lived in the Bay Area of California and had no thoughts of moving to Montana.  As the years progressed I wrote notes and heard him directing me to study women of the Bible who trusted in God with all there heart and soul.

Less then five years later, here I am living in Montana and He is racing through my head at all hours of the day and night feeding me about women and the need to minister his strength to them.

 Stay tuned..... Esther will tell us a story about being called and chosen.
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