THE MYSTERY OF GOD August 13, 2008

THE MYSTERY OF GOD

 

 

By Synthia Esther

 

 

The word became flesh, Jesus Christ, and made His dwelling among us. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him-  John 1. As a born again Christian, I use to ponder in wonder how I could recognize God’s providential voice working within my life. When personal decisions were to be made I would pray for God’s guidance and direction.  At times I’d have an impression within my Spirit that proved to be true.   But I never relied on my “discerning impressions” as confirmation of truth.   For how does one tell the difference between an impression and truly knowing God’s will?

I use to think that it was impossible to know God’s voice confirming His will, until the ordinary became extraordinary.   Due to my brother’s horrific death (reference story, “Died On The Fourth Of July” at: WWW.SYNTHIAESTHER.COM), and my past relationship with a predator sex addict, Ryan (reference story:  “Foolish Pleasure, The Love Story Of A Sex Addict, His Betrayal And Crime” at:  WWW.SYNTHIAESTHER.COM), my life changed suddenly and completely.   My rock bottom experiences gave birth to a spiritual transformation I now refer to as “Reverse Ego”.   It was then I came to know the mystery of God as written in Ephesians 3.

 

 

                                                                                                -  THE REVELATION   -

 

For a brief time before the enlighting revelation, I tried to forget the past, stayed busy and moved on with my life.  Nonetheless, I soon learned my past was a part of me not to be forgotten, but revered.   For without the experience, I would remain who I was, instead of who God desired me to be.  Ever growing, ever knowing His divine ways and Holy providence. 

Such self introspection began as I sought solitude and silence.   I turned off the television, no radio boomed, or computer hummed, as I began to seek God with all my heart, mind and soul.    I limited my outside interests and distracting activities.  I sought clarity and began to read voraciously.   Knowledge and the word of God became my partner in life.   Years later these habits are not panglossian in nature, but remain ingrained, steadfast and true.  The planted seeds of God’s word seem to take on a life of their own, watered and nurtured by God Himself.

Having been raised going to church as a child, many of the Bible verses I remembered, knew and loved.  Though growing up I heard and believed in God’s word, I wasn’t enlightened and literally changed by His word.   My mysterious spiritual revelation didn’t occur over night, as it was and is more a process of assurance and growing dependence as God’s mercy, grace and love became more self evident.

I had reached a point in my life that nothing else mattered but this singleness in purpose.  The more my life became centered on the holy word of God, the more centered I became.  Becoming more creative, intuitive and discerning became the norm.  Even my dreams have changed as I have had visions of prophetic truths. 

I realized a transformation from the inside out.  Dwelling in the word I didn’t have to seek signs and wonders, as I was living them.   My entire life has been guided by the Holy Spirit.   My trials and triumphs have become my stepping stones to a greater reality, an unexplainable divine purpose and plan.   The mysterious becomes common place, as the world is tuned out by living within the silence of the moment.  Emotions no longer rule my life, as God’s word rules my heart, mind and soul.  Even when grief and sorrow does ensue, the return to God’s everlasting peace, joy, and happiness is ever near.  I live and bask in God’s inspiration, with unspeakable peace and joy ever near.  

 

                                                                                         -  THE MYSTERY OF GOD  -

 

“I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them.  I will make an everlasting covenant with them:  I will never stop doing good to them, and I wll inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.  I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul”  - Jeremiah 32:39-41.

“No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began” - 1st Corinthians 2:7.

“…the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.  To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” - Colossians 1:26-27.

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” - Colossians 2:2-3.

“The spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?” - 1st Corinthians 2:10-11.

“Now to Him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the profectic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey Him” - Romans 16:25-26.

                                

 

                                                        -  SEEK GOD’S VOICE OF WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING  -

 

Seek the Lord while He may be found.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil - Proverbs 2:7.  Live your life in sacred pursuit (WWW.SACREDPURSUIT.COM), of God’s word, for in it you will find wisdom, knowledge, and understanding - Proverbs chapter 2 and 3.   Strive to show love where there is hate, to understand rather than to be understood - Corinthians 13.  For the mystery of God and His ways begins and ends with His love - John 3:16.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright - 2008,  Synthia Esther.   All rights reserved.

 

For reprint permission please write the author at:  Synthia Esther Ministries,  P. O. Box  55,  Stockbridge, Ga.   30281    -    Attention:  Synthia Esther

 

 

Friends July 9, 2008

FRIENDS

 

By Synthia Esther

 

In this fast paced world in which we live, making new friends and keeping old ones is often difficult.  Most people can count their close friends on one hand.   A friend is someone who steps in when the whole world steps out.   The Bible states in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  How many friends would you lay down your life for?  

Jesus stated He is the good shepherd that lays down His life for the sheep.  The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep.  So when he sees the wolf coming he abandons the sheep and runs away.  Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.  Jesus is the good shepherd, who knows His sheep and His sheep know Him.  They listen to His voice and follow Him. 

* A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother .   Jesus Christ, my Savior and friend, on whom I can depend. 

 

* Proverbs 18:24.

 

Copyright - 2008, Synthia Esther.  All Rights Reserved.

FATHER’S DAY June 1, 2008

     I have a family reunion coming up this month which reminded me of a story I had read in Charles Colson’s book, “Dangerous Grace”.  The story told of a little boy’s chirpy voice greeting an elderly woman who returned his greeting with a hug.   The boy states, ”My name is Yoshi, I’m five years old, and I’m your grandson.”  Yoshi’s young parents stand by his side, with his mother holding a baby in her arms.  

     What seemed to be a family reunion was actually a service offered by a handful of enterprising companies in Japan called “Rent-A-Family”.   According to Colson, news reports in Japan state such companies are doing a brisk business, where elderly couples are so lonely they resort to renting a family.  Japanese sociologists claim the demand for rent- a- family actors and actresses is a result of a culture addicted to work.  Since World War 11 Japan has placed productivity at an all time high.  Americans addicted to work are not far behind in their pursuit of global prosperity.

     I am reminded of the song “Cats In The Cradle” by Harry Chaplin, that tells of a father too busy to give of his time and attention to his young son.  When the son grows up, he is too busy to take time to visit his elderly father.  The lyrics read:

I’ve long since retired and my son’s moved away.  I called him up just the other day.  I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind.”  He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time.  You see, my new job’s a hassel, and the kid’s got the flue, but it’s sure nice talking to you , dad.  It’s been sure nice talking to you.”  And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me, he’d grown up just like me.  My boy was just like me. - Harry Chaplin.

When I searched for the lyric’s on the Internet to quote this song, I found them posted by a man who wrote as a sad tribute, “My dad just died today.”   My heart sank and my mind raced thinking how much my earthly father and mother mean to me.  I am blessed to have a father and mother who love me and Jesus Christ more than life itself.  In the USA, Fathers Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June since being made a national holiday in 1966.  In Australia and New Zealand, fathers are honored the first Sunday in September.  May the words I write prompt all who read them to reach out, love, and honor their father and mother, not only on their special day, but all year long.   May we also cherish our family, and extended family, in a spirit of God’s love, forgiveness, and affection.   For we may be the only “light” of God’s grace, mercy, and love, that they see and come to know.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” - Exodus 20:12.    

Copyright - 2008,  Synthia Esther

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Affliction May 4, 2008

AFFLICTION

By Synthia Esther

Affliction is a source of pain, distress, and suffering.  What man or woman hasn’t felt the pangs of turmoil and strife caused by affliction at one time or another.  We cry out to God for a cure-all, a panacea to end our woes.   When the response from God is one of silence, I have learned by faith to depend on His word to see me through. 

King David said concerning his afflictions, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71).   “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word”.   “You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:67-68).  I look back on the tragic death of my brother, and the strength of my parents unwavering faith in God despite their sorrow in losing their only son (reference story: “Died On The Fourth Of July” - www.synthiaestherministries.org ).    How does a person survive such trials and tribulations?  How do we overcome our sorrow?  

 We believe God’s hand is in the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind (Job 12:11).   We place our faith in God, just as Jochebed, the mother of Mose’s did when she placed him in the Nile river when he was only three months of age.  For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).   We believe that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:27).  Though affliction may come our way…The Lord our God is faithful (2 Thessalonians 3:3).  His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:5).

Copyright 2008,  Synthia Esther

www.synthiaestherministries.org

Chosen April 29, 2008

 CHOSEN

By Synthia Esther                                                          

When I was a young,  skinny little girl on the play ground in elementary school, I use to dread waiting to be picked to play on a tag team.   I oftened said a silent prayer to God, “please don’t let me be the last one picked.”   More often than not I was usually left waiting in the bottom three of chosen team mates.   Looking back my prayers use to be so simple, and straight forward.  To an eight year old my problem seemed of utmost importance. 

Now as an adult, my prayer life is often filled with complexitites we all face from time to time.    As Christians, the struggles we encounter are significant pathways to the perceptible realm of faith when dealing with the affairs of life.   The death of a loved one, the birth of another, both serve to remind us of our human destiny.   A destiny both common to an eight year old child on the playground at school, as well as the eighty year old who faces death in the face.  We are born dying.  Dying within our physical flesh, or dying to the lust of the flesh, all serves a divine purpose and plan.  We all desire to be chosen.  To be accepted.  To be loved.  To be considered worthy.  To know our life has reason.

The exegesis, the critically explanatory look into the soul, often serves to remind us of our past mistakes and failures within our fallen nature.  But praise be to God and Father Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight (Ephesians 1:3-4).  We were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will (Ephesians 1:11).   It is my prayer that you know the hope in which God has called you.  The riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe, we are chosen.  

 Copyright (2008), Synthia Esther

www.synthiaestherministries.org