Drb Kids

Esther was a great listener. She listened to her uncle Mordecai. And she listened to the Eunich who was in charge of taking care of her. She was humble, and she listened. Esther's humility and her willingness to learn and to listen from others is going to play a very important part of this story that we're about to hear. Not only is her life going to be changed and saved because of it, but the lives of her family, and all of our people. May God give us humble hearts, humble, teachable, and ready to respond when God speaks to us. Amen.  

People heard God's word and they wept. And they feasted. It was like a family member who had come home after a long journey. And finally, they were back together with the people that they loved. It was like they were being introduced to the God who loved them all over again. And they were hearing for the first time, how precious they were in the eyes of God. And that's why we read the Bible every day. When we do, we are reminded of who we are. We're reminded that we're at home with God, and we're reminded how precious we are to him. And that is such good news.  

Nehemiah was very angry, and rightfully so, instead of helping their poor neighbors, they were trying to make money from them. They were exploiting people's poverty in order to make themselves more and more rich. And that's no way for God's people to act. And Nehemiah, when he found out, he took action to help the poor, we must never let our advantage be a means to take advantage of others. We must always be looking for ways that we can serve and help who have less advantage then we.  God's heart is for the poor, as it is for all people. May God give us the heart that He has for the poor, for the world, and teach us His ways of righteousness. Amen.  

Wow, what a time of stress and tension. The enemies were insulting them and mocking them and threatening them. And it's real easy to get discouraged when those kinds of things are happening. And yet God gave Nehemiah and the leaders wisdom on how to continue to do the work, even when they're facing such hostile opposition. God can do that for us too. Sometimes people attack us. Sometimes they say terrible things about us. And that can be so discouraging. But when that happens, we can do what Nehemiah did, he prayed? He prayed and God gave him wisdom on how to continue to go forward, even when being attacked. And God will do that for you. Just as he did for Nehemiah, and that is really good news.  

Naman wanted to see if the power of God could heal him. But when I liked it told him to wash in the Jordan River name and didn't want to do it. Then he humbled himself, and he obeyed and he was healed. Sometimes we experienced physical healing in this world, like naming, and sometimes we don't. And that doesn't mean that God loves the ones that he heals. And he doesn't love the ones that don't get healed. No, God loves everyone. And he heals us according to his own purposes in this life. But there is a kind of healing that takes place in us. When we humble ourselves and obey the way that naman did. When we humble ourselves and obey God. It's then that we begin to experience healing and his life now in us and my friend is great news.  

What a story. A Elisha's request was big. He wanted to be the next prophet of Israel, just like Elijah, and only God could grant that request. But God gave Elisha what he desired because God knew that this man was not interested in fame or power. Rather, Elisha wanted to do more for God. When our desires are in tune with God's desires, we can accomplish so much more than we ever thought or imagined. And that is good news.  

What a story. Elijah was tired and he was scared and he was on the run. He just wanted to stop. He wanted it all to stop. So we sat down under that solitary tree. But God helped him. God was able to nourish him and strengthen him. God touched him, gave them food and water, and helped him go on his way. Sometimes in life, even in young lives, we get tired. And sometimes we just need to take a nap and receive from God, receive his encouragement, receive his rest, receive His love. That's what happened to Elijah. And that is for you, too. When you are tired when you're discouraged, when you just want to sit down, you can do that. God will give you rest and he will strengthen and nourish you and He will love you and my friend is such good news.  

Sometimes, and some days, all that is needed is praise. Praise Him for His presence. His mighty works His unequaled greatness. Praise Him. Sometimes everything that has breath must praise the Lord. Today, let me encourage you to reflect upon Psalm 150. And let me encourage you to take some time, even during our time of silence. And instead of silence Let us praise the Lord. Praise Him for His presence in your life. Praise him for his work, that mighty work that made you one with himself. Praise Him for the breath of life, to live, to move, to have your very being in him. Praise the Lord.  

Wow, what a story. Solomon, the wisest man in the world had a son, Rehoboam, who refused to do what was wise. When he asked his father's advisors what he should do, they told him that he should be a servant, that if he served his people, and gave them a favorable answer, they would be loyal to him. For all the days of his reign, it takes some wisdom to see that being a servant is the wisest way to lead your people. The younger advisors, they lacked wisdom, just as Rehoboam  did and instead of being a servant, they said he should just be a harsh ruler, but the way of wisdom knows better. And we see this most clearly. In Jesus, his disciples were arguing about who was the greatest and Jesus spoke these wise words. Whoever wants to be the greatest must be the servant of all. And those are wise Words To Live by.  

What a story. The Queen of Sheba was so impressed with Solomon's wisdom. Yet she recognized that it was God who had blessed Solomon with these gifts. And so the Queen praised God for the wisdom that Solomon had. In the book of James, it says that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God because He is all wise and he is generous, and he gives us every good and perfect gift. And he desires to help you. So the next time you need wisdom, you can go to someone who is far wiser than Solomon. And that wisdom will be yours. And that is good news.    

What a story that is. God gives Solomon wisdom, not to show how smart he is, but to help people who are in need, to help to render justice in this world. And that is something that is so good and so important. And that's something that God can give us, wise hearts so that we know the way of justice, and so we too, can help people. Wonderful.