The book of Esther is a story of dramatic reversals. God (the “chess master”) orchestrated Esther’s promotion from pawn to queen by the Persian king.

I’ve learned to remind myself that, as 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 says, “My sufficiency as a minister for Christ doesn’t come from me; it comes from God.”

Christians are individually and collectively called to be God’s Holy Nation.

However, this article is not about those other translations or meanings of the word charis. Rather, as we read through the letters in the New Covenant Scriptures, we often run into this word, translated “grace,” where a special definition seems to be meant.

Prayer is where the action begins. 

I was looking over blog entries to “The Discipler,” a blog I sometimes wrote even before my years writing for the Herald.

I don’t think I ever submitted to the editor at the time, but the post still has some relevance.

So here it is.

Revival is for the Believer. You cannot REVIVE something you never had.

A key to understanding this section of Scripture is paying close attention to the word sick. What follows is a phrase-by-phrase analysis of the text at hand.

We learn acceptance of life’s changing seasons. Everything that we experience in this life will change.  Like the adage says “there is only one thing sure in this world, and that is change.” 

“Don’t say God is silent while your Bible remains shut.”

I don’t know who it was to say it first, but the statement resonates with me.