CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE
At this time of the year many people are making New Year's resolution, many churches are on various types of fasts and people are attempting to start the new year on a good foot.
But unless we check our attitudes, we will be right back to square one when the novelty of the new year ends.
As we focus on the book of Esther chapters 1-3 let's take a look at a few characteristics that may hinder us from keeping our resolutions or may block our progress.
King Ahasuerus - Showing off riches, goods and accomplishments, speaking about my achievements in my strength and give no glory to God; operate only under the influence of someone or something; can't handle rejection and no control of emotions such as anger, hatred etc...
Vashti - Defiant and disrespectful in front of others, complaining, non-compliant, resistant to orders including things that are beneficial to you like your health etc., conceited, selfish, very uncooperative. No one can get you to do anything, it's either your way or no way.
Memucan- Ready to execute the law, making assumptions, ready to make and enforce strict regimes making life difficult for others.
Kings Servants - Trouble makers and news carriers, seeking to show good face while deliberately aggravating others.
Haman - After you get promoted or elevated you feel you should be worshiped, you despise and scorn others for who or what they represent, have a very hateful revengeful deadly destructive spirit and scheme up plots to gain the "king's" favor.
Vashti - Defiant and disrespectful in front of others, complaining, non-compliant, resistant to orders including things that are beneficial to you like your health etc., conceited, selfish, very uncooperative. No one can get you to do anything, it's either your way or no way.
Memucan- Ready to execute the law, making assumptions, ready to make and enforce strict regimes making life difficult for others.
Kings Servants - Trouble makers and news carriers, seeking to show good face while deliberately aggravating others.
Haman - After you get promoted or elevated you feel you should be worshiped, you despise and scorn others for who or what they represent, have a very hateful revengeful deadly destructive spirit and scheme up plots to gain the "king's" favor.
TODAY'S FOCUS: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
As you take a look at the above let's keep it real and dialogue on...
- Do you see yourself guilty or wearing any of the five (5) hats?
- What are the symptoms that can indicate the presence of any of these characteristics?
- Do you have a remedy or suggestion?
Psalms 51 is a must read to help bring restoration as verse 17 KJV states...
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Ask God to make you to hear joy and gladness!
God bless you and always remember to KEEP THE FAITH!
Virtuous Jewel
This is a lot to chew on. All I can say is I will check myself and my motives to make sure it lines up with what God wants to do in my life and for others. The key is our motive should always bring glory and praise to God. Great reflection here!
ReplyDeleteWhat I find it is so easy to see if the hat fits someone else. We can be so comfortable wearing the hats of these characters that we find reasons for it to be Okay. What I want to do is to really be honest with me and as David say, create in me a clean heart or God. That way I can be truthful and really check my attitude and motives in any given moment. Indeed Sis Melinda J, in all that I do, in all I that I say I want to bring honor glory and praise to my God and King.
ReplyDeleteIf I will be honest with you and others I have seen a little of myself in everyone of the five illustrations above at certain points in myself. But since we have a High Priest in Heaven name Jesus and a Forgiver name Jesus I can surely say and declare, that according to the Psalmist named David in Psalms 51:7: purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thank you Jesus! May we continually go to Jesus to purge not just the feelings but purge the symptoms as well.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Wayne S.