Does Purim Affect Us Today?

 

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD 

 ~ Isaiah 54:17 NIV

 Since the beginning of creation, Satan has attacked God's people, thinking he could win. When God provided the first sacrifice, He not only showed Adam and Eve there was forgiveness of sin through the coming of His Son, but He told Satan he would be defeated by His Son. So, all through history, Satan has dreamed up plans to stop the coming of the Messiah Jesus. When Jesus was crucified, Satan thought he had won until Jesus came forth from the grave, alive again forever more. So what is Satan trying to do now? 

One of the saddest times in recent history is the Holocaust. Just as horrific is October 7, 2024 massacre. Satan knows one day he will find himself eternally in the bottomless pit, not in control but in eternal punishment of hellfire. His last ditch effort is to destroy God's people, the Jews. 

Psalms tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Peace is not an absence of war. It's not happiness gained with money. No one can have peace without salvation, which gives peace past finding out. In other words, you can't understand the peace God gives without knowing Him in a personal relationship. Scripture says that before the great and terrible day of the Lord, Israel will come to know their Messiah (Zechariah 12). So, we see over and over in history how Satan has tried to destroy the Jews. 

In the 1930's, Julius Streicher began publishing a newspaper, Der Strumer (The Attacker). It was propaganda against the Jews. He also published a children's book, Giftpilz (The Poisonous Mushroom). It, too, was propaganda to turn children against their Jewish schoolmates and neighbors.  He was vehemently anti-Semitic, so much so that after World War II, he was charged with war crimes. He was convicted and sentenced to death. A gallows was built. As he was led to the gallows to be hanged, he said, "Purim 1946". 

Purim was the day the Jews were to be destroyed by Haman. Esther had intervened for God and her people. Now, there is the feast of Purim to celebrate the saving of the Jews from destruction. 

It seems strange that someone who knew the scripture well enough to know he was a modern day Haman would be willing to be used in such a horrific way. In our time, many are trying to destroy our faith. They are trying to silence Christians just as Haman and Streicher tried to do. But as Esther and others stood firm in the face of death, we too must stand firm in proclaiming the gospel, even if it comes to death. Satan cannot prevail against Christ and His Church. 

on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

~Matthew 16:18 ESV

Father, we know you are a good and perfect God. Though we may go through trials and may even face death, You have promised us a place of eternal peace. A place of no more dying, no more tears, and no more pain. Father God, help us look to you for strength in our times of need. May we rejoice in your salvation. In Jesus's name. Amen.


Hey Kids:


Do others make fun of you when you don't go along with their sinful actions?
Are you asked to read books that are against scripture?
These things are happening in many public schools across our country. How can you stand against these things? First and foremost, you have to have a personal relationship with Jesus. 

• There has to be a time and a place where you know you are a sinner, you have done wrong things, like telling a lie, disobeying parents, taking something that doesn't belong to you (these seem like childish things but they carry into adulthood). They are specifically named in the Ten Commandments. 
• There has to be a time and a place where you ask Jesus to forgive you and save you.
• There has to be a change in your life, the way you live and behave that is different than the way you were. It doesn't mean you will never sin again, but it does mean that when you sin, you will feel sorry and ask God's forgiveness so that you stay in the right fellowship with Him. 

God is a powerful helper to those who come to Him for salvation.  If you've never heard or read the stories of Daniel, Esther, and David, let me encourage you to begin learning about these true heroes/heroines of the Bible. 

Trust

 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.~Romans 8:28

Have you ever wondered how you would make it through life if you lost everything except your family and one special treasure?

The Wonder of Birds

  

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:26,33 KJV

A bluebird clung to the very tip of a greening maple tree. Stretching his neck, he sang a sweet trill as he fanned his blue tail feathers. 

A pee-wee sat on the fence, wagging its tail up and down, seeming to balance, then darted off to dance with a bug before snatching it in mid-air.

A wren darted among the awnings, fussing over nothing, its tail pointing upward until it began the fuss, and then with every sound, its tail flapped down like a paddle. 

Each bird is different from the other, yet all are a part of the bird family. Each doing a job, attracting a mate, building homes, and feeding upon God's provision. Each one fulfilling its purpose, while we seem to wander aimlessly in search of we know not what. The birds are not laying up treasures or seeking out fame, but rather raising up another generation to praise God's name each morning and quietly chirp in thankfulness each night.

Father God, help me trust your loving care for each day and seek your kingdom above all. In Jesus name. Amen

Hey Kids:

Has God shown you a purpose for your life? 

What talents do you have? Are you working to improve those talents for the Lord?

What are you noticing from God's creation? Does the behavior of the animals and plants help you see God's purpose for them? 

This week, try making a chart of the different birds you see returning to or passing through your area. What are you observing?

•  Are they searching for nesting places? What's in their beaks? 
• Are they in flocks, resting and scrounging for food before traveling on? 
• Are they going through courtship rituals? You may see a male cardinal feeding his female.

Keeping records of the migration and feeding habits of birds and other animals in your area is one way of learning to record and read statistics (math skills) or for little ones, it's simply learning to count, add, and record. 

Learning can be fun and interesting. 

Older kids may want to try drawing the birds and researching wing patterns and how they help birds fly. 

For more ideas on homeschooling with the birds, http://wonderfilleddays.com is my go-to resource.