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Written by the Lead Like Jesus team, an organization founded by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges that promotes a transformational leadership model based on following Jesus.

Although the name of God is not found in the book of Esther, God’s shaping of her life and impact is evident throughout her story. Perhaps, like Esther, you find yourself struggling to know how He wants you to live for Him in the midst of great opposition. Let Esther’s example shape your strategy. Draw trusted companions alongside you, pray, and follow the advice of godly mentors. Trust Him to lead your way.

Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. [Esther 4:15-16]

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Written by Bill Gaultiere, a contemporary psychologist and co-founder of Soul Shepherding.

Have you considered that Jesus, our Savior and the risen Christ, is with you in this very moment? This means that Jesus is with you when…You wake up in the morning. You drink your coffee. You meditate on Scripture and pray. You drive to work. You check your emails and attend meetings. You run errands. You eat dinner. You spend time with friends. You watch a movie with your family. You read a book to wind down before bed. You lay your head down to go to sleep. Jesus is present to care for you and guide you in all of your ordinary life. Yet all of us know it’s easy to forget this.  Often we let the busyness and hurry of our schedules overshadow the reality of living with Jesus in the Kingdom of God. The Good Shepherd is present always and wants to participate in all your daily activities. He cares about what you care about and wants to partner with you.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [1 Peter 5:7] 

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Written by George Whitefield (1714-1770), an English Anglican minister and preacher and one of the founders of Methodism.

Let your obedience be constant, universal, and uniform, founded on a living faith in Christ Jesus, that by well-doing you may put to silence the slanders of foolish and evil men. Let your speech, and all your actions, manifest whose disciples you are. Confess your Lord publicly before men, and be not afraid to tell those that have ears to hear, what God has done for your souls. It is good to keep close the secrets of a king, but it is honorable to reveal the works of the Almighty. Above all things, my brethren, have fervent charity among yourselves. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Bear ye one another’s burden and so fulfil the law of Christ. [Galatians 6:2]

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Written by John Newton (1725-1807), an English evangelical Anglican cleric and slavery abolitionist.

The two great points we are called to pursue in this sinful divided world, are peace and holiness…these are the peculiar characteristics of a disciple of Jesus, they are the richest part of the enjoyments of heaven; and so far as they are received into the heart, they bring down heaven upon earth.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. [Hebrews 12:14]

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Written by Thomas Upham (1799-1872), an American philosopher, psychologist, pacifist, poet, author, and educator. He was an important figure in the Holiness Movement.

Be willing to live by believing and neither think nor desire to live in any other way. Be willing to see every outward light extinguished, to see the eclipse of every star in the blue heavens, leaving nothing but darkness and perils around, if God will only leave in thy soul the inner radiance, the pure bright lamp which faith has kindled.

Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe? All things are possible for one who believes. [Mark 9:23]

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Written by Arthur Jackson, a contemporary pastor and writer.

The horrors of September 11, 2001, are forever etched in our collective consciousness. On what started as a normal September day, the nation was shocked as reports of hijacked jets being used as weapons of destruction spread around the world. We as a people were plunged into confusion, simultaneously brought to our senses and to our knees in prayer. In our lives there are days and seasons when it feels like “earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea” (Psalm 46:2); when “the oceans roar and foam” and “the mountains tremble as the waters surge” (v. 3). As much as we would like to, we cannot escape the mind-numbing, life-altering situations that we’d rather avoid. Psalm 46 speaks to people of faith faced with extreme circumstances. Despite the calamities, these poetic expressions of faith and trust prevail in view of God’ power and presence. He “is our refuge and strength” (v. 1). Though earthshaking events may invade our lives, our faith in God need not be shaken. “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress” (v. 11). May we be able to see clearly through the turmoil and tears and frayed emotions to understand that the presence of trouble doesn’t mean the absence of God. According to Psalm 46, it’s just the opposite.

Be still, and know that I am God! [Psalm 46:10]

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Written by Lysa TerKeurst, a contemporary writer and Bible teacher.  This is an excerpt from her book “Embraced.”

Does it ever feel like the heartbreak in your life is trying to break you? … I’ve been in that place where the pain of heartbreak hits with such sudden and sharp force that it feels like it cuts through skin and bone. It’s the kind of pain that leaves us wondering if we’ll ever be able to function like a normal person again. But God has been tenderly reminding me that pain itself is not the enemy. Pain is the indicator that brokenness exists…Pain is the gift that motivates us to fight with brave tenacity and fierce determination, knowing there’s healing on the other side. And in the in-between? In that desperate place where we aren’t quite on the other side of it all yet, and our heart still feels quite raw? Pain is the invitation for God to move in and replace our faltering strength with His. I’m not writing that to throw out spiritual platitudes that sound good; I write it from the depth of a heart that knows it’s the only way.
We must invite God into our pain to help us survive the desperate in-between. The only other choice is to run from the pain by using some method of numbing. But numbing the pain never goes to the source of the real issue to make us healthier. It only silences our screaming need for help. We think we are freeing ourselves from the pain when, in reality, what numbs us imprisons us. If we avoid the hurt, the hurt creates a void in us. It slowly kills the potential for our hearts to fully feel, fully connect, fully love again. It even steals the best in our relationship with God. Pain is the sensation that indicates a transformation is needed. There is a weakness where new strength needs to enter in. And we must choose to pursue long-term strength rather than temporary relief.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. [James 4:8]

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Written by Mark Roberts, a contemporary author.

Jesus does not call us merely to believe that he is the Savior. Rather, he calls us to put our trust in him as our Savior, to confess our sin, and receive forgiveness through his grace. Also, Jesus does not call us merely to believe that he is the Lord. Rather, he calls us to acknowledge him as our Lord, which we do by submitting our entire life to him… Finally, Jesus does not call us merely to observe how he once summoned Simon and Andrew to follow him. Rather, he calls us to follow him today. Of course, we do not have the opportunity to follow Jesus in a literal way, as did the first disciples. We cannot walk in the actual footsteps of the human Jesus. But we do have the privilege of following Jesus in all that we do, in our work, our leadership, our family, our citizenship, our church participation, and so much more. 

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” [Mark 1:16-17]

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Todays devotion is from “Devotions from the Beach” published by Thomas Nelson.

Inexperienced surfers may watch professionals out in the water, lying on their surfboards and letting wave after wave go by.  “Why didn’t he take that one? It looked ideal for a great surf. Surely he missed out on that one.” Then the surfer-pro starts to paddle with his hands and positions his surfboard. The perfect wave has come, and he rides it in powerfully and with such grace that the bystanders stand in awe, gaping at the skill and timing on display. Of course, professional surfers know how to judge the status of the wind and the water so they know the right time to take a wave. Regular beach visitors lack the skills and experience to gauge these things. In the same way, we might look around us at the status of the world and think, Jesus, right about now would be a good time for You to come back. We complain, maybe even challenge God, saying He is late or failing to keep His promise. But God gauges the conditions better than anyone. He knows the right time to bring on the new creation and wipe away every tear. He patiently waits so all have the chance to be saved. Our role is to pray, trust, and spread the gospel, because as sure as the waves roll in every day, Jesus is coming back. He might not ride in on a wave, but we can rest on the guarantee — He will come at the perfect time. Jesus, give me patience and trust to wait for You faithfully.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. [2 Peter 3:9]

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Written by Keri Wyatt Kent, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her book “Breathe.”

We are created in the image of God, and he modeled for us a way of life that makes sense for how we are created. Here’s how to dance the dance of life, he said: work, be creative, use your imagination, throw yourself into it, whether you are washing dishes, reading to your kids and running a household, or trading stocks, reading corporate reports, and running a business … At the end of each day, stop. Take a rest, eat a good meal, get enough sleep, and refresh yourself. Take time to think about your day, to notice where God was in it and where you were blessed, and to say, “It’s good.” Then go back at it the next day. And after six days, take a whole day off. And say, “It’s really good.” Spend a whole day just pausing, just reflecting on how really good it is, and then start the dance again, at a sustainable pace.

Observe the Sabbath because it is holy to you. [Exodus 31:14]

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