Esther 4:14 Who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

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Special message edition – for such a time as this!

OUR BORDERS [within and without]:

Standing Firm in the Faith:  By now, most of you, my readers, know that we are living in turbulent times. No doubt, even now, with rumors of World War 3 looming, we are also seeing within our borders a No Kings Mass protest that started in Los Angeles and is spreading throughout our nation. These protests are planned to kick off nationally on June 14th, simultaneous with Trump's birthday and his great military parade planned. We are hearing reports of evacuations of US embassies in the Middle East. So much is happening all at once that it may seem unreal.

Friends, let us read the news in God’s Word first because He has foretold us of these turbulent times we are witnessing … not to create fear or panic but to prepare us. We are on the cusp of the end of this age, which I have been declaring, as have others. Unfortunately, we are unfamiliar with these types of situations, unsure possibly to know how to handle them. Many have fallen asleep and gotten too comfortable in this world and in our ways here in North America.

Remember that in the book of Esther, we see her divine purpose. We have a divine purpose also, and that is to stand firm in the Word of God without fear. To be faithful and courageous in the confrontation of the spiritual battle being played out, just as she faced it then.

Mordecai told Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

And I tell you, “Do not think in your heart that living here in North America we will escape trials and turbulence as we are living in these latter days. May we have the same sentiment as Esther did then. For we have been foretold in Scripture that these difficulties would come, and they will continue to worsen until we are “Whooshed” up to Jesus in the clouds. But remember that this battle is a spiritual battle manifesting [being made visible] in our physical realm.

12 For our wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Paul had the same heart of courage as I pray I also have as I wrestle with the same conflict as he did. This conflict of being a warrior here, as I sojourn, while also longing with great anticipation to be where Jesus is. Paul put it this way in Philippians 1:20-26:

20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Paul often writes in different symbolism from the spiritual warfare and our spiritual armor, as well as us running a race. He, through the Holy Spirit of God, writes these to encourage. So let us run the race to obtain the prize. Our protection and our best defense is to remain engaged in the Word of God, for the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even as far as the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrows, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [Hebrews 4:12]

May I encourage you not to be given a spirit of fear, but of sound mind and hope as we watch these spiritual wars of the enemy manifest around us in these latter days, and charge you as did Paul: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. [Ephesians 6:10]

With all sincerity, I believe we are the last generation watching the unfolding of God’s Word before our eyes. So, stay in the Word of God, do not fear, and run the race in full armor, run with all endurance, press on towards the goal to win the prize, hold forth the Word of Life – Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Word of Life and cannot be separated from His spiritual reality, seated at the right hand of Father God, from the Words written in His Book of Books. Finally, let’s finish the race and keep the faith. Jesus is coming soon!

May the peace of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all and stand firm in the Way, Truth, and Life, for we were born and placed here for such a time as this! Song of the hour: Rise Up! Ambassadors in Armor | Spiritual Warfare Song | TribeSong | James 2:26