[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] Girlfriends in God - April 25

[Eric Calhoun]

I know how to snow ski!  And it takes practice!


Original Message: 
From: "thefamilyoffaith" <TheFamilyofFaith at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>,
<INTERCESSORS-ALLNATIONS at yahoogroups.com>,
<dfpprayerwarriors at suddenlink.net>, <unitedprayermail at aol.com>,
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Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] Girlfriends in God - April 25
Date: 
Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:39:18 -0400


 

     


   
                       
                 
           
                 April 25, 2012
                                To Speak or Not To Speak.that is the
Question
                                Sharon Jaynes 

                                Today's Truth
                                "There is a time for everything, and a
season for every activity under heaven.a time to be silent and a time to
speak," (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7).

                                Friend to Friend
                                When Steven was about seven-years-old, we
went snow skiing. For hours I instructed him in how to stand up, ski down,
and get up once he fell. Steven fell down, and fell down, and fell down. He
was not getting the hang of it at all. What's the problem, I wondered. Then
I found out. It was me. 

                                "Mom," Steven cried, "If you just quit
telling me what to do, I think I could get it."

                                "Fine!" I said as I skied away in
frustration. "Go ahead and do it your way!"

                                And you know what? He did. Thirty minutes
later Steven was cruising down the slopes with ease. See I was the problem.
My continual instruction was hindering Steven from working the maneuvers
out on his own. The day started out being a skiing lesson for Steven, but
ended up being a parenting lesson for me.

                                Sometimes the most powerful words are the
ones we withhold. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every
activity under heaven.a time to be silent and a time to speak,"
(Ecclesiastes 3:1,7). A wise woman learns the difference.

                                In the Bible, Esther is a wonderful
example of a very wise woman who knew that timing was crucial. After much
prayer, fasting and deliberation, she went before the King to make a
petition for her people. It was an important request as the entire Hebrew
nation was at stake. Rather than grovel at the King's feet in dismay, she
very calmly invited him to dinner. When the King attended the soirée the
following evening, once again he invited Esther to make her request. Once
again, she invited him to dinner the following evening.

                                At the second dinner party, the King
offered yet a third opportunity for Esther to make her request. Finally,
Esther revealed the evil Haman's plot to annihilate the entire Hebrew
nation, which included her life as well. It is an amazing story and I
encourage you to read the book of Esther for yourself. But here's a lesson
among the drama. Esther had a very important request for the King. And yet,
it was all about timing. Sure, she could have made the request the first
time she approached the King and he extended the golden scepter in
approval. Yes, she could have made her request at the first dinner party
when he offered her anything she desired, "up to half his kingdom." But
there was something in Esther's spirit that caused her to wait. The time
wasn't quite right.

                                Even though the Bible doesn't tell us
directly, I believe that Esther was listening to God. I believe the Holy
Spirit was telling her to wait. Because she asked herself the question, to
speak or not to speak, and then spoke when the time was right, the entire
Hebrew nation was saved. That is the power of a woman's words offered at
the right time. 

                                "There is a time for everything, and a
season for every activity under heaven.a time to be silent and a time to
speak," (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7).
                                Let's Pray
                                Lord, sometimes I talk too much. Help me
know when to speak and when to keep silent. And Lord, give me the
self-control and courage to do both.
                                In Jesus' Name, Amen.

                                Girlfriends in God
                                P.O. Box 725
                                Matthews, NC 28106

                                info at girlfriendsingod.com
                                www.girlfriendsingod.com
                                 
                                 
                             

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