You Really Expect me to be in “Good Cheer?!?”

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

These words, from John chapter 16, are the words of Jesus Christ. I never had an understanding of the true meaning behind these words until the Lord led me to dig deeper last night, as I was prepping for the “Her Freedom” radio show.

I want to take a moment and break this verse apart.

In the world ye shall have tribulation
-Greek word: thlipsis- describes a situation so difficult that it causes you to feel stressed, squeezed, pressured or crushed
-It can be translated as distress, affliction or trouble
-It is always indicating a level of intensity that is almost unbearable in the natural

Jesus warns us that life here on earth will not be easy! We will be stressed, pressured, crushed–we will face difficulties. So how then, can Jesus say “Be of good cheer“?

Jesus, man, I am usually NOT cheerful in those seasons (And if I am, you can guess I have put up a wall around my heart in attempt and avoid the pain.)

Good cheer in the greek is two words translated into one: tharseo. This means courageous. It is often translated as fear not, or take heart! This word is used to strengthen someone who is facing hardship or a difficult ordeal. No one in life is without loss, and yet we are told to be courageous during that season.

Jesus is saying, In this world you will go through some distressing times, but take heart and be courageous (Not put on a happy face like nothing is wrong-oops!)

Jesus then proceeds to tell us that He has overcome the world. This Greek word, nikos, is where Nike comes from. It means VICTORY! Jesus’ grammar is implying a continuous and abiding victory. He has overcome the world, He is overcoming the world, and He will overcome the world. What great news!

World in Gree is kosmos, meaning the arena where Satan attempts to wield his influence and describes all the human systems of the world. It is the same word found in 2 Corinthians 4:4 where Satan is the “god of this world.”

Friends, be couragous. The world we live in now is a battle ground. We are battling with the world, the flesh (Our sin) and the devil. But take heart, Jesus has overcome the world.

Thank you Father for this Good News (Greek: To good to be true) that you have come to give me abundant life, and life eternal. It is true that I have experienced loss in my life. Somwehere deep inside my heart is wounded. I fear to even open up these places and yet I long to be free, to know my heart is well. So come, take me by the hand, and lead me into the healing process. Only do not leave me there, but lead me to the places of comfort and gladness. I surrender Jesus. I trust you, I love you. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Live Radio Broadcast on Her Freedom Radio

I will be doing live broadcast next Wednesday for the Her Freedom Show located in Castle Rock, Colorado.

This is my first hour long broadcast with host Janna Kasza.

I have been asked to share some of my life story, as well as discuss my popular speaking topic about “Taking the Walls Down!”

I will be prepping a lot this weekend for the broadcast, and would love your prayer support.

You can listen live on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. (MST) or
on www.castlerockradio.com.

For more info, you can go to www.herfreedom.org.

Have a great weekend and thanks for your support!
Esther

Be a Quick Responder

I love my life. I really do-

I have freedom and joy, and truly believe I live life abundantly. Life sure does have its ups and downs, but for the most part I am happy. One thing that has kept me out of a lot of trouble is learning to be a quick responder to the LORD.

I practice daily to hear God’s voice. This comes (For me) by reading and obeying God’s word. Because He is always at work (John 5:17), I believe He is constantly wanting to speak to us. The question is, are we listening???

I hear a lot of people complain about not hearing the voice of God, or not knowing the heart of God. People always say to me: “I wish I could hear God like you do, Esther.” This question has always frustrated me. I am not more special or deserving to hear from the God of the universe. No way! And frankly, it has nothing to do with my “Good works” anyways! So I have taken this question back to Jesus asking Him for a reason us humans often feel this way.

This verse stuck out to me the other day:
“If you would have responded to my rebuke I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.” -Proverbs 1:23

Is it safe to say that if we don’t respond to God, we will grow numb to sin? What about if we don’t respond, will we fail to know His heart? The more I study the Word of God, the more I see that responding to the Holy Spirit is KEY in hearing the voice of God.

I am seeing countless friends who claim Christianity, yet live a lifestyle of sin- unashamedly. I am well aware that we are ALL sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). I however consider myself a child of God who struggles with sin, not a sinner who struggles to love God. There IS a difference.

I also have a countless number of friends who claim to know God, but fail in being transformed in His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). What are we missing here???

Do you suppose if we live a life refusing to respond to His voice, if He will quit speaking? That thought alone is enough to make me stand in holy fear.

Where are you at with God today? Are you responding to His call? I guarantee if you do, you will hear His heart and know His thoughts. You will be transformed into His (Jesus’) likeness. And that, well that is an abundant life!

Forgiveness…

I had a great weekend in Florida with Jackie Kendall . Jackie has a powerful testimony of forgiving her abusive father. People often compare her to anesthetic when she speaks…she makes you laugh, and then she knocks you out with a sucker punch of truth. Every time I have heard her address the topic of forgiveness, I am immediately drawn to hit my knees asking the Father to forgive me for the things I still hold on to.

Jackie allowed me to read her upcoming book “Free to Last”. It is due out in January 2009, and I tell you…I may buy it for everyone I know. This is by far the best book on forgiveness I have ever read. It is not only hard hitting truth, but it is practical in how to move forward in the forgiveness process.

(side note: You may be hearing a lot of this forgiveness topic as the Lord is graciously taking me through this–again. One thing Jackie also address is forgiving each time a memory pops up, and that is happening frequently with my upcoming book.)

In her book Jackie defines forgiveness as this: to recognize I’ve been hurt or offended, bring resulting hurt, anger, shock or sadness to God, then, by faith, declare forgiveness- over and over.

For years, I failed to recognize the depth of hurts I have gone through.
For years, I was afraid to address the feelings that go along with hurts.
For years, I have tried to forgive in my own strength.
For years, I thought forgiveness was a one time thing. Forgive, and you’re done.

For the first time, I realize I have faith in a lot of areas, but that I must have FAITH also in the area of forgiveness. And once I forgive, I must continue to choose forgiveness. Not easy, especially when your offender is missing, deceased or not repentant–which all of mine are.

In Florida, sitting there reading Jackie’s book, I realized that I have faith, but I also have unbelief. I sometimes think forgiving completely will right the wrong. I often fear that forgiveness will require me to be in relationship with my offender. This is not forgiveness.

For- on behalf of, having a reason
Give- freely transfer possession

I have been forgiven much.
I am constantly forgiven by a God that demands holiness.

I am learning that you, WE, will forgive as effectively as our faith is strong.

Oh Father, help me with my unbelief! Thank you for forgiving me of much. Help me to become a good, quick and authentic forgiver. Help me to in faith, always choose forgiveness. In Jesus name, amen.

New E-mail address for Esther Fleece

I welcome your e-mails:
Esther@Estherfleece.com

(That means you Anna!!!)

God bless

Corporate Blog

I just got through reading the May 2008 Barna Technology Study. In this they address Social Networking, Online Entertainment and Church Podcasts.

In one way I fall into the “Typical blogger” by updating my blog less than once a week (Yikes!) On the other hand, this study reveals: “Blogs are most common among single adults, Northeast residents, homosexuals, those not registered to vote, atheists and agnostics.” Maybe that is why I am having a hard time getting the hang of this blog thing? I fit into only one of those categories (Single) and even in that– I hope not to remain there forever!

To check out my first corporate blog on the team we have at New Iron Media check out www.newironmedia.com under “Thought” or just click here: http://newironmedia.com/thought/

Each member of the New Iron Management team will have a new post each week. I wonder how I will do keeping up with two blogs. **Sigh**

One thing I know for sure, I am having a blast with this group of Rhinos!