• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar

Encouragement | Hope | Women | Living Today

Encouragement Hope Women Living Today

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Books
  • Psalm 91 Printables
  • Books I’ve Read
  • 52 Commands of Jesus Color Pages
  • Tasty Tuesday
  • Subscribe for Weekly Email and Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy

turning hearts

April 22, 2015 by admin 40 Comments

Don’t ever believe the lie that the Bible is boring and irrelevant for today. No matter how often I read it I remain amazed at the relevancy of it even in 2015! This morning I was reading in Ezra. Ezra was a priest, a scribe and expert in the words of the Lord’s commandments (Ezra 7.11). It is fairly safe to presume Ezra wrote the Old Testament account bearing his name – he documents the return to Jerusalem covering 120 years, including the end of captivity in Babylon, in two segments. The first being chapters 1 – 6 of the book. These chapters tell the story of the rebuilding of the Temple, and chapters 7 – 10 recount Ezra’s actual return to the City.  It is chapter six that got my attention this morning!

The Temple was near completion and  in Assyria, King Darius ordered a search for a document that outlined what exactly was to be done with the Temple treasures, which were taken into captivity the same time the people were taken out of Jerusalem and into Babylon. That particular scroll was found (read about it here) and every minute detail was carried out with diligence, under a death threat from Darius to anyone who would hinder it.

Ah! Their Temple was now complete – even the articles of the house of God were restored. The returned exiles celebrated The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy!

It is verse 22 that causes me great excitement!

The LORD made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

How do we apply that to our “right now?”

Yes, times have changed – but God has not. Have you been told by someone in authority that you can’t have that job? You can’t go to that school? You don’t qualify for that mortgage or lease?  I am here to remind us that God holds the heart and mind of the king (the authority) and He can turn it however He wants it to go. God can take no’s and turn them into yes’es – I’ve seen it happen. I’ve witnessed the change in a person’s decision – nothing can thwart God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. Absolutely nothing. Don’t be shy with God. Be bold and brave. Go out on a limb. He will be there to catch you – the beauty of this? When we ask, in faith and trust, He is not going to give us something not-good for us. Remember, He sees the beginning from the end and all the in-between stuff. God is a game-changer.

Don’t be shy with God. Be bold and brave. Go out on a limb.

Click To Tweet

He holds and turns hearts.

I thought perhaps we could all use a reminder!

xo

Linking today with:

Three Word Wednesday

Coffee for your Heart

Women with Intention Wednesday

Email0Facebook0Twitter0Google plus0
X

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Heart, Home, Hope Tagged With: Babylon, change of heart, Encouragement, Ezra, faith, grace, heart, Hearts, hope, Jerusalem, journey, King Darius, life, prayer, temple

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kitty Lawrence says

    April 22, 2015 at 9:20 am

    A word in due season.

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 22, 2015 at 10:40 am

      thank YOU!

      Reply
  2. Brittany says

    April 22, 2015 at 9:23 am

    Such an encouraging reminder – thanks! Stopping by from Women with Intention Wednesdays. 🙂

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 22, 2015 at 10:40 am

      Brittany, I changed my link-up with WWI – I didn’t feel as though this was the right “fit”.

      Reply
  3. Hannah Leach says

    April 22, 2015 at 10:58 am

    Be bold, be brave!!!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 22, 2015 at 11:06 am

      …for the Lord your God goes with you! ♫ xo

      Reply
  4. Helemarie says

    April 22, 2015 at 11:56 am

    Oh how I love this, it gives me Hope!! Love, Love, Love this!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 22, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      Love, love, love YOU!

      Reply
  5. Bethany Boring says

    April 22, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    You KNOW I love walking in His Word! LOVE how you are so passionate on here! Go for it! Press past your insecurities and find real JOY in and through His promises! YES YES YES!!! I’m over going YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 22, 2015 at 3:37 pm

      Bethany, I feel a kindredship growing here!!!

      Reply
  6. Anita Ojeda says

    April 22, 2015 at 1:18 pm

    Thank you for the encouragement today, Susan! I’m so grateful that God has things covered and I don’t need to stress (but I seem to need constant reminders of this fact!).

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 22, 2015 at 3:37 pm

      Anita, we all do!

      Reply
  7. beth willis miller says

    April 22, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    Love this, Susan. God is in control. I rest and find such comfort in that. Thanks for stopping by over the backyard fence to say hello…I wish we really were backyard neighbors 🙂

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 22, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      Not sure we’d get anything done, Beth, except talking about the goodness of God!!!

      Reply
  8. Christina says

    April 22, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    Yes! This is so perfect for me today and well, pretty much everyday! God has me helping a lady out with calligraphy, that I have never met before until today. When I first met with her, she mentioned that she has a son named, Ezra. Anyway, I felt like our meeting was a for sure a God appointed thing before reading your post and now, well, this just makes me smile big!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 22, 2015 at 4:22 pm

      Perfect! I love seeing readers smile big!

      Reply
  9. Tara says

    April 22, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    God is indeed a game-changer. Thanks for that reminder today. “God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called!” 🙂

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 22, 2015 at 4:22 pm

      Amen, sister!

      Reply
  10. Laura says

    April 22, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    What a powerful truth to cling to! He holds the king heart in his hands! Nothing is to great for our God! Whooohoo I’m getting excited over here! What a relieft knowing He is in control!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 23, 2015 at 8:38 am

      Feeling it with you, Laura!

      Reply
  11. Barbara says

    April 22, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Wonderful post!! God CAN change a YES to a NO – even the other way around if that is what HE wants!!

    Thank you for reminding us, for sharing this post today!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 23, 2015 at 8:38 am

      Yes, He CAN!

      Reply
  12. Kristin Hill Taylor says

    April 22, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    YES! God is for us – such a good reminder to approach him and know him in a brave way. Thanks for sharing at #ThreeWordWednesday.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 23, 2015 at 8:39 am

      Always, Kristin.

      Reply
  13. Margie says

    April 22, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    Thank you Susan! I am living proof to what God can do when dealing with people in authority. When I was going to college I was told by a woman in authority that I did not qualify for a scholarship. At first I just sat there and excepted what she said. I looked over at my husband as he stared back at me. I stood up and said thank you to the woman and started towards the door. SUDDENLY, I turned around looked at the woman who spoke those words and this is what I said, ” Jesus hasn’t brought me this far to be denied !
    I have more faith than that .” That woman opened a drawer, pulled out a piece of paper, signed it, and said,” You now have this semester paid for!” AND just last month I went into my bosses office and requested that she put me in a different business position. She told me that wouldn’t happen. Two weeks ago she called me into her office and said that she wants to offer me the position that I asked for but I would have to be interviewed with a few other people! I love Jesus with all my heart! In saying all this I have to also say… I don’t always get what I want and I still love Jesus with all my heart!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 23, 2015 at 8:40 am

      Test to testimony, Margie! Love it!

      Reply
  14. Cherie says

    April 22, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    Susan, every time I come, you encourage my heart. You have no idea how much I needed this lesson today. Hugs.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 23, 2015 at 8:40 am

      (((xo))) Cherie!

      Reply
  15. Ali Battersby says

    April 23, 2015 at 9:59 am

    Thanks Susie for reminding us of this! It’s so encouraging to know that God can change the hearts of people in our families and those whom we love but also to know that we can pray for God to change the hearts of those who are leaders in our country and thruout the world. Imagine if everyone of us prayed every day for God to turn the hearts in all the leaders (kings) throughout the world …what a peace filled world it would be!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 23, 2015 at 10:07 am

      Ali, God would have to listen!!!

      Reply
  16. Ali Battersby says

    April 23, 2015 at 10:00 am

    PS it’s also encouraging to know that God can change my heart or turn my heart when it’s not in the right place!:)

    Reply
  17. Jan Hershner says

    April 24, 2015 at 9:03 am

    I’m so thankful that God is in control and has His perfect plan for me. He can do it!! Thank you God!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 24, 2015 at 11:27 am

      NOTHING is impossible with or for Him, Jan!

      Reply
  18. Donna Morscher says

    April 24, 2015 at 7:57 pm

    Thanks Susan. This is so inspirational and a reminder to all of us that God can change it all, yes everything, the unexpected in an instant. Our Lord loves to make the impossible possible.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 25, 2015 at 5:52 pm

      You know, He really can, Donna!

      Reply
  19. Melissa says

    April 27, 2015 at 6:51 am

    This is so encouraging, especially as we go into political season and people are frothing at the mouth about it. It doesn’t matter who holds what office, God is still in control!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 27, 2015 at 9:07 am

      Melissa, yes HE IS!

      Reply
  20. Anita Ojeda says

    February 15, 2018 at 6:05 pm

    I’m bolding asking that God guide my daughter’s fiancé visa process through the red tape! We’d like him to have his visa in time to have a July 15 wedding :).

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 16, 2018 at 6:29 am

      I just worked on two China visas for my boss. Where is fiance from?

      Reply
      • Anita Ojeda says

        February 20, 2018 at 11:15 am

        Brazil. THey submitted everything at the beginning of the year, and the application got accepted and sent on to the next phase…it’s just difficult because they don’t know for sure when it will get approved (they say anywhere from 5-11 months). They don’t want it approved too soon, because there’s a 90-day window of opportunity to have the wedding! Obviously, a man came up with that time frame 😉

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Connect with Me!

Search this site

Join Me On Instagram

Load More...Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Quietude – February 16-17, 2019
  • Five Minute Friday: Confident
  • Making the Choice
  • Quietude: February 9-10, 2019
  • Five Minute Friday: BUILD
  • Abortion – I (almost) had one
  • Quietude – February 2nd – 3rd, 2019
  • Five Minute Friday: WHERE
  • This n That
  • Quietude: January 26-27, 2019
Tweets by @Hopeful50
savethedaughterscom badge
Life Letter Cafe badge
HopeWriter badge

Secondary Sidebar

Susan Shipe

© 2015 | All Rights Reserved | www.HopeHeartHome.com
Wordpress Website & Graphic Designer: DPK Graphic Design