Esther_3

Scripture:  Esther 3:2  All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down [b]and paid homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage.

Observation:   In this chapter, we see an edict from Haman aimed at destroying the Jews in Persia.  In pointing out Haman’s genealogy and giving him the title of “Agagite,” it is likely that this is showing him in the line of Agag, the king of Amalek.  In the story of the Exodus, the Amalekites attacked Israel as they were fleeing from Egypt. Because of this attack, “the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:16)  Mordecai, a Jew, is exiled in a foreign land and refuses to obey the edict in obedience to God.  

Understanding:  In the major themes of the Bible, the story of Esther falls under the theme of redemption.  Throughout the Bible, we see both the nation of Israel and individuals go from creation to fall, from fall to redemption, and finally into unity with God in His kingdom.  God is in the process of redeeming us from our exile. And we find ourselves in a personal exile, exiled from the complete relationship with God.  

In our personal story, we face different trials that hinder us from experiencing our redemption.  Whether it be a struggle with addiction, believing a lie about our character from Satan, or our inability to accept the free gift of grace.  We are all in need of a character, or a moment in time, to help us realize we are made for more than what we are currently struggling with. We all need a Mordecai to remind us that we are God’s children and that He is longing for an intimate relationship with us.

Life Application:  Jesus, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Thank you for your love and your grace which covers a multitude of sins.  And thank you for the process you are bringing me through, making me complete so I lack in nothing.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSua9_WhQFE

-Tyler Galloway 

Psalm 66

Scripture 
Psalm 66:16
Come and hear, all you who fear God;    let me tell you what he has done for me.
Observation
The psalmist speaks about going through hardships but God bringing him out of all of it and answering his prayers. 
Ps. 66:17 I cried out to him with my mouth;    his praise was on my tongue.
Understanding 
God answers prayers! 
Remember the day you saw or heard that your prayer had been answered! And you were overwhelmed with joy, even “tears of joy”, and humility, knowing that you deserved none of this except for the fact that the LORD is a good God and does not withhold his love from us! 
 What about a prayer that was deep in your heart? A prayer that only you prayed, a prayer that only you and the LORD know about. 
God has been answering prayer for me this past year like crazy! I have been overwhelmed with how good He is! I have been able to share with those close to me and it has been building their faith also. 
God answers prayer. Let’s share it with those around us!
Application 
Keep on Praying!
As we have seen our prayers answered by God let our faith continue to grow and lets keep asking! 
Let’s ask for our families to be restored! Let’s ask for our children’s lives to be in God's will! 

Let’s ask to be better neighbors! 

 

What will you ask for? 

 

Let’s ask for the impossible! Father, thank you for your goodness! Thank you for your love that keeps pursuing me! Thank you for the miracles that you have been doing this past year! Thank you for growing my faith! Holy Spirit speak to my heart what is in the heart of God. Help me to pray the will of God in my life and for those around me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Deborah Lee 

Esther_1

Scripture

Esther 1: 12 and 19

12 But when the the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger... 19 let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. And let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she.

 

Observation

After a lavish party thrown by King Xerxes, he requests to see his queen, Vashti. Granted, he makes this request while drunk and disorderly, so Vashti refuses to come before him. This angers Xerxes, and he calls his advisors together to find a way to bypass the law. He then creates a royal decree, and begins his search to find a new queen.

 

Understanding

Your story is completed when you help someone else realize or step into theirs.

I’m probably going to take these verses way out of context, but I feel there is still an important lesson to be learned: if it wasn’t for Queen Vashti, Esther never would have been in the picture. Let’s face it, we would be reading and living a much different story than this one. For as strange as this encounter and situation was, it provided the necessary backdrop into the courageous queen we have all come to know and love (I won’t give away too much for those who haven’t read it). Let’s step into Queen Vashti’s shoes for a second. Imagine preceding the main event, or the main person that people have waited to see or didn’t even know they needed. You constantly live in the shadow of something that you’ve been told is greater than you. We see this kind of exchange again in the New Testament with Jesus and John the Baptist. However, these people are so influential to the rest of the story because without them, there really isn’t a story. Crazy right?!

Lately, I have been thinking about the whole idea of those I am “setting up.”  A lot of times I find myself thinking about the generations behind me, and I want to feel confident that I am treating them and their future well. This is so hard for me if I’m gonna be really honest. I love to feel appreciated and like I’m doing a great job, but the reality of setting someone up well is that often times you go unnoticed. You kind of get glossed over. But as depressing as this sounds, it means you are doing your job right.

 

Life Application

Our reward lies in Heaven!

So how effective are you in paving the way for those behind you? Are you being influential to the story, while still giving others their time to shine or are you simply looking for all the attention?

To the ones who feel they are being looked over or going under-appreciated: without you someone else’s “story” doesn’t begin, you are doing your job well (even if it feels like no one notices). God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, and lead others to His Kingdom. Your reward is far greater than the ones that this world have to offer. Finish your race, and finish it well. I believe in you!

-Allison Khan