Esther 6-11.9.22

Scripture

Esther 6:3 NIV 

“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.”

Observation-What does it say?

The King couldn't sleep and all of a sudden requested that the book that chronicles his reign be retrieved and read to him. In the process, it was found that Mordecai saved the King's life by exposing 2 men who planned to assassinate him.  These men were his own trusted officials!  The King wanted to know if Mordecai was honored and recognized for his noble deed. He was told that nothing was done for Mordecai, so King Xerxes made sure to do what was necessary to honor him.  Haman was getting ready to request the death of Mordecai, but instead, the King asked him for ways that he could be honored. Haman thought the King was talking about honoring him, so he suggested the most prestigious and noteworthy way that he could do it. Haman later found out that he would be honoring Mordecai the way he suggested for himself! Talk about humiliation!

Understanding-What does it mean?

Every deed a man or woman does, whether good or bad, always comes to the light.

“For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” Luke 8:17 NIV

Mordecai and Haman were men who were part of two extremes. One was prideful, wanting all of his good deeds to be exposed and honored, while Moredecai was a humble man, who was not even honored or cared to be honored for saving the King's life. But, Mordecai's good deeds were eventually brought to light later on and exalted, while Haman's evil plans were halted. God protected Mordecai, while Haman suffered humiliation as a consequence for his evil plot and prideful heart.

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4 NIV

““So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”” Matthew 20:16 NIV

“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2 NIV

Life Application

Let's learn from Mordecai's humble example and also learn from Haman's prideful and revengeful mistakes.

Humility comes before honor. Pride before the fall. (Proverbs 18:12)

The life of a Christ follower is one where we must die to ourselves daily for the cause of Christ. We lose our lives in order to find it. (Matt. 10:39). Being a disciple of Christ is a very humble calling, with many deeds uncompensated for, unseen and overlooked. However, our all knowing, all seeing and ever present Father sees it all and it is He who we honor and please. We please Him for His glory alone, to further His Kingdom and so that through our good deeds, men will praise Him. (Matthew 5:16). There's no room whatsoever for pride in the life of a servant and disciple.

Dear Jesus, please forgive me for the times that I seek to be honored and recognized for the good deeds I do for people, like my family, church family and other people you have called me to serve. May Your affection and recognition be enough and all that I seek. May I be more like Mordecai than Haman. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Psalm 111-11.8.22

Scripture

Psalms 111:1-2

Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Observation

Praise the Lord – He is worthy to be praised – Great are His works – Remember what He has done for you!!!

Understanding

“If we cannot rejoice in our circumstances, we can always rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4). This opening verse (vs. 1) is actually a vow; the writer is determined to praise God no matter what happens.” Warren Wiersbe BE Bible Study Series

Worship is my favorite! As I sing His praises I am encouraged and my mind and heart are changed. Praising God ushers me into His presence and prepares me to hear from Him. As I ponder His works, I am encouraged by all He has done for me and the miracles He has performed. He has made a way for me in the past, when there seemed to be no way. And if He did it before, He will do it again!

We worship God because He is worthy and He demands our praise, but when we choose to worship, we are changed.

Life Application

Today I choose to worship the Lord and remember His great works! I invite you to join with me and listen to some of the songs below:

What a Beautiful Name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQWFzMvCfLE&list=RDnQWFzMvCfLE&start_radio =1

Behold Him

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNsA44-RynU

Promises Never Fail

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWzC7DdWbF4

So Will I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT4ABF19oEw

-Debbie Dunn

Revelation 13-11.7.22

Scripture

Revelation 13:9 NLT

“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Observation-What does it say?

In this chapter, John tells us about the two powerhouses of the Tribulation Period-the Antichrist (political powerhouse) and the False Prophet (the religious powerhouse). These two will merge church and state, and the results will be disastrous! The Antichrist will become Satan in the flesh and will blaspheme God and mimic Jesus in things Jesus did. From performing miracles, to being raised from the dead, the Antichrist will have the world eating out of the palm of his hand. The people of this world (people whose names are not written in the Book of Life) will worship him (vs. 3-4) and wage war against God’s people. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

When God speaks, we better listen.

Everyone who has ears should listen to the things from our all knowing God. No one has to go through this Tribulation Period that John speaks of in Revelation. GOD LOVES EVERYONE! He is warning everyone. Will anyone be willing to listen and commit their lives to Jesus before it’s too late?

“So faith comes from hearing the Good News. And people hear the Good News when someone tells them about Christ.”-Romans 10:17 ERV

Life Application

Share the good news with someone who needs it.

I will not be discouraged if they reject it when I do share it. I am there to plant a seed in their heart. It is God who turns and softens hearts. Even if their hearts are hardened, and they reject God’s grace and love all the way up till the Tribulation Period, maybe, just maybe, all the words I shared with them about the things I learned in God’s Word will begin to come to light, as they see the things that were written in the Bible are now coming true. Then Lord willing, they can come to the realization that they need Jesus and need to repent from their sin.

Father God I pray that your warnings, Your words do not fall on deaf ears. May the truth You speak set people free! Give me the courage, the words, and the opportunities to share with people the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray this in Your name Lord, Amen.

-Moses Gaddi