Monday - Filial Honor - Genesis 47:12
In this passage of scripture we see Joseph honored his father and brothers by taking care of their everyday needs. He provided for them in such a way that they did not have to worry about the day or the future for it was taken care of by Joseph. Esther found herself in a position where she acted upon the idea of filial honor of taking care of Mordecai and yet he wanted her to expand that action to take care of her people, the Jews. She tried to give comfort and clothing to him but he would not accept it until she did the same for all their people, God's people who were being threatened.
Tuesday - Jews Persecuted - Acts 16:18-21
Over and over again in the Bible we are told of the different times when God's people came under great persecution by different nations and peoples, enemies and instruments in the hands of God. In the ministry of Paul, persecution came upon him and his fellow travelers because they set a girl free from the imprisonment of an evil spirit from which men were profiting. They could no longer use the girl for their own benefit. In the sermon from Sunday we saw that the Jews were about ready to be persecuted, killed because of Haman's selfish feelings and jealousy.
Wednesday - Intercession - Hebrews 7:25
The writer of the book of Hebrews shares with us that not only was the purpose of Jesus Christ's coming to bring salvation into the world, but that His purpose in coming is a part of His present purpose, to make intercession to the Father on our behalf. The writer goes so far as to say that "He always lives to intercede for them (us)." Jesus is our priest and a part of that priesthood is to make intercession on behalf of the people. In Sunday's sermon Esther is called upon to intercede for the people of God, even though it calls her to make tough choices not knowing the outcome. Are we not also to be ready to intercede for those around us that need Christ Jesus and His salvation that will turn their lives to the right.
Thursday - Selfishness - Matthew 25:37-46
Jesus taught His disciples and all that would believe and act upon His word, that we are to care for those less fortunate than we in relationship to fellowship with Christ Jesus. We are to work in several different ways but for the one purpose of drawing others into the kingdom of God. If we do not join in the work of the kingdom how can we expect to be a part of the kingdom? Esther was told by her cousin Mordecai, that she needed to not be selfish and try to save herself from the persecution to come for surely her and her father's house would be destroyed, lost if she did not work to save her people from destruction. It was not a time to think of her self alone, just as we must not just think of ourselves as we draw closer to the time of Christ's return.
Friday - Neglect of Duty - James 4:17
Esther faced a tough decision of what she was going to do and what the outcome might be for her and her people. But her duty was to be a leader who allowed herself to be used by God, willing to do His will, fulfill His plan of salvation for the nation of Israel. James tells us that it is a must to do what we know is the right thing to do, to avoid the consequences of sin. Yes, James tells us, under the inspiration of God , that "Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sin" (NIV). To neglect to do what God has placed us in the situation to do, is working against God.
Saturday - Self-sacrifice - Hebrews 11:25-27
The writer of Hebrews shares with us that Moses chose to sacrifice any claims that he had in connection with Pharaoh or his daughter, to suffer with his people the Israelites, for to do otherwise was wrong, sinful. Esther realized that she would have to make a similar decision to stay in the favor of God, even if it meant that she would not be in the favor of the king. Sacrifice has been the calling for all who would align their lives with the will of God. The writer of Hebrews shares that Moses had captured a vision of the One who is invisible and knew that he must serve Him. We, who call ourselves by His name must also sacrifice all for Him!
In this passage of scripture we see Joseph honored his father and brothers by taking care of their everyday needs. He provided for them in such a way that they did not have to worry about the day or the future for it was taken care of by Joseph. Esther found herself in a position where she acted upon the idea of filial honor of taking care of Mordecai and yet he wanted her to expand that action to take care of her people, the Jews. She tried to give comfort and clothing to him but he would not accept it until she did the same for all their people, God's people who were being threatened.
Tuesday - Jews Persecuted - Acts 16:18-21
Over and over again in the Bible we are told of the different times when God's people came under great persecution by different nations and peoples, enemies and instruments in the hands of God. In the ministry of Paul, persecution came upon him and his fellow travelers because they set a girl free from the imprisonment of an evil spirit from which men were profiting. They could no longer use the girl for their own benefit. In the sermon from Sunday we saw that the Jews were about ready to be persecuted, killed because of Haman's selfish feelings and jealousy.
Wednesday - Intercession - Hebrews 7:25
The writer of the book of Hebrews shares with us that not only was the purpose of Jesus Christ's coming to bring salvation into the world, but that His purpose in coming is a part of His present purpose, to make intercession to the Father on our behalf. The writer goes so far as to say that "He always lives to intercede for them (us)." Jesus is our priest and a part of that priesthood is to make intercession on behalf of the people. In Sunday's sermon Esther is called upon to intercede for the people of God, even though it calls her to make tough choices not knowing the outcome. Are we not also to be ready to intercede for those around us that need Christ Jesus and His salvation that will turn their lives to the right.
Thursday - Selfishness - Matthew 25:37-46
Jesus taught His disciples and all that would believe and act upon His word, that we are to care for those less fortunate than we in relationship to fellowship with Christ Jesus. We are to work in several different ways but for the one purpose of drawing others into the kingdom of God. If we do not join in the work of the kingdom how can we expect to be a part of the kingdom? Esther was told by her cousin Mordecai, that she needed to not be selfish and try to save herself from the persecution to come for surely her and her father's house would be destroyed, lost if she did not work to save her people from destruction. It was not a time to think of her self alone, just as we must not just think of ourselves as we draw closer to the time of Christ's return.
Friday - Neglect of Duty - James 4:17
Esther faced a tough decision of what she was going to do and what the outcome might be for her and her people. But her duty was to be a leader who allowed herself to be used by God, willing to do His will, fulfill His plan of salvation for the nation of Israel. James tells us that it is a must to do what we know is the right thing to do, to avoid the consequences of sin. Yes, James tells us, under the inspiration of God , that "Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sin" (NIV). To neglect to do what God has placed us in the situation to do, is working against God.
Saturday - Self-sacrifice - Hebrews 11:25-27
The writer of Hebrews shares with us that Moses chose to sacrifice any claims that he had in connection with Pharaoh or his daughter, to suffer with his people the Israelites, for to do otherwise was wrong, sinful. Esther realized that she would have to make a similar decision to stay in the favor of God, even if it meant that she would not be in the favor of the king. Sacrifice has been the calling for all who would align their lives with the will of God. The writer of Hebrews shares that Moses had captured a vision of the One who is invisible and knew that he must serve Him. We, who call ourselves by His name must also sacrifice all for Him!
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