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Esther 4:13-16

And Mordecai said to Hathach, “Go and say to Esther, ‘Do not say to yourself that you alone will be saved in the kingdom apart from all the other Jews. For if you choose not to heed this request at this time, help and deliverance for the Jews will arise elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. Besides, who knows whether it is for this occasion you reign as queen? ‘” Then Esther dispatched the one who came to her to Mordecai, saying, “Go and assemble together the Jews in Susa. Fast for me; do not eat or drink for three full days and three full nights. I and my maids will also fast. Then I will go to the king, contrary to the law, even if I am to perish.”

Encouraging Words…

This passage is such a clear challenge to the concept of predestination. Mordecai makes it clear that God has a plan for His people, and that Esther may have a critical role in that plan. However, he also makes it clear that Esther has a choice and if she chooses not to be a part of this plan then God will find someone else who is willing. God did create us with free will, the ability to choose for ourselves what we want to do. He does not force us to do His will. It is a mystery. However, when we choose to do His will we are blessed. This passage also speaks against individualism in the body of Christ. We need each other. We need to do things throughout life with each other in our Christian community. We are not Lone Rangers. Fellowship and companionship is exhibited in the trinity and should be in our lives as well.

Proverbs 14:30 (14:31 LXX)

A man with a gentle spirit is a healer of the heart,
But a sensual heart is the moth of the bones.

Personal Challenge…
Isn’t it our sensual heart, our heart that is driven by our passions, that causes us to turn from God and to sin. These passions: greed, lust, gluttony, anger, sadness vanity, pride, and acedia are what turn our hearts and our minds toward the enemy. They are then followed by sin and separation from God. Better yet to treat them quickly with a gentle hear and pursue generosity, chaste love, moderation, gentleness, gladness, magnanimity, humility and spiritual awareness so that our heart can be healed.

Psalm 5:11-12 (5:12-13 LXX)

But let all who hope in You be glad;
They will greatly rejoice forever,
For You will dwell in them;
And all who love Your name will boast in You.
For You will bless the righteous;
O Lord, You crowned us with the shield of Your goodwill

Encouraging Words…

Our God is so gracious to us, His children. Not only does He bless us throughout eternity and guide and protect us throughout this life, but He also made it possible for everyone to become one of His children through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. How many religions require works with no true open door to the kingdom of God? Jesus not only opened and became the door, but He knocks on the door of our hearts to bring us to Him.

Psalm 3:3-4 (3:4-7 LXX)

But You, O Lord, are my protector,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill.
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord will help me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who set themselves against me all around.

Encouraging Words…

“I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me…” What a blessing it is to be in a relationship with our living God. He hears our voices when we call out to Him. He is our protector, our glory, and the One who lifts us up. Not only will He help us, but He will guard us from those who attack us in our love for Him. This is not just one sided though. We must also cry out to Him and trust in Him as well.

Colossians 3:23-24

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Personal Challenge…

Sometimes it appears like this commandment has been totally ignored by our modern church membership. Whether it be in the workplace, our homes, our places of worship, or wherever, we are to do everything in a way that glorifies our God. This is especially important in our work within the body of Christ. We are His servants, His workers, and if the body is to thrive we must do all with great diligence and commitment.

Mark 9:32-35

But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.

Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Personal Challenge…

Servanthood! That occupation, that way of being that all of us in Christ are called to. By being a servant we put others first and begin the process of fulfilling the great commandment to love God and others.

1 John 1:5-7

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Personal Challenge…

Whenever we find ourselves in that space in life where everything seems out of whack, out of sorts, or confused, then we need to assess where we are with spending quality time with our Lord, basking and walking in His light. He is our source of order, peace, and completion. The further we have wandered from Him the less of this we experience.

Hebrews 4:14-16

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Encouraging Words…

Glory be to God for through our High Priest, Jesus Christ, we have grace poured out upon us as an anointing balm, a cleansing oil, a healing ointment. Through Him I will have the grace to make it through anything.

Romans 12:9

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

Personal Challenge…

How do I love without hypocrisy? Hypocrisy is living a lie, saying one thing and doing something else. If I say that I love someone and yet not exhibit true love to that person…even when I am tired, or weary, or overwhelmed, then I am being hypocritical in my love. If I am to be like Christ I am to love even as the world is pressing in on me. Besides, I must always remember that the person that I am loving may also be tired, weary, and overwhelmed. Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Zechariah 7:9-10

Thus says the Lord Almighty: ‘Render a just judgment; show mercy and compassion each to his brother. Do not oppress the widow, or the orphan, or the foreigner, or the poor. And let not one remember in his heart any wrong of his brother.’

Personal Challenge…

Once again we are reminded to be other focused, to put the needs of others before our own…especially the widow, the orphans, the foreigner, and the poor. Isn’t this the ultimate expression of faith in our God? Faith that He will meet our own needs as we strive to meet the needs of others. Faith that we will never run out of resources as we cease to hoard them and give them to others. Faith in our God.