tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256471720423259661.post6949000077802708963..comments2024-03-28T06:39:18.769-04:00Comments on Grace-Filled-Moments : Blogging Through the Bible: Esther 1-3Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027682047206582827noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256471720423259661.post-48202947387464554282014-09-03T15:06:50.018-04:002014-09-03T15:06:50.018-04:00Thanks for sharing your S.O.A.P.s Sarah! I loved y...Thanks for sharing your S.O.A.P.s Sarah! I loved your observations and applications! <br /><br />Leaders are in a position of influence...yes, absolutely! Our actions and the words we speak truly matter. <br /><br />I too loved how God orchestrated all the details in Esther's favor because He had a plan to use her to accomplish something wonderful. She went from orphan, to queen, to helping to save an entire people! I know at times I don't understand everything that happens in my life or why, but I've learned that I have to trust that God indeed does have a plan and He is working all things together for my good (Romans 8:28) and quite possibly for the good of others He has put in my path.<br /><br />Amen to your prayers! :)<br /><br />Until Friday,<br />Laurie aka Momma ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06027682047206582827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256471720423259661.post-55829042976653691882014-09-03T14:53:42.502-04:002014-09-03T14:53:42.502-04:00Oh, I love that verse in Proverbs 31! There is muc...Oh, I love that verse in Proverbs 31! There is much to learn from the Proverbs 31 woman! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06027682047206582827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256471720423259661.post-86556620550439837872014-09-03T11:51:02.926-04:002014-09-03T11:51:02.926-04:00Sunday
Esther 1:
Scripture: Esther 1:17,18- 17For ...Sunday<br />Esther 1:<br />Scripture: Esther 1:17,18- 17For this deed will become known to all women, making their husbands contemptible in their eyes, since they will say, King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come. 18This very day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will be telling it to all the king’s princes. So contempt and wrath in plenty will arise. <br />Observation: Queen Vashti served as a leader to her people, specifically to women. Because she was a leader, women looked up to her and the example she set for them. By refusing to come at the king’s command (vs. 12), she set a bad example as a leader for other women in how she treated her husband. <br />Application: Leaders are in a position of influence. Anyone in a leadership position ought to set a good example for others, since they look up to them and the example they set. Because of this, it is so important for leaders to be careful of their words, behavior, and actions, making sure they are in accordance with the word of God. God holds leaders accountable for their actions and how they lead others. If their actions are not aligned with what God wants, they are considered unfit and useless to Him. (Titus 1:16) <br />Prayer: Lord, as a leader, I pray that you would help me remember the influence I have on people. I pray that my words, actions, and behavior would be a reflection of you. Thank you for the position you’ve placed me in. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without you. I pray that you will continually guide and lead me in the direction you would have me go in. In your precious name, Amen!<br /><br />Monday<br />Esther 2: <br />Scripture: Esther 2:15, 17- 15Now when the turn for Esther, the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his own daughter, had come to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s attendant, the keeper of the women, suggested. And Esther won favor in the sight of all who saw her. 17And the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the maidens, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. <br />Observation: From the very beginning, God set Esther apart and granted her favor with everyone she came in contact. God specifically chose Esther to do His work, and here we see this plan being set in motion when Esther is crowned Queen because of her obedience to the Lord’s plan. <br />Application: As Christians, we are God’s chosen people, created to do His work. (Ephesians 2:10) Like Esther, we must be ready and willing to be used by God for His kingdom. Then and only then will He grant us the favor needed to accomplish His plans in and through us, just like He did with Esther. <br />Prayer: God, I ask that you would use me for your work like you used Esther. I’m ready and willing to do your work with an obedient heart. Thank you for wanting to use me for your purpose. In your name, Amen!<br /><br />Tuesday<br />Esther 3:<br />Scripture: Esther 3:2, 5- 2And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and did reverence to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or do him reverence. 5And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or do him reverence, he was very angry.<br />Observation: Mordecai walked with the Lord, so he knew that the only one worthy enough for praise and adoration is God, not man. By not bowing down to Haman like everyone else, he put God first, doing what God would want of him rather than what Haman wanted of him. <br />Application: Like Mordecai, we must stand up and refuse the temptation of bowing down to anything or anyone other than God. <br />Prayer: Lord, you and you alone deserve all praise, honor, and glory. There is none like you. I’m sorry that I don’t always put you first in my life. I pray that you would help me recognize those times when I put other things before you. In your name, Amen!<br />Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445527771688811224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256471720423259661.post-90636301431961510462014-09-03T11:50:11.138-04:002014-09-03T11:50:11.138-04:00I really enjoyed reading what you've learned s...I really enjoyed reading what you've learned so far in Esther. I like how you stated that as women of God we need to be more focused on the condition of our hearts than our outward appearance. I think as women, we all could use that reminder from time to time. Our society has taught us to compare ourselves to one another and that beauty on the outside is more important than the inside. However, this is not what God's word teaches us. Proverbs 31:30 clearly states, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." When it's all said and done, our looks will fade and all that will have mattered is how we lived our life for the Lord. Thanks for sharing that! It was a good reminder for me! <br />Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445527771688811224noreply@blogger.com