Esther Chapter 1

This week, I began a ladies study through the book of Esther

The verse for the definition of this Bible study is: “Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD, and who meditate on His name. Malachi 3:16

Notes for Week 1, Chapter 1: Lesson 1

What’s the most amazing factor about the book of Esther? It’s what makes many question its inclusion in the Bible. Esther is the book that never mentions God by name, yet it is where God moves everything for His glory. God shows His mighty power and Sovereignty over all His creation. 

This is a great book that proves the action of faith without sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7. For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Corrie Ten Boom said it this way, “Trust the unknown future to a known God”

We don’t need to see God but we see Him in all that He does. 

In the Book of Acts 2:2, the upper room was filled with the sound of a rushing mighty wind. There was no wind, God supplied only the sound. At that time, the Holy Spirit chose that sound as His entrance, as proof of His appearance. They didn’t see God but they certainly knew He was in the room.

When God came to Mount Sinai, the children of Israel saw only great dark clouds, and lightning, and heard thunders. They didn’t see God but they knew He was present.

God isn’t mentioned in Esther but He certainly is in it. As we see the appearance of God throughout this book, it is because God moves the natural in ways that are unnatural to the world. Miracles are only special from our side of heaven, because nothing is miraculous with God. Miracles are work as usual for God. 

That makes the book of Esther one of the most powerful books of faith we can read. It is a great book of faith, for what is faith but in the belief that God will answer prayer and do all things good for His glory and the salvation of the world. We don’t see God but we pray anyway.

The more we read the Bible, the more we know the Power of God. The more we know the power of God, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the less we fear the chaos of the world. The more we understand our Awesome God, the more set apart from the world we can live. A greater peace will exist in us.

 We read and meditate on the word of Almighty God and our faith is in the One and only God who has proven Himself over and over again. The gospels are great lessons of the realness of our Awesome God, His love for us and His power over everything He created. John 1:1-4

We don’t need to see God but God loves us and will keep us, no matter what happens around us.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary gives the purpose of writing this book of Esther was to encourage the returning Jewish exiles by reminding them of the faithfulness of God.

Esther is a great work of faith for us today, proving God, whom we can’t see, but it proves Him so beautifully.

Historically, there’s a lot of national things going on at this time. The Jews have been freed from their 70 years captivity for disobedience to God and many have returned to Jerusalem. Esther’s story occurs between Chapters 6 & 7 of the book of Ezra. (Ezra 6: 19-22)

The nation of Israel was back in business. They were now sacrificing with what David describes as a broken and contrite heart. All those years they had not obeyed God with all the Sabbath years had placed them in captivity for 70 years. Now, a remnant returned to worship with the correct heart for God and His Holiness.

In the gap between Ezra 6 & 7, King Ahasuerus comes to the throne of the now mixed rule of the Medes and the Persians. When the book of Esther opens he’s ruled for 7 years.

The kingdom of Media and Persia are not a very solid national structure. Their weakness is described in the Daniel prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the huge statue. King Aharuerus reigns during time represented by the silver torso. Also Daniel prophesizes of the bear devouring the three ribs. And again the Ram with two horns destroyed by the goat. All three symbols means the kingdom is weak in its divided alliance.

Esther 1:1-5

I’m not going into much about the history as I want to focus on God in this book. But some is necessary and it really brings God’s sovereignty to the forefront.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary says this about the king:

Much evidence supports the historicity of the facts in this book. Xerxes was a real king in Persia. His drinking parties were well known. Xerxes did have an irrational temper, occasionally exhibiting fits of rage. He did have a palace in Susa and a large harem there. Various features of the court can also be substantiated from other sources. (BKC pg 700/701)

As for the instability of king’s mind, when attempting the campaign to conquer Greece, the king ordered a stretch of water whipped and had shackles thrown into it because the violent current washed away his bridge.

The king was about to go into a huge battle to try to add Greece to his list of conquered nations. He throws a great party in the capital to prove he’s going to win. This way the lesser rulers of the semi-detached smaller states within his kingdom would support his fight. Daniel’s interpretations of the weakness of the cohesiveness of this kingdom are evident because Xerxes doesn’t appear able to give an executive order and have an army fight for him. Doesn’t say much for his authority.

Our God lives outside of the time He created, can see all the empires of the world before Him at all times. He sees and has seen King Xerxes defeated.

God is so awesome!!! We cannot but worship Him.

While the king is throwing a party for the men, Vashti, the Queen matches his extravagance for the women. We can assume she too is attempting to bolster the moral of the ladies who very well may become widows in the next few years of war. Widows have never had a good success in any nation, including those of nobility.

In his party, the king does a dumb thing. He commands his wife, the Queen, walk the palace runway in her finery and she refuses to parade before him and his drunken cohorts. He should never have made the command. Esther 1:10-18.

There is a sense that Vashti’s refusal to come at the King’s command was right, that is the respect for the men in the room. Respecting her husband’s throne, even if he wasn't showing respect for it.

But she was also wrong refusing to come at his command, for it was open disobedience, shaming her husband and her king.

The King was wrong and Vashti was wrong. In fact—the entire scenario was wrong. And although it was wrong, Vashti should have obeyed anyway. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

But there was something right in it as well. Anyone take a guess? (God’s sovereignty.) Proverbs 21:1

This drunken command brings more proof of Xerxes weakness to rule such a vast kingdom. It probably disgusted some of the men at the feast, because women were not to be included in counsels of war, if in fact that is Xerxes reason for the party.

Humiliated in front of the people he was attempting to impress, the king makes a law while he’s drunk. The worst case scenario just became a disaster of a catastrophic earthquake.

Esther 1: 19-21

Do you feel sad for Vashti? Well, don’t. she’s a pagan idol worshiper. She doesn’t know Jesus as her Savior. She doesn’t worship the One and Holy GOD. She is a drunken woman, who worshiped false gods. She’s the Queen of Persia. She’s a heathen who rules over a nation of slaves conquered in war. She has the right to order anyone whipped or imprisoned, or killed for any reason she wanted. This woman is in all probability just as cruel as her husband, the King is. 

The Bible gives us several women in power who misused their positions.

Jezebel was a queen and a murderess. (1 Kings 21)

Athaliah was a crazy murderous queen of Judah. (2 Kings 11)

 Potiphar’s wife had control over Joseph as a slave. (Genesis 39)

Vashti is described as very beautiful—but Proverbs says this, As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion” Proverbs 11:22. Vashti’s outward beauty was destroyed not only by her husband’s drunkenness, but by her own drunkenness. (Ephesians 5:18.)

Recorded in Luke, is Jesus words to the woman at the well.

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” Luke 4:23,24.

We also have these words from Jesus that encourage our faith in Almighty God, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 14:33. 

The nation of the Medes and Persians was under the ruling hand of a weak, pagan, temperamental king, the children of Israel were still subjects of this kingdom, but they had the One and Living God working on their behalf. Even though we Christians live in troubling times, we have the One and Living God working for us. Let us look up with gladness and joy and anticipation. Our redemption draws near. Hallelujah!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

We serve an Awesome God!

Lesson Points:

1.     Every book in the Bible has significance.

2.     We walk by faith, not by sight: 2 Corinthians 5:7 (1 Peter 1:8)

3.     God moves the natural in ways that are unnatural to the world.

4.     Esther is one of the most powerful books of faith

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The Miracle of Good Works: Part 3

My home church, Grace Bible Church, offered me the privilege of speaking at the ladies Christmas Tea this year. Here are my notes from my 20 minutes talk to the room of 40+ women, representing

several churches.

This is part three. Be sure to read parts part 1 & part 2 also.

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The Miracle of Good Works: Part Three

Just as Jesus had works to do for God the Father while He walked on this earth, so we also have works to do for God while we are still living here.

When Isaiah saw Almighty God on His throne, he asked God to send him into his work.

Ephesians 3:11 says we have a boldness to enter into the throne room of God. That’s where our marching orders come from. And the more we come to the throne room of God—the more we will see God and His glorious works on earth. And apart from the times of direct Divine interventions, God glorious works get done through His church. That’s us! What a privilege!

Do you know that just coming to a Sunday service is exercising your faith? Why else would you come to hear a man speak for an hour from this book? You believe in the God who wrote it, that’s the why.

James 1:27 says pure and undefiled religion before God is to visit widows and orphans and keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Consider this--women who have unsaved husbands can be seen as widows in the church, and children who are the only Christians in their homes can be seen as orphans. They need your help, your strength, your Spiritual guidance?

The Bible is our key to the mind of God—If you want to make a list of what constitutes good works in the name of God—read the Bible.

Ephesians 2:10 implies God has different good works for everyone to do. Don’t get hung up on someone else’s service to God. Somethings God has given to me weren’t meant for you and things He’s given you weren’t meant for me. God is still the originator.

Corinthians says the body of Christ has different functions. I’m a Big Toe and you’re an Ear. I as a big toe can’t listen compassionately to the pain of others, but my work is to keep the body balanced and mobile. And no one walks on their ears.

The ears wear pretty jewelry, but piercing a big toe would be weird. The ear is out in the open and delicate, while the big toe gets shoved into stinky socks and slammed into furniture.

No matter our different works, our most important work is to be witnesses to Him. The Holy Spirit enables us to walk naturally as Christians. The good works will just happen as we live our lives in Jesus. That’s not something consciously done but unconsciously done.

Not everyone is suited for children’s church, nursery, teen groups, Senior services. Or you can’t possibly give any more then you’re already giving? You’re not able to visit homebound, or make telephone calls? But everyone can encourage those who can and do. Strengthen their ministry. Be a firm foundation of faith for them.

The first church in Acts 2 grew because the believers gathered together and rejoiced in their salvation. That’s all they did and God brought more people in.

Your presence where you gather for worship is a witness to everyone who drives by your church. Jesus said where two or three are gathered in My name, I am in their midst” Where you consistently gather, God will bring people, because He wants the unsaved saved.

Our good works originate in heaven—always remember that. God created us—that means He created our faith and good works. They’re His works to begin with—we just do them as they come to us. The more you do, the more will come. God knows your capacity and your limits. Don’t worry about the power, He is it. He empowers us to do all the things we need to do for Him.

Ask Him to fill you afresh every day to do all you can for His glory.

Whatever you do as a Christian woman to help build, strengthen, and encourage others is a good work. Whatever helps spread the gospel is a part of the greater work Jesus left for us to do. “Go therefore into all the world and present the gospel, making disciples.”

We’re familiar with Galatians 6:9 & 10. "And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith”

But there’s an added extreme to our commissioned works for God. We have the privilege of not only having Almighty God reveal His plans for us, He empowers us to do all He has planned for us. We don’t do it on our own strength, power, and resources. God supplies all of it. We’re just the head, hands, & feet that get it done.

Hebrews 12 teaches me to recognize the Author and Finisher of my faith. The one who commissioned me for it.

When the disciples came back rejoicing because they overpowered demons, Jesus said “Don’t rejoice over that, Rejoice your names are in the Book of Life” (Luke 10:20). Our boasting’s not in the work—but in the One for whom we work.

Paul, while shut up in prison was occupied with his major employment, his prayers.

He says in his 1 letter to the Corinthians “I work harder than any of them, though it is not I, but the grace of God that is with me” 1 Corinthians 15:10. 

If you can’t do something physically, prayer is the ultimate expression of faith. For no one can see your prayer. No one can quantify your prayer. No one can put a cost on your prayer. No one can steal your prayer. No one can destroy your prayer with hate, or material harm. No one can take the credit for your prayer. No one can speak the prayers God has given you to speak. 

Your faith is proven the greatest when you pray. If you can’t do anything else—prayer is your greatest work for you are seeking God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. He can work through your prayer of faith to do mighty things.

Conclude Repeat Ephesians 2:8-10

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 explicitly explains that if you’re not a born again believer in Christ Jesus—you have no good works to do for Him. You are saved by grace through faith, not of works. No good work is able to save anybody.

You cannot expect God to accept your work before you are born again into Christ Jesus by faith. You first have to come to God the Father believing Jesus took the wrath of God by His death on the cross for your sins.

And after we’re saved, let’s not approach doing good works as a duty—I have to do this because I’m a Christian—instead let us live as a Christian because it is the most ordinary thing we do as one in Christ Jesus. They originate with Him.

The good works are ready for us—the miracles of good works on earth for God our Father’s glory.

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Are They All Spiritualy Healthy?

Are you concerned about the Spiritual health of your brothers and sisters?

Do you think because someone is a member of your assembly that they have a good grasp of their salvation in Christ?

Or because someone comes on Sunday, or to any studies, or Bible activities in your church building that they are safely living their new life of Christ in the world?

God shows us that just by asking a few simple questions, we can find out the spiritual health of a fellow believer. To know this, read the gospels and the book of Acts to see how the many gifts of God are used to bring people to know Jesus and His death on the cross. It was for their Spiritual needs; the immanent necessity of knowledge to obtain the righteousness given by Jesus' death on the cross.

God has more concern for the spiritual health of His people than their physical needs.

"Therefore, do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" Matthew 6:31-33

• We trivialize the cross of Jesus Christ by making it pretty.
• We make the cross of Jesus Christ frivolous by making it a symbol.
• We accessorize the cross of Jesus Christ as what God did from love.

The cross of Jesus Christ is the wrath of God.

"The only ground on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the cross of Christ; to put forgiveness on any other ground is in unconscious blasphemy."

Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" Proverbs 1:7

"Bear one another's burdens , and so fulfil the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2.

(Jesus said), "This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you" John 15:12

Ask a few questions to see how your brothers and sisters in Christ are doing in their Christian walk and help them where they need strengthening.

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Can You Trust God When Your Ship Is Sinking?

Paul suffered the perils of a severe shipwreck recorded in Acts 27.

"Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up" Acts 27:20.

Paul was in chains, a political prisoner on his way to the High Court of Rome and the ship that his guards had placed them on was going down in a horrendous winter storm. Paul never lost his faith, even though everything around him was literally coming apart.

A successful missionary, vexed by many trials, Paul probably needed some encouragement often, yet even in this particular life-threatening peril, while apparently personally fearful, he prayed for everyone else.

God dispatched an angel to encourage Paul."Saying, "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you" Acts 27:24.

God didn't calm the storm, it raged on for days, yet Paul's faith in God's control saved everyone's life. The guards wanted to kill the prisoners to keep anyone escaping during the sinking and the sailors attempted to save themselves and abandon the passengers. Paul's concerns are for the lives of everyone around him. He trusted God's love for their souls, and didn't get distracted by the loss of the material.

God never says our ministries will be easy, or that what we know of God will be accepted by everyone around us, but even when the ship is sinking, we need to remember that our focus is on God, not on the sinking ship under our feet. God cares for people's souls and not necessarily their material comfort. While common sense says we need this, or that to serve God, God says, "All you need is Me. Look to Me and I'll take care of all the material things." (Matthew 6:33)

Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest says this about trusting God even while common sense says it can't work that way.

"If a man (woman) is going to do anything worth while, there are times when he has to risk everything on his leap, and in the spiritual domain Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold by common sense and leap into what He says, and (when) you immediately do, you find that what He says fits on as solidly as common sense.....Trust God entirely, and when he brings you to the venture, see that you take it. We act like pagans in a crisis, only one out of a crowd is daring enough to bank his faith in the character of God.

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The One & Only Jesus Christ

It is so sad to find as you're talking to someone about Jesus and they begin to speak about the Jesus they worship and you soon learn he isn't the same as the Jesus, the Son of God, written of throughout the Bible.

How awful that they are being lied to by someone who is teaching them another Jesus and is taking them in the wrong direction from the Biblical truth of an afterlife in heaven & hell and eternal salvation & damnation.

And these people are so deceived because the n...ame of Jesus is spoken from the pulpit and so they believe it is the right name.

There are soooo many Scriptures that speak against these false teachers, it is astonishing how these people can be so blind and lost!

here is a list of verses warning to watch out for and how to identify false teachers. Also in this this list are verses that explain what is going to happen to false teachers when they meet the God they refuse to accept, and that they continue to slander.

Matt 7:21-23, Acts 20:28-30, Romans 1:18- 25, 2 Cor 11:3-4, Gal 1:8,9, 3:1-5, 5:7-12, Col 2:4-10, & 16-19, 1 Tim 1:5-7, & 4:1-3, & 6:20,21, 2 Tim 2:14-17, & 3:5, & 4: 1-4, Titus 3: 9-11, Heb 10:23-31, James 1:21-24, & 3:1, 2 Peter 1:16-2:3, & 2:12-22, 1 John 4: 1-3, 2 John 7-11, 3 John 9-10, Jude 4 & 12, Rev 22:18,19.

The Bible teaches a Holy Triune God, One in Three Persons, Co-Equal, Yet One. (Only a Born Again believer can understand this fact without total confusion. It is supernaturally known.

"Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" John 3:3.

"For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which men's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" 1 Corinthians 2:11-14.

The Bible teaches the truly is Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and no other.

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" 4:12.

The Bible is a complete book of 66 books. Born again Christians are to be taught from the entire book to be like Jesus was in the world. The Holy Spirit living in each believer empowers us to be such people for Jesus.

"But you shall receive power when they Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth" Acts 1:8.

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Motivating Peter

God wants to show us His great grace and mercy apart from what we already know.

We often talk of Paul's missionary journeys, but Peter did some remarkable things also while out in the field.

"Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda" Acts 9:32

&

"So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner" Acts 9:43

Peter was someplace he'd never been before, yet God knew exactly what He was going to show Peter about His awesome power to save anyone, anywhere.

God told the early Christians that in the power of the Holy Spirit, the church is to go everywhere preaching the salvation of Jesus.

"But you shall receive power when

the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me in

Jerusalem, and in all Judea and

Samaria, and to the end of the earth"

Acts 1:8.

But the first century church stayed in Jerusalem until after Stephen was killed and the persecution began in earnest. Then they scattered but they took their faith with them everywhere.

Whether Peter was moving around a bit because of the persecution the Bible doesn't say, but we do know that while Peter was not in Jerusalem, God showed him the great expansion of the church.

God does record in Acts that Peter, in his new faith and boldness in Jesus, speaks to a sick person whom God healed, prays for a dead person and sees God bring them to life, and stays with a tanner, (Acts 9:33, 40, & 43).

We're not told if Peter had traveling companions. And the fact it says he was staying at Simon the tanner's house, we can assume no one from Jerusalem was with him. It seems Peter was stepping out of his comfort zone by traveling alone.

Peter's expressions of faith while apart from his fellow Christians is culminated in the salvation of Cornelius, the Centurion. Peter hadn't personally thought about going to the Gentiles before that time. But now, with God's prompting, Peter's submission to do things in faith as he had ever done before revealed to him God 's love for all peoples, everywhere.

Maybe Peter was reluctant at first,

but the more he saw God work,

the easier his obedience became.

Which thing is true in our witness. Even when it is out of our comfort zone, the Holy Spirit may wait until we're in a place where He can do something amazing. This new thing God uses us for will glorify God and grow us in our faith and knowledge of God, (2 Peter 3:18).

Our small steps of obedience can be the very thing God uses to bless all those with which we come in contact. We step out in faith that God is with us and our obedience to that is God's door to His grace.

"(Jesus) answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him" Matthew 13:11,12

& repeated in the parable of the talents (money)

"For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him" Matthew 25:29.

Peter didn't have to do anything. Yet, if he hadn't trusted God at His word, Peter would have missed out on seeing God's miracles.

Sometimes God waits to use us after we leave our familiar territory.

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The Two-Fold Purpose of God Moving Dynamic Workers

The Antioch church was growing and service was abundant, then God says, "Okay, now those who are doing the majority of the work, I want them to go where I send them, to further My work somewhere else."

"Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away." Acts 13:1-3.

Most churches would hate having their hardest workers leave. Even to disagreeing with God. "After all, God, their ministry is extremely vital! They can't leave, who will do the work!"

Kinda selfish isn't it? And also terribly restricting. It could be God wants to raise up someone else to do another work in that church, It may be these dynamic people leave no room for the new workers, or even a new work. Someone of importance might have to step down, or step away, from their ministry so another person may serve God. Hmmm?

No one would go to the mission field if dynamic workers didn't go. Even if that mission field is another church body, God can bless those who go, the church they leave, and the church they join for their obedience.

If Barnabas and Saul had stayed, would their work have continued to flourish or would it have stagnated and died over time? If they had said, "No, Lord, we are too busy here, we don't want to go," would God have continued to enjoy their service to Him in that place?

What do you think? Can God have a two-fold purpose for moving people out of a flourishing ministry?

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Do You View Circumstances Through Scripture Glasses?

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

If we look at all the uses of maximizing Scripture in our daily lives, decision making, the eyes we see through, and the way we discern our circumstances, our lives can be the easiest way to exalt our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And just maybe it will be contrary to what we might have originally thought.

Scripture Glasses for Church Ministry

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. There are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all" 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.

If God has given someone a vision and you don't see how it is going to work out, accept that maybe you don't have a part in their ministry but you should do your ministry alongside them and thus build the body of Christ as you exercise your gifts.

The growth their vision brings is going to offer you more opportunities to serve God in your gifting because this person is being faithful in theirs.

As when Peter preached the first sermon; many gifts were used after the church began to grow.

"Then those who gladly received his (Peter's) word were baptized; and that day three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers. Then the fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles" Acts 2:41,42,43.

Scripture Glasses for Personal Witness

"For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God"
Romans 10:17.

When witnessing, try to speak verses during the opportunities. It doesn't matter if the other person can recite Bible verses. If they don't know God, their recitation is nothing. When you speak the word of God, you are representing Almighty God and His power is in the words you speak.

"And when He (The Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement" John 16:8.

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" 1 John 4:4.

Scripture Glasses in Obedience to Serve

Even when you've done everything right in your witness, and the person you have witnessed to doesn't receive what you've told them and maybe even gotten really angry, God's word has done exactly what God intended.

You could be witnessing to someone and think you blew it but it could be God has done something you don't know anything about!

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and shall prosper in that thing for which I sent it" Isaiah 55:10,11.

Scripture Glasses When Things Change

How do you view someone leaving your church for another body of Christ. Is your sorrow for losing a number or a member? Are you upset because they went to a rival congregation? Are you upset because you and they maybe couldn't reconcile a disagreement?

How about this--Are you sorry that maybe your church lost an evangelist, a prophet, a preacher, an administrator, a teacher, an encourager, or an exhorter.

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets,
some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers"
Ephesians 4:11.

Do you ever consider maybe God has given that person who's leaving a vision so strong God has to move them to a place where He can use them, because traditions or patterns at your church are too restrictive?

"As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" Acts 3:2.

"Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing" Titus 3:13.

If you've been praying for revival, watch for God to do things that are contrary to your comfort zone.

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Get Over It & Get Useful!

For who makes you differ from another? And what do you

 have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, 

why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 

1 Corinthians 4:7

Is God honored by an over exuberant expression or emotion when He does something through or to us?

Where do we get the right to pat ourselves on the back for the supernatural experience of the filling of the Holy Spirit? If a confessed Christian makes a scene about God's powerful manifestation, do they actually understand the Spirit is Almighty, Holy God, who is due all reverence,  honor, and praise? 

"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you" John 14:18

"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me" John 15:26 

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and the same, as God the Father and Jesus are one and the same. God is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. One part of the Trinity does not manifest Himself differently than the others. Nor should we expect God to do anything contrary to what He has shown of Himself in the Bible. His power is His own and He does not share it. When we are surrendered to be used in a supernatural way by God, God will honor Himself as Almighty God, not as an emotional experience, or exuberant display.

"Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever" Hebrews 13:8

Our examples in the Bible, in their relationships with God, didn't talk about having a spiritual experience when God used them some way.

When Ezekiel was taken up by his hair in a vision, he was astonished by the vision, not because of the Spiritual encounter. (Ezekiel 8:3)

Daniel wasn't emotionally giddy when God showed him the interpretations of King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams. He gave God glory for His work, not taking glory that God spoke to Daniel himself. (Daniel 2:19)

On the rooftop, when God showed him the sheet filled with things to eat, Peter didn't jump up and down and run around exclaiming of his awesome Spiritual experience. It was the work of God he declared when he understood the true meaning of the gospel going to the Gentiles. (Acts 10)

Let God be God and be useful when God wants to use you. After all, we are commissioned to simply to obey in giving the gospel (Matthew 28: 18-20). It IS exciting to know we have the supernatural power of God to help us do His work, but that doesn't makes us anything except a born again Christian, created for every good work (Ephesians 2:8,9,10). We all have the same God and access to His power to work through us whichever way God prefers to glorify Himself. 

"But to each one of us grace 

was given according to the measure

 of Christ's gift" Ephesians 4:7.

Get over it and get useful!

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Was Saul Riding a Horse in Acts 9?

"Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Acts 9: 4

Was Saul riding a horse on his journey to Damascus?

Who cares!

I have heard many sermons and teachings from this passage and many will mention Saul falling from his horse. I'm a horse person and upon hearing this added fact has always taken me from the subject of Saul's conversion to thinking about the horse.

What was the animal's reaction when the power of Jesus hit Saul and his companions? Experiences with horses says that anything that frightens a human will also likely frighten the animal. Was Saul the only one riding a horse? What of his companion's animal's? Where did the horses go after their riders fell off them? Were they trained to stand ground-tied on the spot or did they run for safety? Did they get their mounts back to continue on to the city?

Okay, maybe I'm being factitious here, but I am intrigued by the fact God doesn't mention anything about how Saul traveled, yet many sermons will mention the unmentioned equines.

Who cares!

The conversion of Saul is a beautiful story and Paul, as he became known, was able to tell his salvation testimony to the rulers of his day. He must have told that tale hundreds of times, to many people he met, though God records him speaking it to men of power and prestige, (Acts 22). God is the focal point of Paul's speeches and he gives God all the credit for his salvation, even when it was life-threatening.

The manner of how Paul reached Damascus is not the purpose of the verse saying he fell to the ground. It is the awesomeness of the Holy God not destroying one so evil as Saul of Tarsus, but saving this man and using him for such mighty works for the name of Jesus. 

Immediately, he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God" Acts 9:20

Riding or walking, we should be able to say to anyone I am glad to testify to you today of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and all He's done for me. (cf Acts 26)

The way you come doesn't matter, just come to Jesus.