Study Notes From Esther Chapter 5

Once a week, women from my home church gather for a Bible study. At this time, we are going through the book of Esther. These are the notes for the lesson in Chapter 5. Susan Estes

Esther Chapter 5

5:1, The Jews, at Esther’s request, have been fasting 3 days. (Daniel 10:3). Jesus said that when we fast we do not make it visible and He will see our faith and reward us, (Matthew 6:16-18.) Conceivably, Esther is still fasting, yet she is bathed and dressed in the royal apparel of Queen of the Medes and the Persians. More importantly, through fasting, she ‘washed’ and dressed herself in her faith in Almighty God.

Esther’s entrance is beautiful example of our cleansing by Jesus’ blood and our entrance into God’s Holy Throne room dressed in Jesus’ righteousness? Esther obtained her apparel when she became the bride to the king. All believers obtain glorious apparel when we become the Bride of Christ. (Isaiah 61:10)

5:2, Esther can’t see the future but her faith in action is entering Xerxes court knowing she could die. Trusting God is answering her prayers, she presents herself to Xerxes. Earlier Vashti refused to come wearing the Queenly raiment. Today Esther prepares herself in her royal clothing and presents herself for his inspection. Her care honors his throne, and for whatever reason, he approves.

We dress in royal robes of holiness and daily present ourselves to our King. But unlike Esther’s danger, our King’s throne room is always open to enter with boldness, joy, gladness and praise. (Psalm 100, Hebrews 4:16, 10:19,13:6, Ephesians 3:12). And God approves. He has betrothed us to Himself through our faith. (Ephesians 2:9-10) Hosea 2:19)

5:3, This verse shows God’s sovereignty at work in the faith of His people. Evil is visibly amassing against the Jews while God is moving unseen on their behalf. (Proverbs 21:1) It is conceivable for Xerxes to sign half the kingdom to her control. Historical documentation records women of Persian royalty owned and manage property.

5:4-8, (Proverbs 31:10-12) Knowing the king has the power to kill her even now, her approach is calculated to appeal to his pleasures. (Xerxes is known for his drinking parties. J. Vernon McGee). She does not know what will happen, yet she prepares for God’s future answer. The banquet is not to deceive, but Esther utilizes it to appeal to Xerxes baser nature, which appears to rule much of his decisions.

Inviting Haman is strategic, her invitation deadens any suspicions he could have, plus Xerxes will have the one person who flatters him as his Queen serves him. Esther utilizes the weakness of her king and Haman’s megalomania to facilitate male bonding around food.

5:9-11, Haman thrives on his own self-esteem. When Mordecai still doesn’t bow, Haman cannot even take pleasure knowing he has ordered Mordecai and the Jews killed. Maybe he thought Mordecai would be begging for his life. Haman has no concept of faith in the true and living God.

“For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.” C.S. Lewis , Mere Christianity

God, the Holy Spirit, gives the extraordinary supernatural gift of faith to those who are facing serious consequences, (1 Corinthians 12:9). Those tortured and murdered for being Christian in the past, and present, are supplied this amazing gift to endure horrendous physical acts against them. Mordecai is sure of his God. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are three men who stood in the power of God without bowing to idolatry, Daniel 3:12.

“Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” Hebrews 11:35b

God says to ask for His supernatural grace and He promises to supply all we need, when we need it. For all that He does in and through us, His body, the church, will bring beautiful glory to Him, (1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1).

5:12-14, Haman’s hatred is driven by pride and it’s lethal. Xerxes is a fool and Haman is a servant in power.

“For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food” Proverbs 30:22a.

“A quick tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated” Proverbs 14:17.

5:14, And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made. Haman has no idea that there is a real, powerful, and living God, who does move on behalf of His people.

The very essence of secularism is the thesis that the here and now is all there is. There is no realm of the eternal. But as Christians, we are called to consider the present in light of the eternal. This is what Jesus preached again and again. What does it profit a man if in this time and in this place he gains the whole world, but he loses his own soul (Luke 9:25)? —Dr. R.C. Sproul, Founder & Chairman of Ligonier Ministries, and author of Crucial Questions

The world is full of false gods, and those who believe in them suffer blindness to the fact their gods never answer or move one way or the other. They base their ‘faith’ on favorable or unfavorable circumstantial acts that happen to them. (Horoscope, Karma, Luck, The stars, Chance, The lottery)

We have the Almighty GOD as our GOD. He really is HOLY GOD. Let us get to know Him in a truly personal way that transcends this earth. For this earth is passing away. Our GOD is Everlasting.

Lesson points:

1. Prayer is a real connection between us and Almighty God

2. Believe God at His Word. (Hebrews 4:12) Read it to know it

3. Daily ask God to empower you for His service. (2 Corinthians 4:6,7)

4. Get to know your God.

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Esther Chapter 2

These are the notes from the second study from the Book of Esther. Esther chapter 2

2:1 ; *It’s been three years since the war party. King Ahasuerus failed to conquer Greece, and returns to Shushan in humiliation. Adding to his shame, he remembers the stupid law. Vashti still belongs to the King but wherever she’s being kept, her quarters would be more of a prison than a home. She can’t be thrown out for she’s the former Queen, and she can’t be tossed into the harem for the same reason. Xerxes problem, he doesn’t have a Queen beside him while he attempts to reorganize his kingdom and its defeated army. His kingdom is a shambles.

The most amazing thing? God sees all and knows all. There is nothing in the hearts of all mankind that God doesn’t know about. God even sees what is coming. Almighty God is without equal!

The king has concubines galore, but the throne needs a woman of beauty with a sound reputation, whom the court approves joined to the king with a proper setting. An already owned sex-slave cannot fill that position. Just like in chapter 1—two wrongs don’t make a right.

In ch 1, it was the wise men who instructed the king to write the law dethroning Vashti. Ch 2:2, it’s not even the wise men but his servants suggest gathering virgins for the king to choose a queen from.

So the order goes out to herd young women to the palace, like cattle. Conscripted by order, yanked from their homes and parents arms, many never to be seen by family again. They were essentially kidnapped for the king’s pleasure.

Can you imagine the crying? The terror? The sorrow that they will never be loved wives, or mothers? No homes, nor husbands or children to take care of? Only one can be Queen, the rest will be sex-slaves for the rest of their lives.

2:2-4. It’s not his wise men but his servants that advise him now. And this thing pleased the king. The thing being kidnapping beautiful girls. What do you think? (In a moral society, this would, should be, be sickening.)

2:5,6,7. God inserts Himself in between Xerxes idea & his implementing it. By inserting Mordecai into the palace, God has changed the outcome already.

2:5-6. God shows up! God is so amazing. Although never mentioned, Holy God appears regularly in the movement of different events and different lives. Something horrible is about to happen but Almighty God inserts His presence into the story.

It’s like Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. God knew they would need powerful encouragement, as the persecution became very heavy in that city. God sent them a wonderful love letter through Paul’s hand. Thessalonians 2:7-12. You need God—God shows up!

Mordecai lives in the Capital city, and more importantly, he has retained his heritage. This is more proof of God appearance in this book---the choice of Mordecai as a devout Jew, strong in his faith and the pride of his heritage.

What can Christians express pride in? (Psalm 34:2, 44:8, 2 Corinthians 9:2, Galatians 6:14)

God told the Jews to always remember their families names and heritage. It seems Mordecai was born while his family was captives, as it was his great great grandfather who was carried away from Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar captured the city. (2 Kings 24:14) Kish must have been a mighty man in Jerusalem, because the best were taken during the first captivity. Kish was taken the same time as Daniel, but he wasn’t placed with Daniel with the eunuchs, as he certainly had children.(1st captivity Jeremiah 29:5-7) (Forbidden Marriage Due 7:1-3, Joshua 23:11-12, Ezra 9:1,2)

It seems Kish and his decedents kept their Jewish linage clean from inter marriage.

For some reason Mortdecai did not return to Jerusalem when Ezra and Nehemiah returned to rebuild. He and his family still reside in the capital Persian city of Shushan.

Esther has the same clean Jewish Lineage as Mordecai. And she is hauled off to the palace with the rest of the young girls. Her prospects of a Jewish family line ends. 

There is another young girl we know in the Bible whose family heritage was kept pure for an awesome reason. Who is that young girl? Mary. (Matthew 1:1-17)2

2:9 Esther’s character was different than any of the other girls in the harem. And her difference was noticed by the major guard of the woman, Hegai. He knew there was something different about her and he treated her with a greater respect than he did all the other women there.

2:8,9. Esther exposed the darkness of the king’s harem by her difference. Her personal holiness in a dark place made her godly character standout among the crowd, thus creating a different atmosphere around her. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

2:10, Esther is an ambassador of her people and of God. Daniel’s account was a historical fact in the Jew’s history of their captivity. There could not have been many that didn’t know how Daniel stood up for his Jewish heritage. But unlike Daniel, Esther kept her Hebrew blood a secret but she retained her learned character.

We may never have an opportunity to speak of our Christian heritage, but our character needs to be the higher standard. It doesn’t matter where we are, who we’re with, we have the mind of Christ, we have the power of God, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. There needs to be something extraordinary about our holy conduct that even the ungodly will have to take notice.

What is holiness? What are some holy actions? Things Christians do or don’t do publically that sets them apart from the world?

Esther was different from the other women, and her difference gave her an edge in becoming Queen. Hegai was on the look-out for Queen qualities, it was part of his job. And by her more beautiful, composed, lady-like behavior, she expose the hidden things of darkness. She shined brighter in a room full of lesser characters.

Esther was beautiful but she went through the beauty treatments to make her gorgeous. Her beauty treatments went on for a year.

God says women are to shine with an inner beauty, which will shine through any mars of our outward frailties. We’re familiar with the woman of 1 Peter 3, and the Proverbs 31, woman)

We’re the Bride of Christ. We need an extraordinary interest in making ourselves beautiful in Christ.

We have a simpler beauty treatment with less stress. We’re already the Bride of the King. You want to be made beautiful? To have the inner beauty of the heart?

The Bible is your beauty treatment. Get into God’s word to be cleansed from the world. John 17: 17, Ephesians 5:22-27, Titus 3:5, Proverbs 31:17,18 & 30,

We have the Shulamite as our example also, of the love of God shining our beauty that no one else can comprehend. Loving God will draw out the beauty that only He can see in a woman.

You want to have a successful beauty treatment? Get into the word of God. Pray, read, fellowship, worship. Determine to make the effort to love the Lord with all your heart, your strength, your mind. You will be beautiful and others will see it. They may not understand it, but they will certainly see it.

2:21-23. When the trouble came, Mordecai and Esther were able to do the right thing, the right way, to have the right decision made to stop the wrong. This was just a foretaste of their work to come. And now God has Mordecai moved into the palace business district. He’s one of the movers’ and shakers in the palace politics. He’s gaining a reputation as a man of integrity. His peers trust his wisdom. They may hate him but they know he’s an honest man.

Christians need knowledge of the world. God says be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves. God says the serpent is crafty. Know the ins and outs of ruthlessness business, yet conduct business with different deliverance & purpose.

Esther and Mordecai from different positions, exposed the hidden darkness.(Ephesians 5:8-13.)

Lesson Points:

1. God knows the innermost secret hearts of all people.

2. Boast of your salvation in Christ

3. As the Bride of Christ, take an extraordinary interest in making yourself beautiful for Christ Jesus.

4. The Bible is your beauty treatment. Let God’s word cleanse you from the world.

*Historical information from Bible Knowledge Commentary & Commentary, study notes of J. Vernon McGee

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Love & Grace--the Ministry Engine

Ministry for God, as witnesses to Jesus is the work that gets the gospel of salvation to the lost. Without love it is impossible. Love is the manifestation that you are of God

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophecy" 14:1.

"Pursue love" Jesus said that everyone will know who Christians are because we love each other with the love with which He loves us (John13- 17). Love is the foundation fruit of the Holy Spirit (Mark 12:29-31, Galatians 5).

Desire spiritual gifts" The word 'gifts' is added in the English to help convey what is meant, but the original language says 'desire the Spiritual'. Desire to be filled with the love of God and the power of God to be a witness to the work of Jesus through the cross (Act 1:8) Everything that the Holy Spirit does points to Jesus and the Father, (John 13-17)

So, desire to be the instrument that reveals Jesus and the Father to the world seeking the true and living God. That takes letting the Holy Spirit indwell and fill you. And that is amazing!

'especially that you may prophecy' Paul, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, added this clause with the conjunction 'But' (However, Also, To be sure). It is this kind of speaking witness to Jesus that is the capstone to the work given to born again Christians. For a Christian to correctly speak from and teach from the Bible is how the lost receive the truth of God, (Hebrews 1:1, Romans 10:8-15, 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17)

We serve an amazing God!

Grace is the foundation of all God's works. Without grace we could never be connected to God. It is His grace that supplies the love and life through Jesus Christ.

God's grace is the fuel for all works in Jesus' name.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. For it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything f...or all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11.

If God gives you a ministry and you put all your heart into it and make your sacrifice and offering to God for the ministry to save the lost, God takes all that you give, whatever that is, and multiplies it in ways you cannot imagine.

He uses whatever it is you give, whether material, time, or monetary, for His glory and the purpose of saving the lost. And because you can see His grace abounding for all through your love and service to God and people in need, your thanksgivings will multiply and your praise will be sweet.

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Jesus- God Our Servant

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,

and to give His life a ransom for many" Mark 10:45.

Some of the things Jesus did:

He listened. He taught.
He wept with and for people.
He fed people. He led people. He walked with people. He ate with people.
He attended parties.
He helped people. He healed.
He read. He told the truth to everyone.
He played with children. He prayed for people. He counseled.
He gave people what really they wanted. He told people how to do things.
He gave examples. He gave Himself as an example.
He told stories. He cooked meals. He was willing to go anywhere.
He observed God’s laws and man’s laws, (when they didn’t contradict.) He was obedient to God the Father.
He loved people, even His enemies.
He sang songs.
He traveled with little expense. He was honest and just in all His dealings.
He forgave.
He touched the untouchable. He approached the unapproachable.
He was kind.
He helped Fathers and Mothers. He spoke with both men and with women.
He accepted poor, rich, soldiers, businessmen and women, housewives, teachers, bankers, laborers, lawyers, government officials, religious and non-religious, sinners and self-righteous.

 And some things Jesus didn't do:

He never demanded service.
He never hurt people, not even His enemies.
He never manipulated anyone.
He never coerced anyone.
He never forced anyone to do or not do anything.
He didn’t gossip.
He didn’t hate anyone for deserting Him.
He never took revenge for an insult.
He never played tricks.
He never insulted anyone.

Christians have something in Jesus that the world religions cannot comprehend. Even as they search for what we have, they deny that we have found it in Jesus. Man-made religions and man-created gods make their followers obey rules as means of perfection.

The God who gave His life for the sins of the world not only asks us to obey, He provides the power to obey.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself

unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him,

bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4 & 5.

• As a Man, Jesus was the best friend we could ever have.
• As Lord, Jesus deserves our obedience. 
• As our teacher, Jesus showed us how we ought to act and work.

As God, Jesus could have shown all His power and brought Himself the glory that is due Him. Instead of God crushing the rebellion of mankind in Adam, Jesus, the Savior, made this statement,

“If you love Me, keep My commandments" John 14:15

 Jesus gave us the examples; let us follow Him. 

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It Is Today's Commission Too--Guest Blog by Joel Littlefield

This is an excerpt from the 30 day devotional Grace In Crossville by Joel Littlefield, Assistant Pastor at Calvary Chapel Crossville Tennessee.

This is used by permission, with minor editing and change of formatting.

Day 18

It Is Today's Commission Too

"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority

in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe

all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am

with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19

Allow the words of Christ to sink deep into your life, so you will not forget. Shape your life, your church, and your family goals around this Great Commission. This not a mere suggestion as I'm sure you've heard before, but it is a holy command That comes fully equipped with the power to carry it out.

The Creator, Jesus, the one who upholds the very universe we live in, the one who flung the stars into the deepest space, the one with the authority to save a soul from the pit of hell, He is with you until the very end. He has commissioned you, His Church to make disciples. the fields of your communities, towns, workplaces, and even your homes are white for harvest. Bring the love of Jesus to someone. lead them to the cross. Baptize them as a testimony to the world of the all sufficient blood of Christ to cleanse man from sin. teach them the word of God with your very life, and remember that you are not alone.

Jesus is building His Church and has chosen to use you in His mission to save souls out of every nation, tribe, and tongue. The words of His commission were among the last words of the savior. Cherish them unto obedience.

Father, You sent Jesus, and now Jesus sends me.

The world He came to was dark, and so is the

world that I live in.

Even still, You have commissioned me to be

Your witness. Show me the harvest that I

should take part in. Burden my heart with

Your compassion for the lost, and give me

boldness to proclaim the gospel, the only

message that saves.

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Joel Littlefield is the father to 3 wonderful children, and blessed to be married to Callie. Joel currently serves as the worship leader and assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel in Crossville, TN.  His passion is to preach and teach Christ to the Church, and show that His glory, His joy, and His will are our primary mission in life as Christians.

Joel is the author of

Grace In Crossville (Amazon)
and
Beeline to the Cross (Barnes & Noble)
(Tate Publishing & Enterprises LLC.)

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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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God Gets 'Er Done

Genesis 24: Seeking God's Help In The Workplace

You may be the boss or you may be the least recognized person in your workplace, yet by your faith in God, you can be the most effective in getting things done. Genesis 24 is a great chapter of faith in action and of answered prayer.

"I will make you swear by the LORD, 

and the God of heaven and earth...

Genesis 24:3

An Impossible Task:

    Genesis 24 tells us, with the exception of Isaac, all the people in Abraham's entourage are slaves, servants, or hired help.  From this group of people he commands, Abraham sends a servant on a specific mission---find a wife for my son. (you shall go...and take a wife for my son..." Genesis 24:4) Even as he starts on his way, this man starts praying for success. There was no way he was going to trust his own judgment to get this job done. There is nothing impossible for God, even in your workplace.

"But you shall go to my country 

and to my family, and take a wife 

for my son Isaac" Genesis 24:4

Sincere Prayer:

    Trust God to help you get your work done. This slave prays a very sincere, simple, direct, specific prayer in faith, wanting to successfully complete his mission, and God answered with a miracle. Take the lesson from him that in anything we do, we need the power of God to complete it. God wants us to have faith in Him no matter what.
God's Glory in Our Work:
    After he sees the answer, he is humbled and gives God all the glory for a job well done. We see his faith and acknowledgement of God when he prostrates himself in thanksgiving, oblivious to who noticed. There at the well in front of Rebekah, (vs 26), (and probably all the other women come to get water) And in the presence of Rebekah's family (vs 52). Maybe you shouldn't prostrate yourself in your office, but at your work station, or office space, you can certainly prostrate your heart, unseen to anyone but God.
Spiritual Insight:
    This slave shows God-given discernment of the pagan-ness and greed of Rebekah's family in wanting to get away quickly. (vs 54) One aspect of his work had to interact with these ungodly people, yet he did what he had to do and he does it graciously, politely, but with his integrity intact. Now he wants to get the rest of the job done, which means moving on to the next phase. He had to return to his boss with the complete report and the woman. 

    The lesson here is to recognize and take charge where the job is yours alone and complete it to the very best of your ability to the glory of God. This Spiritual insight will help you stay out of trouble. You will have more knowledge of inter-office dealings, good and bad. And your humble recognition of God's power in your position may help you get a head start on jobs before you are asked.

"For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come 

knowledge and understanding" Proverbs 2:6.

Co-worker's Recognize Your Faith:

    And Rebekah seemed willing to get out her family's house without any customary long goodbyes. Maybe she saw something in this servant that interested her about her future husband. But the main thing is she saw something different in the manner of this man and she got on board with his plan. Seeing his trustworthiness, took her on to success as well.

Get 'Er Done!
    While you may not see the same successes as this man, still you're connection to Almighty God gives you Spiritual insight into God doing something in your workplace. When you do see answered prayer or the awesome power of God where you work make sure you acknowledge that God Got 'Er Done!

"Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 

not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, 

doing the will of God from the heart" 

Ephesians 6:5,6.

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Thank You 

A Thank You

My thank you to all the pastors called for the purpose of preaching and teaching the Word of God. Through the faithful work of a Godly man standing behind a pulpit, I heard Jesus knocking one day. When the pastor gave the alter call, I answered Jesus' knock, going forward to accept His offer of eternal salvation.

"For faith comes by hearing, and hearing  by the word of God"

Romans 10:17.

"That good thing which was committed to you,

keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in you"

2 Timothy 1:14.

Thank you for serving Jesus

 

 Thank you

for your care in service

Thank you

for your diligence in service

Thank you

for serving when it’s fun

Thank you

for serving when it’s difficult

 

Thank you

for your love of Jesus in all things.

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,

a worker who does not need to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth"

2 Timothy 2:15.

 

God Tell's Them Off--Not So Subtly

 "Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds" 

Numbers 17:8.

A group of people opposed Aaron, challenging his right to be priest in the tabernacle. God stepped in and made it an absolute fact that He approved of Aaron's service.

In having a dead stick produce leaves, buds, and ripe fruit, God left no room for anyone to not know He chose Aaron.

We will always have people jealous of our ministry, especially if God blesses it. Many people will only see 'our' success and forget that we're only being an obedient servant, pleasing our Master. It's the Master's choice to bless openly, which He often does.

Every employment opportunity in the secular has an equivalent in the Body of Christ. It is God who empowers that career to further His kingdom and bring lost people to salvation through what you do.

When God does take your service to new levels, always remember it is never your power, strength, knowledge or ability to get the Supernatural work of God done. Only God has the power to make His word or His work different than any other words spoken or work done on earth. You're just the servant--be a good one.

Let God take care of the jealous people.

An Expert Performance

“And He is the head of the body, the church…” cf Colossians 1: 18

An expert dressage performance is beautiful. Top-level dressage is a very complex and exacting equestrian discipline. The beauty is in the minimal action of the rider getting a large independent animal to move in timed, definite steps and gaits. Judges look for the least movement in the rider to produce fluid movement in the horse. Horse and rider move as a unit.

HFS Van Derus

The rider signals the horse with their fingers, knees, heels, thighs, small sounds and sometimes a short, thin riding crop. Each sign asks the animal for something, either to change gait, move to another step or in another direction. Spectators should not be able to detect the rider’s movements, only the horse’s obedience

The horse cannot produce a precision performance without the rider. When the horse obeys the rider, the rider gets the glory and the horse receives praise from the rider. A well-trained dressage horse is submissive and obedient to the rider. In performance, the animal will enjoy the smooth connection and sharply applied actions as much as the rider.

Just so, a church body cannot produce an effective witness without submission and obedience to the head. The disciplined body is to watch, listen, and respond so that God gets the glory when we get it right. God signals to the church through personal Bible reading and prayer, through hearing of good solid Bible preaching, through the loving instruction of others, through our willingness to serve others. He places us in situations where we can respond to Him and get the job done.

There is a negative side to the exhibition in the ring; the horse does not have to respond to the rider.

Consider this; the horse is in the ring, with all the correct equipment and qualifications but the performance is a disaster. The horse is sluggish, fidgety, reluctant, and disobedient. Its tail is twisting, feet are stomping, and dragging, the ears are flipping back and forth, and the mouth is working against the bit. The horse moves sideways or in circles. It tosses its head and maybe even attempts to dislodge the rider. 

A misbehaving horse makes his rider look terrible. 

People will speak against the disobedience but most will criticize the rider for the horse’s behavior. The rider will leave the ruing in shame and a cloud of disrespect.

Does the behavior of the body of Christ produce respect for Jesus? Do others have good things to say about you? Does your family, even the unsaved, honor your love for God? Do your co-workers consider you hypocritical or are they attentive and eavesdropping when you talk about Jesus?

Imagine the dressage horse is the church, Christ is the rider, the judges are our brothers & sisters and the spectators are all the unsaved people. We’ve passed all the qualifications, we have the equipment, we look the part, we have the name of Jesus, and we call ourselves Christians. Here we are in the ring, everyone is watching. Now, Jesus gives us a gentle command unseen or felt by anyone but us. How are we going to respond?

• Do we move in beautiful fluid motion or do we refuse. 
• Are we willing to make the requested gait or post change
• Is our response sluggish, reluctant, and disobedience

Just attending a church does not tell the unsaved, lost and dying we are the body of Christ. We could be a horse circling in the ring without any obedience to the rider. Sure, we’re visible and we have all the trappings but is the body responding smoothly to the head.

In eagerly responding to Jesus on a daily basis, we show the lost and dying world the beauty of Christianity and the glory of God. At first, we can set up visual posts then after a while, the action will happen without the visual reminders. Our serving will be a natural fluid motion, a beautiful and effective witness anywhere, and everywhere.

• Obedience to prayer

• Obedience to Bible reading

• Obedience to ministry

• Obedience to witness

• Obedience to holiness

• Obedience to Jesus’ name

• Obedience to church attendance

Any old horse and rider can enter a show but in a top-notch event, they have to be a proven equestrian or it will be quickly apparent if they’re not. There has to be proof. The proof that we are the body of Christ comes from our action to being part of the body of Christ. We need to allow Jesus to be our trainer and respond to the commands from His hands. A Christian’s behavior is a direct reflection on Jesus.

Ask God to make you a proven disciple, an integral part of the body, responding to the head with smooth precision under the gentle guidance of Jesus. When the unsaved spectators see us, may they glorify our God in heaven for the beauty of our obedience?!

Themes in James

Chapter 1

• Vs 1. James' salutation to the letter's recipients 
• Vss 2-8. Utilizing prayers of faith to survive trials  
• Vss 9-11. Remember, everyone is equal in God’s sight 
• Vss 12-16 No one is perfect. Don’t get into trouble thinking you are 
• Vss 17, 18. God is what you have & all you have. Don’t boast otherwise  
• Vs 19. Watch your mouth  
• Vss 21-25. If you can’t stand to let God wash you, you’re blind to your habitual sins  
• Vss 26-27. Humble yourself. Be not proud—do service to God. Look for those in need and fill whatever their need is

Chapter 2 

• Vss 1-7. Be careful of pride;  the worlds’ social order practices discrimination. Don’t you dare do this in the church, at work, in your home, or anywhere  
• Vss 8-13. All your knowledge has little value as a witness; your conduct will explain your connection to Jesus  
• Vs 14-18. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain. If you name yourself a Christian, it’s going to show in what you do. If it doesn’t, you’re not. You manner, quality, and objective of work will prove you  
• Vss 19-20. Saying the name of Jesus doesn’t make you a Christian. Satan knows who God is and knows the difference between a genuine Christian and a quasi-Christian. Make sure you prove whom you are  
• Vss 21-26. Examples of people proving their faith

Chapter 3 

Green-Eyed envy

• Vss 1-8. Guard your tongue. If you think you can teach, be very careful of your words. God will hold you accountable for every word you speak on His behalf  (I’m accountable for this post)  
• Vss 9-12. Examples of how we can misuse the name of Jesus  
• Vss 13-18. If you’re knowledgeable about the truth, then teach it. It comes from God. Do not boast because you know something. It didn’t originate from you. Give it freely to everyone

Chapter 4 

• Vss 1-3. You idiots! Stop fighting for worthless stuff. Stop fighting for position  
• Vss 4-6. If you’re married to Christ, you’re an adulterer when you covet the worlds’ stuff. God is jealous when you cheat on Him  
• Vss 7-8 Satan has to leave you alone in the presence of your humble faith  
• Vss 11, 12. Idiot! You can’t correctly judge anyone. Stop it  
• Vss 13-16. Don’t leave God out of your plans. Make all your plans with flexibility.  
• Vs 17. Don’t place all your eggs in one basket. You could sin trying to sustain it

Chapter 5 

• Vss 1-6. Behave yourselves. Repent and help others. Give up your pride. Be honest!  
• Vss 7-9. Wait for Jesus, He’s right here  
•  Vss 10,11.  Examples of men who waited in faith, not knowing what was going on  
• Vs12. Be honest in all your promises  
•  Vss 13-16. The church body is there for Christians in all situations and stages of need. Stick together & help one another, especially praying for one another  
•  Vss 17, 18. Example of a Godly man’s prayers  
•  Vss 19-20. Helping a Brother or Sister in Christ with love will benefit everyone in the most beautiful and spiritual ways