Tuesday, August 20th: Esther 8:1-10:3, 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 21:23-24 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 8:1-10:3, 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 21:23-24

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1Corinthians 13:4-7

These are not new verses for any of us I'm sure. But these are such simple instructions although they are not always easy to do. "Irritable" is a word that really stands out to me today. Some days I feel like everything around me is irritating and so often I think that it is tied to patience. When I'm irritable I'm usually trying to do way too many things. Time to slow down and remember to enjoy each moment rather than letting myself get so wound up and irritable that the small things in life are missed.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 1:1-3:26, 1 Corinthians 14:1-17, Psalm 37:12-29, Proverbs 21:25-26 

Monday, August 19: Esther 4:1-7:10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, Psalm 36:1-12, Proverbs 21:21-22 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 4:1-7:10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, Psalm 36:1-12, Proverbs 21:21-22

These verses stood out for me:

16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

When we are in trouble, we sometimes prefer to try and handle it on our own. Maybe we are embarrassed, maybe we don't want people to know, maybe we think there's nothing we can do to get out of the mess we're in anyway.  Esther calls Mordecai to get all the Jews...not a few but all...and fast and pray and all of her women as well. Their support gives her bravery and she's not afraid to face death. May we week the support of those around us when we are in times of trouble and despair.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 

We all have different gifts and talents. We complement each other. We would be unsuccessful if we were all the same. I think it's interesting that society tends to propagate the message that we are all the same and that everyone can do everything. That is such a contrast to God's way that gives everyone a task and a talent to complete it. May we recognize our talents and use them for His glory.

5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.

We can't ever fully comprehend how God's love is so perfect and unending. We can never reach the heavens or the clouds and that is a perfect comparison to His love. What a blessing to know that we are loved beyond measure.

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness    will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Whatever you are seeking...you will find. May we strive to seek out God's purpose and plan and submit to Him.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 8:1-10:31 Corinthians 12:27-13:13Psalm 37:1-11Proverbs 21:23-24 

Wednesday, December 5th: Esther 9-10, Revelation 7:9-17 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 9-10, Revelation 7:9-17

Even though the name of God does not appear anywhere in the book of Esther, His sovereignty is clear to see.  God would not allow the Jews to be wiped out in order to fulfill His promises about the coming of Jesus through the line of David.

In this particular case, He used a woman in order to do so.

She so easily could've missed out in being used by God.  She was afraid, and rightfully so. But Mordecai encouraged her, saying that she was placed in the position of Queen at that very time likely for the purpose of saving her people.  Mordecai had faith that God would rescue the Jews and that if she didn't come through, He would use someone else, and he encouraged her to be the woman God had created her to be and to fulfill the purpose He had given her to fulfill.

Though likely not in nearly as dramatic fashion, we have that same choice every day.  God has placed us where He wants us, and He has purposes for us to fulfill, opportunities for us to be used in ways we cannot even know.  Some of those could very well impact someone's eternity.

Are we looking for those opportunities?  Are we taking them when we see them?  Are we living the blessing of being used by God?

The story of Esther turned out so different from Haman's (and Satan's) plans and Esther had the privilege of being the instrument of God in order to do so.

How will things turn out differently in our lives and the lives of those around us when we do the same?  Right now, we can only imagine.  In eternity, we will see the fruit of those choices!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 7-8, Revelation 8

Tuesday, December 4th: Esther 7-8, Revelation 7:1-8

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 7-8, Revelation 7:1-8

I love the story of Esther and the courage she displayed by going to the King and asking him to save her people.  I always think it's important to note that courage is not the lack of fear, but the ability to act despite our fear - something that is a lot easier to do when we rely on God's power instead of on our own!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 9-10, Revelation 7:9-17

Friday, June 23: Esther 9-10; Acts 7:1-21 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 9-10; Acts 7:1-21

The Book of Esther plays out like a movie.  There is an intense plot - a queen dethroned and exiled, a beauty pageant for the king to choose his next queen, a royal wedding, an assassination plot foiled by the enemy of the king's right hand man, politics, revenge, an evil plot uncovered, hangings, and war.

Today's reading contains the perfect movie ending - the good guys win!

But Esther did not know this was how it would end.  Things could have gone much differently.  The king could have refused to extend the golden sceptre to her and had her killed.  Or, he could have allowed her to live, but not believe her story about Haman.  Or he could have believed it but have been indifferent, allowing Haman to proceed as planned but sparing the queen.  Or, or, or.

But, though the name of God is never uttered in this book, His sovereignty is on clear display from beginning to end.  And the end was never in doubt.  God would never allow His people to be wiped out.  He had promised to always leave a remnant, and He was faithful to that promise.

However, Esther, by doing what was asked of her, by doing the right thing, by showing up "at such a time as this", had the privilege and blessing of participating in God's plan.

What will we do when God asks something difficult of us?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Job 1-2; Acts 7:22-43

Thursday, June 22nd: Esther 6-8; Acts 6 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Esther 6-8; Acts 6

Have you ever thought that you had everything all planned out, and then suddenly something happens and now the train is off the track?  Well welcome to todays reading.  

Reality sets in for Haman when he plans on requesting an execution of Mordecai from the king, but instead Haman finds himself honouring Mordecai in the exact way that he recited as being the best way he saw fit to be honoured by a king.  Not only would this be a humbling experience for Haman, but he also would have realized that this could possibly derail their plan for exterminating all the Jews.     

After the king designates Haman to being the one who is hanged (by his own gallows I might add), Esther tells the king that Mordecai is actually her relative.  With the king having an open ear, Esther also pleads with him to put an end to Haman's evil plan of wiping out the Jews.  The king then authorized Mordecai to put in place a decree ensuring that the Jews would be safe throughout the entire empire.

The Jews are God's chosen people.  They weren't perfect, they weren't always obedient, but God protected them.  God used an unexpected person named Esther; a young, orphaned girl whom He raised up to take on a major role in executing the dramatic turn around of Haman's evil plan.  

Today's reading reminded me that I too could be that unexpected person that God needs to play a major role in.  I'm not perfect, and not always obedient.  But am I willing?  Do I open my heart and mind up for that?  Do I make myself available for God?  Do I pray asking God to show me the role that He wants me to play?  

One last point.....

The verse that stood out to me in the NT reading was Acts 6:10:

"but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke."

Stephen was a man full of God's grace and power.  How cool and awesome would it be to have someone use those words to describe our character, because of how visible and active God is in our lives.     

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 9-10; Acts 7:1-21

Wednesday, June 21st: Esther 3-5, Acts 5:22-42 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is. Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42

In our reading from Esther we read about how the kingdom, or society, is closing in on the Jews living there, God's chosen people. Their is a order that goes out that gives the go ahead to kill all the Jews and to plunder their goods.

Esther 3:13
Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews —young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.

As Christians, we will face pressure to turn from God and join in what society wants. This storey from Esther shows again how important it is to not turn from God when the pressure is great, but to turn to Him, obeying and listening to Him.


Acts 5: 38-39
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. [39] But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

What I wise speech, if something is from God it will last, if from humans it will not. To this day the word of God is still preached, just as it was then, therefore it is truly from God and therefore 100% true and trustworthy!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 6-8; Acts 6

Tuesday, June 20: Esther 1-2; Acts 5:1-21 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is:Esther 1-2; Acts 5:1-21

³ “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” ⁵ When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. “ Acts 5:3-5

God is the same through all time. From the beginning of time through eternity, yet we change based on circumstance, society, culture etc. Right now most of humanity doesn't want to believe or hear that this same God is our God today. The common theme in mainstream culture is that God is loving and kind (which he is!) and nothing ele. But He is also righteous, just and jealous! The story of Ananas and Sapphira illustrate the wrath of God when we are greedy and ungrateful, lying to the Him. Like any Love-Relationship, God wants our love and honesty. 

God’s grace covers us, but our repentance and obedience is required to truly remain in it.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42

Tuesday, September 27th: Esther 6-10 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 6-10

In these chapters today we see the culmination of Esther’s obedience.
We see how God rewarded her obedience in both the punishment of Haman as well as the deliverance of the Jews.

Esther had to step out in faith, while feeling completely inadequate for the job (not to mention risking her life), trusting that God would intervene & bring justice.

When we are faced with something, we have to choose how we will respond. Are we going to pray for God's guidance & trust him, knowing our perspective is limited? Or do we demand, expecting God to follow us/our way?  Do we trust & obey, knowing God is in control even when the circumstances seem to us that he is no? Or do we despair, doubting that God can/will deliver us?

If Esther had not turned to God & trusted him to provide a way & to work things out, the outcome would likely have been very different. Even to the point of being willing to give up everything.

Do I have that kind of faith?  That I could step out, willing to take that kind of risk, trusting God to see me through?

Only when we have that kind of faith will we get to see that kind of response from God. It's like they say: “If you believe little you will see little.”

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezra 4:7-23, Ezra 7-10

Monday, September 26: Esther 1-5-by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 1-5

I found this commentary with some insight into the book of Esther:

Did you know that Esther is mentioned more times in the Bible than any other woman? Did you know that the book bearing her name in the Old Testament does not mention God even once? What lessons can we learn today from studying the book about this very remarkable woman?

Background to the book of Esther

The story of Esther takes place in the Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus, known more familiarly to us by the Greek form of his name, Xerxes I. He was the son of Darius the Great and reigned from 486-465 B.C. He ruled over a vast empire that extended from India to Ethiopia (Esther 1:1).

Esther was a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, which had been part of the kingdom of Judah. Her ancestors were among the Jews who had been carried captive to Babylon nearly 100 years earlier. There were many Jews who didn’t return to Jerusalem when it became possible, preferring to continue living where they had settled around the Persian Empire. After the death of Esther’s parents, she was raised by Mordecai, an older cousin (Esther 2:7), who served in the Persian ruler’s palace.

The author of the book of Esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to Mordecai.

The popularity of the story of Esther is great. Listen to this description in The Five Megilloth, a Jewish commentary published by the Soncino Press: “Esther is, among the generality of Jews, the best known of all the Books of the Bible” (p. 193).

There are many reasons for this popularity. The book of Esther tells a compelling story, dramatic and exciting, with clearly defined heroes and villains. It also reveals deep and abiding spiritual truths about God’s power to deliver us from danger and oppression, even when despotic rulers plan to do evil to God’s people. Though God’s name or a direct reference to the divine does not appear in the entire story, nonetheless, God’s presence and deliverance of His people is clearly felt and implied throughout this story.

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5

It is interesting that the book of Esther does not mention God. However, just because the name of God is not mentioned, that dies not mean that He is not an integral part of the story.

One of the things that stood out for me was the last verses in the reading:
9 And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.”14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows[p] fifty cubits[q]high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.
(Emphasis in bold is mine)

How unfortunate it is that sometimes we can be consumed by our own pettiness that we cease to see all of the things that are good in our lives. Here was Haman--invited to a solo banquet with the King and the Queen and all he could focus on was the anger he felt towards someone who didn't do what he asked. Haman even goes so far as building a gallows for Mordecai--not knowing that it would be Haman himself using it.

We too can become consumed with our anger and our resentment that it causes us to overlook the good things in our lives. We become blind and can't see the goodness before us. If only Haman would have seen beyond his hatred towards Mordecai, he would have been able to enjoy his position of power instead of becoming greedy with power and having the desire to kill all of the Jews.

God is in control whether he is at the forefront of the story or working behind the scenes. We can trust Him to place the right people in the right place at the right time for such a time as this.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 6-10

Wednesday, December 9th: Esther 9-10, Luke 13:23-35 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 9-10; Luke 13:23-35

Even though God's name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, His sovereignty is on clear display. Time and again Satan has tried to destroy the people of Israel because he knows that they are God's chosen people. But despite his best efforts, they still remain alive today.  Our Esther passage is another example of an attempted holocaust "gone wrong".  And talk about a reversal - the people of Israel went from the possibility of outright extinction to enjoying prosperity and power with Mordecai as second in command only to the King.  God has continued and will continue to preserve a remnant of His people.

In our NT passage we see that, comparatively speaking, few people will be saved.

23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
My Life Application Bible says....
Finding salvation requires more concentrate effort than most people are willing to put forth. Obviously we cannot save ourselves - there is no way we can work ourselves into God's favor. The effort we must put out "to enter through the narrow door" is earnestly desiring to know Jesus and diligently striving to follow him whatever the cost. We dare not put off making this decision because the door will not stay open forever.

Not everyone is willing to pay that cost.  But what they don't realize is that the cost of not paying it, is far greater.  Unfortunately, for many, that knowledge will come too late.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Haggai 1-2; Luke 14:1-24

Tuesday, December 8th: Esther 6-8, Luke 13:1-22 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 6-8; Luke 13:1-22

In our reading from Esther,  the wickedness of Haman stood out to me. He was  evil and selfish.  His selfishness blinded him and made him look stupid. In Esther 6:7-9 Haman believes the king is asking him what honour the king should give to himself, when in fact the king was asking Haman what honour he should give to Mordecai, who was Haman's enemy.

Verses 7-9: "So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, [8] have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. [9] 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor !’ ”

This backfired on Haman,  who must have been seething when Mordecai received these honours,  and not himself. Do we ever think we're better than we really are?

Later on in chapter 8:17 we read how many people claimed to be Jews when in fact they weren't,  because they now feared the Jews and were scared of going against them.

17: In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them

When the end times arrive many will quickly try and claim to know Jesus as their personal saviour, but it will be too late. They will see then how wrong they were to reject God. Do we take our personal relationship with Jesus seriously? Will we have regrets one day?  These are tough questions and answers, for myself I know I can always do more and work harder. My prayer is to keep moving forward and growing in my faith,  and to have my actions change as I grow.

In Luke 13:10-17 we read about how Jesus healed a women on the Sabbath and how someone had a problem with Him healing on a holy day. It seems we read many times how Jesus performs a miracle on the Sabbath and then how it offends someone, this sounds like our society today where someone is always getting offended!

Does Jesus do this to get a rise out of the religious leaders at the time? Would he get a chuckle out of their foolishness? I don't think so,  but He does make an important point, we need to be living for Him seven days a week.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage:  Esther 9-10; Luke 13:23-35

Monday, December 7: Esther 3-5 and Luke 12:32-59 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 3-5, Luke 12:32-59

I found this to give some background (here) to the deep rivalry that existed between Mordecai and Haman:

The historical genesis for the drama played out between Mordecai (a Benjamite descendant of Saul—2:5) and Haman (an Agagite—3:1, 10; 8:3, 5; 9:24) goes back almost 1,000 years when the Jews exited from Egypt (ca. 1445 B.C.) and were attacked by the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8–16), whose lineage began with Amalek, son of Esau (Gen. 36:12). God pronounced His curse on the Amalekites, which resulted in their total elimination as a people (Ex. 17:14; Deut. 25:17–19). Although Saul (ca. 1030 B.C.) received orders to kill all the Amalekites, including their king Agag (1 Sam. 15:2, 3), he disobeyed (1 Sam. 15:7–9) and incurred God’s displeasure (1 Sam. 15:11, 26;28:18). Samuel finally hacked Agag into pieces (1 Sam. 15:32, 33). Because of his lineage from Agag, Haman carried deep hostility toward the Jews.

The time of Esther arrived 550 years after the death of Agag, but in spite of such passage of time, neither Haman the Agagite nor Mordecai the Benjamite had forgotten the tribal feud that still smoldered in their souls. This explains why Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman (3:2, 3) and why Haman so viciously attempted to exterminate the Jewish race (3:5, 6, 13). As expected, God’s prophecy to extinguish the Amalekites (Ex. 17:14; Deut. 25:17–19) and God’s promise to preserve the Jews (Gen. 17:1–8) prevailed.

To think that if Saul had obeyed that Haman would have never been born makes for an interesting side story. Disobedience always has consequences.  Not obeying your parents has consequences. Not listening to teachers, leaders, and bosses has consequences. Not following God has far reaching consequences that go way beyond what Saul could have imagined when he chose to spare some of the lives of the Amalekites.  Even when we obey something half way instead of all the way, there are consequences. There are consequences when we don't play by the rules.

MacArthur compares the book of Esther to a game:

Esther could be compared to a chess game. God and Satan (as invisible players) moved real kings, queens, and nobles. When Satan put Haman into place, it was as if he announced “Check.” God then positioned Esther and Mordecai in order to put Satan into “Checkmate!” Ever since the fall of man (Gen. 3:1–19), Satan has attempted to spiritually sever God’s relationship with His human creation and disrupt God’s covenant promises with Israel. For example, Christ’s line through the tribe of Judah had been murderously reduced to Joash alone, who was rescued and preserved (2 Chr. 22:10–12). Later, Herod slaughtered the infants of Bethlehem, thinking Christ was among them (Matt. 2:16). Satan tempted Christ to denounce God and worship him (Matt. 4:9). Peter, at Satan’s insistence, tried to block Christ’s journey to Calvary (Matt. 16:22). Finally, Satan entered into Judas who then betrayed Christ to the Jews and Romans (Luke 22:3–6). While God was not mentioned in Esther, He was everywhere apparent as the One who opposed and foiled Satan’s diabolical schemes by providential intervention.

In Esther, all of God’s unconditional covenant promises to Abraham (Gen. 17:1–8) and to David (2 Sam. 7:8–16) were jeopardized. However, God’s love for Israel is nowhere more apparent than in this dramatic rescue of His people from pending elimination. “Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Ps. 121:4).

God keeps his promises. He uses what we are, meets us where we are, and accomplishes what he said he would. May our focus be on obedience to what God desires for us so that we can be willing instruments to His plan.

This verse from the NT also stood out for me:

³⁴ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

So many things get in the way for me and my walk with God. What I need to remember is that where I put my time and my energy is where my heart will be. My prayer is that I will willingly submit to obedience when God calls me to do things that make me uncomfortable...just like Esther was called to do.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Esther 6-8; Luke 13:1-22