datethewordtest

Tag: Esther

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 22 (9/22) is Esther 9:22

    “As the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which
    was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that
    they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents
    to one another and gifts to the poor.” – Esther 9:22
    It was Time to CELEBRATE!!

    Our verse to consider called for the JEWS to pause and CELEBRATE as the plot of evil Haman to destroy (literally annihilate) the Jews was foiled and had greatly failed. With reports coming into the capital of how the Jews had not just protected themselves from their enemies but had killed their enemies, Mordecai determined it was time to CELEBRATE.  And it was a very deserved CELEBRATION as just a few chapters earlier in the book of Esther the Jewish people were facing annihilation. But because of the bravery of Esther to expose Haman’s plot and her request for the Jews to defend themselves the Jewish people rallied and experienced one of its greatest victories.  And when there is a victory there needs to be a celebration!  

    Do you know how to pause to celebrate?  I heard once that Christians don’t celebrate well.  The thought was presented at a leadership conference.  The challenge was given that as we lay out the vision and goals we believe God would have us do and then see God do the miraculous to accomplish those goals that we should PAUSE to CELEBRATE.  I will state here that I was convicted, and was greatly challenged to incorporate the PAUSE to CELEBRATE into our schedule.  Working at a university did offer natural PAUSES and we decided to start taking advantage of the end of the school year with end-of-the-year banquets or CELEBRATIONS.  While we did not do everything found in Esther 9:22 we did try to have a time of feasting.  And there was lots of joy as we shared stories of how God worked.   

    As you consider to incorporate PAUSE to CELEBRATE I will tell you that there is great value in doing so. It allows for reflection that leads to gratitude to God and for a time to say thank you to those who worked so hard to make the dreams become a reality. Pausing to celebrate leads to glorifying God for the great things HE DID.  Pausing to celebrate will also bring about more dreaming.   

    So, how do you PAUSE to CELEBRATE the workings of God in your life, your church, your ministries, etc.?  

    Verse to DATE the Word on September 22 (9/22) is Esther 9:22. It says, “As the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.” 

    Most of us know how to celebrate a sport’s victory.  Let us celebrate spiritual victories! 

    Continue Strong with an occasional PAUSE to CELEBRATE
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 14 (8/14) is Esther 8:14

    “The couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the 
    king’s command. And the decree was issued in Shushan the citadel.” – Esther 8:14
    BEING URGENT WITH an URGENT MESSAGE

    The Book of Esther tells of how an evil plot was designed by a man named Haman to annihilate the Jews.  Esther, who has become queen earlier in the book, will reveal the plot to the king and then plead for a revoking of the evil plan.  Because the law had been signed and sealed by the King it could not be revoked but the JEWS could protect themselves if a new decree was issued.  In Esther 8:8-10 a new decree is written that will allow the Jews to defend themselves against any and all who would do them harm.  This new decree now must go to all 127 provinces, from India to Ethiopia.  It is a decree that demands urgency for it could mean death for many Jews if they don’t get the message!

    Our verse to DATE tells of how the couriers immediately take the message to those provinces with this description that they rode on royal horses for they were swift horses (v. 10), and they hastened or raced as fast as they could, being pressed on by the king’s command.”  They understood the urgency of the message and the moment!  They were URGENT with the URGENT message.

    You and I are Ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20) and have the eternal life saving message for the world called the gospel.  Do you understand the urgency of the message that we are to be sharing with the lost world?  Like the couriers, we are to be racing as fast as we can to get this message to the world.  Are we doing so as quickly as we can?  Are we using the very best of methods to get the gospel to the world on behalf of the King of Kings?  Do we feel compelled to carry out the great commission given by Jesus to be as quick, as urgent as possible to share the gospel?

    In pressing the point that we are to be urgent in getting the life, yes, eternal life message to the lost I had a friend share about a time they were in New York City many years ago and they saw chiseled on the side of a building “NEITHER SNOW NOR RAIN NOR HEAT NOR GLOOM OF NIGHT STAYS THESE COURIERS FROM THE SWIFT COMPLETION OF THEIR APPOINTED ROUNDS.”  He tells of learning that this was the motto of the United States Postal Service.  He then shared this challenging thought: “What a magnificent thing if that could be said about God’s people delivering the message of the gospel personally!” 

    Our verse to DATE the Word on August 14 (8/14) is Esther 8:14. It says “The couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king’s command. And the decree was issued in Shushan the citadel.”

    An URGENT MESSAGE must be delivered with ALL URGENCY.   Let us be found being URGENT with the URGENT message of the gospel! It could mean heaven or hell for someone! 

    Continue Strong,
    And Remember to DATE the Word
  • Verse to DATE the Word on April 14 (4/14) is Esther 4:14

    Verse to DATE the Word on April 14 (4/14) is Esther 4:14

    “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the
    Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows
    whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14
    Our verse to DATE the Word on April 14 (4/14) is Esther 4:14. Esther 4:14 says, “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

    Step UP and Step INTO your assignment as it is your TIME!

    I am thinking that many of you know the captivating story of Queen Esther.  Most likely growing up she never dreamed of being a queen, especially being the wife of at that time the most powerful man in the world.  Most likely she never dreamed that she would find herself as a great rescuer of her people.  Yet Esther would become the QUEEN and yes, she would find herself being used to RESCUE her people from an evil plot to annihilate them.  If you have not read the Book of Esther lately, I would tell you it is worth your time as it is very INSPIRING and a reminder that every person can make a difference for God if they will step up and step into their assignment.

    Our verse to DATE tells of a pivotal moment in the story and in the life of Esther.  Her uncle, Mordecai, has called on Esther to use her influence with the King to put a stop to the evil plan of Haman to annihilate the Jews.   You find this appeal in Esther 4:6-8.  Esther, however, is hesitant as she knows the rules of the house that say you cannot just show up in the presence of the king. To show up uninvited could very well mean the king could have you put to death.  She is greatly concerned as he has not asked to see her for 30 days. 

    As Mordecai hears of her hesitation to step up and step into this moment he sends words that define reality for her.  He also appeals to her about this incredible opportunity.  In defining reality he tells her to not forget she herself is a Jew and her failure to act will bring about her death as well as her family.   From Mordecai’s viewpoint, this is ESTHER’S moment but he is clear that if she does not step up and step into this role God will get someone else as He is going to take care of His people but Esther and her family will perish.  Reality is defined!  

    But then Mordecai appeals to her to consider the enormity of the moment.  He wants her to define the reality of all that God had done that was totally so unexpected.  He tells her to consider if just maybe all the doors that opened for her to be queen and enjoy life in the palace, married to the great king were for a GREATER PURPOSE.  Maybe, just maybe, she was in this place in this position for this very purpose to rescue/protect God’s people.

    Most likely you know what does happen as Esther does step up and step into her God-given assignment.  It is inspiring to read how she decided that the lives of others were more important than her own. In the end, she is able to convince her husband the king to allow God’s people to protect themselves from those who would kill them.   (READ THE BOOK OF ESTHER)

    I would like you to consider the place and the position you find yourself in these days.   What is God’s present purpose for you?  
    It could be that you find yourself like Nehemiah.  Nehemiah was in the palace as a cupbearer to the king but he realized he needed to be in Jerusalem building a wall. Nehemiah had to move so he could be where God wanted him.  Worth noting that when things got really tough in getting that wall rebuilt Nehemiah pointed God’s people to GOD.  Nehemiah 4:14 says, “I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”  By moving he was in the right place in the right position fulfilling the right purpose.

    Deborah told Barak that he was at the right place in the right position with the right purpose, so he needed to rise up and get into the battle.  Judges 4:14 says, “Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.”  

    It is crucial that you are seeking to be God’s vessel for carrying out His purpose.   Whether you are Esther or Nehemiah or Barak God has a plan and purpose for you.  There are going to come moments throughout your life that will be moments in which are just for you to be God’s man or God’s woman to STEP INTO THE GAP! At those moments let your light shine!  At those moments be an example of what is right.  At those moments, speak up!  You don’t have to be a pastor or a preacher to make a difference.  You can do so as a doctor or a lawyer or as business person or as a teacher or as a coach or as soldier/sailor, etc.  Look at your place and position as a platform to make Jesus known! Step out by faith and step into His assignment as it is your time!

    Verse to DATE the Word on April 14 (4/14) is Esther 4:14. It says, “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

    Continue Strong fulfilling His purpose for your life,
    And remember to DATE the Word