Promises of God
May 12, 2024 • John Reilly • Esther 6
In the book of Esther, we see how God turns ordinary moments into extraordinary ones, even when His hand is hard to see. While we may struggle to understand our own story, relying on God's promises gives us hope, patience, and steadfastness in uncertain times. Let's actively trust in these promises to be part of God's bigger narrative, even when it feels challenging.
The Destructive Power of Pride
May 5, 2024 • Dave D'Angelo • Esther 5
Do you believe God extends His grace even to those against us? Do you embrace justice and mercy as God does, or are you too focused on demanding justice for yourself? Through the lens of Haman’s pride, we see how it blinds us to God’s truth and perpetuates anger and hurt. Pride convinces us that joy and security lie in possessions and status, leading us to minimize our own faults while magnifying others’. God calls us to humble ourselves, plow the fields of our hearts, and open ourselves up to His word, seeking healing and transformation.
The Daily Choice
April 28, 2024 • John Reilly • Esther 4
What is your ultimate pursuit in life? Are you striving for wealth, prestige, or the validation of others? Or are you prepared to relinquish everything to embrace Jesus? Every morning presents us with the choice: Will we conform to the values of this world, or will we align ourselves with the Kingdom of God? We are called to choose God’s world and walk daily in accordance with His will.
The Enemy’s Trap
April 21, 2024 • Amanda Beggs • Esther 3, 2 Corinthians 10:4
The book of Esther shows us to look for the hidden hand of God in our lives. Just because we can’t see God, doesn’t mean He isn’t there. But the enemy tries to trick us into believing lies. Satan always presents the bait, but then he hides the hook. Have you given the enemy unchecked power in your life? Have you fallen into the trap of unquestioned acceptance or confusion? The enemy uses these traps to try to take our eyes off Jesus. But Jesus is always walking with us. He enters the confusion. He can sympathize with us inside our pain and also save us from it. When we lean into scripture and rely on the power God has given us, we are freed.
Easy Choices vs. Hard Choices
April 14, 2024 • Scott Stevens • Esther 2, Romans 8:5–6, Romans 8:11
Why does Jesus challenge us to do the hard things of faith? Being a Christian in American culture is becoming increasingly more difficult. However, it’s okay to be on the wrong side of culture if you’re on the right side of God’s word. Living the life of flesh is choosing to do what we want to do and when we want to do it, which is easy. But choosing the life of the spirit is doing what God wants us to do in His timing, which is hard. When we choose to do the hard things, God will reveal His providence, blessing, and favor over us.
Eyes of Faith
April 7, 2024 • Dave D'Angelo • Esther 9:20–22, Genesis 2:18, Esther 4:13–17, Esther 7:7–10
We are constantly searching for hope in times of distress. Sometimes we struggle to hold onto our faith and have patience and courage. The book of Esther encourages us to recognize and develop eyes of faith rather than hearts of fear. Esther demonstrates how to trust in God’s providence and faithfulness, even when we can’t see that it’s present.