7 As he looked up in extreme anger, his features fiery and majestic, the queen staggered, turned pale and fainted, collapsing against the maid in front of her. 8 But God changed the king’s anger to gentleness. In great anxiety he sprang from his throne, held her in his arms until she recovered, and comforted her with reassuring words.
9 “What is it, Esther?” he said to her. “I am your brother. Take courage! 10 You shall not die; this order of ours applies only to our subjects. 11 Come near!”
Esther Goes to Ahasuerus.
1 On the third day, ending her prayers, she took off her prayer garments and arrayed herself in her splendid attire. 2 In making her appearance, after invoking the all-seeing God and savior, she took with her two maids; 3 on the one she leaned gently for support, 4 while the other followed her, bearing her train. 5 She glowed with perfect beauty and her face was as joyous as it was lovely, though her heart was pounding with fear. 6 She passed through all the portals till she stood before the king, who was seated on his royal throne, clothed in full robes of state, and covered with gold and precious stones, so that he inspired great awe.
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
15 Esther sent back to Mordecai the response: 16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who are in Susa; fast on my behalf, all of you, not eating or drinking night or day for three days. I and my maids will also fast in the same way. Thus prepared, I will go to the king, contrary to the law. If I perish, I perish!” 17 Mordecai went away and did exactly as Esther had commanded.
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
Family,
This was sent out before (Open Doors. Closed Doors. God's Plan. Our Path. Perfect Peace. (6.30.21)) in a somewhat longer version; but here it is again, because all of us (including me & my team) need to be reminded and reassured that GOD is a loving Master Planner of our life.
When one door closes, it forces us to change course. Then another door closes, and it forces many of us to change course, yet again. Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessings. But instead of praising GOD for the closed doors (which kept us out of trouble), too often, many of us get upset because we "judged by appearances." And for too many of us, especially lukewarm believers, in our own arrogance - or ignorance - we insist that we know what is right; or we fail to recognize God "at work," understanding that all things work together for those who love the Lord - Romans 8:28.
We MUST always remember that we have 'a Very Present Help' in our times of need, Who Is always standing guard. Because He Walks ahead of us, He Can See trouble 'down the road ,' and He sets up protection, provision, roadblocks and detours accordingly.
But for some of us, through our lack of wisdom (vision and trust);, we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying out, "Lord, how could this happen to me?" We must realize and recognize that the closed door was a blessing. Didn't He Say, No good thing will He withhold from them that love him? - Romans 8:28
If you get terminated from your job - don't be down. Instead thank GOD for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be a better job, or an opportunity that will bless the next 20 years of your life.
If that man or woman won't return your call - it might not be them. It might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go). I am so grateful, for the many times GOD has closed doors to me, just to open new doors in the most unexpected places. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way." - Psalm 37:23.
The Mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!
20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’
and,
“‘May another take his place of leadership.’
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Source: NIV (New International Version)
IV. ESTHER AND MORDECAI PLEAD FOR HELP
Mordecai Exhorts Esther.
1 When Mordecai learned all that was happening, he tore his garments, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city crying out loudly and bitterly, 2 till he came before the royal gate, which no one clothed in sackcloth might enter. 3 Likewise in each of the provinces, wherever the king’s decree and law reached, the Jews went into deep mourning, with fasting, weeping, and lament; most of them lay on sackcloth and ashes.
4 Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her. Overwhelmed with anguish, the queen sent garments for Mordecai to put on, so that he might take off his sackcloth; but he refused. 5 Esther then summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs whom he had placed at her service, and commanded him to find out what this action of Mordecai meant and the reason for it. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the public square in front of the royal gate, 7 and Mordecai recounted all that had happened to him, as well as the exact amount of silver Haman had promised to pay to the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction that had been promulgated in Susa, to show and explain to Esther. Hathach was to instruct her to go to the king and to plead and intercede with him on behalf of her people.
9 Hathach returned to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said. 10 Then Esther replied to Hathach and gave him this message for Mordecai: 11 “All the servants of the king and the people of his provinces know that any man or woman who goes to the king in the inner court without being summoned is subject to the same law—death. Only if the king extends the golden scepter will such a person live. Now as for me, I have not been summoned to the king for thirty days.”
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
Source: NIV (New International Version)
14 A copy of the decree to be promulgated as law in every province was published to all the peoples, that they might be prepared for that day. 15 The couriers set out in haste at the king’s command; meanwhile, the decree was promulgated in the royal precinct of Susa. The king and Haman then sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
"Lord, show us the people You want us to help or encourage today. Lead us to those who are hurting or in need, and we will trust You for the means to do something about it."I can promise you that our Loving Father will answer, if you will listen and obey. He Will trust you with small things first, and then He will expand your territory.
~ Prayer ~
Lord GOD,Show me the people that You want me to help, or encourage, today. Lead me to those who are hurting, or in need, and I Will trust You for the means to bless them.
Help me with being obedient to Your Word.
I Want to be Your "Agent of Change" in this hurting world. Lord, I rejoice in each and every person's life that You place me in!
Use me Lord, for Your Purpose and Will.
I pray this prayer in the Mighty Name of Jesus!!
Amen
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Source: NIV (New International Version)
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.
Source: NIV (New International Version)
21 This proposal pleased the king and the officials, and the king acted on the advice of Memucan. 22 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, to the effect that every man should be lord in his own home.
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
II. ESTHER BECOMES QUEEN
The Banquet of Ahasuerus.
1 During the reign of Ahasuerus—the same Ahasuerus who ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia— 2 while he was occupying the royal throne in the royal precinct of Susa, 3 in the third year of his reign, he gave a feast for all his officials and ministers: the Persian and Median army officers, the nobles, and the governors of the provinces. 4 For as many as a hundred and eighty days, he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the resplendent wealth of his royal estate.
5 At the end of this time the king gave a feast of seven days in the garden court of the royal palace for all the people, great and small, who were in the royal precinct of Susa. 6 There were white cotton draperies and violet hangings, held by cords of fine crimson linen from silver rings on marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were on a mosaic pavement, which was of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones. 7 Drinks were served in a variety of golden cups, and the royal wine flowed freely, as befitted the king’s liberality. 8 By ordinance of the king the drinking was unstinted, for he had instructed all the stewards of his household to comply with the good pleasure of everyone. 9 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
16 See, I have created the smith
who blows on the burning coals
and forges weapons as his work;
It is I also who have created
the destroyer to work havoc.
17 Every weapon fashioned against you shall fail;
every tongue that brings you to trial
you shall prove false.
This is the lot of the servants of the Lord,
their vindication from me—oracle of the Lord.
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
9 This is for me like the days of Noah:
As I swore then that the waters of Noah
should never again flood the earth,
So I have sworn now not to be angry with you,
or to rebuke you.
10 Though the mountains fall away
and the hills be shaken,
My love shall never fall away from you
nor my covenant of peace be shaken,
says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
The New Zion
1 Raise a glad cry, you barren one who never bore a child,
break forth in jubilant song, you who have never been in labor,
For more numerous are the children of the deserted wife
than the children of her who has a husband,
says the Lord.
2 Enlarge the space for your tent,
spread out your tent cloths unsparingly;
lengthen your ropes and make firm your pegs.
3 For you shall spread abroad to the right and left;
your descendants shall dispossess the nations
and shall people the deserted cities.
4 Do not fear, you shall not be put to shame;
do not be discouraged, you shall not be disgraced.
For the shame of your youth you shall forget,
the reproach of your widowhood no longer remember.
5 For your husband is your Maker;
the Lord of hosts is his name,
Your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,
called God of all the earth.
Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)
Source: NKJV (New King James Version)
David Becomes King Over Israel
1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
David Conquers Jerusalem
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.
8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies. ” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”
9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
Source: NIV (New International Version)
