TODAY’S DAILY READING: Esther 7-8  & 1 Corinthians 6

Old Testament: Esther 7- Mind The Gap

Esther 7:3
“Then Queen Esther answered and said, ‘If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.’”

When the chance arose for Esther to make her request known to the king, she pleaded on the behalf of others. This is… Read More

 

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 6- Filter

1 Corinthians 6:12
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

There are certain things that God’s Word clearly encourages, and other things that are clearly condemned. Earlier in the chapter, Paul gave a list of actions… Read More

Esther 8:9-10
“So the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all, to every province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language. And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses bred from swift steeds.”

The book of Esther records how the lives of the Jewish people were in great danger. Haman, one of the highest ranking officials in Persia had enacted a law that allowed the Persian people to kill the Jews and confiscate their land. As the day in which this law would be set in motion quickly approached Esther and her uncle Mordecai realized they must act quickly. They consulted the king and he allowed them to forge another law that would counteract the first one. This law allowed the Jewish people to arm themselves and gather together to resist anyone who tried to come against them. Once this law was set in motion proclaiming it to others became their number one priority. They sought to translate it in every language and send it out using every modern means available to them.

It is not difficult to see a parallel between Esther’s situation and the call of God upon the church today. The Bible teaches us that because of sin the whole world sits under the judgment of the God. But there is another law that was enacted at the cross. This law states that anyone who trusts Christ will have their sins forgiven and be saved from judgment. It is his message that has been given to the church as a whole and to the individual Christian. Like Esther and her team we must seek to use every method available to us to proclaim this message as quickly as we can. In Paul’s day he traveled across the land on the Roman highways and over the seas using their shipping lanes. When he could not make a personal visit, he wrote letters and sent them through the hands of couriers. All of this was an expression of seeking to take the gospel as far as he could as fast as he could using each and every means available to him.

Today we have platforms for proclaiming the gospel that no one could have ever imagined. The internet and social media, remove borders and allow the gospel to be heralded like never before. A message proclaimed from our living room has the potential to reach the world. In light of this I think we should consider at least three things. First, how are we using our resources to help support the proclamation of the gospel? Second, how are we using our social media platforms? Are they simply a way for us to show off how great our life is, what we had for lunch or to ramble about how dissatisfied we are with the politics? Or do we see them as a way to be a witness to others? Finally, we need to realize that although these are methods for proclaiming the gospel, they do not replace the one on one, face to face sharing Jesus with others. God gives us open doors into the lives of others so we can win them to Christ and help them grow. Continue to pray and look for opportunities to impact others for the kingdom of God.

Time is running out

Jim

 

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Esther 5-6  & 1 Corinthians 5

Old Testament: Esther 5- Request

Esther 5:2-3
“So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What do you… Read More

Esther 6- Insomnia 

Esther 6:1
“That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.”

We don’t always get to see what God is doing on the other side of our… Read More

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 5- Leaven

1 Corinthians 5:1
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!”

God designed sexual intimacy as part of the marriage relationship. It is the most intimate of all acts and plays an… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Esther 3-4  & 1 Corinthians 4

Old Testament: Esther 3- Living Differently

Esther 3:8
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain.”

Haman’s problem with Mordecai and the Jewish people as a whole was not that they… Read More

Esther 4- Platforms 

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?”

It is not easy to figure out why one person is given certain gifts and opportunities, that… Read More

New Testament: 1 Corinthians- Puffed Up

1 Corinthians 4:6-7
“. . . that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”

Paul warns of the danger of pride. He refers to it as being puffed up; a term that has withstood the test of time, and is still used today. When we see… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Esther 1-2  & 1 Corinthians 3

Old Testament: Esther 1- Love And Respect

Esther 1:20
“When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.”

The opening scene of Esther sheds a bright light on the needs of men. Ahasuerus, king of Persia, had invited all the nobles of his kingdom to a great celebration. It is likely, he was trying to persuade them to get behind his program of sending a massive army to overthrow… Read More

Esther 2- Chosen

Esther 2:17
“The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.”

It could have been easy for a woman like Esther to feel forgotten. She had lost her parents at a young age, and was a believer… Read More 

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 3- Growth

1 Corinthians 3:1
“I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.”

Paul mentions four types of people in the opening verses of this chapter. He refers to mere men (some versions read natural man), babes in Christ, carnal men, and finally spiritual men. These terms represent a natural development in the spiritual life of an individual. Natural man refers to a person before they place their faith in Christ. The natural man is living, breathing, walking, talking, perhaps… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Nehemiah 13 & 1 Corinthians 2
Old Testament: Nehemiah 13- Take A Stand

Nehemiah 13:8
“And it grieved me bitterly; therefore I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room.”

Jesus, speaking figuratively, said if our hand causes us to sin we should cut it off, and If our eye causes us to sin we should pluck it out (Matthew 18:8-9). Essentially, He was saying we should take radical action against personal sin. As the book of Nehemiah… Read More

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 2- Hide And Seek

1 Corinthians 2:9
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

The things God has planned for each of us are better than anything we could ever imagine. Rather than leaving us to our… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Nehemiah 11-12 & 1 Corinthians 1
Old Testament: Nehemiah 11- Costs

Nehemiah 11:2
“And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.”

Years before these events, Zerubbabel led a host of people from captivity, to begin rebuilding the temple. His ministry was followed up by… Read More

 

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 1- Weakness

1 Corinthians 1:26
“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”

Paul reminded Timothy that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. That was His purpose, His passion, and what He labored diligently towards. After the resurrection, Jesus called… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Nehemiah 9-10 & Romans 16
Old Testament: Nehemiah 9- Needs Met

Nehemiah 9:20
“You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, and did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.”

Nehemiah is reflecting back upon how God faithfully met the needs of His people as they struggled through their wilderness journey. He speaks regarding the Spirit, the… Read More
Nehemiah 10- Neglect

Nehemiah 10:39
“For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering… and we will not neglect the house of our God.”

Much of our life is experience oriented. We save, plan, and prepare for a trip; making sure we get lots of photos, so we can remember our experience… Read More

New Testament: Romans 16- Honor

Romans 16:3b
“. . . my fellow workers in Christ Jesus”

Years ago, I received a letter; I had been selected to be awarded for my accomplishments as a teacher. Upon reading the first paragraph, I was honored and somewhat humbled. My ego… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Nehemiah 7-8 & Romans 15
Old Testament: Nehemiah 7- Build Your House

Nehemiah 7:4
“Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and the houses were not rebuilt.”

By this time, in the Nehemiah’s story, much has been accomplished. He has experienced the call of God that took him from a highly coveted position in the kings… Read More  

Nehemiah 8- Celebration

Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”

Chapter 8 brings us to the climax of the book of Nehemiah. After the grueling task of building the walls was completed, the people gathered together to celebrate the… Read More 

New Testament: Romans 15- One Mind

Romans 15:5-6
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This chapter contains many… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Nehemiah 5-6 & Romans 14
Old Testament: Nehemiah 5- A Terrible Thing To Waste

Nehemiah 5:7
“After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said…”

Nehemiah serves as an example of godly… Read More
Nehemiah 6- All Inventions Are Not Created Equal

Nehemiah 6:8
“Then I sent to him, saying, ‘No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.’”

The enemies of Judah seem to be constantly thinking of new ways to attack Nehemiah and… Read More

New Testament: Romans 14- No Man Is An Island

Romans 14:7
“For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.”

A Christian by the name of John Donne (1572-1631), is credited for the saying, “No man is an island.” He wrote it in a devotional message speaking of how our lives effect one another. Paul is writing about the same idea, because we are part of the body of Christ, our lives effect one another. The decision I make to follow the Lord will have an impact upon those around… Read More