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Today is Friday June 12, 2009 and we are beginning our studies on the book of Esther. Please read Chapters 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.allonlinebible.com/Esther/1,1-3,last/1.html

Today’s Message: A Purpose
God has a purpose and a plan for every Christian that will not only bless that person, but countless others as well.

The book of Esther is the seventeenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains ten chapters. The author of the book is unknown and it was originally written to the Israelites who where in Persia. The purpose of the book was to  continue showing the history of Israel and to recount the divine care of for His people. What we are to learn from the book is that  God uses all people, who accept Him, whom He has prepare to be a witness and blessing to others going through crises.

Whether or not we accept it, God has placed each one of us where we need to be. Each trial we face has one of two destinations,  God’s place or Our place. That’s the great thing, God lets us choose which road we want to take. However, we need to truly think about what path we take because one wrong decision can completely ruin any success that have.

Esther was an orphan named Hadassah who was taken from Jerusalem to Babylon during the destruction of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. She was a cousin to Mordecai, who took her as his daughter when her parents died. “Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; ………………and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.  So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.” - Esther 2:5,7-9. Esther could have been angry or bitter at the suffering she faced, instead she chose to make the best of her situation and move forward with a new vision. Many people become angry and bitter because their lives are not what they expect them to be, but we can not let theses things control  what we do in the future. God has placed us for His intended purpose. It's up to us whether we maintain an attitude of self pity if we don't like our circumstances or whether we allow Christ to use us where we are.

Esther was one of several virgin women who king  Ahasuerus was observing in order to appoint a new queen in Persia or become a part of his harem. Mordecai encouraged Esther not to let it be known that she was a Jew. “Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.” - 2:10-11. I am sure that Mordecai thought he was protecting Esther by telling her not to let the people know that she was a Jew, but it probably was not a wise decision. We too, as Christians will face situations where we will have a choice whether or not to reveal our Christianity, this one test that will prove our faithfulness to Christ. Are you willing to deny that you know Christ out of fear of rejection?

Esther became queen, shortly after a man named Haman had become so influential with the king that all the kings servants had to bow down before him. However, Mordecai did not. “After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. ” - Esther 3:1-4. This testimony brought about what appeared would be Mordecai's death, but Mordecai was willing to die, if necessary, rather than compromise his loyalty to God. However, Mordecai and Esther used every legal means to defend the interests of the people of God, even risking their own well-being. Like Mordecai, we must not bow down to the Hamans of this world who would seek to destroy our loyalty to Christ.

As Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ and we should maintain a dignity in our daily conduct and conversation that honors our Lord. We may feel like a victim of circumstances beyond our control and wish for another situation where we could do something more for our Lord, but there is no need to fear that you are missing God's best, just serve Him where you are, for He has placed you exactly where He needs you to be.

Today’s Psalm: 100:2
“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy your weekend.
God bless,
Christina

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