Tag: Esther

Posted in Hiding His Word

The Greatest of These is Charity

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Esther 8:1–10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27–13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24

Yet Shew I Unto You a More Excellent Way
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. – 1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:27-31‬‬

The More Excellent Way
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Charity
• suffereth long
• is kind
• envieth not
• vaunteth not itself
• is not puffed up
• doth not behave itself unseemly
• seeketh not her own
• is not easily provoked
• thinketh no evil
• rejoiceth not in iniquity
• but rejoiceth in the truth
• beareth all things
• believeth all things
• hopeth all things
• endureth all things
• never faileth

– 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-8‬a‬

That Which is in Part Shall Be Done Away With
but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. – 1 Corinthians 13:8b-10

But Then Shall I Know
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. – 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

Faith, Hope, Charity
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; – 1 Corinthians 13:13a

But the Greatest of These…
but the greatest of these is charity. – 1 Corinthians 13:13b

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Purim
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; but when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, the Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. – Esther 9:23-28

Mordecai – Great Among the Jews
For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. – Esther 10:3

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Rest in the LORD
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. – Psalm 37:7-11

Proud, Haughty Scorner
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, Who dealeth in proud wrath. – Proverbs 21:24

“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names Who acts with overbearing and insolent pride. – Proverbs 21:24 AMP

Posted in Hiding His Word

And Whether One Member Suffer, All the Members Suffer with It

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Esther 4:1–7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22

Concerning Spiritual Gifts
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. – 1 Corinthians 12:1-3

Diversities of Gifts, But the Same Spirit
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Dividing to Every Man Severally as He Will
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. – 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

As the Body is One, and Hath Many Members
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? – 1 Corinthians 12:12-17

God Set the Members Every One of Them in the Body
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. – 1 Corinthians 12:18-25

And Whether One Member Suffer, All the Members Suffer with It
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. – 1 Corinthians 12:26

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Think Not With Thyself That Thou Shalt Escape
In today’s reading of Esther, Haman devised a plan to destroy the Jewish people, and he convinced the king to go along with it. Neither knew that Esther was a Jew. In agony, Mordecai sent word to Queen Esther, pleading for her to intervene for her people. She said she couldn’t because going before the king without invitation could mean death. Mordecai sent this familiar and powerful message to Esther. It is a message that is for us even today in our current world situations.

Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? – Esther 4:13-14

And Esther responded:

Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. – Esther 4:15-16

Is this not a message to us all for today? It is not coincidental that these verses are in our reading today. Should we not respond in this very same way? Should we not fast, pray, and raise our voice against evil to save our people (our brothers and sisters in Christ)? Should we not know that if we hold our peace now that they will see great deliverance but we set ourselves up to be destroyed? Should we not see and know that God has us at this place at this time for such a time as this? Should we not be willing today to do whatever it takes…and if we perish, we perish???

Heavenly Father, Help our family!!! As we have seen through Your Word today, when one member suffers, we all suffer. It affects us all. Help our brothers and sisters that stand face-to-face with evil today. Protect and deliver them, Lord. Help our family here to use our power, authority, voice, and our lives to stand in the gap and fight (in prayer and in the natural), no matter the costs. God help us all to see You brought us into our place in Your Kingdom for such a time as this. Please help us, Holy Ghost! Help me…In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen!

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In Thy Light Shall We See Light
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; And thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; Thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; And thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light. – Psalm 36:5-9

He That Followeth After Righteousness
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy Findeth life, righteousness, and honour. – Proverbs 21:21

Posted in Hiding His Word

My Tongue Shall Speak of Thy Righteousness

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Esther 1:1–3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20

My Tongue Shall Speak of Thy Righteousness 
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. – Psalm 35:18

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness And of thy praise all the day long. – Psalm 35:28

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The King Asks for Counsel
The book of Esther begins with king Ahasuerus throwing a banquet to show off his wealth. He requests queen Vashti to come so that he can show her off, and she refuses. The king is furious and asks his wise men for counsel regarding Vashti and her disobedience.

And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: – Esther 1:16-21

Search for a New Queen
The king did as counseled. Over time, his anger waned, and he became lonely. His counselors suggested that he find a new queen, and they suggested he bring in the fair, young virgins of the kingdom to prepare them for his search. The king was pleased with this and the search began and Esther was brought to the palace.

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 2:8-9

Esther was brought to the palace and gained favor with Hegai, the keeper of the women. But as her Uncle Mordecai instructed her, she didn’t let anyone know that she was Jewish.

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. – Esther 2:10

Esther Becomes Queen – Mordecai Overheard a Plot
When it was her turn to meet the king, Esther didn’t ask for special privileges or gifts. She went before the king, and the king was pleased and loved her. He selects her the new queen. A grand celebration begins.

Meanwhile, Mordecai sat at the king’s gate and overheard two eunuchs plotting to assassinate the king. He lets queen Esther know of the plot. She tells the king and lets him know this information came from Mordecai. The men were found guilty and hanged, and all the details of this specific event were written in the book of the Chronicles.

Haman is Promoted – Mordecai Refuses to Bow to Him
King Ahasuerus promoted Haman and commanded his servants to bow before this man. Mordecai refused, and when the people questioned him, he let them know he could not bow to anyone because he was a Jew. It got back to Haman that Mordecai not only refused to bow but that he was a Jew, and Haman was enraged. He developed a plot not only to kill Mordecai but all of the Jewish people.

Justification to Kill the Jews
Haman goes to the king and justifies why Mordecai and all Jews needed to be killed. The king agrees, gives Haman his signet ring (his authority), and he also gives him the funds to do as he pleased. In others words, the king tells Haman to make it happen.

And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. – Esther 3:8-11

The People Mourn – The King and Haman Celebrate
Haman sends letters out to all the provinces that on a certain day of the twelfth month, all Jews will be killed. Confusion and mourning cover the land as the king and Haman sit down and have a drink together.

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In Remembrance of Me
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Let A Man Examine Himself
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.. – 1 Corinthians 11:27-340

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Precious Treasure and Oil
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man spendeth it up. – Proverbs 21:20

There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it. – Proverbs 21:20 AMP