From: August 19, 2014
There is diversity of spiritual gifting, but one Spirit. Many parts, one body. If the church is behaving in a crippled manner, isn’t it because certain parts of the body aren’t active? Not that they aren’t present, but that they aren’t obedient to the Head, which is Christ? When the members of the body of Christ fail to do their part, the body falls short of its calling. But when every member moves in unity according to gifting, the church fulfills its calling. What if the church isn’t being the church because you aren’t being the member of its body you were gifted to be?
From: August 19, 2012
The Holy Spirit comes to abide in us when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Living in us, He gives us spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. This gifting is not for our own edification. It is to be used to edify one another. As we exercise our spiritual gifting, we grow in their use, and the church is built up. Are you exercising your gifts in the church?
From: August 19, 2011
Esther won a beauty contest to become queen of Persia. God used her position to save her people. Why have you come into your position? Is it for your edification or is it a platform from which to announce the coming King?
From: August 19, 2009
1) What “earned” Esther favor? – My thought: Favor isn’t favor if it’s earned. Favor, like grace, is freely given by God to whom He wills. None of us deserve God’s favor. Also, notice in Esther 2:7 what Esther’s condition was prior to her elevation to Queen. She was an orphan! Not only that, she was an orphan living in a foreign land! Ouch! Doesn’t sound favorable does it? I wonder how often God’s favor follows after a season of apparent “curse?” And I wonder if God’s favor toward Esther (Her Persian name. Her real Hebrew name: Hadassah, meaning “myrtle.”) was put into place so that His favor could be shown to all the “chosen” (or favored) people? As her uncle Mordecai reminded her for “such a time as this.” So, favor is given for “such a time as this.” Whatever “this” you’re facing.
2) Why not bow to Haman? – Possibly because bowing and worship are related in the Jewish mind. Jews had laws against this. The 3 Hebrews wouldn’t bow to Neb’s idol and he threw them in the furnace for it.
3) King Xerxes 1/2 kingdom offer? – It shows the extent of Esthers favor with the king. Perhaps he uses hyperbole here, but he is giving her permission to ask large. Reminds me of King Herod’s promise to his stepdaughter… who then requested John the Baptist’s head on a platter.
Esther is one of two books named for women in the Bible. She is the recipient of the first “Miss Universe” contest. Her name comes from “Aster,” meaning “star” (as in asteroid). She was God’s star!