A Journey Through The Book of Esther: Part Seven

Dearest,

The journey continues! Today we continue our journey with part 7 of this amazing book! I keep calling this book amazing because it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Honestly journeying through this book has exposed me to a plethora of lessons as I prepare not only to be a godly wife but also as I strive to grow in my knowledge of the Word. My utmost desire is that you will be blessed by these lessons and most of all be challenged to act on them. I also urge you to read the chapters from your Bible so that you may gain better insight into the story of Esther as we continue this journey together.

Esther 7: This is the story of the execution of Haman. Esther hosts the King and Haman to another banquet and finally reveals to the king what the matter is. The king is enraged at Haman’s plan against His wife’s people and orders his execution on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.

Lessons:

Vs 1: Ladies, this is a trademark secret that has endured generations; sometimes the key to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I imagine that Esther would have overseen the preparation the meal, if not prepared it herself. Be a master not only in the bedroom but also in the kitchen too. Not every time you just dump your requests on your husband. Pay and seek God’s direction on the technique to use.

Vs 2: When God’s favor is backing you, you will have your choice of requests sef. Ah… *laughs* Favor of God. Esther had not said or done anything asides host a banquet and the King was already offering her half of the kingdom.

Vs 3-4: Esther addressed her husband the king with respect even after he had offered her half of the kingdom. She did not get carried away by his offer of half of the kingdom. She did not lose sight of the goal. She stayed on track; undivided attention. She did not get carried away by material things. After all, she was Queen; she was free to care less of the common people and their fate.

Vs 5-8: You know it’s really funny how the King immediately got enraged at the news of Haman’s plans. Why? Who gave assent to the plans in the first place? The king na. But you see at this point, he didn’t bother even asking about his wife’s nationality. He was already enraged enough that her people’s lives were in danger. Her identity as a Jew saved her people. Keeping her identity a secret the whole while was all part of God’s plan. Maybe if she had revealed it, that knowledge alone would have discouraged the king from marrying her and Haman’s plan maybe had a chance of succeeding. But that is by the way…

Vs 9-10: The Bible says in Proverbs that one who digs a pit for another would fall into it himself (Proverbs 26:27). God will always expose evil and punish evil as well. When God is with you, every evil plan against you will only backfire to your enemies before your own eyes.

The end of the wicked is destruction, as the Bible says. (See Psalm 92:7)

#selah

I hope you are blessed.

In Christ,

Ishanpepe.

A Journey Through The Book of Esther: Part Six

Hello there!

Our journey isn’t over yet. Today we continue our journey with part 6 of the amazing book of Esther. I keep calling this book amazing because it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Honestly journeying through this book has exposed me to so much lessons as I prepare not only to be a godly wife but also as I strive to grow in my knowledge of the Word. My utmost desire is that you will be blessed by these lessons and most of all be challenged to act on them. I also urge you to read the chapters from your Bible so that you may gain better insight into the story of Esther as we continue this journey together.

Esther 6: This is the story of how Mordecai’s good deeds are remembered and he is honored by the king in front of the whole city.

Lessons:

Vs 1: When God wants to bless me, he will cause important men to lose sleep because of me! He will not allow them to have peace until I am blessed and rewarded accordingly. It was because the king could not sleep that he requested for the historical records to be brought to him and then he found out about Mordecai’s revelation of an assassination plot against his life.

Vs 2: God always remembers and rewards good deeds. I must never relent in doing good. Even if I am not rewarded for it immediately or at all, I must not be weary in well doing…The Bible says that we shall reap if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

Vs 5-10: God has a wonderful sense of humor and His ways are mind-blowing and perfect. Just when my enemies will come to plot against me is when God will choose to publicly shame them and use them to reward me! God works in wondrous ways. God has a way of turning bad circumstances to my favor. Great God!

Vs 11: When I do good in secret, God will reward me publicly. Mordecai literally saved the king’s life. Nothing was done to honor him but did he resent and begin to misbehave? No! he kept on working at the palace gate and serving God until his day of reward finally came and the whole city got to know what he had done. Also, what I do in secret should honor God so that when it is public knowledge, it will be a thing of joy and not of shame and ridicule.

Vs 12: When God publicly honors me, my enemies will be publicly disgraced as well. Bottom line.

Vs 13: Even the advisers of my enemies will see the handwork of God in my life and admit defeat. The way God will honor me will shake their evil plans to the very foundation and they will begin to doubt the success of their plans.

          The Bible says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper… the Bible also says that they that trust in God shall never be put to shame… they are so many parts of the Bible that speak of the sad end of evil men. Their plans will never prosper over the lives of any child of God because we are protected and flanked by God on every side.

          It is important to honor God wherever I am because when He chooses to reward me, the whole world will hear of it. It pays to serve Jesus. It pays to do god. It pays to honor God. All my enemies will be put to shame because I have chosen to honor God.

Pray with me:

“Glorious God, thank You for the very many lessons from Esther 6! Its amazing how You turn bad circumstances into god in favor of your children. Thank You because though my enemies will plot against me, their plans shall fail. Thank You because You reward those who honor You and do good. You are a great God. I worship You. Halleluyah.”

I really hope that the lessons from this chapter have blessed you.

In Christ,

Shanpepe. 

A Journey Through The Book of Esther: Part Five

Dear Friend,

Today we move ahead with our journey through the book of Esther. The journey has been amazing don’t you agree? My utmost desire is that you will be blessed by these lessons and most of all be challenged to act on them. I also urge you to read the chapters from your Bible so that you may gain better insight into the story of Esther as we continue this journey together. If you are just joining us on this journey please endeavor to read the last four posts so you don't miss out on anything. 

Esther 5: This chapter talks about the tactic which Queen Esther used to tell the King about Haman’s plan to kill the Jews.

Lessons:

V 2: Prayer causes God to grant us favor. God’s favor breaks all protocol. Esther boldly went into the King’s court and was welcomed and even given a choice to ask for up to half of the kingdom. I must pray earnestly before doing anything. My actions must be backed by prayer. Faith defies fear and trusts God to intervene. Esther knew that going into the King’s court without being summoned could cost her her life but by faith she went in all the same.

V 3-5: God granted Esther a creative way to go about telling the King of Haman’s plot. Esther did not get distracted from her mission. Even when the king offered her half of his kingdom, she did not go ahead and start asking for things. Secondly, she did not address the king rudely or without respect when she requested for his presence at the banquet she prepared. She still asked respectfully and politely. Approach matters.

V 7-8: Sometimes, not every information must be divulged at once. I must be careful to handle certain matters delicately and to follow the Holy Spirit step-by-step. Maybe if Esther had gone ahead and told the king about the matter that same day, the outcome would have been different.

V 9-14: Pride and self-conceit will destroy a man. Pride goes before a fall. My company of friends matter. My choice of a spouse matters. An evil spouse will join his/her partner to do evil. Evil friends will advise one wrongly. In vs 14, Haman’s wife and friends were the ones who suggested the idea of gallows to be built to hang Mordecai. Therefore, as I make choices concerning my companions, I must soak every decision in prayer because my company can make or mar me.

I am challenged by each and every lesson. I hope you are too.

My sincere prayer is that you are blessed.

In Christ,

Ishanpepe. 

A Journey Through The Book of Esther: Part Four

Dear One,

Greetings to you in the precious name of Jesus! Today I continue to share with you the beautiful lessons from my journey through the book of Esther which is packed with amazing and life-changing lessons. As always, my greatest desire is that you will be blessed by these lessons and be challenged to act on them. I also urge you to read the chapters from your Bible so that you may gain better insight into the story of Esther as we continue this journey together.

Esther 4: This is the story of Mordecai’s request to Esther the Queen to plead with the King on behalf of the Jews who were about to be annihilated by Haman.

What can we learn from this chapter?

Vs 16b: Am I willing to die for the cause of others? Esther was already a Queen, free from any harm or consequences of Haman’s decree. After all, no one knew her true identity. However, she did not keep quiet whilst the lives of her people were under threat. She dared to risk her life for her people.

Mordecai himself could have hidden under the shadow of Esther and not bothered much about being killed but instead he mourned for the lives of his people. This mourning was not crying alone. It must have included prayer and supplication as well. Nigeria is going through many challenges as a nation. I may not be affected, but am I on my knees praying for my country?

V 13-14: God places me in a place for a purpose. He doesn’t just place me there to enjoy and just occupy space. He has a special purpose for me. I must never take where God places me for granted. However, when God elevates me and I immediately get there and forget Him/His purpose, He will raise another person who will fulfill purpose and I will no more be His vessel unto honor. I must be careful not to forget God when I become elevated. In fact, without Him I am NOTHING.

V 14: God always places people who will counsel and caution me from making excuses or from shying away from what God wants me to do. In v11 Esther seemed to be afraid of approaching the king because of the consequences involved but Mordecai had to speak sense to her and remind her that God had placed her there to fulfill purpose. And knowing Esther as an obedient woman, she listened and saved her people in the long run.

V15: I must always fortify myself with prayer before doing anything. Here, prayer and fasting is exhibited. Esther fasted and prayed with her maids and asked Mordecai and other Jews to do same as well. She knew she was about to risk her life, but she was prepared to do so and did so in/through prayer. I must always prepare myself for everything in/through personal prayer and collective prayer as well.

This chapter emphasizes prayer a great deal. It is a challenge to rise up and fight our battles in prayer. Where has God placed you? You are there for a purpose. It doesn’t matter if He has placed you in a classroom with your juniors, or a distant place for NYSC, or an environment where darkness abounds. He knows exactly why He has placed you there. Do not be surprised because the survival of many lives may just depend on your courage and obedience to God.  

I hope you are blessed.

In Christ,

Ishanpepe.  

A Journey Through The Book of Esther: Part Three

Hollerrrrrrrr Ladies and Gentlemen!

A late but warm welcome to 2017!!! I pray that this year is filled with amazing testimonies for you and yours. Amen. Today we continue our journey through the book of Esther. A s always, I hope you are blessed by the lessons by the amazing testimonies that this chapter carries…. I urge that you read the chapters from your Bible so that you may gain better insight into the story of Esther as we take this journey together.

Esther 3: Haman comes into the picture; a proud, self-conceited man who required his servants to bow before him. He is provoked by just one man who will not bow and vows to kill all the Jews because of this one man.

Lessons:

•     Vs 2b – Mordecai knew what was right. He knew the law and knew the God he served. Therefore, He refused to bow down to Haman because this would consist of idolatry which God dislikes. Bowing down to Haman put him in the position of a god, and Mordecai refused to put him in such a position. As a leader, I must beware of putting my subordinates in the position of worshipping me. I am not a god, and must never take that place for whatsoever reason.
•     Vs 3-4 – People will try and talk me into doing what is wrong but I must remain rooted in my faith. I must not be threatened by anyone to the extent that I drop my standards. I must never compromise.
•        Vs 5 – When you do not stroke the ego of a prideful/self-conceited person, it will piss him or her off.
•        Vs 7-9 – One man’s actions can have ripple effects, whether good or bad. Mordecai’s refusal to bow down to Haman caused Haman to seek revenge on the WHOLE of the Jews. As a child of God, wherever I am, I represent God’s people therefore my lifestyle/actions matter a lot.
•     Vs 10-11 – I must be careful whom I accept advice from. As a leader, I must test, investigate and question everything before I give my consent to it. The king did not question Haman’s report and gave his consent to the killing of the chose people of God. That was dangerous because if it succeeded, God will mete out punishment and the king would have suffered for his decision.
•       Vs 8-9, 12-14 – The enemy will do all he can to harm the people of God. However, we as God’s children are a threat to the kingdom of hell and no matter how they try, they cannot wipe us out. We must choose to stand for the truth and God will fight for us.

Again, I am mind blown at the lessons in this chapter! I am blessed, I hope you are too. Just a reminder, your actions have ripple effects therefore… watch it. The fate of lives, generations and nations may just hinge on yours.

In Christ,

Shanpepe. 

A Journey Through The Book of Esther: Part Two

Hi everyone! I hope you were blessed by part one. Today we move to the second part of our journey through the amazing Biblical book of Esther. *drumroll*

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As usual, I’ll go straight the point and I pray above all that you are blessed. I urge that you read the chapters from your Bible so that you may gain better insight into the story of Esther as we take this journey together.

Esther 2: This is a story about the process of getting another Queen for the king.

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Lessons from Chapter 2:

Ø Vs 1: The king had made his previous decision about Vashti in anger. Anger affects decision making and I must be careful not to make drastic decisions in anger.

Ø Vs 7: I must not neglect family but lend a helping hand. Mordecai was blessed in the end for this.

Ø Vs 9: when the favor of the Lord is upon a person, it will manifest everywhere the person goes. Hegai had had no contact with Esther previously but upon seeing her, he was impressed and gave her preferential treatment. Favor breaks protocols for the favored.

Ø Vs 10-11: Esther obeyed her guardian Mordecai and he never stopped caring for her.

Ø Vs 12-13: there is a place/process of preparation that God must take me through before bringing me to my King. This is a place of beautification and training to be the rightful and befitting Queen for my King (husband).

Ø Vs 15: I must not neglect the counsel of older godly people that God has placed in my life. Esther followed only what Hegai told her when it was time to go to the king and everyone admired her.

Ø When I follow the right way/process, I will be celebrated by my King and everyone around me.

Ø Vs 20: Even whilst a Queen, Esther still obeyed her guardian Mordecai. Keeping her nationality secret was for a divine purpose. Maybe if she has divulged her nationality at the beginning, she may have hampered her chance of becoming Queen.

Ø Vs 21-23: God is counting on me to expose evil. I must not hear/see evil and keep quiet about it. It doesn’t matter if man doesn’t recognize or remember me. The important thing is that God does and that is more than enough.

Ø Mordecai saw the potentials of a Queen in Esther and encouraged her to join the host of others to be prepared as a likely Queen for the king. I must learn to see the best in other. I just might be raising royalty and savior for the present and future generation.

I am honestly mind-blown by the lessons from this chapter. I am blessed. Are you?

In Christ,

Shanpepe. 

A Journey Through The Book of Esther: Part One

Over the past 3 weeks I have been studying the book of Esther. This book is one of my favorite books of the Bible and this time of study has been absolutely wonderful, revealing, and impactful. I will be sharing with you the lessons I have been learning so far from each chapter and I hope that you are blessed by them.  I urge that you read the chapters from your Bible so that you may gain better insight into the story of Esther as we take this journey together.

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Today we begin with Esther chapter 1;

This is a popular Bible story of Queen Vashti who refused to obey her husband and whose disobedience cost her her position as Queen of the land.

Lessons from Chapter 1:

v Vs 3-9: The tendency to show off and be proud and extravagant is very high when one has tasted riches and power. I must be cautious.

v Vs 10-11: Drunkenness affects one’s reasoning. It was when the king was half drunk that he requested for the Queen to come and showcase her beauty to the guests, thus conveying her as just an object of admiration.

v Vs 12-20: Vashti the Queen disobeyed her husband and it cost her her position as the Queen because it was feared that women everywhere would begin to disrespect and disobey their husbands because of her act. This automatically means that as a leader, I must set a godly example for the people under me or else it might just cost me my position as a leader. My actions should spur others to do right and not wrong.

v Vs 13-14: Who are my advisers? The King relied solely on the advice of the 7 men who were high officials but still under him. It is not imperative that every advice I receive must be adhered to. I must also learn to take responsibility and make decisions myself.

v I am to submit to my husband because he is my head and this pleases the Lord. Husbands on the other hand are not to trample on their wives, but are to love, respect, and cherish their wives; not treating them as objects, but as partners in the ministry of marriage.

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May the Lord give us grace to apply these lessons to our lives. I hope you have been blessed.

In Christ,

Shanpepe.