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*

http://lighthouse.ph/wp-content/uploads/The-Book-of-Esther-Part-2-640x640.jpg

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.

https://fromsinnertosaintblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/wp-image-910583629jpg.jpg

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.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aXluo5d16vk/maxresdefault.jpg

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.

https://peopledotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/hands-600.jpg

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

In Christ,

Shanpepe. 

Even in My Adversity!

Isaiah 30:20-21 – “Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and affliction for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes, and you will hear a voice say, “This is the way, turn around and walk here.” ”

Even in my adversity God is with me. He does not leave me to suffer alone. Rather, He remains with me through the adversity and teaches me in the process. He is a perfect Father. Just like a Father will spank with one hand and embrace with the other, so does God send affliction to me but does not leave me to pass through it alone. Adversity could cause me to foster resentment and a hardened heart, but as a child of God, I must have an open and willing heart to learn from God and to follow His voice that will still show me the right way to go even in my adversity.

My adversity is a time of getting my path right. It is often a time of changing my path from where I used to be to walk to a new path (“…turn around and walk here.”). It is often a time of re-direction. This re-direction and re-positioning can only happen if I acknowledge God’s teaching and heed to His voice of guidance. I will see Him evidently in my affliction because though the affliction will abound, He will not allow me to be crushed by it. He will never give me what He hasn’t supplied enough grace for. He may not stop the storm in my life, but He sure won’t leave me alone to drown in it. He will be with me and guide me through His Word. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Even in my adversity, God is with me! He allows adversity for a purpose; my God never does anything aimlessly. He is a God of purpose.

http://cdn.christianquotes.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Adversity-is-the-diamond-dust-heaven-polishes-its-jewels-with.jpg

"God of purpose, I worship You. Thank You for times of adversity. Help me to learn from You in such moments and to allow You re-position and redirect me unto the right path. Thank You for being with me in my adversity.

Amen."

In Christ,

Ishanpepe. 

>>>Stay Focused!>>>

Proverbs 4:25-27 : “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

http://blog.focusmilitary.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/on-track-road-signs.jpg

Purpose is important in the life of a child of God. I must be a woman of purpose and vision. The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18). My survival, my ability to make impact is highly dependent on my vision. Now from this verse, there are three key words that serve as transitions from one sentence to another.

“Look” – I must cast my eyes/vision and look ahead to what lies ahead of me. For example, I know that a law degree lies ahead of me. That is the end goal of all these years of study. It is important to know what the goal is and fix your eyes on it. What we see registers in our minds and becomes what we think. ‘Looking’ is important.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/3c/79/57/3c79570838d1ba193c5c6c7db849af0b.jpg

“Mark” – The second step is to mark out a plan, a strategy, a game plan that will guide my path to the end goal. This plan/strategy must be clear and ‘straight’ as the Bible says. It can be long term plan/goals or short term goals. For example, I know I have a law degree ahead of me, I want to have a first class degree, that is the vision. But how do I get to this end goal? Studying, setting daily goals, keeping up with my reading lists, eating well, resting well, praying, making sure not to repeat any course are some ways. These are all part of me marking out a path for my feet to follow. Now, the verse goes on to say that after I have marked out this path, I must stick to it and stay safe. Sticking to the game plan is important for my safety. Simple.

“Don’t” – It says ‘don’t get sidetracked’. This is very important because the moment I lose focus or move away from the path (game plan), I am putting my safety in jeopardy, and of course, I am no more setting my eyes on the goal anymore. Priorities are misplaced and failure is near. I must keep my feet from following evil in order to succeed.

https://derickbailey.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/focus.jpeg

Staying on track is very important for success. I must learn to say NO to distractions and to stay focused, determined, and faithful to the call. I must keep the vision and the strategy even closer.

Dear reader, wherever God has placed you, He is counting on you to stay focused. Don’t lose sight of your goal. Keep your vision close and follow Jesus every step of the way.

Father,

Thank You for this word! Amazing. Help me to be focused and determined in my education and in my life generally. The goal is to finish well. May I not fall by the wayside. In Jesus’ name, AMEN. 

Hope this blessed you. 

Have a fabulous week ahead!

In Christ,

Shanpepe.

I AM RIGHTEOUS!: Dealing with an Identity Crisis

Micah 6:5 – “O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.”

For a very long time I struggled with the issue of my righteousness in God’s eyes. I kept thinking, “I am such a sinner, I’m sure God doesn’t see me as righteous.” But this year, God has in His faithfulness shown me and affirmed to me that I am righteous. Wanna know why? Let’s dig into Scripture a bit.

God is righteous and in Him dwells no iniquity. Now, because of Jesus Christ, I am righteous. This is not to say that I am void of sin, but to say that when God beholds me, He sees the righteousness of His Son Jesus. Micah tells us to cast our minds back to the story of King Balak and Balaam in Numbers.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xWibQOwwOGc/hqdefault.jpg

Numbers 23:20-21 – “Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.”

The story was that king Balak saw the nation of Israel as a threat and called upon Balaam to curse them. However, Balaam couldn’t curse them but could only bless them at the command of the Lord, which he couldn’t even reverse. At this juncture let me point out an amazing fact to you. Whom God has blessed, no man can curse. His blessings are permanent and cannot be reversed. That’s why we must desire God’s blessings much more than miracles. Miracles are momentary, but God’s blessings are permanent.

Now in verse 21, :…he hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel…” Israel was a nation that had always defied God’s instructions and committed sin upon sin. But here was God saying that He did not see their iniquity. Not that they weren’t guilty of iniquity, He didn’t just see the iniquity! Now this buttresses the point that my Righteousness is not of works or of keeping the law. My righteousness is by faith. Because if it were by works, God would not have declared that He did not behold their iniquity. God’s righteousness is beyond human comprehension! I am a sinner but God doesn’t see my sin! Instead what does He see? He sees Jesus, who is my righteousness! Therefore I AM RIGHTEOUS! Because of my faith and belief in God, I am righteous!

http://images.slideplayer.com/14/4227620/slides/slide_37.jpg

The Bible says in Romans 4:3 that “…Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Verse 5 says, “But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.” Praise God!

The criteria for righteousness is faith, not works. Therefore, my righteousness is no more about how many laws I keep, but about my simple faith in God. That is why even when I sin, He doesn’t behold my sin because I am righteous in His eyes. I am righteous enough. I am as righteous as I will ever be. I am as righteous as I will ever need to be. My righteousness account will continually remain credited and my unrighteous account, remain empty because of the blood of Jesus and my faith in Him. I am righteous! Praise the Lord! I need never to struggle with an identity crisis every again. I believe God, and therefore I am righteous. What a victorious life we live in Jesus!

https://graceologydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/righteous-to-reign.jpg

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

http://img.artpal.com/64055/21-16-3-5-16-28-20m.jpg

Dear Father,

It’s such a great feeling to know that in Your eyes I am righteous. Thank you that my simple faith in You is my criteria for righteousness. Thank You that despite my shortcomings, You do not behold my sin. I am rightoues. Thank You because whom You have blessed, no man can curse. Thank you for this assurance. I am filled with joy unspeakable! I love You my righteous King.

Amen.

I hope this has blessed you.

In Christ,

Shanpepe  

Congratulations! You have been enrolled into the School of Trials

Romans 5:3-4 : “We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.”

http://www.21st-century-christianity.com/images/trials.jpg

Hardship isn’t something to smile at. But God wants me to rejoice when I encounter them because they are good for me. And because He knows all things, why not? I must begin to smile at my trials because of the bigger picture of God’s master plan for my life.

“…they are good for us – they help us learn…” (vs 3) I would like to see trials and problems as a school, a place of learning. And connecting to the previous point, just like a student rejoices at the start of a new school year, I should also rejoice at my trials because I am resuming a new school year at the school of trails! Unbelievable and absurd, I know. But problems and trails are a place of learning for a child of God. In this school I will learn endurance under harsh circumstances which will develop strength of character in me and when my character is in good condition, I am able to really face life as it comes, the Jesus way.

http://cdn.christianquotes.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/By-trials-God-is-shaping-us-for-higher-thingss.jpg

This character as it is developed, strengthens my expectation (faith) of my salvation. Yes, I will face trials but, “this too shall pass.” There comes a day of salvation, but I must have faith and be expectant of this encounter. This is why my character needs to be strengthened so that I can have more faith that I will be saved from my present trial. And the following verse states that “And this expectation will not disappoint us” (vs 5).

https://uchemaduka.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/img_16932.jpg

Gold goes through fire to be refined, but does it remain in the fire forever? NO! After it has been purified to the goldsmith’s taste, it is removed from the fire and fashioned into the desired pattern or shape.

I must rejoice in my trials, attend class and have faith that my day of salvation will come!

#selah

“Dear Lord,

Thank you for the trials I am currently facing. Help me to rejoice even as I pass through them. May I learn every single lesson that you want me to learn, and may your character be formed in me even as I wait and look forward to my day of salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

http://cdn.christianquotes.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Every-problem-is-a-character-building-opportunity4.jpg

Hope this blessed you.

In Christ,

Ishanpepe.