Unjust Deserts
Read: Esther 2:1-18 So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus. (v. 6) It must have irked Mordecai to be passed over for promotion. After all, he had just saved the king from two […]
The Morning After
Read: Esther 2:1-18 “And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so. (v. 4) When Ahasuerus wakes up after his one-hundred-eighty-seven-day drinking bash, he discovers that he has banished Queen Vashti. His courtiers comfort him by suggesting a contest for a new […]
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous?
Read: Esther 1 The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days. (vv. 3-4) The first chapter of Esther introduces us to the Persian emperor, […]
A Change in Status
Read: Ephesians 2:11-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple […]
A New Commandment
Read: John 13:21-38 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (vv. 34-35) Jesus’ new commandment fell on the night […]
Jesus Asks for a Change
Read: Matthew 26:36-46 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (v. 39) I frequently coached my daughters as children (and still do), “Ask for what you need and […]
Jesus Turns Water to Wine
Read: John 2:1-11 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (vv. 3-5 NLT) During his brief ministry, Jesus altered […]
God’s Quickness to Turn
Read: Jeremiah 18:1-20 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. (vv. 7-8 KJV) […]
Not So Fast
Read: Hosea 6:1-11 Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us […]