26th Week Esther 10 & Genesis Intro - Chapter 3 (Click on title to watch a video Introduction)

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Click on title for Video Introduction

Monday, Esther Chapter 10
Esther 10
Jeanie Boldt
April 15, 2021

The book closes with a tribute to Mordecai.  Not merely a king’s favorite, he was respected by his people and honored for his successful administration.  How long this continued is unknown.  Mordecai’s period of office must have ended before Xerexs’ assassination in 465 BC.  Almost certainly Esther had died or fallen from favor before then, too.  But these historical details are outside the scope of the book which was written not to record the lives of the emperors, queens or prime ministers by a great national deliverance which would bring comfort and hope to millions of Jews through hundreds of years,

Esther was a Great Book which indeed had a story to tell.  

PRAYER
Father, it is amazing to see Your hand in history.  You indeed blessed Esther with beauty, intelligence, faithfulness and wisdom.  Give us the qualities that would help Your world become more Christ-like.  Make us, mold us and use us.  In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN


Tuesday, Genesis Introduction
Genesis Intro
Bart Strayer
June 29, 2006

THOUGHT
Let me be the first to break this to everyone; Genesis is a very ‘meaty’ and ‘lengthy’ book. I am looking forward to reading this book again. Ya know, I thought about sending out some poll questions to each of you and ask some generic questions, like: How many of us have read Genesis straight through? I must admit, until earlier this year, I had not. It’s a great book. Man, all the good stories are in Genesis. We have Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Sons, and Joseph. Let’s get ready, Salt Shakers! Let’s get our thinking caps on and dive into this one!

PRAYER
Dear God, help us as we read the first book of Your Word. We will need Your discerning power to help us understand the message that You have for us. We ask that as we read Genesis, we will be encouraged. No matter how dark the world situation seems, You have a plan for us. There is hope. Show us through this text, that no matter how insignificant or useless we feel at times, You love us and want to use us for Your plans! We thank You for Your powerful words that brought us all into existence. Speak to us through this marvelous book. AMEN

Wednesday, Genesis Chapter 1
Genesis 1
Verse 26
Bart Strayer 
July 6, 2006

Verse 26:  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

THOUGHT
Before this entire world came into existence there was the Father and Son at work. Colossians 1:15-17: “He (meaning Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”  God did not create the world and walk away, we were made by Him and for
Him. He is also the Sustainer, in Him, everything is held together, protected and prevented from disintegrating into chaos. And yet, after the last chapter of this earth is written, there will still be God.

I must admit, I find it amusing when people say that we are just a bunch of cosmic dust being hurled through space. The only reason we exist is because a trillion coincidences all aligned themselves and we metamorphized from green slime. It takes more FAITH to believe that than to believe there is a God bigger than all of us.

PRAYER
Dear God, we thank You for this time in Your Word this week. We thank You for guiding this little group of believers through the Bible. Go with us this weekend and help us to find Your glory in everything we do. In Jesus Name. AMEN

Thursday, Genesis Chapter 2
Genesis 2
Verse 25
Matt Strayer  
July 5, 2006

Verse 25: “The Man and his wife were both naked and felt no shame.”

THOUGHT
In this verse we are shown the freedom that Adam and Eve had from negative emotions. Can you imagine what this freedom would have been like?  Relationships have always meant a lot to me, as they have to all of us. What would life be like without people to share it with? It would have little if any meaning. However, relationships can also be hurtful, tiring and down- right hard at times. The sin that entered the world stole this “no shame” from us. With instruction from God’s Word we can learn to have great relationships even though sin abounds in this world. We praise God for his grace, guidance and instruction.

I can’t wait for the day we can live again without sin. Our relationships and way of life will be so great.

PRAYER
Dear God, be with us this day and give us the ability to do great things in the relationships that we have.  Sin entered the world, but You have given us Your Word to combat the forces that rise against us. Thank You so much.  AMEN



Friday, Genesis Chapter 3
Genesis 3
Verses 11-13
Matt Strayer
July 6, 2006 

Verses 11-13:  And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me - she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 

THOUGHT
In this chapter sin enters the world as Adam and Eve eat the fruit God told them not to eat.  Adam and Eve don’t take responsibility for their actions, and they both shift the blame. Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent. Unfortunately, their attempts don’t work and they all receive specific consequences for their actions, Eve, the pain of childbirth, Adam, the toil of work, and the serpent, being cursed above all the livestock.

It is funny how human behavior has been the same since the beginning of time. I know I make excuses to justify the little sins in my life. Yet, just as God wasn’t interested in Adam and Eve’s excuses, He isn’t interested in mine.

PRAYER
Lord, please help us to own our mistakes and truly seek repentance. If there are any habits that we have been justifying in our own minds, but do not please You, make us aware of them and help us change them. AMEN


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