Storyline: Right Person, Right Place, Right Time: Esther 3:1-7:10

 

1. Right Person God’s Person – Am I God’s Man or Woman?

The entire royal staff at the King’s Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.
Esther 3:2 (CSB)

When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing down or paying him homage, he was filled with rage.
Esther 3:5 (CSB)

“All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned—the death penalty—unless the king extends the gold scepter, allowing that person to live. I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last thirty days.”  …Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went and did everything Esther had commanded him.
Esther 3:11; 15-17 (CSB)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)

2. Right Place – Am I Where God Wants Me to Be?

On the third day, Esther dressed in her royal clothing and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace facing it. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing its entrance. As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she gained favor with him. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king asked her. “Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be given to you.” “If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for them.”
Esther 5:1-4 (CSB)

3. Right Time – Am I Following God’s Timing?

Who knows perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.
Esther 4:14 (CSB)

That night sleep escaped the king, so he ordered the book recording daily events to be brought and read to the king. They found the written report of how Mordecai had informed on Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, when they planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. The king inquired, “What honor and special recognition have been given to Mordecai for this act?”
Esther 6:1-3 (CSB)

Again, on the second day while drinking wine, the king asked Esther, “Queen Esther, whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek, even to half the kingdom, will be done.” Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if the king is pleased, spare my life; this is my request. And spare my people; this is my desire. For my people and I have been sold to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn’t be worth burdening the king.” King Ahasuerus spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?” Esther answered, “The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman.”
Esther 7:1-6 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/storyline-right-person-right-place-right-time-esther-31-710/

Storyline: God Is My Elevator: Esther 1:1-2:23

 

1. God elevates me through sizable setbacks

Mordecai was the legal guardian of his cousin Hadassah (that is, Esther), because she didn’t have a father or mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was extremely good-looking. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter.
Esther 2:7 (CSB)

Esther did not reveal her ethnic background or her birthplace, because Mordecai had ordered her not to.
Esther 2:10 (CSB)

2. God elevates me through strategic relationships

Every day Mordecai took a walk in front of the harem’s courtyard to learn how Esther was doing and to see what was happening to her.
Esther 2:11 (CSB)

3. God elevates me through significant time

During the year before each young woman’s turn to go to King Ahasuerus, the harem regulation required her to receive beauty treatments with oil of myrrh for six months and then with perfumes and cosmetics for [another] six months.
Esther 2:12 (CSB)

4. God elevates me through substantial favor

The young woman pleased him and gained his favor so that he accelerated the process of the beauty treatments and the special diet that she received. He assigned seven hand-picked female servants to her from the palace and transferred her and her servants to the harem’s best quarters.
Esther 2:9 (CSB)

Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai who had adopted [her] as his own daughter. When her turn came to go to the king, she did not ask for anything except what Hegai, the king’s trusted official in charge of the harem, suggested. Esther won approval in the sight of everyone who saw her.
Esther 2:15 (CSB)

The king loved Esther more than all the other women. She won more favor and approval from him than did any of the other virgins. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.
Esther 2:17 (CSB)

During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the [king’s] entrance, became infuriated and tried to assassinate King Ahasuerus. When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther, and she told the king on Mordecai’s behalf.
Esther 2:21-22 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/storyline-god-is-my-elevator-esther-11-223/

Panic Attack: Praise > Panic: Psalm 146

 

3 Stages of a Life of Praise

1. Determination Phase—I’m deciding to praise

Hallelujah! My soul, praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.
Psalm 146:1-2 (CSB)

2. Distraction Phase—I won’t let people take my eyes of the Lord

Do not trust in nobles, in a son of man, who cannot save. 4 When his breath leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die.
Psalm 146:3-4 (CSB)

Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Psalm 146:5 (CSB)

3. Developmental Phase—I will build a life of praise by getting to know God

The Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects resident aliens and helps the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Psalm 146:6-9 (CSB)

He’s Creator

The Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them…
Psalm 146:6 (CSB)

He’s Faithful

He remains faithful forever…
Psalm 146:6 (CSB)

He’s Just

…executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners.
Psalm 146:7 (CSB)

He’s Powerful

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous.
Psalm 146:8 (CSB)

He’s Protector

The Lord protects resident aliens and helps the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Psalm 146:9 (CSB)

The Lord reigns forever; Zion, your God reigns for all generations. Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/panic-attack-praise-panic-psalm-146/

Panic Attack: Don’t Worry About Tomorrow: Matthew 6:24-34

 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)

1. Does Worry Make Sense?

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:24-26 (NIV)

2. Does Worry Make Things Better?

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

3. Does Worry Bring Me Closer To God?

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…
Matthew 6:25 (NIV)

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Matthew 6:31-32 (NIV)

Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.
Matthew 7:9-11 (CSB)

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/panic-attack-dont-worry-about-tomorrow-matthew-624-34/

Panic Attack: Trust The Process: Psalm 56:3-4

 

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 (CSB)

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4 (CSB)

Trust The Process…

1. When I’m Afraid

Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me; he fights and oppresses me all day long.2 My adversaries trample me all day, for many arrogantly fight against me.
Psalm 56:1-2 (CSB)

The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.
Proverbs 29:25 (CSB)

2. I Will Trust You

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Psalm 56:3 (CSB)

You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
Psalm 56:8 (CSB)

…casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 (CSB)

When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36 (CSB)

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be made clean.”
Mark 1:41 (CSB)

3. I Will Not Be Afraid

I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:4 (CSB)

Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me.
Psalm 56:9 (CSB)

What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Romans 8:31 (CSB)

In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise,11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
Psalm 56:10 (CSB)

Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.”8 The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:6,8 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/panic-attack-trust-the-process-psalm-563-4/

Panic Attack: Keep Your Head Up: Psalm 3:1-8

 

1. I Have Significant Challenges

Lord, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. 2 Many say about me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah
Psalm 3:1-2 (CSB)

No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.
2 Samuel 14:25 (CSB)

2. I Have Divine Resources

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
Psalm 3:3 (CSB)

I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
Psalm 3:4 (CSB)

I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me.
Psalm 3:5 (CSB)

I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side.
Psalm 3:6 (CSB)

3. I Have Great Expectations

Rise up, Lord! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people.
Psalm 3:7-8 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/panic-attack-keep-your-head-up-psalm-31-8/

Schooled: Who Ya Foolin: Proverbs 26:1-28

 

Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate for a fool.
Proverbs 26:1 (CSB)

1. The Rebel Fool Resists Following Authority

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.
Proverbs 26:3 (CSB)

Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you’ll be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4-5 (CSB)

The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
Proverbs 26:6 (CSB)

As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.
Proverbs 26:11 (CSB)

2. The Egomaniac Fool Values Their Ideas More Than God’s

Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 26:12 (CSB)

3. The Slacker Fool Looks for the Easiest Way to Get by

The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—a lion in the public square!” 14 A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed.15 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth!16 In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven who can answer sensibly.
Proverbs 26:13-16 (CSB)

The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.
Proverbs 20:4 (CSB)

He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
Titus 2:14 (CSB)

4. The Gossip Fool Provokes People by Their Words

A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:17 (CSB)

Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,19 so is the person who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” 20 Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. 21 As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
Proverbs 26:18-21 (CSB)

A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being. Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel. A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within. When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly. The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone—it will come back on him. A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Proverbs 26:24-28 (CSB)

Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
Matthew 12:34 (CSB)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/schooled-who-ya-foolin-proverbs-261-28/