What is God Trying to Teach Me Anyhow??

Do you ever wonder why there seems to be an ever-increasing level of stress and pressure in your life?  I do.  In fact I’ve coined a new term for this condition – I call it “stressure.”  I don’t always know what causes it, and I don’t always know where to find relief from it.  But I do know God allows it in my life, and therefore, there must be a reason and a purpose for it. 

In my opinion, one of the most amazing passages in the scriptures is Hebrew 5:5-8.  When we study and appreciate these verses, they will generate a deep sense of awe and reverence for the Lord Jesus Christ, and it will help us better understand the will of God in this stressure we’re experiencing.   It says:

 “So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest…Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”  

Jesus humbled Himself that He might become our High Priest. He glorified God by receiving His sufferings willingly and submitting His will to His Father.  What a remarkable relationship they shared - so much so that the death of the Son brought glory and praise to the Father.  Could the Lord be calling us to die to ourselves as Jesus did?  Perhaps the Lord allows just enough stressure in our lives to drive us to our knees with tears and cries of brokenness and submission.  It may feel like defeat, but the child of God prays to our Father who is able to save us from death and bring joy for every tear we shed.  And truly, the Lord is glorified by the wonderful service you render to Him and the saints in spite your sufferings!

Another astonishing phrase in this passage is:

“…though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things He suffered.”

It never dawned on me that Jesus had things to learn.  I always assumed because He was God in flesh, He knew everything.  Yet the scriptures teach He emptied Himself of the privileges of His deity, and became like us in every way, yet without sin (Philippians 2:5-11). Jesus humbled Himself to the lowly status of a child, student, and servant – and the method the Father used to train and mature Him was suffering.  Only then was He able to receive the mantle of High Priest, which was the Father’s purpose for Him.

I point these things out that we might realize the marvelous hand of God in our lives even in things that hurt and things we don’t like or understand.  When we begin to view our sufferings in light the eternal weight of glory God has for us, we are able to endure them with a joy that confounds the world around us. Most importantly, we give pleasure and glory to God when we trust Him with our lives through every season and circumstance.  So smile – the more stressure the more proud the Father is when we humble ourselves, and the more it makes us like Jesus!

Love and blessings,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series Part 16

Esther series – pt. 16

Pastor Eric A. Green

And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.” The king turned to his attendants and said, “Tell Haman to come quickly to a banquet, as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet. And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”⁷ Esther replied, “This is my request and deepest wish. If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about.” Esther 5:4-8 (NLT)

Esther is now the central figure in the drama swirling around her. She is standing at the crossroads of her peoples’ destiny, and her next move would mean salvation or genocide. What an overwhelming burden the Lord allowed to be laid on her slim shoulders! She never asked for this, never saw it coming, never tried to place herself in the history books – but here she is, and her response to the stark realities of her times would pave the way for the future of an entire nation.

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the confluence of life’s circumstances? Where do you go when the weight of difficulties and crushing realities threaten to extinguish your hopes and dreams? How do you spell r-e-l-i-e-f? In Psalm 61:1-3 David says,

“Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” (NKJV)

Each step Esther took from this point forward had life-and-death ramifications for her and the Jewish nation, and she could not afford even the slightest misstep. The most important decision she made was to fast, pray, and wait for divine guidance from her God. Mostly, she needed to be wise and shrewd. I call shrewdness the “razor’s edge of wisdom”. It is the attribute necessary to deal with demonic forces and their strategies – Jesus call these strategies “the gates of hell” (Matthew 16:18). David says in 2 Samuel 22: 26-28,

"With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; ²⁷ with the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. ²⁸ You will save the humble people; but Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.

The Hamans in our lives are bent on destruction and confusion, as in Esther’s story, and the weapons she successfully employed are the same ones available to us today. Nations, kings, governors and armies are simply bit players in God’s ultimate plan of redemption, and one faithful saint, like Esther, can wield more power than all the forces of darkness combined.  So as we go to the Lord with our trials, remember, Romans 8:31 says,

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Be encouraged. The same God that walked with Esther walks with you!

Love and perfect peace,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 15

Pastor Eric A. Green

 

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.  I and my maidens also will fast in the same way.  And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him.  Esther 4:15-17

Up to this point, Esther followed the explicit directions of Mordecai, and she found favor with the king through obedience to the instructions of the eunuchs assigned to her.  What a picture of humility before exaltation! We often want exaltation before humility, but it never works like that in the kingdom.  God can only lift up the standard of Jesus Christ where we first lay down our rights.

Esther understood this. Now we see a new order of things:  So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther commanded him . . . (v. 17)

Esther is giving the orders now, and Mordecai is glad to follow them.  She has been promoted, and circumstances demand she step into the role of leader with all its joys and risks – and at the moment, there are more risks than joy!  Esther was going to have to step beyond the royal protocol and come into the king’s presence without a summons, a move that could cost her life.  She didn’t have to do it, but she chose to do it. She valued the lives of those she led more than her own.  What an awesome display of Christ-likeness.

In our desire to be successful, we don’t often consider price of spiritual promotion.  Jesus gave His life for us, Paul gave his, Peter, and so on.  The question now comes to us, what is the price we are willing to pay for the exaltation we seek from God?  Promotion is a two-sided coin, and we often choose to look at “heads” and ignore the “tails.”  So beloved, be careful to walk in obedience and humility today, because that will build the character needed to weather the storms you are sure to face once you are truly promoted! Think about it.

Love and understanding,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 14

Pastor Eric A. Green

Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape more than all the Jews.  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish.  And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”    Esther 4:13,14

Every biblical imperative has a turning point, and that point can be capsulated in one word – “if”.  Esther stood at the crossroads of her life and the lives of her people, and her purpose would only be realized if she obeyed the voice of Mordecai. 

The “if” principle is true for every saint.  You see, the blood of the precious Lamb of God saves us in order that we live righteously before God and the world.  We must declare His praises boldly and take the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world so that others may come into the heavenly family.  Our Christianity must be lived “out loud” so every creature can hear and be saved.  But this can only happen through us if we embrace the strict, costly terms of discipleship. 

Remember, Jesus told the rich young ruler,
“ If you want to be perfect, go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”  (Matthew 19:21)

Perhaps we preachers ought to read our congregations the small print in our “contract” with God.  This and every other invitation to walk with Jesus is preceded by “if”.  The Lord is seeking those who no longer count their own lives and aspirations dear, only His will. The pursuit of our destiny, empowerment, riches, and wealth are one day going to be tested by our willingness to lay them all down for “the least of these”.

Esther had to decide whether she was simply a Jew by birth (a fact that was still hidden), or was she a Jew in spirit. If Esther’s relationship with God was a peripheral fact, she would not feel the compulsion to put her life on the line or to intercede for her people.  But if she was related to God and her people in the spirit, she had no choice but to sacrifice her life for their sakes. 

What was true of Esther is true for us.  I pray that God doesn’t have to bring deliverance from another source, but that you and I will hear the Holy Spirit’s plea for us to lay down our prerogatives, our pursuits, and our very own lives. If we do, we will find life for many others and ourselves as well . . .  just as Esther did. 

Love and blessings,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 13

Pastor Eric A. Green

And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries to destroy the Jews.  He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction , which was given to Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people.  So Hatach returned and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 

Esther 4:7-9

Then Esther spoke to Hatach, and gave him a command for Mordecai:

"All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live.  Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days."

Esther 4:11

Esther's ascension to the throne was not an isolated event, but it was connected to the divine plan of God.  Are you aware that there is a divine reason for you being where you are? We are most often so caught up in the day-to-day that we miss divine appointments with regularity.  Are we taking full advantage of the opportunity to be the "salt of the earth" right where we live and work?  Like Esther, your blessings are not isolated events, but God's way of putting us "in play" in His enterprises.

Esther was elevated to the dazzling height of royalty, and she was set for life.  As long as she played the role of Queen Esther in a way acceptable to the king, life was as good as it could be for any young woman.  She, like any of us, would have loved to kick back and enjoy the blessings God had given her, and live a very nice life doing very nice deeds from her very nice position.  Only it was not to be - life has a way of messing up our nice and cozy plans!

Esther would have to take her life in her hands in order to help her people, and though she was reluctant to do so, she did.  She learned and displayed one of the primary lessons in ministry – self-sacrifice.  You see, we never learn to serve others as the Lord wills until we stop counting what it costs us.  As long as we worry about who will give us credit, how tired we are, or how much we have to put out, we will be of no use to God.  True ministry is never a matter of our convenience.  It always costs us something, perhaps even our lives.

Jesus puts it like this:

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain."  John 12:24

He promises that if we forget about ourselves and emulate Him, our laid-down lives will be a pathway for many to live and prosper in the goodness of God.  And remember, God has a wonderful way of raising us up wherever we voluntarily lay our lives (and our rights) down for Him. Pray about it.

Love and perfect peace,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 12

Pastor Eric A. Green

When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed bitterly.   Esther 4:1

As we established earlier, Mordecai is a type of the Holy Spirit, and he knew the Jews were in dire straits.  His heart was broken over the anguish of his people, and his response was demonstrative.  Everyone who observed him understood clearly this man was in deep distress, and his distress brought him to the king’s gate.  So the Holy Spirit grieves over the anguish of God’s children, and His intercession brings Him to the Father, praying on our behalf in utterances that can’t even be spoken.  Romans 8:26, 27 says:

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Sprit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the heart knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

There needs to be a little more “Mordecai” in us. In a culture where Christians are looking for the blessings and prosperity of God, we can’t ignore the ministry of “sackcloth and ashes” that rattles the King’s gates.  If we are not careful, we will miss out on the opportunity to call on the Lord to save the lost, heal the sick, and feed the hungry.  But we have the Spirit, and when we kneel, He rises up to pray through us and for us!  So, let’s embrace the heart and work of intercession, because the world is in mortal danger from the “Hamans” seeking to rob, kill, and destroy those God loves.  

Remember, your prayers change things.  And it’s doubtful that God does anything significant apart from those prayers! 

Love and peace,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 11

Pastor Eric A. Green

Then Haman said to King Ahasueras, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws.   Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, I will pay then thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.”

So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, enemy of the Jews.  And the king said to Haman, “The money and the people are given to you, to do with as seems good to you.”   Esther 3:8-11

I thank God for the life of worship and freedom He has made available to me through His Son, Jesus Christ.  I also thank Him for the Holy Spirit who sanctifies me, sets me apart, and makes God known to all through me.  But even as the Lord has called me His friend, His presence in my life makes the world and it’s god my enemy, and my life is often filled with the trials that all who love God must endure.

This Esther passage brings up an interesting question.  The Jews worshiped God in such a distinct way that evil, pagan people saw their very existence as a threat.  Haman was able to convince the king to rubberstamp his genocidal plans to destroy the people of God, because he presented their devotion to Jehovah as antagonistic to their allegiance to the king.  Does that sound familiar?  In today's USA, the mere mention of Jesus Christ is considered an offense to the “rights” of others, and any reference to the Word of God in the public arena is sure to be challenged as an attempt to force our beliefs on others.

By all means, we must be wise and discrete in our walk of faith, for we cannot and should not be heavy-handed with others in matters of faith and conscience.  That’s not what Jesus did.  But, if we live boldly and fully for Him, the demons and the people they use will set their hearts on our demise, as Haman did the Jews.  My question to you is this – are you living a life that exalts Christ and makes the devils tremble?  Are they afraid of your prayers and your praises?  Is your life a light to those living in darkness all around you?  Do people see the gentleness and sweetness of Christ when they see you?  Are you a peacemaker, a friend of God and men?  If being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you?  Are our sufferings the sufferings of Christ or consequences of our own disobedience? 

These are sobering questions we need to consider more often than we do.

Love and peace,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 10 

Pastor Eric A. Green

After these things King Ahasueras promoted Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all princes who were with him.  And all the king’s servant who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him.  But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage.  The king’s servants who were within the gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?”

Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.  When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath.  But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai.  Instead Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasueras – the people of Mordecai.   Esther 3:1-6

God is setting the scene in a great play of redemption for His people, and the main actors are Mordecai, Esther, Haman, and King Ahasueras.  The Jews are in captivity, dispersed throughout the kingdom of their conqueror – and because they are God’s people, distinct from all others, their worship draws the disdainful eye of the “gods” of the land.  Satan, the invisible antagonist, sees an excellent opportunity to deal a crushing, genocidal blow to the plan and people of God by destroying the lineage of the promised Messiah. 

A conflict of cosmic proportions is brewing in the Book of Esther, and the same is true in our day.  Satan (Haman) still hates God’s people, both the Jews and the Church.  Witness the historical record of attempts to exterminate the Jews, and the present efforts to persecute the Church and remove even the mention of God from public discourse.   Today, it is considered an offense to display scripture references in government offices or to say, “Merry Christmas.” There is even a present litigious attempt to remove the phrase “under God” from the pledge of allegiance.  Can you sense the spirit of Haman lurking and plotting against God-fearing people who refuse to bow down at the shrine of worldliness?

Friends, our firm determination to be a distinct, peculiar people who are set apart for the worship of the Lord Jesus makes us a target for the powers, principalities, and spiritual wickedness that hold sway over this world.  But the Lord Who protects us knows all, and He has assured the desired end to all our trials.  There may be a Haman in your life that seems to have all the power.  He (or she) may well be plotting your demise, but the Word of God says:
The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.  The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.  The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and the needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct.  Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.   Psalm 37:12-15

I pray you remember the Lord is your strong tower, your shield, and your God.  If He is for you, who of any consequence can be against you?  May the Lord make you able to stand against the wiles of Satan, and He will make you wiser and shrewder than those the serpent has sent to harm you.  Remember that no matter how difficult the present may seem, and we know who wins in the end! 

Love and perfect peace,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – Part 9

Pastor Eric A. Green

In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasueras.But the plot became known to Mordecai and he told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. Now when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on the gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence.

Esther 2:21-23


In ancient times, the king’s gate was the venue where state financial business, property transactions, judicial actions, and other official government affairs were conducted – something akin to city hall. Mordecai was seated at the king’s gate, indicating he had reached a place of stature in the kingdom, and he probably functioned as one of the king’s officials. As such, he would be privy to information not widely known, making him the eyes and ears of the king and protector of his interest.

Esther, of course, was the queen, and she enjoyed a singular place in the kingdom. Mordecai and Esther used their positions wisely and shrewdly, because both understood their allegiance to the king as their number one priority.  The greater reality is God placed them both where they were for the good of His kingdom, as well that of Media-Persia.  In the same way, we have been placed where we are by God to pursue His interests, and where we affect more people for good than we know.


Do you have proximity to those who exercise authority in your life? How about your pastor, your employer, your supervisor, or city councilperson? As a Christian, we need to realize the opportunity to be close to one in authority is a gift from God with great benefits and heavy responsibilities. Are we the kind of servants our superiors desire to have close to us? Do we serve with distinction? Do we exercise discretion, and can we be trusted with delicate and confidential matters? Do we look out for others’ interests, or do we always consider our convenience first? Do we intercede for our leaders? Would your boss or pastor say he or she would love to have ten more people just like you? Would the “king” in your life call you a lifesaver like Mordecai and Esther?


Remember, you are where you are for a reason. Take some time to pray and examine your service in the position God has placed you.  Be sure you are identified with God’s interests in others, because your service can literally save many and bring glory to God.

Love and perfect peace,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 8

Pastor Eric A. Green

When virgins were gathered together a second time, Mordecai sat within the King's gate.  Now Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the
 command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him.  Esther 2:19, 20

Esther had ascended to the throne of the greatest kingdom on earth, and one might say she'd arrived.  She was surrounded by luxury and pageantry, having become the apple of the king's eye and the envy of all others in the kingdom.  How easy it would have been to forget her humble beginnings and become susceptible to the pride dictated by her newfound status. 

Yet, the scripture says Esther obeyed the instructions of Mordecai just as she did when she was a child.  Understand that Esther's obedience was child-like not child-ish!  Remember, Jesus said we cannot enter the kingdom unless we come as children (Mark 10:15).   Childlikeness is an indispensible trait of a Spirit-filled life, and it takes much effort to maintain this attribute.

Children are trusting, obedient, joyful, open to direction and correction, innocent, and loving.  That is what the Lord looks for in us.  How do our lives stack up in relation to these traits? One of my greatest sorrows as a pastor is how few saints truly respect and obey spiritual authority as Esther did.  Can your pastors say you are a joy to shepherd, obedient, humble, and meek?  I'm not talking about being a subject or slave, but a yielded vessel of honor God can use, as He did Esther.

If we could see the importance of submitting to the "Mordecai" in our lives, God's power would be set free in us in ways untold.  Think about it.

Love and peace,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 6

Pastor Eric A. Green

 

. . . she (Esther) did not request anything except what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the king's women, advised.   And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.  Esther 2:15b

In Esther's story, God gave her immediate and effectual favor with Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the king's harem.  Hegai was best able to promote Esther, preparing her, advising her, positioning her, protecting her, and serving her.  Esther, to her credit, was humble and wise enough to listen and obey, and we know how things worked out in her favor against all odds.  

Eunuchs are among the most overlooked characters in the ancient world, but among the most influential and important.  Since "eunuch" is not a term we are very familiar with, let me give you the definition from Vine's Expository Dictionary:

" (a) An emasculated man; (b) one incapacitated for, or voluntarily abstaining from wedlock; (c) one such, in a position in high authority in a court, "a chamberlain."

Kings in biblical times required those who were exclusively dedicated to his welfare, safety, and interests.  Because a king was sovereign and every person in the kingdom was his subject, the job was overwhelming, requiring the assistance of a highly skilled and competent army of aides.  These aides were his first line of defense, his eyes and ears, his messengers, his representatives, his confidantes, his butlers and cooks, and anything else he might need of them.  As such, the lives and livelihood of these aides depended on their capability, loyalty, wisdom, and shrewdness.  Such was the lot of the king's eunuchs.

Being in the direct presence of kings who wielded absolute authority was an unfathomable honor and opportunity - but it was also a slippery and precarious slope of uncertainty.  Witness the predicament of Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, who were Nebuchudnezzar's Jewish eunuchs in the Book of Daniel.  Their position and excellence made them invaluable to the king, but also made them targets of Satan and those who were envious of their position.

I believe there are eunuchs available to us (the bride of Christ) even today.  They are called angels.  In so many ways angels do for the Lord and us what eunuchs did for kings and their families.  Hebrews 1:14 speaks of angels like this:

"Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation?"

Yes, like eunuchs, angels serve God's interests (the church) with a singular purpose, and they wage a holy war for us in the spiritual realm.  We don't always realize this, because it is invisible - but it is real, and we need to live in such a way that helps our heavenly eunuchs help us.  We do this by living and walking in the Spirit, obeying and following Jesus, engaging in His interest in others, and giving sacrifices of praise and worship from thankful hearts. 

Imagine how difficult we can make the angels' job by opening ourselves up to demonic powers through disobedience, stubbornness and waywardness (witness Israel's wandering in the desert).  I look at evil things I was once involved with and I deeply regret the doors I opened for Satan.  But I'm so grateful for the angels God placed around me who fought for me and did not let the plots of devil succeed. Now I often pray, "Lord, help me to live in a way that makes the angels' ministry in my life a pleasure, not a struggle."

Finally, let me submit to you another group of eunuchs sent by God to minister on our behalf - pastors.  Pastors are sent to prepare the children of God for the day they will be ushered directly into His presence, just like Esther was prepared to go before the king.  The sermons pastors preach, the lives of sacrifice they live, their praying and fasting for us, and their example to us will commend us to God, if we'll only humble ourselves and follow them as they follow Christ.   May our lives be a witness to God's determination to perfect us for Himself and eternity.

Pastor Eric

 Esther Series – part 5

Pastor Eric A. Green

 

So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women.

Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women.

Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.  Esther 2:8, 9, &15

Have you ever witnessed a beauty pageant?  How do you choose one young lady out of a multitude of lovely, beautiful, and talented ladies?  Truly, it comes down to a matter of tastes and preferences - .the criteria is very subjective and the judges have a difficult decision to make. 

Now imagine the contest to become the next queen of the most powerful king in the world!  You talk about politics, maneuvering, treachery, dirty tricks. You can bet things behind the scenes were not very pretty.  This group of women included the rich, well connected, the best looking, and every Cinderella wannabe in the kingdom. 

And then there was Esther.  In the world's eyes, she was no one from nowhere.  In fact, Mordecai instructed her to keep nationality and family origin a secret, because if she were known to be a Jew in captivity it would be used against her!  Naturally speaking, Esther was the least likely to be chosen by the king . . . but God!!!!

There is a spiritual concept at work here that no one but God calculated, and it made all the difference in the world!  That concept is "favor”. 

        Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.  Esther 2:15b

I define favor as the personalized, particular, gracious hand of God operating in the life of His child. 

God's hand on Esther was only factor that separated her from all the other lovelies, and this favor was poured out for a purpose.  In fact, God's favor is always connected to His purpose for our lives.  You see, Esther was God's tool to save His people from the genocidal plot soon to be hatched against them.  My point is this - Esther received this favor because she was obedient to God's leading in her life, and the favor remained as long as she kept that focus and fulfilled God's purpose.

The same is true of us in regard to favor.  We enjoy and recognize the marvelous favor of God in our lives when we remained focused on the life and role He has designed for us.  When we get outside those lines, He still loves us, but we lose the sense of His hand moving in all things on our behalf - we begin to work for things He would give us if we were obedient.  May we all allow God, who chose us out of this world, to place us where He gets the glory from the favor He bestows on us. Amen.

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 4 

Pastor Eric A. Green

 

In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her. Excerpts for Esther 2: 4, 7, 10, 11 (NASB) 

Mordecai is every bit as important to the Book of Esther as Esther herself.  She is a beautiful type of the church - plucked from obscurity, unknown, orphaned, and in need of care.  Mordecai, her older cousin, is a type of the Holy Spirit, who God used to care for, instruct, protect, and prepare Esther for her position as the bride of the king.  Because we are poor in spirit, like Esther, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit to usher us in to the Kingdom of God as His very own bride.  Just as Esther would not have been able to do the will of God without Mordecai, neither can we without the Holy Spirit. 

Little did Esther know the role she would play in the history of God's people. In the same way, you and I don't always realize how crucial our service, obedience, and availability are in the plan of God to save the souls of those all around us. Let's keep our lives free from disobedience, sin, and selfishness that so easily trap us and makes us unfit for Kingdom enterprises.  The Holy Spirit has been given to you lead you into all truth.  As Esther obeyed Mordecai, please obey the promptings of the Spirit - God wants to use you!! 

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 3

Pastor Eric A. Green

 

Then the king's servant who attended him said: "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king."  Esther 2:2

"Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti."  This thing pleased the king, and he did so.  Esther 2:4

. . . Esther was also taken to the king's palace.  Esther 2:8

In order to be considered a candidate for the king's bride, a woman had to be beautiful, young, and a virgin.  Physical beauty was necessary, because she was to be the object of his desire, a pleasure to behold, a source of personal pride, an example of his exquisite taste, and the pinnacle of his "possessions."  Her youth denotes health, vigor, and her relative inexperience in life, allowing her to be shaped, molded, and matured into her new marital, social, and political roles.  Virginity was the standard of unmarried women of Esther's day, and the wife of the king could not be compromised in any way by intimate sexual, romantic, or emotional relationships with any other man. 

When we take a deeper (spiritual) look at this passage, we are able to draw parallels to our relationship with Jesus, our heavenly king and husband.  The Bible calls the church of God the "Bride of Christ" (John 3:29), which He is preparing for Himself without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:22-33). 

Does your practical life make you eligible for the awesome privilege of enjoying an intimate love life with Jesus Christ?  As a pastor, I witness so many whose choices and lifestyles make it impossible for them to be credible witnesses for Christ.  But those of us who truly desire to be with Him are learning to turn away from the self and sin that once filled our days, and we are looking to Jesus for all we need and desire.  I encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse, prepare, and lead you into the life of holiness you are called to - and when the Father looks for those to present to His Son, He'll find the youth, vigor, beauty, and purity in you that makes you fit to be with Him forever!

Let’s talk about it!

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 2

Pastor Eric A. Green

 

“What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?” And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. “For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’ “This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. “If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. “When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.” And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. Esther 1:15-21

Poor Queen Vashti.  She had no idea one rash display of temperament would cost her the crown.  Her decision not to honor the king proved to be a bigger deal than she anticipated, and there was no place left for repentance. 

Regardless of how we feel about the queen's behavior, she did not exercise her prerogative wisely; and her position of influence magnified her action, causing her to be perceived as a major threat in to the king's authority.   This was seen as more than an isolated incident, but a fire that would spread throughout the land.

I'm reminded how important it is that I conduct myself honorably and discreetly before those in authority over me - not only for my own good, but for those I influence.  If the exercise of my rights dishonors those I serve, work for, civic, governmental, or spiritual leaders, I dishonor the God who put all authority in place (Romans 13:1).  In a day when we are taught to promote our own rights at all costs, we saints must remember all our rights were surrendered to Jesus. Even when it's not pleasant, we must walk in humility; remembering that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).  Think about it.

Love and perfect peace,

Pastor Eric

Esther Series - Part 1

 Hello Everyone,

For the next several weeks I will share excerpts from a devotional I’m writing on the Book of Esther. Esther is filled with revelation about God, though the word “God” appears nowhere in the entire book. Its lessons on Christian character, courage, and faith are invaluable, and we do well to heed and apply them. So walk (and blog) with me through this marvelous book – and I’ll give you my thoughts, so give me yours.

Love and peace,

Pastor Eric
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Esther Series – part 1
 Pastor Eric A. Green

"But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him."

~Esther 1:12

Queen Vashti’s refusal to obey the king's command led to her displacement and closed the door on her privilege, position, and prominence, which she had begun taking for granted.  How careful we must be to guard against the temperament Vashti displayed, that wars against the childlike obedience to God and His ordained authority!  Many opportunities to glorify God have been lost because of our unwillingness or reluctance to respond joyfully to the prompting of the Spirit and the leading of His shepherds. (Read Roman 13:1-7)

Perhaps the King’s behavior was boorish and immature, as some have asserted. Obviously, Vashti though so, and her refusal to obey his request was justified in her eyes – but was her response wise? And was it righteous? There are instance in our lives where we are “summoned” by authorities like Vashti, and our natural response could be the same as hers, if we judge those authorities unworthy of obedience. But if we make that judgment, are we being wise? Are we being righteous? Are we being biblical? When is it right to disobey those in authority? Pray about it.

May the Lord give us the simplicity and humility of heart to trust and obey, casting all our cares and the consequences of our obedience upon Him...for HE cares for us.

What say you?

God bless you,

Pastor Eric  

Dream With God

Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:5, 6)

Abraham was an old man, and Sarah was well past her childbearing prime. It was foolish to think he and his wife would ever have an heir of their own, but God uses foolishness for His own divine purposes (1 Corinthians 1:25). Just when Abraham’s faith was at its lowest point, the Lord challenged him, “Look now toward heaven . . .” Abraham and Sarah needed an attitude adjustment and a change of perspective if they were going to walk any farther with God. They were going to have to give God their hopes and dreams and trust Him with them. So it is with each of us who hope in the Lord.

God wants to free us from the trap of small and limited thinking. We limit God in our minds whenever we elevate our circumstances instead of seeking the opportunities to increase our faith. Our faith is only increased by the determination to cling to God and His Word, and to let Him have the final say in all things. The name of Jesus must truly become the “name above all names” in my thinking - and my best efforts get lost in the possibilities of His sovereign will, His grace and His remarkable kindness. Now is the time for me to look up and believe!

Love and perfect peace,
Pastor Eric