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

Discipleship: It Is Necessary!

Discipleship has become a hot topic at my church. I consider it a non-negotiable for the growth and maturity of a saint. I define “discipleship” as the personal relationship or network of relationships that makes the wisdom and experience of the more seasoned saints available to others. These relationships may be structured or free-flowing, but they must be intentional, mutually agreed upon, and pursued according to the biblical model and the pastor’s vision. The mentor/disciple relationship is best pursued in the local church and biblical context. The pastor is the final piece of the puzzle, as he or she is God’s agent for equipping His saints for life and ministry (Ephesians 4: 11-16). Thus, all such relationships should be open and submitted to pastoral authority and protection.

There are tremendous benefits for the teacher/mentor and the disciple.
The teacher/mentor receives:

• The opportunity to pour into the lives of others.
• The joy of seeing others gain the wisdom and insights necessary for productivity and maturity.
• Obedience to the Lord’s “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20)
• The assurance of doing what Jesus did.

The disciple receives:

• The benefits of the knowledge of more seasoned saints.
• The benefits of accountability.
• The blessing of having hands laid on and being “sent”.
• The benefits of learning to serve, honor, and follow another.

I can fully understand the fear and reluctance some feel when approached with the subject of discipleship. There have been those who have misused the trust given them, and we all must be careful to whom we submit ourselves. The Lord never asks us turn off our brains and let someone think for us or control us.

Personally, I’ve never encountered a productive and healthy saint who had not been well pastored and discipled – nor do I believe the members of a local congregation will mature without the pastor’s devoted effort to establish the means for individuals to be engaged in healthy discipling relationships. Jesus is the true Disciple-Maker, and those of us who minister in His name will seek to do as He did. So let’s get busy making those disciples!

That’s my piece. What say you?

Suggested reading –
Jesus Christ, Disciple Maker and The Disciple Making Church - Both by Bill Hull.