Resources to Build your 2009 Bible Reading Plan

ESV:
The folks at ESV offer many bible reading plans. The have several plans that will let you read through the Bible in one year. Click here to view their plans

Back to the Bible:
Back to the Bible offers many devotions as well as Bible reading programs.  They also offer a very similar program to Interactive Bible Reading.  Their program called Powered by 4 and consists of a blog and videos that are updated twice a week.

RBC
For those of you who will miss the daily devotional, you may want to go the RBC ministries website.  They host two of the popular devotionals, My utmost for his Highest and Daily Bread.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, rather a starting point.  We challenge you to pray, plan, and prepare your approach to the scriptures in 2009.

There are so many observations we could make about the book of Esther; one observation that fascinates me is that the book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not directly mention God by name. Yet, throughout history, you can see God’s steady hand faithfully protecting His children. God is as much in control today as He was back in 465 B.C. So, as we delve into 2009, my prayer for you is that your faith would continue to grow stronger through daily time with our Lord, Jesus! May the impending trials of 2009 bring you closer to the Father of Light; may your life model Christ to the Nations and your walk continue towards the goal of holiness.   It has been a pleasure to write for God this past year, I hope you have learned as much as I have!

The last two weeks I have spend some large quantities of time just being silent – silent before the lord, silent before my family, and silent in all that I am doing about my day. Silence brings forth the benefit of true listening. Now, the Lord has a very funny sense of humor, about 5 days into my thoughtful silence the Lord allowed me to get a nasty cold, which has turned into laryngitis! Obviously, there is much for me to learn and the Lord is helping me along my quest and teaching me how to find Him in the silence of the everyday. My world often seems so chaotic and loud; seeking out silence has refreshed my soul and allowed me to look at all aspects of my life – finding those things that are pure and those that need some New Year adjustments.

One thing the Lord has been revealing to me in this silence is the victory I have in Jesus. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” So often I look at where I want to be spiritually and immediately feel defeated – attempts and failures spring into my mind and I relive many sinful choices that keep me enslaved to sin – this defeatist attitude is like putting on a yoke of slavery each day. As I was contemplating what the Lord was revealing in my life I read chapter 9 of Esther – the entire chapter is about the Jew’s victory! My did I need to be reminded of God’s victory! The Jews in chapter 9 chose, against all odds, to stand up and fight, they had great faith that the Lord would deliver them. The Bible says that by God’s sovereignty the Jews mastered  their enemies and their sorrow turned to gladness  and morning turned to holiday (9:22). In the New Testament, Roman’s 8:31 reminds us of, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? There is great freedom in being a Christian – the battle was already fought and our Lord is the Victor!

So if you feel defeated today, spend some silent time seeking the Lord and quietly ask him what yoke of slavery you’re choosing to put on each day - for our battle has already been fought, and the Lord is our victory. Knowing that should conquer our defeatist attitude, since the battle has already been won, we are no longer slaves to our sin, but slaves to righteousness (Roman’s 6:17).

Explore:

How were the Jews protected from annihilation?

How did the Jews get relief from their enemies?

What did the Jews do after God had delivered them from their enemies?

How have you experienced God’s help or deliverance in your life?

How can we celebrate God’s goodness today?

Apply:

What “yoke of slavery” will you remove today? Read Roman’s 6 for additional encouragement!

Esther’s sacrifice paid off, and the Jews were vindicated against Haman’s evil plot to exterminate them. Even when things looked bleak, Esther continued in her obedience to the Lord. One of the key points in the life of Esther, though is found in verse 6: “For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?” Esther’s compassion for others gave her courage to risk her life before the king. Her selflessness is a stark contrast to Haman’s self-centeredness. Her actions preserved the Jewish nation and the lineage of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Which character are you more like…Esther or Haman? I know we’d all like to say Esther, but is that who we are on a regular basis? Where would God have you be more Esther-like today by sacrificing yourself for the benefit and preservation of others? It may be on a small scale, like sacrificing some temporary luxuries to sponsor a child in a third-world country. It may be larger, like considering adopting a child and providing him/her with a more stable, Christ-centered environment.

Explore:

• What did Esther request of the king? (vs. 3-6)
• What did the king do with her request? (vs. 7-8)
• What did the letter say? (vs. 9-14)
• Why do you think the letter said the Jews could defend themselves rather than just calling off the first edict?

Apply:

• How will you sacrifice today for the benefit of others?

In today’s chapter, we see the story come back full circle. Haman ends up being hung very gallows that he had prepared outside of his house for Mordecai. The anger he had against Haman resulted in his own death.

This is an amazing picture of sin. James 1:14-15 says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” Maybe there’s someone who has hurt you or made you angry. As you let that pain boil to the surface, it either eats at you from the inside or you lash out with words or actions. The result is never pretty. In the end, you’re left with an emotional aftermath and an unresolved issue. It’s in these times that you must consider James 4:8-10, which says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Explore:

• How did Esther reveal her request? (vs. 3-6)
• How did the king respond? (v. 7)
• What was Haman’s sentence? (vs. 9-10)

Apply:

• Have you ever let anger and sin drive you to actions that had horrible consequences?
• How can you draw near and humble yourself before God today?

Haman had the tables completely turned on him. In an effort to promote himself to the king, he virtually planned the pomp and circumstance that would be given to his enemy. This reminds me of two verses:

1. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted”  (Matt. 23:12).
2. “Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).

We often view humility as weakness, but God considers it a strength. Rather than seeking to humiliate others, we should humble ourselves and serve them. The Bible is clear that pride precedes the fall, and the first shall be last. Pride is a very difficult thing to fight because it is always accompanied by justification and a sense of our rights. We believe it’s our right to be respected or it’s our right to be represented, and so we justify our sinful pride.

What if we followed the example of Jesus, who “being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8)? Today, let us lay down our selfish ambition and vain conceit and look to the Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ, as our hope and guide.

Explore:

• What did the king learn from his sleepless night? (vs. 1-3)
• Who did Haman think the king wanted to praise? (v. 6)
• How do you think Haman felt parading around his enemy Mordecai? (v. 11)
• What advice does Haman get from his family and friends? (v. 13)

Apply:

• What areas of pride need to be addressed in your life today?
• How can you practice humility in your life today?

Imagine Esther as she approached the king. Her hands were probably shaking. Her voice quivered. Under her breath, she recited the words she had rehearsed all day. Would the king raise his scepter, indicating his approval of her interruption? Or, would she be executed for approaching the king without being summoned? When she saw him hold out the scepter, she must have exhaled a huge sigh of relief. Still, she held her composure and invited the king and Haman to a feast. It must have been extremely difficult to feast with Haman, the arrogant official who had single-handedly planned her people’s extinction.

It’s natural to experience moments of doubt and fear as we follow the Lord’s plans for us. Sometimes we have to swallow our emotions, like Esther did, in order to complete the task God has called us to do. In these moments of mixed emotion and uncertainty, we must trust in God, the one who supplies us with strength and the words to say in every situation.

Explore:

• How did Esther approach the king and what was the result? (vs. 1-3)
• Why do you think Esther didn’t reveal her request right away? (vs. 4-8)
• What was Haman proud about? (vs. 11-12)
• What was Haman angry about? (v. 13)
• What plan did Haman’s family give him? (v. 14)

Apply:

• Be encouraged that He who is in you is greater than he that is in the world and that faith is the victory.
• In the words of William Carey, “Attempt great things for God; Expect great things from God.”

God is sovereign. His will and plans can never be thwarted. Despite Haman’s evil plot, God was a hundred steps ahead of him. God had orchestrated events to get Esther in a position of influence with the king. The only catch was that she had to be willing to make a great sacrifice, even at the potential cost of her own life, to wield that influence for the Lord’s work. Mordecai said it well: “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Is there an area of your life where God has uniquely positioned you to make a difference for the Kingdom? Maybe you’re the Christian who can share the Gospel with a friend, family member or co-worker. Maybe you’re the one God is calling to start that ministry you’ve been delaying.

Explore:

• How did Mordecai and the Jews respond to the decree? (vs. 1-3)
• How did Esther respond to Mordecai’s original request? (vs. 10-11)
• What did Mordecai say in his reply to Esther’s response? (vs. 13-14)
• What did Esther ask Mordecai to do as she prepared to approach the king? (v. 16)

Apply:

• How might God be orchestrating events in your life to put you in a position to make a difference for His Kingdom?
• How can you support a fellow believer like Mordecai and the Jews supported Esther?

The plan was evil and vindictive. In a fit of jealousy, Haman plotted to exterminate an entire race of people just because he was slighted by one of them. Haman used his influence with the king to plan the genocide of the Jews. It’s unclear whether the king knew who he was signing off on because Haman just told him “a certain people …” Long before Hitler ever lived, a holocaust against the Jews was planned. God’s chosen people would be systematically eliminated in one day (v. 13).

This horrific scheme against God’s people seems unbelievable, but there are thousands of Christians around the world today who face similar enemies … governments and individuals who seek to exterminate Christianity. It is a gravely serious issue. From Afghanistan to Orissa, India to China, God’s people are being persecuted for their belief in Jesus Christ.

Pray earnestly today for those who face such fierce opposition. Pray for joy in the midst of adversity. Pray that the Gospel would continue to spread. Pray that God would keep these brothers and sisters in Christ on the forefront of your mind this holiday season. You may even want to subscribe to the free publication from Voice of the Martyrs at www.persecution.com.

Explore:

• What did Mordecai do/not do that infuriated Haman? (v. 2)
• How did Haman plan to retaliate? (v. 6)
• What did the letter say and whose endorsement did it have? (vs. 12-13)

Apply:

• Spend some time in prayer today, thanking God for allowing you to worship freely and petitioning Him to carry Christians around the world through these difficult times of persecution.

Sometimes its better just to keep your mouth shut.  Its tempting to talk a lot.  Its tempting to try to prove yourself to others through words.  Its tempting to justify to ourselves why we need to give others advice or comment on what other say or think.  But sometimes, silence is the only thing that will earn us credibility.

Esther was a great example of this.  She kept quiet about her nationality and family background in obedience to Mordecai.  She remained silent and allowed WHO she was to shine through.  Through her silence, she was invited to a place of honor.

Explore:

• Why did Esther come to live at the palace?
• What was the king’s impression of Esther?
• What plot did Mordecai uncover and what was the result?

Apply:

• Are there any situations where you need to practice silence?  Today, take some time to practice listening to God and to others around you instead of talking.