The Cloud of Witnesses
Former title Lessons From the People of the Bible
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Set 1Available for NZ$25 + shipping. Enquire at the email address at the bottom of the page.
Abraham (5) — David (5) — Esther (4) — Gideon (5) — Isaac (6) — Jacob (7) — Job (6) — John the Baptist (6) — Jonah (4) — Jonathan (6) — Joseph (10) — Joseph of Nazareth (6) — Mary (4) — Mary Magdalene (4) — Mary of Bethany (3) — Moses (5) — Nehemiah (8) — Nicodemus (4) — Noah (6) — Paul the Apostle (5) — Peter (5) — Philip (4) — Ruth (7) — King Saul (6) — Stephen (6) — Thomas (4)Download the complete set 1 as PDFs (2.46 MB).The lessons of set 1 are also available as individual online lessons below. |
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Set 2Available for NZ$25 + shipping. Enquire at the email address at the bottom of the page.
Andrew (7) — Caleb (7) — Daniel (7) — Elijah (6) — Elisha (5) — Isaiah (21) — John (22) — Joshua (16) — Leah (2) — Luke (22) — Mary Magdalene (3) — Matthew (9) — Miriam (4) — Nahum (2) — Rachel (6) — Rebekah (5) — Samson (5)Download the complete set 2 as PDFs (1.85 MB). |
Esther
Lesson 1 | Lesson 2 | Lesson 3 | Lesson 4 | Back to The Cloud of Witnesses menu
Lesson 2: Esther – Obedient Servant
Reading
Esther 4.
God wants to use YOU just where you are
I’m sure Esther thought that being Queen was generating quite enough excitement as it was and she definitely didn’t need Haman determined to eradicate her people – The Jews. She may even have felt temporarily that she might be exempt, being Queen. However, Mordecai soon helped her see the truth. He also pointed out that God would rescue the Jews but that she could be a part of God’s plan if she wanted to. And maybe that was why she had the ‘job’ she did!
How often people have come up to me over the years complaining that they didn’t know what God wanted them to do! Usually they wanted to ‘wait’ for God to do some earth-shaking miracle through them!
Other times, people have come and asked if we could pray regarding a new job or a new house. We prayed and later they would come back excited so we could rejoice together. However, I often stopped them in their tracks by asking this simple question – Why has God given it to you?
You see we so often want God to bless us and give us an easy life. God has a much bigger plan in mind.
For example – He gives us our jobs, not only as part of His provision for us, but so we will be a witness to our colleagues; so we can pray for the boss and our fellow workers and introduce them to Jesus! The same is true of our neighbours. Never forget, we may be the only Christians they meet. We may be the only ‘Jesus’ they see!
There is another issue, which confronted Esther – and that was – what in your life is worth dying for? So many of us live mediocre lives because we have never found something worth dying for! In fact, you will never live your life to the full until you do! We were created for risk and eternity, yet we prefer safety and insignificance.
Those who have made an impact with their lives realised that there are issues greater than their comfort and have given themselves for a higher purpose. Remember Jim Elliot, one of the five martyrs to the Auca Indians of Ecuador, said those immortal words - He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
Esther would say to us today...
Look for God to do extraordinary things wherever you are serving Him, at home and at work.
Prayer
Father, please help me never forget that You know all about me. You have given me the home where I live and the job I have at work. Help me be Your representative wherever I go, particularly at home and at work. Please give me the courage to use the opportunities You give me - to show my friends, family and work colleagues that I love You and serve You and because of that, love them and that I am there to serve them too. May this year be a year of breakthroughs - where I see many of my colleagues come to know and follow You. Amen.
Additional readings
Philippians 2:5-15; 2 Kings 5:1-16; Matthew 9:9-13.
Questions
Who are the 3 people at your work that God wants you to pray for and witness to this year?
Who are the 3 neighbours God wants you to get to know this year?
Who are the 3 people you could ask to a Church Service or an Alpha Course this year?
Lesson 1 | Lesson 2 | Lesson 3 | Lesson 4 | Back to The Cloud of Witnesses menu