The Whole Megillah- Continued
Let's GO!...
Ephesians 6:18 tells us that praying at all times in the Spirit, will infuse the armor and through the Holy Spirit we will be given the strength we need to be the ambassadors (warrior princesses) to fulfill our ministry He has called us to for this time; this season.
Good Morning Princesses! (Happy December)
Just a brief announcement:
· In-Person Class Session on Tuesday, December 4 @6:00 pm.
Before we get on our way, let's take a sideways tour.
1. Sideways Tour, Anyone?
Before we begin, just a quick side note for everyone, December 2nd marked the beginning of Advent. What's Advent you ask?
According to Merriam- Webster, Advent is
1 : the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting.
2a : the coming of Christ at the Incarnation b : second coming.
The word "advent" comes from the Latin term "adventus" which means "arrival" or "coming," particularly the arrival of something or someone of great significance.
The season of Advent is a period of repentance, celebration, spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas and anticipation for His return (second coming of Christ). Believers remember not only Christ's first coming to earth as a human baby but also celebrate his continued presence with us today through the Holy Spirit.
To symbolize the four weeks Advent, candles are lit on the Advent Wreath each week. In total, five candles are lit (the fifth candle is lit on Christmas Eve).
For this week, we will focus on the first candle- Purple or Violet, the Prophecy Candle. This candle once lit recalls the prophets, particularly Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ. It represents hope or expectation of the coming Messiah.
Over the next weeks this month, GO! will feature in the playlist an Advent reading or video for the month. For this week, as we celebrate the first week of Advent, meditate upon the following words:
· REMEMBRANCE
· HOPE
· ANTICIPATION
*Source: Advent Calendar Dates, Mary Fairchild (July 2018)
Now, onto…
2. Esther, Chapter 5- The Third Day (A Game of Chess)
Have you ever played the game of chess? If not, let’s briefly review two game pieces, the King and the Queen. The king is the most important piece on the board. Why? The object of the game is to “check” the king or threaten the king with capture in such a way that escape is not possible. Thus the term “checkmate”. However, contrary to fact that the King is the most important game piece, guess which piece is the most powerful? The Queen.
The queen is the most strongest piece and is able to move to any number of squares on the board, vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Through her obedience to God, Queen Esther will have the uncanny ability to create moves that will lead to checking the King, more importantly, Haman. What are the moves that ultimately lead to checkmate? Take a look at Chapter 5.
If you noticed we are now at a pivotal point with our heroine and villain. The die has been cast (literally speaking)! Haman cast the lot to determine the date of the annihilation of the Jews in Persia, but God in His divine providence has another plan at hand through his servant Esther. Whew! This is exciting.
For this week, read or listen to Esther Chapter 5. You can listen online through your online Bible app (for example YouVersion). As you listen to or read Chapter 5, imagine the scenes on the third day:
· The Royal Throne Room (Queen Esther, King Xerxes)
· Esther’s Banquet (Queen Esther, King Xerxes, Haman)
· The King’s Gate (Mordecai and Haman)
· Haman’s Home (Haman, Zeresh (Haman’s wife), Haman’s friends)
· The 75-foot sharpened pole
As you think and visualize these images, how would you title Chapter 5? Drop GO! an email response. We’ll collect your feedback and share out on a future date! Happy Reading!
Oh, princesses of faith...remember
Prayer “empowers and ‘charges up’ every other piece so they can be used effectively against the enemy. Without prayer… your armor, cannot, will not, be infused with the power that only God’s-Spirit can give."
Closing Thoughts-
Know that through the Holy Spirit you can:
· do things you couldn't;
· feel things you didn't; and
· know things you wouldn't.
GO! PLAYLIST...For your praise and worship:
GO! 12/3/18- New feature, contains a playlist of songs for your praise and worship time.
Housekeeping:
· Please tell a friend. There's still time to join in!
· See you at GO! on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, Stark Library - Innovation Center - 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm
· THIS WEEK Fall/Winter GO! Session 8 ~ Esther, It's Hard Being A Women
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to...
Lead, Serve and GO!