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Feasting and Fasting: The Book of Esther Doug Brown audio, pdf , and power point available @ karenvineyard.org

Feasting and Fasting: The Book of Esther Doug Brown audio, pdf , and power point available @ karenvineyard.org. Feasting and Fasting. 10 Feasts or banquets Beginning - 2 banquets given by Xerxes Middle - 2 prepared by Esther End - 2 celebrations of Purim 2 fasts 4:3 and 4.16.

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Feasting and Fasting: The Book of Esther Doug Brown audio, pdf , and power point available @ karenvineyard.org

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  1. Feasting and Fasting:The Book of EstherDoug Brownaudio, pdf, and power point available @ karenvineyard.org

  2. Feasting and Fasting • 10 Feasts or banquets Beginning - 2 banquets given by Xerxes Middle - 2 prepared by Esther End - 2 celebrations of Purim • 2fasts 4:3and 4.16

  3. Providence is God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny. “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Ephesians 1.11

  4. Understanding the TimesChapter oneDoug Brownaudio, pdf, and power point available @ karenvineyard.org

  5. Setting of the Story • Story starts in 483BC. 103 years after Jews went into captivity. • 54 years after Zerubbabel led first group of exiles home. • 25 years afterEzra led second group of exiles home. • Esther takes place in the 60 year gap between Ezra 6 and 7.

  6. “Understanding the times” v.13

  7. “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Matthew 16.3

  8. How does Esther understand her times? • Flawed expectations I’m meant to go back as well, but I’ve been left behind. • Flawed interpretations I’m an Israelite, God’s promises are for me, but I’ve been excluded. Therefore, God’s promises and purposes are for others and not for me.

  9. Flawed feelings Already, I’m an orphan, abandoned without family and now I’m now disqualified and not worthy of God’s promise • Flawed memory I don’t recall a history of God, I haven’t experienced God’s faithfulness. My life is one of exile, loss and abandonment.

  10. God keeps His promises • On His own terms • To His intended audience • By His methods • In His times

  11. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, Who is and Who was and Who is to come” Revelation 1:8

  12. But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; Psalm 31.14“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. Philippians 2.13

  13. Understanding our times Learning from yesterday • Keeps you from unrealistic optimism.• Points to realistic tasks and goals that compliment you’re gifting and calling.• Gives you a foundation to reach for the future.• Points out closed doors and opens doors.• Yesterday was the school that prepared you to live today

  14. Learning today • Today is the tomorrow you dreamed of yesterday. Today counts! • If you are not at peace today, you won’t be at peace tomorrow. If you don’t get the most out of today, then you won’t enjoy tomorrow because you can’t build on a foundation of yesterday that was empty and meaningless. Today counts!

  15. Learning today • . God has given you the gift of time. Remember “For you died and your live is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3.3 • Study today. Learn the urgency of today. While dreams of tomorrow give us strength, and the lessons of yesterday give us foundation; today is all you have got. The only day you can live is today.

  16. Learning for tomorrow • Our dream of tomorrow will give energy for today because it brings hope • Dreams of tomorrow can cause us to work harder and endure hardship today • Tomorrow will not be like the past. • Tomorrow will not be like you expect. • Don’t try to live now the dreams of tomorrow, because you will sacrifice today, and you won’t have a tomorrow.

  17. “May it be done unto me according to your word.” Luke 1.38

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