DECEMBER 27, 2020

SERIES: PLANNING MY LIFE FOR GOD IN 2021
FINDING MY DIRECTION FOR THE NEW YEAR

BOOK OF ESTHER

1. I must recognize the gifts God has given to me.
Esther 2:8-9- Esther pleased Hegai and won his favor.
Immediately he provided her with her beauty
treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven
maids selected from the king’s palace and moved her
and her maids into the best place in the harem.
Esther 2:15b – Esther won the favor of everyone who
saw her.
Esther 2:17 – She then won the king’s favor and
approval more than any of the other virgins. So, he
set a royal crown on her head and made her queen.
I Peter 4:10 – Each of us, as a good manager of God’s
different gifts, must use for the good of others the
special gift we have received from God.
What Has God Given Me To Use For Good?
2. I must identify the needs that stir my heart.
Isaiah 58:6-11 – Remove the chains of oppression and
yoke of injustice and let the oppressed go free. Share
your food with the hungry and open your homes to the
homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to
wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives. Then
my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your
wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you
to save you and my presence will protect you on
every side. When you pray, I will answer you. When you
call to me, I will respond. If you put an end to
oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil

work: if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those

who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn
to the brightness of noon. And I will always guide you
and satisfy you with good things. I will keep you strong
and well.
What Needs Do I See Around Me That Disturb Me?
3. Take time to hear God’s call on your life.
Esther 4:13-14 – Mordecai sent this word to Esther;
‘Do not think that because you are in the king’s house
you alone of all Jews will escape. For if you remain
silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews
will arise from another place, but you and your
father’s family will perish. Besides who knows but
that you have come to this position for such a time as
this?
Esther 4:15-16a – Then Esther sent this reply to
Mordecai; ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are
in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three
days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do.
When this is done, I will go to the king.’
4. You must make a faith commitment.
Esther 4:16 – When this is done, I will go to the king,
even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I
perish.
Matt. 9:29 – Jesus said, ‘According to your faith will
it be done to you!’