October 23 2016 How Can I Know My Destiny
/
HOW CAN I KNOW MY DESTINY?
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.
1 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 know 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.
Matthew 9:29 – Jesus said, ‘According to your faith will it be done to you!’
