Day 20

Esther 4:1-7:10 KJV NLT
As a modern day feminist , I am glad to a story in the bible that portrays women in a different light especially in the Old Testament. It first started with the former Queen Vashti and now today's reading displays Esther cleverness and bravery. Once she was made aware of what was troubling Mordecai, she decided to risk her life and speak to the King and let loose her plan for stopping the decree. Her plan worked in two major ways -- the King took some time to remember the things Mordecai has done and he put a stop to the decree for the sake of Esther, his Jewish wife; plus Haman who has started this whole mess in the first place was found out, humiliated and hung. I am definitely appreciating this story of Esther and admire her for her bravery.

1 Corinthians 12:1-26 KJV NLT
Paul gives us a good lesson about the Holy Spirit and the role it plays in our lives. We know that there is some driving force within us that allows us to make decisions, give advice, to heal the sick, etc. That force is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives us many different gifts , "as a means of helping the entire church" ( Verse 7). In the same breath of doing things for the entire church, we need to remember that we are all one body who needs each other. If there is any type of division it will harm the body (church). There is supposed to continued symbiosis amongst all parts of the church. ( Verse 26) If one part suffers, all parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all parts are glad.


Psalm 36:1-12 KJV NLT

Psalm 36

For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord.

¹ Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.
They have no fear of God at all.
² In their blind conceit,
they cannot see how wicked they really are.
³ Everything they say is crooked and deceitful.
They refuse to act wisely or do good.
⁴ They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots.
Their actions are never good.
They make no attempt to turn from evil.

⁵ Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
⁷ How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
letting them drink from your river of delights.
⁹ For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see.

¹⁰ Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you;
give justice to those with honest hearts.
¹¹ Don’t let the proud trample me
or the wicked push me around.
¹² Look! Those who do evil have fallen!
They are thrown down, never to rise again.

Proverbs 21:21-22 KJV NLT
Passage Proverbs 21:21-22:

²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.

²² The wise conquer the city of the strong
and level the fortress in which they trust.


Tomorrow's Reading
Esther 8:1-10:3 KJV NLT
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13 KJV NLT
Psalm 37:1-11 KJV NLT
Proverbs 21:23-24 KJV NLT