Lessons from Queen Esther: Treat Everyone Nicely

Treat Everyone Nicely

This Purim story teaches us that we should treat everyone nicely even those who are of a lower socio-economic status than us because they may actually save our life.

We can see this from Mordechai who sat by the king's gate because he gave a copy of the decree that had been signed with the king's signet to the king's wife. 

Mordechai who was technically a watchman, had therefore heard about the decree and even obtained a copy of it before the Queen herself heard about it.  

Therefore, do not look down on the watchman who opens the gate as you drive in to your prestigious office because he may know things that will affect your fate at that company.

In addition, make it a point to also treat that poor watchman nicely be being courteous because whether they decide to reveal that sensitive information to you may depend on how you treat them. 

In this instance we can see that when Queen Esther learnt that Mordechai was wearing sackcloth and ashes, she sent him some clothes to wear.

When he refused to wear those clothes, she sent one of the eunuchs that her husband the king, had appointed to take care of her to find out why he was mourning.

As a result of her efforts, she learnt of the decree that had been passed and she was even given a copy to see with her own eyes. 

Therefore even it is against protocol for you to talk to the watchman, find a way to find out why he looks unusually sad or distressed because by trying to solve his problem you may end up solving a problem you did not know you had.

Some may argue that Queen Esther was concerned about Mordechai's  welfare because he was her cousin and the one who had brought her up, but she could have easily abandoned him because she was now safely ensconced in the palace as the Queen and she had not told anyone that she was a Jew (Esther 2:10). However, Esther knew better than to behave that way.

Love Week Fruit of the Spirit Challenge

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience or longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Love Week

Affirmation

Say the following affirmation every morning:

I am loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled.

Actions to Self

Do something that shows you that you love yourself each day. 

As do your self-loving action, meditate on "I love myself and that is why I am doing this for myself".

Actions to Others

The Bible tell you to Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39) 

If you are wondering "Who is my neighbour?" The Bible also gives you a clue for it says, "You shall not see your brother's ox or sheep going astray and hide yourself for you shall bring them back to your brother. If your brother is not near you or if you do not know him, then you shall bring it to your house and keep it there until your brother seeks it and then you will give it back to him." (Deuteronomy 22:1-2) 

These Bible verses use the phrase "brother" which implies a closer relationship than "neighbor". However it also says, "If your brother is not near you or if you do not know him" suggesting that it is not talking about a biological brother but rather someone in need that you do not know. Therefore the phrase "neighbor" can also be taken to mean someone in need and not necessarily the one who lives next to you. 

So do something that shows a person you meet that you love them with God’s love every day this week. 

This can be a loving action like buying a street child a meal.
It can be saying loving words like “You look lovely in that outfit” and meaning it. 
It can be thinking loving thoughts like “Heavenly Father I ask You in the name of Jesus to bless this person”.

Do your loving actions without expecting anything in return like the good Samaritan.

Examination

Ask yourself the following question every night:
"Was I loving today?"

If you were not, make a mental note to do better tomorrow. If you were, make a mental note to continue displaying the fruits of the spirit.

The Good Samaritan

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and he was attached by thieves who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him and left him half dead.

A priest passed that way and when he saw the wounded man, he crossed the road and went to other side.  

A Levite also passed by that road and when he looked at him, he also crossed to the other side.

A Samaritan came down that road and when he saw the wounded man, he felt compassion for him. He bound his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them and placed him on his animal. He took him to an inn and took care of him.  

The next morning, before he departed, he took two pence and gave them to the innkeeper and asked him to take care of the wounded man and he would pay him for any extra money he spent when he came back.  (Luke 10:30-35) 

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Am I a Fruitless Fig Tree Christian?

Jesus was hungry as they journeyed from Bethany. When He saw a fig tree with leaves from afar, He went to see if He could find some figs to eat on it. But when He came to it, He only found leaves. (Mark 11:12-13)

Jesus approached this fig tree because He was hungry and its display of lavish foliage suggested that it might have something to satisfy Him. 

However on reaching it and inspecting it closely, He found nothing to eat and satiate His hunger.

This specific fig tree represents flamboyant Christians who from afar seem to be very fruitful Christians. They maybe Christians who always carry their Bibles and whip them out at every opportunity to quote Scriptures. Or they may have multiple Christian stickers on their cars and numerous Scriptural plaques in their offices and homes. They may even wear crosses on their neck chains everyday as symbols of their strong faith.

Regardless of their mode of display, these people on close inspection are just showy Christians without substance. 

Their words, actions, jewelry, car stickers and home decorations are the loud leaves that advertise their Christianity but they do not produce the fruits that Christians should produce which are love, joy, peace, patience or longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The lesson we therefore all have to ask ourselves is, "If Jesus inspected me would He the fruits of the spirit in my life?

If you would like to manifest more of love, joy, peace,  patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, join our Fruit of the Spirit challenge which begins tomorrow. 

To read the entire Christian Sermon Am I A Flamboyant Fruitless Fig Tree Christian? 

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Aromatherapy Rose Body Wash Recipe for Stress Management

Natural Rose Body Wash Recipe Ingredients

2 cups liquid Castile soap
Castile soap is a natural soap made from olive oil. 
If you cannot find liquid Castile soap buy solid Castile soap, cut it up into small pieces and mix it with boiling water at a ratio of 1 cup of soap to 4 cups of hot water. Let it stand overnight and in the morning you will have your liquid Castile soap. 
If you cannot find any Castile soap use any natural liquid soap. I make my own natural soaps and encourage you to experiment with making your own soap. 

1 cup rose water
You can use rose water bought from a beauty store but it contains preservatives and therefore your rose body wash will not be 100% natural. 

You can also make your own natural rose water by simmering rose petals in boiling water until the water becomes the color of the roses. 
Ensure that you use organic roses or roses which are not grown for commercial purposes since those are sprayed with pesticides. 

30 drops lavender essential oil
Click here to find out if you can lavender essential oil safely

Aromatherapy Rose Body Wash Recipes Instructions

Mix the lavender essential oil with the rose water

Add the scented rose water to the liquid soap

Pour into a bottle and use it when taking a bath or shower.

Click here for more Aromatherapy for Stress Management Recipes

For the best results, use your aromatherapy aloe vera body wash as you meditate on Bible verses for relaxation like the following:

God will go before me to straighten crooked paths, break bronze gates and cut iron bars. (Adapted Isaiah 45:2)

This is a good Bible verse for relaxation if you are stressed by obstacles that have been placed in your path as you try to achieve you goals. 

God will create a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Adapted Isaiah 43:19)

This is a good Bible verse for relaxation if you are stressed because you do not know where you will get the resources you need to achieve your goals.  

God will instruct me and teach me the way you should go. He will guide me with His eye. (Adapted Psalm 32:8)

This is a good Bible verse for relaxation if you are stressed because you do not know the next step you should take.

God will not leave me or forsake me. (Adapted Joshua 1:5)

This is a good Bible verse for relaxation if you are stressed because you have been abandoned by your family and friends.  

I will leave an inheritance to my children's children. (Adapted 13:22)

This is a good Bible verse to meditate on as you work to improve your finances. 

I will not fear because the Lord my God goes with me. (Adapted Deuteronomy 31:6)

This is a good Bible verse to meditate on when you are preparing to go on a journey. 

I will not be drunk with wine. (Adapted Ephesians 5:18)

This is a good Bible verse to meditate on if you are stressed and trying to overcome alcoholism or addiction to alcohol. 

I will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. (Adapted Romans 13:14)

This is a good Bible verse to meditate on if you are stressed and trying to overcome addiction to sex. 

I will not look at anything evil. (Adapted Psalm 103:1)

This is a good Bible verse to meditate on if you are stressed and trying to overcome alcoholism or addiction to pornography. 

I will not lose heart. (Adapted 2 Corinthians 4:16)

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Bible Sermons: A New Easter Message

A New Easter Message is part of our Christian Sermon Series.

A New Easter Message

The dead body of Jesus could not physically roll away the huge stone which had been sealed from the outside of the cave’s mouth. 

Most of his friends were too scared to venture near the tomb and those who ventured were physically too weak to roll the stone away.

However, this did not stop Jesus from leaving the tombstone when His God-set time to leave arrived.

Therefore, know without a shadow of doubt that when the time that God has determined for your deliverance arrives, it does not matter if you and all your family and friends are too weak physically or financially to get you out of your tomb situation because God Himself can get you out.

God can cause earthquakes to destroy the foundations of your problems, open shut doors and loosen limitations (Acts 16:26).

God can also send Angels to roll away impediments (Matthew 28:2-4) and He can make your enemies to destroy each other (2 Chronicles 20:23) or use any other method to get you out of your tomb because With God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)  

To learn more read Easter Holiday Lessons from the Bible.

Bible Sermons: A New Christmas Message

Mary experienced a lot of problems around the birth of her baby Jesus. 

The first was that her relationship with Joseph was threatened because She found she was pregnant before they were married and Joseph being a just man who did not want to make her a public example, thought of ending their relationship. (Matthew 1:18-19)

This problem of Mary teaches us that sometimes when God enables us to conceive “things” inside us like ministries through the power of the Holy Spirit, the way Mary conceived Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, we may encounter problems in our personal and even professional lives.

This problem also teaches us that we should not abort God’s plans for our lives even when we encounter problems while doing what God wants us to do because God is able to solve all our problems.

We can see this from the fact that there was probably very little that Mary could do to salvage her relationship and convince Joseph to remain with her.

But, God was able to intervene because While Joseph thought about ending their relationship, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him, “Joseph do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife because she has conceived by the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20)

Joseph then did as the angel had commanded him and took Mary to be his wife. (Matthew 1:24)

Therefore when you encounter big problems that you can’t solve as you go about in obedience to God’s call, do not despair. Hand over your problems to God and continue serving Him as you let Him do for you what you cannot do for yourself.

Note that the Bible does not tell us that Mary thought of ending her pregnancy because it had brought problems to her relationship so that she could solve this relationship issue. 

Therefore, do not think of terminating your ministry in an attempt to solve the financial, relationship or social problems that may have begun once you started your ministry.

Focus on serving the purposes of God for your generation by fulfilling your life’s purpose and delivering what He has deposited in you as you leave Him to solve the humanly “impossible” problems you are facing.

To read the entire Christian Sermon A New Christmas Message  

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How Does A Christian Fight Anxiety?

A Christian fights anxiety by following these steps:

1. Pray

Pray whenever you begin to feel anxious because we are told, Do not be anxious about anything. In every situation combine prayer and supplication with thanksgiving as you make your requests known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Since The Word of God is the sword of the spirit (Ephesians 6:17)  make your anti-anxiety prayers more powerful by using Bible verses as your prayers.

For example you can pray,
1. Heavenly Father I ask You in the name of Jesus to help me stop being anxious about (name your problems). I present them now to You and I thank You for the good solution You are going to provide. (Philippians 4:6)

2. Heavenly Father I thank You because so are so powerful that a sparrow does not fall to the ground without your consent. I therefore ask You in the name of Jesus to solve these (name your problems) for me. (Matthew 10:29)   

2. Heavenly Father I ask You in the name of Jesus to help me with (name your problems) because I know that You are the God of all flesh and there is no problem that is too hard for You to solve. (Jeremiah 32:7)

4. Heavenly Father I ask You in the name of Jesus to help me calm down and known in my deepest being that You are still God over this situation which has been caused by (name your problems). (Psalm 46:10)

5. Heavenly Father I ask You in the name of Jesus to help me remember that You are with me in this situation which has been caused by (name your problems) and therefore I do not have to be anxious or worry about it. (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)

6. Heavenly Father I ask You in the name of Jesus to help me remember that the battle to solve these (name your problems) is Yours and not mine. (2 Chronicles 20:15)

2. Believe

Believe or have faith that God will help you deal with the problem that is making you anxious.

3. Meditate on Bible Verses

Go through your Bible to find Bible verses to fight anxiety that you can meditate on whenever anxious thoughts cross your mind.

Bible verses that you can use as your Christian meditations to fight anxiety include:
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: Is there anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27) 

Look at the birds of the air for they do not sow or reap or gather into barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than them? (Matthew 6:26)

I leave you with peace. My peace I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled. Do not let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

All things work together for the good of those who love God. (Romans 8:28)

Do not fear because I am with you. Do not be dismayed because I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes I will help you and I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) 

4. Confess Bible Verses

Go through your Bible to find Bible verses to fight anxiety that you can confess whenever you have to deal with the thing that makes you anxious.

Bible verses that you can use as your Christian affirmations to fight anxiety include:
I have cast all my cares on God because He cares for me. (Adapted 1 Peter 5:7) 

I have cast my burdens on the Lord and He shall sustain me. (Adapted Psalm 55:22)   

With God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

God has given me a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) 

God will not leave me or forsake me.(Adapted Joshua 1:5) 

If you appreciate our work Please buy How to Fight Discouragement with Bible Verses

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