Ministry with Keith on Esther

Subject: Ministry update.. please pray and share
Hi everyone, God's blessings on you all,
The ladies came in to where we were waiting and there were hugs all round. They had just had their exercise and all had showered and many still had damp hair. Again many of the ladies had brought along their Bibles and were eager to listen :-)
Thank you Lord for continuing to nourish these fragile seeds of hope and love in their hearts. Amen!
We opened in prayer then the speaker talked from the book of Esther. A book of the Bible that is powerful in uplifting and encouraging women from all walks of life. Upon research the speaker had found that Esther was very young, around 14 years old when she was summoned to king Xerxes along with many other beautiful looking girls with their virginity intact that had been gathered from around the kingdom after the former queen was banished forever. She had refused to obey the summons from her husband to join him and all his distinguished guests which brought shame upon him.
Esther (this was the Persian name given to her when she entered the royal court) was accompanied by Mordecai who had adopted Hadassah (means myrtle) his cousin after her parents died. From the beginning Esther, who must have been very scared in this new environment, was well taken care of by Hegai who was in charge of the harem because he found her pleasing and she won his favor. (God's protection over her).
Esther who was Jewish had not revealed her nationality and family background because Mordecai forbid her to do so as the king was Persian. There was much animosity between the Jewish and the Persian people at this time. It must have taken great courage in Esther to keep this secret. She had great support from Mordecai as he sat day and night at the king's gate keeping watch over her. (Esther 2:11 "Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her")
Esther won over everyone in the harem because of her humbleness and her love for everyone (God's love that came through her deep faith) - part 2:15 " And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her."
Esther was summoned by the king and he was attracted to her so much that he made her his queen. (God's favor resting upon her.)
Mordecai whilst sitting at the kings gate overheard two of the kings officers plotting to kill the king. Mordecai told Esther who in turn told the king giving credit to Mordecai. Hamman who was so puffed up with pride, was shamed and brought about his downfall through his arrogance and deception.
Those of you who are reading this please follow the story fully in the Bible.
The outcome of Esther's bravery and courage was that she (through God) saved her people from certain death. The emphasis was laid on the fact that nowhere in the book of Esther is God's name mentioned. Esther operated in faith. She did not hear God's voice and yet she continued to follow in faith though it could mean death.
4:11 "All the kings officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law, that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I (Esther) was called before the king.
The speaker then brought the story into reality for the ladies listening -
1. Envy - we are not to be envious of what someone else has - the king had many riches but he was clearly not in control of his kingdom, his wife and did not know what was going on behind the scenes (plot to kill him and Hamman's treachery.)
2. How much courage Esther had - Romans 15:4 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" - everything we have done is a part of us - what we did and what we do. Those strong in faith through reading the Scriptures and the testimony to what God has clearly done in their lives need to lend a hand to strengthen others which is an act of service for our Lord.
3. Pride - not to be puffed up as Hamman was - this is not pleasing to God or to man and results sometimes in disastrous consequences which cause distancing from God and those all around us.
4. To do God's will - Esther knew she could save herself but chose to obey the difficult task of saving all her people and that line of people produced JESUS! How easily we can miss our calling, purpose when we hesitate and think only of ourselves and how uncomfortable it is for us.
In the "desert" times when we are weary and unable to hear God's voice God reassures us through His presence around Esther that He is with us every step of the way.
The stages Esther went through where God upheld her and what we go through to.
In her weakness - He gave her strength
In her dread - He gave her courage
In her struggle - He brought her through
Esther fulfilled her destiny - lets do the same.
How? One step at a time - we are only human, we can't do it all. We can do something each day to make things possible - look around.
Who is the true hero in this book of the Bible? GOD.
He is the Provider of everything! In these scriptures He used everyone to free a nation. He uses ordinary people like Esther, Mordacai, to do extraordinary things. We are all put on this earth for a purpose.
The speaker said, God is always working behind the scenes orchestrating everything. A lack of an answer to your prayer is in itself an answer. Obey HIM rather than man.
Show others what a gift it is to be a Christian and to believe in Jesus. Something that was expressed is that "worship isn't the songs we sing, it is a reflection of our ever changing lives" Amen. Speak the gospel at all times without words by what you do.
One more comforting thought that the speaker shared. God is behind, beside and before us - He encircles us with His love. :-)
God Bless
BAHRAIN LADIES PRISON MINISTRY