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Monday
The First
Lesson
Esther 5
1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her
royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house,
over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal
throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing
in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the
king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand.
So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther?
and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half
of the kingdom.
4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the
king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared
for him.
5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may
do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet
that Esther had prepared.
6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What
is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy
request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request
is:
8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it
please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request,
let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare
for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king hath said.
9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart:
but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood
not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against
Mordecai.
10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home,
he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude
of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted
him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants
of the king.
12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man
come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared
but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the
king.
13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai
the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let
a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak thou
unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou
in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased
Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
1st Lesson Questions -
How far am I willing to go, in order to save my loved ones? As far as Esther did? RESOLVE.
The Second
Lesson
Romans 1:1-17
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated
unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of
the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to
the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience
to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that
your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel
of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always
in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have
a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual
gift, to the end ye may be established;
12 That
is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith
both of you and me.
13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes
I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might
have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both
to the wise, and to the unwise.
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to
you that are at Rome also.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the
Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For
therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
2nd Lesson Questions -
Paul said he wanted to be encouraged (comforted) by the faith of the Romans. (V. 12) During tough times, do I allow another's faith to encourage me? Do I "live by faith"? (V. 17) If not, what does that say about me? RESOLVE.