Refocused Purpose Week 1
Refocused Purpose Week 1: Esther 1 & Proverbs 1-3
A Heart Filled Fall Bible Reading Plan
I’m so excited to be sharing this Bible Reading Plan with all my readers!
Let’s look at what it’s all about…
Refocused Purpose – A Bible Reading Plan For The Fall – allows readers to dive into both the books of Esther and Proverbs!! Weaving these two books of the Bible together into one Bible Reading Plan does wonders for the heart!!
It’s a Bible Reading Plan that’s designed to help refocus our attention on God’s ways, purpose, and wisdom.
Each week, throughout the fall 2024 season, I’ll be posting study material to go along with the weekly reading. Below I’ve broken the study material down into three sections: one for the book of Esther, one for the book of Proverbs, and one focused on looking ahead. You can jump ahead to a specific section by clicking on the following links:
Week 1 Key Verse
Esther – Chapter 1 (Scene 1)
Setting: Banquet held in the courtyard of the palace garden at the Fortress of Susa.
Time: Reign of King Xerxes, around 483 BC
In chapter 1 of Esther we see God working behind the scenes setting the stage for the main act!
Facts gathered from Esther chapter 1…
What we learn in Esther chapter 1…
Check out how God works!!
God’s “behind the scenes” work starts with a proud king making an impulsive decision based merely off of emotions, which in turn causes a queen’s refusal, and therefore opens the door for the next scene.
Friends, every part of the story found in Esther has purpose! We see God’s plans begin to unfold in chapter one. His work behind the scenes allows the plans He set into motion from the beginning of time to move along fulfilling His greater purpose. After closing the book on scene one we should be able to refocus our attention on the fact that God is in control. He always has been and always will be!! ALWAYS!! ALWAYS!!
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)
Proverbs – Chapters 1-3
Friends, Proverbs is **the book** packed full of wisdom.
“These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.”
Proverbs 1:1-2 (NLT)
Where’s your heart?
In order to live a godly life we must turn towards God! It begins with us!! It begins with our hearts!
The first chapter in Esther showed us what happens when we don’t seek out the counsel of God. When God is not included in our plans/decisions things can blow up easily. King Xerxes’ impulsive, irrational decision making caused him embarrassment and ultimately the banishing of the queen. Both unseen circumstances his proud heart never took into consideration. And, this was all because he wasn’t thinking clearly. His commitments were all wrong. He was seeking counsel in the wrong places!!
Friends, where we seek our counsel is important!! AND…we can back this truth up with some wise words found in the book of Proverbs.
“Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.”
Proverbs 1:5-6 (NLT)
Where’s your commitments?
We can live out our lives boldly for Christ! All we have to do, friends, is listen! Take some time and allow Proverbs chapters 1-3 to really soak down deep. Pray for guidance and allow the Holy Spirit to speak truth to your heart.
“But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
Proverbs 1:33 (NLT)
As we stay on God’s path, with EARS wide opened, we experience His peace!!! Another, of the many, reasons why it’s important to live a life committed to the One who holds our future. The One who’s plans will prevail! Friends, His purpose will be made known as we closely walk beside Him…learning, growing, and gaining wisdom.
There are so many wonderful benefits gained with wisdom. Be faithful, friends!!
Precious Gems Found In Proverbs
Each week I’m going to include treasure gleaned from the chapters read in Proverbs that help to beef up the lessons learned in the book of Esther. The following are found in Proverbs chapters 1-3!
Sit with them, study them, and store them in your heart!
WOW!!! Proverbs is packed full of treasures just waiting to be found!!
Know God
A life filled with wisdom and understanding takes discipline and discernment, friends. To live a life accordingly can only be done through God’s grace, mercy, and strength. We **cannot** do this on our own.
Remember, the words we read in the Bible are words straight from God’s mouth. He speaks to us, friends!! How exciting!! He speaks truth straight to our hearts every single time we open our Bibles up!! AND…the words found in Proverbs help us gain the wisdom needed to know God! The gems I’ve added to the list above are included in His Word to help guide us as we make our way through life, side-by-side our Savior and Lord.
Looking Ahead…
As we continue to make our way through the book of Esther we’ll get to see how God works in the lives of those who are ready, willing, and committed. These are the kinds of examples worth imitating as we seek out our own refocused purpose. So, embrace the time you spend reading through this Bible Reading Plan. Make it count! Quality over quantity, friends!!!
As you read through each chapter, ask God to renew your mind and help you to know and understand Him more and more each day. Friends, allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through you as you make your way through your own refocused purpose!
Is this your first stop here at A Heart Filled? Want to learn more about the Refocused Purpose Bible Reading Plan, including the reading schedule? Keep scrolling!
It’s Time To OPEN YOUR BIBLE & FILL YOUR HEART
The Full Bible Reading Plan Details
We read the Bible to KNOW GOD! And, that’s just what Refocused Purpose – A Bible Reading Plan For The Fall is all about!
Refocused Purpose is a 10-week Bible Reading Plan that focuses in on two books of the Bible. Each week there is one chapter to be read in Esther and then 3 chapters to fill up on in Proverbs. My thoughts when I set up this Bible Reading Plan were simple. Read how God works behind the scenes in the lives of those who are faithful – Esther and Mordecai – and then back that amazing, wonderful truth up in Proverbs as we learn how to apply the same wisdom to our own lives!!
It’s refocused purpose, friends!!
This Bible Reading Plan not only gives readers an opportunity to dive into two great books of the Bible, but it gives readers an opportunity to grow closer to God! It’s a renewing Bible Reading Plan that’s meant to help us refocus on the new season ahead. A time to rekindle our trust in the Lord and gain the wisdom needed to keep walking close beside Him.
As you make your way through the book of Esther look for God and His miracle-working ways. Watch Him unfold His divine plans for Esther and Mordecai’s lives right before your very eyes. Be amazed and encouraged!! AND THEN, as you dive into Proverbs, open up your heart and allow God to work the scene and accomplish His work inside you.
BE READY!
BE WILLING!
BE FAITHFUL!
Friends, when we walk closely beside our Savior, we gain the wisdom, courage, and strength to live out what God teaches us in His Word!
Refocused Purpose Reading Plan Schedule
Refocused Purpose – A Bible Reading Plan For The Fall gives readers some wiggle room to work the reading schedule out however they like, throughout each week. However, studies show that if you take the time to read the Bible at least four days a week you’ll notice the biggest difference. I can testify to what it does in my own life, and, friends, it’s so worth it!! So, as you start this plan I encourage you to spread the weekly chapters out and make sure you’re opening up your Bible at least four days each week – if not, MORE!
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – Each week, through the 2024 Fall Season, I’ll be posting weekly study material for the plan! Make sure to check back at the end of each week! AND…if you are interested in receiving email notifications on when these new posts drop SUBSCRIBE below!
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Extra Bible Reading Resource Recommendations
Wanna really go deep with this Bible Reading plan?!? I recommend getting your hands on a good study Bible – it’s a great tool to have! If you have the right one, it will help you understand more clearly what you are reading so you can fill up on every single drop of goodness! Make sure to check out my favorite study Bible post to find out which study Bible I recommend. It’s a great help when making your way through the pages of God’s Word. And, don’t forget your HIGHLIGHTERS & a journal! It’s great practice to jot down all the things the Holy Spirit stirs your heart with while you read God’s Word.
Looking For More Renewal This Fall?
If you’re looking for MORE renewal this fall, A Heart Filled Renewing Scripture With the Major Prophets is a great place to look! Here’s a quick glimpse…
Inside the pages of the Major Prophets hearts are able to fill up on a tremendous amount of renewing Scripture. These five books of the Bible do not disappoint!! There is so much wisdom and guidance to glean from these books of the Bible. As you make your way through these intense, powerful books of the Bible you’ll have the opportunity to focus in on some bold, revitalizing truth. The kind of truth that a heart needs to hear. The kind that hits hard, seeps down deep, and really helps to get a willing heart back on track! It’s Scripture worth repeating often! For more info CLICK HERE!
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It’s time to
OPEN YOUR BIBLE
FILL YOUR HEART!
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