Refocused Purpose Week 2

September 26, 2024 Becky

Refocused Purpose Week 2: Esther 2 & Proverbs 4-6

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 for the treasures found in Proverbs. You can jump ahead to a specific section by clicking on the following links:

STUDY MATERIAL – ESTHER CHAPTER 2

STUDY MATERIAL – PROVERBS CHAPTERS 4-6

STUDY MATERIAL – PROVERBS TREASURE

Week 2 Key Verse

Refocused Purpose Week 2: Esther 2 & Proverbs 4-6

Esther – Chapter 2 (Scene 2)

Setting: The King’s Harem at the Fortress of Susa

Time: Reign of King Xerxes, around 478 BC

Refocused Purpose - A Bible Reading Plan For The Fall (Esther & Proverbs)

Chapter 2 of Esther introduces us to our main characters, aka heroes of the story – Esther & Mordecai!

Facts gathered from Esther chapter 2…

King Xerxes regrets his drunken decisions made in chapter 1 and again decides to seek the wrong counsel. (Esther 2:1-4)
King Xerxes’ new decree is selfish and wrong on so many levels. All the beautiful virgins in the land are taken from their homes and turned over to the king’s custody! (Esther 2:8)
Esther, one of the girls taken to the king’s harem, was an orphan adopted by her cousin, Mordecai. (Esther 2:5-7)
Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the girls, was impressed by Esther and gave her special treatment. (Esther 2:9)
Esther won the favor of King Xerxes and became the new queen. (Esther 2:17)
Mordecai stayed in touch with Esther, once taken to the king’s harem, and advised her not to tell anyone in the palace about her nationality and family background. (Esther 2:10-11)
Mordecai discovers a plot to assassinate the king, tells Esther about it, and in turn she tells the king. The plot was proved to be true, the men were executed, and the information was recorded in the king’s ledgers and soon forgotten. (Esther 2:21-23)

What we learn in Esther chapter 2…

God takes plans meant for evil (the king ordering all the virgins in the land to be gathered and taken to his palace) and turns them around for His glory and His purpose (Esther, being one of the girls taken, will later turn into the heroine of the story).
We can learn valuable lessons when we listen to the advise of those God has placed into our lives. Especially those that are older and wiser.
Seeking the wrong counsel can cause harm and pain to those around us.
Make sure to give credit where credit deserves.

Check out how God works!!

God’s “behind the scenes” work continues making a way! Because of the selfish decisions King Xerxes continues to make, we see a heroine enter center stage. God’s plans for Esther’s life far exceeded anything her and Mordecai could have been thinking that dreadful day the palace guards rushed in and took her captive.

Friends, this is how He works! He’s there, in the middle of it all. His unimaginable plans will break through, no matter what this world throws our way. God is the One who turns the broken pieces into beauty and amazement – all for His glory, for His purpose!

After closing the book on scene two we should be even more eager to refocus our attention on the fact that God is in control. Friends, we can believe with all our heart He is working behind the scenes. BECAUSE HE IS!!!

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Proverbs – Chapters 4-6

Let’s check out what Proverbs has to tell us in chapters 4-6!

“My father taught me, ‘Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.'”
Proverbs 4:4-5 (NLT)

Where’s your heart?

Refocused purpose starts with our hearts, friends!

The second chapter in Esther sheds an abundant amount of light on the hearts of those involved in this story. A bad example, a good example, and a Godly example!

King Xerxes again shows us his heart is still full of so much pride and selfish desires. Not a place we want our hearts to be at all! Esther and Mordecai’s hearts are quite the opposite of the king’s, and what a wonderful example for us all! Their actions and attitudes show us what it looks like to walk around with a humbled heart!

What a sight!!

It’s all paving a way for the greater plan!

We glean even more when we take the time to see God in all of it! He shows us just how big His heart really is. If we look closely we can see that His love really is gushing out all over the place!! Not only that but we also get to see how miraculous and marvelous His heart is, because His ways, His purpose, and His plans don’t fall short when it comes to the book of Esther! In fact, they are actually unfolding flawlessly, chapter-by-chapter.

And to reiterate the verse above, just in another translation because it’s that good and worth the repeat, here ya go…

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Friends, it starts with the heart!! A humbled heart leads way to the acceptance we can’t do this on our own and, in turn, seeks out the renewal and guidance from the only One who can help!! AND…we can back this truth up with more wisdom found in the book of Proverbs.

“For I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.”
Proverbs 4:2 (NLT)

Where’s your commitments?

We can seek out the wisdom needed to humble our hearts and live a life according to Scripture! All we have to do, friends, is open up our Bibles! Take some time and allow Proverbs chapters 4-6 to really soak down deep. Pray for guidance and allow the Holy Spirit to speak truth straight to your heart.

“(10)My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. (11)I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. (12)When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. (13)Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.”
Proverbs 4:10-13 (NLT)

As we open up our Bibles and begin to fill our hearts we gain the key to life!! Whoa!! This, my friends, is some powerful and amazing truth God wants us to know, understand, and live out!! BAM!!! He holds the future – ahem – our future. God’s plans can’t be thwarted.

So, where’s your commitment stand? Can you humbly lay it everything down at His feet and put your trust in the One who holds it <<ALL>> in His hands?

It starts at the heart! 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 4-6!

Sit with them, study them, and store them in your heart!

Guidance can be found in Scripture. (Proverbs 4:2)
Keep God’s words close to your heart, don’t turn away from them. They help us live a long good life! (Proverbs 4:4-5, 10)
Gaining wisdom protects and guards us. (Proverbs 4:6)
Gaining wisdom and good judgement is one of the most important choices we can make. (Proverbs 4:7)
Wisdom is a treasure. (Proverbs 4:8-9)
Wisdom’s path is where it’s at! (Proverbs 4:11-12)
God’s instructions are the key to life. (Proverbs 4:13)
Beware of the path the wicked trod down. In fact, just run far away from it! (Proverbs 4:14-19, 24)
God’s words not only are the key to life, but they are healing for the whole body. (Proverbs 4:20-22)
It’s a heart matter! (Proverbs 4:21, 23)
Be careful of detours that lead to sin. Stay on wisdom’s path! (Proverbs 4:25-27)
When a heart is filled with God’s wisdom it shows. (Proverbs 5:1-2)
Be on guard and be prepared. Beware of those whose lips “are as sweet as honey”. Run from the “smooth talkers”. Their path leads to utter destruction. It’s NOT worth it!!(Proverbs 5:3-14)
Honor marriage vows. God’s design for sex was meant to be shared between a husband and wife. Seeking fulfillment in all the wrong places only leads to more and more problems. (Proverbs 5:15-21)
Gaining insight from those older, wiser, and who know us well is a wise choice and a huge resource to those who listen. (Proverbs 5:20-23)

WOW!!! Proverbs is packed full of treasures just waiting to be found!!

Listed above are only the ones that tie in with the lessons learned for this particular Bible Reading Plan. More can be found if you open your Bible and fill your heart with Proverbs 4-6. So, what are you waiting for?!? Open up your Bible and keep digging!

Know God

A life filled with wisdom and understanding takes time and commitment!

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 continually 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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