Refocused Purpose Week 4
Refocused Purpose Week 4: Esther 4 & Proverbs 10-12
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:
Week 4 Key Verse
Esther – Chapter 4 (Scene 4)
Setting: The King’s Gate & Royal Harem
Time: Reign of King Xerxes, around 473 BC
In Chapter 4 Esther learns of Haman’s evil plans for complete destruction on all the Jews. Mordecai urges Esther to go to the king and “beg for mercy and plead for her people“. (Esther 4:8) Before confronting the king, Esther, along with Mordecai, the Jews, and her maids, turn to God with fasting and prayer.
Facts gathered from Esther chapter 4…
What we learn in Esther chapter 4…
Check out how God works!!
God’s “behind the scenes” work just keeps breaking through the pages! From Mordecai’s mourning to the loyalty shown by Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs to Esther’s care and concern for her cousin and ultimately her commitment to her people. God is there, setting the stage for each and every encounter we read in this chapter. His plans were set in motion before we even got to this book of the Bible and He just keeps showing up!!
Mordecai’s great grief was meant to grab the attention of Queen Esther. Esther’s deep respect for her cousin gave cause for her to really listen to his pleas. And, because both Mordecai and Esther knew God they both understood they were called to act, because they were exactly where they were meant to be.
Friends, this chapter is reminding us that God’s plans may just very well involve us being right where we are! Perhaps…we too, were made for such a time as this!?! When we live a committed life trusting in the fact that God is in control, like Esther and Mordecai did, we too can step out in faith allowing God to use us however He needs to. And when we fully surrender it all over to Him, boy does He show up!!!
God is THE POWER!!
God is OUR STRENGTH!!
God always MAKES A WAY!!!
“The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.”
Proverbs 10:29 (NLT)
Proverbs – Chapters 10-12
Mordecai’s encouraging words of wisdom helped Esther rise up and seize the moment God placed before her. This is because God knew just what she needed to hear, and so He used Mordecai! I can only imagine how God’s wise advice shone through the panic whirling around her. How His voice of truth calmed her allowing the opportunity for her to take hold of the moment and step out in faith.
God was Esther’s firm foundation!! She was committed to following Him, because she knew Him and, therefore, her trust was rooted in Him. Queen Esther’s noble integrity and full-on trust in the Lord paved the way!
Friends, this is the same kind of relationship we all can have with our Lord and Savior!! All we have to do is open up our Bibles and allow God to fill our hearts.
“The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but He refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.”
Proverbs 10:3 (NLT)
He fills our hearts and He feeds our souls, friends! God will not let us go hungry!
Where’s your heart?
As we make our way through the book of Proverbs we give our hearts a chance to refocus on the purpose set before us. As Believers, the Holy Spirit inside us continues to flood our hearts with the truths we discover!!
The fourth chapter shows us what happens to those whose hearts are continually being filled with the truth! I’m talking about…
1, 2, 3 . . . ACTION!!
Friends, when are hearts are filled with God’s Word we too can step out in faith and act immediately! God is calling every one of His children to follow Him, to abide in Him, to trust Him, to be committed, and to ACT!! We have the choice, and depending on where our hearts are makes a difference. The only way to KNOW HIM is to take the time to be still, listen, and fill up!
“The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.”
Proverbs 10:8 (NLT)
The time is now!! Spend it with your Heavenly Father, friends!! Refocus your attention on what matters most, be encouraged, and…be instructed!!
“The way of the godly leads to life.”
Proverbs 12:28a (NLT)
Where’s your commitments?
Commitments lay the foundation for what our days look like. They also show us what really matters in our lives. When we are committed to following Jesus, allowing Him to guide and direct us, we get to serve in extraordinary ways!
Think about it…
Esther’s commitments to God allowed her to step out in faith and serve when it mattered most. She trusted her Heavenly Father, was alert to what was going on around her, and sought out the guidance needed to act. We might not be called to save an entire nation, but we are called to be His hands and feet. To live our lives in accordance to Scripture and be the light! AND…
There are so many extraordinary ways we can serve Him today!
It could be anything from passing along our love for Jesus to our children to lending a hand at our church to helping our neighbor. The list goes on and on, friends. The little things we do in our everyday life starts a ripple that goes on and on forever!!
AN EXTRAORDINARY RIPPLE!!!
Check out what I discovered in my Life Application Study Bible as I read through this week’s chapters in Proverbs!!
“Every day has 24 hours filled with opportunities to grow, serve, and be productive. Yet it is so easy to waste time, letting life slip from our grasp. Refuse to be a lazy person, sleeping or frittering away the hours meant for productive work. See time as God’s gift, and seize your opportunities to live diligently for Him.”
Life Application Study Bible Notes, ©2004, p. 1016
In Esther chapter 4, we read that Mordecai seized his opportunity when we gained the attention of Esther’s attendants. We then read that Esther seized her opportunity after hearing about her cousin’s distress, which in turn lead to her receiving the advice she needed to hear to step out in faith.
What extraordinary examples these are, friends!!
When we take the time to get to know our Lord and Savior, we grow. And, as we grow we begin to serve. And, as we serve we learn how we too can seize the opportunities that cross our path. It’s all about choosing our commitments wisely as we live a life filled with integrity.
God’s plans include us!
We are where we need to be for such a time as this!
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 10-12!
Sit with them, study them, and store them in your heart!
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 10-12. So, what are you waiting for?!? Open up your Bible and keep digging!
Know God
Wisdom and understanding help to seize the opportunities God lays before us!! Living a righteous life full of integrity leads to action!!
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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It’s time to
OPEN YOUR BIBLE
FILL YOUR HEART!
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