Our summer series is entitled JOURNEY with the FAITHFUL. We are looking at the lives of a number of men and women in the Bible. Each of them chose to leave their comfort zone to follow God and do what He wanted them to do. Each person had to GET UP and GO; they had to move from HERE to THERE.

So far in the series we've learned about Abraham, Barnabas, and Moses. Last week we learned from 3 life-altering decisions Moses made. Humanly speaking, they didn't make sense. But to a carnal mind, spiritual rationale never makes sense.
Hebrews 11:24-26
Today we continue to Journey with faithful Esther and her cousin Mordecai.

The Carnegie Medal is the highest honor for civilian heroism in North America. It is given to those "Who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others."

The fund was inspired by a mining disaster in 1904. To date 10,168 medals have been awarded along with financial grants to those civil heroes and their families.

Have you ever performed a heroic deed on behalf of someone? Has someone done that for you?

Characters:
King Ahasuerus = Xerxes, King of Persia
Queen Vashti = King Xerxes' current wife
Esther = Jewish woman born in Persia after the captivity
Mordecai = Older cousin who raised Esther, also Jewish. Working for the Persian government while in captivity.
Haman = Adviser to the king

Lesson #1- Life is always CHANGING and each CHANGE provides new opportunities.
Ecclesiastes 3:1; 1 Samuel 20:3

Lesson #2 - God allows change to shape us for His PURPOSES; not for our PLEASURE.
Romans 5:3-5

Lesson #3 - Those who journey with the faithful must believe that God will PROVIDE, PROTECT, and PROSPER their obedience.
Hebrews 11:1-6

"Where God guides, He provides"

Application and Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever performed a heroic deed on the behalf of someone? Has someone ever done that for you? Who, if anyone, would you nominate for the Carnegie Medal?

2. Read Esther 1-2 and process the events mentioned. What changes do you see? What opportunities present themselves?

3. Read Esther 3. What characteristics of leadership (good and bad) do you see in these characters of this chapter?

4. Review the four lessons that were mentioned in the message. Which of these most resonates with you right now? What choices do you need to make that help and not hinder your journey with the faithful?

Lesson #4 - We have a CHOICE as to how we will respond to God's CHARACTER building in our lives.
Joshua 24:14-15

Birthdays and Anniversaries this week:

Warren Hale - July 5
Anita Henline - July 11

Joe & Emily Mater - July 8
Paddy & Holley MacDonald - July 9
Dan & Diana Childs - July 11