Purim (Wed.- Thurs.)

2. Purim (Wed.- Thurs.) • Significance: Remembers the defeat of a plot to exterminate the Jews • Observances: Public reading of the book of Esther while "blotting out" the villain's name • Length: 1 day • Customs: feasting, eating fruit-filled triangular cookie

3. Purim (Wed.- Thurs.) • Many have noted the echoes of Purim in the Nuremberg war crime trials. In the Book of Esther, Haman's ten sons were hanged (Esther 9:13); in 1946, ten of Hitler's top associates were put to death by hanging for their war crimes (including the crime of murdering 6 million Jews).

4. “For Such A Time As This!” • Esther was a Jewish orphan (originally named Hadassah) raised by her cousin Mordecai. They were captives along with millions of other Jews by the Persian Empire and King Ahasuerus. • Esther becomes Queen • Mordecai favored by the King and hated by Haman • Haman plots to kill the Jews

5. “For Such A Time As This!” Esther 4:12-13 (NKJV) 12 So they told Mordecai Esther’s words. 13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. • Do we think we can just sit back and do nothing and be left unaffected? *pride *fear *escapism * apathy * self focused

6. “For Such A Time As This!” Esther 4:14 (NKJV) For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” • Do you believe God has us at the right place, at the right time, for the right reason? • Living with the sense of Purpose

7. “For Such A Time As This!” Esther 4:15-16a (NKJV) 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16a “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. • Will we pray, fast, and worship more for such a time as this? • faith, authority, warfare, strength, to hear

8. “For Such A Time As This!” Esther 4: 16b (NKJV) “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” • Will we face the challenges and opposition that is in front of us and be determined we will not quit, no matter the cost?

9. “For Such A Time As This!” • The crisis in our time reveals what is truly in you - your faith is tried • Will we stand in faith in Him? • God, You put us here to release Your Kingdom

10. “For Such A Time As This!” Esther 8:1-2 (NKJV) 1 On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 So the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman.

11. “For Such A Time As This!” • The King’s authority has been given to us over the house of the Enemy!

12. Grace Foursquare:Called for such a time as this • We are called to pray and worship • We are called to have a greater burden for the lost and seek new avenues for evangelism • We are called to have a greater love and burden for those caught in the deception of Mormonism

13. Grace Foursquare:Called for such a time as this • We are called to have a greater burden for the nations, beginning with Israel • We are called to make discipleship a priority (Word) • We are called to provide a place that young people can be loved, discipled, and to encounter God’s presence • We are to go after miracles with increased faith

14. Grace Foursquare • God, where have You called us to be? New Location (not what our preference is)… God, where have You called us? • God, how can we grow in prayer and worship? • God, how can we be more involved in reaching our community? • God, how can we increase our finances to be better able to extend your Kingdom? • God, how can we have a greater heart for the nations?

15. “For Such A Time As This!” (Prayer) • Father, we at Grace Foursquare believe we are not here by accident, but that You have called us to the Kingdom for such a time as this… 2019! • We hear the Holy Spirit declare to us that You have called us for such a time as this, and it is our desire to be everything that You want for us to be! • We commit to making prayer and worship who we are so that we may have Your presence and the authority to do what you have called us to do!

16. “For Such A Time As This!” (Prayer) • Father, as we ask for You to open doors and close doors and to lead us to the location that You have called to be at, we trust You with our whole heart! (January 2015) • Father, we believe You strategically placed us here! Yes, right by Planned Parenthood, in this location, with the purpose of releasing Your Kingdom and to touch the lives of the broken and hurting.

17. “For Such A Time As This!” (Prayer) • Father God, we thank You that You have given to us supernatural strength so that we will not back down, be silent, or give up, but we will seize the moment and do what You call us to do - for You have called us to the Kingdom for such a time as this! • In Jesus’ Mighty Name Amen!!!