Tuesday Challenge #22 | Foot notes

This week's challenge: Do you ever go through the Bible like it's an adventure? Reading all the tiny little footnotes on around the frame of the chapter or verse you originally went after? Do you dig into commentary and ooh and ah over little tidbits?  -Or when something strikes you as odd; do you take a moment to look up the definition or another translation?  

Do that this week! Take a little extra time to read scripture and expect to find something exciting! Go on a treasure hunt without forcing a direction and just see where the word takes you. You might be surprised at all of the tiny little cross references and details that you will learn.

Scripture for the week: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. -Psalm 119:18



Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Esther | Study Notes

My Notes

Chapter 1                Chapter 2

Chapter 3                Chapter 4

Chapter 5                Chapter 6

Chapter 7                Chapter 8

Chapter 9                Chapter 10

Free Bible Studies (In case you'd like to follow along)

By David Pratt | His commentary

By Kathleen Dalton

By Good News Bible Studies


Additional Study Tools

Bibles: Bible Gateway and Bible Hub are two great online bibles. You can change/compare translations. Both sites also offer various commentary, time lines, and audio versions in addition to other tools.

You might also prefer the You Version App for your phone which also has all of the above AND allows you to make notes. :)


Photo Credit: Bible Reflections

Tuesday Challenge #21 | Rest

This week's challenge: If you're like me you keep wondering how on earth you stay so busy. It's easy to sign up for small jobs and activities, especially if you're active in church or if you have children. The next thing you know almost every day has something going on and the weekends are packed too. Saturday is "fun day" or "go day". Sunday is the clean-up day. Before you know it, you're wiped out, if you ever got to recoup at all.

Originally I wanted to tell you to wipe everything off your calendar this week and stay home. Rest. Put your feet up. (Weekend too)  -But I know that's not always realistic. Then I was going to challenge you to pull out your calendar and find one week in July and one in August. (Do more if you like.) And do just that. Mark it off as if you have plans and plan to be still!

But we all know that's still out of balance. I mean you can do that BUT God rested on the Sabbath. That's one day per week, as opposed to out of balance chunks here and there. Take a moment to read our verse below. 

--- It's a little convicting, isn't it?  This week, think about your schedules, hobbies and family life and examine how you're spending your time. Can you find a way to adjust your schedule so that you can spend one of those coveted weekend days doing nothing at all! Then pull out the calendar and make some intentional adjustments.

It's a challenge for me to so I will be praying with you! May God bless you and your family in this challenge!

Scripture for the week: There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. -Hebrews 4:9-11




Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Picture Credit [then modified]: Superbwallpapers.com

Tuesday Challenge #20 | Pastor

This week's challenge: My commentary on Proverbs 27:23-27 says that "because life is short and our fortunes uncertain, we should be all the more diligent in what we do with our lives. We should act with foresight, giving responsible attention to our homes, our families and our careers. We should be responsible stewards, like a farmer with his lands and herds. Thinking ahead is a duty, not an option, for God's people." Then when I read that passage, it does sound more like it's telling the shepherd to be responsible for the flock but should the church not also care for the Pastor? 

Think of all of the many things that your Pastor is involved with and all of the ways that he or she contributes or has contributed to your church and your own personal growth. Take a moment to spur them on or refresh them! You can write a letter of encouragement or thanks, give a gift, provide an act of service or anything else that you would like. Then get it done by sundown on Monday!

Scripture for the week: "Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls." -Proverbs 27:23-27



Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Picture Credit [then modified]: http://www.superbwallpapers.com/nature/sunrise-over-the-mountains-14501/

What Inspires Me

A friend and I catch up every now to talk about what’s going on in our lives and how God is working in it. In one particular conversation, as we were leaving, she simply asked the question (more or less thinking out loud) "What awes you about God?" Well, it simply stayed with me! Over the next few months, I would think of it and write something down.

About a year and a half later, I found myself in a class with a public speaking assignment. Our topic could be about anything that we chose. The whole purpose was to critique/coach class members in giving presentations. I immediately knew the purpose of that list that I'd been keeping.

I’m not sure how I feel about having a video on something as public as YouTube but… I’ve been keeping a blog about my faith as I grow and my faith unfolds… And well, this is video seems to be a part of that process and in so many ways it represents a personal milestone. -If not a few of them.

It starts off kind of fast. Even when I am not timed, I am discovering that I just talk that way! Of course the 5 minute [max] window didn't help. haha. I almost thought about redoing it. ...a little slower. -But I just can't help but feel that something might be lost if I did. And well, this is me.

Nervous. In love with God. Willing.

Tuesday Challenge #19 | Thanks

This week's challenge: Write a letter of thanks to someone. It doesn't matter who. Preacher, teacher, relative, friend, co-worker, etc.

Be specific about what they did (or do) that you appreciate and be sure to tell them why it means so much! If you choose to read your letter to the person, be sure to give them the letter too when you are done. I guarantee you, they will want to read it again and again!

Here's a cute little video to end with. Enjoy!


Scripture for the week -  I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers - Philemon 1:4


Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Picture Credit [then modified]: http://www.superbwallpapers.com/nature/sunrise-over-the-mountains-14501/

Tuesday Challenge #18 | Bible Study

This week's challenge: Consider leading a Bible Study Class. Obviously this isn't something you will start or complete during one week but you could certainly (prayerfully) pick a time that you will start one and start planning now. Many of us are nervous about leading a class because we don't want to be in front of a group or because we don't think that we know enough to lead. BUT- The more you are in front of a class the more comfortable you will become and the more you will learn. Why not challenge yourself to grow in this area!

Scripture for the week: Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to [observe and] obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Here are some other tips that you might be interested in:

• Why YOU should lead a Bible Study
• Considerations for leading Bible study

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

What's this about? | Other challenges

Picture Credit [then modified]: http://www.superbwallpapers.com/nature/sunrise-over-the-mountains-14501/