DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 BE ONE OF GOD’S HEROES TEXT: ESTHER 8:7-17 Key Verse:

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018

BE ONE OF GOD’S HEROES

TEXT: ESTHER 8:7-17

Key Verse: "And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.” (Esther 8:15)

A true hero is not one who triumphed by force or strength but one who rose from the ashes of defeat and has the ability to continue despite challenges, troubles and trials. Such a person becomes a guiding light and encouragement to the downcast.

Mordecai was such a man. As a captive, his rights were limited, his opportunities for growth and development were little and he was seemingly doomed to a mediocre, uneventful life. But he did not forget where he came from nor who his God was.

By divine intervention, the plot of Haman to exterminate all Jews was upturned. Haman was hanged on the gallows he made for Mordecai and the king transferred his office and position to Mordecai. With Haman dead, his ring of power and authority was passed to Mordecai. Since the laws of the Medes and Persians could not be reversed, the king authorized Mordecai to issue a new order to replace the first law. To effect this, Mordecai had to set the day the Jews were to take vengeance on their enemies, on the same date Haman had set for the extermination of the Jews. Now, wielding much power and clad in royal apparel and crown of gold, he brought joy, gladness and new converts to the Jews. He triumphed, having paid the price.

Many people desire honour and success in life but they are unwilling to pay the price. Those who will triumph must enter into relationship with God through repentance and cleansing by faith in Christ’s blood and be ready to serve Him and fellow men faithfully. They must be ready to bear hatred and persecution, sacrifice their convenience where necessary and show unwavering commitment and loyalty to Him. Grace, godliness in wholehearted service for God and humanity will make you a hero.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:Cowards die many times before their time, but God’s heroes live long after death.
COVER to COVER: LEVITICUS 11-13.

PONDER:
1. Heroes are ordinary people that do things in an 'extraordinary ways' : Extra prayers, extra consecration, extra zeal, extra grace, extra anointing, extra risk etc above the ordinary people. These are people who eventually become victors, rulers and great before God. Like Mordecai, they always ended up greatly rewarded in time and eternity.
2. What do you want to be known for? Then identify areas you must put 'extra' above our peers.

HYMN: Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus (GHS 233)

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
ye soldiers of the cross!
Lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
his army he shall lead,
till every foe is vanquished,
and Christ is Lord indeed.

2 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the solemn watchword hear;
if while ye sleep he suffers,
away with shame and fear.
Where'er ye meet with evil,
within you or without,
charge for the God of battles,
and put the foe to rout.

3 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armour,
each piece put on with prayer;
when duty calls or danger
be never wanting there.

4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor's song.
To him that overcometh
a crown of life shall be;
he with the King of glory
shall reign eternally.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, I want to rule over my temptations and my weaknesses. Teach and give me grace to put 'extra' that will catapult me to reign.
2. Lord, turn all the activities of the enemy against my life to a stepping stone to great testimonies.
3. Lord, turn the destructive strategies the enemy has against the Church into a blessing for the Church.
4. Lord, let your glory and honour come back to the Church and its members in this nation that many sinners will turn to You.