Esther 4:12-14 NIV

“When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?””

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Esther’s courage to act on her dream of saving her people illustrates that God places us in strategic positions for His purposes.

INTRODUCTION: We are here on purpose for God's purpose!

Three things we learn from Esther:

1. The comfort zone is the dead zone. (Esther 4:12-13 NIV)

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.

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2. Inaction is action with a high cost. (Esther 4:14a NIV)

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.

3. God positions us for His purpose. (Esther 4:14b NIV)

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

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CONCLUSION: Bridge we exist for 'for such a time as this!

Exodus 3:10 NIV

“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.””

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Main Idea: Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush ignited a call/dream to free the Israelites, showing that God equips those He calls.

Never underestimate what God can do through one person who is fully submitted to His will.

Embrace the Ordinary (Exodus 3:1)

Encounter the Extaordinary (Exodus 3:2-4)

Expect the Miraclous from God (Exodus 3:20-22)

Moses saw the provision of God as he moved toward the call.

Genesis 37:5-11 NIV

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.”
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Joseph's dreams were not just visions; they were God's blueprint for his life and the lives of those around him.

The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy... (John 10:10)

Dream Thieves:

1. Jealousy of others... (Joseph's brothers were Jealous)
2. False Accusations... (Potipher's wife accused him)
3. Misplaced Hope... (Cupbearer forgot about him)
4. Elapsed Time... (22 years before the dream became destiny)

Destiny Revealed:

“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

February 1, 2026

The Process of Transformation

Romans 12: 1-2 (NIV)
1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. 2. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

If You Change Nothing, Nothing Will Change

1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)
16. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 Timothy 4: 3 (NIV)
3. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Jesus is unchanging: (Hebrews 13:8)

Jesus who is unchanging is constantly changing us: (2 Corinthians 5:17)

As we follow Jesus we're in a constant state of transformation. Daily we are becoming more Christlike.

Jesus transforms us through:

1. Information (The importance of God's word in the life of the believer)
2. Illumination (Holy Spirit illuminates God's word)
3. Revelation (Revealed truth)
4. Transformation (Truth sets us free because it renews our mind. It changes the way we think)

CONCLUSION: Transformation is possible when you follow Jesus and allow him to be the Lord of your life.

Joshua 10:12-15

“On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.”

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Without faith it's impossible to please God!

Three Miracle Steps:

Ask...

Ask and it will be given to you. (Matthew 7:7 NIV)

Believe...

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Receive...

For everyone who asks receives. (Matthew 7:8)

Together, let's believe for BIG things from God in 2026!

Joshua 3:5;17

“And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.””

Joshua 3:5 NKJV

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“The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In life, there is always preparation before possession.

Prepared...

“And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.””

Joshua 3:5 NKJV

Positioned...

“Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When we are prepared and positioned we see God's provision.

“The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Many people rave but few are brave!

How to culitvate bravery:

1. Remember Past Victories...

“The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2. Embrace Community...

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

3. Step Out in Faith...

“Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

4. Trust in God's Promises...

“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Only the BRAVE possess the promises of God!

Joshua 1:5

“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Joshua 1:6 NIV

‭‭“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we move forward in 2026 we have the promise of God's presence!

Moving forward will require us to:

Be Strong...

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Be Courageous...

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We will obtain the promises of God because God's presence is with us!