hey, sis!! let's chat! as you can see the story in Esther in picking up and we can see the beginnings of God's great rescue mission, as well as what happens when we have hate in our hearts, so let's talk about it! What is your "application" from the SOAP method today? How will you be changing from what we read? for me: like I talked about in the video, verse 13 was huge eye-opening and heart check for me. While I don't have hate swirling around in my heart like Haman, there are absolutely some NON-Christlike things up in there like impatience, annoyance, etc. From our reading today, I will be changing by asking God to check my heart and highlight whatever is in there that needs to be plucked out and faith to believe that He removed it once I ask in prayer. AMEN AMEN!
Amen! I will use this verse to remind myself how hating others can make me bitter and keep me stagnant. I also realize I may have a little hate towards myself and I’ve stopped myself from a lot of opportunities and blessings due to fear and hating myself from my past mistakes and sins that have pulled me away from God and delayed my progress. I pray that God will remove any hate I have in my heart towards others and myself.
I feel like God is trying to teach us the importance of not coming into agreement without understanding the full scope of the situation. I feel like sometimes we go with the flow of conversations or life without fully understanding the repercussions of our decisions, and this chapter beautifully explains that..
I think it's so cool that Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. He had courage. I pray God gives me the same courage to stay obedient to Him, even when it's scary. Great bible study!
I’ve had my ‘Esther’ moment when God has put me through the whole getting into college experience. My academic performance in highschool was mediocre and with the Grace of God he had allowed me to stay in honors classes. I was going through the college experience without the help from my parents but I have received the help from a lot of people outside of my parents that believed in me and believed that I can go through college. By Seniors year I was accepted into 15+ schools include the school of my dream. Now due to my own fears and anxieties, I did not go to the school of my dreams. But through prayer, I believe that God placed me where he did for a reason and I will still be able to go to the school of my dreams for graduate school. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
What I will be applying and changing into my life after this word, is paying attention and listening to the Holy Spirit. Not going into spaces where I am not loved genuinely, supported, or valued. I’ve forced myself to be small in the midst of my children’s fathers family. And my hurt, has turned into anger. I no longer want to feel hurt by others not welcoming me and accepting me. I am staying out of these spaces where the enemy uses them against me while I’m learning to become Bold in my Faith for Jesus. I am walking amidst dry bones. A Native American cultural community, deprived of Love. I will apply myself in prayer to speak life to the dry bones as I slowly begin to choose myself and my peace again.
Bible study is so hard for me. I had a rough upbringing with forced religion but I still believe and I want to learn more. You break everything down so beautifully!
i'm so glad this is helpful sis and it's beautiful that despite everything you've might've been through & how challenging it is, you're still here seeking Him through His Word!!
What I learned from this is that I need to ask the Holy Spirit to check my heart, to make sure I'm not growing any seed of hate or bitterness towards others.🙏🏾 Thanks for sharing Melody😊😊
I love the way you do Bible study. This is so helpful for people like myself, I’ve been trying to find understanding in reading the Bible but it has been hard. Looking at your videos makes it so mucn easier. Thank you,
I’m here with you on this, I let it fester in me for too long. All because I aligned my “Yes’s” with things and people that the Lord did not want me to.
I learned that hate is powerful so I pray to the lord to drain, destroy, and removed any hate that I have in my heart. I also learned to always check my heart whenever I am in the middle of an intense situation. Thank you for this bible study mel. I appreciate you. God bless 🩵
Every time I read this chapter I think about the king and Haman sitting to drink (smug; pleased with themselves) and the people of Susa are left bewildered. Like the rug was pulled from under them. Unexpected war of a nation. I also think about how Haman told the king we need to kill them because they’re different from us… it triggered me… I thought it was crazy that Xerxes had secretaries who could translate in all languages and couriers who would get the edict to all 127 provinces from India to Cush. I feel like Solomon “There is nothing new under the sun.”
My friend just told me yesterday to check the posture of my heart towards a certain situation I’m dealing with. I’m praying for a gentle, kind, merciful, pure and loving heart. Lord give me a heart like Yours, in ALL things.🫶🏾🙌🏾 The timeliness of this confirmation is nothing but God! Thanks for sharing your heart with us and letting God use you.
I’ve read Esther 3 before but I learn something new every time. I didn’t realize how much hatred Hamen had for the Jews and reminds us to keep ourselves in check so things like that doesn’t sneak up on us
This was right on time. I’ve been checking my heart for the past few weeks. Wondering whether or not im doing this for myself of for God’s glory. I’ll be praying on this.
Ive always been scared to pray for patience because what we pray for he tests us to build what we pray for. I think its time i pray for patience. Its running thin in todays world.
I just wanna say how much I appreciate these videos. They have really helped me get into Bible studying. I hope you keep making these because they are really helpful for me and so many people!
This is the first time I’ve caught one of your videos so early! I actually felt pulled more towards the first verse regarding the kings approval of Haman’s letter. It speaks to the fact that as friends, peers, family, etc. it’s important to not blindly support something without know how deep rooted it is. My bestie and I were talking about how we have been nourishing our fruits and I’m just proud to see how far we’ve come because there were so many moments when anger started to take root and we helped each other pluck them 💕 sorry for the ramble 😂
For me, the biggest application was the fact that Esther wasn’t even there but affected the text. God can use anyone. I mean anyone. I ask God to search my heart and create in me a clean and pure one. I am patient yet allow people and their perspectives alter me when I know the right way. I know there are things God is trying to do yet the same things keep coming up. I have some things to overcome yet it’s a mental struggle daily to keep moving forward and not letting things and people come back to distract me from walk with God. I could just feel Him speaking as you brought people and their abilities to affect us in certain ways.
What I got from it is that you can't understand the full picture because that's God's realm, and He was working behind the scenes during all of this when it took place. ❤🥰
I’ve been doing Bible studies here and there and they’ve gone well, I’m understanding and learning but wow are your Bible studies helping me grow in my faith and mature as a Christian. Let me tell you I was not going to read Esther anytime soon by my own guidance so I really feel that the Lord has lead me to your videos , so thank you!🥰
I literally felt like I was in your room with you doing this Bible study. I just finished reading Esther , I didn’t fully understand the first few chapters so this little video came at the perfect moment for me.
I’ve been praying for God to change my heart posture from the beginning of this year. I see a shift on so many different levels. It is gradual change, but change nonetheless 😊💕. This word speaks to that part of me, that makes me happy 😊.
For me, verses 5 and 8 stood out and highlighted the need to be truthful to oneself and living The Truth in which one believe. Pride is always seeking a way to enter one’s heart (and it always brings other guests) but remaining true to who we are in Jesus Christ is truly key as it helps us in those moments when we are tested. Human was bothered by one man not bowing down to him and showing him respect and this opened him up to hatred the sought to destroy an entire group of people. He went as far as bending the truth in his plea to the king.
I just recently was lead to start a Bible study group and Holy Spirit told me to study the book of Esther. These videos have been so much help! I'll read the chapter and highlight the verses that stands out to me and get my own revelation first, then ill watch your video and the revelation would be so similar. Keep doing these please. So good!
I am grateful for your teachings Melody! I started to use notion, for bible study and other things, and it's amazing, and very useful! Thank you so much. You are a great teacher.
I will apply this by when I’m certain that someone is against Christians to know that they will do whatever it takes to hurt or mess with us. This will change me by knowing I won’t be liked by everyone & to be more aware in a healthy way.
You talked about "annoyance" and GIRL I can relate! I was once listening to a video by Jackie Hill Perry and her husband on anger and one of the things that JHP said that clicked with me is that annoyance essentially stems from anger in a way and how anger shows up differently in different people. And I was SHOOKETH, because I really thought I was good in the area of anger but I can get easily irritated/annoyed. I love these Bible Studies!
How I will be applying this scripture is by asking God for clarity and guidance before I make any decision so that I may always make decisions that are for the betterment of myself and those around me without being fooled into believing I’m doing what’s right when I am not.
I love this series! Please continue with this series more often. Thank you for giving me the time to pray, I ended up writing in my journal and it opened a full can of worms. All from one scripture. To God be the glory. I am so grateful. Thank you. I compared Haman's hate for the Jews all being drawn from one person- to my negative thoughts and feelings which I feel are stronger than my faith at times. I pray for it to be the other way around in Jesus name. My thoughts at times skew my vision for other people, situations and things because of how I feel about one thing. Haman was all or nothing all from one seed of hate toward one person. I have to sit back observe and give myself grace instead of letting my negative thoughts be impulsive and destroying more areas in my life all because of just one thing or person, because that is what holds me back. P.S Thank you for plugging me with the Enduring Word app! Much appreciated! God bless you
I will apply this to my life by fully trusting in god and the feelings he gives me. I say that because I truly don’t have hate for anything or anyone but I do find myself being annoyed by small inconveniences that occur in my life. So instead of letting that effect me or change my mood or attitude towards something I’m just going to listen to God and depend on him even more in those times. I’ve been blessed so much this year so far and God is truly showing me what it’s like to follow him and believe in him. One thing I do struggle with is dealing with the annoyances that upset me and with this scripture and bible study I will not let them effect or change me anymore.
I am happy I found your channel! It has been helping me guide my belief back on track!!! I do have a question. Do you only use notation for the note portion? Can you do a video explaining other part of the bible template you use?
I love that although we are all in different places, spaces, and seasons, God's revelations can be so similar for us. I literally just prayed that God would search my heart and reveal and pluck out the sin that so easily ensnares me - especially through my attitude and offense.
Yes! Please do more! I enjoy doing the process with you. It’s so much more motivating to get into the word when I am having a step-by-step guide that I’m following along with, and just hearing another person‘s insight! I can’t wait for the next one! The things that stood out most to me in this passage, was how much of an enemy Haman was. Not only was he hateful because of Mordeci’s refusal to bow, but I realized he also likely was hateful because he was an Agagite, descendant of King Agag (according to google). I never realize that before! It made me realize how deep rooted and well disguised different enemies of God can be. I’ve definitely been falling into the things of the world lately. It just reminded me of how I need to be pursuing God, and how easy it is to not know when we’re falling into ways of sin.
Ugh omg. This is the first time watching your bible study video. See how God answers prayers! I love your method and I will try it out. God bless and increase you Alisa!
Yasssss!!!! Come through gray hairs!!!! I just recently turned 30 and in the last year & a half, my gray hairs seem to be coming for me lol. I, honestly, don't want to do anything about it lol. But I feel that eventually I'll want to do something about it. However, the thought of having to dye my hair and then begin this routine of maintenance with my hair.... I'm just not down for it. So here I am just chillin with my gray hairs, just letting them live their best lives, meanwhile, I continue to get mistaken for a 19 year old lol. I love to see you doing the same!!! Love it so so much! This representation is heavily underrated! As for your bible study videos.. Thank you so much for making these videos. I felt lost and overwhelmed on where to start or how to start. I watched other videos and none of them stuck, until yours
I want to believe that in this chapter, God was probably whispering to Mordecai not to trust Haman. I believe that God speaks to us a lot daily and some of us go oh that's deja vu, probably a coincidence, or any excuse. I have been guilty of this many times, but I realize now that God is always telling me things and it's my choice to listen or ignore. I want to listen and I want to be able to know that it is God not some random time of events.
I've been doing the soap method on my journal and it sometimes gets tiring writing everything down so I feel Notion will be very helpful. I enjoy these so much❤
i was looking for your video on chapter 4 and see you have not gotten the chance to upload so i am looking forward. so glad god showed me your channel!
Heyy Melody I just wanted to say I Used the Soap method for Bible study and it worked and I also Used enduring word and all of that together helped me really dive into the word God bless you and keep shining Gods love to everyone
I'm dedicated to cultivating tranquility within, nurturing patience through daily mindfulness practices. By diving more into the word, focusing on my breath and embracing life's rhythms, I aim to steady my heart and embrace each moment with grace. This journey of inner calm will lead me to navigate challenges with serenity and foster a more patient and resilient spirit.
This video has been a blessing to me this morning. First time hearing about the soap method and am really looking forward to trying out this bible study method. Thanks for the content Mel, God abundantly bless you and your family sis😊
I needed this I've been struggling with hatred in my heart. I have a co-worker who I've been bumping heads with somewhat they're very cold towards me just a nasty attitude and I've been struggling so badly to not ruminate on our interactions and not have anger and a sense of Gloom when going into work I've been trying my best to turn my cheats and be as positive as possible but it's really been a struggle I would appreciate any prayers to help me in a situation
I felt like this story in the Bible and chapter was harder for me. Maybe because Bible study is new to me and I don’t know much about the Bible. (Reason why I am doing Bible studying) But after reading the verse and you explaining in depth what exactly happens next after chapter 3 helped a lot. SOAP is also a great tool I will use here on out.
Verse 9 stood out to be because Haman was plotting! This reminds be of the book of Daniel when king Darius officials were plotting to kill Daniel because he was favored so they came up to the king to make him sign a decree and he approved it. But he didn’t realize that Daniel would break the decree and have to be thrown in the lions den and Darius had to go through with the punishment because he signed off on it. Basically the correlation between the Kings are that they let their official's get in there ear not knowing there’s malicious intent behind it until the plan actually unfolds and its already too late to turn back.
Amen love God bless you loveeee🩷🩷❤️❤️🫶🏽🫶🏽🙏🏾🙏🏾!!!! I will apply this verse by being a good representation of God and letting his light shine through me. I don’t others to have a bad viewing on followers of Christ because of one bad interaction. I want to God to use me as that good interaction and that light towards that I encounter and to help me be more like him. To help continue to soften my heart🩷🩷❤️❤️!! Thank you for this amazing message beautiful!!!! Have a blessed day and God bless you loveee🫶🏽🫶🏽❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾 !!!!!
For me, I will be applying to allow God to have His way and understand that everything happens in His perfect timing. Throughout reading Esther, I noticed that time was a silent character but it mattered so heavily throughout the story. I also learned from Haman that you cannot have everything but still be grieved by one thing that you do not receive (Mordecai bowing to him) and you will ultimately let it be your demise. My last thought is, pay attention to warnings. Hanan’s wife and friends tried to warn him because Mordecai was Jewish, but Haman did not want to listen.
My application from this Bible study will be to trust God with my insecurities, jealousy, aggravation and allow Him to work through and remove these fuels to anger and rage. I want to not brush off small feelings, but give them to God so that they won’t grow. I think it’s easy to just feel insecure and ignore it after a while. But then jealousy can uproot from those hidden insecurities whether that’s in yourself or relationships or work. This small fires can grow into big rage. After reading Esther 3, I want to identify and give God these mini flames so that they won’t grow into deadly fires like the death sentence Haman gave the Jews!
My take on this will be: 1.Y ou don't always know people intentions so be careful on what you take yourself into. That why it s important to always consult the Lord before taking certain decisions. Maybe if the king consulted the lord before agreeing to that decree, God would have revealed to him Haman's REAL intentions. 2. This Chapter of Esther remind me of " If the Lord is for me, who can be against me"? Rom. 8: 31. Haman had so much hate towards Esther's people ( the Jews) but would he succeed to exterminate them? That what we will find out in chapters to come😊❤❤❤
Tips on how to check my heart posture ? Do i just pray over what’s in my heart and ask God to remove anything that isn’t of him or is there more to do ?
Your caption ..."God saves His chosen people"😢 confuses me a bit. Does that mean He has favorites? I mean like at the moment, my life and my family's life is a mess, a big chaos. Will God not save us? I feel like we are not His chosen people because year in, year out, we have to fight spiritual battles without willing. Kindly pray for us
Hi! No, God doesn’t have favorites. He invited all of us to be apart of His family through what Jesus did on the cross. If we accept with our mouth & believe in our hearts that Jesus died for sins, you are apart of God’s chosen people. Same goes for your family. God’s chosen people in the Old Testament are Israelites/ Jews but when Jesus came, He didn’t come just for the Jews, He came for everyone and His life extended an invitation to us all to be in God’s family. In this particular chapter in Esther though, bc it’s the Old Testament, we are talking about the Jews. But because we know that in the New Testament, what Jesus did on the cross, this great rescue mission that God begins through Esther applies to us today too, bc we are His people. So God will always saves us (His chosen people) 🫶🏽 i hope this makes sense. The battles you and your family are experiencing do not mean you are not chosen my God. He is with you in them & even if it’s hard to imagine, i promise He is working it all together for your good and His glory. I Will absolutely be praying 🤍
I don’t understand when people say God will save his chosen people. Who are the chosen people because I have been going through a lot and I’m like I’m l not one of the chosen because nothing seems to be getting better no matter how much l have prayed and fasted.
hey sis! First and foremost, I want you to know God sees you and cares about what you are going through. I get the "chosen people" thing can seem like it doesn't include us -- but IT DOES! God invited all of us to be apart of His family through what Jesus did on the cross. If we declare with our mouth & believe in our hearts that Jesus died for sins, was resurrected 3 days later and is seated on the throne next to God, you are apart of God’s "chosen people". God’s chosen people in the Old Testament are Israelites/ Jews but when Jesus came, He didn’t come just for the Jews, He came for everyone and His life extended an invitation to us all to be in God’s family. In this particular chapter in Esther though, bc it’s the Old Testament, we are talking about the Jews. But because we know that in the New Testament, what Jesus did on the cross, this great rescue mission that God begins through Esther applies to us today too, bc we are His people. So God will always saves us (His chosen people) 🫶🏽 i hope this makes sense.
V. 13 also reveals Haman is a type and shadow of Satan, who is always out after God's chosen people, which while He chose to be the Jews in the natural, are all those who receive Christ spiritually. John 10:10 (LSB) says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." The thief here, we know is Satan, and isn't it interesting how Hamans motive and Satan's line up exactly? I think the way John 10:10 contrast Satan's heart in comparison to God's is also a good measuring tool for discernment when someone/ something is of/from God or at least when someone/something is being used/manipulated by Satan... including ourselves... 😬 even at times against ourselves! The passage in Esther also makes me think about Genesis when Cain becomes jealous and envious of his brother Able because God had regard for Able's offering and not Cain's, and God sees that Cain is angry and warns him. In Gen. 4:6-7 (LSB), it says 6)"Then Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7) If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is lying at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” These things together are really good at revealing how not just hatered and anger, but any emotion, unsubmitted to God that goes unchecked provides an opening for sin. Even agregious one's, such as the ones attempted by Haman and carried out by Cain, that don't even seem like they match the "offense." My... now I need to go check myself. 😂😂😂😂😂🙃
The reason Haman hated the Jews so much was not only because of Mordecai. Back when King Saul reigned, an order was given from God to destroy the Amalekites for sacrificing babies to false gods (demons). King Saul killed everyone but the king and took all their belongings instead of killing and destroying everything like God told him to do through Samuel. Samuel killed Agag but I think his wife escaped and she was pregnant and his descendents are called Agagites. Haman is from the royal line of the Amalekites, an Agagite. This wasn't about Mordecai, it was for his people but he found an outlet to avenge his ancestors through Mordecai King Saul, King Agag and Samuel's situation is found in 1 Samuel 15
I know this is an older video but for context Haman was an Amelekite. In Esther it says Haman the Agagite but the Agagites descended from Agag the king of the Amelekites (destroyed by Saul). The Amelekites are enemies of Israel. It is in Haman’s DNA to destroy Israel. The hate was not random. This was their last attempt at destroying the Jews in the Old Testament before God gave the Jews rest.
Prophet Moses: Hear O Israel, Lord, our God is one. Prophet Jesus: Hear O Israel, Lord, our God is one. Prophet Muhammad: Say: God is One. Peace, be upon them all.
hey, sis!! let's chat! as you can see the story in Esther in picking up and we can see the beginnings of God's great rescue mission, as well as what happens when we have hate in our hearts, so let's talk about it! What is your "application" from the SOAP method today? How will you be changing from what we read?
for me: like I talked about in the video, verse 13 was huge eye-opening and heart check for me. While I don't have hate swirling around in my heart like Haman, there are absolutely some NON-Christlike things up in there like impatience, annoyance, etc. From our reading today, I will be changing by asking God to check my heart and highlight whatever is in there that needs to be plucked out and faith to believe that He removed it once I ask in prayer. AMEN AMEN!
Amen! I will use this verse to remind myself how hating others can make me bitter and keep me stagnant. I also realize I may have a little hate towards myself and I’ve stopped myself from a lot of opportunities and blessings due to fear and hating myself from my past mistakes and sins that have pulled me away from God and delayed my progress. I pray that God will remove any hate I have in my heart towards others and myself.
I feel like God is trying to teach us the importance of not coming into agreement without understanding the full scope of the situation. I feel like sometimes we go with the flow of conversations or life without fully understanding the repercussions of our decisions, and this chapter beautifully explains that..
I think it's so cool that Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. He had courage. I pray God gives me the same courage to stay obedient to Him, even when it's scary. Great bible study!
I’ve had my ‘Esther’ moment when God has put me through the whole getting into college experience. My academic performance in highschool was mediocre and with the Grace of God he had allowed me to stay in honors classes. I was going through the college experience without the help from my parents but I have received the help from a lot of people outside of my parents that believed in me and believed that I can go through college. By Seniors year I was accepted into 15+ schools include the school of my dream. Now due to my own fears and anxieties, I did not go to the school of my dreams. But through prayer, I believe that God placed me where he did for a reason and I will still be able to go to the school of my dreams for graduate school. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Wow I'm also going through something similar right now
What I will be applying and changing into my life after this word, is paying attention and listening to the Holy Spirit. Not going into spaces where I am not loved genuinely, supported, or valued. I’ve forced myself to be small in the midst of my children’s fathers family. And my hurt, has turned into anger. I no longer want to feel hurt by others not welcoming me and accepting me. I am staying out of these spaces where the enemy uses them against me while I’m learning to become Bold in my Faith for Jesus. I am walking amidst dry bones. A Native American cultural community, deprived of Love. I will apply myself in prayer to speak life to the dry bones as I slowly begin to choose myself and my peace again.
Bible study is so hard for me. I had a rough upbringing with forced religion but I still believe and I want to learn more. You break everything down so beautifully!
i'm so glad this is helpful sis and it's beautiful that despite everything you've might've been through & how challenging it is, you're still here seeking Him through His Word!!
What I learned from this is that I need to ask the Holy Spirit to check my heart, to make sure I'm not growing any seed of hate or bitterness towards others.🙏🏾 Thanks for sharing Melody😊😊
I love the way you do Bible study. This is so helpful for people like myself, I’ve been trying to find understanding in reading the Bible but it has been hard. Looking at your videos makes it so mucn easier. Thank you,
Lord, 17:14 please take away hate from me, and fill me up with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
I’m here with you on this, I let it fester in me for too long. All because I aligned my “Yes’s” with things and people that the Lord did not want me to.
I learned that hate is powerful so I pray to the lord to drain, destroy, and removed any hate that I have in my heart. I also learned to always check my heart whenever I am in the middle of an intense situation. Thank you for this bible study mel. I appreciate you. God bless 🩵
I am late finding ghis channel but the way everything is broken down is helping me to understand so much better.
Every time I read this chapter I think about the king and Haman sitting to drink (smug; pleased with themselves) and the people of Susa are left bewildered. Like the rug was pulled from under them. Unexpected war of a nation.
I also think about how Haman told the king we need to kill them because they’re different from us… it triggered me…
I thought it was crazy that Xerxes had secretaries who could translate in all languages and couriers who would get the edict to all 127 provinces from India to Cush. I feel like Solomon “There is nothing new under the sun.”
My friend just told me yesterday to check the posture of my heart towards a certain situation I’m dealing with. I’m praying for a gentle, kind, merciful, pure and loving heart. Lord give me a heart like Yours, in ALL things.🫶🏾🙌🏾 The timeliness of this confirmation is nothing but God! Thanks for sharing your heart with us and letting God use you.
I’ve read Esther 3 before but I learn something new every time. I didn’t realize how much hatred Hamen had for the Jews and reminds us to keep ourselves in check so things like that doesn’t sneak up on us
So happy that you have shared the SOAP method with us all!
It keeps things so organized and easy to refer back to.
Thank you love!
God can do anything! ❤
This was right on time. I’ve been checking my heart for the past few weeks. Wondering whether or not im doing this for myself of for God’s glory. I’ll be praying on this.
Ive always been scared to pray for patience because what we pray for he tests us to build what we pray for. I think its time i pray for patience. Its running thin in todays world.
I just wanna say how much I appreciate these videos. They have really helped me get into Bible studying. I hope you keep making these because they are really helpful for me and so many people!
❤❤I love the Book of Ester. Thank you for sharing your studies
SIS!!!! I didn't know I needed this bible study! The scriptures that stood out to me helped me in my current situation. Thank you for this!
you're so welcome, sis! God is good!!
This is the first time I’ve caught one of your videos so early! I actually felt pulled more towards the first verse regarding the kings approval of Haman’s letter. It speaks to the fact that as friends, peers, family, etc. it’s important to not blindly support something without know how deep rooted it is. My bestie and I were talking about how we have been nourishing our fruits and I’m just proud to see how far we’ve come because there were so many moments when anger started to take root and we helped each other pluck them 💕 sorry for the ramble 😂
For me, the biggest application was the fact that Esther wasn’t even there but affected the text. God can use anyone. I mean anyone. I ask God to search my heart and create in me a clean and pure one. I am patient yet allow people and their perspectives alter me when I know the right way. I know there are things God is trying to do yet the same things keep coming up. I have some things to overcome yet it’s a mental struggle daily to keep moving forward and not letting things and people come back to distract me from walk with God. I could just feel Him speaking as you brought people and their abilities to affect us in certain ways.
What I got from it is that you can't understand the full picture because that's God's realm, and He was working behind the scenes during all of this when it took place. ❤🥰
I’ve been doing Bible studies here and there and they’ve gone well, I’m understanding and learning but wow are your Bible studies helping me grow in my faith and mature as a Christian. Let me tell you I was not going to read Esther anytime soon by my own guidance so I really feel that the Lord has lead me to your videos , so thank you!🥰
I literally felt like I was in your room with you doing this Bible study. I just finished reading Esther , I didn’t fully understand the first few chapters so this little video came at the perfect moment for me.
I’ve been praying for God to change my heart posture from the beginning of this year. I see a shift on so many different levels. It is gradual change, but change nonetheless 😊💕. This word speaks to that part of me, that makes me happy 😊.
Thank you for sharing the commentary website site sis! I definitely needed this.
For me, verses 5 and 8 stood out and highlighted the need to be truthful to oneself and living The Truth in which one believe. Pride is always seeking a way to enter one’s heart (and it always brings other guests) but remaining true to who we are in Jesus Christ is truly key as it helps us in those moments when we are tested. Human was bothered by one man not bowing down to him and showing him respect and this opened him up to hatred the sought to destroy an entire group of people. He went as far as bending the truth in his plea to the king.
Thank you for the encouragement I am struggling with something that I need to get rid of
I just recently was lead to start a Bible study group and Holy Spirit told me to study the book of Esther. These videos have been so much help! I'll read the chapter and highlight the verses that stands out to me and get my own revelation first, then ill watch your video and the revelation would be so similar. Keep doing these please. So good!
I love the reminder of understanding the full scope of saying YES. Whew, Chile! 😅 Obedience is better than sacrifice. Tfs
I am grateful for your teachings Melody! I started to use notion, for bible study and other things, and it's amazing, and very useful! Thank you so much. You are a great teacher.
I will apply this by when I’m certain that someone is against Christians to know that they will do whatever it takes to hurt or mess with us. This will change me by knowing I won’t be liked by everyone & to be more aware in a healthy way.
You talked about "annoyance" and GIRL I can relate! I was once listening to a video by Jackie Hill Perry and her husband on anger and one of the things that JHP said that clicked with me is that annoyance essentially stems from anger in a way and how anger shows up differently in different people. And I was SHOOKETH, because I really thought I was good in the area of anger but I can get easily irritated/annoyed. I love these Bible Studies!
Girl... I love the office setup!
thank you!!
I will be applying the notion of allowing + asking The Holy Spirit to pluck away any unwanted thoughts, emotions, or feelings!
Thank you for the Bible study series. You always provide a new perspective for me!
How I will be applying this scripture is by asking God for clarity and guidance before I make any decision so that I may always make decisions that are for the betterment of myself and those around me without being fooled into believing I’m doing what’s right when I am not.
I love this series! Please continue with this series more often. Thank you for giving me the time to pray, I ended up writing in my journal and it opened a full can of worms. All from one scripture. To God be the glory. I am so grateful. Thank you.
I compared Haman's hate for the Jews all being drawn from one person- to my negative thoughts and feelings which I feel are stronger than my faith at times. I pray for it to be the other way around in Jesus name. My thoughts at times skew my vision for other people, situations and things because of how I feel about one thing. Haman was all or nothing all from one seed of hate toward one person. I have to sit back observe and give myself grace instead of letting my negative thoughts be impulsive and destroying more areas in my life all because of just one thing or person, because that is what holds me back.
P.S Thank you for plugging me with the Enduring Word app! Much appreciated! God bless you
Love it!
thank u
I will apply this to my life by fully trusting in god and the feelings he gives me. I say that because I truly don’t have hate for anything or anyone but I do find myself being annoyed by small inconveniences that occur in my life. So instead of letting that effect me or change my mood or attitude towards something I’m just going to listen to God and depend on him even more in those times. I’ve been blessed so much this year so far and God is truly showing me what it’s like to follow him and believe in him. One thing I do struggle with is dealing with the annoyances that upset me and with this scripture and bible study I will not let them effect or change me anymore.
Amen
I am happy I found your channel! It has been helping me guide my belief back on track!!! I do have a question. Do you only use notation for the note portion? Can you do a video explaining other part of the bible template you use?
I love that although we are all in different places, spaces, and seasons, God's revelations can be so similar for us. I literally just prayed that God would search my heart and reveal and pluck out the sin that so easily ensnares me - especially through my attitude and offense.
Yes! Please do more! I enjoy doing the process with you. It’s so much more motivating to get into the word when I am having a step-by-step guide that I’m following along with, and just hearing another person‘s insight! I can’t wait for the next one! The things that stood out most to me in this passage, was how much of an enemy Haman was. Not only was he hateful because of Mordeci’s refusal to bow, but I realized he also likely was hateful because he was an Agagite, descendant of King Agag (according to google). I never realize that before! It made me realize how deep rooted and well disguised different enemies of God can be. I’ve definitely been falling into the things of the world lately. It just reminded me of how I need to be pursuing God, and how easy it is to not know when we’re falling into ways of sin.
Thank you so much
I’ll work on checking on my heart..trying to keep it puree for my God🙏🏻🙏🏻
Ugh omg. This is the first time watching your bible study video. See how God answers prayers! I love your method and I will try it out. God bless and increase you Alisa!
Yasssss!!!! Come through gray hairs!!!! I just recently turned 30 and in the last year & a half, my gray hairs seem to be coming for me lol. I, honestly, don't want to do anything about it lol. But I feel that eventually I'll want to do something about it. However, the thought of having to dye my hair and then begin this routine of maintenance with my hair.... I'm just not down for it. So here I am just chillin with my gray hairs, just letting them live their best lives, meanwhile, I continue to get mistaken for a 19 year old lol. I love to see you doing the same!!! Love it so so much! This representation is heavily underrated!
As for your bible study videos.. Thank you so much for making these videos. I felt lost and overwhelmed on where to start or how to start. I watched other videos and none of them stuck, until yours
I want to believe that in this chapter, God was probably whispering to Mordecai not to trust Haman. I believe that God speaks to us a lot daily and some of us go oh that's deja vu, probably a coincidence, or any excuse. I have been guilty of this many times, but I realize now that God is always telling me things and it's my choice to listen or ignore. I want to listen and I want to be able to know that it is God not some random time of events.
Thank you sister for this video. Doing this with you has definitely helped me and I plan on continuing to follow theses methods. So excited! Thanks ❤️
I’ve been waiting for chapter 3! 😊 Thank you! I never knew how to bible study until I saw your Esther chapter 1 video.
I've been doing the soap method on my journal and it sometimes gets tiring writing everything down so I feel Notion will be very helpful. I enjoy these so much❤
Amen amen! I truly enjoy following along with you and you do these Bible studies, they’re encouraging and so easy to follow.
Thank you so much Melody for introducing me to SOAP I definitely will be using it for study from now on God bless you 🙏
i was looking for your video on chapter 4 and see you have not gotten the chance to upload so i am looking forward. so glad god showed me your channel!
This was great loved it I would like to see more BSWM videos thank you ❤
Just what I needed right now, thanks girl 💗
you're so welcome!! glad this is right on time ♥️
Heyy Melody I just wanted to say I Used the Soap method for Bible study and it worked and I also Used enduring word and all of that together helped me really dive into the word God bless you and keep shining Gods love to everyone
I learnt about obedience
I'm dedicated to cultivating tranquility within, nurturing patience through daily mindfulness practices. By diving more into the word, focusing on my breath and embracing life's rhythms, I aim to steady my heart and embrace each moment with grace. This journey of inner calm will lead me to navigate challenges with serenity and foster a more patient and resilient spirit.
Hey!
I’m so happy I found this channel ❤❤❤.. these tips help me even more to understand what I’m reading 📖 thank you 😊 can’t wait for the next video!
Thanku Alisa for making Bible study videos plz do continue doing the great work that you always do
This was so good 🙏🏾❤️
Have you done a video for all of the chapters in the book of Esther? And have you done a video for any other Bible books?
This video has been a blessing to me this morning. First time hearing about the soap method and am really looking forward to trying out this bible study method. Thanks for the content Mel, God abundantly bless you and your family sis😊
First comment!! 🥰Good afternoon Mel!!
hey hey girlie!!! thank you for being here!!
I needed this I've been struggling with hatred in my heart. I have a co-worker who I've been bumping heads with somewhat they're very cold towards me just a nasty attitude and I've been struggling so badly to not ruminate on our interactions and not have anger and a sense of Gloom when going into work I've been trying my best to turn my cheats and be as positive as possible but it's really been a struggle I would appreciate any prayers to help me in a situation
I felt like this story in the Bible and chapter was harder for me. Maybe because Bible study is new to me and I don’t know much about the Bible. (Reason why I am doing Bible studying) But after reading the verse and you explaining in depth what exactly happens next after chapter 3 helped a lot. SOAP is also a great tool I will use here on out.
You look so beautiful,,God bless u for the work u r doing.
Fac❤
Amen ❤
hey, sis!! you are QUICK!n haha
Realizing just because it doesn’t serve me doesn’t mean hating it will change fact and it is time to release it.
Awesome video Mel! Please continue to do more 🎉❤
Verse 9 stood out to be because Haman was plotting! This reminds be of the book of Daniel when king Darius officials were plotting to kill Daniel because he was favored so they came up to the king to make him sign a decree and he approved it. But he didn’t realize that Daniel would break the decree and have to be thrown in the lions den and Darius had to go through with the punishment because he signed off on it. Basically the correlation between the Kings are that they let their official's get in there ear not knowing there’s malicious intent behind it until the plan actually unfolds and its already too late to turn back.
I have a new kings James ..so that was sad 😅 ....but thanks for Bible study 📖 🙏
Amen love God bless you loveeee🩷🩷❤️❤️🫶🏽🫶🏽🙏🏾🙏🏾!!!! I will apply this verse by being a good representation of God and letting his light shine through me. I don’t others to have a bad viewing on followers of Christ because of one bad interaction. I want to God to use me as that good interaction and that light towards that I encounter and to help me be more like him. To help continue to soften my heart🩷🩷❤️❤️!! Thank you for this amazing message beautiful!!!! Have a blessed day and God bless you loveee🫶🏽🫶🏽❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾 !!!!!
For me, I will be applying to allow God to have His way and understand that everything happens in His perfect timing. Throughout reading Esther, I noticed that time was a silent character but it mattered so heavily throughout the story. I also learned from Haman that you cannot have everything but still be grieved by one thing that you do not receive (Mordecai bowing to him) and you will ultimately let it be your demise. My last thought is, pay attention to warnings. Hanan’s wife and friends tried to warn him because Mordecai was Jewish, but Haman did not want to listen.
My application from this Bible study will be to trust God with my insecurities, jealousy, aggravation and allow Him to work through and remove these fuels to anger and rage. I want to not brush off small feelings, but give them to God so that they won’t grow. I think it’s easy to just feel insecure and ignore it after a while. But then jealousy can uproot from those hidden insecurities whether that’s in yourself or relationships or work. This small fires can grow into big rage. After reading Esther 3, I want to identify and give God these mini flames so that they won’t grow into deadly fires like the death sentence Haman gave the Jews!
Amen❤🙏🏽
Hey Melody ❤
My take on this will be:
1.Y ou don't always know people intentions so be careful on what you take yourself into. That why it s important to always consult the Lord before taking certain decisions. Maybe if the king consulted the lord before agreeing to that decree, God would have revealed to him Haman's REAL intentions.
2. This Chapter of Esther remind me of " If the Lord is for me, who can be against me"? Rom. 8: 31.
Haman had so much hate towards Esther's people ( the Jews) but would he succeed to exterminate them? That what we will find out in chapters to come😊❤❤❤
Tips on how to check my heart posture ? Do i just pray over what’s in my heart and ask God to remove anything that isn’t of him or is there more to do ?
I downloaded everything but how do I get the S.O.A.P template in notion. I'm struggling
Your caption ..."God saves His chosen people"😢 confuses me a bit. Does that mean He has favorites? I mean like at the moment, my life and my family's life is a mess, a big chaos. Will God not save us? I feel like we are not His chosen people because year in, year out, we have to fight spiritual battles without willing. Kindly pray for us
Hi! No, God doesn’t have favorites. He invited all of us to be apart of His family through what Jesus did on the cross. If we accept with our mouth & believe in our hearts that Jesus died for sins, you are apart of God’s chosen people. Same goes for your family. God’s chosen people in the Old Testament are Israelites/ Jews but when Jesus came, He didn’t come just for the Jews, He came for everyone and His life extended an invitation to us all to be in God’s family. In this particular chapter in Esther though, bc it’s the Old Testament, we are talking about the Jews. But because we know that in the New Testament, what Jesus did on the cross, this great rescue mission that God begins through Esther applies to us today too, bc we are His people. So God will always saves us (His chosen people) 🫶🏽 i hope this makes sense. The battles you and your family are experiencing do not mean you are not chosen my God. He is with you in them & even if it’s hard to imagine, i promise He is working it all together for your good and His glory. I Will absolutely be praying 🤍
Hiiii❤
Is it me or is Esther really about Mordecai ?
I don’t understand when people say God will save his chosen people. Who are the chosen people because I have been going through a lot and I’m like I’m l not one of the chosen because nothing seems to be getting better no matter how much l have prayed and fasted.
hey sis! First and foremost, I want you to know God sees you and cares about what you are going through. I get the "chosen people" thing can seem like it doesn't include us -- but IT DOES! God invited all of us to be apart of His family through what Jesus did on the cross. If we declare with our mouth & believe in our hearts that Jesus died for sins, was resurrected 3 days later and is seated on the throne next to God, you are apart of God’s "chosen people". God’s chosen people in the Old Testament are Israelites/ Jews but when Jesus came, He didn’t come just for the Jews, He came for everyone and His life extended an invitation to us all to be in God’s family. In this particular chapter in Esther though, bc it’s the Old Testament, we are talking about the Jews. But because we know that in the New Testament, what Jesus did on the cross, this great rescue mission that God begins through Esther applies to us today too, bc we are His people. So God will always saves us (His chosen people) 🫶🏽 i hope this makes sense.
Maybe a crazy question but is King Ahasuerus and King Xerxes the same person? My version speaks about King Xerxes throughout Esther.
Yes ♡
V. 13 also reveals Haman is a type and shadow of Satan, who is always out after God's chosen people, which while He chose to be the Jews in the natural, are all those who receive Christ spiritually. John 10:10 (LSB) says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." The thief here, we know is Satan, and isn't it interesting how Hamans motive and Satan's line up exactly?
I think the way John 10:10 contrast Satan's heart in comparison to God's is also a good measuring tool for discernment when someone/ something is of/from God or at least when someone/something is being used/manipulated by Satan... including ourselves... 😬 even at times against ourselves!
The passage in Esther also makes me think about Genesis when Cain becomes jealous and envious of his brother Able because God had regard for Able's offering and not Cain's, and God sees that Cain is angry and warns him. In Gen. 4:6-7 (LSB), it says 6)"Then Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7) If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is lying at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
These things together are really good at revealing how not just hatered and anger, but any emotion, unsubmitted to God that goes unchecked provides an opening for sin. Even agregious one's, such as the ones attempted by Haman and carried out by Cain, that don't even seem like they match the "offense."
My... now I need to go check myself. 😂😂😂😂😂🙃
The reason Haman hated the Jews so much was not only because of Mordecai. Back when King Saul reigned, an order was given from God to destroy the Amalekites for sacrificing babies to false gods (demons). King Saul killed everyone but the king and took all their belongings instead of killing and destroying everything like God told him to do through Samuel. Samuel killed Agag but I think his wife escaped and she was pregnant and his descendents are called Agagites. Haman is from the royal line of the Amalekites, an Agagite. This wasn't about Mordecai, it was for his people but he found an outlet to avenge his ancestors through Mordecai
King Saul, King Agag and Samuel's situation is found in 1 Samuel 15
When was Esther chapter 2? Did I miss the memo?
it was went about 2 months ago! just scroll through my videos, you'll see it!
I know this is an older video but for context Haman was an Amelekite. In Esther it says Haman the Agagite but the Agagites descended from Agag the king of the Amelekites (destroyed by Saul). The Amelekites are enemies of Israel. It is in Haman’s DNA to destroy Israel. The hate was not random. This was their last attempt at destroying the Jews in the Old Testament before God gave the Jews rest.
Sounds a lot like modern day racism
Prophet Moses: Hear O Israel, Lord, our God is one.
Prophet Jesus: Hear O Israel, Lord, our God is one.
Prophet Muhammad: Say: God is One.
Peace, be upon them all.
Fracens
Fracens 📔🖊️💒👗🥿💐 Sgfom