Read:  By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Heb 11:11

Examine: Sarah, the wife of Abraham who discovered that God was in the miracle-working business. She left her home willingly, alongside Abraham and endured a great deal to try to provide an heir for her husband. She also did everything in her power to keep her husband safe in dangerous territories. Her faith would produce their promised heir, Isaac, though there were some trials along the way. Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old and died in the promised land.

When Abram encountered the living God for the first time, he believed Him (Genesis 12:1–4; 15:6) and followed after Him, obeying His command to leave his home to go to a place he had never heard about, much less seen. Sarai went with him.

Sarah was 65 years old when she started the journey to Canaan with Abraham, after 25 years she had Issac. God also changed Sarai’s name, meaning “my princess,” to Sarah, meaning “mother of nations.” God told Abraham that He would give him a son through Sarah. This son—Isaac—would be the one with whom God would establish His covenant. Isaac was the son of promise through whom the nations would be blessed (Genesis 17). Isaac means “he laughs.” Abraham laughed that, at 100 years old, he could have a son with Sarah, who was 90 years old and had been barren her entire life. Sarah, too, laughed at the prospect (Genesis 18:9–15). Lord kept the promise and they had the promised child.

Application: First Peter 3:5–6 uses Sarah as an example of a holy woman who hoped in God and who adorned herself by submitting to her husband. Sarah willingly left her home and stepped out into the unknown to follow Abraham, as he followed the directions of a God with whom she was unfamiliar at the time. She endured much to try to provide an heir for her husband and to keep her husband safe in dangerous lands. In the end, she had faith enough to believe that she and her husband, at the ages of 90 and 100, would produce the promised heir, Isaac.

Decision: Oh Lord! Like Sarah, although she lived in a world of danger and confusion, Sarah stood firm in her commitment to her husband and to God, and her commitment was rewarded with blessing. Help me to walk with the Lord always faithfully even if it costs my life.

The Bible remembers Sarah as a woman of faith (Heb 11:11) holy woman who hoped in God and adorned herself by submitting to her husband. (2 Pet 3:6)

Read: I [Paul] served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. Acts 20:19

Examine: Paul was born as Saul in Tarsus which is modern-day, Turkey. He was of Benjamite, Hebrew ancestry (Philippians 3:5–6), Pharisees, and also a Roman citizen but viewed Jerusalem as a truly sacred and holy city (Acts 22:22-29). Saul studied under Gamaliel on the Lord’s laws. Saul learned the Scripture in depth (Acts 22:3)

Paul’s story is Acts 9:1–22, his meeting with Jesus Christ on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, a journey of about 150 miles. Saul took permission to bring any Christians back to Jerusalem to imprison them. On the road, Saul was caught in a bright light from heaven that caused him to fall face down on the ground. He heard the words, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He replied, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus answered directly and clearly, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (verses 4–5).

From that moment on, Saul’s life was turned upside down. The light blinded him, and as he traveled on he had to rely on his companions and continued to Damascus, through Ananias Lord told that Saul was a “chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15) and would suffer for doing so (Acts 9:16). Ananias found Saul, on whom he laid hands, and told him of his vision of Jesus Christ. Through prayer, Saul received the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17), regained his sight, and was baptized (Acts 9:18). Saul immediately went into the synagogues and proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 9:20).

Saul spent time in Arabia, and Barnabas brought Paul to church in Antioch (Acts 11:25). Their Lord called them to be missionaries. Saul took his first of three missionary journeys in the late AD 40s. As he spent more time in Gentile areas. (Acts 13:9) The apostle Paul spent his life proclaiming the risen Christ Jesus throughout the Roman world, often at great personal peril (2 Corinthians 11:24–27). It is assumed that Paul died a martyr’s death in the mid-to-late AD 60s in Rome.

Application: Paul’s life was turned upside down “chosen instrument” to carry His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel and would suffer for doing so. Paul was so faithful, had no complaints, and was ready to follow even if it cost His life and it cost His life.

Decision: Oh Lord! Paul lived life to please God and not man. Paul was focused on the calling of God in his life. He was a humble man “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.’ (1 Corinthians 9:27 )

Read: “The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” (Esther 2:17)

Examine: Esther’s birth name was Hadassah. She was of the tribe of Benjamin and lived during the time Israel was exiled. Tragically, Hadassah was orphaned at an early age. After her parents died, she was adopted by her cousin, a man named Mordecai.

King wanted to find a new Queen there was a selection process, and Esther was one among them. Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. Esther’s character paved the way for her, and she became queen.

Her cousin Mordecai uncovers a plot by Haman, a high-ranking official, to destroy the Jewish people. Queen Esther was unaware of the plot against the Jews. Esther sent a messenger to Mordecai to find out what was wrong. Mordecai sent his cousin a copy of the edict and asked her “to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people” (Esther 4:8).

Esther, risking her own life, reveals her Jewish identity to the king and intervenes on behalf of her people after fasting. Esther courageously put on her royal robes and stood in the place where she might die. But instead of death, the king granted her favor, asking her what she wanted.

The king reverses Haman’s plot, and the Jewish people are saved. With her first request, she began a masterful plan that only God could have given her. Due to God’s deliverance, Haman was executed, Mordecai was honored, and the Jews were empowered to defend themselves and rescued her people from a murderous plot to annihilate them.

The Jewish Feast of Purim celebrates this particular deliverance of the Jews.

Application: Esther reminds us that nothing is impossible with God. Esther is known for her courage and role in saving the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them. “Esther” is often associated with beauty, grace, and, symbolically, the shining qualities of a star.

Decision: Esther’s bravery and faith in God are a testament to the trust this young woman had in the living God. Oh, Lord! Help us to be like Esther, courageous, faithful, fasting, acting and prayerfully planning,

Good lesson – She was made queen “for such a time as this.” She was strengthened and prepared to intercede for her people “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

And she was faithful to obey. Esther trusted in God and humbly served, no matter what it might cost.

Read: Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the LORD gone ahead of you? Judges 4:14

Examine: Deborah the Bible was one of the most influential women in the Old Testament. She was a prophetess, a warrior, a songwriter, and the only female judge to shepherd God’s people and lead Israel into battle against their enemies.

Deborah judged and led Israel for 60 years. Her oversight covered approximately 20 years of national hardship before the Canaanite war and then peaceful aftermath of 40 years.

Deborah was one of the judges of Israel during a time of oppression. The Lord spoke through her as she held court under a tree called “the Palm of Deborah” in Ephraim. The Lord also used her to set her people free and defeat the king of Canaan. Deborah’s story is found in Judges, chapters 4 and 5.

When Deborah became judge, the Israelites had been subjugated for 20 years by Jabin, king of Canaan. The commander of Jabin’s army was named Sisera, and he had 900 iron chariots – formidable weapons against Israel’s foot soldiers (Judges 4:3). The Israelites were treated very cruelly by Sisera and his army, and Israel’s spirits were very low. Deborah describes the: “The highways were abandoned, and travelers kept to the byways. The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be” (Judges 5:6-7). People feared to leave their homes; traveling was very dangerous.

God’s word comes through Deborah. The message is that Barak will lead the revolt against Sisera. Barak’s response is, “I’ll only go if Deborah goes with me” (Judges 4:8). Everyone is afraid of Sisera, including Barak. Deborah agrees to accompany Barak. (Judges 4:9).

When the time came for battle, God again spoke through Deborah, who prompted Barak to marshal his forces. The Israelites came against the army of Sisera, and God granted them victory. The mighty Sisera himself was brought. As the commander rested after the battle, a woman named Jael drove a tent peg through his head.

Application: The most unlikely leader, Deborah was faithful and courageous. We can see that God’s power is what matters, regardless of the instrument He chooses to use. Man or woman, strong or weak, confident or hesitant – all are strong when they are moved by God’s Spirit and filled with His strength. We can also see in Deborah a picture of God’s tender care for His people. As a mother cares for her children, so Deborah led and nurtured Israel (Judges 5:7).

Decision: Oh Lord! Help me to be like Deborah, a family person, a good leader, trustworthy, honest, blameless, and trustworthy to the Lord. Bold and courage to face tough situations.

Read: Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, Phil 1:1

Examine: For more than two years during his third missionary journey, Paul ministered in Asia Minor among the people of Ephesus. This was a successful period for the apostle to the Gentiles, who saw many converts among both residents of Ephesus and visitors to the city. One of the visitors converted under Paul’s teaching was a man named Philemon, from the nearby city of Colossae (Philemon 1:19).

Philemon was a first-century Christian who also hosted a church in his home, most likely in Colossae. His name means “affectionate” in Greek, and, from all we know about Philemon, he lived up to his name. The only mention of Philemon in the Bible is in the book by that name. The book of Philemon is a personal letter from the apostle Paul to his friend Philemon whom he calls a “dear friend and fellow worker” (Philemon 1:1).

In the book of Philemon, Paul appeals to his friend on behalf of a runaway slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had somehow connected with Paul, who was imprisoned in Rome. Onesimus became a believer, but, because he was the property of Philemon, Paul sent him back to his owner with a letter.

Paul gently reminds Philemon that Onesimus is now a brother in Christ and that truth should now define the relationship. It is probable that Philemon freed his returned slave, as he heeded Paul’s instruction that, under the covenant of grace, both master and slave have equal standing in the body of Christ.

Application: Through Paul’s heartfelt appeal and surely Philemon’s accepted Onesimus, that’s why we have this book in the Bible, there would have been pressure from society to get Onesimus punished, but still love of Christ changed everything, we learn the following about Philemon:
• he hosted a church in his home, along with “Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier” (Philemon 1:2). These were probably Philemon’s wife and son.

• he regularly prayed for Paul and his ministry.
• he loved the church and its people.
• he would most likely do more than Paul asked in receiving Onesimus back with grace.
  • he had a guest room in his home where Paul was welcome to stay.

Decision: Oh Lord, help me to be like Philemon who had a strong relationship with  Paul with clearly warm and respectful. Paul is comfortable enough with the friendship to gently remind his friend that Philemon owed Paul his “very self” for introducing him to Jesus (Philemon 1:19). Paul was confident that his words would be heeded and exceeded by Philemon because he had a strong connection with this man (Philemon 1:21).