Faith Under Fire

Wives Who Win for Christ: Influencing Your Unsaved Husband Through Discipleship by Dr. Treal Ravenel

Raising the Next Generation: Trusting God’s Plan for Single Mothers

The Fasting Zone

The Big 5

Allowing Our Children to Grow and Go: A 3-Day Parenting Plan

The Benefit of Doubt: How Confronting Your Deepest Questions Can Lead to a Richer Faith

Bible Study 2: Naomi's Journey - Finding Strength in Mentorship

The Way of the Cross

Favor Church Brisbane: Presence Week

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkTIT">
      <div class="chapter ch3" data-usfm="TIT.3">
         <div class="label">3</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Saved in Order to Do Good</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="TIT.3.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="TIT.3.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="TIT.3.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="TIT.3.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="TIT.3.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="TIT.3.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="TIT.3.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="TIT.3.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="TIT.3.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="TIT.3.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="TIT.3.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="TIT.3.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="TIT.3.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Final Remarks</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="TIT.3.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="TIT.3.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="TIT.3.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="TIT.3.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="TIT.3.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="TIT.3.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="TIT.3.15"><span class="content">Grace be with you all.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkEST">
      <div class="chapter ch1" data-usfm="EST.1">
         <div class="label">1</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Queen Vashti Deposed</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="EST.1.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">1:1 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Ahasuerus</span><span class="ft">; here and throughout Esther</span></span></span><span class="content"> the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">1:1 </span><span class="ft">That is, the upper Nile region</span></span></span><span class="content">: </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="EST.1.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EST.1.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EST.1.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EST.1.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="EST.1.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king&#8217;s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EST.1.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EST.1.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king&#8217;s liberality. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EST.1.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">By the king&#8217;s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EST.1.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EST.1.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EST.1.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="EST.1.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him&#8212;Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EST.1.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EST.1.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">But when the attendants delivered the king&#8217;s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EST.1.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="EST.1.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EST.1.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">and were closest to the king&#8212;Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EST.1.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EST.1.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">&#8220;According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?&#8221; he asked. &#8220;She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EST.1.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EST.1.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, &#8220;Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EST.1.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">For the queen&#8217;s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, &#8216;King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.&#8217; </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EST.1.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen&#8217;s conduct will respond to all the king&#8217;s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EST.1.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EST.1.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">&#8220;Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EST.1.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Then when the king&#8217;s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EST.1.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EST.1.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EST.1.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkEST">
      <div class="chapter ch2" data-usfm="EST.2">
         <div class="label">2</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Esther Made Queen</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="EST.2.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Later when King Xerxes&#8217; fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="EST.2.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Then the king&#8217;s personal attendants proposed, &#8220;Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EST.2.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king&#8217;s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EST.2.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.&#8221; This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EST.2.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="EST.2.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EST.2.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">2:6 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Jeconiah, </span><span class="ft">a variant of </span><span class="fq">Jehoiachin</span></span></span><span class="content"> king of Judah. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EST.2.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EST.2.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EST.2.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">When the king&#8217;s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king&#8217;s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EST.2.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king&#8217;s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EST.2.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="EST.2.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EST.2.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EST.2.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EST.2.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Before a young woman&#8217;s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="EST.2.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king&#8217;s palace. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EST.2.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king&#8217;s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EST.2.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EST.2.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king&#8217;s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EST.2.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EST.2.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EST.2.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">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. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EST.2.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">And the king gave a great banquet, Esther&#8217;s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EST.2.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EST.2.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king&#8217;s gate. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EST.2.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai&#8217;s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EST.2.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EST.2.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king&#8217;s gate, Bigthana</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">2:21 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Bigthan, </span><span class="ft">a variant of </span><span class="fq">Bigthana</span></span></span><span class="content"> and Teresh, two of the king&#8217;s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EST.2.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="EST.2.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch26" data-usfm="PSA.26">
         <div class="label">26</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 26</span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">Of David.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Vindicate me, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"><span class="content">for I have led a blameless life;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"><span class="content">I have trusted in the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"><span class="content">and have not faltered.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.26.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Test me, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, and try me,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.26.2"><span class="content">examine my heart and my mind;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.26.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.26.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.26.3"><span class="content">and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.26.3"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.26.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.26.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">I do not sit with the deceitful,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.26.4"><span class="content">nor do I associate with hypocrites.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.26.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.26.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">I abhor the assembly of evildoers</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.26.5"><span class="content">and refuse to sit with the wicked.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.26.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.26.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">I wash my hands in innocence,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.26.6"><span class="content">and go about your altar, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.26.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.26.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">proclaiming aloud your praise</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.26.7"><span class="content">and telling of all your wonderful deeds.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.26.7"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.26.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.26.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, I love the house where you live,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.26.8"><span class="content">the place where your glory dwells.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.26.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.26.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Do not take away my soul along with sinners,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.26.9"><span class="content">my life with those who are bloodthirsty,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.26.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.26.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">in whose hands are wicked schemes,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.26.10"><span class="content">whose right hands are full of bribes.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.26.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.26.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">I lead a blameless life;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.26.11"><span class="content">deliver me and be merciful to me.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.26.11"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.26.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.26.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">My feet stand on level ground;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.26.12"><span class="content">in the great congregation I will praise the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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