November 16, 2012 Remember & Celebrate

Remember & Celebrate Esther 9:24-29 For Haman had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25 But when the plot came to the king's attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur (meaning lot). Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. 28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants. WHEN Haman planned to kill the Jews, he cast a lot, determined by random choice a date for his murderous desires. The word for “lot” is “pur”. As God turned this day of evil into a day of salvation for the Jews, the Jews proclaimed a new holiday they call Purim to remember their deliverance. God’s Word often calls you to remember how he turns evil, intended to destroy God’s purposes, into good that advances God’s kingdom purposes. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 and when Jesus had given thanks, he broke the bread and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” It’s True! The bread and the wine symbolize Jesus’ broken body and shed blood to deliver you from evil. Remember and celebrate this each time you eat.