Preparing to Let it Go- the Esther Fast

Preparing To Let it Go

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days,
night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it
is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood
in the inner court…Esther 4:16, 5:1

Hello Ladies, How has your journey been thus far? I know that this is a new place for you and it may even be somewhat strange; perhaps even uncomfortable but everything is leading to
that place where you can be free and you can soar. Sometimes it is difficult to actually get going but I hope that by now you have begun your journey to see who you “really” are. I hope that you have looked in the mirror and started to see the unmasked you.. This is not an easy
part of the journey. There are some curves that you will have to negotiate. There are some flashing lights on the road. There are some traffic back-ups that you have to sit through. You can’t get to the easy exit ramp to take a back road. You just have to sit and endure. You just have to face it. Your search for your true self, your authentic self, the you God wants you to be includes this part of the journey.

The next time we get together, we will all be on the bus together traveling on the road. In order to prepare for this trip, let’s get ready spiritually. I am asking each of us to fast for three days just as Esther did. Before a critical time in her life, she prayed and fasted. It was a life or death situation for Esther and before facing the king – she fasted. We will do like Esther did – before going before the King, we will fast. For some of us, this is a life or death situation and
we face it knowing that we must be spiritually prepared for God to move some things out of our lives.

So, let’s get ready. Start your fast on Thursday and we end on Saturday after class. There will be lunch for you at the end of class.

Now you should fast the way that you normally fast. Everyone may not be able to fast from food. Do what works for you, but be intentional, serious and prayerful about the transformation that is on the way.

Reflection of the week- Our Journey Has Begun

Our Journey Has Begun, submitted by Sister Joyce Anderson

With excitement, anticipation, expectation, faith, hope and some fear, we are embarking on a new journey.

Just like the story in the 14th chapter of Matthew beginning at verse 22, as Jesus “constrained” his disciples to get into a ship to go before him to the other side, we have been led by God to take this journey.

Along the way, we may be tossed by waves and contrary winds, but we know that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and will reveal to us the things we must know to continue the journey. In verse 27 Jesus said, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Just as Jesus told Peter to get out of the boat, to get out of his comfort zone, to “Come,” He told us to come. We must keep our eyes on Him unlike Peter who lost focus and began to sink.

He has prepared us with experiences and skill.

He has uniquely gifted each one of us to be here at this time.

So, let’s stir up our gifts and take this life-changing journey “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1-6)

Our journey has begun.

Remarkable Woman orientation photos