The Lighthouse Christian Academy will be hosting a formal concert event on Saturday (5/11) at 7:00 pm in the Main Auditorium.  The LCA students will be performaing various pieces that they have been working on for the past few months.  If you have a student in the academy music program or would love to enjoy a night of good music, please plan on attending.  For more information, please contact Miss Abigail Ballou (email aballou@lighthousebaptist.com)

Ladies, you are cordially invited to join us for a luncheon in “Celebration of Friends and Family”.  The luncheon will be on Saturday (5/11) from 12-2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  There is no cost, but we are asking each family to bring a salad large enough to share (Garden and Potato salad will be provided).

Please join us for fun, refreshment and fellowship!  Open to all ladies – school age girls, teens and adults.

See Alvie Miller with any questions or email (amiller@lighthousebaptist.com)

The Lighthouse Bible Institute graduation will be held on Thursday (5/9) at 7 p.m. in the Main Auditorium.  Please join us as we graduate two students who have completed their course of study.  Brother Matthew Gibbs will our guest speaker who will bring the graduation message.  For questions or more information, contact Brother Russ Prock (461-5561 Ext 115) or email rprock@lighthousebaptist.com.

ESTHER

The book of Esther is one of a cluster of three books of the Old Testament. The other two are Ezra and Nehemiah. One must remember that God had sent His chosen people into captivity because of their sins against God and His Law given to them. After many years in captivity, they were now free to return to their land and rebuild their city and Temple. However, we learn that only about 50,000 of these Jews did indeed return to accomplish these tasks. Most of the people of the 12 tribes wished to remain in Persia where they had settled. Remember when we read the book of Daniel; we understand that it was God’s will for the Jews to be ruled by four great gentile powers over the centuries.

Esther is one of two books in the Bible with the name of a woman the book of Ruth being the other one. Both of these books are very significant in God’s plan of Scripture. Some people are troubled and confused about a couple of things regarding the book of Esther. I.e. that the name of God is not mentioned and it is not referred to in the New Testament. It was Matthew Henry who said, “If the name of God is not in the book His finger surely is.” However, one must see the importance of the book with reference to the providence of God in the life of the people of God. God had provided for His people to return to the land and build their temple. He had sent key men like Ezra and Nehemiah to restore the city and its way of life. Because most of the people did not return to the land they now were open to the enemy to try and destroy them. The book of Esther gives us the account of how God used this young lady to help prevent the annihilation of the Jews. Chapter 8 record the pivotal events with the accompanying results that, “many of the people of the land became Jews.” When one reads this exciting book, one will see not only the protection of God for His people but one will also see that God turned the struggle around and many of the Gentiles embraced the God of the Jews.

The story of Esther fits between chapters 6 and 7 of Ezra, between the first return led by Zerubbabel and the second return led by Ezra. There is a time lapse of 58 years between these two chapters. There is also another small book toward the end of our Old Testament called Haggai and it is also associated with the Book of Ezra and the rebuilding of the Temple. Yes, our Bible is one and it is all connected.

The book of Esther is a beautiful human interest story with four main characters and a plot not often found in most novels. However, it gives us information that is vital to the wonderful truths of Scripture.

As one reads and rereads this small book of 10 chapters one will soon recognize the mounds of information on many levels as to geography, history, culture and of course Scriptural. The book records three different feasts: the feast of Ahasuerus in chapters 1&2; the feast of Esther in chapters 3-7; and the feast of Purim in chapters 8 & 9. Notice chapter 9:32, “And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim (lots); and it was written in the book.” We are aware that this feast is still recognized and observed by the people called Jews even unto this day. It celebrates God’s hand of deliverance.

Note (Esther 8:9 is the longest verse in the English Bible containing 90 words. Our assignment is to memorize this verse this week.)

Please pray for Pastor Fisher as he travels to Australia this week to preach Sunday (5/5) – Wednesday (5/8) at the Good Shepard Baptist Church for Pastor Nathan Lloyd.

There will be a Bus Ministry workers BBQ on Saturday (5/4) at 4:00 pm in the Church courtyard.  Workers and leaders from the English and Spanish – and their families- are welcome.  For more information or questions, please contact Pastor Northcutt at 461-5561 Ext 137 or email snorthcutt@lighthousebaptist.com.

In your child is returning to the Lighthouse Christian Academy for the 2013-14 school year, there will be a early registration on Tuesday (4/30) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  If you are considering the Lighthouse Christian Academy for your child, this will be an excellent meeting to attend as there will be a lot of information presentated for prospective students and their parents.  For questions or more information, contact the LCA Principal, Brother Art Champagne at 461-5561 Ext 131 or email achampagne@lighthousebaptist.com

If you are new to Lighthouse Baptist Church, please plan on joining us for a New Visitor’s Reception following the morning service (4/28) in room 120. This a great opportunity to meet the Pastoral Staff and ministry leaders and get a better understanding of ministries & services that our church provides. A light lunch will be provided. For questions or more information, please contact Pastor Chaney (461-5561 Ext 121 or email cchaney@lighthousebaptist.com)

FIRST SAMUEL

When one discusses different books of the Bible, the book of First Samuel will often come to the forefront. Maybe the reason is twofold in that it is a great book of transition in the life of Israel and it also includes some major Bible characters of the Old Testament.

The book of First Samuel describes the transition of leadership in Israel from judges to kings. Three characters are prominent in the book; Samuel, the last judge and first prophet; Saul, the first king of Israel; and David, the king-elect, anointed but not yet recognized as Saul’s successor.

First Samuel covers the ninety-four-year period from the birth of Samuel to the death of Saul @ 1000 BC. Maybe the key word is this book is “transition”. First Samuel records the critical transition in Israel from the rule of God through the judges to His rule through the kings. The transition goes through three stages: Eli to Samuel, Samuel to Saul and Saul to David.

Key chapter is chapter 15. This chapter records the tragic transition of kingship from Saul to David. As in all three changes recorded in First Samuel, God removes His blessings from one and gives it to another because of sin. “Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” (15:23).

The book of course begins with the moving story of Hannah, the barren lady, who we know came to be the mother of the great man Samuel. What an exciting human interest story and in this story lays the ground work for the remainder of First Samuel. If you peek, you will discover that 2 Samuel is all David.

Samuel (1-7) Samuel’s story begins late in the confusion time of the judges when Eli is the judge-priest of Israel. The birth of Samuel and his early call by the Lord are found in chapters 1-3. Because of his response to God (3:19), he is chosen and confirmed as a prophet (3:20, 21) at a time when “the Word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” (3:1).

Saul (8-15) In their impatient demand for a king, Israel chooses less than God’s best. Their motive and criteria are wrong. Saul begins well, but his good characteristic soon degenerate. In spite of Samuel’s solemn warning which is prophetic, Saul and the people begin to act wickedly. Saul assumes the role of priest and offers up sacrifices. He makes a foolish vow and disobeys God’s command to destroy the Amalekites. Samuel’s powerful words in 15:22, 23 evoke a pathetic response from Saul in 15:24-31.

Saul and Samuel (16-31) When God rejects Saul, He commissions Samuel to anoint David as Israel’s next king. Samuel serves in Saul’s court and defeats the Philistine Goliath. Saul’s open rebellion against God is manifest. Saul also had an open dislike for David. David continues to escape from the hands of Saul. The Lord rebukes Saul and pronounces his doom; Saul and his sons are killed by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa in chapter 31.

Hopefully we will take time this week and revisit this wonderful and exciting book. I must warn you it is hard to put down when entered into.

Please pray for Pastor Fisher as he drives to San Marcos, CA to the North Hills Baptist Church and preaches for Pastor Dave Hetzer. Pastor Fisher will be preaching Monday (4/22), Tuesday (4/23) and Wednesday ( 4/24) evenings.