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Meditation for Deep Sleep_ Bedtime Love Stories with Beautiful Relaxing Music_ Ruth_Esther_Solomon · Abide Meditation App

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  Speaker 1: Find rest as you listen to this peaceful bedtime story.
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  Speaker 1: For more Bible stories that bring you refreshing sleep, download
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  Speaker 1: the Abide app in the iTunes or Google Play store.
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  Speaker 2: Listen as I begin your sleep story, allowing God's peace
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  Speaker 2: to settle over you. Take a deep breath and rest
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  Speaker 2: in God's presence. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill your room.
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  Speaker 2: Holy God, please settle my heart and my mind as
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  Speaker 2: I allow your presence to fill the room. Lord, I
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  Speaker 2: cast all of my anxieties on you. Thank you for
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  Speaker 2: your loving provision over me. I know that I can
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  Speaker 2: leave all worries behind and sleep deeply in your presence.
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  Speaker 2: I pray for complete trust in you tonight in Jesus name, Amen,
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  Speaker 2: Settle in. As the story of Ruth and Naomi unfolds
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  Speaker 2: through the eyes of Ruth, imagine the world that Ruth saw.
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  Speaker 2: Look once again past your grain fields and crops, decimated
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  Speaker 2: by drought and famine. You've lost everything. See a spot
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  Speaker 2: under oak trees where sadly your husband, Mollin is buried. Naomi,
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  Speaker 2: your mother in law, comes outside and sees you looking
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  Speaker 2: sadly out at the land. She grieves too, and has
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  Speaker 2: lost both her sons. There's nothing left for her here.
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  Speaker 2: She wants to go back to her land. Still well,
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  Speaker 2: she wants nothing but the best for you. See Naomi
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  Speaker 2: smile at you and speak this blessing over you. May
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  Speaker 2: the Lord show you kindness. May he help you find
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  Speaker 2: rest in another home. Naomi has been so kind to you.
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  Speaker 2: Your stepsister decides to leave Naomi and go back to
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  Speaker 2: her old friends and family. What will you do? You
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  Speaker 2: are so thankful for the kindness she has shown you.
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  Speaker 2: If you stay with Naomi, you will go to a
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  Speaker 2: new land and live in a new place without much money,
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  Speaker 2: but you'll do it with someone you love and trust. Look,
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  Speaker 2: Naomi says to you, your sister in law has gone
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  Speaker 2: back to her people and to her gods. You should
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  Speaker 2: do the same. But you have made up your mind.
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  Speaker 2: Don't ask me to leave you and turn back, you say.
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  Speaker 2: Your heart fills with love for her. Wherever you go,
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  Speaker 2: I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your
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  Speaker 2: people will be my people, and your God will be
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  Speaker 2: my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there
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  Speaker 2: I will be buried. Naomi sees your devotion and smiles.
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  Speaker 2: You both prepare for the trip to this new land together.
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  Speaker 2: You pack your belongings and go to sleep. As you
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  Speaker 2: close your eyes, you dream of the new places and
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  Speaker 2: people you will see tomorrow.
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  Speaker 3: Rest for a.
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  Speaker 2: Moment and breathe in that same spirit of trust from God.
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  Speaker 2: Breathe out and release your worries. Breathe in and let
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  Speaker 2: the Holy Spirit fill you with faith. Rest now in
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  Speaker 2: God's arms. You take off the cloth that covers your head,
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  Speaker 2: shake it out, and rewrap it across your forehead. The
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  Speaker 2: hot sun is beating down on you this morning, but
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  Speaker 2: you couldn't be happier. You stand in a field thick
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  Speaker 2: with grain. A wealthy man named Boas has let you
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  Speaker 2: pick his leftover barley. As you walk behind his workers,
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  Speaker 2: you hear Boaz's voice booming to the harvesters, blessing them
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  Speaker 2: The Lord be with you. Your cheeks flush. His deep
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  Speaker 2: baritone voice reminds you of your late husband Mollin. Secretly,
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  Speaker 2: you long for a strong and kind companion. Embarrassed by
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  Speaker 2: your thoughts, you glue your eyes to the ground. You
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  Speaker 2: overhear Boaz quiz a foreman, who does that young woman
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  Speaker 2: belong to?
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  Speaker 3: You?
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  Speaker 2: Hear him asking about you, and wonder whether he will
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  Speaker 2: despise you because you're a foreign woman. Breathe in and
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  Speaker 2: feel your heart beat. As Boaz approaches you, Boaz speaks
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  Speaker 2: gently to you, stay here with the women who work
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  Speaker 2: for me. You look into his eyes. They are warm,
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  Speaker 2: dancing with merriment. At meal time, Boaz says to you,
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  Speaker 2: come over here, have some bread and dip it in
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  Speaker 2: the wine vinegar. You feel him watching you as you
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  Speaker 2: take a piece of bread and dip it in the vinegar.
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  Speaker 2: You eat all you want and try not to blush.
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  Speaker 2: You didn't realize how hungry you were. At the end
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  Speaker 2: of the day, Boaz gives you a huge basket of
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  Speaker 2: food that you take home. You share your food and
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  Speaker 2: story with Naomi. Blessed be the man who took notice
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  Speaker 2: of you, Naomi says. Then Naomi suggests a bold plan.
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  Speaker 3: She tells you to.
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  Speaker 2: Dress up and visit Boaz at night after he sorts
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  Speaker 2: the grain out from the chaff. You hide your shock
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  Speaker 2: as Naomi describes how to lay at his feet.
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  Speaker 3: Your heart flutters, but you.
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  Speaker 2: Still tell Naomi, okay, I'll do everything you say. You
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  Speaker 2: tiptoe passed the grain pile and hear Boaz snoring softly.
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  Speaker 2: You lay down quietly at his feet. At midnight, Boaz
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  Speaker 2: wakes you up. You gather all your courage and ask
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  Speaker 2: him to give you his cover of protection as your
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  Speaker 2: family redeemer. His voice is tender. I am a guardian,
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  Speaker 2: redeemer of our family, he tells you. If the other
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  Speaker 2: guardian is not willing, I will do it. Boas hasn't
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  Speaker 2: rejected you. He's welcomed you as family. As you fall
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  Speaker 2: back asleep, savor the feeling that someone kind will take
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  Speaker 2: care of you. Rest for a moment and breathe in
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  Speaker 2: that same spirit of trust from God. Breathe out, Let
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  Speaker 2: go of any earthly thing you're clinging to. The Next morning,
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  Speaker 2: you go with Boaz to the town gate, surrounded by
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  Speaker 2: a crowd of witnesses neighbors. He commits himself to you.
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  Speaker 2: He tells the witnesses today you are witnesses that I
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  Speaker 2: have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Molland, to be
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  Speaker 2: my wife. Then the witnesses cheer for you. They look
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  Speaker 2: at you and speak this blessing over you. May the
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  Speaker 2: Lord make you like Rachel and Leah, from whom all
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  Speaker 2: the nation of Israel descended. Boaz beams with pride as
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  Speaker 2: they slap him on the back A few days later,
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  Speaker 2: Naomi places a bridal veil over your head. She smiles
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  Speaker 2: with tears in her eyes, reminding you of God's provision.
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  Speaker 2: Tears flow as you remember how far you've come. Only
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  Speaker 2: because of the Lord's goodness has this dream come to pass.
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  Speaker 2: Soon you have your first child, a baby boy. All
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  Speaker 2: your dreams have come true and more. You don't know
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  Speaker 2: it yet, but your son Obd will be the grandfather
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  Speaker 2: of David, the Great King of Israel. Through David's line,
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  Speaker 2: the Messiah will be born, Jesus the Redeemer for the
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  Speaker 2: entire world. May you dream in peace, trust God's provision
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  Speaker 2: and lay your future in his hands. Just as God
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  Speaker 2: provided richly for Ruth, he will provide richly for you.
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  Speaker 2: Bring anything that feels unresolved, relationships, projects, decisions, commit them
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  Speaker 2: over to God and his plans, and receive this same
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  Speaker 2: blessing that Ruth received. May the Lord, the God of Israel,
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  Speaker 2: under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward
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  Speaker 2: you fully for what you have done. As you rest,
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  Speaker 2: May the Holy Spirit fill you with his presence and
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  Speaker 2: anoint your dreams with peace. Let me pray for you
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  Speaker 2: now as you fall asleep, gracious and Loving Father, cover
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  Speaker 2: this one that you love with your presence tonight. Fill
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  Speaker 2: them with a sense of rest and peace as they
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  Speaker 2: surrender their day to you. Give them clarity about tomorrow,
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  Speaker 2: taking all anxious thoughts away. Please cover them with your
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  Speaker 2: spirit and allow them to rest deeply. In the precious
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  Speaker 2: name of your Son Jesus, I pray, Amen. Breathe steadily, now,
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  Speaker 2: resting fully in God's presence. Calm, comfort it, peaceful, trusting.
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  Speaker 2: Receive this prayer of blessing. Sovereign God, Thank you for
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  Speaker 2: creating me in your image. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
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  Speaker 2: I ask for perfect peace and rest tonight. Help your
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  Speaker 2: child sleep deeply under the stars, the countless stars that
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  Speaker 2: you have called by name, and help them to awaken,
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  Speaker 2: renewed and refreshed in the morning. In Jesus' holy name,
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  Speaker 2: I pray Amen, Now sleep in peace. The sovereign Creator
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  Speaker 2: knows you by name and has fashioned you for his glory,
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  Speaker 2: created in Christ Jesus by his word.
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  Speaker 4: Welcome to the Bedtime Story. A love song from King Solomon.
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  Speaker 4: This is a love story from the Bible, taken from
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  Speaker 4: the Song of Solomon. Everyone on earth longs to feel loved.
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  Speaker 4: Everyone desires to be cared for. It is a longing
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  Speaker 4: that has been placed in us by our loving creator,
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  Speaker 4: and this takes place in the covenant of marriage. Let
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  Speaker 4: this sleep story gently guide you into the loving presence
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  Speaker 4: of God. It is God's spirit who dwells in the
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  Speaker 4: life of every believer, who gives us the love and
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  Speaker 4: peace that we so desire. So as we begin, take
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  Speaker 4: a moment to get comfortable this gently and softly close
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  Speaker 4: your eyes, relax your arms, slowly breathe in and invite
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  Speaker 4: God's peace into the room. Let go of your worries
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  Speaker 4: and concerns. Allow God's hand to cover you as I
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  Speaker 4: pray over you now. Dear Loving Father, thank you for
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  Speaker 4: your rest, for your love, and for your mercy. As
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  Speaker 4: this child of yours sleeps tonight, when they dream, Lord,
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  Speaker 4: let them feel your loving arms. Let them slumber under
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  Speaker 4: the shadow of your wings. With each breath they take, Lord,
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  Speaker 4: fill them with your great love and peace. I pray
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  Speaker 4: this and the wonderful name of Jesus, our Savior and
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  Speaker 4: our King. Amen. So imagine it is a great day
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  Speaker 4: of celebration. You have been invited to the wedding of
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  Speaker 4: King Solomon. He is your dear and beloved friend. Your
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  Speaker 4: heart is so full of hope and promise for the
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  Speaker 4: bride and the groom. You want only what is best
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  Speaker 4: for them. You are grateful to witness such a beautiful
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  Speaker 4: and important ceremony. Outside, the day is dawning, fresh and clean.
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  Speaker 4: It is springtime and the earth is abundant with life.
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  Speaker 4: You hear birds chirping in the distance, and a soft
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  Speaker 4: breeze blows through the leaves of the trees. The sun
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  Speaker 4: is warm on your face, and the scent of new
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  Speaker 4: life is all around you. This is truly a perfect
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  Speaker 4: day for a wedding celebration. As you enter the Holy Sanctuary,
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  Speaker 4: you feel a sense of awe and wonder. The room
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  Speaker 4: is filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers. You hear
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  Speaker 4: the soft melody of a love song played on a
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  Speaker 4: stringed instrument. Sunlight is coming through the stained glass windows,
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  Speaker 4: casting rainbows of light across the room. It is breath taking.
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  Speaker 4: As you breathe in and out, you smell the sense
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  Speaker 4: of cinnamon, frankincense, and myrrhr. They are soothing fragrances that
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  Speaker 4: the bride is used to prepare for her wedding day.
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  Speaker 4: They bring a sense of calmness and peace as you
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  Speaker 4: wait for the wedding ceremony to begin. Quietly, you look around,
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  Speaker 4: taking it all in the stillness of the room, the
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  Speaker 4: sweet music, and the echo of time. It is calming
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  Speaker 4: your soul. In the distance, you hear the voice of
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  Speaker 4: Solomon calling to his bride, as he says, Arise, my love,
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  Speaker 4: my beautiful one, and come away. For behold, the winter
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  Speaker 4: is past, and the rain is over and gone. But
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  Speaker 4: the flowers appear on the earth. The time of singing
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  Speaker 4: has come, and the voice of the turtle dove is
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  Speaker 4: heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs,
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  Speaker 4: and the vines are in blossom. They give forth fragrance.
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  Speaker 4: So arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
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  Speaker 4: As you hear the words of Solomon, your friend calling
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  Speaker 4: out to his beautiful bride, joy fills your soul to
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  Speaker 4: overflowing like a waterfall cascading down. You can almost hear
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  Speaker 4: the rushing water, flowing steadfast and constant. And then you
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  Speaker 4: hear the bride in sweet response to her beloved. She
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  Speaker 4: calls out, as an apple tree among the trees of
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  Speaker 4: the forest, So is my beloved among the young men.
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  Speaker 4: With great delight, I sat in his shadow, and his
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  Speaker 4: fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought to me
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  Speaker 4: the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
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  Speaker 4: His banner over me is love.
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  Speaker 2: You.
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  Speaker 4: Let those words settle into your heart and mind, for
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  Speaker 4: you are reminder that the Lord's banner over you is love.
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  Speaker 4: You rest under his banner in peace and comfort. King
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  Speaker 4: Solomon and his groomsmen arrive in a carriage made of
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  Speaker 4: silver and gold and fine purple. It is a glorious
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  Speaker 4: sight as the king makes his entrance wearing his royal crown.
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  Speaker 4: Come out, o maidens of Zion and gaze upon King Solomon.
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  Speaker 4: He is wearing the crown with which his mother crowned
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  Speaker 4: him on his wedding day, On the most joyous day
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  Speaker 4: of his life. He is surrounded by sixty warriors, some
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  Speaker 4: of Israel's mightiest men, well trained in the art of warfare.
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  Speaker 4: Each has his sword at his side to guard against
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  Speaker 4: the terrors of the night. You are comforted by the
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  Speaker 4: thought of being guarded against the terrors of the night.
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  Speaker 4: There is nothing to fear. The Lord is guarding you.
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  Speaker 4: He is surrounding you with the fortress of love. Solomon
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  Speaker 4: and his men take their place and soon there's a
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  Speaker 4: quiet hush over the sanctuary. As the bride makes her entrance,
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  Speaker 4: everyone stands in honor of her. She is the loveliest
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  Speaker 4: of brides. As she makes her way towards her beloved,
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  Speaker 4: the joy on Solomon's face is unmistakable. As she approaches,
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  Speaker 4: he says, Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold you
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  Speaker 4: are beautiful. Your eyes are doves behind your veil. You
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  Speaker 4: have captivated my heart, my bride, You have captivated my
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  Speaker 4: heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel
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  Speaker 4: of your necklace. How beautiful is your loved How much
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  Speaker 4: better is your love than wine? And the fragrance of
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  Speaker 4: your oils than any spice. As the bride and groom
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  Speaker 4: commit their love to one another, you are reminded of
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  Speaker 4: God's commitment to you through Jesus, his Son. He has
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  Speaker 4: loved you with an everlasting love, pure and holy. Then
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  Speaker 4: you hear the bride speak to Solomon words of allegiance, loyalty,
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  Speaker 4: and devotion. Set me as a seal upon your heart,
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  Speaker 4: as a seal upon your arm. For love is strong
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  Speaker 4: as death, Jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes
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  Speaker 4: are flashes of fire. The very flame of the Lord.
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  Speaker 4: Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.
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  Speaker 4: If a man offered for love all the wealth of
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  Speaker 4: his house, he would be utterly despised. As Solomon hears
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  Speaker 4: her words, his heart is filled with overwhelming love, and
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  Speaker 4: in return he makes a declaration over her. You are
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  Speaker 4: beautiful as Tearsah, my love, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome is
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  Speaker 4: an army with banners. Until the day breathes and the
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  Speaker 4: shadows flee, I will go away to the mountain of Murr,
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  Speaker 4: in the hill of Frankensonse. You are all together, beautiful,
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  Speaker 4: my love. There is no flaw in you. As the
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  Speaker 4: bride and groom commit to a life of unity, you
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  Speaker 4: are drawn back to your unity with the Lord, perfect
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  Speaker 4: and Holy. You breathe deeply in and out, releasing anything
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  Speaker 4: that has come between you and your Savior. You know
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  Speaker 4: that in Christ you are covered by a love that
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  Speaker 4: is matchless. As the newly married couple make their way
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  Speaker 4: down the aisle, your heart is filled with joy. You
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  Speaker 4: have witnessed the pure, beautiful love between Solomon and his bride.
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  Speaker 4: Now tonight, as you rest in perfect peace, allow this
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  Speaker 4: love story to remind you of the deep and magnificent
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  Speaker 4: love of God. There is no other love that is
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  Speaker 4: more complete. Let's pray, Gracious Redeemer, please place your loving
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  Speaker 4: hand over your beloved tonight, Lord, as they sleep, let
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  Speaker 4: them fully rest in your presence. Let them know the
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  Speaker 4: depths of your love for them, and thank you for
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  Speaker 4: covering them in holiness and peace in Jesus' name.
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  Speaker 2: Amen.
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  Speaker 4: Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than
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  Speaker 4: for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. It
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  Speaker 4: isn't always me first. Love doesn't fly off the handle.
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  Speaker 4: Love doesn't keep score of the sins of others. Love
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  Speaker 4: takes pleasure in the flowering of truth. Love puts up
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  Speaker 4: with anything. It trusts God always. It always looks for
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  Speaker 4: the best. Love never looks back. That keeps going to
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  Speaker 4: the end. With your eyes still closed, listen one final
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  Speaker 4: time as I read and you reflect on First Corinthians,
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  Speaker 4: Chapter thirteen, verse six and seven. Love does not rejoice
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  Speaker 4: a wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things,
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  Speaker 4: believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Now,
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  Speaker 4: with your eyes still close, your hands over your heart,
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  Speaker 4: just feeling the rhythm of your heart beating, I want
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  Speaker 4: you to imagine this passage from First Peter, Chapter four.
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  Speaker 4: Peter wrote this open letter to the believers who had
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  Speaker 4: been dispersed throughout the Aims and were under intense persecution.
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  Speaker 4: And Peter knew about persecution. He was beaten, threatened, punished,
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  Speaker 4: and jailed just for preaching the word of God. He
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  Speaker 4: knew what it took to endure without bitterness, without losing hope.
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  Speaker 4: In his letter, he acknowledges these are hard times, but
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  Speaker 4: for all of us to be self controlled and sober
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  Speaker 4: minded for the sake of our prayers. Above all, he
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  Speaker 4: says for us to keep loving one another earnestly, since
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  Speaker 4: love covers a multitude of sins, and we should show
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  Speaker 4: hospitality to one another without grumbling. So, allowing the Spirit
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  Speaker 4: to guide your imagination for a moment, imagine you are
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  Speaker 4: in a church under severe persecution when you receive this
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  Speaker 4: letter from Peter. How do you feel hearing they should
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  Speaker 4: keep showing love and hospitality. Imagine their emotions now. Will
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  Speaker 4: you join me now in closing prayer. Dear God of
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  Speaker 4: Love and truth, you are patient, You were kind, You
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  Speaker 4: have given me grace upon grace. You sent your son
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  Speaker 4: Jesus to be the bridegroom of your church. And so
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  Speaker 4: when you see me, you see one that has been
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  Speaker 4: grafted into the family. I had been given a new name,
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  Speaker 4: a new identity. Let me love the way First Corinthians
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  Speaker 4: thirteen describes love does not delight in evil, but rejoices
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  Speaker 4: with the truth. It always protects, always hopes, and always perseveres.
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  Speaker 4: And it's in Jesus name, I pray hemen.
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  Speaker 2: Welcome to the bedtime story of Esther. Chosen by the King.
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  Speaker 2: Being chosen for an important job can feel pressuring. Meeting
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  Speaker 2: deadlines can leave you feeling stressed and anxious. Esther felt
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  Speaker 2: pressure as well when she was called from ordinary living
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  Speaker 2: to a royal position. However, est was chosen by God
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  Speaker 2: for a purpose, and she chose to trust him. Now
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  Speaker 2: close your eyes and relax. Put your trust in the Lord.
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  Speaker 2: Let go of all the pressures you face and give
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  Speaker 2: them over to God. Take a deep breath and rest
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  Speaker 2: in God's presence. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill your room.
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  Speaker 2: Listen as I begin your sleep story, allowing God's peace
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  Speaker 2: to settle over you. Holy God, Please settle my heart
• 29:12
  Speaker 2: and my mind as I allow your presence to fill
• 29:15
  Speaker 2: the room. Lord, I cast all of my anxieties on you.
• 29:22
  Speaker 2: Thank you for your loving provision over me. I know
• 29:26
  Speaker 2: that I can leave all worries behind and sleep deeply
• 29:30
  Speaker 2: in your presence. I pray for complete trust in you
• 29:36
  Speaker 2: tonight in Jesus name. Amen. Now imagine that you are Esther.
• 29:47
  Speaker 2: You live with your uncle Mordecai in the Persian city
• 29:50
  Speaker 2: of Suza. Your uncle loves you like his own daughter.
• 29:55
  Speaker 2: He has cared for you faithfully since your father and
• 29:58
  Speaker 2: mother passed. You feel great security and comfort that God
• 30:03
  Speaker 2: has cared for you through hard times. The Persian king
• 30:08
  Speaker 2: wants a new wife, and he's asking to have beautiful
• 30:12
  Speaker 2: young women from the region presented to him. Mordecai wants
• 30:17
  Speaker 2: to send you to the king's court along with the
• 30:20
  Speaker 2: other young women of the region. You go willingly, but
• 30:25
  Speaker 2: do not mention that you are Jewish. You are following
• 30:29
  Speaker 2: the direction of your uncle, who loves you and is
• 30:32
  Speaker 2: trying to protect you. How does it feel to be
• 30:36
  Speaker 2: protected by someone who loves you very much and only
• 30:40
  Speaker 2: wants the best for you. As you enter the king's courts,
• 30:47
  Speaker 2: you're put under the care of Hagai, the caretaker of
• 30:51
  Speaker 2: the young women. He finds favor in you and gives
• 30:55
  Speaker 2: you everything you need. You have never seen such beautiful,
• 31:00
  Speaker 2: lavish things. The gold, the silver, all of it is exquisite.
• 31:06
  Speaker 2: You are amazed by Hagai's favor and kindness. You look
• 31:10
  Speaker 2: around and take it all in. This is your new life.
• 31:19
  Speaker 2: Every morning, your uncle Mordecai paces in front of the
• 31:22
  Speaker 2: women's living quarters to inquire of your well being. Let
• 31:27
  Speaker 2: this picture of Mordecai remind you that God cares for
• 31:31
  Speaker 2: you and never stops pacing outside your door, ensuring your
• 31:36
  Speaker 2: safety and well being. Remember that even while you sleep,
• 31:42
  Speaker 2: God does not sleep or slumber. He keeps perfect watch
• 31:46
  Speaker 2: over you. Let that give you peaceful rest tonight, knowing
• 31:52
  Speaker 2: that your heavenly father is keeping you safe. For twelve
• 32:02
  Speaker 2: long months, you prepare yourself to meet the King. Beauty
• 32:07
  Speaker 2: treatments that include oils and perfumes are given to you
• 32:11
  Speaker 2: and all the young women who are candidates to be
• 32:14
  Speaker 2: the next queen. Imagine the sweet fragrance of those ancient
• 32:19
  Speaker 2: oils and perfumes that are used in your preparation. Inhale
• 32:26
  Speaker 2: deeply now and relax your body even more as you
• 32:31
  Speaker 2: imagine the beautiful fragrances used in preparation to meet the king.
• 32:42
  Speaker 2: As time goes on, you gain the favor of all
• 32:45
  Speaker 2: who meet you. You ask for wisdom and seek guidance
• 32:49
  Speaker 2: from your uncle Mordecai. You are a woman of wisdom
• 32:53
  Speaker 2: and discernment in all things. Finally, it is time to
• 33:01
  Speaker 2: meet the king. When you are taken into the royal court,
• 33:05
  Speaker 2: the king loves you more than all the others. You
• 33:10
  Speaker 2: find grace and favor in his sight. He places a
• 33:14
  Speaker 2: crown upon your head and you become the new Queen
• 33:18
  Speaker 2: of Persia. Of course, God has even more plans for you.
• 33:25
  Speaker 2: You don't know it yet, but you are going to
• 33:27
  Speaker 2: be instrumental in saving God's people from persecution. With your
• 33:33
  Speaker 2: royal title, you are now in a position to protect
• 33:36
  Speaker 2: the Jewish nation. Trust that God has a divine purpose
• 33:41
  Speaker 2: for your life. Rest securely in that purpose. Now, the
• 33:51
  Speaker 2: King does not know that you are Jewish, for you
• 33:54
  Speaker 2: continue to hide it from him, as your uncle Mordecai
• 33:57
  Speaker 2: directed you to do. This is all part of God's
• 34:01
  Speaker 2: perfect plan. Over time, the king puts into command a
• 34:08
  Speaker 2: man by the name of Haman. Being a prideful and
• 34:12
  Speaker 2: arrogant man. Hayman takes offense at Mordecai, your uncle because
• 34:16
  Speaker 2: he refuses to bow down to him. Enraged, Haman orders
• 34:21
  Speaker 2: that all Jews throughout the whole region be put to death. However,
• 34:28
  Speaker 2: even as Hayman plots to destroy the Jewish people, you
• 34:32
  Speaker 2: have been put in a role to protect them. You
• 34:35
  Speaker 2: are courageous and brave, excepting that God has placed you
• 34:40
  Speaker 2: in such a time as this. Rest deeply and ponder
• 34:45
  Speaker 2: being used by the Lord for a mighty purpose. For
• 34:49
  Speaker 2: such a time as this. Let those words settle in
• 34:56
  Speaker 2: your mind as you release your anxieties to the Lord.
• 35:00
  Speaker 2: For such a time as this, you make the decision
• 35:09
  Speaker 2: to approach the King, even though you have not been
• 35:12
  Speaker 2: summoned by him. This is a dangerous act, for no
• 35:16
  Speaker 2: one is allowed to approach the King without his command.
• 35:20
  Speaker 2: You send a message to your uncle Mordecai, asking him
• 35:24
  Speaker 2: and all of the Jewish people to fast and pray
• 35:28
  Speaker 2: for you. For three days and nights. You and the
• 35:32
  Speaker 2: Jewish nation fast and pray in preparation to meet the
• 35:36
  Speaker 2: King with courage. You tell your uncle, if I perish,
• 35:42
  Speaker 2: I perish. You are brave for your people. You are
• 35:46
  Speaker 2: faithful to God. You get ready to go to sleep
• 35:51
  Speaker 2: in the palace. You lay on the soft, smooth pillows
• 35:55
  Speaker 2: and cuddle in the fluffy royal blankets with your eyes closed.
• 36:00
  Speaker 2: You pray for favor with the King. Breathe deeply of
• 36:06
  Speaker 2: the Holy Spirit, asking him to give you courage. Breathe
• 36:14
  Speaker 2: out and release all of your fears to the Lord.
• 36:19
  Speaker 2: Receive peace and courage as you rest. Finally, after three
• 36:29
  Speaker 2: days of fasting and praying, you dress in your royal
• 36:33
  Speaker 2: robes and approach the King's quarters. He is on his
• 36:38
  Speaker 2: royal throne, and when he sees you, his eyes brightened
• 36:42
  Speaker 2: and he smiles warmly. The King extends the royal scepter
• 36:46
  Speaker 2: to you, which is a sign of acceptance and invitation.
• 36:51
  Speaker 2: You approach him and he asks you eagerly, what is
• 36:55
  Speaker 2: it you need, Queen Esther, what do you request of me?
• 36:59
  Speaker 2: You know that I will give you what you request,
• 37:02
  Speaker 2: even half of my kingdom. Instead of making your request
• 37:09
  Speaker 2: known to the King, the request to save your people,
• 37:12
  Speaker 2: you invite the King and his nobleman, Hayman, to a
• 37:15
  Speaker 2: feast that you've prepared. Your plan is to trap Hayman
• 37:20
  Speaker 2: in his evil plan to destroy your people. As Hayman
• 37:24
  Speaker 2: and the King eat and drink, they're merry in heart,
• 37:28
  Speaker 2: and the king once again asks you, what do you
• 37:31
  Speaker 2: request of me, my queen? I will give you up
• 37:34
  Speaker 2: to half my kingdom, But you do not disclose your request,
• 37:39
  Speaker 2: not yet. Instead, you once again invite Haman and the
• 37:43
  Speaker 2: king to a feast that you will prepare for them
• 37:46
  Speaker 2: the next day. When Haman hears this, he goes away, joyful,
• 37:51
  Speaker 2: thinking he is important and exalted above the rest. As
• 37:55
  Speaker 2: he approaches the gate, however, Hayman sees your uncle Mordecai.
• 38:01
  Speaker 2: Mordecai does not rise or bow before Hayman, which fills
• 38:04
  Speaker 2: Haman with great wrath against Mordecai and the Jews. Hayman
• 38:09
  Speaker 2: goes to his house and invites his wife and friends
• 38:12
  Speaker 2: to join him. His anger against Mordecai puts a damper
• 38:16
  Speaker 2: on his mood, so his wife and friends give him
• 38:19
  Speaker 2: the idea of building a gallows on which to hang Mordecai. Meanwhile,
• 38:26
  Speaker 2: the king cannot sleep, so he asks his servants to
• 38:30
  Speaker 2: read from the chronicles of memorable deeds. In these chronicles,
• 38:34
  Speaker 2: it is recorded that Mordecai once warned the king of
• 38:38
  Speaker 2: a plot against his life. As the king hears this,
• 38:42
  Speaker 2: he wants to know if Mordecai has ever been honored
• 38:44
  Speaker 2: for his memorable deed. When the king realizes that Mordecai
• 38:49
  Speaker 2: has never been rewarded, he calls Haman into his courts.
• 38:53
  Speaker 2: Of course, Haman is already waiting outside the door, anxious
• 38:57
  Speaker 2: to tell the king of his plans to hang Mordechai
• 39:00
  Speaker 2: on the gallows. So when the King summons Hayman to
• 39:04
  Speaker 2: come in, Hayman is positive that the king is going
• 39:07
  Speaker 2: to promote him. The King asks Hayman this question, what
• 39:14
  Speaker 2: should be done to the man whom the king delights
• 39:17
  Speaker 2: to honor. Hayman, thinking that the king is speaking about him, answers,
• 39:23
  Speaker 2: let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn,
• 39:27
  Speaker 2: and the horse that the king has ridden, and on
• 39:29
  Speaker 2: whose head a royal crown is set. The King likes
• 39:33
  Speaker 2: Hayman's answer and tells him, hurry, take the robes and
• 39:37
  Speaker 2: the horse as you have said, and do so to Mordecai,
• 39:41
  Speaker 2: the Jew who sits at the king's gate, leave out
• 39:44
  Speaker 2: nothing you have mentioned. Hayman follows the king's orders, but
• 39:51
  Speaker 2: then goes to his house with his head covered as
• 39:54
  Speaker 2: if he is in mourning. His wife and friends are there,
• 39:58
  Speaker 2: but have no word to console him. The King's eunuchs
• 40:03
  Speaker 2: escort Haman to the feast that you've prepared, and after
• 40:07
  Speaker 2: the King enjoys the feast, he asks you once more,
• 40:11
  Speaker 2: what is your wish? Queen Esther, what is your request?
• 40:15
  Speaker 2: I shall give it to you. Finally, you tell the
• 40:21
  Speaker 2: King what you desire, that your people be spared from
• 40:25
  Speaker 2: the decree of death. You remind the King of the
• 40:29
  Speaker 2: edict that has been sent to every Jew in the region,
• 40:32
  Speaker 2: the edict that every man, woman and child be put
• 40:36
  Speaker 2: to death. The King then asks you who sent the edict,
• 40:40
  Speaker 2: and you point to Haman. It is him. You say,
• 40:45
  Speaker 2: it is Hayman. Finally the truth has come out the
• 40:50
  Speaker 2: plot against God's people. You are relieved that Hayman is
• 40:54
  Speaker 2: caught in his schemes, but you are even more relieved
• 40:58
  Speaker 2: that the Jewish nation, your beloved kinsmen, are saved. For
• 41:02
  Speaker 2: the King not only accepts your plea, but extends his
• 41:06
  Speaker 2: own signet ring to Mordecai, your uncle. It is a
• 41:10
  Speaker 2: sign of promise and hope. Let this beautiful story of
• 41:15
  Speaker 2: redemption fill your thoughts as you sleep in quiet rest
• 41:19
  Speaker 2: and trust. As you rest, May the Holy Spirit fill
• 41:25
  Speaker 2: you with his presence and anoint your dreams with peace.
• 41:30
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep.
• 41:35
  Speaker 2: Gracious and loving Father, cover this one that you love
• 41:39
  Speaker 2: with your presence tonight. Fill them with a sense of
• 41:44
  Speaker 2: rest and peace as they surrender their day to you.
• 41:49
  Speaker 2: Give them clarity about tomorrow, taking all anxious thoughts away.
• 41:55
  Speaker 2: Please cover them with your spirit and allow them to
• 41:58
  Speaker 2: rest deeply in the precious name of your Son, Jesus,
• 42:03
  Speaker 2: I pray Amen. Breathe steadily now, resting fully in God's presence. Calm,
• 42:14
  Speaker 2: comfort it, peaceful, trusting.
• 42:22
  Speaker 4: This is a love story from the Bible, taken from
• 42:25
  Speaker 4: the Song of Solomon. Everyone on earth longs to feel loved.
• 42:32
  Speaker 4: Everyone desires to be cared for. It is a longing
• 42:36
  Speaker 4: that has been placed in us by our loving creator,
• 42:40
  Speaker 4: and this story takes place in the Covenant of marriage.
• 42:46
  Speaker 4: Let this sleep story gently guide you into the loving
• 42:50
  Speaker 4: presence of God. It is God's spirit who dwells in
• 42:54
  Speaker 4: the life of every believer, who gives us the love
• 42:57
  Speaker 4: and peace that we so desire. So, as we begin,
• 43:04
  Speaker 4: take a moment to get comfortable. Just gently and softly
• 43:08
  Speaker 4: close your eyes, relax your arms, slowly, breathe in and
• 43:16
  Speaker 4: invite God's peace into the room. Let go of your
• 43:21
  Speaker 4: worries and concerns. Allow God's hand to cover you as
• 43:27
  Speaker 4: I pray over you now. Dear loving Father, thank you
• 43:31
  Speaker 4: for your rest, for your love, and for your mercy.
• 43:37
  Speaker 4: As this child of yours sleeps tonight and they dream, Lord,
• 43:42
  Speaker 4: let them feel your loving arms. Let them slumber under
• 43:47
  Speaker 4: the shadow of your wings. With each breath they take, Lord,
• 43:52
  Speaker 4: fill them with your great love and peace. I pray
• 43:57
  Speaker 4: this and the wonderful name of Jesus, our Savior and
• 44:00
  Speaker 4: our King.
• 44:01
  Speaker 3: Amen.
• 44:06
  Speaker 4: So imagine it is a great day of celebration. You
• 44:10
  Speaker 4: have been invited to the wedding of King Solomon. He
• 44:14
  Speaker 4: is your dear and beloved friend. Your heart is so
• 44:18
  Speaker 4: full of hope and promise for the bride and the groom.
• 44:23
  Speaker 4: You want only what is best for them. You are
• 44:26
  Speaker 4: grateful to witness such a beautiful and important ceremony. Outside,
• 44:33
  Speaker 4: the day is dawning, fresh and clean. It is springtime,
• 44:38
  Speaker 4: and the earth is abundant with life. You hear birds
• 44:42
  Speaker 4: chirping in the distance, and a soft breeze blows through
• 44:45
  Speaker 4: the leaves of the trees. The sun is warm on
• 44:51
  Speaker 4: your face, and the scent of new life is all
• 44:54
  Speaker 4: around you. This is truly a perfect day for a
• 44:58
  Speaker 4: wedding celebration. As you enter the Holy Sanctuary, you feel
• 45:05
  Speaker 4: a sense of awe and wonder. The room is filled
• 45:09
  Speaker 4: with the sweet fragrance of flowers. You hear the soft
• 45:13
  Speaker 4: melody of a love song played on a stringed instrument.
• 45:18
  Speaker 4: Sunlight is coming through the stained glass windows, casting rainbows
• 45:23
  Speaker 4: of light across the room.
• 45:24
  Speaker 3: It is breathtaking.
• 45:28
  Speaker 4: As you breathe in and out, you smell the sense
• 45:31
  Speaker 4: of cinnamon, franken sense, and mirr They are soothing fragrances
• 45:37
  Speaker 4: that the bride is used to prepare for her wedding day.
• 45:42
  Speaker 4: They bring a sense of calmness and peace as you
• 45:44
  Speaker 4: wait for the wedding ceremony to begin. Quietly you look around,
• 45:52
  Speaker 4: taking it all in the stillness of the room, the
• 45:57
  Speaker 4: sweet music, and the echo of time. It is calming
• 46:02
  Speaker 4: your soul. In the distance, you hear the voice of
• 46:09
  Speaker 4: Solomon calling to his bride, as he says, Arise, my love,
• 46:15
  Speaker 4: my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter
• 46:19
  Speaker 4: is past, and the rain is over and gone. But
• 46:23
  Speaker 4: the flowers appear on the earth. The time of singing
• 46:26
  Speaker 4: has come, and the voice of the turtle dove is
• 46:30
  Speaker 4: heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs,
• 46:34
  Speaker 4: and the vines are in blossom. They give forth fragrance.
• 46:39
  Speaker 4: So arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
• 46:46
  Speaker 4: As you hear the words of Solomon, your friend, calling
• 46:49
  Speaker 4: out to his beautiful bride, joy fills your soul to
• 46:54
  Speaker 4: overflowing like a waterfall cascading down. You can almost hear
• 46:59
  Speaker 4: the rushing water, flowing steadfast and constant. And then you
• 47:06
  Speaker 4: hear the bride in sweet response to her beloved. She
• 47:10
  Speaker 4: calls out, as an apple tree among the trees of
• 47:14
  Speaker 4: the forest. So is my beloved among the young men.
• 47:18
  Speaker 4: With great delight. I sat in his shadow, and his
• 47:22
  Speaker 4: fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought to me
• 47:26
  Speaker 4: the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
• 47:33
  Speaker 4: His banner over me is love. You let those words
• 47:37
  Speaker 4: settle into your heart and mind, for you are reminded
• 47:41
  Speaker 4: that the Lord's banner over you is love. You rest
• 47:46
  Speaker 4: under his banner in peace and comfort. King Solomon and
• 47:53
  Speaker 4: his groomsmen arrive in a carriage made of silver and
• 47:57
  Speaker 4: gold and fine purple. It is glorious sight as the
• 48:02
  Speaker 4: king makes his entrance, wearing his royal crown, come out,
• 48:07
  Speaker 4: o maidens of Zion and gaze upon King Solomon. He
• 48:11
  Speaker 4: is wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him
• 48:14
  Speaker 4: on his wedding day, On the most joyous day of
• 48:17
  Speaker 4: his life. He is surrounded by sixty warriors, some of
• 48:22
  Speaker 4: Israel's mightiest men, well trained in the art of warfare.
• 48:28
  Speaker 4: Each has his sword at his side to guard against
• 48:31
  Speaker 4: the terrors of the night. You are comforted by the
• 48:36
  Speaker 4: thought of being guarded against the terrors of the night.
• 48:39
  Speaker 4: There is nothing to fear. The Lord is guarding you.
• 48:43
  Speaker 4: He is surrounding you with a fortress of love. Solomon
• 48:50
  Speaker 4: and his men take their place, and soon there's a
• 48:54
  Speaker 4: quiet hush over the sanctuary. As the bride makes her entrance,
• 49:02
  Speaker 4: everyone stands in honor of her. She is the loveliest
• 49:06
  Speaker 4: of brides. As she makes her way towards her beloved,
• 49:10
  Speaker 4: the joy on Solomon's face is unmistakable. As she approaches,
• 49:16
  Speaker 4: he says, Behold you are beautiful, my love. Behold you
• 49:22
  Speaker 4: are beautiful. Your eyes are doves behind your veil. You
• 49:27
  Speaker 4: have captivated my heart, my bride, You have captivated my
• 49:32
  Speaker 4: heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel
• 49:36
  Speaker 4: of your necklace. How beautiful is your love? How much
• 49:43
  Speaker 4: better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of
• 49:47
  Speaker 4: your oils than any spice. As the bride and groom
• 49:53
  Speaker 4: commit their love to one another, you are reminded of
• 49:56
  Speaker 4: God's commitment to you through Jesus, his Son. He has
• 50:02
  Speaker 4: loved you with an everlasting love, pure and holy. Then
• 50:12
  Speaker 4: you hear the bride speak to Solomon words of allegiance, loyalty,
• 50:17
  Speaker 4: and devotion. Set me as a seal upon your heart,
• 50:23
  Speaker 4: as a seal upon your arm For love is strong
• 50:27
  Speaker 4: as death. Jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes
• 50:32
  Speaker 4: are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.
• 50:36
  Speaker 4: Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.
• 50:41
  Speaker 4: If a man offered for love all the wealth of
• 50:44
  Speaker 4: his house, you would be utterly despised. As Solomon hears
• 50:52
  Speaker 4: her words, his heart is filled with overwhelming love, and
• 50:56
  Speaker 4: in return he makes a declaration over her. You are
• 51:02
  Speaker 4: beautiful as tearsah my love, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as
• 51:08
  Speaker 4: an army with banners. Until the day breathes and the
• 51:13
  Speaker 4: shadows flee, I will go away to the mountain of Murr,
• 51:17
  Speaker 4: In the hill of frankinsonse, you are all together, beautiful,
• 51:22
  Speaker 4: my love. There is no flaw in you. As the
• 51:29
  Speaker 4: bride and groom commit to a life of unity, you
• 51:32
  Speaker 4: are drawn back to your unity with the Lord, perfect
• 51:36
  Speaker 4: and holy. You breathe deeply in and out, releasing anything
• 51:44
  Speaker 4: that has come between you and your Savior. You know
• 51:48
  Speaker 4: that in Christ you are covered by a love that
• 51:50
  Speaker 4: is matchless. As the newly married couple make their way
• 51:58
  Speaker 4: down the aisle, your heart is filled with joy. You
• 52:03
  Speaker 4: have witnessed the pure, beautiful love between Solomon and his bride.
• 52:11
  Speaker 4: Now tonight, as you rest in perfect peace, allow this
• 52:15
  Speaker 4: love story to remind you of the deep and magnificent
• 52:19
  Speaker 4: love of God. There is no other love that is
• 52:22
  Speaker 4: more complete. Let's pray, Gracious Redeemer, please place your loving
• 52:30
  Speaker 4: hand over your beloved tonight. Lord, as they sleep, let
• 52:35
  Speaker 4: them fully rest in your presence. Let them know the
• 52:39
  Speaker 4: depths of your love for them, and thank you for
• 52:42
  Speaker 4: covering them in holiness and peace in Jesus' name. Amen.
• 52:54
  Speaker 4: Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than
• 53:01
  Speaker 4: for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. It
• 53:11
  Speaker 4: isn't always me first. Love doesn't fly off the handle
• 53:21
  Speaker 4: Love doesn't keep score of the sins of others. Love
• 53:30
  Speaker 4: takes pleasure in the flowering of truth. Love puts up
• 53:38
  Speaker 4: with anything. It trusts God always. It always looks for
• 53:46
  Speaker 4: the best. Love never looks back. That keeps going to
• 53:55
  Speaker 4: the end. With your eyes still closed, listen one fire
• 54:00
  Speaker 4: all time as I read and you reflect on First Corinthians,
• 54:04
  Speaker 4: Chapter thirteen, verse six and seven. Love does not rejoice
• 54:10
  Speaker 4: a wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things,
• 54:16
  Speaker 4: believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Now,
• 54:23
  Speaker 4: with your eyes still close, your hands over your heart,
• 54:26
  Speaker 4: just feeling the rhythm of your heart beating, I want
• 54:31
  Speaker 4: you to imagine this passage from First Peter chapter four.
• 54:35
  Speaker 4: Peter wrote this open letter to the believers who had
• 54:38
  Speaker 4: been dispersed throughout the ancient world and were under intense persecution.
• 54:46
  Speaker 4: And Peter knew about persecution. He was beaten, threatened, punished,
• 54:51
  Speaker 4: and jailed just for preaching the word of God. He
• 54:56
  Speaker 4: knew what it took to endure without bitterness, without losing hope.
• 55:03
  Speaker 4: In his letter, he acknowledges these are hard times, but
• 55:07
  Speaker 4: for all of us to be self controlled and sober minded.
• 55:11
  Speaker 4: For the sake of our prayers. Above all, he says
• 55:14
  Speaker 4: for us to keep loving one another earnestly, since love
• 55:18
  Speaker 4: covers a multitude of sins, and we should show hospitality
• 55:24
  Speaker 4: to one another without grumbling. So, allowing the spirit to
• 55:29
  Speaker 4: guide your imagination for a moment, imagine you are in
• 55:33
  Speaker 4: a church under severe persecution when you receive this letter
• 55:40
  Speaker 4: from Peter. How do you feel hearing they should keep
• 55:45
  Speaker 4: showing love and hospitality. Imagine their emotions. Now, will you
• 55:56
  Speaker 4: join me now in closing prayer, God of love and truth,
• 56:03
  Speaker 4: you are patient, you were kind, You have given me
• 56:08
  Speaker 4: grace upon grace. You sent your son Jesus to be
• 56:12
  Speaker 4: the bridegroom of your church. And so when you see me,
• 56:17
  Speaker 4: you see one that has been grafted into the family.
• 56:21
  Speaker 4: I have been given a new name, a new identity.
• 56:25
  Speaker 4: Let me love the way First Corinthians thirteen describes love
• 56:30
  Speaker 4: does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
• 56:35
  Speaker 4: It always protects, always hopes, and always perseveres. And it's
• 56:41
  Speaker 4: in Jesus' name.
• 56:42
  Speaker 2: I pray, Amen, Lord, I cast all of my anxieties
• 56:52
  Speaker 2: on you. Thank you for your loving provision over me.
• 56:58
  Speaker 2: I know that I can leave all worries behind and
• 57:01
  Speaker 2: sleep deeply in your presence. I pray for complete trust
• 57:07
  Speaker 2: in you tonight in Jesus' name, Amen, settle in. As
• 57:15
  Speaker 2: the story of Ruth and Naomi unfolds through the eyes
• 57:20
  Speaker 2: of Ruth, imagine the world that Ruth saw. Look once
• 57:28
  Speaker 2: again past your grain fields and crops, decimated by drought
• 57:33
  Speaker 2: and famine. You've lost everything. See a spot under oak
• 57:41
  Speaker 2: trees where sadly your husband Mollin is buried. Naomi, your
• 57:49
  Speaker 2: mother in law, comes outside and sees you looking sadly
• 57:54
  Speaker 2: out of the land. She grieves too, and has lost
• 57:59
  Speaker 2: both her sons. There's nothing left for her here. She
• 58:05
  Speaker 2: wants to go back to her land. Still, she wants
• 58:09
  Speaker 2: nothing but the best for you. See Naomi smile at
• 58:15
  Speaker 2: you and speak this blessing over you. May the Lord
• 58:20
  Speaker 2: show you kindness. May he help you find rest in
• 58:25
  Speaker 2: another home. Naomi has been so kind to you. Your
• 58:36
  Speaker 2: stepsister decides to leave Naomi and go back to her
• 58:40
  Speaker 2: old friends and family. What will you do? You are
• 58:45
  Speaker 2: so thankful for the kindness she has shown you. If
• 58:50
  Speaker 2: you stay with Naomi, you will go to a new
• 58:53
  Speaker 2: land and live in a new place without much money,
• 58:58
  Speaker 2: but you'll do it with someone you love and trust. Look,
• 59:04
  Speaker 2: Naomi says to you, your sister in law has gone
• 59:09
  Speaker 2: back to her people and to her gods. You should
• 59:13
  Speaker 2: do the same. But you have made up your mind.
• 59:19
  Speaker 2: Don't ask me to leave you and turn back, you say.
• 59:24
  Speaker 2: Your heart fills with love for her. Wherever you go,
• 59:31
  Speaker 2: I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your
• 59:38
  Speaker 2: people will be my people, and your God will be
• 59:44
  Speaker 2: my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there
• 59:52
  Speaker 2: I will be buried. Naomi sees your devotion and smiles.
• 1:00:00
  Speaker 2: You both prepare for the trip to this new land together.
• 1:00:05
  Speaker 2: You pack your belongings and go to sleep. As you
• 1:00:10
  Speaker 2: close your eyes, you dream of the new places and
• 1:00:14
  Speaker 2: people you will see tomorrow. Rest for a moment and
• 1:00:21
  Speaker 2: breathe in that same spirit of trust from God. Breathe
• 1:00:28
  Speaker 2: out and release your worries. Breathe in and let the
• 1:00:35
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit fill you with faith. Rest now in God's arms.
• 1:00:49
  Speaker 2: You take off the cloth that covers your head, shake
• 1:00:53
  Speaker 2: it out, and rewrap it across your forehead. The hot
• 1:00:58
  Speaker 2: sun is beating down on you this morning, but you
• 1:01:02
  Speaker 2: couldn't be happier. You stand in a field thick with grain,
• 1:01:09
  Speaker 2: a wealthy man named Boas has let you pick his
• 1:01:13
  Speaker 2: leftover barley. As you walk behind his workers, you hear
• 1:01:19
  Speaker 2: Boaz's voice booming to the harvesters, blessing them the Lord
• 1:01:25
  Speaker 2: be with you. Your cheeks flush. His deep baritone voice
• 1:01:33
  Speaker 2: reminds you of your late husband Mollin. Secretly, you long
• 1:01:39
  Speaker 2: for a strong and kind companion. Embarrassed by your thoughts,
• 1:01:45
  Speaker 2: you glue your eyes to the ground. You overhear Boas
• 1:01:51
  Speaker 2: quiz a foreman, who does that young woman belong to you?
• 1:01:57
  Speaker 2: Hear him asking about you and one whether he will
• 1:02:00
  Speaker 2: despise you because you're a foreign woman. Breathe in and
• 1:02:07
  Speaker 2: feel your heartbeat. As Boaz approaches you, Boaz speaks gently
• 1:02:16
  Speaker 2: to you, stay here with the women who work for me.
• 1:02:23
  Speaker 2: You look into his eyes. They are warm, dancing with merriment.
• 1:02:30
  Speaker 2: At meal time, Boaz says to you, come over here,
• 1:02:35
  Speaker 2: have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.
• 1:02:39
  Speaker 2: You feel him watching you as you take a piece
• 1:02:42
  Speaker 2: of bread and dip it in the vinegar. You eat
• 1:02:47
  Speaker 2: all you want and try not to blush. You didn't
• 1:02:51
  Speaker 2: realize how hungry you were. At the end of the day,
• 1:02:57
  Speaker 2: Boaz gives you a huge basket of food that you
• 1:03:01
  Speaker 2: take home. You share your food and story with Naomi.
• 1:03:07
  Speaker 2: Blessed be the man who took notice of you, Naomi says.
• 1:03:12
  Speaker 2: Then Naomi suggests a bold plan. She tells you to
• 1:03:19
  Speaker 2: dress up and visit Boaz at night after he sorts
• 1:03:23
  Speaker 2: the grain out from the chaff. You hide your shock
• 1:03:28
  Speaker 2: as Naomi describes how.
• 1:03:30
  Speaker 3: To lay at his feet. Your heart flutters, but.
• 1:03:36
  Speaker 2: You still tell Naomi, okay, I'll do everything you say.
• 1:03:43
  Speaker 2: You tiptoe past the grain pile and hear Boaz snoring softly.
• 1:03:50
  Speaker 2: You lay down quietly at his feet. At midnight, Boas
• 1:04:00
  Speaker 2: wakes you up. You gather all your courage and ask
• 1:04:05
  Speaker 2: him to give you his cover of protection as your
• 1:04:09
  Speaker 2: family redeemer. His voice is tender. I am a guardian,
• 1:04:17
  Speaker 2: redeemer of our family, he tells you. If the other
• 1:04:21
  Speaker 2: guardian is not willing, I will do it. Boas hasn't
• 1:04:28
  Speaker 2: rejected you. He's welcomed you as family. As you fall
• 1:04:34
  Speaker 2: back asleep, savor the feeling that someone kind will take
• 1:04:39
  Speaker 2: care of you. Rest for a moment and breathe in
• 1:04:46
  Speaker 2: that sane spirit of trust from God. Breathe out, let
• 1:04:54
  Speaker 2: go of any earthly thing you're clinging to. The Next morning,
• 1:05:03
  Speaker 2: you go with Boaz to the town gate, surrounded by
• 1:05:06
  Speaker 2: a crowd of witnesses and neighbors. He commits himself to you.
• 1:05:14
  Speaker 2: He tells the witnesses today you are witnesses that I
• 1:05:19
  Speaker 2: have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Moland, to be
• 1:05:23
  Speaker 2: my wife. Then the witnesses cheer for you. They look
• 1:05:30
  Speaker 2: at you and speak this blessing over you. May the
• 1:05:35
  Speaker 2: Lord make you like Rachel and Leah, from whom all
• 1:05:40
  Speaker 2: the nation of Israel descended. Boaz beams with pride as
• 1:05:46
  Speaker 2: they slap him on the back. A few days later,
• 1:05:51
  Speaker 2: Naomi places a bridal veil over your head. She smiles
• 1:05:56
  Speaker 2: with tears in her eyes, reminding you of God God's provision.
• 1:06:02
  Speaker 2: Tears flow as you remember how far you've come. Only
• 1:06:07
  Speaker 2: because of the Lord's goodness has this dream come to pass.
• 1:06:13
  Speaker 2: Soon you have your first child, a baby boy. All
• 1:06:19
  Speaker 2: your dreams have come true and more. You don't know
• 1:06:23
  Speaker 2: it yet, but your son Obd will be the grandfather
• 1:06:28
  Speaker 2: of David, the Great King of Israel. Through David's line,
• 1:06:34
  Speaker 2: the Messiah will be born, Jesus the Redeemer for the
• 1:06:39
  Speaker 2: entire world. May you dream in peace, trust God's provision
• 1:06:47
  Speaker 2: and lay your future in his hands. Just as God
• 1:06:52
  Speaker 2: provided richly for Ruth, he will provide richly for you.
• 1:07:01
  Speaker 2: Bring anything that feels unresolved, relationships, projects, decisions, commit them
• 1:07:11
  Speaker 2: over to God and his plans, and receive this same
• 1:07:17
  Speaker 2: blessing that Ruth received. May the Lord, the God of Israel,
• 1:07:25
  Speaker 2: under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward
• 1:07:30
  Speaker 2: you fully for what you have done. As you rest,
• 1:07:38
  Speaker 2: May the Holy Spirit fill you with his presence and
• 1:07:42
  Speaker 2: anoint your dreams with peace. Let me pray for you
• 1:07:47
  Speaker 2: now as you fall asleep. Gracious and loving Father, cover
• 1:07:54
  Speaker 2: this one that you love with your presence tonight. Fill
• 1:07:59
  Speaker 2: them with the sense of rest and peace as they
• 1:08:03
  Speaker 2: surrender their day to you. Give them clarity about tomorrow,
• 1:08:08
  Speaker 2: taking all anxious thoughts away. Please cover them with your
• 1:08:13
  Speaker 2: spirit and allow them to rest deeply in the precious
• 1:08:19
  Speaker 2: name of your Son, Jesus, I pray Amen. Breathe steadily now,
• 1:08:26
  Speaker 2: resting fully in God's presence, calm, comfort it, peaceful, trusting.
• 1:08:39
  Speaker 2: Receive this prayer of blessing. Sovereign God, Thank you for
• 1:08:48
  Speaker 2: creating me in your image. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
• 1:08:55
  Speaker 2: I ask for perfect peace and rest tonight. Help your
• 1:09:02
  Speaker 2: child sleep deeply under the stars, the countless stars that
• 1:09:08
  Speaker 2: you have called by name, and help them to awaken,
• 1:09:13
  Speaker 2: renewed and refreshed in the morning. In Jesus' holy name,
• 1:09:19
  Speaker 2: I pray, Amen, Now sleep in peace. The sovereign creator
• 1:09:29
  Speaker 2: knows you by name and has fashioned you for his glory,
• 1:09:36
  Speaker 2: created in Christ Jesus. By his word, Lord, I cast
• 1:09:45
  Speaker 2: all of my anxieties on you. Thank you for your
• 1:09:50
  Speaker 2: loving provision over me. I know that I can leave
• 1:09:54
  Speaker 2: all worries behind and sleep deeply in your presence. Pray
• 1:10:00
  Speaker 2: for complete trust in you tonight in Jesus' name. Amen.
• 1:10:09
  Speaker 2: Now imagine that you are Esther. You live with your
• 1:10:15
  Speaker 2: uncle Mordecai in the Persian city of Suza. Your uncle
• 1:10:20
  Speaker 2: loves you like his own daughter. He has cared for
• 1:10:23
  Speaker 2: you faithfully since your father and mother passed. You feel
• 1:10:28
  Speaker 2: great security and comfort that God has cared for you
• 1:10:31
  Speaker 2: through hard times. The Persian king wants a new wife,
• 1:10:37
  Speaker 2: and he's asking to have beautiful young women from the
• 1:10:40
  Speaker 2: region presented to him. Mordecai wants to send you to
• 1:10:45
  Speaker 2: the king's court along with the other young women of
• 1:10:48
  Speaker 2: the region. You go willingly, but do not mention that
• 1:10:53
  Speaker 2: you are Jewish. You are following the direction of your uncle,
• 1:10:57
  Speaker 2: who loves you and is trying to protect you. How
• 1:11:02
  Speaker 2: does it feel to be protected by someone who loves
• 1:11:05
  Speaker 2: you very much and only wants the best for you.
• 1:11:12
  Speaker 2: As you enter the king's courts, you're put under the
• 1:11:15
  Speaker 2: care of Hagai, the caretaker of the young women. He
• 1:11:20
  Speaker 2: finds favor in you and gives you everything you need.
• 1:11:24
  Speaker 2: You have never seen such beautiful and lavish things. The gold,
• 1:11:30
  Speaker 2: the silver, all of it is exquisite. You are amazed
• 1:11:35
  Speaker 2: by Hagai's favor and kindness. You look around and take
• 1:11:39
  Speaker 2: it all in. This is your new life. Every morning,
• 1:11:47
  Speaker 2: your uncle Mordecai paces in front of the women's living
• 1:11:50
  Speaker 2: quarters to inquire of your well being. Let this picture
• 1:11:55
  Speaker 2: of Mordecai remind you that God cares for you and
• 1:11:59
  Speaker 2: never stops pacing outside your door, ensuring your safety and
• 1:12:04
  Speaker 2: well being. Remember that even while you sleep, God does
• 1:12:09
  Speaker 2: not sleep or slumber. He keeps perfect watch over you.
• 1:12:16
  Speaker 2: Let that give you peaceful rest tonight, knowing that your
• 1:12:20
  Speaker 2: heavenly father is keeping you safe. For twelve long months,
• 1:12:30
  Speaker 2: you prepare yourself to meet the king. Beauty treatments that
• 1:12:35
  Speaker 2: include oils and perfumes are given to you and all
• 1:12:38
  Speaker 2: the young women who are candidates to be the next queen.
• 1:12:43
  Speaker 2: Imagine the sweet fragrance of those ancient oils and perfumes
• 1:12:48
  Speaker 2: that are used in your preparation. Inhale deeply now, and
• 1:12:55
  Speaker 2: relax your body even more as you imagine the beautiful
• 1:12:59
  Speaker 2: friend fagrances used in preparation to meet the king. As
• 1:13:09
  Speaker 2: time goes on, you gain the favor of all who
• 1:13:12
  Speaker 2: meet you. You ask for wisdom and seek guidance from
• 1:13:16
  Speaker 2: your uncle Mordecai. You are a woman of wisdom and
• 1:13:20
  Speaker 2: discernment in all things. Finally, it is time to meet
• 1:13:28
  Speaker 2: the king. When you are taken into the royal court,
• 1:13:32
  Speaker 2: the king loves you more than all the others. You
• 1:13:37
  Speaker 2: find grace and favor in his sight. He places a
• 1:13:41
  Speaker 2: crown upon your head and you become the new Queen
• 1:13:45
  Speaker 2: of Persia. Of course, God has even more plans for you.
• 1:13:52
  Speaker 2: You don't know it yet, but you are going to
• 1:13:55
  Speaker 2: be instrumental in saving God's people from persecution. With your
• 1:14:00
  Speaker 2: royal title, you are now in a position to protect
• 1:14:03
  Speaker 2: the Jewish nation trust that God has a divine purpose
• 1:14:08
  Speaker 2: for your life. Rest securely in that purpose. Now, the
• 1:14:18
  Speaker 2: King does not know that you are Jewish, for you
• 1:14:21
  Speaker 2: continue to hide it from him, as your uncle Mordecai
• 1:14:24
  Speaker 2: directed you to do. This is all part of God's
• 1:14:28
  Speaker 2: perfect plan. Over time, the King puts into command a
• 1:14:35
  Speaker 2: man by the name of Haman, being a prideful and
• 1:14:39
  Speaker 2: arrogant man. Hayman takes offense at Mordecai, your uncle, because
• 1:14:44
  Speaker 2: he refuses to bow down to him. Enraged, Haman orders
• 1:14:48
  Speaker 2: that all Jews throughout the whole region be put to death. However,
• 1:14:55
  Speaker 2: even as Hayman plots to destroy the Jewish people, you
• 1:14:59
  Speaker 2: have been put in a role to protect them. You
• 1:15:02
  Speaker 2: are courageous and brave, accepting that God has placed you
• 1:15:07
  Speaker 2: in such a time as this. Rest deeply and ponder
• 1:15:12
  Speaker 2: being used by the Lord for a mighty purpose. For
• 1:15:16
  Speaker 2: such a time as this, Let those words settle in
• 1:15:23
  Speaker 2: your mind as you release your anxieties to the Lord.
• 1:15:27
  Speaker 2: For such a time as this, you make the decision
• 1:15:36
  Speaker 2: to approach the King, even though you have not been
• 1:15:39
  Speaker 2: summoned by him. This is a dangerous act, for no
• 1:15:43
  Speaker 2: one is allowed to approach the King without his command.
• 1:15:48
  Speaker 2: You send a message to your uncle Mordecai, asking him
• 1:15:51
  Speaker 2: and all of the Jewish people to fast and pray
• 1:15:55
  Speaker 2: for you. For three days and nights. You and the
• 1:15:59
  Speaker 2: Jewish nation fast and pray in preparation to meet the
• 1:16:04
  Speaker 2: king with courage. You tell your uncle if I perish,
• 1:16:09
  Speaker 2: I perish. You are brave for your people. You are
• 1:16:13
  Speaker 2: faithful to God. You get ready to go to sleep
• 1:16:18
  Speaker 2: in the palace. You lay on the soft, smooth pillows
• 1:16:22
  Speaker 2: and cuddle in the fluffy royal blankets. With your eyes closed.
• 1:16:27
  Speaker 2: You pray for favor with the King. Breathe deeply of
• 1:16:34
  Speaker 2: the Holy Spirit, asking him to give you courage. Breathe
• 1:16:42
  Speaker 2: out and release all of your fears to the Lord.
• 1:16:46
  Speaker 2: Receive peace and courage as you rest. Finally, after three
• 1:16:56
  Speaker 2: days of fasting and praying, you dress in your royal
• 1:17:00
  Speaker 2: robes and approach the King's quarters. He is on his
• 1:17:05
  Speaker 2: royal throne, and when he sees you, his eyes brightened
• 1:17:09
  Speaker 2: and he smiles warmly. The King extends the royal scepter
• 1:17:13
  Speaker 2: to you, which is a sign of acceptance and invitation.
• 1:17:18
  Speaker 2: You approach him and he asks you eagerly, what is
• 1:17:22
  Speaker 2: it you need? Queen esther, what do you request of me?
• 1:17:26
  Speaker 2: You know that I will give you what you request,
• 1:17:29
  Speaker 2: even half of my kingdom. Instead of making your request
• 1:17:36
  Speaker 2: known to the king, the request to save your people,
• 1:17:40
  Speaker 2: you invite the king and his nobleman Hayman to a
• 1:17:43
  Speaker 2: feast that you've prepared. Your plan is to trap Hayman
• 1:17:47
  Speaker 2: in his evil plan to destroy your people. As Hayman
• 1:17:51
  Speaker 2: and the king eat and drink, they're merry in heart,
• 1:17:55
  Speaker 2: and the king once again asks you, what do you
• 1:17:58
  Speaker 2: request of me? My queen? I will give you up
• 1:18:01
  Speaker 2: to half my kingdom, but you do not disclose your request,
• 1:18:06
  Speaker 2: not yet. Instead, you once again invite Haman and the
• 1:18:11
  Speaker 2: king to a feast that you will prepare for them
• 1:18:13
  Speaker 2: the next day. When Haman hears this, he goes away joyful,
• 1:18:18
  Speaker 2: thinking he is important and exalted above the rest. As
• 1:18:23
  Speaker 2: he approaches the gate, however, Hayman sees your uncle Mordecai.
• 1:18:28
  Speaker 2: Mordecai does not rise or bow before Haymon, which fills
• 1:18:31
  Speaker 2: Hamon with great wrath against Mordecai and the Jews. Hayman
• 1:18:36
  Speaker 2: goes to his house and invites his wife and friends
• 1:18:39
  Speaker 2: to join him. His anger against Mordecai puts a damper
• 1:18:43
  Speaker 2: on his mood, so his wife and friends give him
• 1:18:46
  Speaker 2: the idea of building a gallows on which to hang Mordecai. Meanwhile,
• 1:18:53
  Speaker 2: the king cannot sleep, so he asks his servants to
• 1:18:57
  Speaker 2: read from the chronicles of memorable Deeds. In these chronicles,
• 1:19:01
  Speaker 2: it is recorded that Mordecai once warned the king of
• 1:19:05
  Speaker 2: a plot against his life. As the King hears this,
• 1:19:09
  Speaker 2: he wants to know if Mordecai has ever been honored
• 1:19:11
  Speaker 2: for his memorable deed. When the King realizes that Mordecai
• 1:19:16
  Speaker 2: has never been rewarded, he calls Haman into his courts.
• 1:19:21
  Speaker 2: Of course, Hamon is already waiting outside the door, anxious
• 1:19:25
  Speaker 2: to tell the King of his plans to hang Mordecai
• 1:19:28
  Speaker 2: on the gallows. So when the King summons Hayman to
• 1:19:31
  Speaker 2: come in, Hamen is positive that the king is going
• 1:19:35
  Speaker 2: to promote him. The King asks Hamon this question, what
• 1:19:41
  Speaker 2: should be done to the man whom the King delights
• 1:19:44
  Speaker 2: to honor. Haman, thinking that the king is speaking about him, answers,
• 1:19:50
  Speaker 2: let royal robes be brought which the King has worn,
• 1:19:54
  Speaker 2: and the horse that the King has ridden, and on
• 1:19:56
  Speaker 2: whose head a royal crown is set The King likes
• 1:20:01
  Speaker 2: Hayman's answer and tells him, hurry, take the robes and
• 1:20:05
  Speaker 2: the horse as you have said, and do so to Mordecai,
• 1:20:08
  Speaker 2: the Jew who sits at the king's gate, leave out
• 1:20:12
  Speaker 2: nothing you have mentioned. Hayman follows the king's orders, but
• 1:20:18
  Speaker 2: then goes to his house with his head covered as
• 1:20:22
  Speaker 2: if he is in mourning. His wife and friends are there,
• 1:20:26
  Speaker 2: but have no words to console him. The king's eunuchs
• 1:20:30
  Speaker 2: escort Hayman to the feast that you've prepared, and after
• 1:20:34
  Speaker 2: the king enjoys the feast, he asks you once more,
• 1:20:38
  Speaker 2: what is your wish? Queen esther, what is your request?
• 1:20:42
  Speaker 2: I shall give it to you. Finally, you tell the
• 1:20:48
  Speaker 2: king what you desire, that your people be spared from
• 1:20:52
  Speaker 2: the decree of death. You remind the king of the
• 1:20:56
  Speaker 2: edict that has been sent to every Jew in the region,
• 1:20:59
  Speaker 2: the eed that every man, woman and child be put
• 1:21:03
  Speaker 2: to death. The King then asks you who scent the edict,
• 1:21:08
  Speaker 2: and you point to Haman. It is him, You say
• 1:21:12
  Speaker 2: it is Hayman. Finally the truth has come out the
• 1:21:17
  Speaker 2: plot against God's people. You are relieved that Hayman is
• 1:21:21
  Speaker 2: caught in his schemes, but you are even more relieved
• 1:21:25
  Speaker 2: that the Jewish nation, your beloved kinsmen, are saved. For
• 1:21:30
  Speaker 2: the King not only accepts your plea, but extends his
• 1:21:33
  Speaker 2: own signet ring to Mordecai, your uncle. It is a
• 1:21:37
  Speaker 2: sign of promise and hope. Let this beautiful story of
• 1:21:42
  Speaker 2: redemption fill your thoughts as you sleep in quiet, rest
• 1:21:46
  Speaker 2: and trust. As you rest, May the Holy Spirit fill
• 1:21:52
  Speaker 2: you with his presence and anoint your dreams with peace.
• 1:21:57
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep.
• 1:22:02
  Speaker 2: Gracious and loving Father, cover this one that you love
• 1:22:07
  Speaker 2: with your presence tonight. Fill them with a sense of
• 1:22:11
  Speaker 2: rest and peace as they surrender their day to you.
• 1:22:16
  Speaker 2: Give them clarity about tomorrow, taking all anxious thoughts away.
• 1:22:22
  Speaker 2: Please cover them with your spirit and allow them to
• 1:22:25
  Speaker 2: rest deeply in the precious name of your Son, Jesus.
• 1:22:31
  Speaker 2: I pray, Amen. Breathe steadily now, resting fully in God's presence, calm,
• 1:22:41
  Speaker 2: comfort it, peaceful, trusting Lord. I cast all of my
• 1:22:52
  Speaker 2: anxieties on you. Thank you for your loving provision over me.
• 1:22:59
  Speaker 2: I know that I can leave all worries behind and
• 1:23:02
  Speaker 2: sleep deeply in your presence. I pray for complete trust
• 1:23:08
  Speaker 2: in you tonight in Jesus' name. Amen, settle in as
• 1:23:16
  Speaker 2: the story of Ruth and Naomi unfolds through the eyes
• 1:23:21
  Speaker 2: of Ruth, imagine the world that Ruth saw. Look once
• 1:23:29
  Speaker 2: again past your grain fields and crops, decimated by drought
• 1:23:34
  Speaker 2: and famine. You've lost everything. See a spot under oak
• 1:23:42
  Speaker 2: trees where sadly your husband, Mollin is buried. Naomi, your
• 1:23:50
  Speaker 2: mother in law, comes outside and sees you looking sadly
• 1:23:55
  Speaker 2: out of the land. She grieves too, and has lost
• 1:24:00
  Speaker 2: both her sons. There's nothing left for her here. She
• 1:24:06
  Speaker 2: wants to go back to her land. Still, she wants
• 1:24:10
  Speaker 2: nothing but the best for you. See Naomi smile at
• 1:24:16
  Speaker 2: you and speak this blessing over you. May the Lord
• 1:24:21
  Speaker 2: show you kindness. May he help you find rest in
• 1:24:25
  Speaker 2: another home. Naomi has been so kind to you. Your
• 1:24:36
  Speaker 2: stepsister decides to leave Naomi and go back to her
• 1:24:40
  Speaker 2: old friends and family. What will you do? You are
• 1:24:46
  Speaker 2: so thankful for the kindness she has shown you. If
• 1:24:50
  Speaker 2: you stay with Naomi, you will go to a new
• 1:24:54
  Speaker 2: land and live in a new place without much money,
• 1:24:58
  Speaker 2: but you'll do it with someone you love and trust. Look,
• 1:25:05
  Speaker 2: Naomi says to you, your sister in law has gone
• 1:25:09
  Speaker 2: back to her people and to her gods. You should
• 1:25:14
  Speaker 2: do the same. But you have made up your mind.
• 1:25:20
  Speaker 2: Don't ask me to leave you and turn back, you say.
• 1:25:25
  Speaker 2: Your heart fills with love for her. Wherever you go,
• 1:25:31
  Speaker 2: I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your
• 1:25:39
  Speaker 2: people will be my people, and your God will be
• 1:25:45
  Speaker 2: my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there
• 1:25:52
  Speaker 2: I will be buried. Naomi sees your devotion and smiles.
• 1:26:01
  Speaker 2: You both prepare for the trip to this new land together.
• 1:26:06
  Speaker 2: You pack your belongings and go to sleep. As you
• 1:26:11
  Speaker 2: close your eyes, you dream of the new places and
• 1:26:15
  Speaker 2: people you will see tomorrow. Rest for a moment and
• 1:26:22
  Speaker 2: breathe in that same spirit of trust from God. Breathe
• 1:26:29
  Speaker 2: out and release your worries. Breathe in and let the
• 1:26:36
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit fill you with faith. Rest now in God's arms.
• 1:26:50
  Speaker 2: You take off the cloth that covers your head, shake
• 1:26:54
  Speaker 2: it out, and rewrap it across your forehead. The hot
• 1:26:59
  Speaker 2: sun is beating down on you this morning, but you
• 1:27:03
  Speaker 2: couldn't be happier. You stand in a field thick with grain.
• 1:27:10
  Speaker 2: A wealthy man named Boas has let you pick his
• 1:27:14
  Speaker 2: leftover barley. As you walk behind his workers, you hear
• 1:27:20
  Speaker 2: Boaz's voice booming to the harvesters, blessing them.
• 1:27:25
  Speaker 3: The Lord be with you.
• 1:27:28
  Speaker 2: Your cheeks flush. His deep baritone voice reminds you of
• 1:27:35
  Speaker 2: your late husband Mollin. Secretly, you long for a strong
• 1:27:41
  Speaker 2: and kind companion. Embarrassed by your thoughts, you glue your
• 1:27:47
  Speaker 2: eyes to the ground. You overhear Boas quiz a foreman,
• 1:27:54
  Speaker 2: who does that young woman belong to.
• 1:27:58
  Speaker 4: You?
• 1:27:58
  Speaker 2: Hear him asking about you, and wonder whether he will
• 1:28:01
  Speaker 2: despise you because you're a foreign woman. Breathe in and
• 1:28:08
  Speaker 2: feel your heartbeat. As Boaz approaches you. Boaz speaks gently
• 1:28:17
  Speaker 2: to you, stay here with the women who work for me.
• 1:28:24
  Speaker 2: You look into his eyes. They are warm, dancing with merriment.
• 1:28:31
  Speaker 2: At meal time, Boaz says to you, come over here,
• 1:28:36
  Speaker 2: have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.
• 1:28:40
  Speaker 2: You feel him watching you as you take a piece
• 1:28:43
  Speaker 2: of bread and dip it in the vinegar. You eat
• 1:28:47
  Speaker 2: all you want and try not to blush. You didn't
• 1:28:52
  Speaker 2: realize how hungry you were. At the end of the day,
• 1:28:58
  Speaker 2: Boaz gives you a huge basket of food that you
• 1:29:01
  Speaker 2: take home. You share your food and story with Naomi.
• 1:29:08
  Speaker 2: Blessed be the man who took notice of you, Naomi says.
• 1:29:13
  Speaker 2: Then Naomi suggests a bold plan. She tells you to
• 1:29:20
  Speaker 2: dress up and visit Boaz at night after he sorts
• 1:29:24
  Speaker 2: the grain out from the chaff. You hide your shock
• 1:29:29
  Speaker 2: as Naomi describes how to lay at his feet.
• 1:29:34
  Speaker 3: Your heart flutters.
• 1:29:36
  Speaker 2: But you still tell Naomi, okay, I'll do everything you say.
• 1:29:44
  Speaker 2: You tiptoe past the grain pile and hear Boaz snoring softly.
• 1:29:51
  Speaker 2: You lay down quietly at his feet. At midnight, Boaz
• 1:30:00
  Speaker 2: wakes you up. You gather all your courage and ask
• 1:30:06
  Speaker 2: him to give you his cover of protection as your
• 1:30:10
  Speaker 2: family redeemer. His voice is tender. I am a guardian,
• 1:30:18
  Speaker 2: redeemer of our family, he tells you. If the other
• 1:30:22
  Speaker 2: guardian is not willing, I will do it. Boas hasn't
• 1:30:29
  Speaker 2: rejected you. He's welcomed you as family. As you fall
• 1:30:35
  Speaker 2: back asleep, savor the feeling that someone kind will take
• 1:30:40
  Speaker 2: care of you. Rest for a moment and breathe in
• 1:30:47
  Speaker 2: that same spirit of trust from God. Breathe out, let
• 1:30:55
  Speaker 2: go of any earthly thing you're clinging to. The Next morning,
• 1:31:04
  Speaker 2: you go with Boaz to the town gate, surrounded by
• 1:31:07
  Speaker 2: a crowd of witnesses and neighbors. He commits himself to you.
• 1:31:14
  Speaker 2: He tells the witnesses today you are witnesses that I
• 1:31:20
  Speaker 2: have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Molan, to be
• 1:31:24
  Speaker 2: my wife. Then the witnesses cheer for you. They look
• 1:31:30
  Speaker 2: at you and speak this blessing over you. May the
• 1:31:36
  Speaker 2: Lord make you like Rachel and Leah, from whom all
• 1:31:40
  Speaker 2: the nation of Israel descended. Boaz beams with pride as
• 1:31:47
  Speaker 2: they slap him on the back. A few days later,
• 1:31:52
  Speaker 2: Naomi places a bridal veil over your head. She smiles
• 1:31:57
  Speaker 2: with tears in her eyes, reminding you of God's provision.
• 1:32:02
  Speaker 2: Tears flow as you remember how far you've come. Only
• 1:32:08
  Speaker 2: because of the Lord's goodness has this dream come to pass.
• 1:32:14
  Speaker 2: Soon you have your.
• 1:32:16
  Speaker 3: First child, a baby boy.
• 1:32:19
  Speaker 2: All your dreams have come true and more. You don't
• 1:32:24
  Speaker 2: know it yet, but your son Obd will be the
• 1:32:27
  Speaker 2: grandfather of David, the Great King of Israel. Through David's line,
• 1:32:35
  Speaker 2: the Messiah will be born, Jesus the Redeemer for the
• 1:32:40
  Speaker 2: entire world. May you dream in peace, trust God's provision,
• 1:32:47
  Speaker 2: and lay your future in his hands, just as God
• 1:32:53
  Speaker 2: provided richly for Ruth. He will provide richly for you.
• 1:33:01
  Speaker 2: Bring anything that feels unresolved, relationships, projects, decisions, commit them
• 1:33:12
  Speaker 2: over to God and his plans, and receive this same
• 1:33:18
  Speaker 2: blessing that Ruth received. May the Lord, the God of Israel,
• 1:33:25
  Speaker 2: under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward
• 1:33:30
  Speaker 2: you fully for what you have done. As you rest,
• 1:33:39
  Speaker 2: May the Holy Spirit fill you with his presence and
• 1:33:43
  Speaker 2: anoint your dreams with peace. Let me pray for you
• 1:33:48
  Speaker 2: now as you fall asleep. Gracious and loving Father, cover
• 1:33:55
  Speaker 2: this one that you love with your presence. Tonight them
• 1:34:00
  Speaker 2: with a sense of rest and peace as they surrender
• 1:34:04
  Speaker 2: their day to you. Give them clarity about tomorrow, taking
• 1:34:10
  Speaker 2: all anxious thoughts away. Please cover them with your spirit
• 1:34:15
  Speaker 2: and allow them to rest deeply. In the precious name
• 1:34:20
  Speaker 2: of your Son, Jesus, I pray Amen. Breathe steadily now,
• 1:34:27
  Speaker 2: resting fully in God's presence, calm, comfort it, peaceful, trusting.
• 1:34:40
  Speaker 2: Receive this prayer of blessing. Sovereign God, Thank you for
• 1:34:49
  Speaker 2: creating me in your image. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
• 1:34:56
  Speaker 2: I ask for perfect peace and rest.
• 1:35:00
  Speaker 3: Tonight.
• 1:35:02
  Speaker 2: Help your child sleep deeply under the stars. The countless
• 1:35:08
  Speaker 2: stars that you have called by name, and help them
• 1:35:13
  Speaker 2: to awaken, renewed and refreshed in the morning. In Jesus's
• 1:35:19
  Speaker 2: holy name, I pray, Amen, Now sleep in peace. The
• 1:35:28
  Speaker 2: sovereign Creator knows you by name and has fashioned you
• 1:35:34
  Speaker 2: for his glory, created in Christ Jesus. By his word, Lord,
• 1:35:44
  Speaker 2: I cast all of my anxieties on you. Thank you
• 1:35:50
  Speaker 2: for your loving provision over me. I know that I
• 1:35:54
  Speaker 2: can leave all worries behind and sleep deeply in your presence.
• 1:36:00
  Speaker 2: Pray for complete trust in you tonight in Jesus's name. Amen.
• 1:36:09
  Speaker 2: Now imagine that you are Esther. You live with your
• 1:36:15
  Speaker 2: uncle Mordecai in the Persian city of Suza. Your uncle
• 1:36:19
  Speaker 2: loves you like his own daughter. He has cared for
• 1:36:23
  Speaker 2: you faithfully since your father and mother passed. You feel
• 1:36:28
  Speaker 2: great security and comfort that God has cared for you
• 1:36:31
  Speaker 2: through hard times. The Persian king wants a new wife,
• 1:36:37
  Speaker 2: and he's asking to have beautiful young women from the
• 1:36:40
  Speaker 2: region presented to him. Mordecai wants to send you to
• 1:36:45
  Speaker 2: the king's court along with the other young women of
• 1:36:48
  Speaker 2: the region. You go willingly, but do not mention that
• 1:36:53
  Speaker 2: you are Jewish. You are following the direction of your uncle,
• 1:36:57
  Speaker 2: who loves you and is trying to pret you. How
• 1:37:02
  Speaker 2: does it feel to be protected by someone who loves
• 1:37:05
  Speaker 2: you very much and only wants the best for you.
• 1:37:12
  Speaker 2: As you enter the King's courts, you're put under the
• 1:37:15
  Speaker 2: care of Hagai, the caretaker of the young women. He
• 1:37:20
  Speaker 2: finds favor in you and gives you everything you need.
• 1:37:24
  Speaker 2: You have never seen such beautiful and lavish things. The gold,
• 1:37:29
  Speaker 2: the silver, all of it is exquisite. You are amazed
• 1:37:34
  Speaker 2: by Hagai's favor and kindness. You look around and take
• 1:37:39
  Speaker 2: it all in. This is your new life. Every morning,
• 1:37:47
  Speaker 2: your uncle Mordecai paces in front of the women's living
• 1:37:50
  Speaker 2: quarters to inquire of your well being. Let this picture
• 1:37:54
  Speaker 2: of Mordecai remind you that God cares for you and
• 1:37:58
  Speaker 2: never stops pay sing outside your door, ensuring your safety
• 1:38:03
  Speaker 2: and well being. Remember that even while you sleep, God
• 1:38:09
  Speaker 2: does not sleep or slumber. He keeps perfect watch over you.
• 1:38:16
  Speaker 2: Let that give you peaceful rest tonight. Knowing that your
• 1:38:20
  Speaker 2: heavenly father is keeping you safe for twelve long months,
• 1:38:30
  Speaker 2: you prepare yourself to meet the king. Beauty treatments that
• 1:38:35
  Speaker 2: include oils and perfumes are given to you and all
• 1:38:38
  Speaker 2: the young women who are candidates to be the next queen.
• 1:38:43
  Speaker 2: Imagine the sweet fragrance of those ancient oils and perfumes
• 1:38:47
  Speaker 2: that are used in your preparation. Inhale deeply now, and
• 1:38:55
  Speaker 2: relax your body even more as you imagine the beautiful
• 1:38:59
  Speaker 2: fragrance is used in preparation to meet the king. As
• 1:39:09
  Speaker 2: time goes on, you gain the favor of all who
• 1:39:12
  Speaker 2: meet you. You ask for wisdom and seek guidance from
• 1:39:16
  Speaker 2: your uncle Mordecai. You are a woman of wisdom and
• 1:39:20
  Speaker 2: discernment in all things. Finally, it is time to meet
• 1:39:28
  Speaker 2: the King. When you are taken into the royal court,
• 1:39:32
  Speaker 2: the King loves you more than all the others. You
• 1:39:37
  Speaker 2: find grace and favor in his sight. He places a
• 1:39:41
  Speaker 2: crown upon your head, and you become the new Queen
• 1:39:45
  Speaker 2: of Persia. Of course, God has even more plans for you.
• 1:39:52
  Speaker 2: You don't know it yet, but you are going to
• 1:39:54
  Speaker 2: be instrumental in saving God's people from persecution. With your
• 1:40:00
  Speaker 2: royal title, you are now in a position to protect
• 1:40:03
  Speaker 2: the Jewish nation. Trust that God has a divine purpose
• 1:40:08
  Speaker 2: for your life. Rest securely in that purpose.
• 1:40:18
  Speaker 4: Now.
• 1:40:18
  Speaker 2: The King does not know that you are Jewish, for
• 1:40:21
  Speaker 2: you continue to hide it from him, as your uncle
• 1:40:24
  Speaker 2: Mordecai directed you to do. This is all part of
• 1:40:28
  Speaker 2: God's perfect plan. Over time, the King puts into command
• 1:40:35
  Speaker 2: a man by the name of Haman, being a prideful
• 1:40:38
  Speaker 2: and arrogant man. Hayman takes offense at Mordecai, your uncle,
• 1:40:43
  Speaker 2: because he refuses to bow down to him. Enraged, Haman
• 1:40:48
  Speaker 2: orders that all Jews throughout the whole region be put
• 1:40:52
  Speaker 2: to death. However, even as Hayman plots to destroy the
• 1:40:58
  Speaker 2: Jewish people, you have been put in a role to
• 1:41:00
  Speaker 2: protect them. You are courageous and brave, accepting that God
• 1:41:05
  Speaker 2: has placed you in such a time as this, Rest
• 1:41:10
  Speaker 2: deeply and ponder being used by the Lord for a
• 1:41:14
  Speaker 2: mighty purpose. For such a time as this, let those
• 1:41:21
  Speaker 2: words settle in your mind as you release your anxieties
• 1:41:25
  Speaker 2: to the Lord. For such a time as this, you
• 1:41:35
  Speaker 2: make the decision to approach the King, even though you
• 1:41:38
  Speaker 2: have not been summoned by him. This is a dangerous act,
• 1:41:43
  Speaker 2: for no one is allowed to approach the King without
• 1:41:46
  Speaker 2: his command. You send a message to your uncle Mordecai,
• 1:41:50
  Speaker 2: asking him and all of the Jewish people to fast
• 1:41:54
  Speaker 2: and pray for you. For three days and nights, you
• 1:41:59
  Speaker 2: and the Jewish name fast and pray in preparation to
• 1:42:03
  Speaker 2: meet the king with courage. You tell your uncle, if
• 1:42:08
  Speaker 2: I perish, I perish. You are brave for your people.
• 1:42:12
  Speaker 2: You are faithful to God. You get ready to go
• 1:42:17
  Speaker 2: to sleep in the palace. You lay on the soft,
• 1:42:21
  Speaker 2: smooth pillows and cuddle in the fluffy royal blankets. With
• 1:42:26
  Speaker 2: your eyes closed, You pray for favor with the King.
• 1:42:32
  Speaker 2: Breathe deeply of the Holy Spirit, asking him to give
• 1:42:37
  Speaker 2: you courage. Breathe out and release all of your fears
• 1:42:45
  Speaker 2: to the Lord. Receive peace and courage as you rest. Finally,
• 1:42:56
  Speaker 2: after three days of fasting and praying, you dress in
• 1:42:59
  Speaker 2: your your royal robes and approach the King's quarters. He
• 1:43:04
  Speaker 2: is on his royal throne, and when he sees you,
• 1:43:07
  Speaker 2: his eyes brightened and he smiles warmly. The King extends
• 1:43:12
  Speaker 2: the royal scepter to you, which is a sign of
• 1:43:15
  Speaker 2: acceptance and invitation. You approach him and he asks you eagerly,
• 1:43:21
  Speaker 2: what is it you need, Queen Esther, What do you
• 1:43:24
  Speaker 2: request of me? You know that I will give you
• 1:43:27
  Speaker 2: what you request, even half of my kingdom. Instead of
• 1:43:35
  Speaker 2: making your request known to the king, the request to
• 1:43:38
  Speaker 2: save your people, you invite the king and his nobleman
• 1:43:41
  Speaker 2: Hayman to a feast that you've prepared. Your plan is
• 1:43:46
  Speaker 2: to trap Hayman in his evil plan to destroy your people.
• 1:43:51
  Speaker 2: As Hayman and the King eat and drink, they're merry
• 1:43:54
  Speaker 2: in heart, and the king once again asks you, what
• 1:43:58
  Speaker 2: do you request of me? My queen? I will give
• 1:44:00
  Speaker 2: you up to half my kingdom, But you do not
• 1:44:04
  Speaker 2: disclose your request, not yet. Instead, you once again invite
• 1:44:10
  Speaker 2: Hamen and the King to a feast that you will
• 1:44:12
  Speaker 2: prepare for them the next day. When Haman hears this,
• 1:44:17
  Speaker 2: he goes away, joyful, thinking he is important and exalted
• 1:44:20
  Speaker 2: above the rest. As he approaches the gate, however, Haman
• 1:44:25
  Speaker 2: sees your uncle Mordecai. Mordecai does not rise or bow
• 1:44:30
  Speaker 2: before Haman, which fills Hamon with great wrath against Mordecai
• 1:44:34
  Speaker 2: and the Jews. Hayman goes to his house and invites
• 1:44:38
  Speaker 2: his wife and friends to join him. His anger against
• 1:44:42
  Speaker 2: Mordecai puts a damper on his mood, so his wife
• 1:44:45
  Speaker 2: and friends give him the idea of building a gallows
• 1:44:48
  Speaker 2: on which to hang Mordecai. Meanwhile, the king cannot sleep,
• 1:44:55
  Speaker 2: so he asks his servants to read from the chronicles
• 1:44:58
  Speaker 2: of memorable deeds. In these chronicles, it is recorded that
• 1:45:02
  Speaker 2: Mordecai once warned the king of a plot against his life.
• 1:45:07
  Speaker 2: As the king hears this, he wants to know if
• 1:45:10
  Speaker 2: Mordecai has ever been honored for his memorable deed. When
• 1:45:14
  Speaker 2: the King realizes that Mordecai has never been rewarded, he
• 1:45:18
  Speaker 2: calls Haman into his courts. Of course, Hamon is already
• 1:45:22
  Speaker 2: waiting outside the door, anxious to tell the king of
• 1:45:26
  Speaker 2: his plans to hang Mordecai on the gallows. So when
• 1:45:30
  Speaker 2: the King summons Hayman to come in, Haman is positive
• 1:45:33
  Speaker 2: that the king is going to promote him. The King
• 1:45:38
  Speaker 2: asks Hamon this question, what should be done to the
• 1:45:42
  Speaker 2: man whom the King delights to honor. Haman, thinking that
• 1:45:47
  Speaker 2: the king is speaking about him, answers, let royal robes
• 1:45:51
  Speaker 2: be brought, which the King has worn, and the horse
• 1:45:54
  Speaker 2: that the King has ridden, and on whose head a
• 1:45:57
  Speaker 2: royal crown is set. The King likes Hayman's answer and
• 1:46:02
  Speaker 2: tells him, hurry, take the robes and the horse, as
• 1:46:05
  Speaker 2: you have said and do so to Mordecai, the Jew
• 1:46:09
  Speaker 2: who sits at the king's gate, leave out nothing you
• 1:46:12
  Speaker 2: have mentioned. Hayman follows the king's orders, but then goes
• 1:46:19
  Speaker 2: to his house with his head covered as if he
• 1:46:22
  Speaker 2: is in mourning. His wife and friends are there, but
• 1:46:26
  Speaker 2: have no words to console him. The king's eunuchs escort
• 1:46:30
  Speaker 2: Hayman to the feast that you've prepared, and after the
• 1:46:34
  Speaker 2: king enjoys the feast, he asks you once more, what
• 1:46:38
  Speaker 2: is your wish, Queen esther, what is your request? I
• 1:46:42
  Speaker 2: shall give it to you. Finally, you tell the king
• 1:46:48
  Speaker 2: what you desire, that your people be spared from the
• 1:46:52
  Speaker 2: decree of death. You remind the king of the edict
• 1:46:56
  Speaker 2: that has been sent to every Jew in the region,
• 1:46:59
  Speaker 2: the edict that every man, woman and child be put
• 1:47:03
  Speaker 2: to death. The King then asks you who scent the edict,
• 1:47:07
  Speaker 2: and you point to Haman. It is him, You say,
• 1:47:12
  Speaker 2: it is Haman. Finally the truth has come out the
• 1:47:17
  Speaker 2: plot against God's people. You are relieved that Hayman is
• 1:47:21
  Speaker 2: caught in his schemes, but you are even more relieved
• 1:47:25
  Speaker 2: that the Jewish nation, your beloved kinsmen, are saved. For
• 1:47:29
  Speaker 2: the King not only accepts your plea, but extends his
• 1:47:33
  Speaker 2: own signet ring to Mordecai, your uncle. It is a
• 1:47:37
  Speaker 2: sign of promise and hope. Let this beautiful story of
• 1:47:42
  Speaker 2: redemption fill your thoughts as you sleep in quiet, rest
• 1:47:46
  Speaker 2: and trust. As you rest, May the Holy Spirit fill
• 1:47:52
  Speaker 2: you with his presence and anoint your dreams with peace.
• 1:47:57
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep.
• 1:48:02
  Speaker 2: Gracious and loving Father, cover this one that you love
• 1:48:06
  Speaker 2: with your presence tonight. Fill them with a sense of
• 1:48:11
  Speaker 2: rest and peace as they surrender their day to you.
• 1:48:16
  Speaker 2: Give them clarity about tomorrow, taking all anxious thoughts away.
• 1:48:22
  Speaker 2: Please cover them with your spirit and allow them to
• 1:48:25
  Speaker 2: rest deeply in the precious name of your Son, Jesus,
• 1:48:30
  Speaker 2: I pray Amen. Breathe steadily now, resting fully in God's presence, calm,
• 1:48:41
  Speaker 2: comfort it, peaceful, trusting.
• 1:48:50
  Speaker 4: This is a love story from the Bible, taken from
• 1:48:53
  Speaker 4: the Song of Solomon. Everyone on earth longs to feel loved.
• 1:49:00
  Speaker 4: Everyone desires to be cared for. It is a longing
• 1:49:04
  Speaker 4: that has been placed in us by our loving creator,
• 1:49:08
  Speaker 4: and this story takes place in the Covenant of marriage.
• 1:49:14
  Speaker 4: Let this sleep story gently guide you into the loving
• 1:49:17
  Speaker 4: presence of God. It is God's Spirit who dwells in
• 1:49:22
  Speaker 4: the life of every believer, who gives us the love
• 1:49:25
  Speaker 4: and peace that we so desire. So as we begin,
• 1:49:32
  Speaker 4: take a moment to get comfortable. Just gently and softly
• 1:49:36
  Speaker 4: close your eyes, relax your arms, slowly breathe in and
• 1:49:44
  Speaker 4: invite God's peace into the room. Let go of your
• 1:49:49
  Speaker 4: worries and concerns. Allow God's hand to cover you as
• 1:49:54
  Speaker 4: I pray over you now. Dear loving Father, thank you
• 1:49:59
  Speaker 4: for your w best, for your love, and for your mercy.
• 1:50:05
  Speaker 4: As this child of yours sleeps tonight, when they dream, Lord,
• 1:50:10
  Speaker 4: let them feel your loving arms. Let them slumber under
• 1:50:15
  Speaker 4: the shadow of your wings. With each breath they take, Lord,
• 1:50:20
  Speaker 4: fill them with your great love and peace. I pray
• 1:50:25
  Speaker 4: this and the wonderful name of Jesus, our Savior and
• 1:50:27
  Speaker 4: our King.
• 1:50:29
  Speaker 3: Amen.
• 1:50:33
  Speaker 4: So imagine it is a great day of celebration. You
• 1:50:38
  Speaker 4: have been invited to the wedding of King Solomon. He
• 1:50:42
  Speaker 4: is your dear and beloved friend. Your heart is so
• 1:50:46
  Speaker 4: full of hope and promise for the bride and the groom.
• 1:50:50
  Speaker 4: You want only what is best for them. You are
• 1:50:54
  Speaker 4: grateful to witness such a beautiful and important ceremony. Outside,
• 1:51:01
  Speaker 4: the day is dawning, fresh and clean. It is springtime
• 1:51:05
  Speaker 4: and the earth is abundant with life. You hear birds
• 1:51:10
  Speaker 4: chirping in the distance, and a soft breeze blows through
• 1:51:13
  Speaker 4: the leaves of the trees. The sun is warm on
• 1:51:19
  Speaker 4: your face, and the scent of new life is all
• 1:51:22
  Speaker 4: around you. This is truly a perfect day for a
• 1:51:26
  Speaker 4: wedding celebration. As you enter the Holy Sanctuary, you feel
• 1:51:32
  Speaker 4: a sense of awe and wonder. The room is filled
• 1:51:37
  Speaker 4: with the sweet fragrance of flowers. You hear the soft
• 1:51:41
  Speaker 4: melody of a love song played on a stringed instrument.
• 1:51:46
  Speaker 4: Sunlight is coming through the stained glass windows, casting rainbows
• 1:51:50
  Speaker 4: of light across the room. It is breathtaking. As you
• 1:51:56
  Speaker 4: breathe in and out, you smell the sense of sinn, frankencense,
• 1:52:02
  Speaker 4: and myrrh. They are soothing fragrances that the bride is
• 1:52:06
  Speaker 4: used to prepare for her wedding day. They bring a
• 1:52:10
  Speaker 4: sense of calmness and peace As you wait for the
• 1:52:13
  Speaker 4: wedding ceremony to begin. Quietly you look around, taking it
• 1:52:20
  Speaker 4: all in the stillness of the room, sweet music and
• 1:52:27
  Speaker 4: the echo of time. It is calming your soul. In
• 1:52:35
  Speaker 4: the distance, you hear the voice of Solomon calling to
• 1:52:39
  Speaker 4: his bride, as he says, arise, my love, my beautiful one,
• 1:52:43
  Speaker 4: and come away. For behold, the winter is past, and
• 1:52:48
  Speaker 4: the rain is over and gone. But the flowers appear
• 1:52:52
  Speaker 4: on the earth. The time of singing has come, and
• 1:52:56
  Speaker 4: the voice of the turtle dove is heard in our land.
• 1:53:00
  Speaker 4: The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are
• 1:53:03
  Speaker 4: in blossom. They give forth fragrance. So arise, my love,
• 1:53:09
  Speaker 4: my beautiful one, and come away. As you hear the
• 1:53:14
  Speaker 4: words of Solomon, your friend, calling out to his beautiful bride,
• 1:53:20
  Speaker 4: joy fills your soul to overflowing like a waterfall cascading down.
• 1:53:26
  Speaker 4: You can almost hear the rushing water, flowing steadfast and constant.
• 1:53:32
  Speaker 4: And then you hear the bride in sweet response to
• 1:53:37
  Speaker 4: her beloved. She calls out, as an apple tree among
• 1:53:41
  Speaker 4: the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among
• 1:53:44
  Speaker 4: the young men. With great delight, I sat in his shadow,
• 1:53:49
  Speaker 4: and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought
• 1:53:53
  Speaker 4: to me the banqueting house, and his banner over me
• 1:53:57
  Speaker 4: was love. His banner over me is love. You let
• 1:54:04
  Speaker 4: those words settle into your heart and mind. For you
• 1:54:08
  Speaker 4: are reminded that the Lord's banner over you is love.
• 1:54:13
  Speaker 4: You rest under his banner in peace and comfort. King
• 1:54:20
  Speaker 4: Solomon and his groomsmen arrive in a carriage made of
• 1:54:24
  Speaker 4: silver and gold and fine purple. It is a glorious
• 1:54:28
  Speaker 4: sight as the king makes his entrance wearing his royal crown.
• 1:54:34
  Speaker 4: Come out, o maidens of Zion and gaze upon King Solomon.
• 1:54:39
  Speaker 4: He is wearing the crown with which his mother crowned
• 1:54:42
  Speaker 4: him on his wedding day, On the most joyous day
• 1:54:45
  Speaker 4: of his life. He is surrounded by sixty warriors, some
• 1:54:50
  Speaker 4: of Israel's mightiest men, well trained in the art of warfare.
• 1:54:55
  Speaker 4: Each has his sword at his side to guard against
• 1:54:59
  Speaker 4: the terrors of them night. You are comforted by the
• 1:55:04
  Speaker 4: thought of being guarded against the terrors of the night.
• 1:55:07
  Speaker 4: There is nothing to fear. The Lord is guarding you.
• 1:55:11
  Speaker 4: He is surrounding you with the fortress of love. Solomon
• 1:55:18
  Speaker 4: and his men take their place, and soon there's a
• 1:55:22
  Speaker 4: quiet hush over the sanctuary. As the bride makes her entrance,
• 1:55:30
  Speaker 4: everyone stands in honor of her. She is the loveliest
• 1:55:34
  Speaker 4: of brides. As she makes her way towards her beloved.
• 1:55:38
  Speaker 4: The joy on Solomon's face is unmistakable. As she approaches,
• 1:55:44
  Speaker 4: he says, behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold you
• 1:55:49
  Speaker 4: are beautiful. Your eyes are doves behind your veil. You
• 1:55:55
  Speaker 4: have captivated my heart, my bride, activated my heart, with
• 1:56:01
  Speaker 4: one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.
• 1:56:06
  Speaker 4: How beautiful is your love? How much better is your
• 1:56:12
  Speaker 4: love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than
• 1:56:16
  Speaker 4: any spice. As the bride and groom commit their love
• 1:56:22
  Speaker 4: to one another, you are reminded of God's commitment to
• 1:56:26
  Speaker 4: you through Jesus, his Son. He has loved you with
• 1:56:31
  Speaker 4: an everlasting love, pure and holy. Then you hear the
• 1:56:40
  Speaker 4: bride speak to Solomon words of allegiance, loyalty, and devotion.
• 1:56:47
  Speaker 4: Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a
• 1:56:51
  Speaker 4: seal upon your arm. For love is strong as death,
• 1:56:56
  Speaker 4: Jealousy is fierce as the graves. Flashes are flashes of fire,
• 1:57:02
  Speaker 4: the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love,
• 1:57:07
  Speaker 4: neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for
• 1:57:11
  Speaker 4: love all the wealth of his house, he would be
• 1:57:14
  Speaker 4: utterly despised. As Solomon hears her words, his heart is
• 1:57:21
  Speaker 4: filled with overwhelming love, and in return, he makes a
• 1:57:26
  Speaker 4: declaration over her. You are beautiful as tearsah, my love,
• 1:57:33
  Speaker 4: lovely as Jerusalem, Awesome as an army with banners. Until
• 1:57:39
  Speaker 4: the day breathes and the shadows flee, I will go
• 1:57:43
  Speaker 4: away to the mountain of Murr in the Hill of Frankinsonse,
• 1:57:48
  Speaker 4: you are all together, beautiful, my love. There is no
• 1:57:52
  Speaker 4: flaw in you. As the bride and groom commit to
• 1:57:58
  Speaker 4: a life of unity, you are drawn back to your
• 1:58:01
  Speaker 4: unity with the Lord, perfect and Holy. You breathe deeply
• 1:58:08
  Speaker 4: in and out, releasing anything that has come between you
• 1:58:13
  Speaker 4: and your Savior. You know that in Christ you are
• 1:58:17
  Speaker 4: covered by a love that is matchless. As the newly
• 1:58:24
  Speaker 4: married couple make their way down the aisle, your heart
• 1:58:28
  Speaker 4: is filled with joy. You have witnessed the pure, beautiful
• 1:58:34
  Speaker 4: love between Solomon and his bride. Now tonight, as you
• 1:58:40
  Speaker 4: rest in perfect peace, allow this love story to remind
• 1:58:45
  Speaker 4: you of the deep and magnificent love of God. There
• 1:58:49
  Speaker 4: is no other love that is more complete. Let's pray,
• 1:58:54
  Speaker 4: Gracious Redeemer, please place your loving hand over your beloved tonight. Lord,
• 1:59:01
  Speaker 4: as they sleep, let them fully rest in your presence.
• 1:59:06
  Speaker 4: Let them know the depths of your love for them,
• 1:59:09
  Speaker 4: and thank you for covering them in holiness and peace
• 1:59:13
  Speaker 4: in Jesus' name.
• 1:59:16
  Speaker 2: Amen.
• 1:59:22
  Speaker 4: Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than
• 1:59:29
  Speaker 4: for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. It
• 1:59:39
  Speaker 4: isn't always me first. Love doesn't fly off the handle.
• 1:59:49
  Speaker 4: Love doesn't keep score of the sins of others. Love
• 1:59:58
  Speaker 4: takes pleasure and the flowering of truth. Love puts up
• 2:00:06
  Speaker 4: with anything. It trusts God always. It always looks for
• 2:00:14
  Speaker 4: the best. Love never looks back. It keeps going to
• 2:00:23
  Speaker 4: the end. With your eyes still closed, listen one final
• 2:00:28
  Speaker 4: time as I read and you reflect on First Corinthians,
• 2:00:32
  Speaker 4: chapter thirteen, Verse six and seven. Love does not rejoice
• 2:00:38
  Speaker 4: a wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things,
• 2:00:44
  Speaker 4: believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Now,
• 2:00:51
  Speaker 4: with your eyes still close, your hands over your heart,
• 2:00:54
  Speaker 4: just feeling the rhythm of your heart beating, I want
• 2:00:58
  Speaker 4: you to imagine this past message from First Peter chapter four.
• 2:01:03
  Speaker 4: Peter wrote this open letter to the believers who had
• 2:01:06
  Speaker 4: been dispersed throughout the ancient world and were under intense persecution.
• 2:01:13
  Speaker 4: And Peter knew about persecution. He was beaten, threatened, punished,
• 2:01:19
  Speaker 4: and jailed just for preaching the word of God. He
• 2:01:24
  Speaker 4: knew what it took to endure without bitterness, without losing hope.
• 2:01:31
  Speaker 4: In his letter he acknowledges these are hard times, but
• 2:01:35
  Speaker 4: for all of us to be self controlled and sober
• 2:01:38
  Speaker 4: minded for the sake of our prayers. Above all, he
• 2:01:41
  Speaker 4: says for us to keep loving one another earnestly, since
• 2:01:46
  Speaker 4: love covers a multitude of sins, and we should show
• 2:01:50
  Speaker 4: hospitality to one another without grumbling. So, allowing the spirit
• 2:01:57
  Speaker 4: to guide your imagination for a moment, imagine you are
• 2:02:01
  Speaker 4: in a church under severe persecution when you receive this
• 2:02:07
  Speaker 4: letter from Peter. How do you feel hearing they should
• 2:02:12
  Speaker 4: keep showing love and hospitality. Imagine their emotions. Now, will
• 2:02:23
  Speaker 4: you join me now in closing prayer. Dear God of
• 2:02:28
  Speaker 4: Love and truth, you are patient, you were kind, You
• 2:02:34
  Speaker 4: have given me grace upon grace. You sent your son
• 2:02:39
  Speaker 4: Jesus to be the bridegroom of your church. And so
• 2:02:43
  Speaker 4: when you see me, you see one that has been
• 2:02:46
  Speaker 4: grafted into the family. I have been given a new name,
• 2:02:50
  Speaker 4: a new identity. Let me love the way One Corinthians
• 2:02:55
  Speaker 4: thirteen describes love does not delight in evil, rejoices with
• 2:03:01
  Speaker 4: the truth. It always protects, always hopes, and always perseveres.
• 2:03:09
  Speaker 4: And it's in Jesus name. I pray Amen.
• 2:03:16
  Speaker 1: We hope this meditation brought you peace. To listen to
• 2:03:20
  Speaker 1: the full collection of Biblical bedtime stories, download the Abide
• 2:03:23
  Speaker 1: app in the iTunes or Google Play Store.