Orchard Hill Plus

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 6. Today he talks about the idea of God's protection and how it is both comforting and disturbing. Five Good Minutes is a short devotional which provides a pause in your day for Biblical encouragement and wisdom. This show is a part of Orchard Hill Plus where you can also find the Perspectives podcast and...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 6. Today he talks about the contrast between Mordecai being honored and Haman being a servant to a Jew. Today's Passage Esther 6:12-13 - Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had ha...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 6. Today he talks about the pride of Haman and how he is brought low. Today's Passage 1 Peter 5:5-7 - In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humbl...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 6. Today he talks about God taking something that seems so unimportant or trivial to change the the outcome of a situation for His purposes. Today's Passage Esther 6:1 (NIV) - That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read t...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 6. Today he talks about how God often promotes those who least anticipate it, uses those who don't even realize it, and judges those who least expect it. Today's Passage Esther 6:6 (NIV) - When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman t...

In this episode, Brady Randall continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 5. Today he talks about the pride of Haman compared to the humility of Esther. Today's Passage Esther 5:9-14 (NIV) - Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against M...

In this episode, Brady Randall continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 5. Today he talks about Esther's plan being dependent on things outside her control which many of our own plans mirror. Today's Passage Esther 5:4-8 (NIV) - “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” “Bring Haman at once,”...

In this episode, Brady Randall continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 5. Today he talks about the importance of Esther's self-control when going to face King Xerxes and in turn our own self-control. Today's Passage Esther 5:4 (NIV) - “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” Five Good Minut...

In this episode, Brady Randall continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 5. Today he talks about Esther being calm in the midst of a storm, putting her faith in action, and having a plan. Today's Passage Esther 5:1-3 (NIV) - On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne...

In this episode, Brady Randall continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 5. Today he talks about the gap between Esther 4 and 5 and how we can actively and patiently wait on God. Today's Passage Esther 4:15-5:1 (NIV) - Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and m...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund and Dan Irvin sit down to have a conversation about young adult dating and how to think about the topic from a Biblical perspective. This podcast is for people who are in the dating scene themselves or people who have kids or friends in this season of life. Perspectives addresses culturally relevant topics in our world and brings a Biblical perspective to them....

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 4. Today he talks about the dichotomy shown in Esther between the proud and  the humble and God's disposition toward the humble. Today's Passage Esther 4:6-8 (NIV) - So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happene...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 4. Today he talks about the difference between King Xerxes and the King of Kings, Jesus. Today's Passage Hebrews 10:19-23 (NIV) - Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is,...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 4. Today he talks about four reasons why Esther was called to take a risk and why we should also consider these things when making decisions. Today's Passage Esther 4:9-11 (NIV) - Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s off...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 4. Today he talks about the crossroads that we face and the different types: survival vs. significance, safety vs. security, and success vs. service. Today's Passage Esther 4:15-16 (NIV) - Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not ea...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 4. Today he talks about Esther's decision to confront King Xerxes in the hopes of saving the people of Israel and how sometimes the act of indecision is a decision in itself. Today's Passage Esther 4:12-14 (NIV) - When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think t...

Jonathan Thiede sits down with Adult Ministry Director, Jake Williams, to discuss the book The Prodigal God by Tim Keller. The goal of Best Books is to be a resource for you to know what books are worth your time through discussions with Orchard Hill staff. New episodes every month! Buy the book! - https://tinyurl.com/5n7haswe What's one of your best books? - http://tinyurl.com/2fyrzaw8 Subsc...

In this episode, Emily DeAngelo continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 3. Today she talks about God being sovereign over the confusion of man-made laws and decrees. Today's Passage Esther 3:14-15 (NIV) - A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day. The couriers went...

In this episode, Emily DeAngelo continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 3. Today she talks about God's sovereignty being sealed by  King Xerxes' signet ring when he signs off on Haman's plan to destroy the people of Israel. Today's Passage Esther 3:10-11 (NIV) - So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the...

In this episode, Emily DeAngelo continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 3. Today she talks about how God reveals His sovereignty when His people choose to keep His laws over the laws of earthly kings. Today's Passage Esther 3:8-9 (NIV) - Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves s...

In this episode, Emily DeAngelo continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 3. Today she talks about God's sovereignty over Satan and evil demonstrated in Xerxes casting lots (rolling the dice). Today's Passage Esther 3:7 (NIV) - In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day...

In this episode, Emily DeAngelo continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 3. Today she talks about God's sovereignty in the story of Esther and His faithfulness through Jesus Christ. Today's Passage Esther 3:5-6 (NIV) -  When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killi...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 2. Today he talks about why Esther was keeping her nationality a secret and how this applies to our life. Today's Passage Esther 2:17-18 (NIV) - Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 2. Today he talks about the "shadow missions" that the people in Esther have and how each of us have a "shadow mission" as well. Today's Passage Esther 2:19-20 (NIV) - When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. But Esther had kept secret her...

In this episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues a series on the book of Esther in Chapter 2. Today he talks about God appointing each of us to be in places to move His kingdom forward and win more people for Christ. Today's Passage Esther 2:12-14 (NIV) - Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six...