The Sovereignty of God

Today’s Passage – Esther 1 – 3

When I read the passage today from the first three chapters of Esther, I considered how awesome our God is. The nation of Israel is going to survive no matter who comes up against them. God has promised that they would. Here in this passage we see the rise to power of a wicked anti-Semite (Haman) who sought to eliminate the Jews from off of the face of the earth. However, God was working behind the scenes all along, putting the right people in position that would be there when needed to thwart Haman’s wicked plan. God raised up Mordecai and Esther for just this purpose. Now if Esther chooses not to obey God, He will get somebody else to do the job; but Esther would forever remember that she blew an opportunity to serve and glorify the God of the Universe.

I wonder what God is raising me up for; or perhaps my children. Could it be that God is positioning you and I for some part of His perfect plan. Could it be that God has some great task for us to accomplish in His will. Everything that God wants us to do is great. I wonder, though, will I be ready when the time comes? Will I make the right decision. As we will see, Esther wavered slightly before finally making the right decision. I hope that I will choose to do the right thing when the time comes. I hope that God won’t have to pick somebody else to do what I could do. I hope that when the time comes, I will be found faithful.

For Such a Time as This … by Hannah Erickson

June 3, 2020

In "Devotions"

It’s A “God Thing”

Today's Passage - Esther 1 - 5 Second Milers also read - 2 Corinthians 9 - 12; Psalms 11 - 15; Proverbs 3 "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou…

June 3, 2012

In "Thoughts from Esther"

Just for Ladies – by Camille Stahl

February 26, 2013

In "Just for Ladies"

Phil Erickson

Pastor Phil Erickson has been the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church since January of 2002. Having grown up in Ocean County, Pastor Phil has always had a burden for the south Jersey area. After graduating from Bible College in Longview, Texas, he and his family moved to Galloway Township with the vision of digging in and serving the Lord and the people of Atlantic County. Pastor Phil and Cindy Erickson have been married since 1985. They have four children and ten grandchildren. Their oldest son, Phil Jr. and his wife Katelyn are serving the Lord in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is married to Wesley Clayton who is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico. Samantha, their third child, is married to Justin Mears and they are both serving the Lord at the church in Galloway. Hannah, the youngest, is married to Lucas McCollum, and they are also serving here in Galloway. In preparation for ministry, the Lord led him through a variety of educational experiences that have equipped him to serve the Lord and His people. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Theology from Texas Independent Baptist Seminary (formerly Texas Baptist College), a Master of Religious Education in Bible from West Coast Baptist College, and a Master of Biblical Studies from The Crown College. More recently, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Veritas Baptist College. He is thankful for these opportunities to study God’s Word more deeply, and counts it a privilege to use whatever knowledge the Lord has given him for the building up of His church. In addition to pastoring, the Lord has given Phil the wonderful privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vision Baptist College in Berlin, NJ and Veritas Baptist College.