Reading: Esther 4:1-17, Ephesians 2:8-10

Devotional: God's favor often arrives in unexpected packages. Esther, an orphan girl, found herself positioned as queen "for such a time as this." Like Esther, you may feel unqualified or unprepared for the challenges before you. Yet God's grace opens doors that human effort cannot. Today, reflect on areas where you feel inadequate. Remember, it's not about your qualifications, but God's favor. How might God be positioning you for impact? What "palace" has He placed you in? Ask for the courage to step into the opportunities He's opening, trusting not in your abilities, but in His grace.

Reading: Joshua 1:1-9, 2 Timothy 1:6-7

Devotional: Delay can be a thief of destiny. Joshua stood at the threshold of the Promised Land, facing a daunting task. God's command was clear: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid." Similarly, you may be standing at the edge of your own "promised land" – a new opportunity, a challenging situation, or a call to deeper faith. What fears or doubts are holding you back? Remember, God hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Today, identify one area where you've been hesitating. Take a small step of faith, trusting that God goes before you.

Reading: Esther 7:1-10, Romans 8:28

Devotional: Haman's plot against the Jews backfired spectacularly, ending in his own demise. This dramatic reversal reminds us that God is able to turn even the darkest situations around for good. Are you facing circumstances that seem hopeless? Remember that with God, no situation is beyond redemption. He specializes in divine reversals. Today, bring your most challenging situation before God. Pray for His intervention, but also for the faith to trust His timing and methods. How might God be working behind the scenes in ways you can't yet see?

Reading: Acts 2:1-21, Ephesians 5:15-17

Devotional: On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit's arrival brought supernatural acceleration to the early church. Thousands were saved in a day, and the gospel began spreading rapidly. God often works in seasons of acceleration, compressing what would normally take years into days. Are you ready for such acceleration in your spiritual life? Today, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh. Pray for heightened spiritual sensitivity to discern God's timing. What areas of your life need His quickening touch? How can you "make the most of every opportunity" He places before you?

Reading: Revelation 3:7-13, 1 Corinthians 16:8-9

Devotional: Jesus holds the key of David, opening doors that no one can shut. Yet an open door doesn't guarantee easy passage – it often leads to both great opportunity and opposition. Paul experienced this in Ephesus: "a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." As you seek God's will, be prepared for both divine opportunities and spiritual resistance. Today, prayerfully consider the "open doors" before you. Which one aligns most closely with God's revealed will in Scripture? Ask for discernment to recognize His leading, and courage to walk through the doors He opens, regardless of the challenges that may await.

We encourage you to continue the discussion with a few friends within your HOW Church community! Here's a short discussion guide based on Pastor Free's sermon "It's Your Time".

Opening Prayer:
Begin the session with a prayer, asking God to open hearts and minds to His message and to guide the discussion.

Key Takeaways:
1. We are in a season of divine acceleration and open doors.
2. Grace qualifies us when the world says we're unqualified.
3. Delayed obedience can be a form of disobedience.
4. God is orchestrating divine reversals against our enemies.
5. Action is required to step into what God has prepared for us.

Discussion Questions:

1. The sermon opened with an illustration about a woman missing her train. Have you ever experienced a moment where you hesitated and missed an opportunity? How did it impact you?
2. The pastor emphasized that "grace opens what you cannot earn." How does this concept challenge our worldly understanding of success and achievement?
3. Reflect on the story of Esther. How did her willingness to step out in faith, despite the risks, lead to a breakthrough? Can you think of a time when you had to take a similar leap of faith?
4. The sermon mentions that "your Haman has 24 hours." Who or what represents a 'Haman' in your life right now? How can you apply the principle of divine reversal to this situation?
5. Discuss the concept of "delayed obedience is disobedience." Why do you think we sometimes hesitate to act on God's promptings? How can we overcome this tendency?
6. The pastor spoke about the Hebrew year 5785 and the letter Hei, representing an open door. What "open doors" do you see in your life right now that you might be hesitating to walk through?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify one area in your life where you've been procrastinating or hesitating. Commit to taking one concrete step this week to move forward.
2. Practice speaking declarations of faith over your life daily this week, especially in areas where you feel stuck or challenged.
3. Set aside time for fasting and prayer, following Esther's example, to seek God's guidance for a specific situation in your life.
4. Write down three "open doors" or opportunities you see before you. Share these with a prayer partner and ask them to hold you accountable in pursuing them.
5. Reflect on any "unfinished warfare" in your life – areas where you've allowed compromise or haven't fully dealt with past issues. Make a plan to address these with God's help.

Closing Activity:
Have each person share one key insight they're taking away from the discussion and one action step they plan to implement this week.

Closing Prayer:
End the discussion by praying for each other, specifically for courage to step through open doors and for God's acceleration in areas of delay or struggle.