2010 Daily Bible Study

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Copyright Jan. 1, 2003, Wilma Clark Erwin

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Worship- - -Jan. 1

 Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

 I Kings 8:54 tells of ________ praying ________ on his ______ with _______ spread up to ____________. Psalms 95: 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. Reread: Daniel 6:10 to remind yourself of Daniel's worship activities and note them here. He _______ ____ times a day and p______ and gave t________. I Chronicles 16:29 Give unto the LORD the ______ due unto his name: bring an _________, and come before him: worship the LORD in the _____ of ________.

Author's Thoughts

Sometimes I think we have the wrong idea about 'worship' services. We've gotten so 'turned inside' and 'tuned in' to ourselves that we get to thinking all is about self. Worship can become distorted to mean: the music we like, the minister we like, the singers we like, etc. And, even the times we get beyond ourselves, too many times it stops at the next earthly level, those about us. We're there for God, not each other, but Christ's family is support in times of need. Too few times, I suspect, do we truly get to real worship. Let's define worship. Worship. Participation in according, or giving, to Jesus love, reverence, devotion, thanksgiving, praise and submission to His Divine will. By definition worship is giving to Jesus. Did you hear who receives worship? It's not me! It's not you or any other human! It is Jesus, we worship. The Son of the Living God. The One represented by the Holy Ghost. I bring, give, accord, to Him, my worship. I must bring this gift in spirit and truth. To be received, it must come from my heart, soul, mind and strength, I must humbly submit before my maker. If I dwell there in His presence, sing to Him, talk to Him, learn of His Word, ask His wisdom, I become more and more able to truly worship Him. And, yes, He gives me more in return than could ever be deserved or expected. He loves having me recognize Him. He wants me to see what He has done for me. He wants me to know who He Is for me now. He blesses me! He speaks to my sprit, refreshes, and cleanses me. Today, I am revived by recognizing what Paul penned to the church at Philippi. Pray this scripture. “Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Pray that you, yours, your church, your country, your world will recognize Jesus is The Name above every name. Pray all will choose to bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Pray your lives will bring glory to the God the Father. Recognize the Holy Ghost and ask Him to be welcome in your life.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below. Genesis 1

Genesis 2

Genesis-3

(WORSHIP or SIN)... Is... At Our Heart's Doors- - -Jan. 2

 Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 4:1,2 names __________ as the firstborn son and _________ the second. Genesis 4:2-5 tells the eldest was a shepherd, the youngest a tiller of soil. In time each brought offerings to God; but only Abel's was respected. (If you want to know more of God's reasoning on this decision do these searches and write a brief reminder note to yourself: Heb 11:4 ______________________________________________________________ I John 3:12_____________________________________________________________) Genesis 4:5,6 tells Cain was very _________ and his ______________ fell. Look up that last word. _____________________________________________________ God asked him why he was each of the above. Genesis 4:7 God also asked Cain if he had done well wouldn't his offering been accepted? God then told Cain if he had NOT done well __________ lieth at the door. God further said, “And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” (Two things come to mind: 1. Cain is elder and Abel would still be younger brother, 2. Sin had to wait Cain's desire, decision, to rule. Cain, not sin, had the rule. Either way, Cain was being encouraged to do right.) Genesis 4:8 tells us _______ did talk to ______; but sadly reports Sin won the victory. God's predicted, “thou shalt surely die”, Genesis 2:17, was fulfilled, as promised. Genesis 4:11 tells Cain's curse, a fugitive and a vagabond.

Author's Thoughts

Worship must be between the deepest intent of mankind and God; or it is NOT worship. Cain failed the simple 'faith test'. Regardless of other possible reasons God took Abel's gift, like the sheep being a blood offering, Cain failed in faith as Heb. 11:4 reports. This same passage told us God saw Abel's excellence in his sacrifice and saw him as a righteous witness. In the following scripture, Paul reminds us NOT to take sin at the door for granted. “Hebrews 12:24,25 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant,… that speaketh better things than that of Abel... For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.” We cannot allow wroth, intense anger, or fallen moods or emotions to lie at our door. We must settle the issue. Instead of being angry a righteous person is accepted, we need to realize we can better our heart's intent to righteousness and also be accepted. When we repent, and are changed, truly converted, sin will leave our door. The devil doesn't want to stay where Jesus is worshipped. Although He will watch for weakness. Be alert! Pray for any jealousy, wrath or fallen emotions or moods within yourself. MOVE UP! Pray to be HOLY and RIGHTEOUS. Ask The Lord to put reigns, The Holy Ghost, on you and a bridle in your mouth, Jesus on your tongue, until you are truly a 'gentle' spirit. He loves to help. Pray for any others needing the same help.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below. Genesis 4

Genesis 5

Genesis 6

Worship is also, 'a way of life & labor'- - -Jan. 3

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 6:5-8 And GOD saw that the ___________ of man was ______ in the earth, and that __________ imagination of the thoughts of his heart was _____ ______ continually. And it _______ the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it ________ him at his ______. And the LORD said, I will ________ man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But _____ found _______ in the ______ of the L_______. Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ______ ___ _________ ______. Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which ______ _______ ______ ___. Genesis 6: 22 Thus did _____; according to ___ that God ______________ him, so ____ ___.

Author's Thoughts

Worship is bringing to God his due gifts from our heart and spirit; but it is also living life as pleases The Lord. Don't you like to see your children following your teachings! Doesn't that give a new and different kind of gift-the daily carrying out of the will! God was grieved by what mankind was and was not doing on the earth. Of all alive, only Noah was walking with Him. It is sad to have many children and only one following right teachings. Many, many in the world today have God's kind of problem with their generations. Noah, like any true believer, let his faith and right fear of God, guide him to do what he was told. God accounted it to him as righteousness and gave him favor forever. “Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” It was a labor! Can you imagine building a boat the size of the ark with only 8 men and women working at all that had to be done? Can you see the impossibility of the task? Can you feel the peer pressure as they pass by and jeer at your spending time on a boat, when there is no need, or so your neighbors think? Can you hear the family response when Noah told them his task? But, can you also see God's hand in the planning, providing, guiding and bringing it to pass? Can you feel the assurance that you are doing God's commands regardless what the neighbors think? Can you hear your family as they say, “Sounds tough, but we're with you.” Today, we live in the end times-the days like Noah's or so reports “Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe (another language spelling of the Hebrew Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” We need to be the ones Jesus can trust to be faithful in DOING His will NOW, Today! He is still looking for men, women and youth He can TRUST. Pray you will be faithful, that your family and church will be and that all church people would be touched with that desire. Pray God will soften rebellious hearts. For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below. Genesis 7

Genesis 8

Genesis-9

Worship, Because God's Word Is Firm- - -Jan. 4

 Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, ________ and ________, and ____ and _____, and _______ and _______, and ____ and _______ shall not cease. Genesis 9:11-16 And I will establish my _________ with you; neither shall ___ flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the _____ of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for __________ generations: I do set my ___ in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between __ ____ ___ ______. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will _____ ______ it, that I may _________ the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

Author's Thoughts

God's Word cannot be broken by circumstances, as yours or mine. God is The Ancient of Days, Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresent. He Is. You and I must depend on God giving us strength, health and means to carry out, even the promises we intend to keep. Too often we make promises and forget. Too often we make promises and the cares of life take priority. We just can't make the kind of covenant God can. Our society is having more and more trouble getting married, staying married, committing to service to the Lord, or even making forty-eight payments in a row. They are getting farther and farther from experiencing on a daily basis the covenant power of God. Covenant is the agreement of promise, a contract given to one by another. Only God can say whether there will always be a planting time, summer or day and night. When God speaks, He has ALL power and ALL existence to bring it to pass. Plus, God cannot be muted or lie. God could say that He would not destroy the world by water again and say it with ease, since all these are in His power. It makes our ability to promise or covenant pale in comparison, even when we mean to fulfill our word and give our best efforts to keep our promise. Then, God did a beautiful thing. Like an engagement ring from the prospective groom, sealing his promise, God gave the rainbow. He said he'd use it to remind Himself of His covenant to us. Wow! The next time you promise or receive a promise, think about how limited our word is. Worship God for eternal Word. As you watch your next rainbow, know God is seeing it from heaven and remembering His promise. Pray you will be more aware of God's promises, and that. like God, we will be better at honoring our promises.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below. Genesis 10

Genesis 11

Genesis-12

Worship, Knowing God Is Personally Involved- - -Jan. 5

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 12:1-4 Now the LORD had said unto ______, Get thee out of thy _______, and from thy ________, and from thy _______ house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a ______ _______, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will ______ them that bless thee, and _____ him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram ________, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. Genesis 13:14-17 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art _____, and _________, and ________, and ________: For all the land which thou ______, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the ____ of the earth: so that if a man can _______ ___ _____ of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, _____ through the land in the _______ of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

Author's Thoughts

God picked Abram, watched his heart seventy-five years, and decided this man was worth knowing. He made Abram His friend. God wanted a relationship with man. God wanted to bless Abram. He wanted to give him land, sheep, cattle and all he needed to live a good life. God, like us, wanted to bless His friend. Just like you and I, shopping for an appropriate gift to give a friend, God gave gifts to Abram. He pledged His personal, continuing love. Since God is forever, He promised things beyond Abram's lifetime. God's gifts are so much greater than what we can give. We give a gift for a day or year or two. God just looked at Abram and said, “I'll always bless your generations. I'll keep them going until they're like the sands of the sea in number.” Abram would die and leave. God would still be here. Even until now He is watching over the Jewish people and the Spiritual seed of Abram-Christians. What a personal God to His friend! And, today, Jesus watches over you and I the same way. Jesus even said, “ John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Worship God for all His gifts to you. Pray you'll see His hand in more about you. Worship Jesus for the gift of eternal life to you. Pray you'll appreciate His gifts more. Worship the Holy Ghost for teaching you all truth and bringing Jesus' teachings to you often. Don't forget to ask Him to pray when you don't know what you ought to ask.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below. Genesis 13

Genesis 14

Genesis-15

Worship By Investing In God's Work (Tithes)- - -Jan. 6

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 14:18-20 And _________king of Salem brought forth _____ and ____: and he was the priest of the ____ _____ ____. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him _____ of all. Hebrews 7:1-6 For this _________, king of Salem, ______ of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a ____ _____ __ ___; first being by interpretation King of ___________, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of _____; Without ______, without ______, without _______, having neither __________ of days, nor ___ of life; but made like unto the ___ __ ___; abideth a ______ continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch _________ gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of _____, who receive the office of the ___________, have a commandment to ____ _______ of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the _____ of Abraham: But he whose _______ is not ________ from them _________ ________ of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

Author's Thoughts

Abram allowed Lot to pick his choice of land, when their herdsmen quarreled. He chose to pitch toward Sodom. As time passed the city was taken by enemies, Lot with it. Abram went to battle to bring back Lot. He salvaged for all the friendly kings involved. On his way back with the spoils of war, he was met by Melchizedek, the priest of God. Melchizedek received tithes of all. Not a duty, but a thanks to God for His help. At this time Abram had not become Abraham of the circumcision covenant and father of Isaac. In his loins were the seed of Isaac, Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel. Levi, the priestly tribe of the twelve had not been conceived in his grandfather yet. However, Abram, carrying the Levitical priestly seed in his loins, paid tithes to Melchizedek. God went to great lengths to set up tithing the way He wanted it to be. God, ordered and sent one with no descent or end to receive the first investments into God's work. The priestly lineage was present only in latent seed, but present in God's mind's intentions. He wanted mankind to be able to invest in HIS work. He knew and knows that what is invested on earth will dissolve. He wanted His children to be able to invest in Forever Stock. Wow! Worship Him with a special offering today. Ask Jesus how, where and when. Pray for your tithes to be given with wide open, intentional, investing eyes, heart and spirit. Believe your tithes are the best investment you'll ever make. They are! For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below. Genesis 16

Genesis 17

Genesis-18

Worship By Obeying In The Tough Things- - -Jan. 7

 Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 17:1-16 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. ...And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called ______, but thy name shall be __________; for a father of many nations have I made thee. ...And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of ________, for an _____________ possession; and I will be their God. ...This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every ___ ______ among you shall be ____________. And ye shall ________ the flesh of your _________; and it shall be a ______ of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is ______ _____ ____ shall be ____________ among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. … And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name ______, but ______ shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a ________ of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

Author's Thoughts

Abraham had been given some tough assignments in his 99 years. He was asked to pack up and leave his home and countrymen, going where he did not know, except God bid him go. He had been promised a son with Sarai, but had not seen this come to pass, yet. Yet, among the tough stuff there had been a continual friendship with God. They had a trust which made all the tough spots better. Now, God was telling him a tough thing. He and all the males in his house had to be physically circumcised. God was getting him ready for the birth of Isaac, the son of the covenant, to be born after the circumcision. Sometimes, even though God has a plan to our benefit, we hesitate to obey. At 99 to circumcise the flesh was obeying a humanly tough command. From this time Abram was Abraham and Sarai was to be Sarah. A new era was beginning, but it started with circumcision. You and I are sometimes asked to worship in tough ways. We are asked to step out on faith and obey, whether we see the door or not, reach for it when told. Even in the grace covenant we must begin with a circumcision. Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: We, with assistance of Jesus and the Holy Ghost are circumcised by putting off sins of the flesh and becoming a spiritual being. It may be a tough call, but, oh how great to please and befriend Jesus, our Lord. For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below. Genesis 19

Genesis 20

Genesis-21

Worship When We Realize We've Resisted- - -Jan. 8
Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 19:14-16 And Lot went out, and spake unto his ____ __ ___, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you ___ __ ____ ______; for the LORD will ______ this city. But he seemed as one that _______ unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, ______, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be _________ in the ________ of the city. And while he _________, the men laid ____ _____ ___ _____, and upon the _____ of his wife, and upon the _____ of his two daughters; the LORD being ________ unto him: and they brought him _____, and set him _______ ___ _____.

Author's Thoughts

There are times in our lives when The Lord sees and we do not. It is as simple as that! We rarely see all that is in front of our eyes much less what is around the next bend. Also, we tend to look to 'me and my four and no more.' It is our nature to look from our viewpoint.
God, being all knowing, and all seeing, uses many means to 'steer' us to our best path. Lot was not wise in many of his decisions. When given the opportunity to be gracious to Abraham and pick ground that was the least beneficial. He picked what he thought was the best, most watered, with little thought to Abraham's rights. It was because of Abraham's relationship with God that either man had been so very blessed. Lot did not give credit to this. He simply took advantage, or what he thought would be so.
In the case of pitching his tents toward Sodom, he was going toward evil and vexation of his soul. So many attractions have a down side to them. Abraham could have advised him, but like many who know Godly people, he didn't seek advice there.
God was faithful to Abraham and had a conversation with him before Sodom's destruction. God, it seems, spared Lot for his servant Abraham's sake. Lot was, so to speak, riding on Abraham's shirt tail and yet unthankful. His word to his sons-in-law went unheeded. The angels' urge to hurry went unheeded by Lot. The angels had to literally take Lot, his wife and daughters by the hands and pull them out of Sodom. Even then, Lot's wife resisted God's will, looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.
When the angels told Lot and daughters to go to the mountains, Lot wanted to pick his own destination, “Genesis 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.”
We need to look at what God, Jesus, The Holy Ghost is trying to do in our lives. We need to enquire of the Lord and seek to follow His leading. Let's ask wisdom in not resisting God. We can be like Lot and want what we want, with little respect to spiritual advisors; or, to God. The Holy Ghost comes from the throne room where Jesus and God have spoken on our behalf. Let's listen.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Genesis 22

Genesis 23

Genesis-24

Genesis 25

Worship, Especially In Times You're Tempted To Rebel- - -Jan. 9

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 22:1-10 And it came to pass after these things, that God did ____ Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou ______, and get thee into the land of _______; and offer him there for a _____ _________ upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and _____ ____ ____ for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye ____ with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and ________, and come again to you. And Abraham took the ____ of the burnt offering, and laid it upon ______ his son; and he took the ____ in his hand, and a _____; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, _______ ___ ____ ___ ___ ____: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, ___ ____ _______ himself a ____ for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an _____ there, and laid the ____ in order, and ______ Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and ____ ___ _____ __ ____ ___ ____.

Author's Thoughts

If the Lord had told me to take my son and offer him a burnt offering, what would I have done? What would you do? The Bible plainly tells us God wanted to know where he stood in line. Was the long awaited son of the promise, Isaac, or The Lord who make the promise, first with Abraham. In my mind, God knew that Abraham would obey; but, he wanted Abraham to know what he would do.
Many times in our spiritual lives, God will ask us to move beyond our comfort zones. He will ask us to step off a high rise building, trusting a beam will be by to catch the foot once it is in the air. He wants us to learn He Is God and Can Be Trusted. He wants us to become trustworthy people who obey Him, regardless of the order.
Abraham had faith, “Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”
Pray you will be able to do what Jesus asks of you. Pray your family and church will do the same. What the Lord brings you to, He will bring you through. We lose when we, in doubt, disobey. The Mount Moriah, where this took place is where Solomon built God a temple. A forever famous place! God doesn't forget the places of obedience.
For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Genesis 26

Genesis 27

Genesis 28

Genesis 29

Worship-Don't Give What Costs Nothing! - - -Jan. 10

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 23: 2 And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is ______ in the land of ______: and Abraham came to _____ for Sarah, and to ____ for her. 4 I am a ________ and a _________ with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. 6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a ______ ______ among us: in the ______ of our _________ bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from ___ his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. 9 That he may give me the ____ __ _________, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much _____ as it is _____ he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you. 11 Nay, my lord, hear me: ___ _____ _ ____ ____, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead. 15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth ____ hundred _______ __ _______; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead. 16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham _______ to Ephron the ______ which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

Author's Thoughts

Sarah, at the age of 127, died. Abraham owned no land, no burying place. When the need was known, all the people of the land called him a mighty man and offered his choice of places. Abraham, on the other hand, needed to bury his wife. His wife.
He knew a place at Hebron, in a cave that was suitable to him. The owner again offered the land as a gift. Abraham wanted to pay what the land was worth. He wanted to buy the land that his precious Sarah was buried upon. Once his desire was known, the value was set and paid. Abraham weighed out the silver, knowing he bought the place where Sarah would rest, until he joined her. In years to come Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah would all be 'gathered to their people' here.
Near the cave he and Sarah had worshipped. Their descendents would dwell and/or come back to this place. David would dwell here as King of Israel in days to come. This land needed to be paid for by the users.
Sometimes we are tempted to give God what costs us nothing. We slide a few minutes late into our seats at 'worship' service, having not read or prayed. We are in no way paying for what is given to Jesus. We too many times let others sing, pray and work. We, by being physically near them, claim to have given to Jesus our daily gift. Even at times during His services, we forget to talk to Him, or praise His name. We cannot give Him anything that costs us nothing.
You and I need to be careful to 'pay' for what we give the Lord. Our time must be put to His uses. His gifts of money to us, must be tithed with great intention of sowing into His work. Prayer needs to be given up on behalf of His church and children.
Pray to pay for what you give Jesus, whether time, heart, soul, strength, mind or money.
For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Genesis 30

Genesis 31

Genesis-32

Genesis 33

Worship, Obey, and Let the Lord Be Lord- - -Jan. 11

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 24:11-14 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that _____ go out to ____ ______. And he said, O LORD God of my master _______, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the ____ __ _____; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: And ___ __ _____ __ ____, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that _ ___ _____; and she shall say, _____, and I will give thy ______ ______ ____: let the same be she that ____ ____ _________ for thy servant _____; and thereby shall I know that thou hast ______ ________ unto my master

Author's Thoughts

Abraham called his servant, asked him to place his hand under his thigh, and as a covenant between the two. He wanted the servant to journey to kinsmen and find Isaac a wife there. The servant promised to make the journey and ask a girl. If the girl refused, his vow was void.
The servant asked the God of Abraham to direct his path and find the girl. The Lord did exactly that! Rebekah was sent to the well at the right time. She, unknowingly, was put to the test. The servant asked for a girl that would not only give him a drink, but give to his camels also. God provided!
So many times God is looking for obedient people, not people with certain talents or stature. God wants someone that can be trusted to do as He says. Think upon scripture and you'll find names like Joshua, Gideon, Esther, Ruth, Elijah, Deborah, etc. All had to go in faith obeying, not knowing what lay ahead. God did the providing. God wants to be God. He didn't take Satan as a partner and He won't take you or I. He wants servants to obey and let Him be God.
Rebekah, in her hospitality, found her place in life. Had her attitude been one of, 'do it yourself' or 'I'm in too much of a hurry to spend time with a stranger,' she would have lost out. She even had to go at the exact time to the well, before another girl filled her spot.
Again, after the introductions, taking the servant home with her to meet family, and finding out the man's order of business, she again had to obey to get her rightful place. The man was intent on taking Rebekah home to Isaac very soon. The family asked for a ten day waiting time. Rebekah, when asked, was ready to go with the servant. Hence, she is soon with Isaac, as his wife.
The Lord leads Peter to Cornelius, Ananias to Saul of Tarsus, Philip to the eunuch, Paul down into Macedonia. He still, through The Holy Ghost, leads people to do His will. He may want a card sent, a visit made, a meal cooked, a ministry started or whatever is on His agenda today. He uses you and I to do His work.
Pray you will listen to Jesus' voice. His sheep know His voice. Pray you will heed the voice and do as it bids you. Pray you will 'immediately' do His will when He speaks. Pray your church will also.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Genesis 34

Genesis 35

Genesis-36

Worship Through Whatever The Lord Allows- - -Jan. 12

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 37:3-11 Now _____ loved _______ more than all his children, because he was the ___ __ ___ ___ ___: and he made him a coat of many ______. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they _____ him, and could not ______ _________ unto him. And Joseph _______ _ ______and he told it his brethren: and they ______ him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, __ _____ _____, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made ______________ to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed ______ _____ ___? or shalt thou indeed have _________ over us? And they ______ him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the ___ and the _____ and the _______ ______ made __________ to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren ________ him; but his father ___________ the saying.

Author's Thoughts

Joseph, Jacob's youngest son was favored because he was the son of old age and Jacob's (Israel) beloved Rachel, was given special treatment. In addition to the fatherly preferences, God gave him dreams of future dominion over the family. Joseph shared the dreams and all this together made Joseph hated by his ten brothers. They actually couldn't speak peaceably to Joseph for hatred.
Read the story and try to see the happenings. Joseph is sold, rather than killed. God directs his path into a high and rich home of Egypt. Although much time was spent in prison and serving others, he eventually ended up second in all Egypt. Famine in the world of the time eventually sent his brothers to bow at his feet, just as the dreams predicted.
The story continues to unfold, showing how Joseph receives his brothers, tests their loyalty to the new youngest brother, Benjamin, and how he extends a gracious welcome to Egypt when the test is over. Joseph had to endure hatred, uncivil attitudes from brothers, being sold, threatened of death, and prison for being true to God; but, through it all, God proved true.
What things are in your life today that seem like hardships? Is it possible that God is allowing you to travel through the valley to your destiny? Pray for strength to follow Jesus, regardless! Jesus went to the cross to get to His destiny. Take up your cross, cheerfully and faithfully and head home.
For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Genesis 37

Genesis 38

Genesis-39

Worship By Admitting Wrongs & Changing - -Jan. 13

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Judah, when Joseph was put in the pit to kill, decided there was money to be made from Joseph instead of killing him.
Genesis 37: 26-28 And Judah said unto his brethren, What _____ is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us ____ ___ to the ____________, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and ____ ______ to the Ishmeelites for ______ _______ __ _______: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Later in Egypt, with Benjamin in trouble over the cup that was placed in his sack by Joseph's men, Judah would have took Benjamin's place. He now valued his brother and father more than jealousy or money. His conversation for mercy was:
Genesis 44:30-33 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the ___ be not with us; seeing that ___ ____ is bound up in the ___ ____; It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will ___: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with ______ to the grave. For thy servant ______ _______ for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him ___ unto thee, then I _____ bear the _____ to my father ___ _____. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide _______ __ ___ ____ a bondman to my lord; and let the ___ __ up with his brethren.

Author's Thoughts

One can see how being one of eleven brothers, with different mothers, could be a sticky situation. Add to that, the youngest was your common father's favorite. Add to that his clothing was very different from all the others. Add to that the fact the kid brother was always telling dreams portraying himself with dominion over the entire family. Add to that the hatred of all this builing up within you and the others. It was hard to see Joseph or talk to him without thinking of all the above. This was Judah's place in the family.
Judah and the brethren decided to kill Joseph when Judah saw an opportunity to make some money on the deal. All agreed. The deal was made and Joseph was off to Egypt. The family was in long mourning for a dead brother that really wasn't dead; but a sibling secret. Imagine the thoughts that were locked inside Judah and the others. Time to think was theirs to have.
Years later, with events seemingly similar, Judah had a completely different attitude concerning Benjamin and his father. He would have stayed in Egypt a bondman and let his brother return home to Jacob. All this was unnecessary because God was working way ahead of all the family. God used Joseph to feed all the family and country.
Today, is there things in your life that have left you thinking about actions you have taken in the past? Pray for a way to be tested in a similar way and pass the test this time. Like Judah, we can change, mature, and react more faithfully on future tests.
For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Genesis 40

Genesis 41

Genesis-42

Genesis 43

Worship By Enjoying, Savoring, Victories- - -Jan. 14

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 45:1-10 Then Joseph could not _______himself before all them that stood by him; and he _____, Cause every man __ __ ___ from me. And there stood no man with him, while _____ ____ _______ _____ ____ ___ _______. And he ____ _____: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh _____. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am ______; doth my father yet _____? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were ________ at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come ____ __ __, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye ____ into Egypt. Now therefore be ___ _______, nor _____ with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for ___ ___ ____ __ before you to preserve life. For these ___ years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are ____ years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to ________ ___ _ ________ in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was ___ ____ that sent me hither, but ___: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: ____ ____unto me, tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be ____ ____ __, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

Author's Thoughts

Imagine all the years of punishment for each of Jacob's family. Based on who you were and what events you caused or what events happened to you, you had issues. Jacob was mourning and fearful for the other sons. Joseph had to keep faith in the dreams and God who gave them to stay Godly. Through it all, he was faithful to his God. Reuben, being the oldest, had tried to save Joseph, but the others got the best of him. Judah lived with his suggestion to sell his own brother.
Then, the years of punishment were over. The twelve brothers were standing in a room, in the home of the Governor of Egypt, their brother. Food and power were in his hand and forgiveness in his heart. Tears in his eyes and sobbing on his voice told them he was sincere in wanting the family whole again. The road finally was rounding the bend to a better day for each and every one of them.
The celebration must have been glorious!
In each of our lives, we round many bends on troubled roads to discover deliverance is waiting on our arrival. We too, weep, hug or cry. Pray for the freedom to stop and celebrate the victory. Too many times we hide our joy or subdue it. Pray for a celebration spirit at your next victory. Worship.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Genesis 44

Genesis 45

Genesis-46

Worship by Claiming Victories Already Won - - -Jan. 15

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Genesis 50:15-21 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their __________ was _______, they said, Joseph will peradventure _______ ____, and will certainly requite us all the ______ which ____ did unto ______. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy ____________ did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, __________, I pray thee now, the __________ of thy brethren, and their ______; for they did unto thee _______: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph ________ when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and ______ _________ before his face; and they said, Behold, _____ be ______ servants. And Joseph said unto them, _______ _____: for ______ I in the place of God? But as for you, ye _____________ evil against me; but ______ meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will _____________ _________, and your ___________ _________. And he _______________ them, and spake ______________ unto them.

Author's Thoughts

Think upon a past battle, one that sorely pressed you before the Lord. Maybe it was physical, financial, emotional or spiritual. Then, after much anguish and prayer-the answer came. You knew Jesus, your friend, had heard and delivered.
Remember, how Joseph had been mistreated, sold and ended up the second to Pharaoh in Egypt. His brothers did just as God had showed Joseph in his dreams, they bowed to him. When young they could not imagine such a dream being true and were jealous of him. This jealousy escalated to the selling him into slavery act they all committed.
Years later the famine put them before Joseph, though they recognized him not. When this all came into the open, they were afraid of him. Their fears came to nought and Joseph was weeping and hugging them, forgiving them.
Remember, he sent them home to move all they had to Egypt where he could care for them! Now, years later, Jacob has died. The devil missed no chance to bring up old wounds and failures. He uses them again, trying his best to make you forget the victory God has already given in the past. If he can get all the minds back on the hurt and anger, he will have a foothold.
Re-think the victory mentioned to you at the top of this discussion. Remember when the devil came back later and tried to give you the problem back, as though Jesus had not worked on it at all; or had worked on it but hadn't finished the job.
Don't allow the devil to make you fight the same wars over and over again. When Jesus speaks it is settled forever, if you have the faith to believe.
Joseph's brothers worried and fretted anew, but Joseph stood by his thoughts that God had used him in Egypt to save all their lives in the famine. He only wanted to do them good. Don't let satan drag up issues where Jesus has already given you victory. “Behind me, satan”, you can order, in Jesus' Name.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Genesis 47

Genesis 48

Genesis-49

Genesis 50

Worship, Knowing, God Always Has A Plan!- - -Jan. 16

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 1:8-12 Now there arose up a ______ _________ over Egypt, which knew not __________. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are ______ and _________ than we: Come on, let us deal ___________ with them; lest they __________, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them ________________ to __________ them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they ______________and ___________. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Exodus 1:15, 16 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew ______________, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a ______, then ye shall _________ him: but if it be a daughter, then ______ ___________ _________.

Exodus 2:6-10 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe _________. And she had __________________ on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children. Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a _________ of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the __________ _____________. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy __________. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name ___________: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

Author's Thoughts

Satan used Pharaoh as his instrument of punishment to Israel. Joseph's reputation and former value to Egypt was soon forgotten when the new King realized how many Hebrews there had grown to be. He decided upon a ghastly plan, he'd have the midwives kill all the boy babies.
Even when the midwives didn't help him, he was determined to kill all the Hebrew boys. He didn't want this mighty people to raise possible warriors than could turn against Egypt.
Think about being a young parent in that day. All boys were being killed. You had a son, a goodly child, born of the priestly tribe, Levi. You had hid him three months and it was getting harder to find ways to do so. You made an ark and waterproofed it, deciding to hide him among the flags of the river. You sent your daughter to watch over him. God always has a way!
Who would come to the very spot, but Pharaoh's own daughter. Moses picked just this moment to cry. Soon her maid was fishing him out of the flags, his sister close in tow. The crying little boy caused Pharaoh's daughter to have compassion on the child. The sister immediately offered to get a nurse to help out-her and the boy's own mother.
God not only kept Moses safe, but had mother paid for the services. Isn't that just like our God. When we ask Jesus to help us, we need to believe He will find a way. We need to put our trust in right and Him: Forsaking All I Take Him!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Exodus 1

Exodus 2

Exodus 3

Worship, God's Word IS True- - -Jan. 17

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 2:23-25 And it came to pass in process of ______, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel __________ by reason of the _______________, and they __________, and their ______ came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their ________________, and God _________________________ his _______________ with _________________, with ______________, and with _____________. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had ______________ unto them.

Hebrews 6:13, 14 For when God made promise to ________________, because he could ___________ by no greater, he ____________ by _____________, Saying, Surely _______________ I will ___________ thee, and ________________ I will _______________ thee.

Author's Thoughts

Had you been in Egypt, under bondage of slavery and hard taskmasters, would your faith that God loved you waned?
Many times when bad things happen we question, “Why, Lord, why?”
We like being blessed and can testify it, on the mountain tops of life. But, when we are in the deepest valley, isn't God still God? Isn't He still on His throne? Is not Jesus still sitting by His side? Isn't the Holy Ghost still coming to us with answers and strength?
Just because things look bad doesn't mean a thing. If God has promised a thing, it will be just as it was said. His words to bless and multiply Abraham and his seed is still on the books. He IS still meaning to keep that promise. It may not look like it now, but He will bring it to pass.
What is in your life today that doesn't look like the promises Jesus made to never leave or forsake you? Are you a believer enough to bow your head and honestly tell Jesus you will wait, trusting on His answer?
Faith moves God. Faith moves Jesus. Faith moves the Holy Ghost.
They all like to work when nothing else will. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Pray thanking Jesus for the answer that will come to your hard problem. Speak it into existence before it is. He loves that!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Exodus 4

Exodus 5

Exodus 6

Worship, Moving Out In Blind Faith- - -Jan. 18

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the ________ is not ________. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the _________ _____ ________ __________, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put ______thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is ________ ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses ______ ______ _________; for he was afraid to ___________ upon ________.

Exodus 3:10,11 Come now therefore, and I will send ________ unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel ______ ____ ___________. And Moses said unto God, ______ ____ ___ that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Exodus 4:14,15 And the ____________ of the LORD was _____________ against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And _________ shalt speak unto him, and put __________ in his mouth: and ____ will be with ______ mouth, and with ______ mouth, and will ___________ you what ye shall do.

Author's Thoughts

Moses was called to go back where his attempts to save God's people had ended in murder, failure and being hunted for his life. Now, here was God, Divinely showing Himself in a bush that refused to be consumed. Barefooted Moses stood before the Lord hearing he must return to the job he failed before.
At forty Moses looked like the deliverer Israel needed. He was strong and mighty, ready to go to work. On his own, he failed. Now, God was saying, “I AM THAT I AM” will send you. That, my friend, is Different! Whom He calls, He qualifies!
But, Moses hasn't read the book like we have. He doesn't know the end, he only sees the problems of the past and present. He has failed. He is slow in speech and not someone he thinks should be a public speaker. He, like so many of us, keeps explaining to God, why He has the wrong person for the job. God is NOT impressed!
God gives him His Name instrument, a rod/serpent instrument, a flesh/leprosy instrument, a rod/blood instrument and finally is angry with Moses' excuses. He gives him Aaron and sends him off to do what He said do.
Pray you will do what The Holy Ghost asks you to do. His orders came from the throne, after God and Jesus talked about you and where your work for The Kingdom would be. Pray you won't hesitate, but go when He says Go.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Exodus 7

Exodus 8

Exodus 9

Worship, Even When First Efforts Fail - - -Jan. 19

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 5:1,2 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and _____ __________, Thus saith the _______ _______ of Israel, ______ ____ ___________ ____, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is ______ _________, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know ______ the _________, neither will I let Israel go.

Exodus 5:4-9 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, __________ ______ ________, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the _______________ of the people, and their officers, saying, Ye shall _____ _________ give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for ________________. And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not ____________ ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us ______ and sacrifice to our God. Let there _________ work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard ___________ words.

Exodus 5:14 And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were ____________ and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both ___________________ and to _________, as heretofore?

Exodus 5:20-23 And they met ______________ and _____________, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be ______________ in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us. And _____________ returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so ______entreated this people? ______ is it that thou hast ________ ____? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done ______to this people; neither hast thou _____________ thy people at all.

Author's Thoughts

Moses didn't seem to be winning the battle, as it seemed to him the Lord had said. It wasn't that he wasn't going to see the battle won, it was that it didn't come on the first attack. Now, Pharaoh was making it harder on the Hebrews. They were negative toward Moses and Aaron, not treating them like men on a 'sent' mission at all, but seeing them as meddling and causing trouble to their slavery.
We, being so very human, was every war won on the first battle. God's Word Is True, but His timeline is definitely not ours. His plan is to bring it to pass in His way. We, on the other hand, get in a hurry. It's like, “O.K. Lord, I did what you said, now you need to give the quick victory.
We don't like to suffer. We don't like to have others NOT understand what God has told us to do. We like quick fixes. Pray for faith to continue when first efforts fail. Pray for faith regardless of how many efforts seem to fail. If The Lord said it, it WILL come to pass.
Go alone somewhere now and ask the Jesus to help you believe your Israel will leave Egypt.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Exodus 10

Exodus 11

Exodus 12

Worship, Through God's Process, To The Victory - -Jan. 20

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Aaron and Moses quickly went through their instruments: I AM sent me, rod/serpent, flesh/leprosy, water/blood. Aaron's serpent even swallowed all the magicians serpents, but Pharaoh was still hard.
List the plagues that God sent though Moses and Aaron:
1. Water to blood 7 days
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Author's Thoughts

It was a long way from “Take off your shoes,” to leaving Egypt. Moses and Aaron had to persevere. They had to go again and again to Pharaoh. Each time, regardless of what he said, he hardened his heart and did NOT let the people go.
God had let his heart become hardened so He could show Himself anew unto His people. God knows who will and will not believe. The Bible tells us that God uses these people at times to bring His will to pass. Remember that! It is important NOT to become one of the people who quarrel, are discontent, and negative. We will, like Pharaoh, end up washed upon the shores-if not the Nile, eternity.
The process from God's speaking a thing until it is brought to pass can be long. It can involve going against the forces of satan many times. But, if we KNOW God spoke it into existence, we should KNOW it will come to pass. Current circumstances do NOT change God's Word.
We need to remember this when satan tries to claim our lost children, our finances, our health or threaten us in some other way. Nothing is going to happen to us, today, that Jesus and us together can't handle. It is His promise NOT to forsake me.
Pray you will read His Word and take Him at His Word. Behave according to Bible truths and KNOW they will bring victory to those who endure.
Pray your church will grow stronger in Bible knowledge and behaving according to The Word. Pray your family and friends will simply claim Truth, Life and The Way, knowing He will bring it to pass.
It took the Midnight Cry of death to change the hard hearts. Some will not believe to their own hurt; but, to those who believe deliverance will come.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.
Exodus 13

Exodus 14

Exodus 15

Worship--NOT--Negotiate - - -Jan. 21

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 8:25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God _____ _______ ___________.

Exodus 8:28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall _______ ____ _________ ______ _________: intreat for me.

Exodus 10:7-11 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the ______ ____, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? And __________ said, We will go ________ our __________ and with our ______, with our ________ and with our _____________, with our __________ and with our ________ will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. _______ _____: go now ye that are _______, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.

Exodus 10:24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your ___________ and your __________ be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

Exodus 12:30-32 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great ______ in Egypt; for there was _____ a house where there was not one ______. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, ______ ____, and get you forth from among my people, both ____ and the children of _________; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your _______ and your _______, as ____ have said, and be _______; and bless me also.

Exodus 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they _________ of the Egyptians jewels of _______, and jewels of ______, and __________ And the LORD gave the people __________ in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they _____________ the Egyptians.

Author's Thoughts

Never back up on ONE word the Bible has given you from God. ALL His promises are True! We need to hold to what the Word says. Do not negotiate! You don't have to lie, cheat or manipulate to be a success. You only have to trust, obey and ACT upon the Word. The rest is up to The Lord!
Pray you will hold the line on what The Bible says. Pray you won't negotiate or be pressured into living less than what you have been given. Pray for wisdom and strength to believe and act accordingly. Pray for those about you to have such strength also.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Exodus 16

Exodus 17

Exodus 18

Worship, Remember the Memorials - - -Jan. 22

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 13:3,4 And Moses said unto the people, _____________ this day, in which ye came out from _______, out of the _______ of ____________; for by ___________ of hand the ________ brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. This day came ye out in the month Abib.

Exodus 13:9,10 And it shall be ____ __ ______ unto thee upon thine hand, and for a _____________ between thine eyes, that the LORD'S _____ may be in thy _______: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt therefore _______ this ____________ in his _________ from _______ ____ _______.

Author's Thoughts

Memorial...Something that serves to preserve and keep a happening alive and before the minds of one's self and future generations.

We don't often think of God wanting to set up a memorial, but several time He did. In this case He brought Israel out of Egypt, out of slavery. He wanted them to remember this date and appreciate what He did for them. He kept His Word to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. He showed Himself and His power strong on behalf of the nation He picked. But, more than all that, He spared the firstborn of every Hebrew house while taking the firstborn of Egypt. The blood of the lamb, struck on the sides and top of the door posts protected the homes from death.

Can't you see the stage was being set for a time in the future. The shadow of Christ and the cross was falling over physical Israel long before Jesus was born or the spiritual Israel came into being. Only God could do a memorial for the lamb's blood long before The Lamb shed His blood.

God wanted this Passover Memorial to remind them year by year in the season it happened.

This study of a memorial causes one's own mind to think of personal memorials. An unusual one came to my mind. As I write this, it is the end of January. At this time of year, my Father always put in his order for tomato plants. Oh, he didn't want the little scrawny things that would bear at the same time as others about him. He wanted giant stocky plants with a head start on everything in the area. It was his trademark to have one of the best gardens in the county and the very first tomatoes.

There were certain memories that come to each of us that loved him. He would set the tomatoes, stake them and watch over them like an old setting hen does her eggs or chicks. It gave him great pleasure to deliver 'first' tomatoes to his other elderly friends. It was a ministry to him. Now it is a memorial.

What caused me to think of the tomatoes? My brother just called to see if I wanted to order some of Dad's tomatoes. He is going to grow them this year and is ordering several. Tears came quickly to my eye and a smile to my lips. The earthly father's memorial came as I studied the heavenly Father's.

Pray. Ask the Lord to remind you of great happenings, to cause you to stop and appreciate them.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Exodus 19

Exodus 20

Exodus 21

Exodus 22

Worship, Thanking Him for the Miracles - -Jan. 23

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, ____ __ ____, stand _____, and see the __________ of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Exodus 14:16 But lift thou up thy ___, and stretch out thine hand ____ ___ ___, and _______ it: and the children of Israel shall go on ___ ground through the ______ of the sea.

Exodus 14:19-22 And the ___________ of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went ______ them; and the pillar of the _____ went from before their face, and stood ______ them: And it came ________ the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and _________ to them, but it gave ______ by night to these: so that the one came ___ _____ the other ___ the night. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong ____ _____ all that night, and made the sea ___ _____, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a _____ unto them on their _____ ____, and on their _____.

Exodus 15:8 And with the blast of thy ________ the waters were gathered together, the floods stood ________ as an _____, and the depths were ___________in the heart of the sea.

Author's Thoughts

Congealed...changed from a liquid to a solid-like, immobile or curdled state, so to become a wall.

Don't you just love it! Egypt, with all its chariots, horses and man power could not do a thing against God's people. His hand was strong for them. He took the wheels off their chariots, caused darkness to be their companion and planned Israel's escape.

Wouldn't you like to have been there? Oh, at first, we might have been standing there murmuring about being better off in Egypt; but when Moses' rod went into the air and the sea began forming two walls, wouldn't it have been something?

I can see myself marching through the sea on dry ground and wanting to touch the sea wall. It would have fascinated me. I would have wanted to touch the Jello-like substance that used to be water. Through the sea they marched! On dry ground!

Miracles happen every day about us. We need to stop and think about the miracles in our lives. Strokes or heart attacks that didn't kill. Accidents that didn't seem like anyone could survive didn't take a life. The warmth of a heaven sent blessing, testifying that Jesus is alive and the Holy Spirit is present.

Pray you will be more thankful for the miracles sent to you, your family and church. Just this week as this is written, a young mother had surgery for what the physicians thought certainly breast cancer. Even after lump removal, the diagnoses stood. But, prayer was wont to be made and the lab tests showed no sign of cancer. Wow! My Lord and My God! Miracles.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Exodus 23

Exodus 24

Exodus 25

Worship, DO What God Commands- - -Jan. 24

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 16:3, 4 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had ____ by the hand of the ____ in the land of _____, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did ___ _____ __ ___ _____; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to ____ this whole assembly with _______. Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will ____ ______ from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a ________ _____ every day, that I may ______ them, whether they will _____ in my law, or __.

Exodus 16:19, 20 And Moses said, Let __ man leave of it till the _____________. Notwithstanding they _________ ____ unto Moses; but some of them _____ of it until the morning, and it ____ ______, and ______: and Moses was wroth with them.

Exodus 16:26-28 ___ days ye shall gather it; but on the ________ day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be ____. And it came to pass, that there went out ____ of the people on the _______ day for to ______, and they found ____. And the LORD said unto Moses, How ____ _________ ye to _______ my _________________ and my ______?

Author's Thoughts

We are so human, so made of dirt. We want God to come into our presence and situation, but then we turn on Him and try our own ways. It seems we don't learn easily. These people who marched through the congealed sea on dry ground should have realized this was The I AM leading. Do they give Him honor and glory? No. They murmur about being better off in slavery. They indicate to Him they were better fed in slavery than He and His leaders are doing now.

God rained bread from heaven, manna, a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost, on the ground, and like coriander seed (Old World herb of the carrot family with aromatic fruit). It was white and tasted like a wafer made with honey.

God fed them what they asked, or rather murmured about. He did ask they only gather a specified amount, not leave any until morning, except gather on sixth day enough for the seventh also. The Sabbath was to be a day of rest. Did they obey?

No. Some tried to gather and leave until morning, but it stank and got worms. Some, against God's Diving Will, went out on the Sabbath, but they found none. God was tired of their attitude of ask, ask, ask and disobey and disobey again.

Pray that you'll use the opportunities you ask Jesus to provide for you. Some pray for a spouse only to get one, but quit serving Jesus. Some ask a child and don't teach the child Christ. Some ask a job and let the job take priority over Jesus and His church. Pray you will be mindful of what you ask and that you will use the gifts according to His will and in His true priority.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Exodus 26

Exodus 27

Exodus 28

Worship, His Presence Is Powerful!- - -Jan. 25

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 19:10-14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and _______ them to day and to morrow, and let them ____ ______ ________, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the _____ will come down in the ______ of all the people upon ______ ________. And thou shalt set ______ unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye __ ___ __ into the mount, or ______ the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to _____:There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be ______, or ____ through; whether it be _____ or ___, it shall ___ live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

Exodus 19:17, 18 And Moses brought forth the people ___ __ ___ _____ to meet with ___; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount ______ was altogether on __ ______, because the LORD ___________ upon it in _____: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a _________, and the whole mount ________ greatly.

Author's Thoughts

God is powerful. Jesus is powerful. The Holy Ghost is powerful. Each have their part in the Trinity of Creation Headquarters of All That Exists! In the Old Book, the law enforced to the letter. People obeyed or were punished or died.

God told the people to come near, but not touch Mount Sinai. Only Moses and one or two more could go up to meet with Him. The others were to come out and observe. His presence was one of fire, smoke and mountains quaking. Powerful Presence!

Today, under grace, with Jesus and The Holy Spirit we can come into the very presence of Jesus. He comes into our hearts and lives. The Holy Spirit lives with us and advises us continually. We are blessed to know, feel and enjoy the very presence of The God Head.

We too, like the Israelites, should be aware, however, that we need to sanctify and wash ourselves before we approach Him. Too many think there is nothing required. People treat His sanctuary with too much familiarity and a lack of deep respect. It has often occurred to me that people sit entire services in His house without ever talking directly to Him, without heeding the guidance of the Spirit.

Pray you will worship, knowing His Presence is Powerful! Pray your church will be much, much more mindful of God's Presence than people's presence. When your church services approach, prepare yourself. Pray for the services. Read and mediate. Quiet the thoughts of the world and enter into His presence, expecting great things to happen.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Exodus 29

Exodus 30

Exodus 31

Worship, His Commandments Give The Rules- - -Jan. 26

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

In Exodus 20 God lists his commandments. Write them below:

Four (4) have to do with how man should treat God:

1

2

3

4

Six (6) have to do with how man should treat man:

5

6

7

8

9

10

Reader's Thoughts

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus gave two (2) commandments upon which He said, verse 40, you could not only hang the ten above but all the law and all the prophets. Write these two here and what you think He meant:

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Exodus 32

Exodus 33

Exodus 34

Worship, Marked as His Volunteer Servant- -Jan. 27

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 21:1-6 Now these are the ___________ which thou shalt set before them. If thou _____ an __________ servant, _____ years he shall serve: and in the ________ he shall go out ______ for ___________. If he came ____ ____ ___________, he shall go _____ ___ __________: if he were ____________, then his _______ shall go out with him. ____ his master have _________ him a wife, and she have ______ ______ sons or daughters; the _______ and her ______________ shall be her master's, and he shall go out _____ ____________. And ___ the servant shall _________ say, I _________ my master, my wife, and my children; I will ____go out ______: Then his master shall bring him unto the ________; he shall also bring him to the ______, or unto the door post; and his master shall _______ _____ ______ through with an aul; and he shall serve him _____ ________.

Author's Thoughts

It seems strange for us that God would allow one Hebrew to buy another, but it seems some had and some did not. God did, however, have a law concerning how long a Hebrew could be worked before given a new chance. A slave could be kept six years and had to be freed on the seventh. Live, of course, happened in the six years. If that slice of life included the master giving a man a wife and she had children with him, he had a choice.

He could go free and leave the master's possessions of wife and children with the man. Or, he could decide he loved enough to become a FOR EVER servant.

If he plainly said he did not want to leave, but stay and love his master and family, he was free to do so. The judges witnessed the man being marked a servant forever. The master took the servant to a door post, put his ear upon it and bore a hole through it with an aul (awl).

Even though the man had to give up going on his own way, he loved enough to stay. Can you imagine the wife's pleased look when the man came back marked for having loved her so much? Can you see the children proud to have Daddy theirs forever?

Do you love Jesus enough that you've bore a hole in your heart for His love to fill? Have you signs of His love you wear about all the time such as gentleness, longsuffering, peace, joy, love, etc.?

Pray you are so marked by Jesus and His love that you could be spotted as His servant. Pray your family and church will be willing servants to The Master. Love Him. Love each other. Love your neighbor. Love wherever you go.

Go forth marked for Your Master, Jesus.

Go forth marked in love.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Exodus 35

Exodus 36

Exodus 37

Worship, Daily Doing, “Bible-Right” Behaviors- - -Jan. 28

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 21, 22 and 23 give laws concerning daily behaviors of Israel in Old Testament times. Read these chapters and list five (5) that interest you. Put the law, the breaking of it and the punishment.

Reader's Choice

Law 1

Law 2

Law 3

Law 4

Law 5

Author's Thoughts

Israel had to 'walk the walk' not just 'talk the talk' if they were right before God. They had ways they were to behave toward God and man. As daily life transpired, they had to live honorably with and before others.

For instance, a person keeping an animal known to hurt, was responsible for what it did if unleashed carelessly. We, in New Testament times, also have daily living laws. We don't live them by force, but, by love for Jesus. We are advised what to think upon, what to do and not do, what to read, what to sing and what to let our bodies do or not do. Pray you will be more and more aware of Jesus and the Holy Spirit's guidance and operate in truth and spirit; not on your own.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Exodus 38

Exodus 39

Exodus 40

Worship, Let Jesus Build You- - -Jan. 29

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 24:2 And ________ _______shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the ________ go up with him.

Exodus 24:15 And Moses went up into the mount, and a _____ covered the mount.

Exodus 24:16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount _____, and the cloud covered it ____ days: and the ________ day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the _______.

Exodus 24:17 And the sight of the _____of the LORD [was] like ______________ _______ on the top of the mount in the _____ of the children of Israel.

Exodus 24:18 And Moses went into the _______ of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount ______ days and _______ nights.

Exodus 25:4 And _____, and _______, and _______, and fine linen, and goats' [hair],

Read chapters 25-30 and on the back of this paper write major things that were in the Tabernacle. Don't forget to list metals and jewels.

Author's Thoughts

Reading through these chapters, I especially watched to see what God's tastes and thoughts were. I noticed His taste in colors included reddish shades, my favorite. He had the overlay all with gold, which He also uses for pavement in the New Heaven. He also chooses many jewels to adorn the priest's clothing.

He gives directions for His Tabernacle and its furniture just like we plan a home or draw plans for a new church or fellowship building. I'd never thought of myself or others as being like Him when we did these things.

He has definite uses for each thing. The table will hold the shewbread for eating and for wave or heave offerings. The altar of incense will release sweet smells into the air. The candlestick will give light and be symbolic of The Light to come, as well. He even plans for grates and ashes in the burning of sacrifices. The laver will hold water for washing. All in all it is awesome. He knows how high and how wide each part of the Tabernacle will be and how many curtains it will take to enclose it. He even figures for the staves to carry the mobile worship enter.

Pray you will let Jesus help you plan ahead in your life. The Lord knows what He would build in your life just as His Father did in the Tabernacle. Pray you'll listen as Moses did and let Him build you. Pray others about you will do likewise.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 1

Leviticus 2

Leviticus 3

Leviticus 4

Worship, Using Your Gifts FOR God- -Jan. 30

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

God gave gifts to be used for His Glory.

Exodus Exo 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in _________, and in ______________, and in knowledge, and in all manner of ____________________,

Exo 31:4, 5 To devise ________works, to work in _____, and in ______, and in ______, And in cutting of ________, to _____ _______, and in ____________ of __________, to work in all manner of workmanship.

Aaron, here used gifts God gave in Direct Disobedience to God.

Exo 32:2-4 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which [are] in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring [them] unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which [were] in their ears, and brought [them] unto Aaron. And he received [them] at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Author's Thoughts

What do you do well? Truly, what things in life have you been able to do with ease of job and mind? All have such gifts. Some can cook as though they never had to learn. Others of us have to figure out just what 'a pinch of this' means. And, it takes time for us non-cooks to do the simplest dishes, which are still laughable for the 'real' cooks.

Then, us non-natural cooks go into the office and we are at home. The computer skills, in us, is as comfortable as the cooking in cooks. We can create, edit and print with ease. Hooking up and unplugging the peripheral devices, a maze to many, is everyday with us. We can add graphics, create brochures, and import or export text without actually thinking about the process.

Those who can put away groceries and seem to always know where each thing is have a gift. Those who make the coffee just right are talented. Jewelers, painters, plumbers, electricians, florists, decorators, and on and on the list goes. All gifts can be used in Jesus' Kingdom. A cake can be taken to a shut-in or to a family suffering illness or death. God used talents to build His Tabernacle and later His Temple.

Then, there are those given the gift of singing who blaspheme God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit and all that is Holy. They play horrible screeching, screaming music and waste for satan, what God gave for His glory.

People take good minds and fill them with satan's trash. They waste their brains, created to know truth, honesty, lovely, pure, etc. They take what was issued to hold only good and give it to the bad. Talents used wrongly, just as Aaron took his and made the golden calf. He was to be Moses' spokesman and speak for God. There he was, not only using his mouth against God, but, creating an image to be bowed to and worshipped, in God's place. His talents were mis-guided.

Pray you will use every tiny little talent for the Lord. Let no gift, no matter how small it seems, fall to satan's use. You may have noticed that satan is not capitalized. Part of me doesn't even want to let his name be noticed. Try to have this mentality: not to let satan ever be capital. Lift up Jesus!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 5

Leviticus 6

Leviticus 7

Worship, Until His Glory Comes- - -Jan. 31

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 33:13-23 Now therefore, I pray thee, __ I have found _____ in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may ____ thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation __ ____ people. And he said, ___ _________ shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not __ that ____ goest with __? so shall we be __________, I and thy people, ____ all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the LORD said unto Moses, __ _____ ___ ____ ______ also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee ___ _____. And he said, I beseech thee, ____ me thy ______. And he said, I will make all my goodness _____ before ____, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be ________, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew ______. And he said, Thou canst not see ___ _____: for there shall no man see me, ___ _____. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a ____: And it shall come to pass, while my glory _______ by, that I will put thee in a _____ of the ____, and will _____ thee with my ____ while I _____ by: And I will take ____ mine hand, and thou shalt see my ____ ______: but my face shall not be seen.

Author's Thoughts

There are times in our lives that, for whatever reason, we feel the need to see God's Glory. We need to know that our relationship with Jesus is strong enough, to reach heaven, and to move it on our behalf. Like Moses, we simply tell The Holy Ghost and Jesus, “I need to have you show yourself on my behalf in this matter.”

These times can be of any nature. Think of the times in your life that you HAD to have Jesus move for you. Was it a time of financial crisis? Was it a time of dire illness, in yourself or others? Was it a time when the enemy was, like Goliath, standing daily threatening your destruction? Or, was it a time when heaven's fallen angel boasted of taking your church?

Regardless of the need, we have times when we need God's Glory upon us. We simply stand before the throne boldly, as He told us to and say, “I need mercy and help in time of need.”

Isn't it great when our faith reaches up to heaven and pulls down a response. Jesus, like a good father or mother, is moved when His children call for Him, believing He can make a difference. Many times in life we need to stand in the spiritual clift of the rock. Too human to see God's face, we wait for His presence. What was before impossible is not victoriously claimed. Sweet victory.

Pray you will believe to see the Glory of Christ like Peter, James and John on the day He was transfigured before them.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 8

Leviticus 9

Leviticus 10

Worship, Drive All Uncleanness Away - -Feb. 1

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 34:10-17 And he said, Behold, I make a _________: before all thy people I will do _______, such as have ___ been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall ___ the work of the ________: for it is a _________ thing that I will do with thee. ________ thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I _____ ____ before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Take ____ __ ________, lest thou make a ________ with the ____________ of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a _____ in the midst of thee: But ye shall _________ their _______, break their _______, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship __ ______ g___: for the LORD, whose name is ________, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a _______ after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and ____ _____ _____, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their __________ unto thy ____, and their __________go a whoring after _____ g____, and make thy ____ go a ________ after their gods. Thou shalt make thee __ molten gods.

Author's Thoughts

God tells His people to rid themselves of ALL the heathen inhabitants of the land. He explains himself by saying to leave them will leave temptations with potential to destroy. He tells them that leaving them will cause some to marry among them. Marrying among them will bring heathen ways into Jewish families. If a loved one worships an idol in a grove, and you love them, you will be soft hearted toward their beliefs.

Leaving anything 'anti-God' in your life will pull you toward it. Having been a pastor of people for over twenty years, the author has seen this principle destroy lives. I can think of the young woman who prayed and prayed for a husband. When one was found, she left with him and has been away from the Lord for years.

Again, the family who prayed for jobs. The Lord gave one. They let it elevate and elevate until it was first priority and Jesus stands in line, to be only noticed from time to time. Or, the family that wanted a child since they were barren. Prayers were made. The child was given. They became so preoccupied with giving the child everything, they left Jesus out.

Some witness that The Lord has told them to quit certain things, they don't and fall away. There are those who think they can work every other week end and still be the strong Christian they were-NOT! On and on the list goes.

Pray. Bow before Jesus and humbly ask if there is things needing 'driven out' of your life. Sometimes things need driven out to make room for prayer, Bible reading, etc.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 11

Leviticus 12

Leviticus 13

Leviticus 14

Worship, With an Excited, Willing Heart- - -Feb. 2

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 35:5 Take ye from among you an _________ unto the LORD: whosoever is of a ____________ ________...

Exodus 36:10 And every ______ ____________ among you shall come, and _______ _____ that the LORD hath commanded;

Exodus 35:21, 22 And they came, every one whose heart __________ _____ ____, and every one whom ____ _________ ________ __________, and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both _____ ____ ________, as many as were ___________ ___________…

Exodus 35:25, 26 And all the women that were ______ ________ did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. And all the women whose heart __________ ________ _____ ____ ___________ spun goats' hair.

Exodus 36:6, 7 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any _______ _______ for the ___________ of the ____________. So the people were _____________ from _____________. For the stuff they had was _____________ for all the work to make it, and ______ __________.

Author's Thoughts

Write the words or phrases above that strike you most:

1.

2.

3.

What was the last covenant offering you brought to Jesus and/or His house with this kind of excitement?

They gave until it was too much. Moses had to restrain them. What did you give until the Lord had to restrain you from giving more?

Pray for deliberate desire to give offerings of money and talents until you hear the Lord say, “It is enough, restrain yourself.” Pray others will do this until Jesus' work is abounding near you.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 15

Leviticus 16

Leviticus 17

Worship, - -Feb. 3

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 36-40 Read and make notes on the priest's clothing and readiness to enter the presence of the Lord.

Author's Thoughts

Entering the sanctuary where Jesus has put His name is a serious matter. We build churches and buildings which we dedicate to the Lord. We say it will be a place where people will come to meet with Him. We separate it from the other buildings we have such as homes, stores or garages. But, do we truly enter with worship on our minds?

God designed special clothing for the priests to wear in the old covenant. They were to wash and prepare to enter the sanctuary of the congregation. There was certain clothing to be worn. It was different from the everyday wear.

Picture the mitre with HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD written upon it, as it rested on the head. The stones upon the shoulder were connected by gold wire chain to the breastplate with the twelve stones in it, one for each tribe. The ephod, robe and breeches were specific garments with specific purposes.

Even the perfumed air of incense was deliberately filling a sweet savor before The Lord. God gave special mixes for the oil that was used on the tabernacle furniture and on the priests. Again, it was different and used only for this purpose.

We live in the New Testament era, but we still have the 'school master' to let us know what is important to God. Do you have special ways to clean up, dress up, and prepare yourself to enter the sanctuary of Jesus Christ?

Do you pray and prepare your heart? Do you read Bible and think on honest, lovely, pure things? Do you direct your energy and activities toward worshipping before you even dress? Or, do you throw on any old thing, rush in, sit down out of breath, and more or less think, 'move me if you can'?

Pray you will sanctify your times before Jesus, in His house. Pray your church will be more focused on worship and lifting up Jesus as Lord an Savior.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 18

Leviticus 19

Leviticus 20

Worship, Give What Is Due Jesus- - -Feb. 4

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Leviticus 1:1, 2 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the ____________ of the _____________, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you ______ ___ __________ unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the _______, even of the _____, and of the _______.

Leviticus 1:14 And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of _____________, or of young __________.

Leviticus 2:1 And when any will offer a _____ offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine ______; and he shall pour ___ upon it, and put ________________thereon:

Leviticus 5:1-5 And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of _________, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity. Or if a soul touch any ________ thing, whether it be a ___________ of an unclean _____, or a carcase of unclean ______, or the carcase of unclean ________ things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty. Or if he touch the uncleanness of ___, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty. Or if a soul ______, pronouncing with his ____ to do ____, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an ____, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be ______ in one of these. And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall _________ that he hath __________in that thing:

Author's Thoughts

God dealt with the people based on what they had and what they did. Jesus does likewise. We are expected to live our lives with the heavenly command center in mind. Even though we are human and full of failings, we are expected to appear before God on a regular basis. We are expected to confess what we have done contrary to Bible and make it right.

In Old Testament days, there were special offerings, done special ways, for special sins. In grace or New Testament times, we are to repent of our commissions or omissions and 'be converted' or changed. We are to correct our course to be in line with Jesus' teachings, The Bible's teachings.

Pray you will offer Lord Jesus what is due Him. Pray you will bring confession for what you have done, that you ought not have done; and, for that which you have omitted that you should have done.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 21

Leviticus 22

Leviticus 23

Worship, Let Jesus Build You- - -Jan. 29

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 24:2 And ________ _______shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the ________ go up with him.

Exodus 24:15 And Moses went up into the mount, and a _____ covered the mount.

Exodus 24:16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount _____, and the cloud covered it ____ days: and the ________ day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the _______.

Exodus 24:17 And the sight of the _____of the LORD [was] like ______________ _______ on the top of the mount in the _____ of the children of Israel.

Exodus 24:18 And Moses went into the _______ of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount ______ days and _______ nights.

Exodus 25:4 And _____, and _______, and _______, and fine linen, and goats' [hair],

Read chapters 25-30 and on the back of this paper write major things that were in the Tabernacle. Don't forget to list metals and jewels.

Author's Thoughts

Reading through these chapters, I especially watched to see what God's tastes and thoughts were. I noticed His taste in colors included reddish shades, my favorite. He had the overlay all with gold, which He also uses for pavement in the New Heaven. He also chooses many jewels to adorn the priest's clothing.

He gives directions for His Tabernacle and its furniture just like we plan a home or draw plans for a new church or fellowship building. I'd never thought of myself or others as being like Him when we did these things.

He has definite uses for each thing. The table will hold the shewbread for eating and for wave or heave offerings. The altar of incense will release sweet smells into the air. The candlestick will give light and be symbolic of The Light to come, as well. He even plans for grates and ashes in the burning of sacrifices. The laver will hold water for washing. All in all it is awesome. He knows how high and how wide each part of the Tabernacle will be and how many curtains it will take to enclose it. He even figures for the staves to carry the mobile worship enter.

Pray you will let Jesus help you plan ahead in your life. The Lord knows what He would build in your life just as His Father did in the Tabernacle. Pray you'll listen as Moses did and let Him build you. Pray others about you will do likewise.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 1

Leviticus 2

Leviticus 3

Leviticus 4

Worship, Using Your Gifts FOR God- -Jan. 30

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

God gave gifts to be used for His Glory.

Exodus Exo 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in _________, and in ______________, and in knowledge, and in all manner of ____________________,

Exo 31:4, 5 To devise ________works, to work in _____, and in ______, and in ______, And in cutting of ________, to _____ _______, and in ____________ of __________, to work in all manner of workmanship.

Aaron, here used gifts God gave in Direct Disobedience to God.

Exo 32:2-4 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which [are] in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring [them] unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which [were] in their ears, and brought [them] unto Aaron. And he received [them] at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Author's Thoughts

What do you do well? Truly, what things in life have you been able to do with ease of job and mind? All have such gifts. Some can cook as though they never had to learn. Others of us have to figure out just what 'a pinch of this' means. And, it takes time for us non-cooks to do the simplest dishes, which are still laughable for the 'real' cooks.

Then, us non-natural cooks go into the office and we are at home. The computer skills, in us, is as comfortable as the cooking in cooks. We can create, edit and print with ease. Hooking up and unplugging the peripheral devices, a maze to many, is everyday with us. We can add graphics, create brochures, and import or export text without actually thinking about the process.

Those who can put away groceries and seem to always know where each thing is have a gift. Those who make the coffee just right are talented. Jewelers, painters, plumbers, electricians, florists, decorators, and on and on the list goes. All gifts can be used in Jesus' Kingdom. A cake can be taken to a shut-in or to a family suffering illness or death. God used talents to build His Tabernacle and later His Temple.

Then, there are those given the gift of singing who blaspheme God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit and all that is Holy. They play horrible screeching, screaming music and waste for satan, what God gave for His glory.

People take good minds and fill them with satan's trash. They waste their brains, created to know truth, honesty, lovely, pure, etc. They take what was issued to hold only good and give it to the bad. Talents used wrongly, just as Aaron took his and made the golden calf. He was to be Moses' spokesman and speak for God. There he was, not only using his mouth against God, but, creating an image to be bowed to and worshipped, in God's place. His talents were mis-guided.

Pray you will use every tiny little talent for the Lord. Let no gift, no matter how small it seems, fall to satan's use. You may have noticed that satan is not capitalized. Part of me doesn't even want to let his name be noticed. Try to have this mentality: not to let satan ever be capital. Lift up Jesus!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 5

Leviticus 6

Leviticus 7

Worship, Until His Glory Comes- - -Jan. 31

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 33:13-23 Now therefore, I pray thee, __ I have found _____ in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may ____ thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation __ ____ people. And he said, ___ _________ shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not __ that ____ goest with __? so shall we be __________, I and thy people, ____ all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the LORD said unto Moses, __ _____ ___ ____ ______ also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee ___ _____. And he said, I beseech thee, ____ me thy ______. And he said, I will make all my goodness _____ before ____, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be ________, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew ______. And he said, Thou canst not see ___ _____: for there shall no man see me, ___ _____. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a ____: And it shall come to pass, while my glory _______ by, that I will put thee in a _____ of the ____, and will _____ thee with my ____ while I _____ by: And I will take ____ mine hand, and thou shalt see my ____ ______: but my face shall not be seen.

Author's Thoughts

There are times in our lives that, for whatever reason, we feel the need to see God's Glory. We need to know that our relationship with Jesus is strong enough, to reach heaven, and to move it on our behalf. Like Moses, we simply tell The Holy Ghost and Jesus, “I need to have you show yourself on my behalf in this matter.”

These times can be of any nature. Think of the times in your life that you HAD to have Jesus move for you. Was it a time of financial crisis? Was it a time of dire illness, in yourself or others? Was it a time when the enemy was, like Goliath, standing daily threatening your destruction? Or, was it a time when heaven's fallen angel boasted of taking your church?

Regardless of the need, we have times when we need God's Glory upon us. We simply stand before the throne boldly, as He told us to and say, “I need mercy and help in time of need.”

Isn't it great when our faith reaches up to heaven and pulls down a response. Jesus, like a good father or mother, is moved when His children call for Him, believing He can make a difference. Many times in life we need to stand in the spiritual clift of the rock. Too human to see God's face, we wait for His presence. What was before impossible is not victoriously claimed. Sweet victory.

Pray you will believe to see the Glory of Christ like Peter, James and John on the day He was transfigured before them.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 8

Leviticus 9

Leviticus 10

Worship, Drive All Uncleanness Away - -Feb. 1

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 34:10-17 And he said, Behold, I make a _________: before all thy people I will do _______, such as have ___ been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall ___ the work of the ________: for it is a _________ thing that I will do with thee. ________ thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I _____ ____ before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Take ____ __ ________, lest thou make a ________ with the ____________ of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a _____ in the midst of thee: But ye shall _________ their _______, break their _______, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship __ ______ g___: for the LORD, whose name is ________, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a _______ after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and ____ _____ _____, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their __________ unto thy ____, and their __________go a whoring after _____ g____, and make thy ____ go a ________ after their gods. Thou shalt make thee __ molten gods.

Author's Thoughts

God tells His people to rid themselves of ALL the heathen inhabitants of the land. He explains himself by saying to leave them will leave temptations with potential to destroy. He tells them that leaving them will cause some to marry among them. Marrying among them will bring heathen ways into Jewish families. If a loved one worships an idol in a grove, and you love them, you will be soft hearted toward their beliefs.

Leaving anything 'anti-God' in your life will pull you toward it. Having been a pastor of people for over twenty years, the author has seen this principle destroy lives. I can think of the young woman who prayed and prayed for a husband. When one was found, she left with him and has been away from the Lord for years.

Again, the family who prayed for jobs. The Lord gave one. They let it elevate and elevate until it was first priority and Jesus stands in line, to be only noticed from time to time. Or, the family that wanted a child since they were barren. Prayers were made. The child was given. They became so preoccupied with giving the child everything, they left Jesus out.

Some witness that The Lord has told them to quit certain things, they don't and fall away. There are those who think they can work every other week end and still be the strong Christian they were-NOT! On and on the list goes.

Pray. Bow before Jesus and humbly ask if there is things needing 'driven out' of your life. Sometimes things need driven out to make room for prayer, Bible reading, etc.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 11

Leviticus 12

Leviticus 13

Leviticus 14

Worship, With an Excited, Willing Heart- - -Feb. 2

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 35:5 Take ye from among you an _________ unto the LORD: whosoever is of a ____________ ________...

Exodus 36:10 And every ______ ____________ among you shall come, and _______ _____ that the LORD hath commanded;

Exodus 35:21, 22 And they came, every one whose heart __________ _____ ____, and every one whom ____ _________ ________ __________, and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both _____ ____ ________, as many as were ___________ ___________…

Exodus 35:25, 26 And all the women that were ______ ________ did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. And all the women whose heart __________ ________ _____ ____ ___________ spun goats' hair.

Exodus 36:6, 7 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any _______ _______ for the ___________ of the ____________. So the people were _____________ from _____________. For the stuff they had was _____________ for all the work to make it, and ______ __________.

Author's Thoughts

Write the words or phrases above that strike you most:

1.

2.

3.

What was the last covenant offering you brought to Jesus and/or His house with this kind of excitement?

They gave until it was too much. Moses had to restrain them. What did you give until the Lord had to restrain you from giving more?

Pray for deliberate desire to give offerings of money and talents until you hear the Lord say, “It is enough, restrain yourself.” Pray others will do this until Jesus' work is abounding near you.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 15

Leviticus 16

Leviticus 17

Worship, - -Feb. 3

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Exodus 36-40 Read and make notes on the priest's clothing and readiness to enter the presence of the Lord.

Author's Thoughts

Entering the sanctuary where Jesus has put His name is a serious matter. We build churches and buildings which we dedicate to the Lord. We say it will be a place where people will come to meet with Him. We separate it from the other buildings we have such as homes, stores or garages. But, do we truly enter with worship on our minds?

God designed special clothing for the priests to wear in the old covenant. They were to wash and prepare to enter the sanctuary of the congregation. There was certain clothing to be worn. It was different from the everyday wear.

Picture the mitre with HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD written upon it, as it rested on the head. The stones upon the shoulder were connected by gold wire chain to the breastplate with the twelve stones in it, one for each tribe. The ephod, robe and breeches were specific garments with specific purposes.

Even the perfumed air of incense was deliberately filling a sweet savor before The Lord. God gave special mixes for the oil that was used on the tabernacle furniture and on the priests. Again, it was different and used only for this purpose.

We live in the New Testament era, but we still have the 'school master' to let us know what is important to God. Do you have special ways to clean up, dress up, and prepare yourself to enter the sanctuary of Jesus Christ?

Do you pray and prepare your heart? Do you read Bible and think on honest, lovely, pure things? Do you direct your energy and activities toward worshipping before you even dress? Or, do you throw on any old thing, rush in, sit down out of breath, and more or less think, 'move me if you can'?

Pray you will sanctify your times before Jesus, in His house. Pray your church will be more focused on worship and lifting up Jesus as Lord an Savior.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 18

Leviticus 19

Leviticus 20

Worship, Give What Is Due Jesus- - -Feb. 4

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Leviticus 1:1, 2 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the ____________ of the _____________, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you ______ ___ __________ unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the _______, even of the _____, and of the _______.

Leviticus 1:14 And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of _____________, or of young __________.

Leviticus 2:1 And when any will offer a _____ offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine ______; and he shall pour ___ upon it, and put ________________thereon:

Leviticus 5:1-5 And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of _________, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity. Or if a soul touch any ________ thing, whether it be a ___________ of an unclean _____, or a carcase of unclean ______, or the carcase of unclean ________ things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty. Or if he touch the uncleanness of ___, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty. Or if a soul ______, pronouncing with his ____ to do ____, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an ____, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be ______ in one of these. And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall _________ that he hath __________in that thing:

Author's Thoughts

God dealt with the people based on what they had and what they did. Jesus does likewise. We are expected to live our lives with the heavenly command center in mind. Even though we are human and full of failings, we are expected to appear before God on a regular basis. We are expected to confess what we have done contrary to Bible and make it right.

In Old Testament days, there were special offerings, done special ways, for special sins. In grace or New Testament times, we are to repent of our commissions or omissions and 'be converted' or changed. We are to correct our course to be in line with Jesus' teachings, The Bible's teachings.

Pray you will offer Lord Jesus what is due Him. Pray you will bring confession for what you have done, that you ought not have done; and, for that which you have omitted that you should have done.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 21

Leviticus 22

Leviticus 23

Worship, Don't Let Your Fire Go Out! - - -Feb. 5

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Leviticus 6:13 The ______ shall ______ be ____________ upon the altar; it shall _________ go out.

Leviticus 24:2-4 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee _______ _____ _________ beaten for the ________, to cause the lamps to ______ ________________ Without the vail of the testimony, in the ______________ of the ________________, shall Aaron order it from the __________ unto the ___________ before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations. He shall order the lamps upon the ______ candlestick before the LORD continually.

Author's Thoughts

The scriptures above speak about the physical tabernacle that God ordered Moses to have the people give supplies for and build. They were to keep the fire and the light burning on the candlestick always.

Doesn't that sound like Jesus' thoughts in a different day and time? He said in Luke 11:33-36, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.”

The tabernacles have changed between Leviticus and Luke, haven't they? I Corinthians 6:19 asks, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

When we look at the priest coming and going from the tent like tabernacle, we see them physically putting wood on the altar coals to keep the fire burning. We see them as they fill the candlestick oil compartments to keep the light continually burning. It was a constant responsibility!

Today, each believer is to keep The Holy Ghost present, welcome and not grieved. Each is to sup with Jesus continually. They want to be heard, obeyed and given right of way to lead in our lives. When they feel freedom to lead, they pour out from the spout where the glory comes out. Our fire is burning and our light is shining. It is a minute by minute responsibility!

Pray you will be continually aware of Jesus and The Holy Ghost. Pray you will let The Word live in you. Pray you can submit your body to their authority and become extensions of them. Pray for those about you who proclaim to be Christian; but, seem to be dim or extinguished lights.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Leviticus 24

Leviticus 25

Leviticus 26

Leviticus 27

Worship, Be Ye A Separate People- -Feb. 6

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

God gave gifts to be used for His Glory.

Leviticus 10:9,10 Do not drink ____ nor ______ ______, thou, nor thy sons with thee, ____ __ __ into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye ___: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye may put __________ between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

Leviticus 11:46, 47 This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a ___________ between the _________ and the _________, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.

Leviticus 20:24,25 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have _____________ ___ from ______ people. Ye shall therefore ___ ____________ between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.

Author's Thoughts

God, in the Old Testament, the physical book, told them many things in which they were to be different from those about them. They were His people and He wanted differences in what they ate, who they worshipped, how they treated each other, how they treated Him, and even who they married.

Paul, in Second Corinthians 6:14-18, echoes the thought for the new covenant, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

We, today, are told there is to be a separation between righteousness and unrighteousness; between light and darkness; between Christ and Belial; between the believer and the infidel; the temple and idols, and that we are to live that separated life. We are in the world, to light and salt the world, but, not of the world.

Pray to truly be separated by constantly living with Jesus and The Holy Ghost, just as you do your family or work associates. Pray for your mind to be continually focused from heaven's viewpoint instead of an earthly one. Pray especially for youth to be separated by holiness and righteousness. Remember how hard it was not to fit into the 'in' crowd? Pray there will be separated, Holy ones, to fill the places of those going home. Thank Jesus for His friendship. Thank The Holy Ghost for His constant leading.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 1

Numbers 2

Numbers 3

Worship, Give Attention In Birth Times - - -Feb. 7

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Leviticus 12:2-6 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born _ ____ ________: then she shall be unclean ______ days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the _______ day the flesh of his _________ shall be _____________. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying _______ ____ _________ days; she shall touch no ________________ thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. But if she bear a _____ child, then she shall be unclean ____ weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying _____________ and ____ days. And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin ____________, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:

Author's Thoughts

God gave His people orders as to how to honor Him in all times of life. In the case above, He is saying there would be a physical separation after child bearing: 40 days for a male child and 80 days for a female child. At the end of the time, an offering would be made to Him.

In special times of our lives, we should especially be aware of Jesus and how He has been a vital part of what we have. When a child is born, we should spend special time thanking Him for the gift of life. We should spend quality and quantity time praying for the child, his/her future and role in the church.

And, when we have a new birth in The Kingdom, we should take special time to be with Jesus and appreciate what He has done. We, perhaps, are far too casual about new souls, either in the family or The Family. We should let Jesus have Glory and Thanks for these gifts.

In the case of a new soul, we should be ready to rear him/her in The Church just as we are prepared to rear a baby in the family. Time is spent getting a crib, car seat, clothing, diapers, bottles, etc. for a baby. Time should be spent getting mentors, alongside people, a Bible, dictionary, concordance, tapes of inspiration, new convert class, etc. for a baby in The Church.

Pray you'll be more mindful of the part Jesus wants you to play in offering Him up separated time to help rear new babies unto His Name. Pray parents will be receptive to their new responsibility to rear children In Christ.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 4

Numbers 5

Numbers 6

Worship, Jesus Was/Is Your Scapegoat - -Feb. 8

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Leviticus 16:15, 16 Then shall he _____ the ____ of the sin offering, that is for the ________, and bring his _______ within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the ______ seat, and before the mercy seat: And he shall make an ___________ for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their ________________ in all their ____: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Leviticus 16:21,22 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the _____ goat, and _______ over him all the __________ of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the _____ of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall _____ upon him all _____ iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

Author's Thoughts

The goat offering. The double goat offering. The first one died for the sins of the people. It's blood was brought within the vail and sprinkled upon and before the mercy seat. The second goat had all the sins of the people put upon it's head and then it was sent away into the wilderness alone.

Peter, in 2 Peter 2:24,25, spoke of Jesus, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

Jesus, the New Testament goat, the double goat. Not very flattering is it? He was the one who died for your sins. His blood was brought within the vail, as His Father tore the vail into two pieces. He became the mercy seat for all people. He was also the one upon whom all the sins were placed and He was sent away alone to bear the burden of your sins.

The writer of Hebrews tells us in Chapter 9:12-15 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Pray. Thank Jesus for being your sins' scapegoat and giving you PROMISE, Eternal Life.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 7

Numbers 8

Numbers 9

Numbers 10

Worship, Give Your Body To Him - - -Feb. 9

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Leviticus 19:26 Ye shall not eat any thing with the _______: neither shall ye use ________________, nor observe times.

Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any __________ in your ______ for the dead, nor print any _______ upon ____: I am the LORD.

Re-read the latter part of Leviticus. List some of the things God did not want for His people:

Author's Thoughts

The Lord had opinion as to what the body should and should not partake in to remain Holy and separated unto Him. Jesus, on the other hand, didn't talk much about the body; but He spoke much about the inner man. He had definite opinion about what we should be thinking, taking into ownership of our thoughts and acting upon. He wanted us MARKED INSIDE, for HIM.

Paul mentions in Romans, Chapter 12:1,2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

While so many in this world are being covered from head to toe in tattoos and cuttings, some being actually hung from hooks in their bodies, Jesus wants us to be marked as simply HIS.

He wants our bodies to be Holy, Acceptable. He wants our minds transformed, renewed. He wants us to keep our bodies and minds and souls holy unto Him and His use.

Have you ever presented your body unto Him as a living sacrifice? Have you ever told Him you want to give reasonable service to Him? Have you asked Him to separate you unto His work? If so, renew that vow with Jesus right now. If not, pray for the wisdom and leading to present yourself unto Him to be sanctified or set apart to His work. Pray for others to find this absolute dedications place also.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 11

Numbers 12

Numbers 13

Worship, Remember God's Special Times - -Feb. 10

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Leviticus 23 gives the seven (7) Feasts of God. Read and look over these notes.

Month 1, Day 14 : Passover-(Egypt: blood on door, God passed over)

Month 1, Day 15, Unleavened Bread-(bread with no yeast to rise, hurried out of Egypt)

Month 1, Day 16, First Fruits-first sheaf harvest waved before the Lord

Month 2-

Month 3, 50 days or 'a week of sabbaths' later, Pentecost offered with leaven, lambs, bullock, rams, drink, fire, kid goat, lambs & holy convocation.

Month 4

Month 5

Month 6

Month 7, day 1, Trumpets-Blowing trumpets & holy convocation

Month 7 Day 10, Day of Atonement-Day of afflicting your souls before The Lord

Month 7, Day 15 for 7 days, Tabernacles-holy convocations days 1 & 8. They dwelled in booths made of tree boughs for the seven days.

Author's Thoughts

As I read this chapter, some of the celebrations of Old Testament times began to move forward in my mind to the New Testament. I'm no expert so my opinion could be just that; but I can see them like this:

Passover….The Blood shed on Calvary to cover the heart

Unleavened Bread….Being covered by the blood means giving up leaven of Pharisees

First-Fruits...Jesus was the 1st fruit of Resurrection

Pentecost, 50 days later...Jesus had ascended and now The Holy Ghost comes down.

A time passes here like the passing of time now from Jesus to 2003

Trumpets...The sounding of a trumpet will someday call the dead forth.

Day of Atonement...Our sins will be atoned forever on Resurrection Day

Tabernacles...We will dwell in the Tabernacle of Heaven forever with Christ.

All that God did was representative of what was done by Jesus and His Church. We are fast approaching the time of the trumpet sounding. Recently, we had ice that snapped tree branches, telephone and electric wires like breaking a thread. It took away power and communication while adding sound effects like shotgun shells exploding when massive trees snapped. The entire area was stunned and partially helpless. It made me think about the time of THE END. What a time will be on the earth, such that would make the ice storm seem silly. Pray you and your will be ready.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 14

Numbers 15

Numbers 16

Worship, God ALWAYS Has THE Plan - - -Feb. 11

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Think again upon the readings of Numbers, chapters 1-6. Especially think about God's system to move, locate and keep order with tens of thousands of people. Remember that Joseph's two sons replaced Joseph and Levi in the tribal names. God took Levi's to serve with Aaron's at the tabernacle. He took them instead of the firstborn He had saved in Egypt. Levi had no inheritance but his family was place in the inner circle with Aaron's people. The ten tribes and two half tribes of Joseph had special places in relation to the Tabernacle.

Author's Thoughts

Jesus, in John 15:15, said, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

God told the Israelites all that was needed to be at peace with God, 4 commands, and man, six commands. Jesus, sent The Holy Ghost to lead us in truth and bring Jesus' teachings to our minds. Pray you will 'get in' and 'stay in' your place. Pray to discern The Spirit's will, as He brings it directly from the throne room where God reigns and Jesus sits at His right side.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 17

Numbers 18

Numbers 19

Worship, The Lord Desires To Bless You- - -Feb. 12

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Numbers 6:22-27 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee,

and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee,

and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

Author's Thoughts

As a Pastor there have been times The Spirit led me to bless the congregation like Moses was told here. Isn't it a great thing to be blessed of The Lord, to have heaven give attention to saying, “Well done, receive good things at Our hands this day.”

As you read this today, ask Jesus to give you a blessing, to pour one upon your head and upon your family, church, community and land.

Ask Him to keep you in peace, mercy, love and safety.

Tilt your head toward heaven, believing, and ask His face to shine upon you. Remember Moses' face actually shone after an encounter with God? Ask Him to be gracious unto you. Actually ask aloud, “Lord, be gracious unto me right now. This is a day you have Divinely given. Be gracious to me, now.”

Ask Him, “May I be so bold as to ask you to lift up your face, look toward me and give me peace. I want that peace that Jesus said He would leave for those of us who receive and believe in Him.”

Put on a favorite music CD or tape or sing, if you're so talented. Worship Jesus as Lord. Thank Him for Calvary, for Resurrection Day, His and yours. Take time to think about what it will be like when all evil is cast into the lake of fire and you dwell in the land of peace. Praise Him. Lift your hands toward heaven and actually praise him.

Think of how God took care of the Israelites, though they were great in number. Think of how easily He moves about the universe like you move about your home. He goes to the place called asleep in Jesus or the third heaven or anywhere else that exists. He can call the stars by name or listen to the whales' communication as they travel about the face of the earth. How wonderful is God: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost! Praise!

Complete your time with Him by asking Him to draw others you love to Him. Ask Him to anoint you for soul winning. Ask Him to put spiritual things more on your mind and earthly things less on your mind. Pray that He will live mightily through you.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 20

Numbers 21

Numbers 22

Numbers 23

Worship, Serve in your Place- -Feb. 13

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Numbers 8:10,11 And thou shalt bring the _________ before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites: And Aaron shall offer the ________ before the LORD for an offering __ ___ _________ of Israel, that they may execute the _______of the LORD.

Numbers 8:14-19 Thus shalt thou _________ the ________ from among the children of Israel: and the _______ shall be mine. And after that shall the Levites go in __ __ the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering. For they are ________ given unto me from among the children of Israel; ________ ___ such as open ______ ______, even instead of the ___________ of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me. For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I s_____ every firstborn in the land of _______ I sanctified them for myself. And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel. And I have ______ the Levites as a ______ to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

Author's Thoughts

God had claimed the 1st born since he saved them in Egypt. Now, He was claiming the tribe of Levi as His in the 1st born's place. They would serve under Aaron and his sons. From the age of 25-50 they would work to keep the tabernacle and to help move their assigned part each time Israel moved. They had to be cleansed, sanctified and set for the work.

Doesn't that sound pretty much like Christ and His kingdom today? We aren't packing tents, altars and furniture about as the mobile Bedouins in Israel; but we are sanctified and set apart for the service the Holy Ghost gives us. Each of us have gifts, things that are our natural bent in life, whether teaching, singing, cleaning, preparing food, helping people, praying for the sick, etc. We are placed into the body of Christ to do His work.

Pray asking Jesus to reveal to you any talents or gifts you have. Ask for guidance in using these to win souls and further the church and its work. Take time to look at any youth you are associated with. Pray to have wisdom in guiding them into their gifts and how they can use them for Jesus. Mentor or Disciple those who seem to listen or cling to you. If you don't have any to influence, pray for the Lord to send some to you. Replace yourself by rearing up a generation to fill your shoes when they empty.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 24

Numbers 25

Numbers 26

Worship, Do NOT Look Back Complaining- - -Feb. 14

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Numbers 11:1 And when the people __________, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was ________; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

Numbers 11:4, 5 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a _______: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us _____ to eat? We remember the ____, which we did eat in _____ _______; the _________, and the ______, and the _____, and the _______, and the ________: But now our ____ is dried away: there is ________ __ ____, beside this _______, before our eyes.

Numbers 11:11-15 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the _______ of all this people upon me? Have I __________ all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing ______ beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. I am ___ _____ __ _____ all this people alone, because it is ___ ______ for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

Numbers 14:22, 23 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have _______ me now these ___ times, and have ___ hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall ___ see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that _________ me see it:

Author's Thoughts

God was literally dropping food from the sky for these people and they were still unhappy. Manna from heaven was NOT good enough. To hear them tell of Egypt one would think they were guests, not slaves there. They make it sound like it was paradise to them, not a hot brick making factory. Their complaints (God said 10 different times they complained to Him.) brought Moses so low he begged God for help. He was weakened to wanting to die over trying to deal with an entire generation that refused to let God be God.

Finally, God was so provoked He decided to let all the older ones die, except the true ones, Joshua and Caleb. Have you been a complainer? Are you now a complainer? Do you know complainers?

Pray for complainers you know to appreciate Jesus' death on a cruel cross so they could have spiritual manna from heaven. Pray they will stop complaining and appreciate Jesus' gift.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 27

Numbers 28

Numbers 29

Worship, God will show whom He chooses - -Feb. 15

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Numbers 17:1-8 And the _____ spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and take ______ every one of them a ___ according to the house of their ________, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every ____'s name upon his rod. And thou shalt write ______'s name upon the rod of _________: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers. And thou shalt lay them __ in the tabernacle of the congregation before the ___________, where I will ____ with you. And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall ________: and I will make to ______ from me the ____________ of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even _______ rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness. And it came to pass, that on the ________ Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of _______ for the house of ____ was ________, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded __________.

Author's Thoughts

God does things in such long range ways that it is necessary to search the entire, volume as Christ said, book to even peek into His ways. Remember the people's murmurings! Remember how it wore out Moses and wearied God? Both were ready for a showdown. God had just showed Korah that Moses was His man and now He was going to settle the issue about Aaron.

God allowed Aaron's rod to be Levi's representative since He had given the Levites to Aaron in service of the tabernacle. God set up the rules. The puzzle would be a season's growth to occur over one night. Who could accomplish this feat? Only the one God applied the Creator's touch to. And, just who do you think will win?

You guessed it! Aaron's rod not only bloomed but grew almonds overnight. God had spoken. With the murmuring adults it still wouldn't stop their mouths, but it was a proof had they been wise enough to ever shut up. They weren't.

Pray to be perceptive and see the anointing of the Lord, regardless of who or where He places His hand. He can and will take care of His kingdom. Sometimes we think the church we attend depends on us to operate effectively. At times people go to great lengths to 'get their way'. They should realize that the only One who needs His way, is God. Pray for Jesus' will to be done in your church. Pray you will help instead of judge workers He calls. Pray for all serving Jesus today, regardless of who or where.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 30

Numbers 31

Numbers 32

Worship, Only Speak to The Rock - - -Feb. 16

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Numbers 20:1-12 Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. And there was ____ _________ for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together _______ Moses and _______ Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had ____when our brethren died before the LORD! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should ___ there? And wherefore have ye ____ us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this ____ place? it is no place of ____, or of ____, or of v____, or of _________; neither is there any ______ to drink. And ________ ___ ________ went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the __________ of the congregation, and they fell upon their _____: and the glory of the _____ appeared unto them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the ______, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and _____ ye unto the _____ before their eyes; and it shall ____ forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the ____: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must __ fetch you _____ ___ ___ _____ _____? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he _____ the rock _______: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses ___ Aaron, Because ye ________ me ___, to ________ me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall ___ bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Author's Thoughts

Finally, Moses let himself get out of hand. The murmuring and complaining got to him. God was seeing the big picture. The Rock was Jesus, I Corinthians 10:4. He was only to be crucified once and never struck after that. God knew that. He told Moses to only SPEAK to the Rock this time and it would give water. Moses let his vision become like those grumbling children and he struck the Rock, and not only once, but twice.

God was NOT pleased! He told Moses and Aaron they would not enter the land of Canaan. After all these years with a good record, Moses messed up. God quickly took a privilege. They would not go into Canaan.

Pray you will not fall into the murmuring of the nations about you; but, that you will stay focused onto Jesus, the Rock, and continue SPEAKING to Him. Pray your well of living water will flow into a great fountain for yourself and others to drink generously from. Never strike Jesus, not ever

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Numbers 33

Numbers 34

Numbers 35

Numbers 36

Worship, Don't let a Donkey see more than you.- -Feb. 17

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Numbers 22:4-6 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

Numbers 22:12And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

Read Numbers 22:22-31 again.

What did God tell Balaam to do or not to do?

How many times did the ass see the angel and protect Balaam?

What did God finally let the ass do?

What did Balaam do to the ass each time it saved his life?

Did Balaam still want to go to the King of Moab?

Author's Thoughts

Notice what kinds of rewards the king's servants were taking to Balaam in verse 7. Balaam is NOT God's man. God tries to get him not to try cursing His people. God urged him NOT to go. God finally turned his attempts at cursing to blessing. Balaam knew all these things, yet he stayed among the enemies of God's people. Numbers 31:8 tells Balaam was killed with the enemies of God's people. Notice 31:16 and see that he still inspired people to commit trespasses against God. 2 Peter 2:15 says Balaam was going for the wages of unrighteousness. Jude 11 says Balaam ran greedily after error for reward. In Revelation 2:14, writing to Pergamos church, Jesus says, “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”

Evidently Balaam stayed among the people and taught them to intermarry and get Israel to worship their strange gods. A prophet of the Devil he was. Not even a talking ass could persuade this man to believe in the God of The Bible. Some people never change and if we're not careful, they will dwell among our families and persuade us to evil ways.

Look among your personal life. Ask Jesus to show you anything in your life or home that is contrary to His Word and needs to be cast away. Pray for the courage to stand for right, regardless.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 1

Deuteronomy 2

Deuteronomy 3

Worship, Knowing Our End Is In Sight Always - - -Feb. 18

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Numbers 27:12-23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this _____ Abarim, and see the ____which I have given unto the children of Israel. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be _________ unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. For ye ________ against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to _______ me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, ___ _ ___ over the congregation, Which may __ ___ before them, and which may __ __ before them, and which may ____ them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be ___ as sheep which have __ shepherd. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee _______ the son of Nun, a man in whom is the ______, and lay thine ____ upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a ______ in their sight. And thou shalt put some of _____ ________ upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the _________ of ____ before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Author's Thoughts

There finally comes the day when we must decrease and those younger must increase. Oh, that the Lord would always find a willing Moses to hand down honor and reigns as the Lord would have them. And, that He would always find a Joshua ready to step up and take the reigns and the load that goes with them.

The Lord was having an ordination service of sorts here-the Old Testament version of it is plain. Take the successor before the priest and congregation, lay hands on him and charge the responsibilities in hearing of all. They even got out the Urim, which some historians think were stones used for deciding God's will. Whatever the Urim and Thummim were, they were worn in a pouch close to the priest's heart and ordered there by God and given to decide things. They too indicated Joshua.

After the charge Moses' face is turned toward being 'gathered unto his people.' He knew the truth about the water and rock incident and took responsibility. He knew God was true to His word.

Pray you will accept responsibility for what you have and have not done. Pray to see those who can and will replace you when you age and die. Build all you can upon their foundation while you have time. Moses was close to Joshua and at peace with his selection. Pray for those of your family to become part of Jesus' church and take their place.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 4

Deuteronomy 5

Deuteronomy 6

Worship, Teach and Re-Teach God's Word - - -Feb. 19

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

In Deuteronomy-Deut (2nd) Giving of the Law to the new generation. Moses rehearses all that has happened and gives the Laws again.

Deuteronomy 1:8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and ________ the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their ________ after them.

Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them ______ over you, captains over _________, and captains over _________, and captains over _______, and captains over _____, and officers among your tribes.

Deuteronomy 1:17 Ye shall not _______ persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the ______ as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

Deuteronomy 1:30, 31 The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall ______ for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.

Deuteronomy 1:39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had __ knowledge between ____ ___ _____, they shall __ __ thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

Deuteronomy 2:7 For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these ______ years the LORD

Deuteronomy 2:25 This day will I begin to put the ______ of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee. God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.

Author's Thoughts

Can you imagine Moses at this point in his life? He has been through a long journey with these people. He has seen rebellion among their parents and watched all but two of the original adults die off. Wouldn't it be hard to pastor a people of which only two ever decided to mind God?

Now, here they are at the time of possessing the land promised. He wants to remind them of all that has happened. He wants them to know that God gave the land to their parents; but rebellion kept them from possessing the land. He wants them to know their own obedience to God is important if they are to have what God really has for them.

He rehearses God putting dread of Israel on the inhabitants of the land. He wants them to know God worked ahead of them the first time and will again. It is only their obedience that could possibly stand in their own way.

Isn't that so true! It is our own disobedience that keeps us from having what the Lord would give us. Jesus died on the cross to give us good, productive lives on earth and eternal life forever. Still, so many people are in their own way. Some want to reason. Some want to rebel. Some want the Bible to read the way they want it. Pray you will let Jesus be Lord and accept what He wants to give you.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 7

Deuteronomy 8

Deuteronomy 9

Deuteronomy 10

Worship, Think on and be Thankful for Past Victories - -Feb. 20

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 3:1-6 Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and __ the king of Bashan came out ________ us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. And the LORD said unto me, _____ ____ ____: for I will _______ him, and ___ his people, and his ____, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon. So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until _____ ___ ______ to him remaining. And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, ____________ cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. All these cities were fenced with ____ _______, gates, and _____; beside unwalled towns __ ______ _____. And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.

Deuteronomy 3:11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of ________; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of ____; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? _____ cubits was the length thereof, and ____ cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man. (cubit =18” or so)

Author's Thoughts

Kingdoms that belonged to kings fell to Israel, through the power of God. Og was a giant and dwelled in a land full of 'giant' cities of sorts since they were walled and barred. It certainly looked like he and his land was safe from harm. But, he was an evil king with evil people and God had given the land to His people. All God's people had to do to win the battle was move as God said. They found the cities and king easy to bring down, when they minded God.

Go in and possess it is a statement we should all remember. Too many of us allow Satan to present himself and his people as strong, walled cities. In reality the devil does NOT own one thing. He is only trying to present himself as ruler of this world. He is under God's power and always will be.

It is only when we allow him to take authority over what we should possess that he is successful in keeping what rightfully belongs to us. Even at this very moment there are people living in sinful circumstances, threatened by satan that they cannot be free, but satan lies. All sin can be forgiven and beaten, just like Og.

Some are addicted to drugs, alcohol or some other controlling thing. Jesus died so the captive could be set free, if they only called upon the name of Jesus and declared themselves free in His Holy Name. No giant is able to stand before the name of Jesus. No giant. Not drugs. Not alcohol. Not adultery. Not homosexuality. Not any giant in your life. At the Name of Jesus, all has to kneel and surrender--IF--we truly believe and call on Him.

Pray for the giants in your life to be defeated. Pray for the walled cities in your life to come tumbling down. Pray for your family's giants and walled cities. Pray for the power of Jesus to be called upon so Jesus can allow His power to fight on His people's behalf.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 11

Deuteronomy 12

Deuteronomy 13

Worship, Hand Down Your Teachings- - -Feb. 21

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 And thou shalt _____ the LORD thy God with ____ thine ________, and with ____ thy ______, and with ____ thy _______. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in ________ _________: And thou shalt ________ them diligently unto thy children, and shalt _______ of them when thou ________ in thine house, and when thou _________ by the way, and when thou ______ down, and when thou ________ up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Author's Thoughts

Love the Lord. Love the Lord. Love Him with ALL your heart, ALL your soul and ALL your might. If there is a more condemning scripture in the entire Bible, I certainly do NOT know it. The person who truthfully says he/she loves with their ALL is more focused than I've ever been. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm saved and sanctified. I can honestly report that more of my waking hours are spent each year for the Lord, than not for the Lord. But, to say I've put ALL my heart, soul and might into loving Jesus is hard to say.

There are times I'm distracted by life and things of the earth. No, I don't go whoring after the world or sin with satan; but, I fall less than 100% of my all. How do you rate?

This is the scripture, or its counterpart in the New Testament, that we should strive to accomplish to the very best of our abilities. Mark 12: 29-31 states, “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

The more we concentrate on loving the Lord with our ALL and loving our neighbor as we do ourselves; the less we fall into human weaknesses.

The Lord gave Moses something else to do and instruct the people to do. They were to teach God's Word and ways to their children. Christians were to savor and enjoy their love with Jesus and then pass it on to the children.

Having children around costs. It costs in patience, a mind to teach instead of fault find, a mind to clean up more than usual, a mind to lose sleep more than usual, a mind to give of yourself-even until it hurts, as far as getting tired or doing things old bones resist, and a mind of vision. One must truly have a vision of hooking into children and teen's worlds if they are to touch them at all. Their bodies are more animated. Their thoughts are more immature and require backing up to expecting only children or teen steps. Even playing with a baby requires a mind set to see positive things happen.

Pray you will use more opportunities to teach Jesus IN your home. Pray for opportunities to spend time, energy and money on children with the purpose to leave Christ in them. Pray families of the church will become so minded as to rear up a generation in Christ and His Church.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 14

Deuteronomy 15

Deuteronomy 16

Worship, Let God be God, You be His Creation - -Feb. 22

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 7:20,21 Moreover the LORD thy God will send the _______ among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.

Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not ___ upon thee, neither did thy ____ ________, these _______ years.

Deuteronomy 10:16, 17 ____________ therefore the _________ of your ______, and be no more stiffnecked. For the LORD your God is ____ __ ____, and ____ of ______, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 Behold, I set before you this day a ________ and a curse; A blessing, if ye ____ the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a ______, if ye will ___ _____ the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not know

Author's Thoughts

Can you imagine a battle with a great enemy army? The bases are loaded, so to speak, and it looks like the enemy is ready for a home run. They will win! All is in their favor. Their best batter steps up to the plate and the ball is pitched….

Then, out of nowhere comes a hornet and BZZZZZZZ...directly to the batter. As he readies for the swing! STING!!! He misses. Again, and again. He is OUT! The team is OUT! Circumstances have changed and your team has won.

This was not exactly a ball game the Israelites faced, but enemies in walled cities and Israel wandering tent people. But, God was their God! He actually sent hornets to win a war for them. Wow!

Another of the many, many times He fought for them He did so in a quiet, unseen way. He simply spoke to their clothing and shoes not to wear or decay. Through the forty years as they wandered, they did not have to want for footwear or clothes. He cared for them.

Always. Always! God sets before each of us a choice to serve and obey Him and be blessed or to refuse His counsel and disobey and be cursed. The peoples He was destroying were worshipping idols and causing their children to walk in fire and be destroyed in service to idols. God was a jealous God and cursed them and their land. Today, under grace, the curse is still present. People choose to disobey Christ each day, and may think it doesn't matter. But, someday, Jesus will come to separate the people that are His and those that are the enemy's. On that day we who have let God be God will be so happy.

Pray you will take Jesus at His Word and obey each jot and tittle of the Bible. Pray your church will be more and more mindful of the Bible's teachings. Pray your family will come under Jesus' authority.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 17

Deuteronomy 18

Deuteronomy 19

Worship, God, not Material Things - - -Feb. 23

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 15:6-10 For the LORD thy God _________ thee, as he __________ thee: and thou shalt _____ unto ______ __________, but thou shalt ___ borrow; and thou shalt ______ over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. If there be among you a _____ _____ of one of ___ ___________ within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt ___ _________ thine heart, nor ______ thine hand from thy _____ brother: But thou shalt open thine hand _____ unto him, and shalt surely _____ him _____________ for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not _ __________ in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him ________; and he cry unto the LORD ________ thee, and it be ___ unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall ___ __ __________ when thou givest unto him: because that ___this thing the LORD thy God shall ______ thee in ___ ___ ______, and in all that thou puttest thine _____ unto.

Deuteronomy 15:15 And thou shalt _________ that thou wast a ________ in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God __________ thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

Author's Thoughts

God reminds the Jewish people that He has set a seventh year to release all debts and let people go free to start anew. He wanted the people to help the poorer among the brethren. He didn't command this to foreign people or foreign nations; but to their own brethren. The poor among them was to have compassion.

God saw that some would not want to help the brethren if the seventh year was close at hand. He told them not to shut up their hand against the poor's need. He said if you do this I will bless you and all you put your hand to.

God went so far as to predict the Jewish people would have money to lend to other nations. He said they wouldn't be known as borrowers, but as lenders. If you re-check your history, you will find they have always been good money managers and lenders.

How about you? Can you help the poor among you and treat them the same as you do the 'haves' among you? Can you truly go into the hedges and highways wanting to bring them in? How long has it been since you gave to a poor brother who needed help? How long since you've had a poor person in your vehicle? How long since a poor person ate at your table?

Ask yourself these questions? Pray you will learn to minister to the poor and win them to Jesus. Pray your church will welcome them into complete fellowship.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 20

Deuteronomy 21

Deuteronomy 22

Worship, not Presumptuously - -Feb. 24

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 17:8-13 If there arise a matter ___ ____ for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being _______ __ ___________ within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the ____ ___ ___ shall ______; And thou shalt come unto the _______ the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the ________ of __________: And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they ______ thee: According to the sentence of the law which they shall _____ thee, and according to the judgment which they shall ____ thee, thou shalt __: thou shalt ___ decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the _____ hand, nor to the ____. And the man that will do ______________, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.

Author's Thoughts

Go and ask the minister what the law tells you to do when matters are too hard for thee to judge. The minister is to check the law of God and advise you accordingly. They were told to do this in matters between family members, matters of word or blows and matters of controversy.

After the law, through the priests, gave a sentence or solution to the problem, they were to do it. They were not to go to the left or right, but right through the middle. They were not to ignore the priest's advice and do presumptuously. Acting presumptuously meant overstepping due bounds or taking liberties.

Doesn't all this make you think about the people today who are acting presumptuously in regard to Jesus and the Bible? It certainly does me. It troubles my mind to think about the Word and its advice as to do and do not; then, to think how people ignore it. They behave as though God has not spoken to them. They turn to the left, the right or even, to the down and the lower. They become God over their own lives.

Although the grace covenant gives us the right to behave as we choose, it also tells of an answering day, the judgment. All unrepentant disobedience will be dealt with. The devil does his best to make us believe we HAVE to go aside to survive, in worldly ways. We do not. We should never presume that Jesus does NOT meant what He said.

Pray you will obey EXACTLY what Jesus said. Pray your family and your church will not take it upon them to presume at all about the Bible and its advice; but simply act according to its advice.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 23

Deuteronomy 24

Deuteronomy 25

Worship, Testing for Presumptuous speakers. - - -Feb. 25

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 18:18-22 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that __________ will ___ hearken unto my words ______ __ shall speak in __ _____, I will require it __ ___. But the prophet, which shall _______ to speak a word in my name, which I have ___ commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of _____ ____, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, ___ shall we ____ the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, __ ___ _____ follow not, ___ come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath ___ spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it ______________: thou shalt ___ be afraid of him.

Author's Thoughts

The Lord tells us here how to tell a true from a false prophet. God cannot lie. Satan, on the other hand, is a liar and the father of lies. He lies, even through the mouths of his prophets. So, the Devil could speak through a prophet, that, which will NOT come to pass; but, the Lord will NEVER speak untruth.

We need to read scriptures after we hear them preached or taught to confirm that the Bible bears out what is taught. We should have concordances, dictionaries, helps to learn more on each subject we study. We should discuss with older Bible scholars in whom we truly have put our trust. We should watch and pray for the discernment and wisdom to know truth from “worked up” or falsehood.

Jesus is the truth, the life and the way. He will never mislead. He will not break a bruised reed but let it live. He will not pinch out a smoking flax but let it strive for fire. Jesus will never mislead or wound you.

Watch those who labor among you. Hear their words and observe to see if they bear out in fact. Are their words truthful?

Think about what you say. Don't allow your words to destroy the trust people have in you, through Christ. If you say that which does not come true, you too will be a false prophet or prophetess. Even in words to your children or grandchildren, do not be untruthful. Be careful to say that which will come to pass. Don't make promises you don't mean to keep. Say what you mean and mean what you say. This keeps you a true Christian.

Pray your words will be truth. Pray all who proclaim Christ will be constantly reminded to speak truth.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 26

Deuteronomy 27

Deuteronomy 28

Worship, Dedicate Your Home - - -Feb. 26

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 20:1-5 When thou _________ out to _________ against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people _____ _____ _____, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is _____ ______, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts _______, fear ____, and do ____ tremble, neither be ye _________ because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth _____ ____, to fight ___ you against your enemies, to _____ you. And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a ____ house, and hath not __________ it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

Author's Thoughts

Have you ever dedicated your house, your home? Dedicate means to devote to a cause or purpose; given over to a particular control. Dedication of a home is a private matter, unlike a church.

In the church there are officers, pastors, people in charge who take the responsibility of dedicating the church. They not only take charge of the initial steps; but remain vigilant to see that Jesus is Lord and the Bible is the order of rule. We, as individual and as families, can remain quite invisible in these happenings. We can attend the services but leave the real matter of dedication to others. Our attendance indicates our agreement and participation, yet life at home can be quite different.

Is your home dedicated or a matter quite different? Can you truthfully say that your home is devoted to the cause and purpose of seeing Jesus in total control of what happens there?

At first, it is easy to think our home, or at least our part of it, is dedicated to Jesus. But, sometimes a closer look at what dedication means can cause a deeper consideration. Dedicated to Jesus surely means talking with Him on a regular basis. Dedication means listening to Him in Word and in the Spirit. Dedication means devoted time to Jesus, prayer, Bible reading and study. Devotion means time of worship and adoration. Devotion means letting His actions become our actions; His words, our words.

Dedication can also mean omission of things that would offend or not please Him. Things like cursing on television or video; things like yelling instead of speaking courteous and politely; things like being jealous or fighting among yourselves. Dedication means seeing the evil in the things He speaks against and learning to detest them, likewise.

Dedication can mean getting a bottle of oil, anointing the doorways and praying over the goings out and the comings in. Dedication can mean a place set aside for quiet time with Jesus. Dedication can mean the peace that rests upon a consecrated place. Pray now for a dedicated home. If all are not saved, pray it can become a dedicated home. Pray for a listening heart to discern good and evil. Pray for the courage to take stands, holding to the good and ridding the evil from you.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 26

Deuteronomy 27

Deuteronomy 28

Deuteronomy 29

Worship, Keep the Camp Holy - -Feb. 27

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 23:10-14 If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall ___ come within the camp: But it shall be, when _______ cometh on, he shall ____ himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again. Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad: And thou shalt have a _______ upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ____ thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and ____ that which cometh from thee: For the LORD thy God ________ in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

Deuteronomy 23:17-19 There shall be no _____ of the daughters of Israel, nor a _______ of the sons of Israel. 18 Thou shalt not bring the ____ of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any ___: for even both these are __________ unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy _______; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

Deuteronomy 23:21-24 When thou shalt ___ _ ___ unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not _____ to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely _______ it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt ______ to vow, it shall be __ sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy ____ thou shalt ____ and _______; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth. When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest ___ grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt ___ put any in thy vessel.

Author's Thoughts

Keep the camp clean. That could be our yards or the church property. I was especially touched by the Lord telling them to put a paddle upon their weapons. This paddle was to dig a place for bathroom usage and for covering what came from the body. His reason! The Lord would walk about the camp to deliver them and therefore where He walked should be Holy. Wow! How is that for inspiration to keep things picked up and clean-so the Lord can walk about our homes, yards, and church properties.

As this is being written, we are at war with Iraq. On television they showed a soldier with a folding shovel. It folded making a leg and seat for bathroom usage; then, folded into a shovel to cover the waste. In a land that doesn't know whether God is God, they are doing exactly what Deuteronomy ordered all those years ago. I wish they knew The God of Israel had designed this system.

He didn't want us to traffic in selling our bodies or dogs; and, if we did, He didn't want the money brought to Him to pay a vow. Also, He said what you promise by vow, keep.

Pray. Ask Jesus to consider the vows you've given Him and show you any unfilled. Ask Him to help you keep the camp clean. Ask Him to walk about you, your home, your property, the church and the church grounds. Keep the camp Holy!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 30

Deuteronomy 31

Deuteronomy 32

Worship, Be Righteous In Dealings With The Poor - - -Feb. 28

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 24:6-15, 17-20 No man shall take the nether or the upper ________ to pledge: for he taketh a man's ____ to pledge. And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge: In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his ___ ________, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not _______ an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the ___ __ ____ upon it; for he is poor, and _______ his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt not pervert the ________ of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge: But thou shalt remember that thou wast a _______ in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing. When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast ______ a sheaf in the field, thou shalt ___ go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou _______ thine olive tree, thou shalt ___ go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

Author's Thoughts

If a man is working millstones, don't take either the upper or nether (under or lower) stone; for this is how he makes a living. He cannot pay you or others if he has no way to make a living.

If you've taken something a poor man needs (like his cloak or coat) for a pledge (like pond shop in today's world or security for a bank); give it back before night fall. He will need it and he will bless your name before the Lord.

If you work a poor person, pay them at the end of the day, their heart is set upon the wages. While the person with means may have stores to last a few days or months, the poor needs their money. Don't hold back and cause him to cry unto the Lord about you.

Don't pervert the judgment of strangers, widows, orphans (people with little or no influence). You, Israel, were bondmen in Egypt. Remember how it feels to be of no influence and treat them good.

Don't return to the field for the left sheaf or shake the olives a second time. In that day what was left in the field was for the poor and the widow. Remember Ruth gleaning the fields to feed Naomi and herself.

We want, and expect, God to hear our cries for help. Remember and know that He hears all peoples cries. Treat them, Jesus would say, as you would want to be treated. Do what you can to be fair and live righteous in their presence. Don't take advantage or be tempted to do less than Holy with all.

Pray you will have opportunity, wisdom and carry-thru with poor people. Pray to learn to feel how they feel and act accordingly. Pray for the church to welcome the poor the same as the rich.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Deuteronomy 33

Deuteronomy 34

Joshua 1

Worship, Making the Right Choices- -March 1

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 27:6, 7 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

Later in this chapter God gives a dozen “Cursed be…” items. They tell you how God thinks. Pick out a few and list them here:

Author's Thoughts

God wanted His people to choose the things that build good lives. He wanted them to be successful just as any parent. He wanted them to have victory over the things His enemy, Satan, brought upon man and the earth. He wanted them to listen to His advice, which would guide them around and/or over obstacles the Devil set up to hinder them.

Victory always starts with worship. Worship always begins with wholes: whole hearts, whole minds, whole love, whole devotion, etc. In the Old Testament days when they used stones and built altars, it started with whole stones. We must give our ALL.

God didn't want His people to make, with their own hands something lower than they, and then worship it. He didn't want them to move the landmarks or property lines and try to take their brother's land. He didn't want them to be sexually impure.

God urged Holiness. Jesus urges Holiness. In order to be Holy, we must learn to make wise, Bible based choices. We must learn to behave like Jesus would behave. Words only are half hearted - not whole; thus, won't work.

Pray you will concentrate more and more on being Holy, make good choices. Pray your family will be touched by the Holy Ghost and be led of Him to better choices. Pray your neighbors and those who are engulfed in evil will choose Holy, whole choices from the Word.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Joshua 2

Joshua 3

Joshua 4

Worship, Being Blessed From Obeying God- - -March 2

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high _____ ___ ________ of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the ____, and blessed shalt thou be in the _____. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy ____, and the fruit of thy ______, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy ______ and thy _____. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest __, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest ___. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be _______ before thy face: they shall come out against thee ___ way, and flee before thee _____ ways. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine ____ unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. The LORD shall establish thee an ____ people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the ____ of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goodsc, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The LORD shall open unto thee his good ________, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

Author's Thoughts

God made it clear that He wanted to Bless His people. This is why He told them how to be blessed; just as Jesus does His children.

Enemies could come one way, but they'd part seven ways to get away. The fruit of children and of the ground would be good. Israel would be established as a Holy Nation. God could open the treasures of heaven and pour them out if they obeyed.

Christ teaches the same to His sheep. Hear my voice. Obey my teachings and you will receive the blessings of heaven. When we keep our minds stayed on Jesus, we can have blessings going out and blessings coming in. All that we put our hand to can be blessed, if we are following the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.

Pray you will be more and more careful to obey Jesus. Pray the slightest urging of the Holy Ghost will cause you to alter your momentary course. Pray you will do that which Jesus opens for you to do. Pray to be bolder to walk through doors the Holy Ghost opens.

Pray your home and church will become a place where the Holy Ghost and Jesus are not grieved. For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Joshua 5

Joshua 6

Joshua 7

Worship, Choosing Life and Blessings- -March 3

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 29:17-20 And ye have seen their abominations, and their _____, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:) Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose _____ _______ ____ this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth ____ and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he _____ ________ in his heart, saying, I _____ have peace, _____ __ walk in the imagination of ____ heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: The LORD will not spare him, but then the _____ of the LORD and his _______ shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall ___ upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Deuteronomy 30:15, 16 See, I have set before thee this day ____and____, and _____ and ____; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall _____ thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 I call ______ and _____ to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore _____ life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest ____ the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest ____ his voice, and that thou mayest ______ unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Author's Thoughts

Every person, every day, every hour, every minute may choose whether to have life and blessings or death and be cursed by God. God has rules. He makes know His rules to us. What He sees as good, He blesses. What He sees as evil He curses.

We then, may choose to let God be God and do things His way or suffer the consequences. He will not force us to choose Him. He allowed Satan to come to earth and tempt us. In a way, Satan, tests our loyalty to God. Satan is a counterfeit and has nothing genuine to give. He is a liar and a deceiver. He will try to get man, woman, boy and girl to live “their own” way, denying there is laws of the universe established by God, Himself.

God makes it simple for us. Here is the Bible. It is true. Here are my churches and anointed workers who have chosen to live and tell My truths. Follow My Son, Jesus the Christ, or be deceived. We can purposely choose Christ and life.

Pray you and others will be wise enough to do so. Pray people can “see” with spiritual eyes.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Joshua 8

Joshua 9

Joshua 10

Worship, Consider Your Latter End - - -March 4

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 32: 29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their ______ ____!

Deuteronomy 32:39, 40 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

Consider God's testimony of Himself represented here, “I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.”

Can you picture a modern day witness stand. They put their hand upon the Bible, raise their right hand, and promise to tell the truth. God, many times uses the illustration of what His Right Hand can do. Here, He raises it to proclaim a great truth, “I live for ever.”

Author's Thoughts

Your author thinks this is a place for you to write a letter to Jesus, since He is the One who died for you to live forever. Tell Him what you've concluded about your LATTER END. Can you raise your right hand to Jesus, lay your left hand on the Bible and honestly say, before heaven, that your trust, living behaviors and thoughts are in line with Living For Ever? This is a good time to look at your end.Moses was looking his earthly end in the face as he spoke these words. Soon, he faced the Lord God.

 

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Joshua 11

Joshua 12

Joshua 13

Worship, Disciple Your Replacement- - -March 5

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Deuteronomy 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD ____ there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And __ buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man __________ of his _____________ unto this day. And Moses was an hundred and ______ years old when he died: his eye was not ___, nor his natural force __________.

Deuteronomy 34:9 And Joshua the son of Nun was ____ of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had ______ his hands upon him: and the children of Israel _____________ unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Joshua 1:5-8 There shall not ___ man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: ____ __ _____ with Moses, ___ __ _____ ___with thee: I will not ____ thee, nor _______ thee. Be ______ and of a good _______: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to ___ the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the _____ ______ or to the ____, that thou mayest _______ whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy _____; but thou shalt ________ therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way ___________, and then thou shalt have _______ __________.

Author's Thoughts

For a long time in a youth's life there is practically no thought of getting old or dying. The body is strong, able to climb, jump and endure many knocks and bangs. Even in the years of training, college, marriage and young family, few think, for long at a time, on their own mortality. Some are forced to think more by losing close family members.

Then, about the time the grandchildren become adults, death of one's parents comes-if blessed to keep them into old age. That leaves one with a real taste of mortality. In the next few years, perhaps a sister or brother, a few aunts and/or uncles, and the feeling becomes more real. Add only a few years and the body doesn't seem to cooperate like it used to. One can plainly see their race will end somewhere up ahead. It is felt deep within.

God spared Moses' body and eyesight to do the job he needed to do; but, he still could tell his years were coming to a close on his present mission. God had told him plainly he would die before the children of Israel entered the Promised Land. He had been impressed with Joshua and Caleb for many years and Joshua was the one selected, by God, to take the land and divide the inheritances. God did the service and burial for Moses personally-a secret to this day.

Then, God told Joshua his job and that he needed to rely on the Lord. He instructed him to walk the straight path with strength and courage. God promised, as with Moses, to be with Joshua. Still Joshua had to feel intimidated, humanly, at taking on such a task. With God, though, he proceeded ahead.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Joshua 14

Joshua 15

Joshua 16

Joshua 17

Worship, Take Hold of the Right- -March 6

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Joshua 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

Take the room here to sketch a few happenings from Chapter 2. Watch for Rahab's actions, changes in beliefs, behaviors, and her expectations from aligning herself with the God of Israel and His people.

Author's Thoughts

Isn't God great! A harlot was selected to be the Jericho contact. Why? Because she had heard about God drying up the Red Sea for His people to come out of Egypt and how He had utterly destroyed kings that were not good to His people. She believed! God loves for us to believe in Him.

In the New Testament Jesus is born in a manger of a crowded town. Anyone could have seen Him. His crucifixion was a public display of cruelty. Again, ANY could have been part of the greatest gift ever given. God's work isn't done in a dark corner. No indeed.

But then, all of Jericho, no doubt, had also heard and NOT believed. Rahab reached out her hand, when the spies appeared at her door, and took hold. Many think about changing. Many even start on repentance and baptism, but halt there at the door of God. Taking hold means reading the Word, behaving as it tells one to, and talking to Jesus. Taking hold means thinking in terms of a spiritual realm instead of always the mortal and what one can see, hold, taste, etc.

Rahab, at the risk of her very life, decided to take hold of her belief in the God of Israel. She put herself between Jericho's pursuers and the two spies. She risked something to get what she saw was within her grasp. Pray you will take hold of the rights presented to you.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Joshua 18

Joshua 19

Joshua 20

Worship, Piling Up Stones To Explain - - -March 7

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Joshua 4:1-11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over ______, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, Take you ______ men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the _____ of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' ______ ______ _____, twelve stones, and ye shall _____ them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall _____ this night. Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his _______, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a ____ among you, that when _____ _________ ____ ______ ________ in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall _______ them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were ___ ____: and these stones shall be for a _________ unto the children of Israel for ever. And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. ___ Joshua set up ______ stones in the _____ of Jordan, in the place where the ____ of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day. For the ______ which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until _____ ______ was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

Author's Thoughts

Hopefully, you have a great pile of stones from where Jesus has cut off the waters of many a Jordan for you. The first stone is the grace to believe in Him and be saved. The second is baptism. From there you become a working part of the body of Christ, laying up stones in your gift.

Think of the stones you've seen piled in your own life. Times of healing. Times when a relative was sick and He healed. Times when you were in financial need and it was met. Times when you were used to help someone less fortunate. What a pile of stones a life spent for Jesus has!

Pray you will daily pile up a small stone witnessing what Jesus has done for you.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Joshua 21

Joshua 22

Joshua 23

Worship, Re-institute Beginning Things - -March 8

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Joshua 5:2-5 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee _____ knives, and ___________ again the children of Israel the _______ time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this is the ______ _____ Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, _____ in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. Now all the _________ ______ ______ ______ were circumcised: but all the people that were ______ in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had ____ circumcised.

Joshua 5:10-12 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the __________ on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. And they did eat of the ___ corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, ____________ cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the _____ _______ on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel ______ any more; but they did eat of the _______ of the land of ___________ that year.

Author's Thoughts

It is exciting indeed when one does the things of faith and sees ones peers doing likewise. Then, years pass while that generation works side by side in Jesus' footsteps. Soon there is another generation and the first things are being practiced again.

In the old covenant, circumcision was literal, with a sharp knife-males only, obviously. In the new covenant it is spiritual, but every bit as real, no knife needed for the Holy Ghost to do surgery, and all can receive this circumcision of the heart. Out comes the stony heart and in goes a fleshly one that can experience Jesus and the Holy Ghost living inside them.

They circumcised as they had been told. The next step was the Passover. They celebrated the meal, that gave God praise. He had saved their first born from death when it passed over Egypt and Goshen. They ate the bread and the killed lamb just like that night in Egypt many years ago.

Today, after the circumcision of the heart, we are ready to celebrate the Passover. Our Passover is not exactly the same. Our lamb is Jesus. We take His last supper and wash feet just as He instructed the last night before he offered the lamb on Calvary. We eat The Lamb, the Bread of Life. We drink the cup, taking responsibility for His blood that was shed because of our sins. We do this in Remembrance of Him. Generation after generation we re-institute the teachings and practices. We will until He returns to get His children.

Pray you will practice all that He has instituted and be of a ready answer when your children and children's children need to be taught. Pray for your generations to follow Christ.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Joshua 24

Judges 1

Judges 2

Worship, Obey and Watch Walls Fall Down- - -March 9

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Joshua 6:1-5 Now Jericho was straitly ______ __ because of the children of Israel: ____ went out, and ____ came in. And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall _______ the city, all ye ___ __ ___, and go round about the city _____. Thus shalt thou do ___ days. And seven priests shall bear before the ___ seven ________ of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city _____ times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall _____ with a great shout; and the ____ of the city shall fall down ____, and the people shall ascend up every man _______ before him.

Joshua 6:10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall ___ shout, nor make any _____ with your _____, neither shall ___ word proceed out of your mouth, until the day __ ____ ____ shout; then shall ye shout.

Joshua 6:16, 17 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only ______ ___ ________ shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Joshua 6:20 So the people _______ when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the _____ ____ ____ _____, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Author's Thoughts

There is so very, very, very, very much to be said of obeying what God, Jesus or the Holy Ghost tells us. Here is where so many people fail to get or lose power. Joshua led the people to obey exactly what God told him. It worked!

Go back and read Chapter 5: 13-15. Make a few notes about what happened here.

We all have such encounters. Today it is usually the Holy Ghost that represents Jesus, or Jesus, Himself that speaks to us. We have walls in our lives. Jericho had been given to Israel. God had spoken this to them. They only had to obey to take possession. Ah! There sometimes is the problem.

We let too many walls stand in our lives because we don't do the strange, little, unusual thing; like walk six times silent and march seven times waiting for the shouting time.

Pray you will obey-to the Nth degree-and see walls come crashing down-FLAT!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Judges 3

Judges 4

Judges 5

Worship, Do NOT Pile The Wrong Stones - -March 10

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Joshua 6:18,19 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

Next, the people went to take Ai. They saw it as a little problem, so sent few men. To their surprise Ai whipped them.

Joshua 7:6-11 And Joshua ____ his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his ____ before the ___ of the LORD until the ________, __ and the ______ of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, _________ hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, ____ shall I ___, when Israel turneth their _____ before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall _____ of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy _____ name? And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee __; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath ______, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the _________ thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even ______ their ____ stuff.

Joshua 7:14-15 In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the _____ which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the ______ which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the _________ which the LORD shall take shall come man by ___. And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be ______ with ____, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought _____ in Israel.

Joshua 7:20, 21 And ______ answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have ______ against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish ________, and two hundred shekels of ______, and a wedge of ____ of fifty shekels weight, then I ____________ them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

Author's Thoughts

Read the rest of the chapter and see what kind of stones Achan left behind. He didn't obey. He was told not to take from Jericho for God had cursed it. Had he been obedient and waited, Israel was given permission in 8:2 to spoil Ai. He just didn't wait on God!

Ai didn't have the right to win until Achan gave it to them through disobedience. How many times do we give Satan the victory by disobeying? And, Achan fell for the old “stuff” line of the Devil. His mind got off on what riches could be had; instead of doing what God sent them to do.

His end was tragic. Israel then went on to take Ai and spoil it. It had been given to them. What has been given to you that you are not claiming? Do you read the Word and claim each line that Jesus spoke? Do you pray and ask him to help you remain alert to have all He has for you. Pray now!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Judges 6

Judges 7

Judges 8

Worship, Ask Counsel of the Lord-Before Acting! - - -March 11

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Joshua 9:1-14 And it came to pass, when all the _____ which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; That they ________ themselves together, to _____ with Joshua and with Israel, with ___ accord. And when the inhabitants of ______ heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, They did work _____, and went and made __ __ they had been ambassadors, and took ___ sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, ___, and rent, and bound up; And ___ shoes and clouted upon their feet, and ___ garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was ___ and ______. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a ___ country: now therefore make ye a ______ with us. And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? And they said unto Joshua, We are thy _______. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the ____ ___ ___: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your _______: therefore now make ye a ______ with us. This our bread we took ___ for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were ___; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very ______ journey. And the men took of their victuals, and ______ ____ ________ __ ___ ______ ___ ____ _____.

Author's Thoughts

The kings were rallying together, hoping greater numbers could defeat the God of Israel's people. Gibeon fell upon another plan. They decided to fool Joshua by taking things as though they came from a far country and asking to become servants instead of enemies. They knew a “league” or promise of covenant would be honored, if they could craftily obtain it.

How did Joshua and the elders get fooled? They (Verse 14) asked NOT counsel at the mouth of the Lord. They took the situation at face value and did not ask the All Knowing One. Joshua, even though a Godly man and a good leader, messed up here. How have you “messed up” by not asking Jesus His will BEFORE acting? The good news is He Forgives! Aren't you glad? Pray you'll ask...Before!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Judges 9

Judges 10

Judges 11

Worship, God Fights on Your Behalf- - -March 12

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Joshua 10:4-14 Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite _______: for it hath made peace with _______ and with the children of Israel. Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of __________, the king of ______, the king of ________, the king of ________, the king of _____, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. And the men of Gibeon sent unto _______ to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us _______, and ____ us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of ___ with him, and all the mighty men of ______. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for _ ____ __________ them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal ___ ______. And the ____ discomfited them before Israel, and ____ them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the ____ cast down great _______ from _______ upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with ___________ than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. Then spake ______ to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, ___, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, ____, in the valley of Ajalon. And the ___ stood still, and the ____ stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasherb? So the ___ stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted ___ to go down about a _____ day. And there was __ ___ like that ______ it or _____ it, that the _____ hearkened unto the ______ of a ___: for the LORD _______ for Israel.

Author's Thoughts

Have you come to battles that you alone cannot win. Even the other humans about you cannot win. Then is the time to turn to your Jesus and ask Him to use heaven's warriors and resources to fight your battle. If you belong to heaven's army, you will have all of its backing; and, who can fight against God and win?

Pray you will know to call upon the Lord to come to your aid in battles-the greatest of which is the battle for souls to truly find Jesus sweet to their souls. Pray today for lost souls. Pray long and often.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Judges 12

Judges 13

Judges 14

Judges 15

Worship, Have a Good Ending - -March 13

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was ___ and stricken in _____; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very ____ land to be ___________.

Joshua 13:22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword _______ them that were ______ by them.

Joshua 14:6-15 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and _____ the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in _____________. ______ years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to _____ out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the _____ of the people melt: but I _______ followed the LORD my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the ____ whereon thy ____ have trodden shall be _____ inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these _____ and ____ years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandereda in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day ________and ____ years old. As yet I am __ strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even __ __ my strength now, for ___, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this ________, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the ________ were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to _____ them ___, as the LORD said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh ______ for an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had ____ from war.

Author's Thoughts

Here, we see three men getting up in years and nearing the end of their lives. Two, Joshua and Caleb, are still God minded. One, Balaam, whose ass spoke by God's power and tried to protect him, is still not right.

Joshua is old and stricken in years, but still winning battles and taking God's inheritance. Caleb, 85 now, still wants the mountain where the giants scared 10 of the 12 spies 40 years ago. He wants to claim that mountain.

Balaam, not able to curse God's people, stayed among the enemy and advised them to intermarry and mix their gods with their God's teachings. He died among the enemy-still lost.

Pray today for your own ending day, that you will be found faithfully on the Lord's side.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Judges 16

Judges 17

Judges 18

Worship, Choose ye to serve the Lord!- - -March 14

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Scan through the pages of Joshua 15-23 once again and notice how the Lord has kept His every word.

Re-read Joshua's exhortation before his death in Chapter 23. Write a few lines of summary of his key points:

Joshua 24:15-17 And __ it seem ____ unto you to _____ the LORD, ______ ___ this day whom __ will serve; whether the ____ which your fathers served that were on the _____ side of the flood, or the ____ of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for __ ___ __ ______, we will serve ___ _____. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should _______ the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of _______, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:

Joshua 24:29 And it came to pass after these things, that _______ the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, ____, being an ________ and ___ years old.

Author's Thoughts

Joshua exhorts them to keep God's written book of the law and not turn to the left or right from doing what it says do. He suggests they CLEAVE to the LORD. He warns them of Balaam's advice and tells them NOT to marry heathen.

He tells them he is going the way of all the earth and that they now know in their hearts and souls to follow the Lord. He reminds them not one (1) good thing the Lord spoke has failed. He asks them NOT to follow the gods of the land and they will always prosper and be blessed.

Pray today, often and take time to think and pray your heart, asking Jesus to keep your generations in Him. Ask Him to gather yours and those about you. Ask Him to show you how to be a good Joshua like servant. Pray you and yours will truly CHOOSE to follow the Lord.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Judges 19

Judges 20

Judges 21

Worship, Serve Him THROUGH Proving!- -March 15

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Judges 2:11-16 And the children of Israel did ____ in the sight of the LORD, and served _______: And they _______ the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other ____, of the gods of the people that were ______ ______ ______, and ______ themselves unto them, and _________ the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served ____ and _________. And the anger of the LORD was ___ against Israel, and he ________ them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he _____ them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could ___ any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was ________ them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly __________. Nevertheless the LORD raised up _______, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

Joshua 2:21-23 I also will ___ henceforth drive out ____ from before them of the nations which _______ left when he ____: That through them I may _____ Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to ____ therein, as their fathers did ____ __ ___ ____. Therefore the LORD left those nations, _______driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of _______.

Author's Thoughts

God does NOT remove all the enemies and pitfalls from among His people. He doesn't want people to serve Him because there is no temptations. He wants us to serve Him because we are truly convinced that He is the Lord God, The Creator. He wants us to worship Jesus because He is Savior of the World and the very Son of God. He wants us to believe His will is known of us to be better than our will or the will of Satan or other humans.

God wants us to know He is God. He wants us to behave in a way toward Him as we behave toward others we count our superior. Jesus wants to be our closest friend. He wants to fellowship with us as His very own bride to be. He wants to bless us, love us and be near us.

Think about your relationship with those humans you count dearest. Then, think about your relationship with Jesus. How do you spend time, effort and affection on those you love? Do you give Jesus time, effort and affection? Do you spend your days according to His will? Do you speak to Him in the morning and ask Him what His plans for you for the day are?

Pray now for a closer relationship with Jesus and The Holy Ghost. Pray you will become more and more aware of their presence. Pray you will be more and more aware of those about you they would want you to serve. Pray you will not let even one day pass without investing in Jesus and His kingdom. Pray you will serve regardless of what others about you do.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Ruth 1

Ruth 2

Ruth 3

Ruth 4

Worship, Listen to God's Called Men & Women- - -March 16

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

God gave judges to rescue Israel from idolatry. There were 5 periods of others ruling over Israel and 14 judges during this time. There was also 1 Civil War era. Read Judges 3-16 and make note of these people-13 men and 1 woman.

Judge Chapter/Verse People Causing Israel Problems

1 3:8

2 3:14,15

3 3:30, 31

4 4:2-4

5 4:6

6 6:1, 11

7 8:28, 9:22 CIVIL WAR

8 10:1,2 CIVIL WAR

9 10:3 CIVIL WAR

10 11:1-6

11 12:8

12 12:11

13 12:13

14 15:20

Author's Thoughts

God wanted His people to have a judge, who talked to Him and relayed His advice, to His people. He thought they would listen to them and live right. But, like plans before, the people would be good when a good leader was there and turn to evil as soon as the good leader died. That doesn't really make sense, does it? Yet we see people grow darker and darker with the times.

I hear men and women from 18-80 call a fornication or adultery live-in partner a boy or girl friend. They know what God would call it. They know what the truth is, but they pretend it is like when they were young and first with a boy or girl friend. Times are dark.

Israel was like this. They married to people worshipping gods of this world-even gods they made with their own hands. God would let the peoples about them take them over. Finally, they would call upon God and He would deliver them. Many times, only to see them do it over and over again.

Had the people chosen to serve God faithfully, He would have given them rest in the land of milk and honey and dwelt among them. No nation on the face of the earth would have been like unto them. They would truly have been the navel of the earth.

Pray you and your children and their children's children will heed Jesus as Lord of their life. Pray they will be the spiritual Israel and worship Jesus only. Pray they will heed the Bible and its teachings as given to today's called of God.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 1

I Samuel 2

I Samuel 3

Worship, Learn from Lessons Lived- -March 17

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Judges 13:1-5 And the children of Israel did ___ ____ in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines _____ years. And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was _______; and his wife was ______, and bare not. And the ________ of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a ___. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not _____ nor _____ drink, and eat not any _______ thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no _____ shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to _______ Israel out of the hand of the ______________.

Judges 16:4,5 And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was ________. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, ______ him, and see _______ his great strength lieth, and by what means we may ________ against him, that we may bind him to _______ him: and we will give thee _______ one of us _______ hundred pieces of _______.

Read Judges 16 and make notes here:

Judges 16:28-30 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, _________ me, I ____ thee, and _________ me, I pray thee, only this _____, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my ___ eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle _______ upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the _________. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he _____ at his ______ were more than they which he slew in his life.

Author's Thoughts

Pray you will not be like Samson with Delilah. He was warned over and over; yet stayed until the end was nasty. Even then, God came to help him one last time. Pray for those you know who seem to be beyond the “learning lesson” point. Pray they will-once again-call on Jesus and be saved.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 4

I Samuel 5

I Samuel 6

Worship, Expect Good at the end of the Rough- - -March 18

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Ruth 1:1-6 Now it came to pass in the days when the _______ ______, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of _____, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was _________, and the name of his wife ______, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi's husband ____; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them _____ of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other --: and they dwelled there about ___ years. And Mahlon and Chilion ____ also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she _______ with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the _____ had visited his people in giving them bread.

Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Ruth 2:15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

Read Chapters 3 & 4 and make notes of Ruth's Divine Plan Followed.

Author's Thoughts

I love this story. Naomi and Ruth were touched by some of life's toughest problems. They each lost a husband and other loved ones. Naomi saw herself as going out full and coming back empty. They each lived for a time in a foreign land. They each had nobody to care for them.

They also had great things in their lives. They grew to love and trust each other. Ruth learned to trust the God of Israel enough to leave her home and pledge allegiance to Naomi and God. She would be richly rewarded. The story of how she won Boaz is precious to all who have ever fallen in love.

God worked her bad situation to her good. He always knows what He is doing. We cannot see the future and see bad days as bad. It is only when we trust the One who sees the future that we can know it will be to our good.

Ruth's trust in God put her in the linage of David and Jesus. Her name is known by generations Pray you will trust Jesus with your tomorrows, while being faithful today. Trust and believe what we know and Romans 8:28 states, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 7

I Samuel 8

I Samuel 9

Worship, Keeping Your Vows to God- - -March 19

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Samuel 1:1-17 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was _______, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: And he had ____ wives; the name of the one was ______, and the name of the other _______: and Peninnah ___ children, but Hannah had __ children. And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, _______: But unto Hannah he gave a ______ portion; for he _____ Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her ________ also _______ her sore, for to make her ____, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she _____, and did ___ eat. Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy _____ grieved? am not I _____ to thee than ___ sons? So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. And she was in _________ of soul, and ______ unto the LORD, and ____ sore. And she ______ a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a ___ child, then I ____ ____ ___ unto the LORD ___ the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her _____; only her lips moved, but her _____ was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been _______. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a ________ spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have ______ out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the ___ of Israel ______ thee thy _________ that thou hast asked of him.

Author's Thoughts

Hannah was miserable. Peninnah, with children, relished in taunting Hannah. Life was miserable to her because she wanted a son. Her husband was good to her and loved her a lot, but she couldn't leave the misery of not having a son. At times we can ruin our lives and the lives of those about us by becoming obsessed; but, this was of the Lord. He wanted a prophet. Hannah wanted a son. They worked together to have what both wanted.

Sometimes, our obsession is a vision from God. In this case it was. She went to the Lord with the problem she felt in the depth of her soul. She simply could not stop until her heart's need was met. She made a vow to the Lord. She promised to give the son back to the Lord ALL the days of his life.

It is easy to make a vow when you want something. It is quite another thing to keep the vow. When the time comes for giving the child back to God, it will be hard. Here, at the pay back point, many do not keep their vow. They excuse themselves, enjoy what God has given, and try to act as though it is not expected of them. Review your life and vows to God. Pray you will promptly keep all vowed.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 10

I Samuel 11

I Samuel 12

I Samuel 13

Worship, Answer Yes, when He Calls- -March 20

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

1 Samuel 3:1-14 And the child _______ ministered unto the _____ before Eli. And the word of the LORD was ________ in those days; there was __ ____ ______. And it came to pass at that time, when ___ was laid down in his place, and his ____ began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went ___ in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid ____ to sleep; That the LORD ______ Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, ____ __ _; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called ___; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet _____, Samuel. And Samuel _____ and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called ___, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not ___ know the ____, neither was the word of the LORD yet ________ unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the _____ time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli ________ that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, _____ _____; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD ____, and _____, and ______ as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ____ of every one that heareth it shall ______. In that day I will perform _______ Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he _______; because his ____ made themselves ____, and he __________ them ___. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

Author's Thoughts

Hannah's man child was Samuel. She kept her vow. When he was weaned, she took him to Eli the priest and gave him to serve the Lord. Eli's sons were evil and Samuel was good hearted. When the Lord was through with Eli and his sons, He called Samuel. Eli was old and had served well, but the sons were not to see many more days of service.

The boy Samuel thought Eli was calling him. It took Eli a while to realize it was the Lord speaking to the boy. He instructed the boy to answer the call. I'm sure Eli knew something was up with the Lord when it was not he who was called. Eli knew his sons were evil and that he was getting old. It must have been a long night for him. In the morning he asked Samuel all the truth and found his generations were to be ended. Evil was to be accounted for and the sons replaced.

Take a prayerful look at your family and the things in your home. Are they what God would say is good or would He say they need restrained? Television programs can teach Satan's thoughts and ways more than Jesus' ways. It is up to you and I to keep our homes clean. Also, how much prayer and Bible reading occur in your home. Is Jesus truly lifted up? We should evaluate our own homes and cleanse the things needing cleansed. Pray for the strength and wisdom to keep a home of prayer.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 14

I Samuel 15

I Samuel 16

Worship, Treating God's Holy Things Holy- - -March 21

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Make a few notes from I Samuel 4 of how God brought Eli's house to naught.

1 Samuel 5:1-5 And the Philistines took the ___ of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod. When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of _____, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was ______ upon his ____ to the earth ______ the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set ___ in his place _____. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the _______ before the ___ of the LORD; and the ____ of Dagon and both the _____ of his hands were cut ___ upon the threshold; only the _____ of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

I Samuel 5:9 And it was so, that, after they had ________ it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great ___________: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their ________ parts.

1 Samuel 6:8-12 And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the ____; and put the jewels of ____, which ye return him for a ________ offering, in a ______ by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go. And see, __ it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then __ hath done us this ______ evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a _______ that happened to us. And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home: And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods. And the kine took the ________ ____ to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.

I Samuel 6:19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people _____ thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the _____ had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

Author's Thoughts

The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord was a holy thing. God, in letting Eli's sons be destroyed, also let the Philistines get the Ark. They were smitten with growths in their private parts and other things of destruction. They wanted rid of the Ark. As they moved it about, more destruction occurred . At one place, many were killed for looking into the Holy Ark.

They saw their idol, Dagon, fall to pieces before the Ark. When they tested whether it was God doing the destruction, they soon found their test proved it was God and not a chance.

Pray you and yours will treat God's Holy things with respect. Do you keep the Bible on top or let things lie on top of it? Do you keep Jesus on top of your life or let things lie on top of His place? Pray you will put Jesus number one and keep Him there.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 17

I Samuel 18

I Samuel 19

Worship, God has helped you This Far- -March 22

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Samuel 7:6-8 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew _____, and poured it out ______ the _____, and _______ on that day, and said there, We have _______ against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. And when the ________________ heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against _______. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were __________ of the Philistines. And the children of Israel said to ________, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will ____ __ out of the hand of the Philistines.

I Samuel 7:10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the __________ drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great ________ on that day upon the Philistines, and ______________ them; and they were smitten before Israel.

I Samuel 7:12, 13 Then Samuel took a ______, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it __________, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. So the Philistines were ________, and they came __ _____ into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of _________.

Author's Thoughts

Samuel set up an Ebenezer stone at the point where the Lord had took territory back from the enemy Philistines. He celebrated how far the Lord had brought them.

The enemy looked victorious, but prayer defeated them. The Lord discomfited the Philistines with a thunder. Isn't it great how the Lord will fight on the side of His children. When we obey and do the Lord's will, nothing can do us harm. Only what God allows will be done.

Do you have enemies that have been defeated up to a point? Maybe you've fought a temptation battle and have victory so far. Set up a Spiritual Ebenezer Stone. Thank the Lord for bringing you this far.

Is there habits that you've partial victory over? Set up the Ebenezer Stone and thank the Lord for what you have victory over and victory complete ahead.

Have you partially gotten into Devotion study and Bible reading? Set up a Spiritual Ebenezer Stone and thank the Lord Jesus for getting you this far. Ask His help in continuing to study and pray. Ask Him to help you see more in the Word and retain more. He loves to give wisdom and the Holy Ghost come to guide us into all truth and bring the truth to our remembrance. It is His will that we get all the victory we need omitting bad and doing the good. He will help us.

Thank Jesus now for getting you to the point where you now are.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 20

I Samuel 21

I Samuel 22

Worship, Don't Reject God's Rule Over You. - - -March 23

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Samuel 8:1-7 And it came to pass, when Samuel was ___, that he made his sons ______ over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. And his sons walked ___ in his ways, but turned aside after _____, and took ______, and perverted _________. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a _____ to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel ______ unto the LORD. And the ____ _____ unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have ___ ______________ thee, but they have rejected ___, that I should ___ ______ over them.

1 Samuel 8:11-20 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will ____ your sons, and appoint them for _______, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall ___ before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ___ ___ ground, and to reap ___ harvest, and to make ___ instruments of war, and instruments of ___ chariots. And he will take your ____________ to be confectionaries, and to be ______, and to be _______. And he will take ____ fields, and ____ vineyards, and ____ oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of ____ seed, and of ____ vineyards, and give to ___ officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to ___ work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall ___ ____ in that day because of ____ _____ which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people _______ to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but __ ____ have a ____ over __; That we also may be ____ all the _______; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

Author's Thoughts

Samuel's sons were evil. Instead of waiting for God to give new judges as He had when He chose Samuel, the people wanted a king. They wanted to be like other nations. Rejecting God's man or woman was a bad thing. For God's judge talked to Him and told what the Lord said.

With an earthly king, they would not be getting God's advice, but that of a mere human. It is very dangerous to reject God's counsel. Pray you will read the Bible, hear the Holy Ghost as He represents Jesus to you and then obey what you know is Jesus' will. Pray those of your family will listen and obey. Pray your church will listen and obey. Pray for your pastor. Pray for the will of the Lord to be done in selecting and providing called people to your church and pulpit.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 23

I Samuel 24

I Samuel 25

Worship, Obey--Simply, Obey- -March 24

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Summarize the following verses and take a look at Saul.

I Samuel 9:2

I Samuel 9:17

I Samuel 9:21

I Samuel 10:1

I Samuel 10:7-9

I Samuel 13:8-11

I Samuel 15:1-3

I Samuel 15:19-22

Author's Thoughts

Samuel was a man given a new heart and the Spirit of the Lord. He was given the kingship of Israel completely. Samuel was his advisor and companion, yet he would NOT obey what the Lord said. He did what the people and/or he decided, regardless of what God said.

He would then blame someone else for what went wrong. The people brought the sheep and oxen to sacrifice was his alibi. God had told him to destroy all, not to sacrifice. He was told it is better to obey than sacrifice.

How are you at obeying what the Lord has said you should do? Do you pray, fast, tithe, read the Word and obey? Pray now for Jesus to be first in your life. Pray you will obey what He teaches without question, believing it to your good. Pray others will obey at the first knowledge of God's command.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 26

I Samuel 27

I Samuel 28

Worship, While You HAVE Time & Acceptance- - -March 25

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Samuel 15:23-28 For _________ is as the sin of __________, and ___________ is as iniquity and ________. Because ____ hast rejected the ____ of the LORD, he hath also rejected ____ from being ____. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have ______: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I ______ the people, and obeyed _____ voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will ____ return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the ________ hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it ____. And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath ____ the ________ of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a ___________ of thine, that is _______ than thou.

I Samuel 15:35 And Samuel came __ _____ to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel ________ for Saul: and the LORD _________ that he had made Saul king over Israel.

I Samuel 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How ____ wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with ___, and go, I will send thee to _____ the ________ite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

1 Samuel 16:14-19 But the ______ of the LORD _________ from Saul, and an ____ spirit from the LORD _________ him. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning ______ on an ____: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall ____ with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of _____ the _________ite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty _______ man, and a man of ___, and _______ in matters, and a ______ person, and the LORD __ with him. Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

Author's Thoughts

Saul's continual disobedience caused the Lord to reject him. The Lord will not use a disobedient vessel. He sees them as practicing witchcraft and idolatry. Saul admits he feared the people and listened to their voice in contradiction to God's orders. How could God use such a man!

David, on the other hand, is described with words like man of war, valiant, prudent and comely. And, God had given him a talent that puts him in the King's court. God always provides experiences that benefit us in HIS chosen path for our lives. In heaven, Saul has been moved out and David moved in. It will take time for earth to catch up; but, it will happen. Pray you will obey and do God's will.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Samuel 29

I Samuel 30

I Samuel 31

Worship, Your Giant is Too Big to Miss- - -March 26

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Samuel 17:4-11 And there went out a __________ out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of ____, whose height was six cubits and a span. And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six ________ shekels of iron: and ___ bearing a shield went _______ him. And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? ______ you a man for you, and let him come down to me __ he be able to fight with me, and to ____ me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I ____ the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When ____ and ___ Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were _________, and ________ afraid.

I Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a _____?

I Samuel 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the ____, and out of the paw of the ____, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

I Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the ____ of the _____ __ ______, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

I Samuel 17:49, 50 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a _____, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone ____ into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David ____________ over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was __ _______ in the hand of David.

Author's Thoughts

Saul, in his cowardly, non believing state, saw only how big the giant was. He and his army listened to this threat day after day and did nothing. David was sent to his brothers with food and heard the same threat; but, saw it as defying God, which he could not live with.

David's brothers were angry with David for even the thought of going against the giant. David asked, “Is there not a cause?”

David could not bear to see God's name openly shamed. He knew God would deliver him as in the times before. With confidence in God's name, he brought the giant down. Pray to kill your giants. In Jesus' Name, all enemies have to flee. Call upon Jesus, believing, and see the giant die.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Samuel 1

II Samuel 2

II Samuel 3

II Samuel 4

Worship, Befriend those on God's Side, Regardless!- -March 27

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

I Samuel 18:3, 4 Then ________ ___ ______ made a ________, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped _______ of the robe that was upon him, and ____ it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

1 Samuel 19:1-7 And ____ spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should ____ David. But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan ____ David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take ______ to thyself until the morning, and abide in a ______ place, and hide thyself: And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. And Jonathan spake ____ of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king ___ against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against ________ blood, to slay David without a cause? And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain. And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan _______ David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.

1 Samuel 20:1-5 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my ______ will do _______ either great or small, but that he will ____ it me: and why should my father ____ this thing from me? it is not so. And David sware moreover, and said, Thy _____ certainly _______ that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let ___ Jonathan know this, lest he be _______: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a ____ between me and death. Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul _______, I will even __ __ for thee. And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

I Samuel 20:37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow _______ _____?

I Samuel 20:42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in _____, forasmuch as we have _____ both of us in the name of the ____, saying, The LORD be _______ me and thee, and between my ____ and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

Author's Thoughts

At a time of victory when Jonathan could have been very jealous of David, he saw him as a brother. He behaved kindly toward him, even outfitting him for the King's house.

Later when Saul was jealous and knew David was honored by God and man, Jonathan was still true to David. He even pleaded with Saul not to kill David. At this point Jonathan must have realized David could rise to kingship instead of him, but he was true to David and God, not wanting his rival killed.

Even later when Saul hid from Jonathan his goal to kill David, Jonathan stood with David. He used a scheme of shooting an arrow and saying it was beyond the lad retrieving it to show David to go beyond where he was. Their covenant remained in tact regardless of the war Saul waged on David. When we are in hard spots is the time to prove ourselves true to Jesus. Pray you'll prove true in the hard tests.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Samuel 5

II Samuel 6

II Samuel 7

Worship, Don't Touch God's Anointed- - -March 28

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Samuel 24:3-12 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and ____ went in to _____ his feet: and _____ and his ___ remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then _____ arose, and cut off the _____ of Saul's robe ______. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart _____ him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The LORD ______ that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S ________, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them ___ to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and ______ after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David _______ with his face to the earth, and _____ himself. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine ___ spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S ________. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and ______ thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have ___ sinned against thee; yet thou _______ my soul to take it. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD ______ me of thee: but mine ____ shall ___ be upon thee.

1 Samuel 26:7-11 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, ____ lay sleeping within the ______, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people ___ round _____ him. Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. And David said to Abishai, _______ him ___: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S ________, and be guiltless? David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the ____ shall smite him; or his ___ shall ____ to die; or he shall descend into ______, and perish. The LORD forbid that __ should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S _________: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

Author's Thoughts

David had two chances to kill Saul. First, Saul went to the bathroom in the cave where David and his men were hiding. David cut off the skirt of his garment and even that smote David's heart. He went out after Saul and apologized, so to speak.

Again, David slipped into Saul's camp where he lay surrounded by his people. David could have killed him, but again would not. David truly believed an anointed person was the Lord's job, not his. We need to remember that always. God's men and women are God's responsibility-never ours. God does not need our help to bring down or lift up.

God places people where and when he wants them. We are not to be pleased by His selection; but rather to obey and submit to His will. Pray your church will be staffed according to God's will.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Samuel 8

II Samuel 9

II Samuel 10

Worship, God's Spirit Does NOT Always Strive - -March 29

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

I Samuel 28:7, 8 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a ________ spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at _____. And Saul __________ himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by _____: and he said, I pray thee, _______ unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

1 Samuel 28:11-20 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring __ unto ____? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. And when the woman saw _______, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou _______ me? for thou ___ Saul. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An ___ ___ cometh up; and he is covered with a ______. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his ____ to the ground, and _____ himself. And Samuel said to Saul, ___ hast thou __________ me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am ____ distressed; for the Philistines make ___ against me, and ___ is departed from me, and __________ me __ _____, neither by ________, nor by _______: therefore I have ______ thee, that thou mayest make _____ unto me what I shall do. Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the ________ is departed from thee, and is become thine _______? And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath ____ the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to ______: Because thou obeyedst ___ the voice of the LORD, nor _____________ his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with ____ into the hand of the Philistines: and __ _______ shalt ____ and thy ____ be ____ __: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. Then Saul ____ straightway ___ ______ on the earth, and was sore _______, because of the words of Samuel: and there was __ strength in him; for he had eaten __ bread all the day, ___ all the night.

Author's Thoughts

Don't you find this man's ending days sad? Here is a man head and shoulders above those around him, now rolling on the ground at a witch's home. He isn't spoken to by God any more, neither by dreams or prophets. He is now considered the enemy of God. What a sad state!

When Samuel was brought up from the grave, he simply repeated the last words God had given him for Saul. He couldn't make him an answer. He could only give him God's answer.

Tragically there will be multitudes and multitudes come out of the valley of decision as Joel saw, on the wrong side and have to dwell through eternity with their wrong decision. What would the few hours waiting on Samuel have to compare with this. Don't you think Saul now wishes he had waited? What would forcing the people to destroy the Amalekites be compared to this state? Saul, too late, is trying to communicate with God-But-even now, he approaches wrongly-through a witch.

Pray you and those you love will obey Jesus and the Word while it is day and you can work. Pray those being dealt with will heed the invitation while they still are in their “space” to repent.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Samuel 11

II Samuel 12

II Samuel 13

Worship, For “The End” WILL Come- - -March 30

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Samuel 31:1-13 Now the __________ fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed ____ upon ____ and upon his ____; and the Philistines ____ _________, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons. And the battle went sore _______ Saul, and the _______ hit him; and he was ____ wounded of the archers. Then said Saul unto ___ armourbearer, Draw ___ sword, and thrust __ through therewith; lest these _____________ come and thrust me through, and _____ me. But his armourbearer would ___; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a _____, and ____ upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was ____, he fell likewise upon his sword, and ____ with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together. And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them. And it came to pass on the morrow, when the ___________ came to strip the _____, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa. And they ___ ____ his head, and ________ off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to _______ it in the house of their idols, and among the people. And they put his armour in the house of _________: and they ________ his body to the wall of Bethshan. And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; All the _______ men arose, and went __ night, and took the body of ____ and the bodies of his ____ from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

Author's Thoughts

Man is born of woman a few days and full of trouble, Job said. The New Testament says after we die, then there is the judgment. Revelation tells that God gave even wicked Jezebel a “space to repent.” Saul came to his death in dishonor. His sons died with him. His house was cut off, along with his head. His body and armour are paraded about in the Philistine country and some end up in an idol house of worship-just like Saul himself.

The end will come to you and me. The end of this world will come. What we say and what we do is recorded. Even our intentions are kept to witness against us. When we do foolishly, we need to repent and ask Jesus' blood to cover and hide our sins. We need to have Jesus dwelling richly inside us to keep our record clean.

The Bible tells us that dying lost is needless. We have Jesus, seated at the Father's right hand, waiting to be our advocate to God. He wants us right-saved-ready to go when He comes back for His church. Pray for all about you to get ready and stay ready.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Samuel 14

II Samuel 15

II Samuel 16

Worship, Expect Good Things When You Obey - -March 31

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

2 Samuel 3:1 Now there was ____ war between the house of ____ and the house of _____: but David waxed _______ and _______, and the house of Saul waxed ______ and _______.

2 Samuel 3:36 And all the people took notice of it, and it ______ them: as whatsoever the ____ did pleased ___ the people.

2 Samuel 5:1-5 Then came ___ the tribes of ______ to David unto ______, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, ____ wast __ that leddest out and broughtest in ______: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they _______ David king over Israel. David was __ years old when he began to reign, and he reigned ____ years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

2 Samuel 5:10 And David went on, and ____ ______, and the LORD God of hosts was _____ him.

Author's Thoughts

No matter how long the battle between Saul and David had lasted, God would see that David won. Saul had been his own worst enemy. He would not obey God. He was cowardly and gave in to people whether they pressed him personally or Israel.

David, on the other hand, though young, couldn't let God's Word be easily ignored. As a shepherd on the hillsides of Bethlehem he had learned to defend the sheep from the bear and the lion. He had learned that God would deliver-when it was in His will. The battle against Goliath had taught him that some battles were the Lords, not his only.

The things David did pleased the people. Saul first turned against David when the women sang about his thousands and David's ten thousands killed in battle. David was given favor in the eyes of the people. At age 30, he had fought many battles with and for the Lord.

In Hebron he was made King of Judah and reigned 7 and 1/2 years there. Then, at 37, he was made King of Judah and Israel. He moved to Jerusalem, built the city of David, and reigned there 33 years over both.

He went on to grow great with the Lord of hosts with him. Up to this point in his life he used the heart that was like the Lord's to rule over him. It stood him in good stead.

Pray now that you will let your heart that is filled with Jesus to rule over your body. Pray you will keep after your body and bring it under subjection to the Lord. Pray you will let the Holy Ghost have His way in your life.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Samuel 17

II Samuel 18

II Samuel 19

Worship, God Knows All- - -April 1

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

2 Samuel 11:1-5 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the ____ when ____ go forth to _____, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David _______ ______ at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David _____ from off his bed, and walked upon the ____ of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a _____ washing herself; and the woman was very ________ to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this _________, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took ___; and she came in unto him, and he ___ with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am ____ ______.

8, 9 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. But Uriah _____ at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went ___ down to his house.

13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him ______: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went ___ down to his house.

14, 15 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a _____ to Joab, and sent it by the hand of _____. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be _______, and ___.

27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his ____, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done __________ the LORD.

2 Samuel 12:7, 8 And Nathan said to David, ____ ___ ___ ____ Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been ___ _______, I would moreover have given unto thee ____ and _____ things.

Author's Thoughts

The first mistake David made was tarrying at his home when it was the time for King's to go to battle. Had he been out on the battle field, he would not have seen Bathsheba bathing. Second, he could have turned away when he saw her bathing. Third, he could have left her alone once he knew she was another man's wife. Fourth, he could have apologized to Uriah when he saw Uriah was so holy that he wouldn't indulge himself when the soldiers were at war. Fifth, David should not have killed him.

He was so anxious to rid himself of the problem he had created that he sent Uriah to battle with his own death warrant. He involved Joab, his captain, in the conspiracy.

Nathan came into David and told him a story about a rich man and a poor man with one lamb. The rich man, though he had many lambs, killed the poor man's one lamb. David said the man ought to die. Nathan said, “Thou art the man.”

David admitted his sin and Psalm 51 reports his repentance; but evil had marked his life and would have to be paid for, as all sin does. We reap what we sow.

Pray for all who are carrying sin to repent and have their hearts restored.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Samuel 20

II Samuel 21

II Samuel 22

Worship, When God's Answer is, “No” - - -April 2

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

2 Samuel 12:16-23 David therefore besought God for the _____; and David ______, and went in, and lay ____ ______ upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would ___, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the _______ day, that the child ____. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then ___ himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Then David ______ from the earth, and washed, and _________ himself, and ________ his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and _____________: then he came to his _____ house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be __________ to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? ____ __ _______ him back again? I _______ go to him, but he shall _____ return to me.

Author's Thoughts

This story tells us of how we plead with the Lord to deliver us from troubles, especially the dreaded trouble of separation by death. David's child's life was a matter of desperation to him. He lay on the earth, unable to eat, begging God to be gracious to him and let the child live. God did not choose that path.

The servants were so impressed with David's time before God they feared his reaction when the child died. Again, they were shocked when he rose, clean up, anointed himself for God's presence and went to worship. They were puzzled! How can this be?

David knew God enough to let God be God. This is hard for most of us most of the time. We want to advise Him on many occasions. We especially want all things to be to what we think is our good. I seriously doubt if any of us could say, “Go ahead, take my child, God.”

God knows we grieve but when His will is set, it is set. We need to do as David did, rise and go with and to God. David's answer rings in my ears, “Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

We need to set our faces toward the gathering place of all souls when we separate from loved ones who cross before us. Pray you will remain faithful and be found ready to travel when your time comes.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Samuel 23

II Samuel 24

I Kings 1

I Kings 2

Worship, Keep Yourself Clean, Choose Advice Wisely- -April 3

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

2 Samuel 13:1-19 And it came to pass after this, that _______ the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was ______; and Amnon the ___ of David loved her. And Amnon was so _____, that he fell ____ for his ______ Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it ____ for him to do any thing to her. But Amnon had a ______, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very ______ man. And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make _______ sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand. So Amnon lay down, and ____ himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat. So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his _____, and did bake the cakes. And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have ____ all men from me. And they went out every man from him. And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat ____ the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took ____ of her, and said unto her, Come ___ with me, my sister. And she answered him, ___, my brother, do ___ ______ me; for no such thing _____ to be done in Israel: do not thou this _____. And I, whither shall I cause my _____ to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the _____ in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, _____ unto the king; for he will not _________ me from thee. Howbeit he would ___ hearken unto her voice: but, being ________ than she, ______ her, and ___ with her. Then Amnon _____ her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was ______ than the ____ wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be ____. And she said unto him, There is __ cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would ___ hearken unto her. Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman ___ from me, and ____ the door after her. And she had a garment of divers ________ upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were _______ apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. And Tamar put ______ on her head, and _____ her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on _________.

Author's Thoughts

This story is tragic and too often played out in America. A subtil person in Satan's hands can destroy our lives and the lives of those about us. David was a mighty warrior and King but his family life left too much to be desired. We can get so busy we let our home life suffer. Tamar gave right and good advice but went unheeded. Amnon listened to the wrong person and gave himself over to an evil plan that would eventually cost him his life. Absalom would kill him and be banished for a season.

Tamar was left ineligible for marriage, crying in torn clothes and ashes. What unnecessary prices to pay when doing right instead of evil would have let all three youth go on to live good lives.

Pray you and yours will choose wisely and take Jesus' advise. Choose life and not death.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Kings 3

I Kings 4

I Kings 5

Worship, Use Your Gifts For God, Only!- - -April 4

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Absalom planned a party for the King's sons and killed Amnon there. Absalom was then banished for three years in Geshur, while David mourned for him every day. David longed to go unto Absalom after his grief for Amnon subsided some, but David did not call Absalom back. Joab, David's captain, asked a widow to help him with a disguised plan to get Absalom home. It worked and David asked Absalom home but still did not let him come before him for two full years. Absalom was in this time becoming consumed with his own self, status and desire to be King instead of his own father.

II Samuel 15:25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his _____: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no _______ in him. And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.

2 Samuel 15:1-7 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and _____ ____ to run before him. And Absalom rose up _____, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a ___________ came to the king for judgment, then Absalom ______ unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, ___ matters are ____ and _____; but there is no man deputed of the ____ to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, __ that _ were made _____ in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto __, and _ would do him _______! And it was so, that when ___ ____ came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and ______ him. And on this ______ did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom ______ ___ _______ of the men of Israel. And it came to pass after _____ years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

Author's Thoughts

Absalom was endowed with many gifts, but he used them for his own benefit and not the benefit of Israel or Israel's God. He was obsessed with his beauty! Since he put himself in bad stead with David when he killed Amnon for his incest sin, he decided to use his distance to his advantage. For 40 years he rose early, stood at the gate and usurped David's authority. He made friends by telling each man what he wanted to hear.

After sufficient time to win what he thought was enough supporters, he made his move to become crowned King of Israel, knowing this meant war with his own father. The fact that God anointed David did not in any way hinder his elated opinion of himself.

We have to be careful of the use we give gifts God gave us. Many famous people use their gifts to their own financial and power hungry needs, leaving their true purpose abandoned.

Pray you and yours will carefully look at what you do well. Pray you will use the things you can do to the glory of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Pray the same for those you know.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Kings 6

I Kings 7

I Kings 8

Worship, Take Life & Obey To Keep It- -April 5

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

II Samuel 16:5-8,13 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of ____, whose name was ______, the son of Gera: he came forth, and _______ still as he came. And he cast stones at ______, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of _______: The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of _____, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy ________, because thou art a bloody man. And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. The tables turn. Absalom is dead and David is coming back as King.

II Samuel 19:18, 21, 23 ... And Shimei the son of Gera ____ _____ before the king, as he was come over Jordan; 21 ... Shall not Shimei be put to _____ for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed? 23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt ___ die. And the king sware unto him. David doesn't want more death and extends mercy but speaks of him to Solomon as he dies.

I Kings 2:8 8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei ..., which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

1 Kings 2:36, 37-3946 And the king (Solomon) sent and called for _______, and said unto him, Build thee an house __ Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go ___ forth thence ___ whither. For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt _______ ___: thy blood shall be upon thine ___ head. And it came to pass at the end of ______ years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto ... 40 And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath. 41 And it was told Solomon… And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, ... Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with? The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the ____ shall return ___ wickedness upon thine ___ head; And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever. ... went out, and fell upon him, that he ____. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

Author's Thoughts

Shimei thought David was through so he took advantage of his troubled times. Then, the turn of events and David returns giving Shimei mercy. Solomon takes Kingship and extends Shimei conditional mercy-stay in Jerusalem and live; leave and die.

Shimei again refused mercy and did as he was NOT to do. Pray for you and those you know to recognize mercy and grace when it comes. Pray for obedience unto life eternal.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Kings 9

I Kings 10

I Kings 11

Worship, Letting God Direct You- - -April 6

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

II Samuel 20:1,2, 6 And there happened to be there a man of ______, whose name was _____, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a _______, and said, We have __ part in David, neither have we ___________ in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of _____ clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. And ______ said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and _______ after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

2 Samuel 20:15-22 And they came and besieged him in ____ of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a ____ against the city, and it _____ in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the ____, to throw it down. Then cried a _____ _______ out of the city, ____, _____; say, I pray you, unto Joab, ____ near hither, that I may speak with thee. And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine _________. And he answered, I do hear. Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in _____time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at ____: and so they ended the matter. I am one of them that are ________ and ________ in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a ____ and a ______ in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, _____ the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand _______ the king, even against David: _______ him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his ____ shall be thrown to thee over the wall. Then the woman went unto ___ the ______ in her ______. And they cut off the head of _____ the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a _________, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

Author's Thoughts

The wise woman of Abel in her wisdom saved a city. The battle was not between David and Abel but between David and Sheba. She seen the situation, let God direct her and save her and her city. So many times God would direct situations to our good if we only followed His directions.

It is strange that God chose to use a woman in this situation with all the men who were gathered in battle, but that is how He worked here. God does not always do what man thinks He will do. He is Divine and His purposes are far above what we are able to think.

Pray you will allow Jesus and the Holy Ghost to speak and direct your path. Don't be afraid to speak or be silent if that is what God so directs. Too many are stopped by talking to man and not God.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Kings 12

I Kings 13

I Kings 14

Worship, Going Too Far WILL End Badly- -April 7

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II Samuel 20:4, 9-10, 12, 13 Then said the king to _____, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present. When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And ____'s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a _____ fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.And ____ said to _____, Art thou in _____, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the _____ with the right hand to ____ him. But Amasa took __ ____ to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the _____ rib, and shed out his _____ to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. And Amasa ________ in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway ____ the field, and cast a _____ upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

I Kings 2:5, 6, 28, 29, 33, 34 Moreover thou _______ also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to __, and what he did to the ___ captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner (II Samuel 3:27) the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he ____, and shed the _____ of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let ___ his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. Then tidings came to Joab: for ____ had ______ after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the _________ of the LORD, and caught hold on the _____ of the _____. And it was told king _______ that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him. Their _____ shall therefore return upon the ____ of Joab, and upon the head of his ____ for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the LORD. So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

Author's Thoughts

Joab served David faithfully many years but within him was a seed of rebellion and doing his own will, regardless. David did not kill him but on his death bed told Solomon to take care of the matter of removing innocent blood from their hands by ridding himself of Joab. Evil will turn upon our heads.

Pray that you will be attentive to the voice of God. Self-will is a destroyer of self and self's family.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Kings 15

I Kings 16

I Kings 17

Worship, God Wants To Bless You- - -April 8

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Kings 3:3-15 And Solomon _____ the ____, walking in the statutes of David his father: ____ he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. In Gibeon the ____ appeared to _______ in a _____ by night: and God said, ___ what I shall ____ thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in __________ of _____ with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little _____: I know not how to __ ____ or ____ __. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. ____ therefore thy servant an ______________ heart to _____ thy people, that I may ______ between ____ and ___; for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech _______ the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, _______ thou hast asked this thing, and hast ___ asked for thyself ____ ____; neither hast asked ______ for _______, nor hast asked the life of thine _______; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was ____ like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have ____ ______ thee that which thou hast ___ asked, both ______, and ______r: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And __ thou wilt walk in __ ways, to ____ my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ___of the ________ of the _____, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

Author's Thoughts

God had promised to honor David's seed so He visited Solomon to ask what he would have. When Solomon asked wisely God gave above and beyond what was asked. There was conditions upon God's gifts-Solomon was to serve Him and Him only.

What a beginning! God visiting in a dream to ask what was wanted for the journey. And, with all the gifts Solomon was set for a life of blessed prosperity in the Lord God of Israel, IF he walked in God's statutes.

Look at your life and the everyday life in your home. Is it Holy as Jesus would proclaim Holy? Do you pray and read His Word daily letting Him have complete control in the direction of your life.

Pray now that you and yours will allow the Holy Ghost to lead, following nothing doubting.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Kings 18

I Kings 19

I Kings 20

Worship, Jesus will be PRIORITY ONE - - -April 9

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

I Kings 4:22,23 And Solomon's provision for ___ ____ was _______ measures of fine flour, and ___________ measures of meal, Ten ___oxen, and twenty oxen out of the _________, and an ________ sheep, beside _____, and _________, and ____________, and fatted ____.

I Kings 22:25-34 And Judah and Israel dwelt _______, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, ___ the days of Solomon. And Solomon had forty __________ stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve __________ horsemen. And those _________ provided _________ for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in ___ _______: they lacked nothing. Barley also and straw ___ ____ horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to ___ charge. And ____ gave Solomon wisdom and understanding ___________ _______, and ____________ of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom __________ the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than ___ men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three ___________ proverbs: and his songs were a __________ ____ ______. And he spake of ______, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of ________, and of _____, and of creeping things, and of ________. And there came of ___ people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

Author's Thoughts

Can you imagine from reading a few of the statistics above the size of what was happening in Solomon's house? Can you imagine the stable of 40,000 stalls? Also, try to imagine all this happening in a place of almost stone in composition. Picture the food needed to feed the people who did this work. If his house required the mammoth portions described, what would the workers require?

Solomon was given the ability to lecture on many environmental and animal subjects. He was the Discovery Channel of the day. People came to hear him.

How could Solomon forget the One who gave all this to a small child because the desires of his heart was pure and right? Yet we see this today. God gives plenty and people slide him down, down their priority chart.

Pray you will let Jesus and the Holy Spirit remain PRIORITY ONE!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Kings 21

I Kings 22

II Kings 1

II Kings 2

Worship, Submit to Cutting, Shaping Before Death - -April 10

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

I Kings 5:13-18 And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was ______ thousand men. And he sent them to Lebanon, ___ thousand a ______ by _______: a ______ they were in Lebanon, and two months at ____: and Adoniram was over the levy. And Solomon had _________ and ___ thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand ______ in the mountains; Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work. And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, ______ stones, and _____ stones, to lay the foundation of the house. And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

1 Kings 6:2-7 And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was _________ cubits, and the breadth thereof ______ cubits, and the height thereof ______ cubits. And the _____ before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house. And for the house he made windows of narrow ______. And against the wall of the house he built chambers _____ about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about: The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed _____ round about, that the _____ should not be fastened in the walls of the house. And the house, when it was in building, was built of _____ made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither ______ ___ ____ nor ___ tool of iron heard __ ____ house, while it was __ building.

I Kings 9:4-7 And if thou ____ walk before me, as David thy father walked, in _________ of heart, and in ____________, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and ____keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel ___ _____, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall ___ _____ thee a man upon the throne of Israel. But if ye shall __ ___ _____ from following me, ye or your children, and will _____ keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: Then will I ___ ____ Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

Author's Thoughts

God gave Solomon resources, knowledge and people to build magnificently. The architect drawings were so exact that no tool was used on the site of the temple. Imagine being able to create such a temple in your mind enough that not one tool or hammer or axe was used at the site. Talk about pre-fabricated houses! God's first temple was an exact one!

God gave him the ability. God gave him the tools. God gave him the wisdom. God gave him the people to do the work. God gave him the influence with other nations to be able to get the materials.

He let himself lose the largeness of heart and the uprightness of integrity. Soon he was far from being in God's will and Israel followed quickly behind.

God's son Jesus is now building a temple. All cutting and shaping MUST be done before moved onto the new temple site in heaven. Not the sound of hammering will be heart there. Pray you will be ready!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Kings 3

II Kings 4

II Kings 5

Worship, Watch Whose Advice You Follow- - -April 11

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Kings 12:7-14 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak ____ words to them, then they will be thy servants for ____. But he forsook the ______ of the ___ men, which they had given him, and consulted with the _____ men that were _____ up with him, and which stood before him: And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the ____ which thy father did put upon us _______? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little ______ shall be thicker than my father's _____. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will ___ to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

1 Kings 13:7-10 And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.

I Kings 13:18,19 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.

1 Kings 13:24-26 And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase. And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him.

Author's Thoughts

The new King made things harder and the people split from him to another leader. He listened to the wrong advisers. He listened to the young men instead of the older.

The young prophet was told by God what to do. He listened rather to an older prophet who said an angel told him. He listened to an older prophet instead of God.

Pray you will do what Jesus and the Holy Spirit tells you-not man.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Kings 6

II Kings 7

II Kings 8

Worship, If God be God, Serve Him- -April 12

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

I Kings 18: 21-24 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long ____ ye between two opinions? if the LORD __ God, ______ him: but ___ Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put ___ fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: And ____ ye on the name of your gods, and I ____ ____ on the name of the LORD: and the God that ___________ by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

I Kings 18: 28, 29 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when ________ was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the __________ sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

1 Kings 18:33-39 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill _____ barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the _______ time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the _____ time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he ______ the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou ____ ______ in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the _____ of the LORD _____, and __________ the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and _______ up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he __ the God; the LORD, he is the God.

Author's Thoughts

Sometimes ministers feel like Elijah. A showdown between the devil and God to plainly show God is God and there is none beside Him. Pastors wear down with fighting the battle with Satan for the people; and watching them associate with him even while they pray for them.

If God be God-and He IS; if Jesus be the Son of God-and He IS; If the Holy Ghost be The Spirit of God-and HE IS-then SERVE HIM.

Oh how wonderful it would be to have more and more people simply take the WORD of God and apply it to their lives with faith. No Negotiation with the devil. NONE. ZERO. Zilch.

Wouldn't this simply so many things! We could all then begin studying the Word and helping each other with faith prayers and faith lessons. Trusting Jesus completely there wouldn't be all the lost time on the Baal thinking: “I have to work instead of go to church or I'd lose my job.” or “We have to live together or we simply can't financially make it.” or “God understands that I worship Him at home since my nerves are bad.” or a multitude of other excuses. Pray you will let God be God.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Kings 9

II Kings 10

II Kings 11

Worship, Put Away Childish Actions- - -April 13

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Kings 21:1-20 And it came to pass after these things, that _______ the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And ____ spake unto Naboth, saying, Give __ thy vineyard, that __ may have it for a _______ of herbs, because it is ____ unto my house: and I will ____ ____ for it a ______ vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The ____ forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house _____ and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he ____ him down upon his bed, and turned ____y his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so ___, that thou ______ no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will ____ give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: __ ____ ____ ____ the vineyard …So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth __ ____ among the people: And set two men, sons of ______, before him, to bear _______ against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and _____ him, that he may die. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, _______ did _________ ___ and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he _____. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. And the word of the LORD came to ______ the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to ____ Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou ______, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the _____ where ____ licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick ___ blood, even thine. And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine ______? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast ____ _______ to work ____ in the _____ of the LORD.

Author's Thoughts

Pray you will not pout and waste life over childish things nor be enemy to God's man or woman.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Kings 12

II Kings 13

II Kings 14

II Kings 15

Worship, God's Messengers Just Deliver His Word- -April 14

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Kings 22:7-23 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a _______ of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet ___ man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I ____ him; for he doth ___ prophesy ____ concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let ___ the king say so. Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah. And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and ___ the prophets prophesied before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him _____ of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou ____ the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, __ __ to Ramothgilead, and _______: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand. And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with ___ mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be ____ the word of one of them, and _____ that which is ____. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the ____ saith unto me, that will I speak. So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, __ ___ ________: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou ____ me nothing but that which is ____ in the name of the LORD? And he said, I saw all Israel _________ upon the hills, as sheep that have ___ a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, ___ __ not ____ ____ that __ would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil? And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the ____ sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall _________ Ahab, that he may go up and ____ at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a ______, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a ______ _______ in the mouth of all ___ prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the _____ hath spoken _____ concerning thee.

Author's Thoughts

Ahab didn't want to hear from the Lord's prophet because he believed the word from God would be evil against him. He surrounded himself with his prophets who would tell him what they thought he wanted to hear. Does this make sense? Why would you need prophets who couldn't hear from God and only repeated what you wanted to hear?

Again Ahab was angry at God's messenger for telling him the truth about heaven's feelings. Ahab was angry at the messenger when he should have been repenting for what he had done, thus changing heaven's opinion of him. Pray you will hear what is sent to you from the Lord, by His messengers.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Kings 16

II Kings 17

II Kings 18

II Kings 19

Worship, God Means What He Says- - -April 15

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I Kings 22:34,35 And a certain man drew a ___ at a venture, and smote the ____ of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am ________. And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the _____ ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.

I Kings 22:37, 38 So the ____ died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. And one _______ the _________ in the ____ of Samaria; and the _____ licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.

2 Kings 9:30-36 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, _______ heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a _______. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? And he ______ up his face to the window, and said, ___ is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three ________. And he said, _____ her ____. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he _____ her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this _______ woman, and bury her: for she is a ____'s daughter. And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the _____, and the ____, and the ______ of her hands. Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant ______ the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall ____ eat the flesh of Jezebel:

Author's Thoughts

People live as they wish because God gave us all that power of choice. He wants people who want to serve Him from their heart. He does, however, bring all to answer for their choices. Be sure your sins shall find you out is true to all of us.

Ahab and Jezebel had their day of doing evil, worshipping Baal, making their own prophets and false gods and even filling their mouths with what they wanted to hear. Their day did come though, just as God had his prophets warn them. A reckoning day is ahead for each one of us to answer for the deeds we have done.

This pastor has heard many people explain why they cannot do what the Bible teaches they should be doing without ever believing the first word of it. The Bible is true. God is true. He would NOT tell us to do something He wouldn't enable us to do. He does NOT lie or joke with us. What He says He is able to back and bring to pass. It is our lack of faith that lets us down-not God.

Pray you will do what the Bible says do and your reckoning day will be good.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Kings 20

II Kings 21

II Kings 22

Worship, Pursue Blessing & Double Portion- - -April 16

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2 Kings 2:1-14 And it came to pass, when the LORD would ____ __ Elijah into _______ by a whirlwind, that Elijah went ____ Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, _____ _____, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent __ to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the ____ liveth, and as thy ____ liveth, I will ___ leave thee. So ____ went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, _ ____ __; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, _____ here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent __ to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will ___ leave thee. So ____ came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, _____, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent __ to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will ___ leave thee. And they ___ went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his _______, and wrapped it together, and _____ the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask ____ I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a _______ _________ of ___ spirit be upon __. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, __ thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but __ ____, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of ____, and horses of ____, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took __ also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha _____ ______.

Author's Thoughts

Sometimes we simply tarry too long at a place and miss the blessing. Elijah continued to give Elisha opportunities to let him go on alone. If Elisha were to be the replacement for him, he had to be inner (self) motivated to wholly serve God.

Elisha proved to be true, staying with Elijah through three opportunities to stop. He got to ask a special blessing of Elijah and to see it come true by being faithful. He lived to practice the double portion blessing.

Are you Holy? Are you totally committed to Jesus as your Lord. We all like the idea of having a savior to bail us out of satan's jail; but, few really believe in Jesus enough to want Him as Lord of their lives. Few can see long range enough to want to practice His will minute by minute, believing it better for them than their own will. But, He has plans for those who will totally give Him control. They get to be in His inner circle-the most used and the most blessed. Pray to be totally Holy and committed.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Kings 23

II Kings 24

II Kings 25

Worship, You Have Enough to Finish Well - -April 17

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

2 Kings 4:1-7 Now there cried a certain woman of the ______ of the sons of the _________ unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is _____; and thou knowest that thy servant did ____ the LORD: and the _________ is come to _____ unto him my two sons to be ________. And Elisha said unto her, What shall __ ___ for thee? tell me, what _____ _____ in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of ___. Then he said, Go, borrow thee _________ abroad of all thy _____________, even _______ vessels; borrow ____ a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt _____ the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out _____ all those vessels, and thou shalt ___ _______ that which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, ______ me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is ____ a vessel more. And the oil _______. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and ____ thou and thy children of the rest.

Author's Thoughts

This happening from the Old Testament gives us a glimpse of how God works and too often, how we work. We look at what we do NOT have. God looks at what we DO have.

This woman felt God was obligated to her because of her husband's service and faithfulness; but she saw only what was missing. In her mind, I think, she saw the bondmen carrying off her children. God showed Elisha the exact opposite-”What have you got?”

The devil always tries to get us to see gloom and doom. He certainly does not want us to see what we do have or that God can and will use whatever we do have. He tries to tell each and everyone of us that he can and will come and take our children as slaves. Too many times we stop right there and let it happen. Parents let their own blood keep slipping lower and lower into sins, drugs, etc. without actually proclaiming a fast and prayer season. We wouldn't think of giving them to a physical enemy so easily.

We need to see things in the Big Picture. We need to see the enemy Satan slipping into our homes and lives taking captives. We need to go to the Lord, pray and fast until answers come.

Once as pastor my mind could only see the devil taking and taking and taking from the church and faithful workers. I was concentrating on what was NOT. My heart was crying out for an answer from Jesus, my Lord, whom I was faithfully serving.

A guest minister came and felt compelled to preach this widow's story. My mind began to be dealt with from the throne room of heaven. I could see myself with nothing to pay. My church was being taken bond to satan. We couldn't win.

Then, my soul began flying as the door shut upon the woman and sons and the oil started filling empty vessels from the neighborhood. Each was filled, set aside and another filled. This continued until all the vessels were filled. Praise the Lord!

My heart soared at the new vision given. Since then our spiritual, building, and blessing life has been richer and better blessed. I finally saw what I did have-oil in my vessel. Pray to see what you have.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Chronicles 1

I Chronicles 2

I Chronicles 3

I Chronicles 4

Worship, Accept the lowly Prophet and his work- - -April 18

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2 Kings 5:1-14 Now _______, _______ of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a _____. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a ______ _____; and she waited on Naaman's ____. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the _______ that is in Samaria! for he would ______ him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the _____ that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the ____ of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the _____ of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest _______ him of his leprosy. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I ___, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto ___ to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a _________ against me. And it was so, when Elisha the ___ __ ___ had heard that the _____ of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to ___, and he shall know that there is a _________ in Israel. So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the _____ of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a ___________ unto him, saying, Go and wash in ______ _______ times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be ______. But Naaman was ______, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out ___ ___, and _______, and _____ on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his _____ over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, _______ than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a _____. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some _____ thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, _____, and be clean? Then went he ____, and _______ himself ____ times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was ______.

Author's Thoughts

God chose to do a miracle and teach some humility lessons as well. He chose a maid who was a servant to deliver His message of healing. He chose to let a messenger give the instructions for healing. He chose the river Jordan and He chose to bypass the King of Israel entirely.

Naaman and Syria were used to dealings with large gifts, kings and ambassadors. They were not used to hearing messages from servants that changed lives forever. The maid's instructions to seek the prophet were bypassed for the King of Israel. The method God chose did not suit the captain of the host of Syria; neither did God's choice of rivers suit him.

But, in order to get healed from leprosy and it's curses he had to do it God's way. Oh that we would be so wise and just DO IT JESUS' WAY! Pray you will let God be God.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Chronicles 5

I Chronicles 6

I Chronicles 7

I Chronicles 8

Worship, God IS in charge!- -April 19

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2 Kings 6:8-23 Then the king of _____ warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In ____ ___ ____ a place shall be my camp. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou ____ ____ such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and ______ himself there, not _____ nor ______. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me _____ of us is ___ the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but ______, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that ____ speakest in thy ___________. And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and ________, and a great ____: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the _______ of the man of God was risen _____, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be ____ us are ____ than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, ____ his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of ____ round _____ Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with __________. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them __ Samaria. And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may ___ and drink, and __ to their master. And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came __ _____ into the land of Israel.

Author's Thoughts

God is ALWAYS in charge. We only have to be in His will to be truly victorious. Though an host encamp against us, He can and will send a fiery host to prevail. The servant saw only how great the enemy was. Elisha saw only how great God was.

God not only gave the victory but humiliated the enemy by feeding them in the enemy's own town headquarters. Can you imagine the soldiers having to say they blindly walked into the stronghold they were to defeat.

Pray you will believe God to defeat the enemy. Pray your faith will be strong on behalf of Jesus and let Him be Lord. Pray your church will live in victory.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Chronicles 9

I Chronicles 10

I Chronicles 11

I Chronicles 12

Worship, don't sit until you die!- - -April 20

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2 Kings 6:24-7:10 And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged ________. And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ___'s head was sold for _________ pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's ____ for five pieces of silver. And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king. And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? And the king said unto her, What ______ thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may ___ him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. So we ______ my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son. And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he ____ his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh. Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.

Kings 7:1-7 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, ___________ about this time shall a measure of fine _____ be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, __ the LORD would make ________ in _______, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt ___ it with thine eyes, but shalt ___ eat thereof. And there were four _________ men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why ___ we here until we ___? If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was __ man there. For the ____ had made the host of the Syrians to hear a _____ of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

Author's Thoughts

Read the rest of the chapter to find out what happened to the man who thought God could not deliver. He had said it would take the windows of heaven to be opened as though God could not open the windows of heaven and bless His people.

The famine was so bad they were eating their own children, asses heads and manure. All this was quite expensive since there was NO FOOD. God changed all that and predicted it through His prophet. The lepers were used by God for their own and Samaria's deliverance. They did not sit and die. They got up and went toward the enemy camp, trusting God.

Pray for courage to rise and DO what God says do. Go toward what Satan has laid claim to. He does not own anything or have part of lot in any of God's children or heritage. Pray for courage to rise and go in Jesus' name.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Chronicles 13

I Chronicles 14

I Chronicles 15

I Chronicles 16

Worship, Enjoy God's servants.- -April 21

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2 Kings 13:14-24 Now Elisha was fallen ____ of his sickness whereof he ____. And Joash the ____ of Israel came down unto him, and ____ over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And Elisha said unto him, Take ____ ___ _______. And he took unto him bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine ____ upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and ______ put his ______ upon the ____'s hands. And he said, Open the window _________. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, _____. And he shot. And he said, The ______ of the LORD'S ____________, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them. And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote _______, and _______. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten ____ __ ____ times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice. And Elisha ____, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were ________ a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the __________ of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the ______ of Elisha, he ________, and stood up on his feet. But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet. So Hazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his stead.

Author's Thoughts

The king cared enough about Elisha to go to him and cry over losing him to death; but when the man of God gave him an opportunity to work for his own victory, Joash fell short. Elisha told him the arrows were deliverance against Syria. The king shot only three times and stayed or quit. He either thought three battles would snuff out Syria or simply quit shooting for whatever reason.

Elisha was upset knowing it would take five or six battles to win the total victory. Joash should have kept on shooting “deliverance arrows”. This was Elisha's last time to help him, but he didn't seem to get the urgency of the task.

Many times God's servants try to minister the Word. Too many times the hearers seem to think too little of what the servant of God has been told to tell them. The servant takes it serious, knowing it comes from God. The hearer takes it casual-sadly enough.

Elisha was thought enough of by the Lord that a dead man touching his bones was resurrected. Isn't it a shame King Joash didn't honor him in deed-not just tears? Pray you will hear those sent to you.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Chronicles 17

I Chronicles 18

I Chronicles 19

I Chronicles 20

Worship, Spread Satan's Threats Out To God- - -April 22

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

2 Kings 18:15-17 (KJV)And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house. At that time did Hezekiah ___ off the gold from the doors of the ______ of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. And the king of Assyria sent …Rabs_____ ... to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem...

2 Kings 18:19-20, 22, 23 (KJV)And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? But __ ye say unto me, We _____ in the _____ our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem? Now therefore, I pray thee, give _______ to __ lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

2 Kings 18:28-32 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the ____' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall ___ be able to deliver you out of his hand: ______ ____ Hezekiah make you trust in the ____, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an __________ with __ by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern: Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken ___ unto Hezekiah, when he ___________ you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.

2 Kings 19:14-19 And Hezekiah received the ______ of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the _____ of the LORD, and _______ it before the LORD. And Hezekiah _______ before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art ___ God, even thou ______, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to _______ the living God. Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, ____ ____ __ out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou ___ the LORD God, even thou only.

Author's Thoughts

One thing in particular stands out to me in this scripture-the enemy spoke the Jew's language so the men on the wall could hear his threats. He wanted to scare them into surrendering to what seemed like the strongest force-earthly, that is.

Hezekiah took the threatening letter and spread it before the Lord. He knew where his help was and there is where he went. Oh, that we would do this!

Pray you will not listen to the enemy voice but spread out problems before the Lord.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Chronicles 21

I Chronicles 22

I Chronicles 23

I Chronicles 24

Worship, Pray blessings upon yourself daily. - - -April 23

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

I Chronicles 4:9, 10 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying,

Oh that thou wouldest _____ me indeed,

and _______ my coast,

and that thine ____ might be with __,

and that thou wouldest keep me ____ evil,

that it may ___ grieve me!

And God granted him that which he requested.

Author's Thoughts

In I Chronicles the sons of Judah are listed, then we are told one of them was more honorable than his brethren. Usually this is the case-one is more honorable or of better integrity than the rest of the siblings. Rarely does one see an entire family retain right living before God. It is wonderful to see all of a family serve God and do His will.

Jabez was that son who was more honorable than the rest. His mother had named him Jabez because of the sorrow his birth caused. Jabez literally means “sorrow or pain”. Isn't that a hard thing to be named?

In spite of his sorrowful name, he is more known for his prayer. I wonder if Jabez prayed this prayer often that it got written down. Did he pray it at a particular time when the scribe heard it? We don't know; but we know the prayer. It has four (4) main thoughts.

He asks to be blessed indeed. Pray to be truly, indeed, blessed.

He ask for his coast to be enlarged. Pray now to have your coast or area in which you are allowed to witness and work for Jesus to be enlarged. Ask for an open door for the gospel.

He ask God's hand to be upon him. Pray now for God's, Jesus' and The Holy Spirit's presence to be upon you.

He ask that he be kept from evil and that it would not even be allowed to grieve him. Pray evil to be kept so far from you it cannot make you grieve.

Take time to put this devotional or a copy of the prayer on your refrigerator or coffee table and read it often. Pray it daily for when we live blessed, with our coasts' enlarged, Jesus' hand upon us and not grieved by evil we can be happy in Christ and lead others to Him.

Pray the prayer daily and watch good things happen in your life.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Chronicles 25

I Chronicles 26

I Chronicles 27

I Chronicles 28

Worship, Do Your Job in His Work. - -April 24

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

I Chronicles 9:2 Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, ________, and the Nethinims.

1 Chronicles 9:19-33 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, ________ of the gates of the ____________: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were ________ of the entry. And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him. And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was _______ of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office. So they and their children had the __________ of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards. In four quarters were the porters, toward the _____, _____, _____, and ______. And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them. For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the _________ and __________ of the house of God. And they lodged _________ about the house of God, because the ______ was upon them, and the ________ thereof every morning pertained to them. And certain of them had the charge of the ministering ________, that they should bring them in and out by tale. Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine _____, and the ____, and the ___l, and the frankincense, and the _______. And some of the sons of the priests made the __________ of the spices. And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the ______ that were made in the pans. And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to _______ it every sabbath. And these are the ________, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were ____________ in that work day and night.

Author's Thoughts

The work of The Lord needs employees daily; just like any business, enterprise or institution. It takes people to be keepers or porters at the door. It takes people to prepare the items of service under the Old or New Testament. Singers are needed and people to care for the Word of God.

Do you have a set assignment for Jesus' church? Are you a greeter or keeper of the door? Are you one who cleans a certain area of the church? Do you prepare the bread and fruit of the vine for service in the communion because you are of an ordained family? Do you keep the Word and deliver it because you are called and charged to deliver the Word? Do you prepare the food that is served at dinners, taken to sick or served to grieving families?

If you do not serve the Lord daily, ask Him to assign you. Simple as that.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

I Chronicles 29

II Chronicles 1

II Chronicles 2

Worship, Respect and Do His Word- - -April 25

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Chronicles 13:1-14 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every _______. And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem ____ unto you, and that it be __ the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may _______ themselves unto us: And let us _____ ______ the ark of our God to us: for we __________ _____ at it in the days of _____. And all the congregation said that they _____ do so: for the thing was ______ in the eyes of all the people. So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim. And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. And they carried the ark of God in a ___ _____ out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. And David and all Israel ______ before God with all their might, and with _______, and with ______, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, ____ put forth his ____ to hold the ark; for the oxen ________. And the ______ of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he _____ before God. And ______ was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day. And David was _______ of God that day, saying, ___ shall I bring the ark of God home to me? So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.

Author's Thoughts

Didn't all that was in David's heart sound right? He wanted to restore the ark to its rightful place and have the priests enquire at it as in days past. Doesn't all that seem right?

Why then did God kill Uzza for steadying the ark on the cart when the oxen stumbled? What was God so angry about? Did God have rules as to the ark was to be moved and/or handled? Yes.

Read again how the ark was to be handled in Exodus 25. Only after trying to unsuccessfully move the ark did David ask God, “How?”

It is good to have a zeal of the Lord to right things neglected or wrongfully done; but remember to read The Word and see what God said FIRST. Pray you will ask how by reading Bible and praying.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 3

II Chronicles 4

II Chronicles 5

Worship, Do it over and over-Get it Right!- -April 26

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Chronicles 15:1-3 And David made him houses in the city of David, and ________ a place for the ___ of God, and pitched for it a tent. Then David said, ____ ought to carry the ark of God but the _______: for them hath the LORD ______ to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

1 Chronicles 15:11-17 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: _________ yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye ___ bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it ___ at the first, the LORD our God made a ______ upon us, for that __ _______ ___ ____ after the ___ _______. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. And the children of the Levites ____ the ark of God upon their __________ with the _______ thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD. And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the _______ with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the _____ with joy. So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

1 Chronicles 15:25-16:2 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy. And it came to pass, when God ______ the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with _______, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David ________ ____ _________: and she despised him in her heart. So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the _____ of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they ________ burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

Author's Thoughts

God wrote a book to be read and practiced. His Word is permanent. He means what He says. God designed a way for the ark to be handled and dealt with. Anything less did not please Him and in the Old Testament days, He immediately showed His displeasure.

Jesus too gave many sermons and lessons as to what you and I should DO. He told us the truth and means for it to be obeyed or answered for at the judgment. Read and DO.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 6

II Chronicles 7

II Chronicles 8

Worship, If You Can't, Encourage Those Who Can- - -April 27

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

1 Chronicles 22:1-19 Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel. And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set ______ to hew wrought stones to _____ the house of God. And David _______ iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight; Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David. And David said, _______ my ___ is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding ___________, of fame and of _____ throughout all countries: ___ will therefore ___ make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly ______ his death. Then he ______ for Solomon his son, and _______ him to _____ an house for the LORD God of Israel. And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it ___ in my ____ to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: But the ____ of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast ____ ______ abundantly, and hast made great ____: thou _____ ___ build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much _____ upon the earth in __ ______. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him ____ from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and __________ unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever. Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee. Only the LORD give thee ______ and understanding, and give thee ______ concerning Israel, that thou mayest ____ the law of the LORD thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest ____ to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed. Now, behold, in my _______ I have __________ for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of ____, and a thousand thousand talents of ______; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto. Moreover there are _______ with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work. Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and __ ______, and the LORD be with thee. David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people. Now set your ______ and your ____ to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

Author's Thoughts

David had been allowed many victories of war. He had seen many fall at his hand and the hand of his army and mighty men; but, one desired victory was not to be his. He was too bloody a man for God to use in building a temple. So what did he do? He collected all he could in readiness. He then called his son and charged him to do the job. What can you not do that you can TODAY encourage others in?

Call or visit them now. Let them know you appreciate them doing what you cannot.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 9

II Chronicles 10

II Chronicles 11

Worship, Use Leadership, Order and Trainings- -April 28

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

I Chronicles 24:5 Thus were they ________ __ ____, one sort with another; for the governors of the ___________, and governors of the ______ of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

I Chronicles 24:18, 19 The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah. These were the ___________ of them in their __________ to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

I Chronicles 24:31, I Chronicles 25:1 These likewise cast ____ over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the ________ of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren. Moreover David and the captains of the host separated __ ___ ________ of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should ________ with ______, with _________, and with ________: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

I Chronicles 25:3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give ______ and to _______ the LORD.

I Chronicles 25: 5-8 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the _____. And God gave to Heman fourteen ____ and three __________. All these were under the hands of their father for ____ in the _____ of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. So the number of them, with their brethren that were ___________ in the ______ of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight. And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the ________ as the _________.

I Chronicles 26:1 Concerning the divisions of the ________: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

I Chronicles 26:12, 13 Among these were the _________ of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD. And they ____ ____, as well the ______ as the _____, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate. I Chronicles 27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came __ and went ___ month by _____ throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

Author's Thoughts

Nothing can operate efficiently without being set up and put in order. All have to be treated right in order for the work to be in unity. Leadership, rotation of jobs and hours, assignments to specific jobs is the way to have all necessary jobs covered.

David was a man of leadership, whether setting up a singing school, ordering music or putting porters at the gates. Church business meetings, board meetings and calendars help keep people in order. If you are blessed with order, leadership and trainings available, pray for those who do these jobs. If you do not have these in correct order, pray someone will be sent to set things in order.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 12

II Chronicles 13

II Chronicles 14

Worship, Accept Your Mantle and Job- - -April 29

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

2 Chronicles 1:6-12 And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar ______ the _____ which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and _______ a thousand burnt offerings upon it. In that night did God ______ unto Solomon, and said unto him, ____ what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to _____ in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy _______ unto David my father be ____________: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now _________ and knowledge, that I may go ___ and come __ before this people: for who can _____ this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, _______ this was in thine heart, and thou hast ___ asked _______, wealth, or ______, nor the ____ of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked ____ life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: ______ ___ ___________ is granted unto thee; and I ___ give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

II Chronicles 2:1 And Solomon ___________ to build an ______ for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.

II Chronicles 2:4-6 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to _________ it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings _________ ____ ______________, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ____ to Israel. And the house which I build is great: for ______ is our God ______ all gods. But ___ is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and ________ ___ ________ cannot contain him? who ___ ___ then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?

Author's Thoughts

It is easy for us to read about Solomon and think of the temple covered with gold, the mansions, the greatness of his kingdom and see only how easy it must have been. If we had been Solomon, though, we would have realized the greatness of the task and saw how little we were. It would have took faith in God to move out.

This author has been told to build two churches and both seemed equally impossible to do at the time. But God gave the orders and God saw the job through. He did the same with Solomon.

The pity is that Solomon did not stay faithful to God after all he was given. Pray for leaders you know to be true. Pray you will be a true, steady worker for him, 'til death.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 15

II Chronicles 16

II Chronicles 17

Worship, Do EXACTLY as God says! - - -April 30

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

2 Chronicles 3:1-17 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount ______, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the ____ year of his reign. Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was ______cubits, and the breadth ___ cubits. And the _____ that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the ______ was an ______: and he overlaid it within with ____ _____. And the greater house he _______ with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains. And he garnished the house with precious _______ for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim. He _________ also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with ____; and _______ cherubims on the walls. And he made the ____ _____ house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, ___ cubits, and the breadth thereof ___ cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents. And the weight of the _____ was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold. And in the most holy house he made two _________ of image work, and overlaid them with gold. And the _____ of the cherubims were ___ cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching __ ___ _____ of the house: and the _____ wing was five cubits also, _______ to the wing of the other cherub. The _____ of these cherubims _______ themselves forth ___ cubits: and they _____ __ ______ _____, and their faces were inward. And he made the vail of ____, and ______, and _______, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon. Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits. And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains. And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand _______, and the name of that on the left _____.

Author's Thoughts

What is wrong on this ark picture?

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 18

II Chronicles 19

II Chronicles 20

II Chronicles 21

Worship, His Tabernacles, Temples, Churches are Holy! - -May 1

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

2 Chronicles 4:1-11 Moreover he made an ______ of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.

2 Also he made a molten ___ of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. 3 And ______ ___ was the similitude of _____, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast. 4 It stood upon ___ oxen, ___ looking toward the _____, and ___ looking toward the ____, and ___ looking toward the _____, and ___ looking toward the ____: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their ______ parts were ______. 5 And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the ____ of a ___, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.

6 He made also ten lavers (see next page), and put ____ on the right hand, and ____ on the left, to _____ in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea (see next page) was for the priests to wash in.

7 And he made ___ candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, ___ on the right hand, and ___ on the left. 8 He made also ___ tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold. 9 Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass. 10 And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south. 11 And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;

Author's Thoughts

Take a little time to research the temple. Think about the grandeur, the expense, the worth, the majesty that God gave-just like what he gave in Eden. Think about how Israel let it pass through their hand and sold their inheritance for idols and foolishnesses. Pray you will live in HIS MAJESTY!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 22

II Chronicles 23

II Chronicles 24

Worship, See What God Will Do!- - -May 2

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

II Chronicles 6:10-13 The LORD therefore hath _________ his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the ____ of the LORD God of Israel. And in it have I put the ___, wherein ___ the ________ of the LORD, that __ _____ ____ the children of _______.

And he stood ______ the altar of the LORD __ ___ _________ of all the congregation of Israel, and _______ ______ his hands: For Solomon had made a brasen _________, of ___ cubits long, and ___ cubits broad, and ___ cubits high, and had set it in the _____ of the court: and ____ __ he stood, and ________ down upon his ______ before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his ______ toward heaven,

Author's Thoughts

Go through the rest of this chapter making notes of highlights of Solomon's prayer.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 25

II Chronicles 26

II Chronicles 27

Worship, Humble, Pray, Seek His Face! --May 3

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

II Chronicles 7:1, 2 Now when Solomon had made an ___ of praying, the ____ came down from heaven, and _________ the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the ______ of the LORD ______ the house. And the priests could ___ ______ into the house of the LORD, ________ the _____ of the LORD had _______ the LORD'S house.

Author's Thoughts

Make rough notes of the rest of the chapter-The Lord's response to the temple dedication to Him.

Write verse 14 here __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Pray for this verse to happen NOW, HERE!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 28

II Chronicles 29

II Chronicles 30

Worship, Do it ALL right-not just a little bit!- - -May 4

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

2 Chronicles 8:11-16 And _________ brought up the daughter of _________ out of the city of ______ unto the house that he had ______ for her: for he _____, My _____ shall ___ dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the ________ ____ ______, whereunto the ___ of the LORD hath come. Then Solomon ________ burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch, Even after a certain _____ every day, offering according to the ______________ of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. And he appointed, according to the _____ of David his father, the ________ of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their ________, to _______ and _________ before the priests, as the ____ of every day required: the ________ also by their courses at every _____: for so had David the man of God commanded. And they departed ___ from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the ____________. Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was ___________.

Author's Thoughts

Solomon had married women from many areas of the world to get what he wanted to build his palace, the Temple, and all else that was in his mind. In the number was Pharaoh's daughter. Solomon knew her idolatry was wrong and did NOT want it going on in the same city as the ark of the living God; yet all he did was move her a piece away. He did NOT remove the idolatry from him.

At the time this is written, an article in the news is of a supposed man of God, fasting until he lost 10 pounds trying to get God's will. What was his question? Whether God would want homosexual people in His pulpits. Can that be a question? Can anything stated in the Word still be a question? NO!

All the man had to do was read the Word and know God called homosexuality a SIN, a coal black SIN, an abomination.

If Solomon knew to move the woman out from the temple, he knew to rid himself of this mess. Take time right now to look at yourself, your family and the people of your community. What blatant sins do you see that people are justifying? List them:

Pray for them to see and CHANGE ALL that needs changing. Encourage any who will speak with you to trust God for FULNESS not just a sip!

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 31

II Chronicles 32

II Chronicles 33

Worship, do NOT follow the crowd.- -May 5

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Do this research to get the kings of Israel Do research to get the kings of Judah

I Chr 5:16 _____________________ II Chr. 10:1 ________________

I Kings 15:25 __________________ II Chr. 13:1 ________________

II Chr. 16:1 __________________ II Chr. 14:1 ________________

I Kings 16:13, 14_______________ II Chr. 16:13-17:1 ___________

I Kings 16:15 __________________ II Chr. 21:1 _________________

I Kings 16:22 __________________ II Chr 21:16-22:1 ____________

II Chr. 18:3 ____________________ II Chr. 22 Queen ____________

II Chr. 20:35 ___________________ II Chr. 23-24:1 ______________

II Chr. 21:1 ____________________ II Chr. 24:24-25:1 ____________

II Chr. 25:17 ___________________ II Chr. 26:1 _________________

II Chr. 36:1 ____________________ II Chr. 26:22-27:1 ___________

II Kings 13:10 __________________ II Chr. 27:7-9 _______________

II Kings 14:23 __________________ II Chr. 28:27 ________________

II Kings 14:29 __________________ II Chr. 32:33-33:1 ____________

II Kings 15:10 __________________ II Chr. 33:20, 21 _____________

II Kings 15:14 __________________ II Chr. 33:25 ________________

II Kings 15:23 __________________ II Chr. 36:1 _________________

II Kings 15:23-27 _______________ II Chr. 36:4 _________________

II Kings 15:30 __________________ II Chr. 36:8 _________________

II Chr. 36:10 ________________

Author's Thoughts

As you read through these kings and their reigns, notice you see many evil and murderous acts. Envy and one-upping was common-regardless of what it took to get the throne many were willing. Also, notice they were spoken of as doing evil or doing good. Their leadership seemed to be the way the majority of the people went. That leads us to think their hearts were not truly with God; but just doing what was popular.

Peer pressure can cause us to go along with the church without actually going along with Jesus. We can come and go from the Lord's house without actually coming or going before Him to talk and/or worship. Think about it!

People can't truly be found out as to their stand until a test comes. America fifty or a hundred years ago would have seemed stable with the Bible and the God of the Bible. Then, the tide of “politically right” turned and so did many, many of the people.

Evaluate yourself today. Now. Are you really, really with Jesus. Are you His friend regardless or are you just doing what the others at your church seem to be doing. Is your fellowship with Him close and sweet. Can you, do you hear His voice above the crowd and excited noise of the day.

Pray for yourself, your family and your church to stand true to Jesus. Pray those about you will be His friend.

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

II Chronicles 34

II Chronicles 35

II Chronicles 36

Worship, listen to God's messengers.- - -May 6

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

2 Chronicles 36:9-23 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he ___ that which was ____ in the sight of the LORD. And when the year was expired, king ______________ sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made ___________ his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem. Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was ____ in the sight of the LORD his God, and ________ ___ himself before Jeremiah the prophet ________ _____ the mouth of the _____. And he also ________ against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him _____ by God: but he stiffened his ____, and hardened his _____ from turning ____ the LORD God of Israel. Moreover all the chief of the _______, and the people, transgressed very _____ after all the abominations of the _______; and _________ the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the LORD God of their fathers ____ to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they ______ the messengers of God, and despised his words, and ________ his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was __ _______. Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had ___ compassion upon young man or _______, old man, or him that stooped for ____: he gave them all into his hand. And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. And they _____the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to _______; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: To ______ the word of the LORD by the mouth of _________, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of _________ might be accomplished, the LORD _____________up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.

Israel first carried away for refusing to correct sins. Now, Judah also-the tribes of Benjamin and Judah were carried away to Babylon. God sent Jeremiah with words of correction but they would have none of it. They acted as though God had not spoken.

Ignoring God is a foolish thing to do since He has all power. He simply let Babylon have the power to carry Judah away. He stood by as Jerusalem, His mighty temple and people were plundered and carried away. They stayed there until the allotted time was up.

What sins do you see the people about you performing daily as they ignore Jesus' ministers of the hour. Pray for them to take Jesus' compassion while they can. Pray for soft hearts.

Author's Thoughts

For 'Bible In A Year' Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Ezra 1

Ezra 2

Ezra 3

Ezra 4

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Author’s Thoughts

God bragged on Job knowing his heart was toward Him. Could God brag on you and know you would stand true even if all you had was taken? Pray to be the kind of servant that Jesus needs here to do His will. Pray your family and church people will be upright and hate evil.

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Job 18

Job 19

Job 20

Read the Bible and fill in missing truths to give your devotion focus.

Author’s Thoughts

God still had confidence in Job. He knew he would not curse Him even if suffering from foot to head. Isn’t that something that Job’s heart was that assured of his God. He believed Him regardless. His wife has totally lost hope and thinks he should curse God and die to be out of his misery. His three friends are more grief instead of comfort; but, Job still has God.

Picture the worst things that has come in your life. Did you begin blaming God and changing behavior to be more like the unbeliever or did you keep your integrity (firm adherence to the belief that God is God no matter what happens). Later, in chapter 3, Job curses the day of his birth wishing he had never been born to suffer all this; but he does not curse God.

Your author made the Lord Jesus a promise, in a severe time of family need, while still in grade school. That promise was easy to keep for three decades, then one year it was called in. Jesus demanded I be faithful to that promise regardless! Even if my own death came as a result, my lips were to be closed from grumbling. My faith HAD to be kept strong in Him and zero wavering. There were times I thought my physical heart would stop, but He brought me through.

Pray for you and yours to BE true to The Lord-NO MATTER WHAT.

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Job 22

Job 23

Job 24

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Author’s Thoughts

Eliphaz thought Job had sinned. He reminded him of the days when he was the one instructing, strengthening and helping, but now his turn to suffer had come and he was fainting. He thought him to be NOT INNOCENT since he was perishing.

Job answered that his grief was heavier than the sand of the sea. He wanted God to take his life and get him out of the mess. Sound familiar? Job proceeded to justify his “get out by dying” comparing it to a servant hired who looks for the shadow and reward of his work. He was still not blaming God.

Pray for yourself for when the time of extreme suffering comes upon you or a loved one. If it is not now, it will be, should you live. Illness, death, lack of choices, etc. are time to keep near God.

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Job 25

Job 26

Job 27

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Author’s Thoughts

Oh! How miserable Job must have felt! He had done what he could under the old covenant to be what a righteous man should be. He had loved God and hated evil. He had offered sacrifices. Now, not only had he great losses of family, possessions and dignity; but, this too, friends with nothing good to tell him. He so needed a message of encouragement and all they had was discouragement. They, in their ignorance of God’s bragging on Job to Satan and then allowing Satan to test Job, were telling Job it was in deed his fault God was not currently helping him. Friends like this are more to bear!

Next, Bildad proceeds to tell Job those that forget God get into this kind of trouble-the hypocrite! That had to sting. He told Job his trusting in God, insinuating his hypocrite state, was like trusting in a spider’s web. He restated that God will not cast away a perfect man. He did NOT know what had gone on in heaven. He was speaking from within himself-not from talking to God.

All humans have had times when they did less than their best to serve the Lord. They fell upon hard times of some sort whether emotional, financial, etc. and accepted it as part of their own doing. But Job fell upon dark spiritual times because of his faithfulness being unquestioned in heaven. Wow! His suffering was for God’s trust in him. Pray to be close enough to Jesus that He COULD brag you would not turn from Him even if Satan was loosed upon you, your family, and your body. Pray that!

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Job 28

Job 29

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Job 9:1-14 Then Job answered and said, I know it is so of a truth: but ___ should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is ____ in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. Which commandeth the ____, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the ______. Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. Which doeth great things _____ ________ _____; yea, and wonders without number. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? ____ will say unto him, What doest thou? If God will ___ withdraw his anger, the _____ helpers do _____ under him. How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

Author’s Thoughts

Job’s answer shows how much he reverences God and His power, knowledge and presence. He knows he cannot stand before such an awesome being. Job is aware that even a just man would be very, very little compared to God.

Job tells his accusers that even the proud men stoop before God. He knows and says aloud that he cannot answer God. Oh, that more of us could come to that knowledge. It seems in these 2000’s man has become their own gods. They toss aside God’s Word, His church, and His ways as though they were a choice between chocolate or orange Popsicles.

Job says to tell God he is perfect would prove him perverse. Who are we compared to God? He points out there is no daysman, or umpire or helper, between God and each man. We face Him alone and naked-all we are is bared. Job pleads that he is not wicked and throws himself to God’s mercy and asks some help before death. He admits feeling hunted like a lion, poured out like milk, and needing God’s merciful hand to intervene and comfort at least a little before his death.

Pray you will see yourself as God sees you and trust ONLY Him for your peace. Only Jesus!

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Job 31

Job 32

Job 33

Job 34

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

Author’s Thoughts

Zophar speaks next and condemns Job for his much talk, accuses him of lying, mockery, and lack of shame at his “sin” before God. He judges Job harshly enough to say God exacted less than Job deserved for his sin. Into his own self, would you say? Where is God in his thoughts? How would you like to receive comfort from friends like this? Job tells them he is not inferior to them and wants to reason with God. He further tells them they are physicians of no value. They are NOT helping!

He asks them to hold their peace, in other words, stop talking. He asks them to stop fighting FOR God against him, knowing God is great and can well contend against any man alone. Job recognizes that his weak, frail body is only for a season and that trouble accompanies man from birth to death. He knows that at some point God will call, “Job”, and he will leave the body. His knowledge of who God is and what man is comes forth in the midst of his hurt.

Job states again they are miserable at comforting him. He tells them if things were reversed and they needed help and he the comforter, he would comfort-not do as they are doing.

Right now, stop what you are doing as soon as possible for a 5 minute break. Go to the restroom or a truly private place. Still yourself before the Lord. Ask Him who is being tried for being TRUE to HIM. Ask Him to give you their name. Take them in prayer for the next week. Lift them up to Jesus.

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Job 35

Job 36

Job 37

Job 38

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Author’s Thoughts

As the conversation continues Job appeals to God for his innocence. Though his “friends” continue to bash his innocent claim, he pushes on in his trust in God. Finally he proclaims his faith in God. He wishes his words t be lead with an iron pen into a rock for ever-and such as this has happened for the words of verses 25-27 and known by most Bible scholars. Take time now to write those words out three times below. Claim them more and more each time. We CAN endure anything on this earth IF we know God is ours and we shall see Him.

Worship God for giving His son. Worship in the Holy Spirit for being your messenger to and from God. Worship Jesus for giving you Life through His Life. Write and claim.

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Job 39

Job 40

Job 41

Job 42

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.

Author’s Thoughts

Job says he would like to find God, go before Him and plead his cause. He believes the Lord would put strength in him. Job groans that he cannot go forward, backward, left or right and find God. God knows where he is; but he can’t find God. This is true at this time for him-he is being Satan tested while God sits and watches Job prove himself true to God.

Job says God is in one mind and knows He will turn only when He wants to. Job knows God is totally in charge and will act when He is ready to act. Darkness is his current portion and that is that. After sever more bouts with his friends, he declares his sincerity.

He vows not to speak wickedness or deceit. He will not give up his integrity as long as he lives. He will hold fast to righteousness. He does not want to become a hypocrite knowing his soul will be required when God calls him. He wants God to hear him and help him.

Pray today that you will remain true in the times when you can’t seem to touch Jesus’ hem or any part of Him. Pray you will hold fast to what the Word says and not give up. There will be times of trial of faith. Pray you will, like Job, stand the test. Pray. Pray. Pray.

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Psalm 1

Psalm 2

Psalm 3

Psalm 4

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Author’s Thoughts

Job looks at natural things and how only the wisdom of God keeps them functioning. He shows how things man values are so inferior to the simple fear of God and knowing to depart from evil. As Job remembers his former prosperity and honor, he wants them back. He wants God’s good times and to be again blessed of the Lord. While we have things, we take them for granted.

Job tells how all he had has been turned upside down and wrong-side out. He sees the people turn from his physical appearance and destitute state. People no longer want to hear him. He sees himself a brother to dragons and companion with owls who are in the dark night.

He again proclaims he has done his best to serve God.

The three men, chapter 32, cease to talk to him, because they think Job is righteous in his own eyes. Elihu became wrathful at him for this. Elihu was younger and waited until the elder ones has spoken. He points out that great men are not always wise and he will give his opinion. He says waiting has made him like wine ready to vent and burst. He tells Job, chapter 33, God calls men to repentance in different ways: pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss so his bones stick out. He tells Job to be quite and he will teach him wisdom. He even goes far enough in chapter 34 to accuse Job of charging God with injustice, adding rebellion to his sin and talking about God. He again echoes Job’s sin is the problem.

Pray now for any whom you’ve ever thought their sin brought evil upon them. Pray they will find God and settle it with Him. Confess that you do not know all their case. Pray for them today, often.

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Psalm 5

Psalm 6

Psalm 7

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Author’s Thoughts

God, who laid foundations to the earth, the clouds, light, thunder, rain, stars and all that is, speaks to Job. He challenges him to answer the simplest questions about creation. He asks him if the animals, birds and sea creatures will talk to him. He describes the nature He gave to different creations.

Job, in chapter 40 is humbled, sees himself as vile and needing to lay his hand upon his mouth and be hushed before the Lord. God again tells him to gird up his loins and answer why he has disannulled His judgment. God has the right to allow whatever He allows! God speaks of the leviathan.

Are you complaining, as your author has, about God’s will when you need to be hushed, humbled before Jesus and ask for strength to continue IN HIS WILL? Pray for submission.

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Psalm 9

Psalm 10

Psalm 11

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Author’s Thoughts

The end of God’s matters are always better than the beginning. It is the middle that tests human flesh. Tests our ability to hold on to God while all is dark, while we have no comfort from our trial. We want what we want and we want it now. God is NOT a waiter in a heavenly WalMart to do our bidding.

God is God.

God is God.

God is God.

Pray you will be better at letting God be God. Ask Him to put you in the back seat until you can learn to co-pilot your life. Pray for your family, church and friends to do likewise.

For ‘Bible In A Year’ Scholars: Read the following chapters and personalize a thought below.

Psalm 12

Psalm 13

Psalm 14

Psalm 15

Read the Bible and fill in missing words to give your devotion focus.