Month: January 2025

Day 31 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Exodus 12:14-13:16; Matthew 20:29-21:22; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 6:12-15

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Let me not be ashamed
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. – Psalms 25:20-21

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Strike the Lintel and Two Side Posts with the Blood
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. – Exodus 12:21-23

What Mean Ye By This Service?
And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. – Exodus 12:24-28

At Midnight the LORD Smote All the Firstborn of Egypt
And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. – Exodus 12:29-30

Rise Up and Get You Forth from Among My People
And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. – Exodus 12:31-33

This is the Ordinance of the Passover
And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: there shall no stranger eat thereof: but every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. – Exodus 12:43-45

By Strength of Hand the LORD Brought Us Forth Out from Egypt
And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: and it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt. – Exodus 13:14-16

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Two Blind Men Sitting by the Way Side
And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. – Matthew 20:29-34

Ye Shall Find an Ass Tied and a Colt with Her
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, and sitting upon an ass, And a colt the foal of an ass. – Matthew 21:1-5

Hosanna to the Son of David
And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. – Matthew 21:6-11

My House Shall be Called the House of Prayer
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. – Matthew 21:12-13

The Blind and Lame Came to Him and He Healed Them
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. – Matthew 21:14-17

The Fig Tree Withered Away
Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. – Matthew 21:18-22

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Broken without remedy
A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. – Proverbs 6:12-15 KJV

Read the same verse in the Amplified Bible. It gives some clarity.

A worthless person, a wicked man, Is one who walks with a perverse (corrupt, vulgar) mouth. Who winks with his eyes [in mockery], who shuffles his feet [to signal], Who points with his fingers [to give subversive instruction]; Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually; Who spreads discord and strife. Therefore [the crushing weight of] his disaster will come suddenly upon him; Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing or remedy [because he has no heart for God]. – Proverbs 6:12-15 AMP

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Thank You, Lord, that you are my God! Thank you that you brought me out of the bondage of the enemy and that you are not left me ashamed while I trust in you and Your mighty hand. Thank You that You preserve me as I wait on You! Father, thank You so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus, as the remedy for my brokenness. Thank You for Your Word that gives me Life. Oh, today, I just want to thank You and say I love You, Jesus! I love You, Father! I love You, Holy Ghost.

Day 30 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Exodus 10:1-12:13; Matthew 20:1-28; Psalms 25:1-15; Proverbs 6:6-11

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Teach Me Thy Ways!
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. – Psalms 25:4-5

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and testimonies. – Psalms 25:10

What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. – Psalms 25:12

Oh Lord, give me a holy fear and teach me in the way You choose for me! Teach me Your paths and Your truths, my God!

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The Kingdom of Heaven – Like a Man that Hired Labourers
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. – Matthew 20:1-2

Whatsoever is Right, that Shall Ye Receive
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. – Matthew 20:3-7

Call the Labourers and Give Them Their Hire
So when even was come, the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. – Matthew 20:8-10

For Many Be Called, But Few Chosen
And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. – Matthew 20:11-16

Many people are called to follow Jesus and do God’s work. God uses all types of people in many different ways. The reason only a few are chosen is that when people are called, they don’t respond, or they choose to ignore the call. Many want Jesus, but they don’t want the duty of following Him. We must go when we are called and do it speedily. If we don’t, we will miss the great opportunity and great blessing of following and serving Him.

Behold, We Go Up to Jerusalem
And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. – Matthew 20:17-19

Grant that My Sons May Sit One on Thy Right and Thy Left
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. – Matthew 20:20-21

Ye Know Not What Ye Ask
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. – Matthew 20:22-23

The Son of Zebedee and their mother did not know what they were asking. When Jesus asked them if they could drink of His cup and be baptized in His baptism, they replied, “We are able.” What was the cup and the baptism? It was a cup and a baptism of suffering for the sake of the Kingdom. It was also a cup of death…the cup of God’s wrath.

It is interesting what happened in the lives of these two sons. James was beheaded in Jerusalem. He was the first of the disciples to be martyred. He drank from the cup of death. John was baptized in the baptism of suffering. He was hated and persecuted. He was exiled to the Island of Patmos. John did not die a martyr, although he gave his life willingly to the Lord to die a martyr. A miracle of God spared him – while in Rome, they tried to kill him by plunging him into boiling oil. But John did not die. He escaped and went on to plant churches and write books of the Bible.

Whosoever Will Be Great Among You, Let Him Be Your Minister
And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:24-28

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That you may know that I am the Lord
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord. – Exodus 10:1-2

Everything that God was doing, all the plagues, the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was not just to change Pharaoh so he would let God’s children go. It was also, maybe even more so, for the Israelites. A sign that the Israelites and their children and their children’s children and all the generations to come would know that He is the Lord. THAT YOU MAY KNOW “that I am the Lord.”

Plague of Locusts
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt. – Exodus 10:12-15

Plague of Darkness
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: they saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. – Exodus 10:21-23

All the Firstborn in the Land of Egypt Shall Die
And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. – Exodus 11:4-8

The Passover Established
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: and if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: and ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’s passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. – Exodus 12:1-12

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Provide and Gather
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. ~ Proverbs 6:6-8

Do everything you can today to make sure you have a harvest and be prepared to gather it.

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Heavenly Father, I thank You that You have called and chosen and are teaching me. I ask You to give me strength day-by-day to follow and serve You. Help me to hide Your Word today and to get in so deep in my heart that it will do an excellent work and never leave me. Your Word is my bread Lord, and I pray that in season it will bring forth a great harvest. Holy Ghost, I ask You to go where I can’t go and touch those in my family and community that need You. Bring conviction and repentance to our hearts. Bring revival to our homes and churches, and nation. Bring revival to me, Jesus. I know You order my steps, and I ask You to use me as You will today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Day 29 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Exodus 8:1–9:35; Matthew 19:13-30; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 6:1-5

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Suffer Little Children and Forbid Them Not to Come Unto Me
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. – Matthew 19:13-15

What Good Thing Shall I Do, That I May Have Eternal Life?
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. – Matthew 19:16-22

A Rich Man Shall Hardly Enter Into the Kingdom of Heaven
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:23-26

We Have Forsaken All, What Shall We Have Therefore?
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. – Matthew 19:27-30

The rich, young ruler wanted to serve God. He obeyed the commandments and came to Jesus seeking eternal life. But the young ruler had great wealth, and Jesus offered him the same thing he offered his disciples. “Come and follow me!” Only, he told him first to sell all he had and give it to the poor. And what is one of the saddest verses in the Bible was the verse about this young ruler’s response. “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” His identity was in the things he had accumulated. Is ours? Would we be willing to not only stop accumulating wealth but to give it all away to have eternal life? Jesus offers us the same thing He offered this young man. “Come and follow me…”

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Plague of Frogs
And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. – Exodus 8:5-6

Plague of Lice
And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. – Exodus 8:16-17

Plague of Flies
And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. – Exodus 8:20-21

Plague of Murrain Upon the Cattle, Horses, Asses, Camels, Oxen, Sheep
Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. – Exodus 9:1-3

Murrain – any of various diseases of cattle, as anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, and Texas fever, a plague or pestilence

Plague of Boils
And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. – Exodus 9:8-9

Plague of Pestilence
And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. – Exodus 9:13-15

Plague of Hail
Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. – Exodus 9:18-19

Our promises that bind us
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses. – Exodus 9:34-35

We, like Pharaoh, often cry out to God when we are in distress. We make promises and take vows only to break them when the crisis is over—making a promise to God, though is binding. Making a promise to others is just as binding. We should be people known for keeping our word.

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Our dirty hands and heart bind us
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. – Psalms 24:3-5

If you want to enter into the holy places of God, you must have clean hands and a pure heart. You must live in holiness. Sin of any kind cannot and will not stand in His holy place!

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Snared with the Words of Thy Mouth
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, If thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, Thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, When thou art come into the hand of thy friend; Go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, Nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, And as a bird from the hand of the fowler. – Proverbs 6:1-5

My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor, If you have given your pledge for [the debt of] a stranger or another [outside your family], If you have been snared with the words of your lips, If you have been trapped by the speech of your mouth, Do this now, my son, and release yourself [from the obligation]; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor [to pay his debt and release you]. Give no [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids; Tear yourself away like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter And like a bird from the hand of the fowler. – Proverbs 6:1-5 AMP

This proverb speaks of debt. Debt, even incurred while helping another, can lead to problems. We shouldn’t live beyond our means. If we find though that we have overextended, it’s time as this proverb teaches us, to get it taken care of. Get to work and settle your debts because it binds your to other people o institution in ways that make your more vulnerable to corruption.

This passage isn’t just a warning for the poor with debt. Very wealthy people who accumulate huge debt are even more vulnerable to corruption. They can do harm to themselves, their families, and other people because their creditors have so much power over them and can pressure them into compromise. Debt, no matter how innocently or wickedly incurred, can bind us to the world systems and the enemy while drawing us farther and farther away from God.

Thank You, Lord, for Your Word, Your warnings, Your wisdom, and Your teaching on some of those things that can bind us. Our promises, our wealth, our sin, and our debt. Help us to take and heed Your Words and what You have revealed today that we may be free. Thank You that You have told the devil to “Let Your people go!” and that we can live in that freedom if we do not turn and bind ourselves again to the enemy. Lord, help us to be bound only to You!!! Thank You for Your blood and the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, that we may have eternal life and live victoriously through Him. I love You, Jesus. Reveal to us, Holy Ghost, any other areas in our lives and our hearts that are still bound to this world. In Jesus holy Name I pray. Amen! Amen!

Day 28 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Exodus 5:22-7:25; Matthew 18:21-19:12; Psalm 23; Proverbs 5:22-23

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Forgive again and again and again
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. – Matthew 18:21-22

Jesus instructed us to forgive – over and over again, just as He has forgiven us. If you read the rest of the scripture in Matthew 18:23-35, you will see this truth – If God forgives you and you refuse to forgive others, Jesus says that you are wicked!!!

Forgive – to grant pardon; absolve; to give up all claim on; to grant pardon to; to cease to feel resentment against; to cancel an indebtedness or liability.

The Forgiven Servant that Will Not Forgive
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that was done. Then his Lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. – Matthew 18:23-35

Great Multitudes Followed Him and He Healed Them There
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judæa beyond Jordan; And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. – Matthew 19:1-2

They are No More Twain, But One Flesh
The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. – Matthew 19:3-6

Adultery
They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. – Matthew 19:7-9

All Men Cannot Receive this Saying Save They to Whom It is Given
His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. – Matthew 19:10-12

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Lord, why have You not moved – yet?
And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy Name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all?  – Exodus 5:22-23

When I first read this, I thought Moses sounded disrespectful. But Moses saw his people suffering and had received promises from God about a great deliverance for them. Ultimately, he is asking. Lord, why have You not moved on behalf of Your people yet? 

Haven’t many of us asked that very same question lately??? I know I have.

Now Thou Shalt See What I Will Do to Pharaoh
Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD. – Exodus 6:1-8

The Waters of Egypt Become Blood (Streams, Rivers, Ponds, Pools, Vessels)
Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river. And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. – Exodus 7:17-19

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He Leadeth Me in the Paths of Righteousness for His Name’s Sake
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. – Psalm 23:3

God will display His fruit (in your life) to your enemies.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. – Psalms 23:5

Your enemies may think they have you under their thumb and that you are defeated… but God will raise you with a great display and celebration right in front of your enemies. 

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Sin leads to death!!!!
His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. – Proverbs 5:22-23

The iniquities done by a wicked man will trap him, And he will be held with the cords of his sin. He will die for lack of instruction (discipline), And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray and be lost. – Proverbs 5:22-23 AMP

Sin may feel good for a season, but one day you will see that you are trapped in the “cords of sin.” You will die in that trap if you do not go to Jesus and ask Him to be Your Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only One who can free you from the grip of the enemy and death. 

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My God, I come before You this day, and I glorify You. I thank You for Your blessings and Your peace during such a season as I find myself today. Father, I thank You for Your Word today that has been a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I pray that I never forsake it and that I continue down Your path. I want to be right in the middle of Your perfect will. Holy Ghost lead me and guide me; teach me and fill me to overflowing with Yourself that I may be a light to this world shining for Your glory. Please show me and convict me of any wickedness in my heart that I may deal with it now. Lord, I pray for my enemies. I pray for those who despise me, and I pray that You reveal Yourself that they may feel the freedom and peace and joy in You that I feel. Thank You for my deliverance and salvation. Please help me as I question why some promises are delayed. Help me to have a heart that forgives entirely and quickly. Thank You for forgiving me! Lord be with me and all that read this post. You’ve ordered our steps today. Please help me to walk those steps faithfully. I ask this in Jesus’ precious and holy Name. Amen. Amen

Day 27 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Exodus 4:1–5:21; Matthew 18:1-20; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 5:15-21

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Now Therefore Go, and I Will Be with Thy Mouth
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the LORD was kindled 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 thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. – Exodus 4:10-17

So often, I have prayed for God to use me, asked Him what is my purpose, said to Him, “Here am I, send me,” and yet when God calls and commissions me to join Him on a mission, my first reaction is – please Lord, send someone else! Moses did this, and most of us know exactly what he felt. He gave part of his assignment to someone else. Moses was a great man of faith, but at that moment he didn’t have faith that God would be true to His Word to be with him. He was given a mission that he was uniquely prepared for. He accepted parts of the task but not all of it. How many times have I done the same thing? I wanted the mission, but the fear caused me to hand parts of it to another. Help me, Father!

Aaron Spake All the Words the LORD Had Spoken Unto Moses
And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: and Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. – Exodus 4:29-31

Let Us Go Three Days Journey and Sacrifice Unto the LORD Our God
And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. – Exodus 5:1-3

They Be Idle, Let There Be More Work Laid Upon the Men
And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words. – Exodus 5:6-9

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Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. – Matthew 18:1-6

Woe Unto the World Because of Offences
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. – Matthew 18:7-9

Take Heed that Ye Despise Not One of These Little Ones
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. – Matthew 18:10-14

In our world, there is so much evil directed against children. Abortion, trafficking, all kinds of abuse. How much most you despise a child to make them suffer in any of these ways? This verse applies not only for the natural but also to the spiritual. This verse reminds us that their angels are beholding the face of God even as they are there, witnessing the good and bad toward these “little ones.” The same is true of baby Christians. We should not despise or hinder their walk with Jesus in any way.

If Thy Brother Shall Trespass Against Thee
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. – Matthew 18:15-19

Whatsoever Ye Bind on Earth Shall Be Bound in Heaven
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. – Matthew 18:18-20

The mission that God has called us all to is to confront and destroy the evil on this earth. Here is another KEY that He gives us to have victory as we work for Him to see this mission through. Bind on this earth what is not of God (evil) and loose on this earth what is of God (righteousness and holiness). Bind the enemy and loose JESUS!!!

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God sees, hears and responds to the afflicted
For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. – Psalms 22:24

God has seen the afflictions put on you, and He is not okay with it. He has heard your cries, and if He hears, He responds. Who has He put on His mission to pray for you, command His healing for you, to witness to you. Are you that someone for another? If so, have you set off on your mission, or have you asked God to send someone else? First, though, I ask myself, have I?

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The Ways of Man are Before the Eyes of the LORD
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And he pondereth all his goings. – Proverbs 5:21

God knows your ways and where you are on His path, or if you are off His path. God knows where you are. He know if you are running from your call or if you are somewhere on that path working for Him. He is pondering where you are right this minute.

Does that cause you to stop and ponder it yourself? It does me.

Ponder – to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate; to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully.

Father, I come before You today and now before You in repentance for all of the times I have run from Your perfect plans for me. Forgive me, Lord! Help me trust You in all things knowing that You have promised never to leave me or forsake me. Help me to stand as Your mouthpiece to confront and bind the evil in this world. Help me to loose Your love, your peace, Your will into this lost and dying world. Thank You for loving me and teaching me so much today. Help me to ponder these things and plant them in my heart. Help me to never depart from those Your Words and ways. In Jesus Name! Amen! Amen!

Day 26 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Exodus 2:11–3:22; Matthew 17:10-27; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 5:7-14

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Elias is Come Already and They Knew Him Not
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. –Matthew 17:10-13

I Brought Him to Thy Disciples, and They Could Not Cure Him
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. – Matthew 17:14-18

Faith as a grain of mustard seed
And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me” And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. – Matthew 17:16-20

Jesus was trying to get the disciples to see that what He is asking them to do in faith was not a supernatural thing, but a normal thing.

This Kind Goeth Not Out But By Prayer and Fasting
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. – Matthew 17:21

It bothered me today that Matthew 17:21 will not read by many as they do their devotions. There are translations that leave it out. That being said, I can’t ignore any part of God’s Word and especially this one, as I have been changed by the power of both prayer and fasting (together) bringing deliverance!!! Because it is left out of so many versions, many don’t have the chance to receive the revelation of this passage and the manifestation of it in a personal way. It is KEY in my life, but even more – it was KEY here!!! 

The Son of Man Shall Be Betrayed into the Hands of Men, Killed, and the Third Day Raised Again
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. – Matthew 17:22-23

When He (Peter) was Come Into the House, Jesus Prevented Him…
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. – Matthew 17:24-27

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He Spied an Egyptian Smiting an Hebrew, One of His Brethren
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. – Exodus 2:11-14

Moses Fled and Dwelt in the Land of Midian
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. – Exodus 2:15

Moses was Content
And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land. – Exodus 2:21-22

God Remembered His Covenant
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. – Exodus 2:23-24

God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has a covenant with them and with every one of His children. He remembers His covenant with me. Do I remember my covenant with Him?

Covenant – an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified; the conditional promises made to humanity by God as revealed in Scripture; the agreement between God and the Israelites in which God promised to protect them if they kept His law and were faithful to Him.

The Bush Burned with Fire and the Bush Was Not Consumed
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. – Exodus 3:1-2

The Place Whereon Thou Standest is Holy Ground
And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy 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 hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. – Exodus 3:3-6

When God calls me, do I stop and say, Here am I? Do I take my shoes off in reverence? Do I take the time to hear Him?

I Have Seen the Affliction of My People and Heard Their Cry
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. – Exodus 3:7-10

Who Am I, That I Should Go Unto Pharaoh
And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. – Exodus 3:11-12

I AM THAT I AM
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. – Exodus 3:13-14

Never be ashamed to go forth with the Word of God. I AM THAT I AM sent you too!!!

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Depart Not from the Words of My Mouth
Hear me now therefore, O ye children, And depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, And come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, And thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; And thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last, When thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, And my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil In the midst of the congregation and assembly. – Proverbs 5:7-14

Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not depart from (forget) the words of my mouth. Let your way [in life] be far from her, And do not go near the door of her house [avoid even being near the places of temptation], Or you will give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one, And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned wealth will go to the house of a foreigner [who does not know God]; And you will groan when your life is ending, When your flesh and your body are consumed; And you say, “How I hated instruction and discipline, And my heart despised correction and reproof! I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor have I inclined my ear to those who instructed me. I was almost in total ruin In the midst of the assembly and congregation.” – Proverbs 5:7-14 AMP

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Thou Art My God from My Mother’s Belly
I was cast upon thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother’s belly. – Psalm 22:10

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My Father, I come before You this morning at the beginning of this day that You have given to me, and I thank You for the Words You have provided to me. Help them not to depart from them but to ponder them all day long. You are a holy and wonderful God, and as all of the mothers and fathers of the faith living and that have gone before me to be with You, help me to trust in You. Help me to walk out and speak out the faith that You have given me to see those issues of life that loom like great and mighty mountains in people’s lives depart at the declaration of Your Words. Help me to be a woman of prayer and fasting, and help me never to depart from Your Words or forget their revelation and manifestation in my life. Help me remember my covenant with You as I know You will never forget Your covenant with me. Oh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, change me today so that my life lines up with Your perfect and holy will and plan. Please give me a great burden for the lost and help me to walk in Your Love! Thank You Father for touching our nation, Father. Thank You for giving our leaders encounters with You that save, deliver, and set them on the course You alone have prepared. Help our President and more and more leaders to yield to You and Your commands that they might lead our nation according to Your perfect will. I ask this all in the name of Your beautiful Son, Jesus! Amen! Amen!!!

Day 25 One-Year Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10; Matthew 16:13-17:9; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 5:1-6

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Whom Do Men Say that I Am?
When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. – Matthew 16:13-14

But Whom Say Ye that I Am?
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. – Matthew 16:15-20

Thou Savourest Not the Things that be of God, But Those that be of Men
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. – Matthew 16:21-23

He Shall Reward Every Man According to His Works
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. – Matthew 16:24-28

This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am Well Pleased
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. – Matthew 17:1-9

Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. We are saved by faith, not works but right here we can know that after we are saved, we are to do His works. I often wonder what will that reward look like because one thing I have found about doing His works – there is such a great blessing and reward even as you do them.

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Thou Preventest Him with the Blessings of Goodness
The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; And in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, And hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: Thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, Even length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great in thy salvation: Honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: Thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance. For the king trusteth in the LORD, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. – Psalm 21:1-7

In yesterday’s reading in Psalm 20 David prayed and believed for victory and now in Psalm 21 that victory has happened.

Preventest – to act ahead of; precede; to anticipate; to forestall

God went before him (the king) with His blessings of goodness.

What were those blessings of goodness?
– God settest a crown of pure gold on his head
– He asked life of God and God gave it him
– Even length of days for ever and ever
– God’s glory is great in God’s salvation
– Honor and majesty hast God laid upon him
– God has made him most blessed for ever
– God has made him exceeding glad with thy countenance
– Through the mercy (lovingkindness, faithfulness, goodness) of the Most High God he shall not be moved – he shall never be shaken

When I think about the goodness of God, I think about this verse – Exodus 33:18-19: And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and i will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

His glory is His goodness and His goodness is His glory. 

Father, Help us to pray to YOU for our victory. Believe You for our victory. Praise You for the victory given. We ask in Jesus Name! Amen!

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God Will Use the Schemes of the Wicked for Your Good
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. – Genesis 50:19-20

The Children of Israel are More and Mightier Than We
Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, 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 taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. – Exodus 1:8-12

The Midwives Feared God
And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, 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 son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. – Exodus 1:15-17

Every Son That is Born Ye Shall Cast Into the River
And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. – Exodus 1:18-22

She Bare a Son
And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. – Exodus 2:1-4

She Brought Him Unto Pharaoh’s Daughter
And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion 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 nurse 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 child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. 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. – Exodus 2:5-9

She Called His Name Moses
And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. – Exodus 2:5-10

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Attend, Bow, Regard, Keep
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. – Proverbs 5:1-2

Attend – to be present at; to take care of, minister to; devote one’s services to; to wait upon; to take charge of.

Bow – to bend the knee or body as in reverence, submission, salutation or acknowledgement; to yield, submit.

Regard – to look upon or think of with a particular feeling; to have or show respect or concern for; to think highly of, esteem.

Keep – to hold or retain in one’s possession; hold as one’s own; to maintain, especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise.

Oh Father, I come before you today and I ask that you help me to focus my mind on You. Lord, help me to take up my cross today and follow You. Help me to focus on Your will and doing Your good works. Help me to trust in You and yield to Your strength will will carry me and help me to stand firm during the schemes of the enemy. Thank You that You have promised You will use all those evil schemes for good. Thank You that You have given to us an abundance of provision and strength and protection and fruit. Help me now to stand as I know the devil will not let it go without a fight. Show me how my Lord to attend to Your wisdom, to bow and reverence Your understanding, to esteem discretion, so my lips will keep Your knowledge. Lord give me a true and heavy burden for the lost and help me to LOVE like You LOVE. I ask this all in Jesus Name. Amen!!!

Day 24 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 48-49; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27

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Some trust in chariots and some in horses
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. – Psalms 20:4-8

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Let my name be named
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. – Genesis 48:15-16

Ephraim – His seed shall become a multitude of nations
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. – Genesis 48:17-21

Joseph is a Fruitful Bough
Joseph is a fruitful bough, Even a fruitful bough by a well; Whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, And shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; And by the Almighty, who shall bless thee With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lieth under, Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: The blessings of thy father Have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors Unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. – Genesis 49:22-26

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Lame, Blind, Dumb, Maimed and Many Others Cast Down at Jesus’ Feet…and He Healed Them
And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. – Matthew 15:29-31

Jesus Took the Loaves and Fishes, Gave Thanks, Brake Them, Gave to His Disciples, His Disciples Gave to the Multitude
Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. – Matthew 15:32-39

A Wicked and Adulterous Generation Seeketh After a Sign
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. – Matthew 16:1-5

Beware the Leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees
Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. – Matthew 16:6-12

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Keep thy heart with all diligence
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. – Proverbs 4:20-23

Put Away from Thee a Froward Mouth
Put away from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil. – Proverbs 4:20-27

Oh Father, Help me always to remember Your beautiful Name. Help me to seek not so much that my name be remembered but that our name be always attached to Yours. Help those around me to know You as they get to know me. That it is be said that someone served the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (and Melissa) that they would know that they know the God I served was You and You alone. The One True and Living God. Help me today as I begin this day to go forth with Your praise on my lips, Your Word in my heart, and Your Glory surrounding me and all that I am called to do. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen! Amen!

Day 23 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 46:1–47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19

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The Fear of the LORD is Clean, Enduring For Ever
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. – Psalm 19:7-10

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable, O Lord
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:11-14

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In today’s passages in Genesis, we learn how the children of Israel (70 in all) got to Egypt. They were saved there and prospered there. They increased in numbers and grew into a great nation there, but they would also be enslaved there for 400 years!

Every shepherd was an abomination to the Egyptians. Shepherds or ministers today are fast becoming an abomination to this world, and yet as in Joseph’s day, being obedient to that call will be what protects, sustains, and grows the Kingdom of God.
And it shall come to pass, when Pharoah shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. – Genesis 46:33-34

God Spake Unto Israel in the Visions of the Night
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him: his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt. – Genesis 46:1-7

Joseph fed his family from the bread he had stored. Jesus commands us to feed others with the bread (the Word) we have stored in our hearts,
And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families. – Genesis 47:12

And the Time Drew Night that Israel Must Die
And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: but I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head. – Genesis 47:27-31

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Enter Not Into the Path of the Wicked
Enter not into the path of the wicked, And go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, Turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. – Proverbs 4:14-17

If there is wickedness in my heart, I will stumble (and won’t even know why)
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. – Proverbs 4:18-19

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Why Do Thy Disciples Transgress the Tradition of the Elders?
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. – Matthew 15:1-2

Ye Have Made the Commandment of God of No Effect By Your Tradition
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. – Matthew 15:3-6

It is not what goes into your mouth, but what comes out of your heart – spoken through your mouth – that defines who you are!
“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people drawers night unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defiled a man; but that which comets out of the mouth; this defileth a man.” – Matthew 15:7-11

Every Plant Which My Heavenly Father Hath Not Planted, Shall Be Rooted Up
Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. – Matthew 15:12-14

Those Things Which Proceed Out of the Mouth Come Forth from the Heart
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. – Matthew 15:15-20

I am Not Sent but Unto the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. – Matthew 15:21-24

Yet the Dogs Eat of the Crumbs which Fall from Their Master’s Table
Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. – Matthew 15:25-28

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The Passages that Spoke to My Heart

Thoughts and observations
In Matthew, Jesus quotes the book of Isaiah. That prophecy spoken by Jesus from Isaiah in many ways sums up the ministry of Jesus. He is trying to call the truth out in people’s lives. And the truth is born out in how they conduct themselves, not in what they say. Because what they said showed incredible hypocrisy, control, and hiding. That kind of echos back to Genesis 3 – when Adam and Eve were naked and ashamed. From that moment in Genesis 3, humans have been hiding and putting a false front out there, while the truth remains hidden in the darkness of our hearts. Here Jesus is calling out the truth. He asks them to unite what they say with who they are, not who they pretend to be.

So what was the Scripture in Isaiah that Jesus was quoting? It was Isaiah 29:13 but verses 14 and 15 are so relevant to what Jesus said and what I am mediating on today.

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? – Isaiah 29:13-15

It was Jesus’ ministry and is no less relevant today. The world we live in now is naked, ashamed, and hiding. We try to present a perfect version of ourselves, but it is exhausting. Why can’t we just relax and be made perfect…for real…so we don’t have to hide? So we can be true and reveal the Kingdom of Heaven that is among us?

Father, transform me through Your Word today. Holy Ghost change me, I pray. Convict me of the meditations of my heart that are not of You and help me to line my actions and words up with Your perfect Word so that they are acceptable in Thy sight. I ask this in the Holy and Beautiful Name of Jesus! Amen!!!

Day 22 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 44:1–45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13

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He Has Given Me Wisdom, Instructed Me, and Led Me (His Instruction is LIFE)
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. ~ Proverbs 4:11-13

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How Shall I Go Up to My Father, and the Lad Be Not With Me?
Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life; it shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my Lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. – Genesis 44:30-34

God Prepares a Way for Me to Be Fed
And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. ~ Genesis 45:4-8

Israel Said, It is Enough; Joseph My Son is Yet Alive
And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father, and told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not. And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: and Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die. – Genesis 45:25-28

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The LORD Liveth and Blessed Be My Rock
The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; And let the God of my salvation be exalted. – Psalm 18:46

God Protects, Provides, and Shows Unending Mercy to His Anointed Ones
It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. ~ Psalms 18:47-50

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Jesus was Moved with Compassion Toward Them
When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.– Matthew 14:13-14

Give Ye Them to Eat
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. – Matthew 14:15-21

Jesus Went Up Into a Mountain Apart to Pray
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. – Matthew 14:22-23

Jesus Went Unto Them Walking on the Sea
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. – Matthew 14:24-27

O Thou of Little Faith, Wherefore Didst Thou Doubt?
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. – Matthew 14:28-33

That They Might Only Touch the Hem of His Garment
And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; and besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. – Matthew 14:34-36

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Thank you for Your Word today, Father. Your Word is my Bread, my Purpose, my Protection, my Provision. It is my Instruction and through it I am given Wisdom and Understanding. Truly Your Instruction is LIFE!!!