Month: March 2025

Day 80 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 32:1–33:39; Luke 4:31–5:11; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 11:22

______

Discouragement Breeds Discouragement
Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? – Numbers 32:1-7

The leaders of the tribes of Reuben and Gad looked at the land just before the Jordan River and thought it was the perfect land for them because it was suitable for their cattle. The problem was that the Promised Land was on the other side of the Jordan River. They came to Moses and asked if they could just settle there and have that land as their inheritance.

Moses responded, Why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord has given them? Moses knew that the attitude of the tribes of Reuben and Gad could very well keep all of Israel from going into the Promised Land.  Their attitude said – we’ve fought enough and suffered enough and waited long enough. Let’s just settle down where we are.

Moses reminded the leaders why their ancestors failed to enter the Promised Land all those years before. The negative reports alone did not keep them out. They were kept out because the nation as a whole yielded to those reports. The children of Israel failed to trust God’s plans and promises and that kept them wandering.

The discouragement of the leaders came upon the nation, which kept an entire generation of Israelites from the Promises of God. If any had wholly followed the LORD, the discouraging report wouldn’t have influenced them. What made Joshua and Caleb different was that they wholly followed the LORD. They did not bend in trusting the Lord when the discouraging report of the ten unfaithful spies came forth.

How many of us have developed the “I’ve waited long enough” attitude? I know I have. How has your report sounded? Oh my!!! 

When we are not wholly following the LORD, we are more likely to be influenced by the flesh, and in turn, we will affect others. The result will be to be discouraged ourselves and run the enormous risk of discouraging those around us. Complacency is contagious!

It is a terrible thing to be used by the devil to discourage other believers so that they walk away from what God has promised. We should repent if we have, ask for forgiveness, and also ask God to guard us against ever discouraging the heart of another child of God.

This passage has some other good reminders. First, guard your own heart. If you want to press in and go deeper and further with God, be careful of your company and who you allow speaking into your life. Discouraging words discourage!

And also, if your circle of friends is content where they are and don’t want to press for more of the Lord – BEWARE! Their excuses may sound good, but at the root of anything other than the Promise is either the “I am tired of waiting” attitude or an “I have arrived – after all look at all this green grass” attitude. Anything short of what God has promised isn’t God’s perfect will.

Be Sure Your Sins Will Find You Out
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, and will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, and the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. – Numbers‬ ‭32:20-23‬ 
‭‬‬

______

Preserve My Life from Fear of the Enemy
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. – Psalm 64:1

All the Upright in Heart Shall Glory
The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; And all the upright in heart shall glory. – Psalm‬ ‭64:10

______‬ 

Woman without Discretion
As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. – Proverbs 11:22
______

His Word was with Power
And (Jesus) came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. – Luke‬ ‭4:31-32‬‬

With Authority and Power He Commandeth Unclean Spirits
And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about. – Luke‬ ‭4:33-37‬‬

Jesus Rebuked the Fever and It Left Her
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. – Luke‬ ‭4:38-39‬‬

He Laid His Hands on Every One of Them, and Healed Them
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. – Luke‬ ‭4:40-44‬ ‬

He Sat Down and Taught the People Out of the Ship
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. – Luke‬ ‭5:1-3‬ ‬

Launch Out Into the Deep and Cast Out Your Nets
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. – Luke‬ ‭5:4-7‬‬

I Am a Sinful Man, O Lord
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. – Luke 5:8-10a

They Forsook All and Followed Him
And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. – Luke‬ ‭5:10a-11

This miracle of the fish brought Peter and the others face-to-face with Jesus, the Son of God, and their sinfulness before Him. Isn’t that the purpose of every miracle?

Day 79 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 30:1–31:54; Luke 4:1-30; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 11:20-21

______

Fasting
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. – Luke‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭

It is Written: Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone, But By Every Word of God
And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. – Luke‬ ‭4:3-4‬ ‭

It is Written: Thou Shalt Worship the Lord Thy God, and Him Only Shalt Thou Serve
And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. – Luke‬ ‭4:5-8‬ ‭

It is Written: Thou Shalt Not Tempt the Lord Thy God
And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. – Luke‬ ‭4:9-13‬ ‭

Jesus Returned in the Power of the Spirit
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. – Luke‬ ‭4:14-15‬ ‭

This Day is This Scripture Fulfilled in Your Ears
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. – Luke‬ ‭4:16-21‬ ‭

Is Not This Joseph’s Son?
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. – Luke‬ ‭4:22-23‬ ‭

No Prophet is Accepted in His Own Country
And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; but unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. – Luke‬ ‭4:24-27‬ ‭

All They In the Synagogue Were Filled with Wrath
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way. – Luke‬ ‭4:28-30‬ ‭

______

Early Will I Seek Thee
O God, thou art My God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; – Psalm‬ ‭63:1‬ ‭

In the Shadow of Thy Wings
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. – Psalm 63:7

Thy Right Hand Upholdeth Me
My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me. – Psalm‬ ‭63:8‬ ‭

______

His Delight
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. – Proverbs 11:20

The Seed of the Righteous Shall Be Delivered
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. – Proverbs‬ ‭11:21

______

Gathered Unto Thy People
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. – Numbers 31:1-2

______

Day 78 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 28:16–29:40; Luke 3:23-38; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 11:18-19

______

God Hath Spoken (the verse that satisfies today)
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. – Psalm 62:1-2

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. – Psalms 62:11

How many of us constantly talk to God while we are waiting? We have a hard time sitting alongside Him in silence. I know I have a hard time with it. But I also know that a season of waiting means to do so in body, mind, and spirit. Stop everything. Stop the busyness. Stop overthinking everything. Just be quiet. Just be still.

As in any relationship, times of quiet and contentment, just in who you are together, are vital. Be patient in the waiting and in the quiet. If you find yourself doing anything then let it be listening! If you do not listen, you will never hear what is on the other person’s heart. 

This is also true in our relationship with God. If you are constantly talking (even about good things), you will not hear God speak. You will not hear Him say things like – Power belongs to Him! Power belongs to Him. POWER belongs to HIM!

That one verse satisfies all the needs of my longing heart today. POWER!

______

Ye Observe to Offer Unto Me in Their Due Season
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. – ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭28:1-2‬‬‬

Atonement
and one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. – Numbers 28:30

The Israelites had to bring one spotless, male goat to make atonement. What does that mean?

Atonement – satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.

The children of Israel brought a spotless male goat as a sacrifice to make repayment for their sins.

Because Jesus came to this earth as a man and lived a sinless life  (the spotless Lamb of God) and died on the old rugged cross when He had done nothing to deserve that, Jesus took the place of our sacrifice to make atonement for each of us. The price for sin was a blood sacrifice. If you didn’t make it with a male goat, you would pay it with your very life. Jesus was our blood sacrifice. When He died, He made payment for our sin. But, Jesus rose out of the grave and is now seated at the Father’s right hand. HALLELUJAH! And what is He doing? Right now, this very minute, He is interceding for YOU and ME.

GLORY to GOD!!! I am thankful that He loved me enough to come and make atonement for me!

______

The Son of God
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. – Luke‬ ‭3:23-38‬ ‭‬‬

Genealogy of Joseph
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, – Luke 3:23

which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. – Luke 3:38

The reading today is full of seemingly repetition, numbers, and names. But it is incredible here in the New Testament that the writer traced Joseph’s lineage back to God Himself. How many times have we skipped over this section while reading? I have. The Bible clearly shows here how Joseph’s bloodline goes back to God. That means God was his Father. And that means God is our Father too! We say we are His children by adoption, but if we could go back through all of our ancestors, we would find, like Joseph found, that truly we are the children of God!!!

Ponder on that and allow that statement to encourage you today. It has me!

______

Sure Reward or Death – Your Choice
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. – Proverbs 11:18-19

Reward or death is a choice we make each day, with every single decision. If I  live righteously, I will have a reward – a sure reward – and His name is JESUS!

Help me Lord to chose wisely today and every day!

Day 77 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 26:52–28:15; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 11:16-17

______

Thou Hast Heard My Vows
For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. – Psalm 61:5

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. – Psalms 61:8

Vow – a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment; a solemn or earnest declaration.

The Lord knows the vows that I have made to Him. I made a vow when I received salvation to serve and worship  Jesus as my Lord and Savior and Him alone. There are other vows we take as we go deeper in this walk with Jesus. We pledge to the Lord things when we pray. God expects us to keep and live out our vows.

As a young Christian, for a season, I came under the teaching of Sister Gwen Shaw. Sister Gwen was a missionary and evangelist, but I knew her mostly as a woman of prayer and fasting. I learned much in my early years from her teachings on fasting and prayer. Those who sat under her leadership were called “End-time Handmaidens” and took vows before the Lord. I was so moved by the vows that I took them as well. My heart desires is to live out these vows all the days of my life. I was not vowing to Sister Gwen or her organization. I am in no way affiliated with them. I just came under her teaching. But these vows are holy to the Lord because I made them to Him and Him alone. I have not been perfect in fulfilling them. As I sit here and reread them, I am very aware that I must realign my heart even today.  I do desire to be faithful and true, and if I strive toward anything, it is to be counted faithful to my Lord, Jesus Christ and to those He has set me under at this time. Here are my vows:

Lord, I give myself to You;
I give my life to You.
I want to be your servant.
I feel Your call;
I believe I was sent
To do the will of my Father.

I will take orders from You.
I will submit to You.
I will let You break my will.
I will not seek for comfort
Nor for high position,
Nor to do what I want to do.

Mine is the humblest task,
Or the most dangerous task;
By the grace of God, I will do it.
I will go where You want me to go;
I will do what You give me to do.
If in this walk I seem to have nothing,
I will not complain.

At times when I find myself in a kind of prison,
I will rejoice, and I will praise You
Because You’ve been to prison for me.

I love You, Jesus!

I thank You for calling me,
And that You want me,
And that You can use me;
I thank You that You are there to guide every step
As I do my part to ready
Your bride for Your return.
And I say today with my whole heart,

“Send the Fire and burn up the sacrifice.
Fill me again and again with Thy Holy Spirit
And give me a double portion of Thine anointing.”

______

The Word of God Came Unto John in the Wilderness
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituræa and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. – Luke‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭

And He Came Preaching
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, And every mountain and hill shall be brought low; And the crooked shall be made straight, And the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. – Luke‬ ‭3:3-6‬ ‭

O Generation of Vipers
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. – Luke‬ ‭3:7-9‬

What Shall We Do Then?
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. – Luke‬ ‭3:10-14‬ ‭

One Mightier than I Cometh
And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. – Luke‬ ‭3:15-18‬

When the people looked to John, he pointed them to Jesus!

Herod Shut Up John in Prison
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. – Luke‬ ‭3:19-20‬

Thou Art My Beloved Son
Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. – Luke‬ ‭3:21-22‬

______

A Gracious Woman
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. – Proverbs 11:16

Oh, how I also want to be known as a gracious woman.

Gracious – pleasantly kind, benevolent, courteous; merciful or compassionate

______

Thou Shalt Be Gathered Unto Thy People
And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. – Numbers‬ ‭27:12-14‬

Moses Asks for God to Appoint a Leader
And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. -Numbers 27:15-19

And Moses Did as the LORD Commanded Him
And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: and he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses. – Numbers‬ ‭27:21-23

God told Moses that he would be allowed to see the land which God was giving the children of Israel. He would see it from the top of a mountain, and then he would die. Because of his sin in the wilderness, he would not be allowed to go into the Promised Land.

Moses asked the Lord to set a man over the people to lead them, or they would be as sheep without a shepherd. I love that his concern was not for himself and what lay before him, but instead, it was for the people he was leading.

Another point that touched me was that the Lord appointed Joshua to lead, but He did so when Moses asked. Moses came before the Lord and asked. How important is it that we come before the Lord and ask? Sit before Him today and pray. Ask Him for the things in your heart and ask Him to fulfill them according to His will. There is no telling what God would do if His people would take their place before His throne, entering the place of prayer.

Day 76 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15

______

We HE Shall Do Valiantly
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. – Psalms 60:12 

I can do nothing except yield.

______

Legacy (in the Old Testament)
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not. – Numbers 26:9-11

We probably all tend to skim over chapters like this one with lists of names and numbers. But what spoke to me are those remembered because of their mistakes. Dathan and Abiram are recognized for the rebellion they started against Moses, Aaron, and God Himself. Doesn’t that make you wonder what will be recorded of your life? What kind of legacy will I leave? Will it be one of rebellion against God or of serving Him?

Help me, Lord, to be faithful to You and You alone. Help me to serve You and those You love in all that I do. I cannot do it in and of myself, but with You, I cannot fail. Help me, Lord…in Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen!

______

Legacy (In the New Testament)
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. – Luke 2:36-38

Before God called me to anything else, He called me to be a woman of prayer and fasting. I had not grown up learning about fasting and had never even given it thought, so being called to it was a God thing. But I was compelled to begin fasting from the day I was saved and did my first three-day fast in my first week of accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Since then, I have done many fasts and am currently in a corporate 40-day fast. Only God knows all of what He does in these times. I can’t say that I even fully understand being called as Anna was to go into a life of serving God in the place of prayer and fasting and then speaking to the people of what He shows me there. Even so, God still looks to and fro, seeking an intercessor. Jesus said some things go not out except by prayer and fasting!!! Pray always, the Bible says; pray without ceasing! God is at the forefront of every day when it is a day of prayer and fasting, and He always shows up in extraordinary ways!!! Always!!!

The Child Grew and Waxed Strong in Spirit
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. – Luke‬ ‭2:39-40‬ ‭

His Parents Went to Jerusalem Every Year at the Feast of the Passover
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. – Luke‬ ‭2:41-45‬ ‭

After Three Days They Found Him in the Temple
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. – Luke‬ ‭2:46-52‬ ‭

______

Say What?
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. – Proverbs 11:15

He who puts up security and guarantees a debt for an outsider will surely suffer [for his foolishness], But he who hates (declines) being a guarantor is secure [from its penalties]. – Proverbs‬ ‭11:15‬ ‭ AMP

I had to study on this one because at first it made no sense to me. But study I did.

This verse says that we should not rely on strangers, become secure in their word, or guarantee their debt. This verse says it is foolish to rely on a stranger, so we must stay cautious, but at the same time to be open to them and love them- not to exclude them simply because you don’t know them as well as others. But still, you can’t fully trust someone you don’t know. To do so would be as though you were gambling.

Day 75 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 24:1–25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14

______

There Shall Come a Star Out of Jacob
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: There shall come a Star out of Jacob, And a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite the corners of Moab, And destroy all the children of Sheth. – Numbers 24:17 

Phinehas Rose Up from Among the Congregation
And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. – Numbers 25:6-9  

Phinehas was Zealous for His God
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: and he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. – Numbers 25:10-13

A plague was on the people because the Israelites had begun having relations with other people, which God had forbidden. Twenty-four thousand had died. One of the men brought a Midianite woman and flaunted her before the Children of Israel as they wept before the Lord. Aaron’s son saw this and immediately killed the Israelite man along with this woman. The plague ceased. God hates mixture!

Phinehas, Aaron’s son, was the man who brought this plague to a halt, and the Lord was very pleased with him for taking these two out because it shows that Phinehas was zealous for God’s sake!

Can that be said of me? Am I zealous to invest myself in those things that please the Father? Am I just as zealous to quickly destroy the things (in my world) that God hates? Am I zealous for these things simply because He is God, and I serve Him and Him alone? Am I zealous for God’s sake?

Zealous – fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence.

______

God is My Defense and My Refuge
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. – Psalm 59:16-17

Defense – resistance against attack; protection; the defending of a cause or the like by speech, argument, etc.
Refuge – Shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.; anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape

______

The Holy Ghost is My Counselor
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. – Proverbs 11:14

I believe in seeking Godly counsel from those the Lord has placed over me. That being said, no earthly counselor can ever take the place of the Holy Ghost that lives inside of me and guides and directs me daily. Where would I be had I not learned to seek His direction before and after others have spoken their piece?

______

She Brought Forth Her Firstborn Son
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke 2:1-7 

There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Field
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. – Luke 2:8-12 

There was with the Angel a Multitude of Heavenly Host
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men. – Luke 2:13-14 

They Found Mary, Joseph, and the Babe Lying in a Manger
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. – Luke 2:15-18 

Mary Kept All These Things and Pondered Them
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. – Luke 2:19-21 

As was Written in the Law of the Lord
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. – Luke 2:22-24

This passage struck me because we have recently read about all of the laws God set forth through Moses. Here we have Mary, the young mother of Jesus, obeying those very same laws concerning the birth of God’s Son.  It says every male that openeth the womb (every firstborn son shall be called Holy to the Lord) and presented to the Lord along with a sacrifice. How much that must have meant to Mary and Joseph to present the Son to His Father! How blessed that they were obedient in every way. 

There was A Man Whose Name was Simeon
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, According to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. – Luke 2:25-33 

Simeon Blessed Them
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed – Luke 2:34-35  

Day 74 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 22:21–23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13

______

Balaam – God Speaks
How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! – Numbers 23:8-10

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. – Numbers 23:19-20

Balak promised Balaam riches and prestige to curse the children of Israel. God wouldn’t let it happen and told Balaam over and over that it was not happening. God’s people were blessed, and not to be cursed. Balak tempted Balaam over and over with things and status. Each time, God instructed Balaam to speak only what God told him. God’s instruction and His Word did not change though Balak tried to change the scenery to get a change of response. 

Balak learned the lesson we all must learn. God is not a man, that He should lie. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yes, His Words all those years ago are still the same today and forever will be. 

______

His Name is John
Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. – Luke 1:57-63 

His Mouth was Opened
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa. – Luke 1:64-65 

John – The Lord Was With Him
And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. – Luke 1:66

Isn’t that all any of us need? The Lord with us?

Zacharias was Filled with the Holy Ghost
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. – Luke 1:67-79

Zacharias couldn’t speak for a time because of his unbelief. When he was able to speak again, after John was born, these were the words he said. These Words are proceeded by the phrase “Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost.” These were the Words of the Lord to His children, coming through Zacharias.

The Child Grew and Waxed Strong in Spirit
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. – Luke 1:80

______

The Righteous Shall Rejoice
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. – Psalm 58:10-11

______

A Man of Understanding Holdeth His Peace
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.. – Proverbs 11:12

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. – Proverbs 11:13

Day 73 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 21:1–22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11

______

Perform: to carry out; execute; do; to accomplish; to fulfill a command, promise, or undertaking

He Performeth All Things (for me)
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. – Psalm 57:1-3

______

Knowledge Delivers (the just)
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. – Proverbs 11:9

______

I Cannot Go Beyond the Word
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: for I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. – Numbers 22:15-20

______

There Shall Be A Performance

Blessed Art Thou Among Women
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. – Luke 1:26-29 

Thou Shalt Bring Forth a Son and Shalt Call His Name JESUS
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. – Luke 1:30-33 

How Shall This Be
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. – Luke 1:34-37 

Be It Unto Me According to Thy Word
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. – Luke 1:38 

Blessed is She that Believed
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. – Luke 1:39-45 

My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him From generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, And exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, In remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, To Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. – Luke 1:46-56

Father in Heaven, I come before You today, and my soul doth magnify You. You have done great things over and over again for me. You have given even me Your Word that is much more precious than silver or gold. You have given Your Holy Ghost that fills me to comfort and teach and guide. I can do all things through Your strength given by Your Son who came and died for me on that old rugged cross but now sits on Your right hand, interceding for me! How wonderful to know that You, the almighty God – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – are in Heaven and here and every Angel and those around Your throne can hear my name coming from Your mouth today. Lord, thank You that Your Word shows me there will be a performance of things promised. This Word assures me that You do perform all things for me. It teaches me I should not go beyond Your Word to do less or more than what You command, but that if I follow Your direction, seeking Your knowledge – Your knowledge will deliver me! Thank You, Father. Please help me today to be content and encouraged as I wait for Your great performance. Accomplish what You will of Your plan in my life today. I love You, and I ask You to help me honor You, in all I do, on this beautiful day that You have made. I ask all these things in Jesus’ Name! Amen

Day 72 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 19:1–20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 11:8

______

Unbelief Has Consequences
And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. – Number 20:2-12

The Children of Israel had begun to complain once again about the lack of water. God told Moses to take them to a particular rock and speak to the rock to bring forth water. Instead, Moses had the people gather, and he shouted at them in anger: Must we bring you water from this rock? He then struck the rock twice with his rod instead of speaking to the rock as God had told him to do. God provided water, but Moses lost the privilege of leading the people into the Promised Land because of his disobedience.

The punishment was hard, and I am sure it devastated Moses and Aaron.  It was, however, the punishment of leaders who disobeyed the Almighty God. How many people lost the blessing of giving God the glory that day because of their actions?

It was also an important lesson for the Israelites – and us. We should always do what God says to do His way. God had a good reason for Moses to speak to the rock. He wanted to display His power to His people at a time when their faith was waning. By Moses yelling at the people and then striking the rock, Moses showed his anger and insinuated that he and Aaron were bringing forth the water for them, not wholly God. God was compassionate toward the people and still gave them water, but Moses had to face the consequences of his anger and disobedience.  He was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.

We have all been in Moses’ place. At some point, we’ve all had to face the consequences of our own emotions that led to disobedience! We have had to face how we hindered someone else’s ability to glorify the Lord because we overreacted or under-reacted to direct instruction from the Lord. We may have looked at our actions and thought – it was no big deal, but all disobedience to the Lord’s plan is a great big deal.

Disobedience is unbelief.

______

Unbelief Has Consequences

That Thou Mightest Know the Certainty of Those Things Wherein Thou Hast Been Instructed
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. – Luke 1:1-4

Zacharias and Elisabeth
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. – Luke 1:5-7 

The Whole Multitude of People Were Praying Without
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. – Luke 1:8-10 

Fear Not, For Thy Prayer is Heard
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. – Luke 1:11-17 

Because Thou Believest Not My Words
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. – Luke 1:18-20 

Zacharias Remained Speechless
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. – Luke 1:21-22

Elisabeth Conceived
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. – Luke 1:23-25  

Unbelief had consequences in the Old Testament. Unbelief had consequences in the New Testament. Unbelief still has consequences today.

______

The Righteous is Delivered Out of Trouble
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, And the wicked cometh in his stead. – Proverbs 11:8

______

Trust the Lord
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Thou tellest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle: Are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: This I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: In the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living?

– Psalm 56:3-4, 8-13

In all circumstances and in every emotion that springs forth, we have the choice to trust the Lord through it and allow Him to do His perfect work in our hearts and lives…or to trust our own feelings. Leaning into feelings, whether it is fear, anger, jealousy, loneliness, or even earthly love and happiness, rather than leaning into Jesus will cause us to start straying from His perfect path and walking toward disobedience. 

Heavenly Father, Please help us to trust You and You alone today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Day 71 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 16:41–18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7

______

They Saw that the Stone was Rolled Away
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. – Mark 16:1-4 

He is Not Here: Behold the Place Where They Laid Him
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. – Mark 16:5-6 

Tell His Disciples and Peter
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. – Mark 16:7-8 

Jesus Appeared First to Mary Magdalene
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. – Mark 16:9-11 

He Appeared Unto Two of Them as They Walked
After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. – Mark 16:12-13

He Appeared Unto the Eleven
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. – Mark 16:14

Go Ye Into All the World and Preach the Gospel
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. – Mark 16:15-18 

And They Went Forth and Preached Everywhere
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. – Mark 16:19-20 

Jesus was raised and appeared to His followers just as He said He would. They testified, but no one believed them. It seems no one believed without a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. (Correct me, someone, if I am wrong) I think the same is true today. No one comes to Jesus without being drawn. My encounter with Jesus may make someone want to seek Him, but the only thing that brings change is a personal encounter with the Lord, and then the only thing that sustains is a personal relationship with Him.

That reminds me of the testimony of the woman at the well. She went to the town and testified, and it made the people hungry to find out more. The Bible says that they came and met Jesus, and they left having been saved, not just by her testimony but because they had heard from Jesus themselves.

John 4:39-42 – And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they be sought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the World.

Our testimonies are important to draw people, and God uses our testimonies to cause the need to be realized in hearts. But it was true for me and I believe true for everyone – only a genuine face-to-face encounter with Jesus saves!

______

Intercession
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. 46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. 47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. 50 And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed. – Numbers 16:44-50

How many more would have lost their lives if Moses hadn’t instructed Aaron to intercede?

______

The Safety of the Wilderness
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. – Psalms 55:5-7

The psalmist is hurting and overwhelmed by so much going on in his world and his mind. He wants to fly far, far away to the wilderness to rest. To fly to a wilderness says to me he wants to be in a rugged and lonely place. A hard place. Haven’t we all been there?

Why the wilderness? Maybe because you are pretty sure others won’t follow you there. They might follow and come against you when you are sitting comfortably, but no one much fights to go to the wilderness…except those who want to go deeper with God. Those will find that in the wilderness, there is a great safety. That the Presence of the Lord, though sometimes hard found, is always there. It is a place where you can rest, and if the enemy arrives to take you down, you will likely see him coming.

______

The Hope of Unjust Men Perisheth
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.- Proverbs 11:17

Everything! Everything of the wicked will perish, including plans and all that the wicked put hope in…even worldly hope (or expectation) itself, will die. The only hope that will remain is the one, true, living HOPE – our Blessed Hope – JESUS!