Writing Through the Bible in a Year

You are a Beautiful Individual

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Tamar

Before we jump into the reading and devotional today I want to make sure you’re aware of some resources that we have for you to aid in your journey through the Bible in a year.

I highly recommend praying the Morning Prayer before reading the Word of the Day. It is an amazing prayer the Holy Spirit taught me that I think you would really like and benefit from as well. J If you want to read more about the story behind this prayer click here.

Also, to get the very most from these devotionals I encourage you to read the Word of the Day. It generally takes less than thirty minutes to read the entire thing. (You can click here to get a printable of the entire year’s plan, or here to find the Google calendar version, so you don’t have to wait for your email from me to get there in the morning before starting.) God has hidden gems, big and small, in His word for YOU in each and every reading. Sometimes they’re right out there on the surface and sometimes you have to dig a little deeper, but the Holy Spirit is faithful and will guide you to them if you open yourself up to receive a personal word from the LORD through His Word of the Day to you.


Leviticus 15:16-18:30

“For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins.” Leviticus 16:30

If God puts so much thought and care and detail into something that melts the moment it encounters the smallest amount of heat, how much more thought, care and detail do you think He puts into you and your life? You, the woman, who holds her family together, you keep everything running so smoothly that they hardly ever notice you’re there until you’re not.

God knows.

He sees.

And He appreciates it all.

Everything you do is under His watchful eye.

Fear not little snowflake: you are an individual, unique and beautiful.

HE protects you from the heat and keeps you from melting. He is the one who walks through the furnace with you and brings you out smelling like the rose you landed on. (Daniel 3)

Psalm 56:4 (HCSB) “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Psalm 91:5 (HCSB) “You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day.”

Luke 12:4 (HCSB) “And I say to you, My friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more.”

Proverbs 3:25 (HCSB) “Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes.”

Proverbs 29:25 (HCSB) “The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.”

2 Chronicles 20:3 (HCSB) “Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the LORD.”

Deuteronomy 1:21 (HCSB) “See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 1:29 (HCSB) “So I said to you; Don’t be terrified or afraid of them!”

Isaiah 35:4 (HCSB) “Say to the cowardly: ‘Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; He will save you.'”

Psalm 25:20-21 (HCSB) “guard me and deliver me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and what is right watch over me, for I wait for you.”

Mark 5:36 (HCSB) “So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

 

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Today is the Day of His Cleansing

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Tamar


Leviticus 13:18-15:15

“the day of his cleansing” Leviticus 14:2



At midnight last night the clock ticked, the ball dropped and in one second everything changed. In that moment right before it happened, with glasses held high, I turned and glanced from the TV screen to my husband’s eyes. And with a squeeze of the hand and a sparkle in his eye we rang in the New Year together. Hand in hand, heart in heart we crossed over into a new season of life together.

I’m not exactly sure what it is, but there is something magical about that moment when the clock ticks and the calendar flips, or maybe it’s just that look that’s always in my husband’s eye. This look of excitement mixed with the very real fear that is in my heart in that moment.

It’s a fear of the unknown future facing us. Faceless foes just waiting to try and trip us up and make us fall. And yet there we stand, hand in hand, heart in heart ready to face them together. A few minutes after midnight I logged onto Facebook to say Happy new Year to everyone there. Scrolling through my News Feed I came across several posts form friends talking about the woes of 2013. It was a hard year for many. Some lost babies, some lost husbands, and others lost family members. Yet no one went through any of it alone. No matter how lonely it may have felt at the time, we were never alone. And we won’t be in 2014 either.

We didn’t step over the line in the calendar square alone, Jesus jumped into it with us. He comes down and walks with us. We are never alone. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. He is ALWAYS there when we need Him. Always there to hold and squeeze our hand at just the right moment to let us know that no matter what happens, no matter what we do to try and make Him leave, He won’t; because He loves us way too much to do that. He is Love and Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 2:27 “the anointing that you received from Him abides in you,”

1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Psalm 31:24 (HCSB) “Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD.”

Luke 8:50 (HCSB) “When Jesus heard it, He answered him, ‘Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.”

Matthew 17:7 (HCSB) “Then Jesus came up, touched them, and said, ‘Get up; don’t be afraid.'”

1 Chronicles 28:20 (HCSB) “Then David said to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my god, is with you. He won’t leave you or forsake you…”

Jeremiah 17:8 (HCSB) “He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.”

Ezra 7:28 (HCSB) “So I took courage because I was strengthened by Yahweh my God.”

Nehemiah 4:14 (HCSB) “After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.”

Categories: 365 Life, Choose: Fear or Faith, Jesus Loves YOU, Leviticus, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | 4 Comments

Read Through the Bible in a Year

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Tamar

Are you, or someone you know, resolving to Read through the Bible this next year, we would be honored if you would do it with us! When you sign up here, (look for the “Stay Updated” box) to follow our blog you will receive free daily devotional emails that contain a . When read daily for 365 days you will have read through the entire Bible in a year. However, we certainly don’t go in an order that is common! We read alphabetically, we start in Acts (on June 1st) and finish in Zephaniah (on May 24th). And that’s the beauty of the program; you can jump in at ANY time of the year and never miss a beat. So you can start on January 1st, June 1st, or even November 22nd and you’re never behind! Just read along with us for 365 days and you’ll have read through the entire Bible. The program is a circle, there is no beginning and no end, we just keep on reading for LIFE! How great is that!?!

Not interested in more emails? In that case you may want to look up Tamar Knochel’s book series “Jesus Loves YOU”. It’s the exact same daily reading and devotional content only in e-book or printed book format. You can find them here. As a New Year’s Resolution deal we’re offering “Jesus Loves YOU: Acts 1:1-2 Chronicles 28:21” in e-book (PDF) format free here from 12:01 am January 1st 2014 – January 31st 2014. So make sure to share this with your friends to let them in on the freebie.

If you would like a printable version of the entire 365 Life Plan, click here.

 

Please let your friends know about us! We’d love to be a part of your daily walk with the LORD!

Categories: 365 Life, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

You are Not Common

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Tamar


Leviticus 9:1-13:17

I would be amiss today if I didn’t call out the irony of today’s Word of the Day. Today is New Year’s Eve. And tonight at midnight thousands of people will be starting a diet. And as God would have it, we read Leviticus chapter 11 today, the list of things you can and can not eat as a Jew. That just makes me laugh, God’s timing is impeccable. And thank You Jesus for Peter’s vision in Acts 10:9-33 deeming all animals clean to eat! Because I sure do love pig! (Mmmmm….. bacon….)

In Peter’s vision he saw a sheet lowered down to the earth. On that sheet was every kind of animal, reptile and bird. Then God said to him: “Rise Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter, being a good Jew said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And God said, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This whole scene played out before him three times! Do you think God was trying to drive home His point?

Immediately after receiving this vision Gentile men show up to see Peter and ask him to come with them. And Peter, being a good Christian, went with them and visited the Gentile home of their friend and spoke to the Gentile crowd that was gathered there. He said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.”

Back in the Word of the Day, Leviticus chapter 9, we find the details of the process of Aaron’s first offering to the LORD.

“This is the thing that the LORD commanded you to do that the glory of the LORD may appear to you… Draw near to the altar…” (verses 6&7)

Aaron had just been consecrated (we talked about that yesterday) and now because of his consecration he is allowed and able to obey the command of the LORD to draw near to the altar. And isn’t that the command to us all?

“Draw near to Me, My Beloved, for I desire fellowship with you!”

And yet all too often Fear keeps us at arm’s length from Him. Fear of our unclean unworthiness keeps us from racing into the loving open arms of the Father. And yet all too often, like the Prodigal son slinking back home stinking of pig, we convince ourselves that our Father could accept us better as his servant rather than his son, because we no longer deserve the status of son, because of what we’ve done. Yet while we are still far off, who is it that comes running? It’s the Father who runs, races, rushes to greet us with open arms, a coat of honor and shoes for our feet. Servants didn’t wear shoes, only family wore shoes. But that isn’t all, there is a ring for our finger too. The fingers that had just been feeding the pig’s food were now encircled with a band of forgiveness and fellowship that spoke of family and cleanliness.

At the end of Leviticus chapter 9 we finish the story of sacrifice accepted. “Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to the people.”

How?

“And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.”

Now compare that with the story of Peter’s Gentiles & the Prodigal Son. In Acts 10 we see how God feels about these formerly “unclean” Gentiles: “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.” (verse 44-46)

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell.

While the son was still far off, the Father RAN.

God is so desperate for you. Do you realize that? He desires time with you.

Just you.

YES YOU!

Don’t you dare call yourself common or allow anyone else to either! God Almighty through the blood of His holy son Jesus has declared you CLEAN,

CONSECRATED,

HOLY,

SET APART,

SPECIAL,

BEAUTIFUL.

And who do you think you are to disagree with Him?

Romans 8:15 (HCSB) “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father!”

Lamentations 3:57 (HCSB) “You come near when I call on You; You say: ‘Do not be afraid.'”

Jeremiah 1:8 (HCSB) “Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the LORD’s declaration.”

Isaiah 44:2 (HCSB) “This is the word of the LORD your Maker who formed you from the womb; He will help you: Do not fear.”

Isaiah 44:8 (HCSB) “Do not be startled or afraid. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are my witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is not other Rock; I do not know any.”

Isaiah 51:7 (HCSB) “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My instruction; do not fear disgrace by men, and do not be shattered by their taunts.”

Deuteronomy 3:22 (HCSB) “Don’t be afraid of them, for the LORD your God fights for you.”

Categories: 365 Life, Choose: Fear or Faith, Jesus Loves YOU, Leviticus, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

Me Consecrated?

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Tamar


Leviticus 5:14-8:36

“Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them.” Leviticus 8:10

In chapter 8 of today’s Word of the Day we read about the consecration of Aaron and his sons. The ritual used to initiate them into the priesthood so that they could offer up sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. In verses 10, 11 & 12 we find the words “consecrated them”. And I found it curious that it was ALWAYS connected with oil. Why?

The ceremony that we read about today was their initiation into a position of great honor. These men were the ones accepting the people’s gifts on God’s behalf. They were the ones who got to go into the Holy of Holies and tend to the sacred things that no one else ever got to even see, let alone touch. To be a priest of the LORD was a very big deal. And it all started with a little bit of oil.

The oil is what sealed the deal for them. It wasn’t the special clothes they got to wear that set them apart from the crowd, the ceremonial bath didn’t consecrate them either, it was the oil.

Throughout the Bible oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and His anointing, healing, and empowering ability covering an individual in order to help them achieve whatever task the LORD had given that individual to accomplish. This story is no different. God had ordained these men to be His ministers, His chosen representatives here on earth.

In Hebrew the word “consecrate” used in this passage finds it’s roots in the Hebrew word “kodesh” which mean holy, set apart, sacred. This very same word is in the name of the Holy Spirit, “Ruach Ha Kodesh”. And in English the word consecrate is used of the Eucharist in changing the wine into Jesus’ blood and the bread into His body. This word fascinates me in it’s depth of meaning. That while it means, in both Hebrew and English, that the object or person that is consecrated has been set apart, there is also a connotation of that object, once being set apart, becoming different from the way it began. Not necessarily in outward appearance as much as in an inward way that is understood but not seen.

Once consecrated, it becomes special.

In John’s gospel, chapter seventeen verses twelve through nineteen we hear Jesus praying:

“While I was with them (the Disciples), I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word,”

My precious ones, that’s you!

While Jesus was with the Disciples, He guarded them from the Enemy and “not one of them was lost”. It is written that “no one will snatch [you] out of [Jesus’] hand. [The] Father, who has given [you to Jesus], is greater than all and no one is able to snatch [you] out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29)

The words that Jesus spoke, those words of love and complete forgiveness of sins, His words are meant to bring you peace and to fulfill your joy.

And then Jesus says something amazing. “I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.” We are in the world because the world needs us. However, while in the world we ARE under the protection of our Father who is in Heaven, whose name is hallowed. That very same name we are given through Christ. The name that calls us Children of God, adopted as sons and daughters through His blood on the cross. Jesus consecrated Himself so that we too may be consecrated as well. And what is it that consecrates us? The TRUTH.

The truth is that we are the Beloved Children of God. Jesus paid the price to adopt each and every one of us as His very own brother or sister and all we need do is accept that gift. It’s ours to have and to hold from this day forward and even after death we shall not part.

Jesus loves you my friend. More than you could ever know. And THAT is the God’s honest Truth. It’s a Truth that keeps you safe from Evil and away from the harms of the world. It’s a Truth that heals and helps and fills us with tremendous joy because it is GREAT NEWS!

1 John 3:1 “See what kind of love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of god; and so we are.”

Isaiah 43:1 (HCSB) “Now this is what the LORD says – the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel – ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.'”

John 12:15 (HCSB) “Fear no more, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming.”

Proverbs 29:25 (HCSB) “The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.”

Categories: 365 Life, Choose: Fear or Faith, Jesus Loves YOU, Leviticus | Leave a comment

Sacrifice of Peace

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Tamar


Leviticus 1:1-5:13

“If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering if he offers an animal from the heard, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD. And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar.” Leviticus 3:1-2

OK, I’ve got a confession to make; Leviticus is not one of my favorite books in the Bible. I’ll admit, it’s a pretty hard one for me to get through. So I can’t say that I was that thrilled this morning when I picked up my Bible and turned to Leviticus. But that didn’t last long. One after another the scriptures were leaping off the pages at me, screaming of sacrifice and peace, offering and forgiveness.

While these very words spoke of ritual and regulation to the Jews, They tell us about what has already been done. These were so much more than a list of things to do for the Jews, they were a lifestyle. And yet to us, it’s a list of things that Jesus has done, for us.

Over and over in the Word of the Day today it repeated the phrase, “male without blemish” – Jesus. The One who knew no sin that became sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

If you haven’t read today’s Word of the Day I encourage you to take the time to read it, realizing that every single requirement laid out in these pages has been performed and fulfilled by the hands of God on your behalf; in order that you might have peace, and a life filled with the abundant presence of God Almighty through His Holy Spirit.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” Hebrews 10:17-18

“I will lie down and sleep in peace for You alone, O LORD make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

“the LORD said to him, ‘Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.'” Judges 6:23

“O man, greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” Daniel 10:19

“On the evening of that day, the 1st day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.'” John 20:19

Categories: 365 Life, Choose: Fear or Faith, Jesus Loves YOU, Leviticus | Leave a comment

You Heard & Came Near

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Tamar


Lamentations 2:7-5:22

“I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit; You heard my plea, ‘Do not close Your ear to my cry for help!’ You came near when I called on You; You said, ‘Do not fear!”” Lamentations 3:55-57

We just celebrated Christmas with the kind of gift giving where a return gift is generally expected. And more often than not, if the return gift isn’t equal or greater than the gift given, feelings tend to get hurt. As humans we attach the givers value of our worth to the price they paid for the gift. It’s not right, but we do it none-the-less. Well let’s take Jesus for a moment then. Christmas is supposed to be all about Him right? At Christmas we focus on the fact that He came and is called “Immanuel” which means, “God with us”. The price that He paid to be “with us” is greater than we could EVER imagine. We aren’t even capable of coming up with the things in heaven that He gave up to come be with us here on earth. But I do know one of the things He gave up, His innocence.

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because He is perfect, in every way possible. He knew NO sin, He had none whatsoever. And yet He took our sins, all of them, upon Himself. At the moment we believed in the name of Jesus for our salvation we were covered with our own sins, past, present and future sins, each one appearing as a little garage sale sticker all over our bodies. And in that very same moment of confession, of our belief in Jesus as our Savior, He came and removed each and every one of those stickers and placed them on Himself saying, “This is mine”. The spotless Lamb suddenly covered in our spots leaving us spotless.

The gift He gives is one of taking. Jesus gives the gift of removing our blemishes, the ones we can see and the ones we can’t. And the thing is, He took them from us before we ever committed a single one. Jesus doesn’t forgive us at the time we ask! He forgave us on that cross 2,000 years ago! The moment we ask for His forgiveness is the moment we receive His gift of forgiveness.

I challenge you today; how much of God’s forgiveness are you willing to receive; just enough for today, or ALL OF IT? Jesus paid for this gift with His LIFE so it’s pretty obvious that you mean more to Him than you could ever imagine. His death made you spotless, a new creation worthy to enter into the throne room and sit on the lap of God Almighty and call Him “Daddy”. And all you have to do is tell Him that you accept His gift of eternal Love. And then continue receiving it day after day after day after day after day after……

Psalm 27:1 (HCSB) “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom should I be afraid?”

Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB) “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:13 (HCSB) “For I, Yahweh your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you.”

Isaiah 50:10 (HCSB) “Who among you fears the LORD, listening to the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of Yahweh; let him lean on his God.”

Categories: 365 Life, Choose: Fear or Faith, Jesus Loves YOU, Lamentations, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

That’s What We Call “Faith”

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Tamar


2 Kings 25:1-30 & Lamentations 1:1-26

“How lonely sits the city that was full of people!” Lamentations 1:1

The party is over, the candles have been blown out, the cake has been eaten, the presents all unwrapped and we’re left with nothing but the mess and a sugar high.

I find it no small coincidence that God has things so perfectly planned out for us that the day after the biggest Christian holiday of the year we start reading Lamentations.

The purpose of Lamentations is to produce in the reader a hope that God’s faithfulness toward them would surpass their own towards Him. And that’s what I would like to investigate more closely today; that idea of hoping in an unseen God for seen results. That’s what we call “faith”.

According to Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”

Did you catch that? The things that we can see today weren’t made with things that can be seen. The entire universe was created by an unseen God who creates seen things, for our pleasure. (Psalm 115:16) Now if that doesn’t create some hope for the hopeless today, I’m not so sure what will.

We all have something out there that we’re hoping for, something that seems far off, and yet is needed in the here and now. But in what are we placing our hope? In that seen thing, or our unseen God? Although He is unseen by our human eyes, He is more real and more permanent than anything that we can see before us today. He is the life-giver. He is the One who holds our hope in Hs palm. He protects it and guards it and cherishes it, because He knows how precious hope can be.

A single shred of hope can get you through some of the darkest moments of life. Just one single drop of hope can lift your spirits enough to help you through the fires of life. My friend, “the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love.” (Psalm 147:11) I want you to take a long hard look at that verse. While it doesn’t specify who it is that the LORD loves steadfastly, that is the part that is the most important of all. When you are in a hopeless situation filled with Fear and Doubt, is it more important for you to remember that God is love, or that God loves YOU?

Romans 5:5-8 tells us that “hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love FOR [YOU] in that while [you] were still [a] sinner, Christ died for [YOU].”

While still a sinner, Jesus died for YOU. You don’t have to be sinless in order for Jesus to forgive you. And if you think about it, what would the point be then if you were! Often times Satan tries to get us to think that we have to be perfect in order for God to accept us. If that were the truth we’d NEVER make it in! But praise be to God, that a lie straight from the father of lies. The TRUTH is that the LORD is our salvation. Jesus is the price of admission for the poor in spirit. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and EVERYONE can have 24/7 access to the Father through Him! No matter how sinful they are. Now isn’t THAT some good news of great joy that brings hope to the hopeless and faith to the faithless?

What it all boils down to is “Faith, Hope and Love – the greatest of these is Love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13) Hope doesn’t disappoint (Romans 5:5), a mustard seed of faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20), and yet Love is greater than both of these. How? Because God is Love (1 John 4:8). Love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) Love conquers all! Love gives justification as a gift, freely given to those who are completely incapable of repaying or returning that gift to its giver.

Psalm 34:4 HCSB) “I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalm 112:7-8 “He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the LORD. His heart is assured; he will not fear. In the end he will look in triumph on his foes.”

John 12:15 (HCSB) Fear no more, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming.”

Proverbs 1:33 (HCSB) But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.”

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU, Lamentations | Leave a comment

A Little Child Will Lead Them

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Tamar


2 Kings 22:1-24:20

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign,” 2 Kings 22:1

I just love how God has timed this all, so that on the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus we’re reading about a child king. And Josiah wasn’t just any king; he was a GOOD king that restored the worship of the LORD among the people of Israel.

In Isaiah 11:5-6 we read of the prophecy of the coming Messiah. “Righteousness shall be the belt of His waist, and His faithfulness the belt of His loins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them;”

At this time of year we celebrate the coming of our Messiah. We rejoice in the TRUTH that He didn’t stay on high in His throne room, but that He removed His crown of gold and exchanged it for a crown of thorns. He took off His robe of righteousness and replaced it with a robe of ridicule. And He did that all for YOU. He took everything that was wrong in this world and began the process of setting it all right again, just like Josiah.

In the 1st chapter of the gospel of Matthew we find Joseph having some serious doubts about marrying Mary. He’s just found out that she’s pregnant and he knows this child isn’t his. That night he has a dream where an angel of the Lord appeared to him saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:21-23)

My friends, this is the key to all of Christianity. It lies in that one simple name, Immanuel.

Immanuel = you are not alone.

Immanuel = I love you enough to strip away the entirety of my majesty and become fully human.

Immanuel = you mean more to me than anything else in all of My creation.

Immanuel = YOU mean more than life to Me!

Immanuel = God is WITH us through it ALL.

Immanuel = through every storm, every dip, every curve ball life throws at you, I’m HERE to help you.

Immanuel = YOU are not alone! Ever.

In Mark’s story of Jesus calming the sea (4:35-41) we find Jesus and the Disciples getting into the boat and crossing over to the opposite shore after a long day of ministry. So it’s not surprising when Jesus falls asleep. What is surprising to His friends is that He stays asleep amid the tossing waves and roaring winds. They interpret His non-reaction as Him not caring about them. (v. 38) And after He calms the storm He turns to them and says “Why are you so afraid? Have you no faith?” When I heard these words today with fresh perspective I realized more clearly how Jesus must have been feeling when He spoke those words, “I am with you, there is no cause for fear. Don’t you realize that the boat won’t sink with Me in it?”

They had the One who created the sea in the boat with them, the One who parts the sea, walks on water and stands on clouds, they had NOTHING to fear. And neither do we.

We too have that very same One within us at all times, in our boat promising never to forsake us. Fear not, O favored one, the LORD is WITH you always!

Psalm 56:3 (HCSB) “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 (HCSB) “Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”

2 Kings 6:16 (HCSB) “Elisha said, ‘Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.'”

2 Chronicles 20:17 (HCSB) You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.”

Psalm 23:4 (HCSB) “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff – they comfort me.”

Psalm 34:7 (HCSB) “The Angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.”

John 14:27 (HCSB) “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”

Isaiah 12:2 (HCSB) “Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for Yah, the LORD, is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB) “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you
with My righteous right hand.” (emphasis mine)

Isaiah 41:13 (HCSB) “For I, Yahweh your God, hold your right hand and say to you; Do not fear, I will help you.”

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

Choose LIFE

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Tamar


2 Kings 19:1-21:26

“I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.” 2 Kings 20:5

Isn’t it good to know that He hears our prayers and sees our tears. I can’t tell you how many gallons of tears I’ve cried out of fear, but God could. He keeps them in a bottle, that’s how precious they are to Him. (Psalm 56:8 ESV) And yet I don’t feel like those tears were for nothing; because they brought me to a new place.

In Deuteronomy 30 we find Moses reviewing the Law, blessings and curses with the people of Israel. He says to them, “the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. … I call heaven and earth as witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,” (verses 14-15 & 19-20)

Today, every day, life and death, blessing and curse, Faith and Fear are set before us to choose. And we must choose one or the other, we can’t have both.

I have been writing now for over 4 years. And in that time my readership has steadily grown. However Satan has continued to try to blind me to this reality. One of my greatest frustrations has been the feeling that “no one is listening to me”. Yet none of that is the Truth, it’s all a lie. A lie I was believing. But my friend Jesus would have none of that! So He had a reader I’ve never met email me, and then another and another. He had old friends and new friends contact me for speaking engagements and book signings. Each time my sinking heart would soar like an eagle. Like Mary I treasure those things in my heart. (Luke 2:19) The mission God created me for is being done. But not without a fight! While Jesus lives to bring us Life; Satan comes only to steal Hope, kill Joy and destroy our Faith in our God who saves. Satan will stop at nothing to snatch those treasured moments from our hearts and replace them with Fear, Disappointment and Doubt. And he does all this with words.

Words have TREMENDOUS power!

In the beginning God spoke this world into existence, and we His beloved children have that very same power living and breathing within us. His word is close to us, it is in our mouths! He surrounds us with it like the guards surrounding the child-king Joash (2 Kings 11). Every day when you take the time to “think about these things” we’re reading you’re storing them up like treasures in your heart as speech – good fruit. Fruit that will fill the belly of your soul with good things. As children of Life we have been given the power of Life and Death through our speech! We have the ability to speak blessing (or curses), Faith (or Fear) into our own lives and the lives of others! When we choose to feed our Faith, through the word of God, Fear will flee!

Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us into all Truth. As we read the Bible daily the words of Jesus are being spoken into our lives through our teacher the Holy Spirit. Situations, words, negative people, anything that conflicts with those words are Satan’s lies! Therefore, we must wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, to battle those lies. We must buckle the belt of His Truth and pick up our shield of faith with which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Psalm 91:4 tells us that God “will cover us with His pinions, and under His wings we will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.”

In this verse, whose faithfulness is it that protects you like a shield? Is it your faithfulness to God or is it His faithfulness to you? The answer to this question is absolutely critical to not just the rest of this study, but the rest of your life my friend! This Truth is a life saver and a Faith Feeder so I want you to really sink into this like you sink into your bed at night after a long day.

Your faithfulness to Him is NOT what saves you and shields you from Satan’s ploys against you. Your faithfulness is human, it’s frail and will crumble just like Peter on the night of Jesus’ betrayal. Our faithfulness to Jesus is faulty at its best. BUT, His faithfulness to you will NEVER FAIL.

That’s so sweet on my tongue I’ve just GOT to say it again!

While our faithfulness to Jesus is faulty at its best, His faithfulness to you will NEVER FAIL!!!!!

OK, maybe just one more time.

No matter how faithful you are to Him, at some point you will fail Him, but HE WILL NEVER FAIL YOU!!!!!

Mmmmm! That is good stuff right there!!!!!

Today I challenge you to annihilate Fear, start speaking words of Faith! Feed your Faith with the good fruit of God’s Word of the Day for you today. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and teach you, to lead you into His Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth so help you God! HE IS FAITHFUL and HE WILL DO THIS FOR YOU. He hears and answers you when you call. Jesus is that friend who never hits the “ignore” button when your name pops up on the caller ID. He is speaking to you today through His Holy Spirit about Fear. He is calling you to, like Jehu, annihilate your worst enemy, Fear.

In 2 Kings 6:24-7:2 the people of Samaria have become desperate to the point of cannibalism and as evidenced in the captains statement they’ve lost all hope in God saving them. “If the LORD…”

That word “if” packs quite the punch doesn’t it? In that one tiny word, Doubt is born and starts spreading like wildfire. Over the next few days pay attention to your “if statements”. Are you speaking out of Fear or from a point of Faith? Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, ask the Holy Spirit for His help, He is willing to aid you in this transformation from Fear to Faith.

Psalm 18:20-21 says “From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Jesus tells us in Luke 6:45 “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Paul tells us, in Philippians, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (verses 8-9)

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

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