Day 268

What a trying time for Joseph! He found out that his new wife was expecting however, he had not known her yet! His only assumption was that it was by another man! Conception by the Holy Spirit was not heard of in his day.

So Joseph had a plan. He knew that the baby was not his. Matthew 1 verse 19 says, "And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly."

But then God steps in. Matthew 1 verse 20 says, "But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, 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.'"

I can't imagine what Joseph was thinking after that! It had to be difficult for him. I am sure he doubted on occasion as is natural for all of mankind. But Joseph stuck with Mary and was the earthly father to our Lord and Savior.

Sometimes the Lord calls us to things that are not in our comfort zone. They may be difficult, but in the end, multiple blessings result. I have to remember not to say no to the tough things God requires.

Day 267

We start out already in the first reading of the New Testament with 2 miracles both presented by the angel Gabriel.

The first is Elizabeth conceiving in her old age. She was considered baron, however, the Lord was able to provide a son. This was so much a shock, Zechariah, Elizabeth's husband, did not believe Gabriel. In response to this, Zechariah was not able to talk until the birth of the baby.

The second miracle was with Mary. Her conception is also considered miraculous since she was a virgin. The angel explains that not only is Mary going to be expecting, but Elizabeth is also in her 6th month after being considered baron.

To sum it all up, the angel Gabriel states in Luke 1 verse 37, "For nothing will be impossible with God."

Wow! Well put! Nothing is impossible with God.

It is sometimes easy to forget how awesome and wonderful the Lord is! But I think it is imperative to keep in mind that nothing is impossible with God!

Day 266

To me, this is the culmination of all that I have read so far. Today is the last day of the Old Testament.

At the beginning of this commitment, I said that out of this study I wanted to trust in the Lord more. After looking back at the lessons I have pulled from the verses read, I see that the Lord was strongly speaking to me to trust. Trust and He will bless me.

The place where I found this to be the most difficult was with my finances. And this continues to be my primary struggle. Trusting God with my health and safety are large steps in the right direction, but trusting God with my finances continues to be my primary struggle.

I have given even my finances over to the Lord, but I find myself still trying to clutch on.

And that is why the reading for today, the last reading of the Old Testament, is perfect for me today.

Malachi 3 verses 10 through 12 says, "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. And thereby put Me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I were not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it would not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts."

This passage says so much. First it commands to bring the full tithe, not just part. It also challenges us to put the Lord to the test! It says to challenge the Lord if you do not believe. It says the Lord will keep the devourer away and all nations will call us blessed!

I accept the Lord's challenge! I bring the full tithe to Him and trust Him for all of my finances! I am letting my finances go too! It is ALL HIS!

Day 265

I like Nehemiah's last plea to close out his book.

Chapter 13 verse 31 says, "Remember me, O my God, for good."

Very plainly put. It is a plea to the Lord to remember him in a good and pleasing way.

I too make a plea to the Lord to remember me in a pleasing way. Remember me for the good. Remember me and take me to your kingdom when I pass on from this life. Remember me.

Day 264

I find it interesting that many of the large decisions made in scripture were done by casting lots.

I see this as wholly trusting the Lord to influence the decision being made because only He could control how the decisions went.

I am working on becoming this trusting in the Lord and have made great strides already. But at the same time, I have a long way to go.

I will continue to wholly trust in the Lord as He calls us and desires us to do.

Day 263

Once the people were settled and heard the Law of the Lord read to them, they heard of the feast of booths. This was not practiced for many years, but it was found in the law.

Therefore, the people decided to celebrate the feast of booths. This consisted of living in booths or temporary shelters and focusing on the Lord.

Chapter 9 verse 3 says, "And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God."

I think that is a great idea, to take time apart from the everyday routine and spend a quarter of the day reading from the Bible, and another quarter of the day worshiping the Lord!

Today, many people may find this difficult because they are too busy, or any number of excuses. It doesn't have to be a week, but maybe a day. I think it would be great just to set apart a large chunk of time to devote to the Lord! He deserves it!

Day 262

I think it is pretty cool what the series of events is that took place.

After much struggle, the wall to the city was finished, the people returned, and, most importantly, the first thing after everyone is moved in is Ezra reads the law for the people.

This time around, they are making it a point to have a firm foundation in the Lord and are blessing God and worshiping Him.

Not only is the law read, but there are priests going through the people explaining what is being read so the people fully understand. That is even more important.

This shows me that it is so important to have a foundation in the Lord. Also to have a good foundation in God's word. Only then can one stand.

Day 261

There were a few verses that hit me as being very interesting in the reading for today. Nehemiah 6 verses 15 and 16 say, "So the wall was finished...in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God."

I think it is so cool that other people saw the work that was done and realized that the Lord was part of it. They saw that their God was with them and "fell greatly in their own esteem." What a way to show the power and presence of the Lord than through the work that one does.

I pray that others will see the work that I do and see the Lord is with me. I also pray that others will realize this and humble themselves before the Lord.

Day 260

Once again it amazes me how the Lord uses anyone to fulfill His plan.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king. He found favor with the king, but was upset because the city of Jerusalem was in ruin. The king saw that Nehemiah was upset and asked what he could do. Nehemiah proposed that the king write letters to command others to let Nehemiah reach Jerusalem, and also to supply Nehemiah with the materials needed to rebuild Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 2 verse 8 says, "And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me."

Nehemiah recognizes that what he is doing is in line with the Lord's will and plan and he also recognizes that probably under normal circumstances the king would have said no. But Nehemiah also recognizes that the hand of the Lord is upon him.

Not only does the Lord use everyday people to do extraordinary things, but He also is capable of so much more! Every day I find out more and more how wonderful the Lord is!

Day 259

I continue to see that all things are possible through the Lord.

Ezra is noted as a man who was "skilled in the Law of Moses." He studied the word of the Lord and ingrained it upon his heart.

Ezra 7 verse 6 says, "...The king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him."

I look for statements like these in the Bible because I like to see what happens when the Lord is with someone, or when the hand of the Lord is on them. Ezra was a scribe who was granted all that he asked from the king! With this, Ezra was able to fulfill the Lord's plan.

I pray that the Lord is with me and has His hand on me. I pray that He equips me with all I need to fulfill His plan.

Day 258

I cannot imagine the shame that Haman must have felt when he was taking Mordecai through the city on a horse proclaiming what a good man Mordecai was.

Haman was intending to ask the king to hang Mordecai, but instead was presented with a question. Esther 6 verse 6 says, "So Haman came in, and the king said to him, 'What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?' And Haman said to himself, 'Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?'"

Haman described to the king what I'm sure was his desire of a way to be honored. The king said, "Go and do all that you have described for Mordecai!"...Ouch!

I find quite often that when I start to think I am more than what I am, the Lord humbles me. It is usually something like tripping on my own feet or another embarrassing moment that reminds me that I am not that great. However, I am the Lord's child and I take great comfort in that fact.

Day 257

What a story of Esther. And what words spoken by Mordecai in Chapter 4 verse 14.

Esther was being raised by Mordecai, her uncle, since she did not have a father or mother. Mordecai was one of those who were exiled from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. Esther was chosen by the king to be his queen in place of Vashti who disobeyed the king.

Esther was a Jew but kept her background a secret. Haman along with the king issued an edict to kill all Jews, young and old.

Mordecai went to Esther for help because she was in a position with the king to find favor. However, it was a risk that could take her life.

But Mordecai says in Chapter 4 verse 14, "And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

I think this is one of the best lines in the Bible. There were so many events that led up to Esther being queen exactly at the time the edict was issued. Mordecai was wise in seeing that Esther being queen at this particular time was no coincidence.

I have to make sure that my eyes are open in seeing that I am where I am at this particular time for a reason. The Lord has me where I am to complete His plan. I have to make sure that when it is time for me to act, that I see and I act.

I pray that the Lord gives me the insight to see these times and also the courage to act.

Day 256

I believe the Lord has a tough love for those who can handle it.

Zechariah 13 verse 9 says, "And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon My name and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are My people'; and they will say, 'The Lord is my God.'"

They Lord will put his people into the fire; into trials. And through that, He will refine us; make us pure; make us beautiful. He will test us to the highest standards to ensure we are perfect. We will be the Lord's people and He will be our God!

Through all of life's trials, I remember that the Lord is refining me and making me pure for Him!

Day 255

I still find it amazing that the Lord put it on the hearts of the kings. King Darius is petitioned for more resources to continue building of the temple, but he is unaware that this was being funded by him. So, in the letter sent to him, he was asked to look in the archives for a decree issued by the previous king Cyrus to rebuild the temple.

This decree was found by King Darius. After finding it, he made a decree in Ezra chapter 6 verses 8 and 9. It says, "The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute to the province from beyond the River. And whatever is needed - bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require - let that be given to them day by day without fail..."

This blows me away! For God to place on the heard of King Darius to not only provide what was needed financially, but also as far as livestock to honor the Lord, shows that the Lord can provide. This was not a cheap endeavor but the king paid for it all and more!

This shows me that the Lord will provide for those following His will and trusting in Him.

Day 254

In Zechariah chapter 3, Zechariah has a vision of Joshua the High Priest. Joshua is standing before an angel of the Lord and Satan is standing next to him to accuse him.

Chapter 3 verses 2 through 4 say, "And the Lord said to Satan, 'The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!...' And the angel said to those who were standing before him, 'Remove the filthy garments from him.' And to him he said, 'Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.'"

What a great picture of what the Lord did for us as well! He has stripped us of our filthy garments; our iniquities, and has put on pure garments. He has washed us clean and made us pure in His eyes.

Thank you Lord for making me pure.

Day 253

I have never dove into the short book of Haggai, however, one verse caught my attention.

Haggai 1 verse 9 says, "You looked for much,and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?...Because of My house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house."

This verse got me thinking. The Lord's house lies in ruins. This spoke to me and I thought of what exactly the Lord's house is. I think in this particular verse, it means literally the temple of the Lord. However, I believe it can also mean other things too. I believe it can mean the church, one's family, one's friends and even one's body.

I wonder how many more blessings are in store for us if we repaired the Lord's house; if we focused our families solely on the Lord, if we helped out friends, family and neighbors in need, and ensured the church is strong.

I need to focus on building and repairing the Lord's house, so He can work in me and others.

Day 252

I often get blown away by the power of the Lord. In the reading for yesterday and today, after hearing the king's call for all of the Israelites to return to their home to rebuild and restore, it is recorded that 42,360 men!

First of all, it is shocking that a king would allow for those who were exiled to return to their home land. Second of all, it is not just a few people here and there, it is several people!

It is crazy to think that all this occurred 70 years after the exile, just as predicted. Not only is it a good thing to see the faithfulness of the Lord and to see how He keeps His word, but it also shows his majesty and power. What an all powerful God!

Day 251

Another favorite story of mine is Daniel and the Lion's Den. Daniel's colleagues tricked the king into signing a decree which they knew would lead to Daniel being thrown into the lion's den. They knew Daniel had the kind of faith that could not be swayed by decrees made by the king.

So Daniel was caught praying to the Lord rather than the king and was thrown into the lion's den. I feel somewhat bad for the king, because he could not go back on the decree that he made, but it also led to him throwing his friend and good worker into the den.

However, the next morning, the king raced to the den and had it opened and found Daniel alive and unharmed. Daniel 6 verse 23 says, "So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God."

That is so cool! It was Daniel's trust in the Lord that kept him safe from the lions. And it is my trust in the Lord that keeps me safe in all circumstances. The Lord is watching over me, and I thank the Lord for His continued faithfulness and love toward me.

Day 250

In the reading for today, Daniel talks about the next king, King Belshazzar. This kings had a feast at his house where he invited several guests.

The king was running out of places to put his wine and came up with items from the Lord's Temple that was plundered by the Babylonians. This angered the Lord and, because of this, the Lord sent the writing on the wall to warn the king that his land shall be captured and divided.

Also in this reading, Daniel gives a summary of what was spoken. Chapter 5 verse 23 says, "But the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored."

What a description! The God whose hand is my breath. I love this illustration. We cannot live without breathing and the Lord's hand is my breath. I cannot live without the Lord's hand directing and guiding my life.

Thank you Lord for being faithful to me and being my breath; for being my life.

Day 249

The last chapters of Ezekiel describe how the land is to be divided for each tribe of Israel. He goes into detail about the land that is to be set apart for the temple of the Lord. Ezekiel 48 verse 35 states, "...And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord is There."

This reminds me of us as Christians. We are bodies set apart for the Lord. Our bodies are temples of the Lord because His spirit is in us.

Would we live differently if we knew that our names were "The Lord is There", or "The Lord is with Him"? I think I would...I think I should.

Day 248

Ezekiel is going through the rules and laws of the new temple in today's reading.

I found it interesting what I read in chapter 46 verse 13, "You shall provide a lamb a year old without blemish, for a burnt offering to the Lord daily; morning by morning you shall provide it."

What struck me about this was the word daily. This was not on occasion, but every day.

I believe this still relates to us today. The Lord calls us to worship and praise Him, daily. He calls us to acknowledge He is the Lord, daily. Every day the Lord is present and working in our lives.

I thank the Lord for being my daily provider and my ever present help in time of need. I will praise Him and acknowledge He is Lord every day.

Day 247

In the reading for today, the Lord shows the Ezekiel the specifications for the new temple. The Lord lays out the dimensions of it, then He specifies what is required to purify the altars for further sacrifice.

Ezekiel 43 verse 22 says, "...you shall offer a male goat without blemish for a sin offering; and the altar shall be purified..."

The purification of the altar required a sacrifice without blemish. This reminds me of Jesus Christ. He was the sacrifice in our place that purified us in the eyes of the Lord! He was without blemish, and pure. This was the only acceptable sacrifice to take our place.

Thank you, Jesus, for taking our place on the cross as the sacrifice without blemish.

Day 246

King Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon. It was a great nation with many people in it. However, King Nebuchadnezzar became proud. Daniel chapter 4 verse 30 says, "...Is not this great Babylon, which i have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?"

He sees himself as untouchable. But God knows better. The Lord sent Nebuchadnezzar away. After his time in the wilderness, Nebuchadnezzar says in verse 37, "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, extol the King of Heaven, for all His works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride He is able to humble."

Those who walk in pride, He is able to humble. That is a statement! King Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way that the Lord is the almighty one and worthy to be praised. Do not take credit for something that the praise should go to the Lord for. Give the Lord the glory!

I am going to learn from the example of King Nebuchadnezzar and give the Lord the glory! He is worthy and I am not. I will continue to do my best to not take credit for things where the credit goes to the Lord.

Day 245

My God is a fair God. He is a just God and a loving God.

1 Chronicles 5 describes the half-tribe of Manasseh. They became very numerous, however, as their numbers grew, they broke faith with the Lord and chased after evil.

As a result, the Lord placed on the king of Assyria's heart to take the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. The Lord punished them for straying away from the Him.

It is a tough love. The Lord punishes us because He loves us. He wants us to know when we do wrong so we can learn from it and draw closer to Him. That is what love is.

Day 244

How horrible it must have been for the Israelites to be exiled from their country.

Psalm 137 describes it like I have never heard it before. It is a musician speaking in this Psalm. In verse 3, he says, "For there our captors required of us songs...saying, 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion!'"

The musician's reply was that of sorrow and shame. He asks in verse 4, "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?" To him it is like forgetting where he came from.

In verses 5 and 6 he continues, "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth..."

What sorrow they must have gone through for a musician to say for his had to forget how to play music, and his tongue to no longer be able to sing.

But the same could be true for me. Should I not be just as sorrowful when Satan pulls me away from my Lord? If I no longer am able to sing and to praise my Lord, should I be able to sing at all? Only the Lord deserves to be praised, and when the Devil turns me away from the Lord, it would be better not to sing.

Only my Lord is worthy of praise.

Day 243

Another one of my favorite stories in the Bible is found in the reading today. It is where Ezekiel prophesies to the dry bones in the valley and they come to life!

Ezekiel 37 describes this event and how Ezekiel prophesies to the bones and the bones come together, tendons and skin cover them, however, there was no breath in them. Ezekiel had to prophesy to the breath to enter them so they may truly live.

This reminds me of man. We are a collection of bones, tendons, muscles and skin. However, we are not truly alive without the breath of the Lord in us. Ezekiel 37 verse 14 says, "And I will put my Spirit withing you, and you shall live..."

I thank the Lord for breathing in me; for filling me with His Spirit, so that I may truly be alive. I pray that others will also be filled with the breath of the Lord and truly live.

Day 242

What a loving and merciful God we serve! Ezekiel 34 talks about the people of the Lord being scattered like sheep with no shepherd. They fall away from the Lord.

But Ezekiel 34 verse 11 says, "...Behold I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out."

If one of the Lord's sheep, one of His children, wanders away, the Lord Himself will seek them out! What a loving God to not give up on us, even if we try to give up on Him! God has a love for us that we cannot comprehend. If we wander away, He is going to search for us!

What a comfort to know that the Lord is my God and He will not let me wander, but will chase after me and seek me out if I wander astray. What a loving God I serve!

Day 241

Once again in today's reading, I find how just the Lord is. In Jeremiah 44, the people are asking why they are in exile. They are asking why they are suffering and why the Lord does not give them their land back.

Jeremiah 44 verse 23 gives the reply. It says, "It is because you made offerings and because you sinned against the Lord and did not obey the voice of the Lord or walk in His law and in His statutes and in His testimonies that this disaster has happened to you, as at this day."

Plain and simple; the events that happened were because they sinned against the Lord.

I wonder how often the bad things that happen to me are because of my sin. Is it all of the bad things? Is it some of them?

To me it does not matter. I believe the Lord does punish me for my sins on a daily basis and I know that He is just in His punishments. I thank the Lord for loving me enough to punish me. For punishment and discipline from a just God only makes me more righteous.

Day 240

The Lord is also the great humbler.

Obadiah is speaking of Edom and how they feel they can't be defeated. However, they have become too proud. Obadiah verses 2 and 3 say, "Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised. The pride of your heart has deceived you..."

I like that statement; The pride of your heart has deceived you. That is a humbling statement.

I wonder how often this statement can be used with me. I wonder how often I become too proud. However, I know that the Lord is with me. He will keep me humble and mold me into what He wants me to be.

I have to be conscious about not being too proud.