One Year Bible

Esther 1:1-3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20

God always has a plan. Even when we cannot understand what is happening and why things are happening, we can be certain that nothing is haphazard. God sees the long view of history and knows every twist and turn based on the decisions we make. No matter what road we take, God knows where it will lead. God has so much knowledge, that He can redirect our steps at any point to get us back to where He wants us to be. 

The story of Esther appears like one where “fate” is at work and things just seem to work out. However, it is not fate, luck or chance, there is a divine plan and God is putting people in strategic places so that His will is done. 

Don’t resist when strange doors of opportunity arise for you. Discern if God is planning something big and desires your involvement in order for it to be completed. You should never fret even when there are plans and schemes lodged against you. God has put people in place to help you. He knew you would be there and He made a way to get you through it. 

Tomorrow’s Reading: Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22

Nehemiah 12:27-13:31; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 21:17-18

There is power in Thanksgiving. As the people prepare to re-dedicate the Temple, they assemble two choirs to walk around the walls. They had one charge: to offer thanksgiving to God. Look at the picture: the walls are  completed and the people are excited to welcome God. They mount the walls (which is their greatest achievement) and they begin to thank God.

They put their human accomplishment in the proper perspective. They knew that it would not have been possible without the help and hand of God. What would happen if we really just lived our lives with an attitude of gratitude. Instead of looking at what we don’t have and what we should have, why not be thankful for what we do have?

Rebuilding the Temple and the walls was no small feat and it took a great deal of time, yet they did not focus on the difficulties (which they could have done). They chose to rejoice. We can become very anxious and ungrateful in life if we are prone to look at the problems instead of the promises. If you remember that you are just passing through your problems, you will be able to praise your way through.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Esther 1:1-3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20

Nehemiah 11:1-12:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 21:14-16

Service to God is the highest form of living. We were created to serve God by serving others. This is where we find purpose. Nehemiah had a mammoth task of rebuilding the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. His role was more than construction. He was also charged by God to reinstitute authentic worship.

Authentic worship includes not only honoring the Word of God but also yielding your time to serve God. Here are some aspects of our service to God. First, everyone has a role to play. God never expects us all to do the same thing but He does expect us to do something. There is a place for you in the service of the Lord. Next, everyone is a master at something. In the same way that you don’t have to do everything, you also don’t have to do everything well. But, there is one thing that you do well and that one thing is needed in God’s Kingdom.

Lastly, It takes everyone doing their part to make everything run smoothly. The Temple was a massive building and the work that needed to be accomplished was huge. It took people who were willing to do their part and do their part well because every “job” is important. Whatever you are called to do for God is important in God’s eyes. It may not be a visible position (it does not have to be) but it will be important to God and to fulfilling His will on earth.

Are you serving in God’s house? If not, you should, because the reason you were born will be found as you faithfully serve.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Nehemiah 12:27-13:31; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 21:17-18

Nehemiah 9:22-10:39; 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 21:13

God’s mercy cannot be comprehended! It literally makes no logical sense. We live in a culture that constantly cries for “getting what we deserve.” We have been trained to think that there are certain things that we ought to have for whatever the reason. When you receive mercy and recognize it, you are glad that you did not receive what you deserve. 

That’s exactly what mercy is: not getting what you deserve. If the truth be told, when we look at our positives and negatives, it is clear that we do not deserve the unfailing love of God which He shows to us. The children of Israel knew about the mercy of God. As soon as they received one blessing, they turned their backs on God. Yet, God never gave up on them. And, God never gives up on us. 

God’s mercy always trumps judgement. Receive His new mercies every morning so that you can see how much He loves you! Don’t fight for what you think you deserve. Receive God’s mercy and you will not get the judgement and consequences that you do deserve! 

Tomorrow’s Reading: Nehemiah 11:1-12:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 21:14-16

Nehemiah 7:73-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 21:11-12

What is your view about the Word of God and its effect on your life? When you hear its words read or taught, what is your response? As Nehemiah restores true worship to Israel, Ezra brings the Book of the Law of Moses and reads for about 5-6 hours to all the men, women and children who were old enough to understand. The Levites were dispatched among the crowd and helped the people understand as the Law was read.  

As they heard the Word of God, they were so moved by it, that they wept. We are not told why they wept. It could have been from conviction about their sins or confidence in a God who loved them enough to give them clear instructions. Nevertheless, Nehemiah tells the people that on the day that they hear and understand the law, it should bring joy and celebration! 

God’s Word is so vital to our lives and it should never be taken lightly. If Nehemiah encouraged the people to have joy from just reading the Law of Moses, how much more should we who have the New Testament be filled with joy knowing how much God loves us and has a purpose and plan for us. It is this joy that strengthens us to keep moving forward towards our destiny. “The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.” (Psalm 119:130)

Tomorrow’s Reading: Nehemiah 9:22-10:39; 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 21:13

Nehemiah 5:14-7:73; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10

Integrity has often been described as what you do when no one is watching. Some things may be legal but they may not be moral. What serves as the umpire of your life so that you can distinguish between the two? Just because we can do something does not mean that we should do it. Every believer needs some code or standard that helps him or her make these crucial decisions.

There was a custom that governors and political leaders would get generous perks because of their service. Nehemiah, though he was entitled to these benefits, forfeited them because of the harm that it would do to the people who were already struggling. Was it his right? Yes. But, was it moral? No! Why would Nehemiah make a decision like this, which put a greater burden on him and a lesser burden on others? It’s simple: The Fear of the Lord.

You see, when all is said and done, we will have to stand before God and give an account of our actions. Nehemiah understood that even though he was a servant of the king, he answered to a higher authority. How about you? If your position affords you certain inducements that unfairly put a strain on others, will your fear of God cause you to forego them? It may not be a benefit but an action that you take. Whatever it is, even if it is legally right, you have to ask, “Will it please God?”

One day you will have to stand before God and tell Him why you took certain actions. Keeping this in mind will always keep you in line with God and His purposes.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Nehemiah 7:73-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 21:11-12

Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7

Being a person of integrity means that you stand up even for those who are being mistreated. Nehemiah had enough going on with his project to rebuild the walls. They were under major threats to disrupt their work. They were so concerned about the enemy that they were rebuilding the walls with one hand and holding a weapon in the other.

While all this is going on, Nehemiah learns that the people were being oppressed because of the urgent need for food. They were selling their children into slavery in order to get basic necessities. Nehemiah could not allow this to continue because he knew that rebuilding the walls meant nothing if the people who dwelt within the walls were bound and oppressed.

He confronted the injustice and established a new way that people should be treated. Do you have a heart to stand up for those who cannot defend themselves? We can build great structures but there is nothing more important than building people.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Nehemiah 5:14-7:73; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10

Nehemiah 1:1-3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4

When you have a calling to fulfill, don’t be surprised that everyone does not share your passion! As noble as Nehemiah’s quest was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem there were detractors who wanted nothing more than to see Nehemiah and his people fail. 

When opposition arises, we all have to make up our minds how we will respond. Often we view those against us as a sign that we are not on the right track. However, the opposite is true. Resistance only comes because you are trying to take off and fly. While I am not a scientist, I have always marveled at the law of aerodynamics. 

There are 4 forces that enable a plane to fly: lift, thrust, weight and drag. In this list is drag. It is the force that is working against the plane taking off. The thrust has to overcome this force. If it doesn’t, the plane will never get off the ground. 

So, opposition/drag are necessary for you to soar at the heights that God has planned for you. Don’t see those against you as obstacles. See them as a force that must be overcome so that you can accomplish what God put you on this earth to achieve! A plane is not fulfilling its destiny when it is on the tarmac. It was designed to be in the sky and so were you. With God on your side, all negative forces can be overcome.  

Tomorrow’s Reading: Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7

Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3

People need help when they are trying to make a change to live for God. Ezra cried out to God for the sins of the people. The leaders among the people agreed that a clear break with the past had to take place. But, they did not know how to do it.

Ezra had fallen on the ground in prayer and repentance. Once the people decided they needed to change, the leaders said to Ezra, “Please get up and show us the way.” True transformation takes place in the context of relationship.

There are people around you who need help in making changes to their lives. Will you be the one who can help lead them on the right path? God has placed people around you that need your help and you are around people who God has placed there to help you. Let the relationships that you have make you better for God.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Nehemiah 1:1-3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4

Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2

As Ezra continued to put the affairs of Israel in order, he knew that prayer alone would not be enough. He knew the enormity of what God wanted him to do and he did not want any interference from his own emotions or satan. 

He called the people to fast in addition to pray. Fasting is a powerful addition to our spiritual lives. Fasting in the Bible consisted of going without all food or types of food for a specific period of time to draw closer to God. Fasting does not bring God closer to us but it brings us closer to God. Why?

Because our lives can become so cluttered that we have interference in our relationship with God. When we take some time to fast, this interference reduces and our spiritual senses are heightened. Live a fasted lifestyle where you regularly take some time to fast, and you won’t have “low spots” in your relationship with God. Ezra found that after they fasted, God answered. God will answer you too!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3