One Year Bible

Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15

As Jesus grew, the Bible says that “… the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him” (Luke 2:40). This is a powerful statement of how Jesus grew and developed as a young man and child of God.

When He was a young man, and His family traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover, Jesus remained in the Temple, with the teachers of the Law. He was so engrossed in the Word of God and being in the presence of God that when His family packed up to return home, Jesus was not with them. After frantically looking for him, they found Him safely in the Temple listening to the Word of God and being in God’s presence.

The story ends by Jesus continuing to be described as, growing “in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (Luke 2:52). How was Jesus able to keep growing in wisdom and favor? He stayed in God’s House listening to God’s Word and being refreshed by God’s Spirit. If you want to see continued favor, blessings and wisdom manifest in your life then stay around God and His people in His House. You will be challenged and changed and God’s favor will chase you down! Lord, let it be said of us, that we grew in wisdom and had favor with God and people!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 26:52-28:15; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 11:16-17

Numbers 24:1-25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14

Balaam is still being pressured to curse Israel. But, he refused to give into the pressure from King Balak. Over Balak’s threats, Balaam stood firm on God’s Word. God gives Balaam a rare opportunity: To see the bright future that God has for Israel.

God showed Balaam that a star would arise from the line of Israel: “A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel” (Numbers 24:17). Balaam saw all the way through history when a Savior would be born into the world who is Jesus!

When Jesus was born, the heavens aligned to tell everyone watching the sky that something supernatural had happened. Angels found some shepherds who were keeping watch over their flock by night. They announced that the Son of God had been born. It was His birth that put the final nail in the devil’s coffin. He represented the greatest triumph that God would get by redeeming His creation.

Jesus’ birth is the fulfillment of what Balaam saw. All of the evil of the ages was defeated when Jesus was born. Praise God today for having a plan to restore the blessing on our lives!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15

Numbers 22:21-23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13

There is a world around you that your natural eye cannot see. How sensitive are you to it? Balaam set out to go to the King of Moab as the Lord had instructed. On the way, God sent an Angel to remind him of his commitment to only speak what God says. But, Balaam could not see the Angel.

The Donkey could! Each time the Angel tried to get Balaam’s attention, the Donkey responded. Balaam became angry with the Donkey not realizing that the Donkey could see something that he could not. Finally, the Donkey just lays down in the presence of the Angel. Balaam beats the Donkey in a fit of rage. (Have you ever noticed that when we are off spiritually, we will lash out at those around us?)

Finally, God speaks to Balaam, not through the Angel but through the Donkey first! The Angel reminds Balaam of his responsibility to only speak what God says and nothing else. As Balaam moves forward, he is very clear about what God wants Him to do!

God will not leave you without instructions. Don’t try to navigate your way through life using your own natural eyes. Ask God to open your eyes to see all that He is doing around you. You will see the acts of God all around you. He has dispatched Angels to help you today. Let them help because “angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14)

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 24:1-25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14

Numbers 21:1-22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11

The Blessing cannot be reversed! From Genesis through Revelation, God speaks of The Blessing. In Genesis 1, God blessed us and said, “Be fruitful and multiply.” This was the original state that God wanted us to live in. To be blessed means empowered to prosper (do well).

Balaam was a man who feared God. Balak, a Moabite King, feared the Israelites power so he went to Baalam and asked that He curse God’s people. At God’s prompting, Balaam refused. King Balak became very angry at his refusal.

This is why every time the people complained against Moses and Aaron, it never registered with God. Once His hand is on someone, no one but that person can remove it! God will do whatever it takes to re-enforce His blessing on your life as well. Stay in obedience to God’s plans for your life. Stop being concerned about what other people do. You cannot control others but you can manage your own actions.

Don’t do to yourself what others and the devil cannot do. Don’t stop the blessing from manifesting on your life. Let God’s power flow through you to create a Garden of Eden around you today! You are blessed and no one can stop it!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 22:21-23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13

Numbers 19:1-20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 11:8

The persecution of others can take a toll on you if you are not careful. Persecution is a subtle pressure that comes from people to challenge you for the position you hold or the favor you possess. Either way, if we are not careful, we will give into that pressure and act in a way that shows unbelief in God.

Moses did just that. He had faithfully led Israel and he saw some amazing events take place. He had weathered a lot of criticism and in a rash moment, he disobeyed God. As a result, he lost it all! Everything he had lived for was denied him. Though God would allow him to see the Promised Land, he would not enter in. Unbelief is dangerous.

In a similar manner, without the persecution, Zechariah demonstrates unbelief to God. Zechariah was the Father of John the Baptist but he could not believe what God promised was possible. He was struck with silence until the birth of his son.

You will face pressure to doubt God. It may come from external pressure or your own internal fears. Either way, dismiss doubt and keep trusting God. Take Him at His Word because God always backs up His Word. It may seem impossible but its not! Keep on trusting.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 21:1-22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11

Numbers 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7

You would have thought that after all of Korah’s companions were destroyed, the complaining and rebellion would have ended. But, it didn’t. Moses and Aaron were still under attack.

Isn’t it interesting that after all these chapters, the real, fundamental reason comes out. They were jealous that Moses and Aaron had been chosen by God to lead. They could go into the Most Holy Place and the other Israelites could not. The truth is: God’s favor will set you apart and you must develop the ability to gracefully accept it.

Have you ever noticed that some people cannot handle the blessings of God on your life? Try as they may, they just cannot understand how God could have chosen you and not them. This was the fundamental issue with the Israelites. They wanted to know what made Moses and Aaron so special. The people’s persistent rebellion against Moses and Aaron angered God to the extent that He was ready to punish them.  Moses and Aaron literally interceded for the people so that their sin would not completely destroy them.  Who would help rescue the same people who are persecuting them?

When you recognize that you are favored by God, you won’t jeopardize it with retaliation. Wear your favor with grace. You can’t stop the persecution but you can live above it. Moses and Aaron did it and you can too.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 19:1-20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 11:8

Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6

How do you handle when you are persecuted? You cannot live for too long without the painful reality of people who do not like you and desire to undermine you by saying evil things against you. Our human inclination is to fight our own battles and defend our own name.

However, there is another, better way to respond to these events. Let God be your defender! Moses had faithfully served God and God was with him. At various points people challenged Moses’ decisions. Moses’ response was to call out to God and that opened the door for God to work in that situation.

When Korah rebelled and lead 250 men to revolt against Moses, this was the biggest challenge that Moses faced. But, Moses knew how to handle it. He cried out to God and God showed up on his behalf. God will do the same thing for you. There is no need for you to defend yourself on your job or among your friends or family. You are God’s child and He will defend you and your Name. Trust God to make your name great and keep it great!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7

Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4

As powerful as God is, He cannot operate beyond our ability to believe Him. He promised Abraham that he would have a family line that was blessed and have their own land. He confirmed this promise to Abraham’s descendants. After all those years, the children of Israel were ready to go into the land.

And, as much as God wanted them to go into the land, He could not force them to go. The spies confirmed everything God said about the land and they even brought back evidence that it was a prosperous land. Yet, Israel did not think there were worthy to enter in.

After Moses prays for the people, God instructs them to turn around and go back to the region around the Red Sea. Are there areas in your own life where you have worked against your own future? Are you stuck in life? Check to see if you have disbelieved God’s promises or disobeyed His direct commands.

If so, repent and start moving towards your future. Don’t waste another day in the wilderness!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6

Numbers 11:24-13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3

Today, we see another example of how complaining causes negative effects in our lives. Miriam and Aaron complained about Moses’ leadership. They questioned if Moses had an exclusive claim on hearing from God and speaking for God. They even questioned the ethnicity of his wife. All of this negative speaking caused a negative effect on their lives.

God spoke up for Moses. He told Miriam and Aaron what Moses meant to Him and the depth of relationship that Moses and God had. “But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust” (Numbers 12:7). When God’s presence lifted from the tabernacle, Miriam contracted leprosy. The very person whom she criticized had to pray for her to be healed.

Then in the very next chapter, we see the spies return from surveying the Promised Land. They testified that it was exactly how God said it would be. Rather than focusing on the fulfillment of God’s promise, the majority of the spies talked about the obstacles that would have to be overcome. They gave a bad report of the land and turned the hearts of the people against moving forward. Do you know what happened? All those who doubted and believed the bad report, never saw the Promised Land. Even though God promised them this land and was prepared to do whatever it took to get them into the land, their negativity caused them to miss it.

Are there promises in your life that are unclaimed because you believed a negative report? Are you stuck in life without any forward movement because of constant complaining? Is your glass always half empty? Complaining and negativity are too costly. Renounce them and speak words of life and hope over your life and watch what God does.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 14:1-15:16;Mark 14:53-72;Psalm 53:1-6;Proverbs 11:4

Numbers 10:1-11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 10:31-32

Today, we see the dangers of being a complainer. God showed Israel his unfailing love. He rescued them from Egypt. He provided resources to them because they had nothing. God gave them favor and the Egyptians gave them linen clothes and gold. But, it didn’t stop there.

God performed the miracle of parting the Red Sea and taking them through on dry ground. He provided food, water, shelter and protection. In light of all this, you would think they would be full of gratitude. But, Israel complained. They complained about Moses, God, and God’s provision. Israel even wanted to return to Egypt. God became very angry. Complaining does not please God.

What causes us to complain? It’s real simple: we forget all God’s blessings. Today, don’t look at the prayers that you are still waiting for God to manifest. Don’t focus on the challenges that you face. Don’t allow your deficiencies to overshadow God’s sufficiency. God’s unfailing love will always sustain you. Look at today with a heart of gratitude and you will fill your mouth with praise and not complaining.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Numbers 11:24-13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3