​Day 346 – December 12, 2021
Scriptures: Isaiah 1-2, Psalm 146, Revelation 3
Isaiah 2:5 (TNIV) 
5Come, house of Jacob, 
let us walk in the light of the Lord. 
Isaiah 2:11 (TNIV) 
11The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled 
and human pride brought low; 
the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. 
Revelation 3:3 (TNIV) 
3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
 
The proud are brought low. Those who have carried out injustice, neglected the poor among them, rejected God, have given themselves over to idolatry, they too will be brought low. God will exalt the humble.
Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Hold fast to Christ, turn to Him!

​Day 345 - December 11, 2021
Scriptures; Micah 5-7, Psalm 130, Revelation 2

​Micah 5:4 (TNIV) 
4He will stand and shepherd his flock 
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 
And they will live securely, for then his greatness 
will reach to the ends of the earth. 
Micah 6:8 (TNIV) 
8He has shown all you people what is good. 
And what does the Lord require of you? 
To act justly and to love mercy 
and to walk humbly with your God. 
 
Micah 7:18–19 (TNIV) 
18Who is a God like you, 
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression 
of the remnant of his inheritance? 
You do not stay angry forever 
but delight to show mercy. 
19You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot 
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. 
 
Psalm 130:3–4 (TNIV) 
3If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, 
Lord, who could stand? 
4But with you there is forgiveness, 
so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 
 
Jesus has quite a bit against the churches. They’ve wandered in their faith and devotions to Jesus Christ. They have forgotten their love for the Lord, and compromised their witness. Yet, there are echoes from God’s people that remind us, into the present, that God is merciful and faithful. It is God’s lovingkindness that sustains us, as his people. Without his forgiveness, none of us can stand.
With God there is forgiveness. Let's walk faithfully, in justice, mercy and love.
 
Jrodan

Scriptures:​ Micah 1-4, Psalms 46, Revelation 1 

Bible Project Apocalyptic literature

Micah 4:3–5 (TNIV) 
3He will judge between many peoples 
and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. 
They will beat their swords into plowshares 
and their spears into pruning hooks. 
Nation will not take up sword against nation, 
nor will they train for war anymore. 
4Everyone will sit under their own vine 
and under their own fig tree, 
and no one will make them afraid, 
for the Lord Almighty has spoken. 
5All the nations may walk 
in the name of their gods; 
we will walk in the name of the Lord
our God for ever and ever. 
 
 
Psalm 46:9 (TNIV) 
9He makes wars cease 
to the ends of the earth. 
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire. 
 
Revelation 1 begins with the opening vision of Jesus in the middle of the churches. He has not abandoned them. And this incredible vision of Christ, words cannot quite fully describe his glory, splendor and power.
I enjoy reading the text, and taking the picture/imagery seriously. Let the ravishing vision of Jesus, his glory and splendor bring awe, and then remind yourself, he is within the churches. He is within ours!
 
He knows us and all that we go through. He knows what we are facing.
 
I love that!
 
Micah 1-4 prepares our hearts well to read imagery and prose. He is calling for a king of peace. For those to repent and turn towards God.
Revelation’s message is similar, as we shall soon see.
 
For now, let us be a people of peace, who turn our guns into plowshares, lets seek the kingdom of peace and life.
 
Jordan

Day 343 -  December 9, 2021
Scriptures: Esther 8-10, Acts 28
 
Acts 28:31 (TNIV) 
31He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! 
 
The end of Acts is an open book. It is a simple way of Luke leaving room for the story of Jesus’ disciples to continue. We are the 29th chapter of the book of Acts. We continue the proclamation of Paul, “the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the good news!”

​Day 342 – December 8, 2021
Scriptures: Esther 6-7, Psalms 9, Acts 27
 
Esther 7:9–10 (TNIV) 
9Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” 
The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. 
 
Psalm 9:17–18 (TNIV) 
17The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, 
all the nations that forget God. 
18But God will never forget the needy; 
the hope of the afflicted will never perish. 
 
Acts 27:20 (TNIV) 
20When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. 
 
 
Acts 27:22–26 (TNIV) 
22But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” 
 
A common thread traces through today’s reading. God is faithful and cares for His people. God never forgets the needy.
What Haman meant for the harm of Mordecai, became the very tool used for his own punishment. This happens because Esther is faithful to God and is used by God to help her people.
 Paul, despite all the warnings he was offering the soldiers, were set on traveling by sea back to Rome. The boat capsizes, but God is faithful. What could have brought harm brought a testimony of God’s love and faithfulness.
 
God is faithful, in all circumstances. This is incredibly hard to remember during difficulty, but what the world may intend as harm, God uses for His good and glory.
 
Trust in God, He is Faithful!
Jordan
 
 

​Day 341 – December 7, 2021
Scriptures: Esther 3-5, Psalms 10, Acts 26
 
Esther 4:14–17 (TNIV) 
14For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” 
15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 
17So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions. 
 
Psalm 10:2 (TNIV) 
2In their arrogance the wicked hunt down the weak, 
catching them in the schemes they devise. 
Psalm 10 could be written about the wickedness and arrogance of Haman.
God will vindicate, he has something in store for him! In his pride, he won’t see it coming!
 
Paul before King Agrippa makes for another nice connection in our daily reading. Paul before Agrippa appeals his case. It is Paul’s hope that all those who hear him, and his testimony, would believe in Jesus Christ.
 
God, through Paul is using these circumstances to make an appeal for the sake of the Gospel.
Additionally, a common message here is that God will vindicate the righteous, raise them from the dead and into eternal life. The wicked will not prosper.
The call to repentance and turning to God continues!
Jordan

​Day 340 – December 6, 2021
Scriptures: Esther 1-2, Acts 25
 
As we begin Esther, we will see God at work, but not mentioned specifically. God will bless and position Mordecai and Esther to be used for the protection of His people.
 
As we follow the arrest and trial of Paul in Acts 25, we see God also at work. By now, certainly the unfounded accusations against Paul should be dropped. But the case continues up through the courts. King Agrippa is now involved.
 
It appears that God is still at work, actively making the most of this, for the sake of the Gospel. Paul’s audience continues to expand and the testimony of Jesus as Lord is being heard by many.
 
We may not always understand the circumstances that we face, but we can trust that God is at work, and the fame of Jesus will spread.
 
Trust in God, in all circumstances!
 
Jordan

​Day 339 – December 5, 2021
Scriptures: Nehemiah 12-13, Acts 24
 
Nehemiah 12:47 - So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron. 
 
Acts 24:14–16 – “However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God as these people themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and all people.”
 
When the Israelite’s returned to Jerusalem, there was for a season a returning to the law of God. There was worship in accordance with David and to the law. 
 
Paul would refer to the law in his testimony. He is a follower of the Way. Here it means that he is a follower of Jesus Christ, in accordance to the law and the prophets. He sees the world in a whole new light, through the lens of Jesus as Lord. His hope is still very much in God. He now understands it as the God reveled to him through Jesus Christ. It’s the same God and faith, just now, infinitely more personal.
 
This faith and assurance in Christ allows for Paul to navigate the world with a certain confidence. It gives him the boldness to proclaim faith in Christ, even against the threat of death. He does this before Felix and other powerful leaders.
 
Again, our reading leads us towards a call to boldness in faith, and trusting in the Way of God.
 
Blessings.
 
Jordan

​Day 338 – December 4, 2021
Scriptures: Nehemiah 10-11, Acts 22-23
 
I got a little off track this week. I made it until December to get off track, so that’s good. Playing a little catch up on my reading and devotions. I pray this finds you well.
 
Acts 23:6 “Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” “
 
The sham trial against Paul to take his life is circumvented by Paul’s Roman citizenship. He will use it to gain a greater audience and further the mission of the Gospel to the Gentiles.
 
Paul’s on trial because he believes in the Lordship of Christ and the Resurrection from the dead. This will always be a threatening message to the powerful. The Lordship of Jesus and the Resurrection undermine the strength of the powerful elite. What will they hold over us, if there rightful claim to lordship is obstructed by the lordship of Jesus? What fear is there to adhere to their decrees or suffer the consequences of disobedience, if the consequence of death is overcome through the cross and resurrection of Jesus?
 
The control of the empire is thwarted by the power of the Gospel.
 
If we go to trial, will it be for our allegiance to Jesus Christ, and believing in the power of the resurrection?
 
Be bold, be faithful!
 
Jordan

​Day 335 - 336, December 2-3
Scriptures: Nehemiah 7-9, Acts 20-21
 
 
In Nehemiah, there is a recounting of the story of Israel. We are familiar with this, they’ve been faithful and blessed, and they have also rejected him and experienced the curse.
 
When reading another account of the history of Israel, it is quite inspirational to see Paul returning to Jerusalem. He knows the challenge he faces:
 
Acts 20:22–24
22“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. 
 
The Israelites would return to Jerusalem only to one day turn their back on God again.
 
Paul goes, fully expecting opposition. He goes to give his life for Christ and the sake of the Gospel. He goes to Jerusalem, turning his face towards Christ.
 
Blessings,
 
Jordan