Divine Appointments: Daily Devotionals Based on God's Calendar - Spring: Divine Appointments: Daily Devotionals Based On God's Calendar, #1

By Tracy Krauss

In the Bible, God gave specific instructions about setting apart certain days, weeks, and special celebrations – His appointed times. This daily devotional walks readers through the spring season of the year by following the Jewish months and is the first volume in this series. Each day contains a short devotional, scripture, and prayer. While many Jews continue to observe this schedule of events, many Christians feel that it is not relevant, or that the New Testament did away with these traditions. Scripture does not back this up. In fact, both Jesus and the early church followed these appointed times. One might argue that they did so because they were Jewish, but Christians should be reminded that they have been 'grafted in' to that very tree! Observing God's calendar is not the same as taking up a burden of tradition and is not necessary for salvation. Instead, it is a way to celebrate and enhance our heritage as children of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fictitious Ink Publishing
• Release date: Feb 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781988447667

Tracy Krauss

Tracy Krauss is a best selling and award winning author and playwright. "Fiction on the edge without crossing the line"

Book preview

Introduction

Why follow the Hebrew calendar?

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Acts 17: 26

And He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation. (NASB)

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In the Old Testament, God gave His people very specific instructions about the days of the week, months, and special feasts throughout the year. While many Jews continue to observe—or at least know about—this schedule of events, many Christians feel that following God’s calendar is not relevant, or that the New Testament did away with these traditions. However, nowhere in scripture does it tell us to ignore the plans that God put in place. In fact, both Jesus and the early church followed the appointed times as laid out by God. One might argue that they did so because they were Jewish, but perhaps we need to be reminded that we have been ‘grafted in’ to that very tree! As a bonus, we are positioning ourselves for God’s blessing when we align ourselves with His timing. It should be our desire to follow God’s plan, not because we have to, but because it is a joy to do so. God is the one who set these timetables in motion, and He did not instruct us to change them. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

This book walks readers through each season of the year by following the Hebrew months. Each day contains a short explanation or devotional, scripture to read and ponder, and a prayer focus. It is my attempt at introducing readers to the wonders of following God’s calendar. I do not claim to be an expert, but only hope to offer what little insight God has given me as I strive to come closer to Him. May I suggest consulting a Jewish calendar in order to begin on the correct day.

The resources used are listed at the end of the book. References are general in that the idea to write down what I had been learning came well after the initial reading and research. When possible, I have given specific references, but most information was internalized and then regurgitated without having written specific quotations down.

Please remember that the point of observing God’s calendar is not to take up a burden of tradition. We know that this is not necessary for our salvation. Instead, it is a way to celebrate and enhance our heritage as children of God. It is my prayer that as you follow along, you will be blessed beyond your own imagining.

1

Nissan

NISSAN - Month 1

The month of Judah

30 days in March/April

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The month of Nissan is the first month of the Jewish year and is also the first month of spring. In Exodus 12:1, The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, ‘This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.’ Celebrate a fresh start with the month of Nissan. (Rosh HaShanah, the celebration of the ‘New Year’ takes place in Tishrei, the seventh month, which can seem confusing, but we’ll get to the reasons for that later.)

Each month is connected with one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Nissan’s tribe is that of Judah. This is fitting since the name Judah means ‘praise’, and beginning a new year with praise is a good way to ensure success.

Passover takes place during the month of Nissan as does the Christian holiday of Easter. Symbolically, this is important since Nissan is often represented by the lion and the lamb—both pointing to Jesus.

Spend some time each day in praise this month, and celebrate the resurrection power of Jesus, our great Redeemer and Lord.

Nissan Day 1 - Rosh Chodesh (New Moon)

The first day of each month is considered a special day called Rosh Chodesh, sometimes referred to as the ‘new moon’ in scripture. The appearance of the new moon marks the beginning of each new month in the Hebrew calendar.

Throughout scripture, God set aside the ‘first’ of everything—people, cattle, crops and even days. This is a principle known as ‘firstfruits’. Firstfruits is not the same as a tithe. A tithe equals one tenth of the whole, while firstfruits is usually less than that. It is a symbolic way to honour the Lord by acknowledging Him as the source of everything. To put it into a modern context, think about how some business owners frame their ‘first dollar’ and put it on the wall. Obviously, this is just a symbolic representation, not necessarily the actual first dollar. However, it illustrates the point that there is something special about the ‘first’. That’s why the first of each month is a special day and sets the tone for the rest of the month. You will be learning more about this principle on each ‘Rosh Chodesh’.

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Scripture:

Numbers 10: 10

On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months (new moon feasts), you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder to you before your God: I am the Lord your God. (NASB)

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Numbers 28: 11a

Then at the beginning of each of your months you shall present a burnt offering to the Lord. (NASB)

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Nehemiah 10: 35 - 37a

And in order that they might bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all the fruit of every tree to the house of the Lord annually, and bring to the house of our God the first-born of our sons and of our cattle, and of the first-born of our herds and our flocks as it is written in the law, for the priests who are ministering in the house of our God. We will also bring the first of our dough, our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the new wine and the oil to the priests at the chambers of the house of our God. (NASB)

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Prayer focus:

I dedicate this ‘first month’ of the new year to You, Lord. Show me how to honour You with the first of everything in my life.

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(Consider making a list of ‘firstfruits’ in your own life. Pray over each of these ‘firsts’, consecrating each to the Lord. Below are some examples to get you started.)

- First born child, grandchild, niece or nephew

- First person you led to the Lord

- First friend, first love

- First of your finances

- First church you attended, first ministry opportunity

- First in-laws

- First home/town you lived in

- First job/employer

Nissan Day 2

Each month of the calendar is represented by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The month of Nissan is represented by the letter ‘Hei’. (Sometime written ‘He’ or ‘Hey’) This letter is a picture of wind, breath and praise. (In its earliest form, the letter pictured a man with his arms raised.) Some sources say it literally means ‘Violent Praise’. The psalmist David wrote Psalm 119 as a poem that used the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in an acrostic formation. Verses 33 to 40 come under the heading ‘Hei’.

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Scripture:

Psalm 119: 33 - 40

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall observe it to the end.

Give me understanding,

that I may observe Your law

And keep it with all my heart.

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.

Incline my heart to Your testimonies

And not to dishonest gain.

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,

And revive me in Your ways.

Establish Your word to Your servant,

As that which produces reverence for You.

Turn away my reproach which I dread,

For Your ordinances are good.

Behold, I long for Your precepts

(ESV)

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Prayer focus:

I pray along with the psalmist for a deeper understanding of Your Word and for a hunger for your Word. Keep my heart turned to You and my desires away from the vain things of this world so that I would not be tempted by dishonest gain. By Your Holy Spirit, breathe on me through Your inspired Word this month, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Nissan Day 3

As noted yesterday, the month of Nissan is represented by a picture of the wind. Wind often brings a change, such as a change in temperature or climatic conditions. Sometimes it is used as a metaphor for a change in fortune. There are many scriptures that talk about the wind, especially in the context of the Holy Spirit. As you read the scriptures below, think about the wind of the Holy Spirit blowing on you in a fresh way.

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Scripture:

Acts 2: 2 - 4

And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (NASB)

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Matthew 8: 27

The men were amazed and asked, What kind of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey Him? (NASB)

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Ezekiel 37: 9

Then he said to me, Prophecy to the breath; prophesy son of man, and say to it. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Come breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ (NIV)

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Song of Solomon 4: 16

Awake north wind and south wind blow! Blow on my garden that its fragrance may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come into my garden and taste its choice fruits. (NIV)

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Psalm 78: 26

He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens and by His power He directed the south wind. (NASB)

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John 3: 5 - 8

Jesus answered, Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. (NIV)

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Prayer focus:

Just as the winds of change have shifted from winter to spring, help me to embrace any changes in my life, viewing each one as a fresh start from You. May I do this in Your strength, not in my own strength. Show me where I need to make changes, and open my spirit to the refreshing wind of Your Holy Spirit as He flows through my life.

Nissan Day 4

This month is the first month of spring—a new season representing new beginnings. We have come out of the deadness of winter, and new life is about to flourish! Tender shoots may struggle to poke through the soil, but once they do, the brightness of sunshine and freshness of rain bring exponential growth.

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Scripture:

Isaiah 61: 11

For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. (NASB)

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Zechariah 10: 1

Ask rain from the Lord at the time of spring rain - the Lord who makes the storm clouds; and He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man. (NASB)

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Deuteronomy 32: 2

Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as the droplets on the fresh grass and as showers on the herb.

(NASB)

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Ezekiel 34: 26 - 27

And I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing. Also the tree of the field will yield its fruit, and the earth will yield its increase, and they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. (NASB)

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Prayer focus:

In this season of spring, I pray for new life, both spiritually and physically. I lift up my loved ones who have been experiencing a season of ‘winter’, be it through sickness, financial hardship, or other difficulties, and claim that a new season of spring will begin both for them and for