Divine Appointments: Daily Devotionals Based on God's Calendar - Autumn: Divine Appointments: Daily Devotionals Based On God's Calendar, #3

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 autumn season of the year by following the Hebrew months and is the third 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: Jun 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781988447742

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.

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TISHREI

TISHREI - Month 7

The Month of Ephraim

30 days - September/October

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The seventh month is considered the holiest month in the Jewish year. There are many exciting aspects to the month of Tishrei. As the seventh month, it is the month of completion and perfection because seven is God’s number! It contains a cluster of feasts which all have deep symbolic meaning.

On Rosh HaShanah, or the ‘Feast of Trumpets’, we are to make a spiritual shift, heralded in by the blast of the shofar. The days following this are called ‘Days of Awe’ when we are to seek God before the holiest day, the ‘Day of Atonement’. Yom Kippur, as it is called in Hebrew, is a sober day of reflection leading to ultimate restoration, followed by the celebratory ‘Feast of Booths’—a beautiful picture of how God chose to ‘tabernacle’ with us by coming to earth in human form. Since this month is associated with the tribe of Ephraim, it is also the month of ‘double blessings’.

There is so much to explore and celebrate this month that it is difficult for those of us who are not used to these traditions to fully grasp it all or even fit everything in! Rest in knowing that the entire month of Tishrei is a time to seek God’s glory afresh. You will notice that there are a lot of scriptures included, simply because the month is so complex and full. Even then, I highly recommend that you do further reading from the resources listed at the end of this book.

Be blessed this month as you seek God’s presence and glory and are renewed by His Spirit.

Tishrei Day 1 - Rosh HaShanah - The Feast of Trumpets

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Today is no ordinary first of the month. It is Rosh HaShanah—the Jewish ‘head of the year’ or new year, even though it is the beginning of the seventh month. This can be a difficult concept. How can the new year begin in the seventh month? There are reasons that go beyond the scope of this book, but from a Jewish mindset it makes sense since seven is the number of God—a number of completion and perfection. Jews also believe this day to be the beginning of creation.

The shofar is blown on this day to herald in the new year. Also called the Feast of Trumpets, these blasts are a call to spiritual awakening—a ‘wake up’ call for us to get our spiritual houses in order. It is a call to preparation as well as to victory, since trumpet blasts were a call to arms in times of war. Trumpet blasts also signaled an assembly and heralded the arrival of the king. Prophetically, these trumpet blasts mirror Christ’s second coming, reminding us that He will keep His promise to return for the elect.

This special firstfruits celebration is a time to allow God to infiltrate our senses and fill us with new revelation for the month ahead. In traditional Rosh HaShanah services, a specific pattern of blasts is followed because each sound has special meaning. While there isn’t time or space to go into the details here, suffice to say that this is a day steeped in tradition and significance. The shofar itself, made from a ram’s horn, points to Abraham’s obedience when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, but then provided a ram instead. Since it is not the purpose of this book to try to explain everything that this special day—or even this month—hold, please take some extra time to research and learn more about this important celebration.

May I suggest that you listen to a shofar blast on this day? It is surprising how powerful this can be. As we know from scripture, there is often a parallel between the physical world and the spiritual one. The act of listening to the shofar can open up spiritual connections that we might not fully understand. In any case, it is a wonderful opportunity to leave the past behind and look forward to a new beginning. Take the time to make a list of anything in your life that needs to be renewed and pray over each item, basking in the knowledge that the Lord wants you to deepen your relationship with Him this month.

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Scripture:

Leviticus 23: 23 - 25

The Lord said to Moses, Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present a food offering to the Lord.’  (NIV)

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Numbers 29: 1 - 6

On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a day for you to blow the trumpets, and you shall offer a burnt offering, for a pleasing aroma to the Lord: one bull from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish; also their grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for the bull, two tenths for the ram, and one tenth for each of the seven lambs; with one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you; besides the burnt offering of the new moon, and its grain offering, and the regular burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offering, according to the rule for them, for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. (ESV)

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1 Corinthians 15: 50 - 57

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NASB)

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Matthew 24: 31

And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (ESV)

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Numbers 10: 9 - 10

And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the Lord your God. (ESV)

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1 Thessalonians 4: 16 - 18

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (ESV)

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Prayer focus:

Open my spiritual ears as the shofar blows! Awaken my spirit to Yours today and throughout this month, Oh Lord God. Break open the heavens with the blast of the trumpet, as Your people anticipate Your second coming. I call all my loved ones to come out of the tomb of oppression and spiritual darkness; awaken all of our dormant spirits with Your call to arms. Prepare me for the coming Days of Awe, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles, opening my understanding to what You want to teach me through Your appointed days. Bring me into a fresh experience of Your glory as I dedicate the coming year to You on this firstfruits day and firstfruits of the new year.

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*As noted in the previous editions of this devotional series, the first day of each month is considered a special day called Rosh Chodesh, sometimes referred to as the ‘new moon’ in scripture. It is a day set aside to honour God by acknowledging the ‘firstfruits’ in our lives, including the first day of each month.

Tishrei Day 2 - Days of Awe

The days leading up to the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, which takes place on the tenth day of the month, are sometimes referred to as the Days of Awe. These are days set apart to earnestly seek God—days of repentance, reflection, and rest. It is fitting that this month’s portion of Psalm 119 fits well into the Days of Awe in that it speaks of the unfailing and omniscient power of the Word of God, whom we know to be Jesus.

The month of Tishrei is represented by the letter LAMED, which means return to your absolute source or the things that have been scattered shall be returned. As well, the verb form of the word lamed means to learn or to teach. Interestingly, the letter itself apparently resembles an ancient tool known as an ox goad. It has been speculated that when Jesus said to Saul (Paul) in Acts 26: 14, it is hard for you to kick against the goads, He may have been referring to Paul’s scholarly learning. What Saul had been using to refute Christians was in fact pointing to Jesus all along! If that isn’t returning to the absolute source, I don’t know what is!

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Scripture:

Psalm 119: 89 - 96

Forever, O Lord, Your Word

is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

You have established the earth, and it stands fast.

By Your appointment they stand this day,

for all things are Your servants.

If Your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

I will never forget Your precepts,

for by them You have given me life.

I am Yours; save me,

for I have sought Your precepts.

The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

but I consider Your testimonies.

I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but Your commandment is exceedingly broad. (ESV)

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Prayer focus:

I return to You today, Lord. You are the absolute source of all that is and ever will be, including the heavens and earth. You are my source of life—my very breath. I thank You that You are also the source of all learning and I pray that You would teach me Your ways, that I might have a deeper relationship with You. I thank You that the things that have been scattered will someday be returned, and I claim this for my loved ones and over situations in my own life that seem to have been scattered to the four winds.

Tishrei Day 3 - Days of Awe

The days leading up to the Day of Atonement are meant to prepare us spiritually for a cleansing encounter with God on that day. Once that is accomplished, we are invited to dwell in His presence during the Feast of Tabernacles. During the entire month, we are meant to move forward step by step toward a greater experience of His glory, love and blessings. Notice, however, that we must progress one step at a time, not skipping any of the steps along the way. It is why the Days of Awe are so important. They help us to refocus our thoughts and actions on the Lord, taking stock of our lives before leaping ahead. Repentance, reflection, and rest are the keys and we shall begin with repentance—always a good place to start.

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Scripture:

Jeremiah 29: 12 - 13

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart. (ESV)

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1 John 1: 9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

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Psalm 32: 5

I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,

and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. (ESV)

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Psalm 51: 1 - 3

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to Your steadfast love;

according to Your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me. (ESV)

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Psalm 139: 23 - 24

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting! (ESV)

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2 Corinthians 7: 10

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. (NASB)

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Isaiah 44: 22

I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. (ESV)

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Prayer focus:

I come before You today in repentance, oh God. I realize that I am a sinner undeserving of Your mercy, yet I rejoice that You have seen fit to save me and call me Your own. As I continue to seek You this month, I pray that You would bring to mind every sin, hidden or open, for which I need to ask for forgiveness. Like David, may I have a true heart of repentance and may I turn away from each sin that You bring to light. May all my sins be cast into the depths of the sea, never to be remembered again. Give me a year of life, health and prosperity for Your kingdom’s sake—sealed for Your purpose this year.

Tishrei Day 4 - Days of Awe

It is not always easy to fit time with God into our busy, modern schedules. We must be purposeful in setting aside time to seek God during the Days of Awe. As we