Divine Appointments: One Year Devotional Based On God's Calendar: Divine Appointments: Daily Devotionals Based On God's Calendar, #5

By Tracy Krauss

Discover the joy of following God's appointed times with one full year of daily devotionals based on the Jewish calendar. Each day contains a short devotional, scripture, and prayer.

Why follow the Jewish calendar? God gave us instructions for celebrating certain days, weeks, and special occasions – His appointed times. Some Christians feel these celebrations are not relevant, or that the New Testament did away with these traditions, but both Jesus and the early church observed this yearly cycle. We could argue they did so because they were Jewish, but Christians have been 'grafted in' to that very tree, so they are ours to celebrate, too! 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 enhance our heritage as children of God. Enjoy these daily devotionals as we celebrate together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fictitious Ink Publishing
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781988447827

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?

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)

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

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’.

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)

Numbers 28: 11a

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

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)

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.

(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’.

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

Psalm 78: 26

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

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 me. I declare that every good seed sown this month will prosper, and that this will be the beginning of great spiritual growth.

Nissan Day 5

Each month of the Hebrew year corresponds with one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Nissan is the month of Judah, which is no surprise since Judah’s name literally means, I will praise the Lord. As we saw earlier, the letter for the month of Nissan means ‘violent praise’, so it makes sense that this month belongs to Judah, the ancestor from whom our Saviour came. Of course, we should be praising God all year long, but during this month, our focus should be on praising Him with intentionality and purpose, since praise should always be our first response in every situation. Praise is a strategic weapon that unlocks spiritual power. Always praise first!

Scripture:

Genesis 29: 35

And she (Leah) conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise the Lord. Therefore she called his name Judah. (ESV)

2 Chronicles 20: 15 - 23a

He said: Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ 

Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful. After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendour of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. (ESV)

1 Chronicles 23: 30

And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening. (ESV)

Prayer focus:

I choose to be relentless in praising You this month! I praise You Lord in every situation, and believe that the strong arm of the Lord will do battle on my behalf! I praise You for who You are, not just what You will do. Teach me to go into battle with praise first so that I may war for my covenant promises—remembering that spiritual warfare begins with PRAISE.

(Consider some of these ways to praise the Lord in your private time this month.)

- Lift up your hands

- Kneel or bow

- Shout

- Sing

- Dance

- Make an ear slitting sound such as with a trumpet blast

- Use musical instruments

Nissan Day 6

Judah was assigned the job of going first into battle and leading the way after breaking camp. As we saw yesterday, the reason for this is obvious—praise must go first! Praise overcomes every scheme of the enemy and puts him to flight!

Scripture:

Numbers 10: 14 and 28

The standard of the camp of the people of Judah set out first by their companies, and over their company was Nahshon the son of Amminadab… This was the order of march of the people of Israel by their companies, when they set out.

(ESV)

Numbers 2: 3a and 17

Now those who camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be the standard of the camp of Judah by their companies… Then the tent of meeting and the camp of the Levites will set out in the middle of the camps. They will set out in the same order as they encamp, each in their own place under their standard.

(ESV)

Judges 1: 1 - 2

After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lord, Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them? The Lord said, Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.(ESV)

Judges 20: 18

The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin? And the Lord said, Judah shall go up first. (ESV)

1 Chronicles 15: 28

So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres. (ESV)

1 Samuel 4: 5 - 8

As the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth resounded. When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean? Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp. The Philistines were afraid, for they said, God has come into the camp. And they said, Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. Woe to us! Who shall deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who smote the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. (ESV)

Prayer focus:

Today, and for the remainder of this month, I enter into spiritual battle with praise! The Lion of Judah walks before me with strength and might! I shout the victory of the Lord God of hosts, and praise with loud shouts as with a mighty rushing wind! He is my Redeemer and the rock of my salvation! There is no other like Him in heaven or on earth. Hallelujah!

Nissan Day 7

Judah’s placement while in camp was very strategic. Judah camped on the east of the tabernacle, which in effect, guarded the entrance to the tent of meeting. Again, we see a beautiful picture of a truth that God wants us to understand: The way into His presence is through praise! This is mirrored in the vision that Ezekiel had about the new temple, where God’s glory entered through the eastern gate.

Scripture:

Numbers 2: 2 - 3

The sons of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance. Now those who camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be the standard of the camp of Judah, by their armies, and the leader of the sons of Judah: Nashon the son of Amminadab. (ESV)

Ezekiel 43: 1 - 5

Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of His coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory. And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when He came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. (ESV)

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, He is God!

It is He who made us, and we are His.

We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,

And His courts with praise!

Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the Lord is good;

His steadfast love endures forever,

And His faithfulness to all generations.

(ESV)

Prayer focus:

I believe and understand that praise is the way into Your presence. Therefore, I enter boldly into the throne room today through praise and worship of You, the living God.

Nissan Day 8

As we have seen, the tribe of Judah symbolizes apostolic leadership and spiritual warfare, especially through praise. We see a mighty example of this in King David, from the tribe of Judah, who loved to worship and praise the Lord.

Scripture:

2 Samuel 6: 14 - 15

And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn. (ESV)

Psalm 22: 19 - 31

But You, O Lord, do not be far off!

O You my help, come quickly to my aid!

Deliver my soul from the sword,

My precious life from the power of the dog!

Save me from the mouth of the lion!

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

I will tell of Your name to my brothers;

In the midst of the congregation I will praise You:

You who fear the Lord, praise Him!

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify Him,

And stand in awe of Him, all you offspring of Israel!

For He has not despised or abhorred

The affliction of the afflicted,

And He has not hidden His face from him,

But has heard, when he cried to Him.

From You comes my praise in the great congregation;

My vows I will perform before those who fear Him.

The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

Those who seek Him shall praise the Lord!

May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth shall remember

And turn to the Lord,

And all the families of the nations

Shall worship before You.

For kingship belongs to the Lord,

And He rules over the nations.

All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;

Before Him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

Even the one who could not keep himself alive.

Posterity shall serve Him;

It shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

They shall come and proclaim His righteousness

to a people yet unborn,

That He has done it. (ESV)

Prayer focus:

Like David, I am unashamed to praise the Lord in all circumstances. I choose to make positive confessions of faith; I am thankful for my present situation, my church, and my family. I speak with thankfulness and confess my praise to You out loud, Oh God.

Nissan Day 9

It was during the month of Nissan that the children of Israel prepared to cross over into their inheritance after wandering in the desert for forty years. Under the strong leadership of Joshua, they were admonished to be strong and courageous. They must have wondered how God would accomplish His promise, since the people of the land were a formidable foe, and they still had the Jordan River to cross. God promised He would take care of all the details as long as they continued to walk in obedience to Him. We can take courage in knowing God has a plan for our lives, too, and He will fulfill it as long as we follow and trust in Him.

Scripture:

Joshua 1: 1 - 8

Now it came about that after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun, will be your territory.

No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn to the right or to the left so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (NASB)

Prayer focus:

I put my best foot forward today and step out in faith, crossing into the promised land! I declare this to be the beginning of a new season of spiritual inheritance, forgetting what lies behind and looking forward to what lies ahead, being careful to follow You, Lord, and obey Your word. You have commissioned Your people to be strong and courageous, and so I step into that declaration today!

Nissan Day 10

God gives us many wonderful pictures of His love in operation. Did you know that on the tenth day of Nissan, the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River, putting their feet on their promised inheritance for the first time? Through miraculous means, God delivered on His promise to Abraham, and afterward they set up a memorial so they would never forget His goodness and power. The tenth day was also the day that Moses instructed the people to select a lamb for the sacrifice, although it was not slaughtered until the fourteenth day. It is no coincidence that God chose these same days for these two events. Just as God asked the people to prepare for the Passover, so He prepared the Israelites for the coming battles that they would face once in the Promised Land.

Scripture:

Joshua 4: 19 - 24

Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. And those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan Joshua set up at Gilgal. And he said to the sons of Israel, When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall inform your children saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which he dried up before us until we had crossed; that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord forever.

(NASB)

Exodus 12: 3 - 6

Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbour shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. (NASB)

Prayer focus:

As I prepare for the Easter season, may I never stop praising You, Lord. Like the children of Israel, I sometimes forget what You have done for me. Forgive me for my short memory, and help me to focus on Your constant goodness and faithfulness.

(Make your own ‘memorial stones’ by creating a list of ways God has been faithful in your life. Thank Him for these things as you write them down, and use this list often. When you doubt, you can look back and see the Lord’s faithfulness in your life.)

Nissan Day 11

The celebration of Passover takes place during the month of Nissan, coinciding—not by coincidence—with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as our perfect Passover Lamb.

Scripture:

John 11: 55

Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. (ESV)

Deuteronomy 16: 1- 4

Observe the month of Abib (Nissan) and keep the Passover to the Lord your God, for in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night. And you shall offer the Passover sacrifice to the Lord your God, from the flock or the herd, at the place that the Lord will choose, to make His name dwell there. You shall eat no leavened bread with it. Seven days you shall eat it with unleavened bread, the bread of affliction - for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste - that all the days of your life you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt. No leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory for seven days, nor shall any of the flesh that you sacrifice on the evening of the first day remain all night until morning. (ESV)

Prayer focus:

Thank You that You have given such a powerful picture, through the Old Testament Passover, of the price that Jesus paid for my salvation. Help me to soberly reflect on all You have done as I ponder the great mystery of Christ’s sacrifice. May I remember Your great deliverance and Your faithfulness, as well as the precious blood that was spilt, which symbolizes purification from sin. This is the great feat that Christ did on my behalf—once and for all—and I thank and praise You again for Your mercy and grace.

Nissan Day 12

John prophetically called Jesus the Lamb of God long before His crucifixion took place. Jesus’ redemptive blood has cleansed us from all unrighteousness. The only requirement is repentance and confession, which leads to new life. Once that takes place, His resurrection power is available and is at work within us. Now, that’s a reason to praise Him!

Scripture:

John 1: 29 - 36

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel. Then John gave this testimony: I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. And I myself did not know Him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One. The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, Look, the Lamb of God! (NIV)

1 John 1: 7

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (ESV)

John 14: 12

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (NIV)

Prayer focus:

I praise You today, Lord, and purpose to begin every day this month with praise and worship to You, the Most High God. Thank You that Jesus’ shed blood on the cross bought my freedom from death and unrighteousness. You are the perfect Lamb of God, and that in itself is reason enough to praise You.

Nissan Day 13

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem—what we know as Palm Sunday—took place just before Passover during the month of Nissan. Many people had seen the signs and wonders He had done and believed. Yet not many days hence, they would turn their backs on Him and demand His death. Jesus understood the necessity of this and even predicted that it would take place.

Scripture:

Matthew 21: 9

And the crowds that went before him and that followed Him were shouting, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! (ESV)

John 2: 23

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing.

(ESV)

Matthew 26: 2

You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified. (ESV)

Mark 14: 1

It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest Him by stealth and kill Him. (ESV)

1 Peter 1: 8

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. (NIV)

Prayer focus:

Jesus, I don’t want to be a ‘fair weather friend’ like some of those that hailed Your entry into Jerusalem. Show me where I need to change my attitude so that I may follow wherever You lead—no matter the consequences. Illuminate where I need to make changes in my political, group, and organizational alignments, making sure they line up with Your Word. Give me the strength and determination to follow Your lead no matter what.

Nissan Day 14

Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of Nissan. From its first inception under Moses when the people prepared for the great exodus from Egypt, through the centuries, it was observed with great care and reverence. Jesus Himself observed the Passover, and it is no coincidence that He was crucified during this time, for He is God’s spotless and perfect Lamb.

Scripture:

Exodus 12: 1 - 20

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. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbour shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.

"Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.

This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. On the first day you shall hold a holy assembly, and on the seventh day a holy assembly. No work shall be done on those days. But what everyone needs to eat, that alone may be prepared by you. And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever. In the first month, from the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. For seven days no leaven is to be found in your houses. If anyone eats what is leavened, that person will be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a sojourner or a native of the land. You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwelling places you shall eat unleavened bread. (ESV)

Hebrews 11: 28

By faith he (Moses) kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. (ESV)

2 Chronicles 35: 1

Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem. And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month. (ESV)

Mark 14: 16

And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover. (ESV)

Prayer focus:

Thank You for such wonderful examples of Your love and faithfulness, such as the Passover in Egypt, which was a sign to the Israelites that You were looking after them. They were covered by the blood and therefore saved from the angel of death as he passed over the land. Jesus is my Passover Lamb and by His blood, I, too, am saved. Praise You, Jesus, that You put Your own blood on the doorposts of my heart as a sign that I am Yours.

Nissan Day 15

The fifteenth day of Nissan is set aside as a special day called ‘Unleavened Bread’. It represents the day that the children of Israel departed from Egypt with their kneading bowls filled with bread without leaven (yeast) because they did not have time to prepare it. Before each Passover feast, people were encouraged to clean their entire house, ridding it of any leaven. Leaven is often used as a metaphor for sin, so this practice symbolized getting rid of any sin and corruption that may have accumulated over the course of the year. It is time for some spiritual housecleaning!

Scripture:

Leviticus 23: 5 - 8

In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the Lord’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. But you shall present a food offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work."

(ESV)

Exodus 12: 15

Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 5: 6 - 8

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (ESV)

Prayer focus:

Thank You for the revelation that spiritual ‘housecleaning’ is in order this month. Show me anything and everything in my life that needs to be swept away or cleaned up. Just like a little bit of yeast spreads through the entire lump of dough, so a little bit of sin can grow and take over. Purge my home and my life of anything that is not pleasing to You, Lord, and give me the courage and will power to do what is necessary, no matter how difficult it might be.

(Make a list, if you need to, and pray over it before discarding it in the trash.)

Nissan Day 16

It is during this month that Jesus was crucified on the cross—the final and ultimate atoning sacrifice for all of mankind. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

Scripture:

Leviticus 17: 11

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement. (NASB)

Matthew 27: 32 - 54

As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, This man is calling Elijah. And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, Truly this was the Son of God! (ESV)

John 19: 30

When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (ESV)

Prayer focus:

Thank You for the work that was done on the cross. It is complete—there is never a need for a ‘do-over’. This is redemption—that You took my sins and paid the price that I could not. The book of Leviticus tells us that there is no atonement apart from the shedding of blood, but You, Jesus, made that sacrifice once and for all. I repent before You today and lay all my sins at the foot of the cross where they are covered by Your precious and atoning blood.

Nissan Day 17

Jesus, the Lamb of God, is worthy of our praise! Even heavenly creatures praise Him for who He is and what He has done. As we continue in an attitude of praise this month, celebrate Christ’s victory over death.

Scripture:

Revelation 5: 6 - 13

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,

Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever! (ESV)

Romans 6: 4 - 14

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (NIV)

Prayer focus:

Jesus, You have all authority over everything—including death—and You paid the price once and for all to conquer both death and all the powers of darkness. I praise You for Your power and for this magnificent gift. One day I will worship You along with the hosts of heaven, but for now, I praise You for the new life I have in You while on this earth.

Nissan Day 18

According to our regular calendar, Easter does not fall on the same date each year. Instead, its placement mirrors that of Passover, in the month of Nissan. The glorious message at Easter—and the central focus of the gospel—is that Jesus didn’t stay in the grave! He is risen!

Scripture:

Luke 24: 1 - 10

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’  Then they remembered His words.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

(ESV)

Hebrews 12: 2

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NASB)

Prayer focus:

You are risen indeed! I celebrate Your resurrection today, Jesus—and everyday from this day forward. I purpose to enter into the full redemptive plan for my life, for once I’ve repented, I am redeemed and the resurrection power of Jesus is mine and cannot be taken away. You conquered death once and for all—hallelujah!

Nissan Day 19

God keeps His promises! As far back as the garden of Eden He said He would provide a way of redemption for mankind, and He did it through Jesus. All of God’s promises are ‘Yes and Amen’.

Scripture:

Genesis 3: 15

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (ESV)

Galatians 3: 7 - 18, and 29

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you. So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because the righteous will live by faith. The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, The person who does these things will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say and to seeds, meaning many people, but and to your seed, meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise… If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (NIV)

Prayer focus:

Oh God, You are a God of ‘covenant’. When You make a promise, You keep it. Through Jesus’ shed blood and resurrection from the dead, I am now grafted in as a co-heir with Christ. As such, I am legally entitled to all the benefits of being Your child. I celebrate the reality of this new covenant. I am not only called Your child, but I have access to Your resurrection power. Show me how to step into my inheritance today.

Nissan Day 20

During Passover, the Israelites only ate ‘unleavened’ bread. As we saw earlier, leaven is often equated with sin, and the process of removing all leaven from their homes symbolized the removal of iniquity, as well. Something to watch out for during this month is our speech—not only iniquitous patterns of speech and angry or rash words, but also negativity in general.

Scripture:

James 3: 3 - 12

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (ESV)

Proverbs 15: 4

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (ESV)

1 Peter 3: 10

For whoever