Bible Reading for February 2023

Posted on Feb 1, 2023 in Bible Reading: January, Devotions, General |

Here are the daily readings from Devotions on F.I.R.E. Volume 1 for February with the Employment Points.
 

Date: February 1st

Read: Exodus 27-28 & Matthew 21:23–46

Employment Point: Get under God’s authority and you’ll receive further illumination.

 

Date: February 2nd

Read: Exodus 29–30 & Matthew 22:1–22

Employment Point: Live according to your holy calling as a royal priest.

 

Date: February 3rd

Read: Exodus 31-33 & Matthew 22:23-46

Employment Point: Keep the Lord God as your only God.

 

Date: February 4th

Read: Exodus 34-36 & Matthew 23:1-22

Employment Point: Reflect God’s glory by regularly basking in His glory.

 

Date: February 5th

Read: Exodus 37-38 & Matthew 23:23-39

Employment Point: Prayerfully wait upon the Lord to dispense justice.

 

Date: February 6th

Read Exodus 39-40 & Matthew 24:1-22

Employment Point: Honor God’s holy presence in your life by living daily for Him.

 

Date: February 7th

Read: Leviticus 1-3 & Matthew 24:23-51

Employment Point: Believe on Jesus’ finished work to have His blood applied to your life.

 

Date: February 8th

Read: Leviticus 4-6 & Matthew 25:1-30

Employment Point: Reveal your faith by watching for Jesus’ return.

 

Date: February 9th

Read: Leviticus 7-9 & Matthew 25:31-46

Employment Point: Honor God by faithfully caring for His shepherds.

 

Date: February 10th

Read: Leviticus 10-12 & Matthew 26:1-19

Employment Point: Value Jesus highly, by offering sacrifices worthy of heaven’s recognition and reward.

 

Date: February 11th

Read: Leviticus 13 & Matthew 26:20-54

Employment Point: Fellowship with Jesus daily and serve Him faithfully, to honor His invitation.

 

Date: February 12th

Read: Leviticus 14 & Matthew 26:55-75

Employment Point: Dress for Christian success, by adorning God’s recommended garment of humility.

 

Date: February 13th

Read: Leviticus 15-17 & Matthew 27:1-31

Employment Point: Celebrate Jesus as He who both bore and carried away your sins.

 

Date: February 14th

Read: Leviticus 18-19 & Matthew 27:32-66

Employment Point: Demonstrate your love for God by meeting your neighbor’s needs.

 

Date: February 15th

Read: Leviticus 20-21 & Matthew 28

Employment Point: Live fearlessly, through the power and presence of Jesus.

 

Date: February 16th

Read: Leviticus 22-23 & Mark 1:1-22

Employment Point: Be faithful to hear and obey the preaching of the Bible.

 

Date: February 17th

Read: Leviticus 24-25 & Mark 1:23-45

Employment Point: Honor God’s Word, trusting Him to supply your needs as you give.

 

Date: February 18th

Read: Leviticus 26-27 & Mark 2

Employment Point: Diligently seek Jesus by faith, and you’ll be rewarded for your effort.

 

Date: February 19th

Read: Numbers 1-2 & Mark 3:1-21

Employment Point: Stay close to God and faithfully proclaim His Word.

 

Date: February 20th

Read: Numbers 3-4 & Mark 3:22-35

Employment Point: Avoid the path of death by honoring God’s Word.

 

Date: February 21st

Read: Numbers 5-6 & Mark 4:1-20

Employment Point: Scatter the seed of God’s Word, leaving the results to Him.

 

Date: February 22nd

Read: Numbers 7 & Mark 4:21-41

Employment Point: Embrace the promises of Jesus.

 

Date: February 23

Read: Numbers 8-10 & Mark 5:1–20

Employment Point: Wait upon God’s leading in all matters.

 

Date: February 24th

Read: Numbers 11-13 & Mark 5:21-43

Employment Point: Don’t let sight become your obstacle, but exhibit faith in the Almighty.

 

Date: February 25th

Read: Numbers 14-15 & Mark 6:1-32

Employment Point: Cause Jesus to marvel because of your faith, and not unbelief.

 

Date: February 26th

Read: Numbers 16-17 & Mark 6:33-56

Employment Point: Support God’s authorities, and be content with your own.

 

Date: February 27th

Read: Numbers 18-20 & Mark 7:1-13

Employment Point: Draw continually upon God’s strength, while honoring His person and work.

 

Date: February 28th

Read: Numbers 21-23 & Mark 7:14-37

Employment Point: Look up to Jesus, by faith, to meet all your spiritual needs.

 


Why Christians Must Take up Running‏

Posted on Feb 25, 2016 in Devotions |

2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace
  WITH THOSE who call on the Lord out of a pure heart”
 
Why is Genesis 38 and the account about Judah inserted in the narrative about Joseph, which began in Genesis 37 and goes until Genesis 50? These two accounts don’t seem to fit together? Yet, when you look deeper you will see their connection.
 
Judah pays a prostitute to have relations while Joseph flees from his temptation. The two stories are juxtaposed (placed side-by-side) to show the contrast between Judah and his perverted sons (Er and Onan in Gen. 38:1-4) and Joseph. Joseph was placed into a difficult situation. As a slave he could not avoid being tempted by Potiphar’s wife.
 
If possible, the best way to avoid allurements is not to place yourself in compromising settings. Paul’s advice, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Joseph didn’t have that luxury. The handsome Joseph had regular advances made at him by this seductress.
 
Now, when I’m about to run on the treadmill I always get my iPod to play my Christian tunes, my $30 headphones that sometimes give me stereo (music in both ears), but mostly monotones (music only in my right ear), and I lace up my Nike running shoes. Joseph didn’t have time for all of that. Gen. 39:40 reports, “But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.”
 
Our lesson today is that we shouldn’t put ourselves in an environment where we might yield to sin, but if we find ourselves being tempted, then run! I pray that you both learn to run from temptation and bolt toward those who will keep you accountable. Once again, Paul’s advice, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace WITH THOSE who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22).

The Two Witnesses In Revelation

Posted on Feb 19, 2016 in Devotions |

Revelation 11:3
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy
one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
 
Who are these two witnesses of Revelation 11:1-14? I believe that is the wrong question since they are not identified in Scripture and also because they are two contemporaries to the future era (2nd Half of Tribulation) in which they minister (Rev. 11:3).
 
The right question I believe is, “How are these two servants energized to testify so powerfully for Jesus? These two prophets are identified as “two olive trees and two lamp stands standing before the God of the earth” (Rev. 11:4). Two olive trees should cause your cross-reference-Bible brain to take you to Zechariah 3 & 4. These two witnesses are Joshua the High Priest and Zerubbabel the Governor. They are commissioned to finish the work on the Temple that lay dormant the last twelve years. How could they finish this God-sized task? The answer is found in Zechariah. 4:6:
 
Zechariah. 4:6
“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power,
but by My Spirit says the Lord of Hosts [Armies].”
 
A powerful witness for Jesus comes from depending upon God’s Spirit to work through us to accomplish the impossible. Cling to Zech. 4:6 along with Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Meeting Demon Locusts and Avoiding that Prickly Feeling‏

Posted on Feb 12, 2016 in Devotions |

Revelation 9:1
“And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth.
 And to him was given the key to the bottomless pit.”
 
This passage begins with an angel that had fallen in the past. John writes, “And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. And to him was given the key to the bottomless pit.” Since the angel is fallen, he is a demon. His name is given in both the Hebrew and Greek and means, “destroyer” (Rev. 9:11).
I believe the description of the demon locusts should be enough to “scare the literal hell” out of anyone. My thoughts are that the unsaved would read this and come running to Jesus so that they wouldn’t have to face these dreaded creatures. Moreover, I would surmise that Christians would read this and witness passionately for Jesus so that no relative, neighbor, coworker, or acquaintance would ever have to experience Hell’s full fury before being cast into Hell, the lake of fire. Paul states my case well in 2 Corinthian 5:11:
 
2 Corinthian 5:11
“Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”
 
Knowing what is coming, how can we not beg all people to be saved? Paul did. “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled for God.” Never forget what Jesus has done for you so that you’ll not have to experience His wrath. “For He [God] made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). Isn’t it time to start the pleading and to live in such a way that you attract and not repel people from Christ?

Love & Hip Hop or Jesus?‏

Posted on Nov 27, 2015 in Devotions |

Revelation 3:2
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,
that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
 
What are you watching? TV series with trashy content emerge rapidly and are consumed by a lust-filled people daily who live in a fantasy land. Perhaps the Christians at ancient Sardis were glued to their tubes salivating over Love & Hip Hop when they should have been watching for Jesus. For Jesus Himself assesses this church and says,
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you WILL NOT WATCH, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you” – Revelation 3:2-3
 
Historically, the ancient cities (Sardis means double city) were considered impregnable. They were set on high and considered impervious (impenetrable) to attack. However, twice because they were not watching for their enemies the city was attacked and conquered. Cyrus, King of Persia sneaked up and defeated this city in 549 B.C. and then it happened again in 214 B.C. by Antiochus the Great. It is said, “those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
 
How pure is your life? Jesus’ evaluation of those at Sardis states,
“You have a few names in Saris who have not defiled (polluted) their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy” – Revelation 3:4
 
Be watchful; don’t compromise your mind, eyes, lips, and life. Put your ENTIRE body on God’s altar and let it wholly be set apart for Him. I leave you with 1 Cor. 6:19-20,
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
 
Please dedicate your ENTIRE body to God who created you, right now!

Love, Marriage and Fear‏

Posted on Nov 20, 2015 in Devotions |

Genesis 3:10
Adam said to the God who was seeking to restore him,
“I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
 
The word fear first appears in the Bible after Adam and Eve disobeyed God (Gen. 3:10).  Only God can provide the security that an individual or married couple needs. I agree with John Maxwell,
“The love of God is the only source of absolute security—and all of us can have it.” – John Maxwell
 
By the way, I believe that we have a nation of insecure children because we don’t have dads and moms who are mature Christians daily growing in God’s Word and His love. Only Christian couples firing on all spiritual cylinders can provide the security that our youth need. Having said that, consider 1 John 4:18,
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts our fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18
 
Adam’s fatal flaw emerged as a man who didn’t lead his wife, but followed her lead, because he didn’t derive his security from God. (Sadly, I see this tragedy played out daily in the lives of many Christian couples!). Today, be filled with the love of God and allow Him to expel any of your fears. Remember what John said,
“We love Him because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
 
Unlike Adam, allow God’s love to be enough and enjoy the security.

Your Eternal Shine

Posted on Nov 13, 2015 in Devotions |

1 Peter 5:4
“and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
[crown, which is glory] that does not fade away!
 
Dear friend, I believe that the saints who walk faithfully with their God and serve Him well will be rewarded with a greater degree of reflecting Christ’s glory for all eternity. In the context of the Old Testament saints resurrection after the Tribulation, Daniel writes,
“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” – Daniel 12:3
 
Similarly, Paul compares the glory of various stellar bodies to our resurrected bodies, implying various degrees of our eternal shine. Paul writes also in the context of the resurrection,
“There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the starts; for one star differs from another star in glory. SO ALSO is the resurrection of the dead” – 1 Corinthians 15:41-42a
 
Finally, Peter writing to pastors gives the same incentive to be faithful as does Daniel and Paul (as we saw in 1 Peter 5:4.) Press on for Jesus so that you can eternally shine on for Jesus!

Why Christians Should Rock Out

Posted on Nov 6, 2015 in Devotions |

 1 Peter 2:5
“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house,
a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to
God through Jesus Christ.”
 
Peter refers to Jesus Christ as the Rock, and the church as living stones (in 1 Pet. 2). Not only are believers living stones, but Peter also called them priests, which implies their job is to represent people. Think of godly men in the past who acted as priest / representatives to save their friends and family. Remember the story of Job?  After God confronted Job’s friends, he had Job pray for them. Or how about the Father of the nation Israel? Abraham took on the priestly role for Lot and saved him and his daughters from death.
 
Whose life might you save through this God-given role? You are special! You are chosen! You are a priest and should apply yourself to intervene in behalf of Christians and non-Christians alike! I leave you with 1 Pet. 2:9,
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

The Big “S” in FoundationS

Posted on Oct 30, 2015 in Devotions |

Hebrews 11:8-10

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
 
How important can an “S” be? One thing is clear as you enter Hebrews 11, the heroes of faith lived with heaven as their home and destination. Let’s consider the father of faith, Abraham. Although he was given the Promised Land, he chose to dwell in tents as a wanderer. Heb. 11:10 gives the reason for his rugged lifestyle, “for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
 
Did you notice the “s” on foundation? The city he longed for wouldn’t just have a foundation, but foundations—showing eternal security and stability. Does the “s” in foundations jive with the New Jerusalem? Rev. 21:14 gives a resounding yes, “Now the wall of the city had twelve T, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
 

May I encourage you to set your gaze upon the city with foundations, as did Abraham, Moses and Paul? I leave you with Phil. 3:20-21,

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body”


Have You Learned From Your Mistakes?

Posted on Oct 23, 2015 in Devotions |

1 Corinthians 10:11,
“Now ALL these things happened to them as examples [for us],
and they were written for our admonition [warning].”
 
How well have you learned from the mistakes of your past? Paul reviewed the failures of the Israelites who “all” had great privileges. (Count the five “alls” in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4!) Take a few minutes right now and write out your past major mistakes. Then take a few minutes and answer these questions: What have I learned from my past mistakes? What have I done to ensure that I won’t repeat them?

Here’s your warning just in case you don’t think you need to do this.

1 Corinthians 10:12,
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
 
The Israelites were to take an eleven day trip when they were delivered out of Egypt to the promised land; it took 40 years and they still didn’t enter because of their unbelief. The statement goes: Those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it. Don’t let this be you.
 
Today I leave you to ponder 1 Cor. 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but GOD IS FAITHFUL, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

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