May 1: Nehemiah 8:1-18 – “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’” (verse 10) This contains our theme for 2010. I spoke about this on December 27th as an important characteristic that is true among God’s people. I will repeat the phrase again, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” We can be a joyful people that celebrate who God is and what he does. The attitude of joy is what marks the believer because we have so much confidence in God. The people were looking at the past and grieving but Nehemiah encouraged them to look forward with hope into the future. God was going to do something new. How does this apply to you? How does this apply to our church?

May 2: Esther 1:1-22 – We will read all of the Book of Esther in the next few days. This is an important introduction to the situation that existed during King Xerxes’ reign. “This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa.” (vv. 1 & 2) This story begins in 483 BC. Esther lived in the kingdom of Persia, the dominant kingdom in the middle east after Babylon’s fall in 539 BC. Esther’s parents must have been among those exiles who chose not to return to Jerusalem, even though Cypress, the Persian King had issued a decree allowing them to do so. The Jewish exiles had great freedom in Persia, and many remained because they had established themselves there. What does this introduction tell you about the situation in that day? Why would we read this first chapter when Esther isn’t even mentioned? Pray that God will speak to you through this book.

This is our week with Esther. I hope you enjoy getting to know Esther on a deeper level. We will read her story and ask God how we are to apply it to our lives. Esther is a woman of courage. The hinge verse is common to us, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.” (4:14) Because of Queen Esther’s courageous act a whole nation was saved. Seeing her God-given opportunity, she seized it. Her life made a difference. May her life inspire you.

May 3: Esther 2:1-23 – “Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” (verse 17) This is the beginning of our story. The Lord put the favor and attraction for Esther in the heart of the king. No human opposition would get in the way of God’s plan. God is at work even when we cannot see anything happening. The Lord loves you like he loves Esther. He has good plans for you. He always has your best in mind. What impresses you about Esther? What stands out to you in this chapter? How are you encouraged?

May 4: Esther 3:1-15 – “So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. ‘Keep the money,’ the king said to Haman, ‘and do with the people as you please.’” (vv. 10 & 11) This does not seem like something positive whatsoever. There is an evil man that has the power to exterminate God’s chosen people. He is like a Hitler, however God’s plans cannot be stopped. Haman was doomed to fail. How does it seem like the devil has an upper hand in this situation? Are there times in your life when you feel like things are doomed for you? Don’t lose heart yet, read the rest of the story.

May 5: Esther 4:1-17 – “‘For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’” (verse 14) God is not specifically mentioned in the Book of Esther, but his hand is evident throughout. He would be stirring in the heart of Esther the need to be courageous. Esther asked the Jews to pray for her. She is a very wise woman and she also will show her wisdom in the next chapter. What does this say about one’s purpose? Why is it important to know your God-given purpose? How do you perceive your purpose?

May 6: Esther 5:1-14 – “His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, ‘Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy.’ This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built.” (verse 14) Again it looks like Haman has a plan that is going to work. Even his family is a part of the demise. He would build gallows seventy-five feet high so that everyone could see Mordecai’s death. Ironically these high gallows allowed everyone to see Haman’s death. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” Jesus prayed, “Deliver us from the evil one.” You can have confidence that God is bigger than any evil. How does this story affirm that truth?

May 7: Esther 6:1-7:10 – “So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.” (7:10) Proverbs 26:27 teaches that a person who digs a pit for others will fall into it himself. The king discovered Haman’s true intentions. Justice was served. What gets your attention in these two chapters? How does it encourage you? In prayer, tell God that you are confident in him and that you can trust him.

May 8: Job 1:1-22 – “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters.” (vv. 1 & 2) We will read an introduction to Job and then we will skip to the time when everything is restored to him by the gracious hand of God. What happens to Job is not about Job’s disobedience. Life is not always predictable with a cause and effect outcome. Job would learn about a faith that would be built on the confidence that God’s ultimate purpose will come to pass. The immediate situation was horrible, but God would fulfill his purpose as he promised in Romans 8:28. What do you learn in this chapter? How do you respond to Satan’s desire to test Job? Do you ever believe that happens to you? Why?

May 9: Job 2:1-13 – “His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (vv. 9 & 10) There is hardly a more powerful verse in all the Bible about a man who would continue to honor God in spite of immense troubles. The difficulty now came to him personally. Faith in God does not guarantee personal prosperity and a lack of faith does not guarantee troubles in this life. It is not a cause and effect. He did not know why this was happening to him, but he still had faith. What inspires you about Job? How does his life challenge you?

We will begin with the amazing turnaround in Job’s life as he repents and places his life in the hands of God. Then we will spend the rest of the week reading from the Book of Psalms. The selection includes the most magnificent Psalms from the whole book. We will only read seven specific chapters from Psalms, but these definitely are the highlight. We will be reading my favorite Psalm this next Sunday, which is Psalm 103. I think just reading a few Psalms will stir you to include the Book of Psalms in your prayer time with God. I found reading through a Psalm as a part of my time of prayer with God to be very meaningful.

May 10: Job 38:1-41 – “Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are?’ Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?” (vv. 35 & 36) God spoke according to the Book of Job for two chapters. This is the longest narration from God found in the Bible. God did not answer any of Job’s questions; rather God posed questions to Job. What do you receive from this chapter? Why is this such a powerful presentation from the living God? What does it say about God? What does the chapter say about Job? What does this say about you?

May 11: Job 42:1-17 – “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (vv. 2 & 3) Job openly and honestly faced God and admitted he was the one who had been foolish. He praises God and puts his trust in the Lord, and at the same time repents. To repent means to turn back to God and to trust him with your life. What do you know about Job? What does this chapter say to you? How would you respond to God if you followed Job’s example?

May 12: Psalm 1:1-6 – “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (vv. 2 & 3) This short Psalm is full of meaning. Essentially only two paths lie before us – the way of the Lord and the way of our selfish desires. If we choose God’s path the Bible promises us spiritual prosperity. The key to finding God’s way is in his Word. When we apply God’s Word we receive his wisdom and God’s favor rests upon us. This Psalm essentially teaches how important it is to have God’s Word in your heart. Do you agree? What place does God’s Word have in your life? What does the word “meditate” mean to you? Why is that important?

May 13: Psalm 8:1-9 – “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” (vv. 4 & 5) When we compare ourselves to God’s greatness we are able to have a proper respect for God. This statement is not about man being insignificant, but rather about the greatness of God. Yet the most valuable part of his creation is mankind. God wants to use us to influence this world and to be his stewards for his creation. That is a marvelous affirmation from God about the significance he gives us. What stands out to you in this Psalm? Why is this such a wonderful Psalm for us to remember?

May 14: Psalm 23:1-6 – This Psalm is the most recited Psalm in the whole book. Many people have memorized it. One time in my ministry life I did a six-week series from this Psalm. “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” (vv. 1-3a) The imagery of God being our shepherd is a comforting one. Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance and protection. Jesus called himself the good shepherd. Being a pastor is sometimes likened to a shepherd. Being close to the shepherd is restorative to our soul. How does this Psalm give you comfort? What statement stands out to you? What does it mean to you that God is your shepherd?

May 15: Psalm 51:1-19 – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (vv. 10-12) These verses have been put to song. They make up a powerful prayer that expresses something that God already wants to do in your life. God wants us to be close to him and to experience the joy of our salvation. He wants us to live with a pure heart. The Lord wants to restore you. What sins do you need to confess? How is your heart before God these days? Will you pray this prayer to God? What will that mean to you?

May 16: Psalm 103:1-22 – “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (vv. 2-5) The Lord is so good to us. In these few verses it mentions several ways that God has helped us. Forgiveness, healing and satisfaction are just a few of the benefits that the Lord gives us when we put our faith in him. The rest of the Psalm talks about how to put your faith in him and again affirms what he will do for us. The assurance of forgiveness is one of the reoccurring themes in this Psalm. It says our sins are removed “as far as the east is from the west.” We can be assured that our past is the past, and God forgives and forgets. What does that mean to you? How could that help you? How would living by that truth help you?

Because of the nature of the Life Application reading selection we will be moving through the final books of the Old Testament very quickly. We will read Isaiah in two days; we will read from the writings of Solomon in just a few days; we will move through Jeremiah and Ezekiel quickly. By June 5, we will start our reading in the New Testament. If you are like me, you feel like we are missing significant parts of God’s Word. But the approach to reading through the Bible in one year is to really absorb some of the main principles of God’s teaching from his Word. We are to understand some of main events that affect our spiritual lives the most. I think it is encouraging to be reading such a significant portion of God’s Word in one year, and yet getting so much instruction from it because we are only focusing on one chapter a day. I am sure you feel the same.

May 17: Psalm 139:1-24 – It is so encouraging to me that we are reading this Psalm right after I preach on this important subject of being wonderfully made by God. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (vv. 13 & 14) When you feel worthless, all you have to do is read this truth and believe it. We are called to respect ourselves, even as our maker has a sense of pleasure and respect in how he has made us. As the saying goes, “God doesn’t make junk.” How does this apply to Sunday’s message? Why do you matter to God? What does this Psalm teach you about God’s concern for you?

May 18: Psalm 145:1-21 – “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” (vv. 3 & 4) This Psalm is from David and it is a powerful Psalm of worship and praise to God. It highlights many of his attributes and gives us many reasons why the Lord is worthy of our praise. He is great, glorious and abundantly good. These are just a few of the characteristics of God that David highlights in this Psalm. What characteristics would you highlight? Why is God worthy of our praise? How have you worshiped God today?

May 19: Proverbs 4:1-27 – “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.” (vv. 7 & 8 ) We already read that Solomon prayed that God would give him a discerning heart. God was pleased that Solomon had requested such a worthwhile gift. We believe Solomon was one of the wisest men that ever lived. He didn’t follow through until the end, so we will read about that truth in Ecclesiastes. Why is wisdom so important? What does this chapter say about wisdom? If you boldly ask God for wisdom today through faith, what will be the result? (James 1:5)

May 20: Proverbs 5:1-23 – “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.” (vv. 3 & 4) This subject is very appropriate for our day. We live in an sexually crazed world. The promise of sexual satisfaction is overrated. This chapter challenges us to guard our hearts from the lure and flattery of sexual sin. So many are caught in the snare of sexual promiscuity and pornography. What does this chapter say about the power of sexual sin? Why should we avoid immorality at all costs? The New Testament tells us to flee sexual immorality. Why is that the best counsel?

May 21: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 – Again, this is a book that is hard to skip over and just read the last chapter. Ecclesiastes says so much about the pursuit of happiness. The lure of selfish pleasure has hurt many people. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (vv. 13 & 14) These verses may be the most important verses of the whole book. We read about the contradictions of life and the vain pursuit of pleasure. Finally we come to the message that brings out the strongest principle in the whole book – fear God. The most significant single purpose of life is to know God. All other things are of lesser value. What do you think Solomon is trying to say to us through the Book of Ecclesiastes? What part of these final verses gets your attention? How do you want to apply its truth to your life?

May 22: Isaiah 6:1-13 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go and tell this people . . .’” (vv. 8 & 9) After Isaiah’s encounter with the living God, he was given a task. The Lord doesn’t stop at inspiration, he also draws us into service. We do need cleansing from sin. But we also are called to go. Jesus even said to his disciples, “Therefore, go.” What does this chapter tell you about God’s message to Isaiah? How did Isaiah respond? How might you and I respond?

May 23: Isaiah 53:1-12 – “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (vv. 4 & 5) It couldn’t be said any clearer than these verses that predict Jesus would die for our sins. The people already knew about the sacrificing of a lamb for the forgiveness of sins. The suffering Messiah would be the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Isaiah wrote these words 700 years before Christ came to earth. The Messiah suffered, bearing our sins to make us acceptable to God. What can we say to such love? How will you respond to him?

We will briefly highlight three different prophets. For three days we will read about Jeremiah and his experience. He is known as the weeping prophet. Basically, the people did not listen to Jeremiah and so he was lonely and even rejected, yet continued to serve the Lord. We won’t learn much about Ezekiel, but we will read a fascinating story about dry bones coming to life. By the end of the week, we will meet a man named Daniel, who is a great example to us of honoring God above man. I think you will be inspired and challenged by our readings for this week.

May 24: Jeremiah 1:1-9 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (verse 5) The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, but he had a hard time believing it. He thought of himself as insignificant, someone who was not able to speak well. Like Jeremiah, God knew you long before you were born. He thought about you and has always had plans for you. God has some specific things for you to do. Ephesians 2:10 says that God has prepared opportunities for us in advance to do. What assignment(s) do you sense God has given you? How are you trying to live that out?

May 25: Jeremiah 36:1-32 – “So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote on it all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them.” (verse 32) God had told Jeremiah to write words on a scroll. The scribe Baruch read all that was written on the scroll to the people gathered. When the king heard the words, he ordered that the scroll be burned. In other words, he rejected God’s Word through Jeremiah. Today many people try to put God’s Word aside. But we can know from the promise of the Bible that God’s Word stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 reads, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” How important is God’s Word? Why is it so important to obey it?

May 26: Jeremiah 38:1-13 – “So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.” (verse 6) Judah’s leaders persecuted Jeremiah repeatedly for faithfully proclaiming God’s messages. For forty years of faithful ministry he received no acclaim, no love, no popular following. In fact, he was beaten, jailed, threatened, and even forced to leave his homeland. Jeremiah is an example of being faithful even when he wasn’t a success. What does Jeremiah’s life teach you from the three chapters we read this week?

May 27: Ezekiel 37:1-14 – I have preached on this account several times. It is a fascinating story about spiritual renewal brought about by the breath of God. “Then he said to me: ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.”’” (verse 11) This is an illustration of spiritually bankrupt people who were hopeless. Their situation was overwhelming and they had nowhere to turn. God would bring new life by his Holy Spirit to these dry bones. God can restore anyone. He can restore any church, any person, any situation . . . nothing with him is impossible. Rather than give up, why not pray to God that he would restore you and those that you love? Why not pray that he would put his Spirit in you in a new and fresh way? Is that something you need? Are there others in your life that need a fresh touch from God? What does this story teach you?

May 28: Daniel 1:1-21 – “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.” (vv. 15 & 16) This is one example of how God watched over Daniel and his friends. He had a special purpose for these men and he would strengthen them no matter what. How did God take care of Daniel and his comrades during their time in Babylon? What effort did they have to exhibit as well? What do you learn from this chapter for your life?

May 29: Daniel 2:1-24 – “He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” (vv. 22 & 23) This could be a theme verse describing how God helped Daniel. Daniel was sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and spoke the truth of God boldly. Why was Daniel someone God could use? How did Daniel respond to the crisis he faced? Why can we trust God in the most challenging of circumstances?

May 30: Daniel 2:25-49 – “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.” (verse 44) God’s kingdom will never be destroyed. If you are upset by threats of war, or the prosperity of evil leaders, remember that God decides the outcome of history. Under God’s protection, God’s kingdom is indestructible. Those who believe in God are members of his kingdom and are secure in him forever. How did Daniel live that truth? Why is believing in God’s reliability so important? What part of this story stands out to you? Why?

May 31: Daniel 3:1-30 – We are picking up where we left off with the life of Daniel, but in this case we will specifically read about his three friends. I think this is one of the most familiar stories in the Old Testament for us. “Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, O king.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’” (vv. 24 & 25) I love this message about the fourth man. There is no certainty about who the fourth person was, but many believe it was the appearance of Christ. Jesus is described as the Alpha and the Omego, the beginning and the end. He could have very well made a visitation to these three godly men to protect them and rescue them. But most people would suggest that it was an angel that God sent to accompany these faithful men during their great time of trial. Who do you think he was? How does this story encourage you? Do you think God would still do what he did in these verse to protect his own? Why or why not?