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Overview
The Once-A-Day Men & Women of the Bible Devotional ebook has 365 daily readings unpacking the most memorable people of the Bible. From Adam & Eve to David & Goliath to Mary & Joseph, and many more, each day's reading explores the key lessons from their lives. This devotional book will open your eyes to the joys, struggles, and life lessons you can learn from them today.
Each daily reading includes:
• Scripture text from the most popular modern-English Bible translation, the NIV
• A devotion from the trusted team that brought you the Life Application Study Bible notes, focused on one person of the Bible and how their life relates to yours
• A thought to ponder, with room to jot down your reflections
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780310440796 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Zondervan |
| Publication date: | 09/04/2012 |
| Series: | Once-A-Day |
| Sold by: | HarperCollins Publishing |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 384 |
| Sales rank: | 276,817 |
| File size: | 3 MB |
| Age Range: | 18 Years |
About the Author
Formed in 1988, The Livingstone Corporation partners with Christian publishers to produce Bibles, books, Bible studies, curricula, and other resources.
Read an Excerpt
Once-A-Day Men and Women of the Bible Devotional
Once-A-DayBy Michael Kendrick
Zondervan
Copyright © 2012 Livingstone CorporationAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-310-44078-9
Chapter One
january 1 day 1 AARONA CROWD-PLEASER
"They gave me the gold." Exodus 32:24
Aaron was senior pastor in a congregation of approximately half a million people, but he still made mistakes, and one of them was colossal. One day the people wanted an idol — something physical and visible — around which to rally, and Aaron gave in. He supervised construction of the golden calf. He did not even raise a protest or urge an alternative.
Had Aaron lost his marbles? Confronted by Moses, he certainly tried to play the part of innocent bystander caught in the middle of a movement bigger than he could stop. It was as if the people had thrown him their gold, and presto! — here's this calf thing.
"Due to circumstances beyond my control" may be a reasonable excuse for losing an umbrella in a hurricane, but there's no good reason to entertain pagan worship. Aaron, spiritual leader of Israel, should have stood stronger for God's truth. The lesson he learned carried a high price.
Aaron is an example of what can happen when we let the popular wind blow us away — far away — from God's ideal for us. Aaron should have and could have held on. God would have seen to the rabble rebels. In this new year, when "isms" or ideologies can sometimes appear appealing, keep your loyalty rooted in the one true God. D
PRAYER Heavenly Father, keep me loyal to you ...
READ Aaron's story is told in Exodus 1:1 — Deuteronomy 10:6 (the story of the Golden Calf is located in Exodus 32). Aaron is also mentioned in Hebrews 5.
january 2 day 2
AARON
A TEAM PLAYER
"You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go." Exodus 7:2
Older than Moses by three years, Aaron was chosen by God to be Moses' spokesman to Pharaoh; he later was given the job of high priest for the Israelites. Together Moses and Aaron would lead the people to a land of promise, far away from Egyptian whips and chain gangs. Aaron did not have Moses' strength of will or visionary leadership, but he could speak with clarity and (usually) followed loyally. He stood at Moses' side through many confrontations with Pharaoh and his magicians.
Capable lieutenants turn good leaders into great ones. Few worthy projects are accomplished by individuals acting alone. Teamwork is the key, and a staff of trusted helpers can be a leader's greatest resource. A choirmaster is useless without a choir. God increased the strength of each one, Moses and Aaron, by their joint appointment to lead the exodus.
We play at the top of our game when, as part of a motivated team of people, our personalities and talents are stretched to reach important goals for God's kingdom. Your role may be spokesperson, "go-fer" or crew chief. Whatever the assignment, God deserves your best. D
PRAYER Lord, grant me the wisdom to know whom to follow ...
READ
Aaron's story is told in Exodus 1:1 — Deuteronomy 10:6. Aaron also is mentioned in Hebrews 5.
january 3 day 3
ABEL
GIVE YOUR BEST
Abel also brought an offering — fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. Genesis 4:4
Every child who knows the Bible and every adult who has committed to coming under a church's roof likely knows the name of this second son — Abel. He is the youth whose life was snuffed out by his own brother's jealous blow.
Exactly why God favored Abel's offering is unknown to us, but not to them. They knew. The pristine world was not so cluttered with noise and distraction that God's will could be anything less than crystal clear. Cain was not sure he liked God's ways; Abel, on the other hand, brought his offering with a smile on his lips and a song in his heart.
Likewise, God's will for us today is clear enough. We know that loving ser vice is the centerpiece, while greed and pride are spoilers. We know that "our way or no way" is offensive to God. We know that God wants our devotion no matter the cost.
Today give your best to God. Check to make sure your heart is trusting in God's care, your mind is devoted to knowing the Lord deeply, and your will is eager to please the sovereign Creator.
PRAYER
Lord, I offer you ...
READ
Abel's story is told in Genesis 4. He also is mentioned in Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51 and Hebrews 11:4; 12:24.
january 4 day 4
ABEL
SPEAKING WITHOUT WORDS
By faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. Hebrews 11:4
It's odd that a person can "speak" so effectively through centuries and millennia, even though the Bible does not record a single word from his mouth. Cain, the perpetrator, gets to talk at some length in Abel's story (see Genesis 4:1 – 14). In her recorded story, Eve speaks. Adam also had his say. But what do we hear from Abel? Nothing. He did, however, demonstrate several recognizable qualities: obedience (he brings the offering God desired) and eagerness (one cannot read of Abel without sensing that he enjoyed pleasing God).
Abel was also the victim of extreme violence. Abel follows his brother Cain to the field and dies with a look of shock and vulnerability in his eyes, as millions have since. Abel's story reminds us of the evil that darkens our world, of lives lost to treachery and hatred. His death begs for moral judgment, for God to make things right again.
And that is exactly what God promises to do, through the victory of Jesus Christ, our Savior. On Easter morning, Abel's life — and yours — was bought back eternally, forever, by God's mighty power. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life," (John 14:6). Today and each day of your life, trust Jesus Christ, God's Son, our Savior, for life eternal.
PRAYER
Jesus, I acknowledge that you are the way ...
READ
Abel's story is told in Genesis 4. He also is mentioned in Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51 and Hebrews 11:4; 12:24.
january 5 day 5
ABIATHAR
THE GIFT OF MERCY
To Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go back to your fields in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death now." 1 Kings 2:26
God mercifully allowed Abiathar to avoid certain death twice during his lifetime. The first time, he escaped with nothing but the ephod — a special robe identifying him as a priest — on his back. A vengeful King Saul had all the priests and their families in the city of Nob killed for helping David, but David welcomed Abiathar into his protection.
David trusted Abiathar for many years. But instead of a lifetime of gratefulness to God and loyalty to David, Abiathar eventually conspired against David and Solomon, God's choice for the next king. This time Solomon showed Abiathar tremendous mercy, and he lost only his priestly position as punishment for his disloyalty.
Many times throughout our lives we are given second chances and experience great mercy. Perhaps you have been given another chance in a damaged relationship or an important opportunity you thought you'd wasted. While some people would call it good luck, we know it to be a gift from the merciful hand of God. Like Abiathar, we may neglect to express our gratefulness to God and to others for their graciousness. Make it a point this week to reflect on the "second chances" you have received recently and express your thanks for them.
PRAYER Father God, thank you for ...
READ
Abiathar's story is found in 1 Samuel 22:6 — 23:13 and 1 Kings 1:1 — 2:27.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Once-A-Day Men and Women of the Bible Devotional by Michael Kendrick Copyright © 2012 by Livingstone Corporation. Excerpted by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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