Friday, July 27, 2018

Christian Daily Devotional for the Jewish Calendar - The Month of Sh’vat | January 7th – February 5th, 2019

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Sh’vat is the fifth month of the Jewish year. It is the month of the New Year of the Trees.


Monday, January 7, 2019 | Sh’vat 1, 5779

Then God said, ‘Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.’ And it was so.” – Genesis 1:11

Father, You are so creative. And not only are You creative enough to make the trees, but You are wise enough to design them to reproduce and bear fruit year after year to sustain us. I praise You!


Tuesday, January 8, 2019 | Sh’vat 2, 5779

Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.’” – Genesis 1:29

You are so generous, Father, to give us Your creation. Help me to be generous to the world.


Wednesday, January 9, 2019 | Sh’vat 3, 5779

The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” – Genesis 2:9

Father, remind me that in Your creation there is life, but there is also danger. Give me the wisdom to stay close to one and far from the other.


Thursday, January 10, 2019 | Sh’vat 4, 5779

And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’” – Genesis 2:16-17

Your commands are good and Your judgments are fair, oh Lord. Help me to obey Your instructions.


Friday, January 11, 2019 | Sh’vat 5, 5779

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” – Genesis 3:8

Holy Spirit, soften my heart so that I never try to hide from You. When You convict me, let me run to You in confession and repentance.


Saturday, January 12, 2019 | Sh’vat 6, 5779

And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of Us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’” – Genesis 3:22

Jesus, my eternal life isn’t for me to reach out and take, but for You to give. You are my salvation and my King.

~Week 19~


Sunday, January 13, 2019 | Sh’vat 7, 5779

“They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.” – Nehemiah 9:25

Lord, just as You blessed Israel with the work of others, so You bless me by allowing me to learn from the examples of Christians in previous generations. Open my heart and mind to the lessons You taught them.


Monday, January 14, 2019 | Sh’vat 8, 5779

When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten.” – Leviticus 19:23

How wise You are, oh, Lord! You command us to let Your trees grow and become healthy before we eat of their fruit. Feed with Your Spirit so that I grow and prepare myself to nourish the spirits of others.


Tuesday, January 15, 2019 | Sh’vat 9, 5779

I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.” – Leviticus 26:4

Blessed Father, help me to always obey You so that I enjoy Your blessings.


Wednesday, January 16, 2019 | Sh’vat 10, 5779

Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of your land yield their fruit.” – Leviticus 26:20

Jesus, let my life be meaningful. Let me not work and live in vain. Turn my heart to You as You turn Yours to me.


Thursday, January 17, 2019 | Sh’vat 11, 5779

“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” – Leviticus 27:30

My God, help me to trust You with my resources. Give me a heart of gratitude to give back to You what You’ve so graciously given to me.


Friday, January 18, 2019 | Sh’vat 12, 5779

“Destroy completely all the places on the high mountains, on the hills and under every spreading tree, where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods.” – Deuteronomy 12:12

Holy Spirit, examine my life and show me any areas where I’m not putting You first – where I’m putting myself, my hobbies, my desires, or my family above You. Give me the strength to give You everything.


Saturday, January 19, 2019 | Sh’vat 13, 5779

When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.” – Deuteronomy 24:20

Jesus, give me a generous spirit. Remove any selfishness from me and fill me with concern for the needs of others.

~Week 20~


Sunday, January 20, 2019 | Sh’vat 14, 5779

Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.” – 2 Samuel 18:9

Lord, You are the master of creation and can use even the trees to carry out Your judgments. Fill me with wonder at Your power and deeds.


Monday, January 21, 2019 | Sh’vat 15, 5779

Tu BiShvat / Rosh Hashanah La'Ilanot / New Year of the Trees

On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers.” – 1 Kings 6:29

Holy God, just as Solomon recognized the splendor of Your creation, help me to appreciate the beauty of what You have made. Don’t let me take Your work for granted but fill me with awe every time I walk outside and see the wonder of nature.


Tuesday, January 22, 2019 | Sh’vat 16, 5779

Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth.” – 1 Chronicles 16:33

How glorious You are that even the trees praise You in their own way! Give me a respect for Your creation as I unite with all that You have made to give You honor.


Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | Sh’vat 17, 5779

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” – Psalm 1:1-3

Lord, I want You to nourish me and grow me up into the person You created me to be. Keep me away from the company and the habits of who would drain my life away.


Thursday, January 24, 2019 | Sh’vat 18, 5779

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.” – Psalm 52:8

My God, it is only by Your love that I move and breathe and have my being. Not only have You created me, but You’ve saved me and give me everything that I need to flourish in You.


Friday, January 25, 2019 | Sh’vat 19, 5779

“Blessed are those who find wisdom. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.” – Proverbs 3:13, 18

Jesus, give me wisdom. Inspire me to seek new lessons from You every day. Open my eyes to what You want to teach me. Remind me to consider Your teachings in every decision that I make.


Saturday, January 26, 2019 | Sh’vat 20, 5779

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12

Lord, give me a longing for You and to do Your will. Help me to be patient as I know that You will not disappoint me.

~Week 21~


Sunday, January 27, 2019 | Sh’vat 21, 5779

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4

Holy Spirit, guide my words so that I can be a blessing to others when I speak. Inspire me with words to say to the hurting and the upset. Let my speech always honor You.


Monday, January 28, 2019 | Sh’vat 22, 5779

No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.” – Luke 6:43

Teacher, confront me with the truth and show me who I am. Strengthen my resolve to better serve You as I yield to the changes You want to make in me.


Tuesday, January 29, 2019 | Sh’vat 23, 5779

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” – Matthew 3:10

Father, make me a tree planted and growing in You. Grow Your Spirit within me so that I can yield the fruit You desire.


Wednesday, January 30, 2019 | Sh’vat 24, 5779

“Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” – Matthew 13:32

Lord, You said that Your Kingdom would grow. Show me how I can reach out to others with the Good News of Your salvation.


Thursday, January 31, 2019 | Sh’vat 25, 5779

“So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way.” – Luke 19:4

Savior, just as Zacchaeus did what he could to see You, help me to do everything I can to meet with You. Make our time together my priority. Give me a longing to be with You.


Friday, February 1, 2019 | Sh’vat 26, 5779

“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” – Matthew 21:8

Lord Jesus, just as the people laid branches and their cloaks before You, help me to lay everything I have at Your feet. I give You my time, my family, my work, my interests, my life.


Saturday, February 2, 2019 | Sh’vat 27, 5779

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” – Revelation 2:7

Jesus, my only victory is in You. Help me to rely on Your Spirit to sustain me so that I will never turn from You.

~Week 22~


Sunday, February 3, 2019 | Sh’vat 28, 5779

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” – Revelation 22:2

Father, just as You took away the Tree of Life so that we might seek Your salvation in Christ, so will You return to every blessing that we lost. Give me hope as I wait for You to renew all things.


Monday, February 4, 2019 | Sh’vat 29, 5779

“And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” – Revelation 22:19

Holy Spirit, give me a reverent respect for Your Word. Help me not to ignore any part of it or add any of my own ideas onto what You have said. You are the authority and You’ve given me Your Word to guide me to You.


Tuesday, February 5, 2019 | Sh’vat 30, 5779

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” – Revelation 22:14

Jesus, I wash my heart, my mind, my spirit in Your blood. You have made me pure and holy for You.



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