October 29, Reading 1 – 1 Chronicles 8, 9

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

One thing the Chronicler does in this chapter is to establish the right of the returning members of the tribe from exile to the cities mentioned – Ono, Lod, Gath. Land rights and squabbles over them were important back then too. Jesus Himself has given us land rights in the new earth – I go to prepare a place for you!

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, we lift up our eyes to the hills – our help comes from You, the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

“And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith.”

There is only truth in this reminder to the returning exiles.

For those returning, to remember! What led them into exile, a breach of faith.

There is only truth for us today.

We are to remember!

Israel were God’s people, and yet they went into exile.

We must not take God’s grace, His mercy, for granted.

But more, our foundation is in Christ – We are to remember!

It is God in the Person of the Son who has come to earth, to be a sacrifice – lamb slain – that deals with our sin.

Judah was taken into exile because of their breach of faith.

Jesus went to the cross and to the grave, to death, because of our sin. And He won the day.

Praise God for Jesus!

* God Above,

We are Your people, You are our God.

Thank You for all that You do, Your grace and Your mercy evident throughout our lives.

Please mark us as a faithful people.

Amen.

October 29, Reading 2 – Ezekiel 11

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Ezekiel sees twenty-five deceiving prophets in a vision. End time theories and prophecies – do these confuse you? How do we know who is right? Reflect on verses 11,12,19,20. What place should the Ten Commandments have in our discernment of deceiving preachers and prophets?

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please teach us from Your word today.

“… And you shall know that I am the LORD.”

Our God wants us to KNOW HIM!

How can we know the Creator God?

The one true God who is holy and who dwells in unapproachable light?

We see God’s answer here,

“And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them.”

We see in the gift of Jesus – God come down, Immanuel.

We see in the giving of the Holy Spirit, that we are born again – new hearts, spirits made new.

God continues here,

“And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

This resonates with what we read in Revelation 21,

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

This is our hope, this is our God!

We have this truth in the _now_, and we look forward to the full complete resolution in the _not yet_, in glory.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

* Gracious Father in Heaven,

You are making all things new. Your words are trustworthy and true.

You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

To the thirsty You give from the spring of water of life without payment.

Lord God – we are thirsty, please save us!

Bring Your Spirit amongst us, save this place, these people.

Open our eyes to the light that is Jesus.

Amen.

October 29, Reading 3 – John 3:22-36

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

John the Baptist honours his cousin Jesus as the bridegroom. What does this tell you about Jesus? Read carefully again verses 35 and 36. If this is true, what then?

SJA Notes

* God of true justice and mercy, thank You for Jesus, Your word become flesh.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

This is a statement that needs to be written deep across our hearts and minds, our practice and our way of thinking.

That Christ would be lifted up, that we would be made low.

That God would be promoted as we are demoted.

And this is not weakness.

This requires great wrestling with our pride and selfishness, our desires and dreams.

Meekness, not weakness, is the order!

* God Above,

Please sink us in self that You might be raised up.

Please help us to point to Jesus, never to ourselves.

Please increase Jesus in us, and decrease our selfishness, our pride, our broken wills.

So that the glory and honour would rest with You, so that Your Name would be praised.

Amen.