Month: March 2018

March 12, Reading 1 – Exodus 29:38-30:10

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The Altar of Incense stood right before the curtain that divided the Holy of Holies from the body of the Tabernacle. When the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies once every year, this altar became one with the Holy of Holies as the curtain was opened. The High Priest anointed this small altar with blood and offering incense on it, prayed for the whole people of God. See Hebrews 9 & 10.

SJA Notes

* Sovereign God, Your word to us is life and health. Please feed us with the bread of life, Christ Jesus our King.

“With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations.”

Again we see why we need Jesus.

Because the blood of bulls and sheep can never atone! Again and again these offerings were given, but they were never sufficient.

Until Jesus!

With His offering of His life atonement was made – a once-for-all sacrifice.

Praise God for what He has done for us! Saving us in Jesus, doing what we could never do.

* Lord God,

Thank You for Your work, fully and completely atoning for our sin in a single act, once-for-all.

Please help us to live as we ought under Your rule.

Amen.

March 12, Reading 2 – Psalm 78:1-31

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Asaph recounts the disastrous effects of party spirit within Israel. The Tribe of Ephraim (descendants of Joseph) was jealous of the Tribe of Judah, King David’s tribe. Their jealousy was a continuation of Israel’s rebellion in the desert. The call is to remember His mighty deeds in salvation and follow the Messiah of His appointing. This is a lesson for every generation. (v.1-8)

SJA Notes

* Righteous God, we believe, please help our unbelief!

“… So that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;”

Asaph’s cure for disunity is to turn people back to the glorious deeds of the LORD, the good things He has done.

This passage is a re-telling of Israel’s history, of the important events and God’s character that is clear in those events. As well, it shows the heart of God’s people (our heart).

Asaph reminds us of the wisdom in teaching God’s word!

We need to tell God’s word to our children; His deeds, His laws, for the next generation and generations to come.

“… So that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;”

This is the crux of the matter, and a big important truth in our lives today as God’s people.

We don’t want our generations alive today (and those to come) to be faithless and rebellious!

Rather, we can be about the work that Asaph shows us here – To teach God’s word to our children, to the next generations.

* God Above,

Please Lord write Your word on our hearts today.

Cause Your word to go out from us and bear much fruit!

We ask that You would please bless our telling of the word to the next generation.

Amen.

March 12, Reading 3 – Acts 17:16-34

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Why would Paul be distressed to see idolatry in Athens? The philosophers listened to Paul until he spoke on the resurrection. The resurrection causes similar reactions within Australia today. The resurrection doctrine reminds us that our future is as humans, not as angels or spirits.

SJA Notes

* Living God, thank You for teaching us from Your word today. May we hear and obey.

“Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,”

God is not far from each one of us.

This is the message of good news to the nations, to those around us!

We may be mocked and even despised for telling this message.

And it is true, the divide between God and His enemies is a cast and unfathomable-to-us chasm.

But that God our Creator, Sustainer and Life-Giver would send Himself to bridge that gap, to make it possible for us as enemies to become friends of God … What a God we have!

The good news of Jesus, for all – God is not far from us, Jesus is the answer!

* Gracious Father in Heaven,

Please help us to spread Your good news to our loved ones, our friends and family, those folk we meet throughout the week.

Please help us to be bold and to be brave, ready to be ashamed for the sake of our King Jesus, knowing that in Him the shame of the world has no lasting power.

Amen.