Month: June 2018

June 30, Reading 1 – Joshua 13

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Joshua could not deliver everything. He was a limited Saviour and Judge for God’s people. His old age and death stopped his effectiveness. Thank God that He sent Jesus, who is alive forevermore at the Father’s right hand! Jesus’ saving work will be completed!

SJA Notes

* God of grace and mercy, remember Your mercy O Lord, and Your steadfast love! Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions – according to Your steadfast love remember me.

“But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.”

Twice in this passage the inheritance of Levi is rung like a bell across the years for any and all who read it.

They had no inheritance in the promised land, none at all.

Their inheritance was the LORD!

We are like Levi.

We have no inheritance on this earth, no physical place we stake our claim on as God’s people.

This world is passing away.

But our claim, our stake, our inheritance – Is with the Lord, with our saviour Jesus!

We read in Ephesians 1,

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”

We have an inheritance obtained through Jesus, to be fully revealed in the new heavens and the new earth – walking with God as our light, forever.

Now that is an inheritance of worth.

* Father God,

Thank You that through and in Jesus we inherit eternal life – Thank You Lord!

Amen.

June 30, Reading 2 – Isaiah 9:8-10:4

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Wickedness provides its own fire! Injustice produces thorns and thistles as its crop. It is the litter of injustice and wickedness that provides fuel for a coming judgment. Such a nation has no resistance of spirit and heart, when the Hitlers and Stalins arise.

SJA Notes

* Living God, please show us today what You want for us to know.

“The people did not turn to him who struck them, nor inquire of the LORD of hosts.”

This is a hard word for us God’s people.

We see this outworked in Israel’s history. Even godly leaders such as Joshua have marked instances of _not_ inquiring of the Lord God.

So this is a strong word to us – ASK GOD! TALK TO GOD!

Each day we are to be turning over our lives to the Lord, asking for His help, casting our cares on Him.

It is because of Jesus, in turning away God’s anger from us, that His hand is not stretched out in judgement on us.

This is something we can always and earnestly give thanks to God for.

* Dear Lord God,

Thank You for saving us! Thank You that Your anger is no longer our end, because of what You did at the cross!

Please mark us as a faithful people, walking daily with You.

Soften our proud hearts, bend our stubborn wills to You.

Amen.

June 30, Reading 3 – 1 Thessalonians 1

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

This city is called Salonika today and is in Macedonia. It was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. These are the people of Alexander the Great. Read Acts 17:1-9. These people were one focus for Paul’s prayers. What should we pray for each other?

SJA Notes

* God of Light and Love, thank You for Your mercy to us seen best of all in Jesus. Please teach us today.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, …”

Today’s passage has a good practical reminder for our prayer lives.

Sometimes we can get caught up in praying through lists, items for this person or that family.

Paul encourages us here in the GIVING OF THANKS.

Thanksgiving, being thankful, has benefit across many areas of life, including our spiritual health.

And Paul highlights here the pattern of giving thanks in our prayers for others!

Let’s do that now.

* Father God,

Thank You for the pattern and faith of believers that is etched on our hearts, those close to us here on earth, and those dearly departed to be with You.

Thank You for the work of Your people across this world.

Thank You for our church families.

Please help us to be a continually thankful people, both to You as our Creator and Sustainer God, and for those of Your people around us and in our lives.

Thank You Lord!

Amen.