Month: December 2018

December 1, Reading 1 – 2 Chronicles 31

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Many from the northern tribes came to this Passover. They help to cleanse the land of Judah of its idolatry. Like the healed Gadarene demonic, they went back home to the north to declare the wonderful things God had done! Let us do what is good and right and true in God’s sight!

SJA Notes

* Dear God, remind us to make our ears attentive to Your wisdom, to incline our hearts to the understanding You bring.

“As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance of the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.”

Here is what a willing and free offering is!

Giving out of the abundance of a heart reborn in Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 9 we read,

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

It is not the metrics that matter, not the amount or the type that determine success in giving.

God loves a _cheerful giver_.

We read in today’s passage that the people of Israel were being transformed by the renewing of their minds, offering up spiritual worship.

They were cheerful givers!

Are we cheerful in our giving – of our time, our energy, our produce and goods?

God loves a cheerful giver.

* Dear Lord God,

Thank You for what You have given to us – New life, and life to the full!

Please help us to remember what we read in today’s passage – Please help us to give cheerfully.

Amen.

December 1, Reading 2 – Ezekiel 47

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The river is associated with Eden, the place where God walks and talks with man. Ezekiel’s Jerusalem Above is Eden Regained. The Scripture trail is Genesis 2:10 and Zechariah 14:8 and Revelation 22:1,2. God alone can regain Eden for man!

SJA Notes

* Loving God, may Your word be our guide today.

“And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kids of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

Water is important. It is life to the parched thirst.

John 4 shows us that Jesus brings the water of life, and that if we drink from this living water, our spirits will never thirst again.

Water brings growth.

In Revelation 22 we read of the river of the water of life, directly linking with what we read here in this temple Ezekiel saw,

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

These trees are watered by the water of life.

In John 15 we read of the vine, the branches grafted in and bearing fruit. That growth comes from abiding in Jesus.

If Jesus brings the water of life in the now, and if we are plants that grow and bear fruit while on this narrow road, then how much better our life and growth will be in glory – Where the river of the water of life itself flows!

What a hope we have.

* Mighty God,

Please help us see our need for You today.

Thank You that You bring the water of life to our parched thirsty spirits.

Please Lord, please draw those around us to You, that they might drink of this water!

Amen.

December 1, Reading 3 – 1 John 2:1-17

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Notice that obedience to Jesus and to His word or command is inescapable for the Christian. This is how God’s love is made complete in us. When you apply God’s Word to your life, be practical. Ask yourself how, when and who!

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please teach us today, write Your word on our hearts, that we might not sin against You.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world.”

Where is our love?

We God’s people live in the world. We are journeying through this place. Our lives here are the narrow road that winds through this world.

We live in the world.

But we are not be _of_ the world.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world.”

Where is our love?

God’s word tells us that where our treasure is, there is our heart. Our love.

Jesus is to be our treasure. Our love. Our desire to be Christ’s disciples in this life, and in the next to be with Him.

He is our treasure.

And nothing else.

Do not let the world into our hearts.

* God of Love and Light,

You are the one who created all things, You sustain all things, You are the one who brings and gives life.

Please help us today Lord God to bear Your Name well, to be Your kingdom people, to walk under and go about Your sovereign and holy will.

May our love today be true for You, our eye singular in devotion, faithful and true – As You are faithful and true.

Amen.