Month: February 2019

February 28, Reading 1 – Exodus 19

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The history of exodus is important in understanding the theology being taught through that history. God saves Israel by His grace through their faith in Moses – justification. The Red Sea comes before Mount Sinai. The Law, and especially the Ten Commandments, were given after Israel had been saved, not before. They have to do with how we should live as God’s people, with sanctification. The Ten Commandments were never intended as a means of justification or salvation! Pharisees always get it wrong.

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please help us know You better today, to walk in Your ways.

“And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.”

Here is a thing!

Can you imagine the cacophony, more than earthly sight and sound, unearthly trumpet blasts, black smoke like a kiln going up, the mountain itself trembling.

And Moses, the sinner man, speaks.

And God, the Creator and Sustainer and Life-Giver, the perfect true and ever-blessed God, He answers.

In thunder.

We cannot jump back in time and experience this event.

The thunder of God’s answering, the heavenly trumpet sounds, the LORD HIMSELF descending.

But we do see with faith.

Faith given through the work of our King, born in a manger (Immanuel, God With Us), staggering to the skull hill with the cross, dead in the tomb, risen.

He preached to us on the mountain, prayed on the mountain, transfigured on the mountain, slain on a hill.

The thunder of God’s answering. The heavenly trumpet sounds.

THE LORD HIMSELF DESCENDING.

If we have seen Jesus, then we have seen this.

It might be with our spiritual sight, our faith the gift that came undeserved – But it is sight nonetheless.

Let us be encouraged that in Jesus we see the Lord Himself descending, God with Us.

* Dear God in Heaven,

Thank You for this passage where Moses goes up the mountain and meets with You as You come down from heaven to the mountain.

Thank You for meeting us in Jesus, God come down and become man to rescue us Your people, defeating the great enemy.

Thank You Lord!

Amen.

February 28, Reading 2 – Psalm 58, 59

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Injustice, malice, venom – these form a constant refrain in David’s psalms. He has some strong metaphors – snarling dogs, snakes. But David also says of God: You are my refuge in times of trouble!

SJA Notes

* God Above, You are Lord of the Sabbath – Thank You for the hope we have in the eternal sabbath that is to come.

“O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.”

David has some hard words for us to read in these psalms. There are tensions visible in his words that can be difficult for us to work through.

David’s foundation and strength is always the Lord God. He is in a constant reminder state,

“For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”

God’s people can endure great hardship, God’s word tells us we will be persecute because the world hates our King Jesus, and so it hates us.

But we have a God who is our fortress and shield!

* God Almighty,

Thank You that You are our shield and our defender!

Thank You that You are a fortress for us, a refuge for us in our distress!

Amen.

February 28, Reading 3 – Acts 10:24-48

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The early Church was exclusively Jewish. Non-Jews were not considered fit to be members of Christ’s Church. God gave a second Pentecost so that the Church could not refuse baptism to these non-Jewish believers. They are baptised immediately in the house. What is God challenging in your life or church?

SJA Notes

* Creator God, thank You for Your salvation plan that You reveal to us in and through Your word.

“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,”

This was a big important deal for Peter to come to understand, and for all Israelites since then.

Because in Ancient Israel’s times, there was Israel and there was the rest of the world, Gentiles. To be part of God’s people you had to be grafted into Israel through physical circumcision (for the men folk of a family).

But this was not God’s full revelation.

“And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.”

The Holy Spirit had been promised through the old testament prophets, for-telling the time when this pouring out would happen.

Here we see the promise of God to Abraham, that in him ALL NATIONS would be blessed.

This is the good news, that God shows no human partiality in His salvation plan. Skin color, personality, means of wealth or power or ability, upbringing, heritage, blood-line.

The message of Jesus is for all mankind.

How good is this!

* Mighty God in Heaven,

Please hear our prayer today, may our prayers and alms raise up to You as acceptable offerings.

Please help us be living sacrifices, offering up our lives, our energy and time and intention to You.

Thank You for Jesus, the good news to all nations!

Amen.