Month: February 2019

February 2, Reading 1 – Genesis 40

Reading

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SAA Notes

Potiphar assigns Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer to Joseph’s care. While he is content to leave Joseph in prison, he is more than willing to utilise Joseph’s talents. Joseph spends the next two years in the prison. How would your faith stand up?

SJA Notes

* Dear God, thank You for this day You have made, and for Your word given to us.

“Only remember me, when it is well with you,”

It is interesting to realise that while the Lord succeeded all that Joseph did, and he worked with all his might at whatever the Lord put his hand to (which at this stage was managing a prison when still a prisoner), Joseph was still very clear that he should not be there.

It can be hard to find a contentment while submitting under the hand of God, especially when the circumstances are particularly unjust.

Here Joseph shows us how to go about it.

We don’t stop working for the Lord.

But if the opportunity is given to plead our case, then we can do so.

Which in turn reminds us to be thankful, because no matter the trials here on earth – How good it is that our Shepherd King plead our own case before GOD ALMIGHTY and won us an inheritance that was not earned!

How wonderful it is to think on, what a Saviour we have!

* Father God in Heaven,

Thank You for Jesus, who paid the penalty we deserve so that we could gain what we do not deserve.

Thank You for Your love, Your faithfulness without end.

Thank You Lord!

Amen.


February 2, Reading 2 – Psalm 18:1-29

Reading

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SAA Notes

In a psalm like this, every year will bring something new to light in your thinking. When reading verses 4-7, remember that these words describe Jesus the Son of David’s experience in Gethsemane. It is important to know that our Messiah has gone through the depths too. He can sympathise with you!

SJA Notes

* God in Heaven, mark us as those who do Your will and not just be people who say ‘Lord, Lord’ but walk in disobedience.

“Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry.”

This is the God who is with us, who is on our side!

David cries out to Him – our fortress and our deliverer – from the depths of hurt and despair. This is a humble cry!

God answers.

“The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice,”

(remember the end of the book of Job, God’s answer)

The trials and worries and strains of life, sometimes it is all we can do just to groan with the weight of it all.

God’s word encourages us in this – To bring even our heaviest and darkest weights to the Lord.

Because in Jesus our Saviour we have a model, a pattern, an example – He went through the depths of despair and turmoil too!

In Hebrews 4 we read,

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

What does this truth give us?

The writer of Hebrews continues,

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

We can WITH CONFIDENCE DRAW NEAR to God!

* Dear Lord God,

Thank You for the confidence that we can find through Jesus – Our great High Priest.

Please draw us all onwards today, may we find the peace in You that passes all understanding.

Amen.

February 2, Reading 3 – Matthew 23

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Jesus began with the Blessings in Matthew 5. He now ends with the Seven Woes or the Cursings – just as in Deuteronomy 11:29. Jesus is calling the Pharisees to listen to Moses’ warning in Deuteronomy 30:1-3 and to repent and acknowledge Him! Seven is the number of completion.

SJA Notes

* God Above, may our hearts be open to Your word to us today.

“Woe to you,”

Jesus takes clear aim at the leaders of the church in Israel at that time.

Hypocrites!

“So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

We are to remember that Jesus is the word of God made flesh, a two-edge sword that pierces to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

This is our King, as we read Him here, getting right to the heart of the matter!

But Jesus is not just calling hypocrisy out at that time.

God’s word is alive today, and it calls us today.

As with the church then so now.

God’s people today can be guilty of shutting the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.

The church in some places is right now neglecting the weightier matters of the law.

And there are wolves within the sheep (always true) who appear righteous on the outside but their inner heart is rotten.

Let us examine ourselves and make every effort to put on the qualities of followers of Jesus (2 Corinthians 13:5-10, 2 Peter 1:5-11, John 15:1-11).

* Gracious God,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your Son and the work done through Him to free us from our slavery to sin.

Please help us to seek Your face today and onwards Lord God, to long for Your truth, to walk obediently under Your will.

So that we might be good soil and bear much fruit, for Your glory.

Amen.