Stu Andrews

March 10, Reading 3 – Acts 16:16-40

Reading

SAA Notes

The Philippian jailor is given a covenant promise – if he believes, then he and his household will be saved. The whole household is baptised immediately at night. The baptism was by sprinkling or pouring (immersion was impossible). It is likewise an unwarranted inference that all the household baptisms would never have children in them. The likelihood is the other way.

SJA Notes

* Dear God, thank You for saving us through Jesus.

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

What a question this is!

A heart that knows it needs a saviour, no stubborn will or resistant mind.

The jailer was a man at the brink of a bad end, about to end his own life because he knew his masters surely would (that the prisoners had escaped).

But they had not, and he trembled with reverent fear.

And asked that question,

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

It is good to us to be reminded of this desperate plea, this desire to be saved.

May those around us be drawn to this state and come and see Jesus.

* Mighty God,

Please save those around us Lord God.

May they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as King and Saviour.

Amen.

March 9, Reading 1 – Exodus 27:20-28:14

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Right throughout the Old Testament, oil is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. These lamps were to be kept burning as a visible sign to Israel that the presence of God’s Spirit is the greatest blessing. We should do nothing to grieve the Spirit!

SJA Notes

* Lord God, thank You for giving to us the ordinances and precepts for how to walk in Your paths. Please help us on this narrow road.

“And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance.”

Here is our Great High Priest, King Jesus, writ large.

Aaron was a high priest for a time, a short span. He was to regularly bring the names of the tribes, engraved on stones placed on the ephod – bring them before the Lord.

For remembrance.

Not because God forgets or loses interest or shakes the dust off.

No.

Bringing the people to remembrance before the Lord, a job of the high priest, is as petitioning through prayer in a BIG WAY.

Not just walking through a prayer list each morning, the people who move in and out of our lives.

This is the entire people of God, brought before the Lord in petition, the high priest remembering them to the Lord.

And Jesus does this right now!

Each of us, God’s people, brought to remembrance to the throne of God by our Great High Priest.

And Jesus does this without stopping or taking a break.

His is the power of an indestructible life, able to intercede at the right hand of the Father, day by day without end.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour we have!

* Dear God,

Sometimes our lives become so wrapped up in the now, in the turmoil and trouble, in the anxieties and worries, that we find it hard to fix our eyes on You.

Please remind us to cast our cares on You – For You care for us, ever-interceding as High Priest everlasting.

Lord God, we believe. Please help our unbelief!

Amen.

March 9, Reading 2 – Psalm 73

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The prosperity of the wicked! It seems cruel and unnatural that such things should be – yet that is the state of the world. We must live in a fallen world, not a redeemed one. Look beyond the prosperity of the wicked to their final destiny. God is the strength of your heart!

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please grow us Your kingdom today.

“But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.”

There is a pattern shown here in Asaph’s words, one that we probably have a will no doubt continue to reflect on through life.

Asaph is upset with those who reject God, as they seem to “have it all”.

More, Asaph echoes self-pity when he says he has kept his heart clean in vain.

But then there is the pivot point, the crux on which this pattern turns, one that we must remember.

Asaph comes to God, into His sanctuary, into His presence!

Asaph goes to God.

What a lesson this is for us. God and His word given to us, His Spirit abiding in us – They are always recalibrating and realigning us, pointing us to true absolute north.

Let us be encouraged to bring our cares and worries to the Lord, for He cares for us, and to be reminded again and again of the true heavenly realities.

Let us tell those around us of the good works that God has done!

* Dear Lord God,

Please forgive us Lord in our sin, forgive that we forget You and Your truth so easily.

Thank You for Your word to us, that You write Your word upon our hearts.

Please help us to know You better today.

Amen.