Week 18 Monday
Worship never stops in the tabernacle, Psalm 81 calls us to sing and then to listen, and in Ephesus the Spirit comes on new believers while the sons of Sceva learn that Jesus' name is no magic word.
Leviticus 24
📖 What are we reading?: Continual worship and thanksgiving were to be given to God by the priests, with the lamps kept burning and the bread set out before Him. Then comes the law of retribution - each breaking of the law was to be punished.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is worthy of constant worship and thanksgiving, and He takes His name and His law seriously.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? We can make thanksgiving a daily habit. And when others wrong us, remember that Jesus spoke of love and forgiveness instead of retaliation (Matt 5:38).
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Leviticus was revealed to Moses after the tabernacle was completed (around 1445 BC), and its theme is holiness and separation for God's people.
Psalm 81
📖 What are we reading?: A call to worship through music at the start, which then becomes a warning from God to listen to Him and follow His ways.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He longs for His people to listen, and He satisfies those who do.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? When we listen to God we are satisfied, but when we don't, we lose our way. Let's worship with joy, and then listen!
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: The Psalms is a collection of 150 poems and songs, written by David and others, expressing the full range of human emotion in response to God and to life.
Acts 19:1-20
📖 What are we reading?: A lovely baptism story starts this chapter, as Paul finds believers in Ephesus who hadn't heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul keeps on preaching and teaching, and some believe while others don't - much like in today's churches! The sons of Sceva try to use Jesus' name to drive out evil spirits, and are overpowered.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He pours out His Spirit on those who trust in Jesus, and His name carries real power.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? The sons of Sceva show us that invoking Jesus' name means nothing if you are not in Christ yourself. Let's ask whether we truly know the Spirit's presence in our own lives.
Looking for some extra info?
📝 A devotion on the disciples in Ephesus who believed but hadn't yet received the Spirit
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's second book outlines the ministry of the early church - though it could just as well be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit, as He guides and grows Jesus' small movement into something that changes the world.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, You are worthy of our continual worship and thanks. Help us to listen to Your voice, to be filled with Your Spirit, and to belong to Christ truly, so that His name on our lips carries real meaning. Amen.
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