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Prayer : Prepare
Follow the leader. But what leader and on whose authority? Still yourself and seek.
Mark 11:27-33
'They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"'
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Bible passage: Mark 11:27-33
The Authority of Jesus Is Questioned
27 Jesus and his disciples arrived again in Jerusalem. He was walking in the temple courtyards. Then the chief priests came to him. The teachers of the law and the elders came too.
28 "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "Who gave you authority to do this?"
29 Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 Was John's baptism from heaven? Or did it come from men? Tell me!"
31 They talked to each other about it. They said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 32 But what if we say, 'From men'?" They were afraid of the people. Everyone believed that John really was a prophet.
33 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things either."
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Text: Main point: On the spot
Whose authority?
Something has to be said. Jesus has not been in Jerusalem long but his actions cannot be ignored any longer.
Of course the question in verse 28 is not designed to get information. What the priests want is for Jesus to say something incriminating so that they can turn the people against him.
God's or man's?
In fact, it is the priests' own authority that is at stake. Jesus' authority has been plain for all to see from the beginning. The people have recognised it in his teaching (see 1:22) and in his healing (2:10).
Here was something new, quite different from anything they had seen in their leaders before. But as those leaders try to seize the initiative, again Jesus turns the question round to expose the hollowness of their position.
Leave it to God!
Often we can feel that we are put on the spot when we are asked questions about our faith, some of which are obviously hostile. There is not always a 'right answer' that will convince everyone of the truth of the gospel.
Be prepared to say what you believe, and then leave the result in God's hands!
Jane Cornish
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Prayer : Prayer points
'Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone' (Colossians 4:6).
Difficult questions? How will you respond if people ask about your faith today?
● Pray through your day, thinking about those with whom you might speak. Use the words of Colossians 4:6 as a prayer, thinking about: conversations with family, friends, work meetings, telephone conversations, emails.
● Pray that God will give you the words you need.
● Ask God to help you to rely on him as you speak - leave the results with him.
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Choose from today's activities...
Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14668&activityid=78000
Deeper study: Divide and conquer: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14668&activityid=78003
Jeremy Paxman meets his match! : http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14668&activityid=78004
Surrender all: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14668&activityid=78005
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14668&activityid=78006
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14668&activityid=78007
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14668&activityid=77855
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Choose from this week's activities...
Welcome: 'On being bullied.': http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77985
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77986
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77078
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Prayer : Prepare
It's a new week, a new day. What are you expecting? Stop, look, listen.
Mark 11:1-11
'As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here."'
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Bible passage: Mark 11:1-11
Mark 11
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
1 As they all approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his disciples. 2 He said to them, "Go to the village ahead of you. Just as you enter it, you will find a donkey's colt tied there. No one has ever ridden it. Untie it and bring it here. 3 Someone may ask you, 'Why are you doing this?' If so, say, 'The Lord needs it. But he will send it back here soon.' "
4 So they left. They found a colt out in the street. It was tied at a doorway. They untied it. 5 Some people standing there asked, "What are you doing? Why are you untying that colt?" 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to. So the people let them go.
7 They brought the colt to Jesus. They threw their coats over it. Then he sat on it.
8 Many people spread their coats on the road. Others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those in front and those in back shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" -(Psalm 118:25,26)
10 "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything. But it was already late. So he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
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Text: Main point: High expectations
Sometimes we know we are witnessing history. Through television we have the opportunity to see historic events live, but only occasionally can we say, 'I was there'. The crowds who saw Jesus enter Jerusalem knew that they were eyewitnesses to something truly momentous.
A royal welcome
About five hundred years before this event the prophet Zechariah had written:
'Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey ...' (Zechariah 9:9).
Here was a clear sign, for those who had not been sure, that Jesus was the one they had been waiting for. The palm branches, the cloaks and the shouting ('hosanna' means 'save') are a royal welcome for the king who would set them free.
Not what you expect?
Four days later a crowd would be shouting equally enthusiastically for his death. As we follow the story of those days in our readings we will see something of what happened to make them respond like that.
But as we come to Jesus today, as we acknowledge that he is our king who will save us, it is worth reflecting that his ways may not be those that we want or expect.
Jane Cornish
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Choose from today's activities...
Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77975
Respond: Praise and worship: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77979
Deeper study: The divine imperative: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77980
Application: Size matters : http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77981
Worthy of worship: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77982
The colt's tale: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77983
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77984
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77853
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Choose from this week's activities...
Editorial: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77985
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77986
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14665&activityid=77078
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Pass it onhttp://www.wordlive.org
Prayer : Prepare
Sometimes it is good to repeat the past. Forgetting it and moving on isn't always the right action.
Psalm 78:1-13
'My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will teach you lessons from the past'
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Bible passage: Psalm 78:1-13
Psalm 78
A maskil of Asaph.
1 My people, listen to my teaching.
Pay attention to what I say.
2 I will open my mouth and tell stories.
I will speak about things that were hidden.
They happened a long time ago.
3 We have heard about them and we know them.
Our people who lived before us have told us about them.
4 We won't hide them from our children.
We will tell them to those who live after us.
We will tell them about what the Lord has done that is worthy of praise.
We will talk about his power and the wonderful things he has done.
5 He gave laws to the people of Jacob.
He gave Israel their law.
He commanded our people who lived before us
to teach his laws to their children.
6 Then those born later would know his laws.
Even their children yet to come would know them.
And they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God.
They would not forget what he had done.
They would obey his commands.
8 They would not be like their people who lived before them.
Those people were stubborn. They refused to obey God.
Their hearts were not true to him.
Their spirits were not faithful to him.
9 The soldiers of Ephraim were armed with bows.
But they ran away on the day of battle.
10 They didn't keep the covenant God had made with them.
They refused to live by his law.
11 They forgot what he had done.
They didn't remember the wonders he had shown them.
12 He did miracles right in front of our people who lived long ago.
At that time they were living in the land of Egypt, in the area of Zoan.
13 God parted the Red Sea and led them through it.
He made the water stand up like a wall.
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Text: Main point: Pass it on
Some of you might remember chanting the multiplication tables in unison, or learning a song by constant repetition.
Tell others.
This psalm was written for very much the same purpose. For a population who were largely illiterate, 'singing history' was the best way of learning.
'Hear my teaching,' says the psalmist (v 1), remember 'what our ancestors have told us' (v 3). Pass it on to your children (v 4), he exhorts. In this way the generations learned of how God had brought their ancestors out of Egypt and moulded them into a nation.
Obey God's laws
Before the account of what God has done, which starts at verse 13 (and continues for the rest of the 72 verses), the psalmist urges obedience to God's laws - obedience that comes from gratitude to God because of his mighty deeds of deliverance (v 7).
'Faith comes from hearing' (Romans 10:17)
Telling someone face-to-face about your own experience of God's help and guidance in your life can be just as powerful as preaching. It doesn't have to be 'heavy' or over-earnest evangelism, just a chat over a drink or when you bump into someone you haven't seen for a while.
We owe it to God to tell others of his 'power, and the wonders he has done' (v 4b).
Gillian Peall
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Choose from today's activities...
Deeper study: Once upon a time.: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14664&activityid=77970
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14664&activityid=77971
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14664&activityid=77852
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Choose from this week's activities...
Welcome: 'We don't do God': http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77900
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77901
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77078
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Prayer : Prepare
Again, ask yourself what you really need, then seek God's perspective this day.
John 6:25-59
'Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."'
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Bible passage: John 6:25-59
Jesus Is the Bread of Life
25 They found him on the other side of the lake. They asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
26 Jesus answered, "What I'm about to tell you is true. You are not looking for me because you saw miraculous signs. You are looking for me because you ate the loaves until you were full. 27 Do not work for food that spoils. Work for food that lasts forever. That is the food the Son of Man will give you. God the Father has put his seal of approval on him."
28 Then they asked him, "What does God want from us? What works does he want us to do?"
29 Jesus answered, "God's work is to believe in the One he has sent."
30 So they asked him, "What miraculous sign will you give us? What will you do so we can see it and believe you? 31 Long ago our people ate the manna in the desert. It is written in Scripture, 'The Lord gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "-(Exodus 16:4; Nehemiah 9:15; Psalm 78:24,25)
32 Jesus said to them, "What I'm about to tell you is true. It is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven. It is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 The bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven. He gives life to the world."
34 "Sir," they said, "give us this bread from now on."
35 Then Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever go hungry. And no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty.
36 "But it is just as I told you. You have seen me, and you still do not believe. 37 Everyone the Father gives me will come to me. I will never send away anyone who comes to me.
38 "I have not come down from heaven to do what I want to do. I have come to do what the One who sent me wants me to do. 39 The One who sent me doesn't want me to lose anyone he has given me. He wants me to raise them up on the last day. 40 My Father wants all who look to the Son and believe in him to have eternal life. I will raise them up on the last day."
41 Then the Jews began to complain about Jesus. That was because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42 They said, "Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph? Don't we know his father and mother? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"
43 "Stop complaining among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me brings him. Then I will raise him up on the last day.
45 "It is written in the Prophets, 'God will teach all of them.'-(Isaiah 54:13) Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
46 "No one has seen the Father except the One who has come from God. Only he has seen the Father. 47 What I'm about to tell you is true. Everyone who believes has life forever.
48 "I am the bread of life. 49 Long ago your people ate the manna in the desert, and they still died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven. A person can eat it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Everyone who eats some of this bread will live forever. The bread is my body. I will give it for the life of the world."
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves. They said, "How can this man give us his body to eat?"
53 Jesus said to them, "What I'm about to tell you is true. You must eat the Son of Man's body and drink his blood. If you don't, you have no life in you. 54 Anyone who eats my body and drinks my blood has eternal life. I will raise him up on the last day.
55 "My body is real food. My blood is real drink. 56 Anyone who eats my body and drinks my blood remains in me. And I remain in him.
57 "The living Father sent me, and I live because of him. In the same way, those who feed on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Long ago your people ate manna and died. But those who feed on this bread will live forever."
59 He said this while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
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Text: Main point: Our daily bread
Jesus - our daily bread
The disciples, like all Jewish men, would have been well-versed in the exodus story and would know about the manna God sent to the Israelites (see Exodus 16:14-23). Jesus goes further - bread is essential to physical life, but he is the bread that is essential for our spiritual life, and the life we will have in eternity.
Jesus - our sustenance.
What Jesus is saying is hard for the Jews, and for us, to grasp. He himself is the bread; we must feed on him (vs 50,51,54-57). The idea of eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Jesus would have been abhorrent and shocking to the Jews, and is still very strange to us.
But unless we take Jesus as our sustenance, read or hear his words, take them into our very being, measure everything against them, and learn to live entirely his way, we will certainly starve spiritually, and our mental and physical health can be affected.
for all eternity
Medical practitioners everywhere now realise that our bodies are not just a collection of organs, bones and muscles. Research has shown that our mental and spiritual health is just as important for our complete well-being.
The manna God sent the Israelites fed them a day at a time. Jesus is our nourishment day by day - and for all eternity.
Gillian Peall
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Choose from today's activities...
Deeper study: How to be his: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14661&activityid=77961
Jesus, the bread of life: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14661&activityid=77962
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14661&activityid=77850
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Choose from this week's activities...
Welcome: 'We don't do God': http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77900
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77901
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77078
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Prayer : Prepare
Contract, guarantee, agreement, covenant - all terms of relationship. How's yours with God?
Exodus 19:1-25
'Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'
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Bible passage: Exodus 19:1-25
Exodus 19
Israel Comes to Mount Sinai
1 Exactly three months after the people of Israel left Egypt, they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they started out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai. They camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3 Then Moses went up to God. The Lord called out to him from the mountain. He said, "Here is what I want you to say to my people, who came from Jacob's family. Tell the Israelites, 4 "You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt. You saw how I carried you on the wings of eagles and brought you to myself.
5 " 'Now obey me completely. Keep my covenant. If you do, then out of all of the nations you will be my special treasure. The whole earth is mine. 6 But you will be a kingdom of priests to serve me. You will be my holy nation.' That is what you must tell the Israelites."
7 So Moses went back. He sent for the elders of the people. He explained to them everything the Lord had commanded him to say. 8 All of the people answered together. They said, "We will do everything the Lord has said."
So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.
9 The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, "I am going to come to you in a thick cloud. The people will hear me speaking with you. They will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
10 The Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people. Today and tomorrow set them apart for me. Have them wash their clothes. 11 Have the people ready by the third day. On that day I will come down on Mount Sinai. Everyone will see it.
12 "Put limits for the people around the mountain. Tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain. Do not even touch the foot of it. You can be sure that all who touch the mountain will be put to death. 13 Do not lay a hand on any of them. Kill them with stones or shoot them with arrows. Whether they are people or animals, do not let them live.' They may go up to the mountain only when the ram's horn gives out a long blast."
14 Moses went down the mountain to the people. After he set them apart for the Lord, they washed their clothes. 15 Then he spoke to the people. He said, "Get ready for the third day. Don't make love."
16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud covered the mountain. A trumpet gave out a very loud blast. Everyone in the camp trembled with fear.
17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God. They stood at the foot of the mountain.
18 Smoke covered Mount Sinai, because the Lord came down on it in fire. The smoke rose up from it like smoke from a furnace. The whole mountain trembled and shook. 19 The sound of the trumpet got louder and louder. Then Moses spoke. And the voice of God answered him.
20 The Lord came down to the top of Mount Sinai. He told Moses to come to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.
21 The Lord said to him, "Go down and warn the people. They must not force their way through to see me. If they do, many of them will die. 22 The priests approach me when they serve me. But even they must set themselves apart for me. If they do not, my anger will break out against them."
23 Moses said to the Lord, "The people can't come up Mount Sinai. You yourself warned us. You said, 'Put limits around the mountain. Set it apart as holy.' "
24 The Lord replied, "Go down. Bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through. They must not come up to me. If they do, my anger will break out against them."
25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
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Text: Main point: God speaks
It is three months later and the Israelites have reached Sinai. Here God speaks to Moses on Mount Sinai and declares Israel his 'treasured possession' (v 5b). But God demands obedience and faith in return (v 5a) for his amazing promise.
In what promises to be a startling and terrifying event, God will actually allow the people to hear him speaking with Moses (v 9).
God is holy
The consecration and purification of the people, and making holy the mountain, are all there to read (vs 10-15). Note that sexual relations are by no means sinful, but they might leave the participants ceremonially unclean.
When God descends to the mountain there is thunder, lightning, smoke and fire. God is terrifying here (vs 16,18,19).
Worship him
Now we know that God is love (see 1 John 4:8), a God of compassion and mercy. In Jesus we see God incarnate, human like ourselves, accepting us as we are and offering a new start.
But God is still a God who brings thunder and lightning, both real and symbolic, in our lives, and he still demands purity and holiness. We too must worship him in awe and reverence, living lives of obedience and faith.
Gillian Peall
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Choose from today's activities...
Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14659&activityid=77934
Respond: Talk together: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14659&activityid=77937
Deeper study: At the foot of the mountain: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14659&activityid=77939
Application: A new day : http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14659&activityid=77947
Coming to God: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14659&activityid=77949
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14659&activityid=77950
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14659&activityid=77951
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14659&activityid=77849
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Choose from this week's activities...
Welcome: 'We don't do God': http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77900
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77901
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77078
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Prayer : Prepare
The Lord be with you. And also with you. but only when things are going well, eh?
Exodus 17:1-16
'The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink."'
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Bible passage: Exodus 17:1-16
Exodus 17
The Lord Gives Israel Water Out of the Rock
1 The whole community of Israel started out from the Desert of Sin. They traveled from place to place, just as the Lord commanded.
They camped at Rephidim. But there wasn't any water for the people to drink. 2 So they argued with Moses. They said, "Give us water to drink."
Moses replied, "Why are you arguing with me? Why are you putting the Lord to the test?"
3 But the people were thirsty for water there. So they told Moses they weren't happy with him. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? Did you want us, our children and our livestock to die of thirst?"
4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord. He said, "What am I going to do with these people? They are almost ready to kill me by throwing stones at me."
5 The Lord answered Moses. He said, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel along with you. Take in your hand the wooden staff you used when you struck the Nile River. Go. 6 I will stand there in front of you by the rock at Mount Horeb. Hit the rock. Then water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses hit the rock in the sight of the elders of Israel.
7 Moses called the place Massah and Meribah. That's because the people of Israel argued with him there. They also put the Lord to the test. They asked, "Is the Lord among us or not?"
Joshua Wins the Battle Over the Amalekites
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men. Then go out and fight against the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill. I'll stand there with the staff of God in my hands."
10 So Joshua fought against the Amalekites, just as Moses had ordered.
Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites were winning. But every time he lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to win.
12 When Moses' arms got tired, Aaron and Hur got a stone and put it under him. Then he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up. Aaron was on one side, and Hur was on the other. Moses' hands remained steady until sunset.
13 So Joshua destroyed the Amalekite army with swords.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "That is something to be remembered. So write it on a scroll. Make sure Joshua knows you have done it. I will completely erase the memory of the Amalekites from the earth."
15 Then Moses built an altar. He called it The Lord Is My Banner. 16 He said, "I raised my hands toward the throne of the Lord. The Lord will fight against the Amalekites for all time to come."
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Text: Main point: Hard paths
The Israelites are rebellious again, and this time it is getting dangerous (v 4). No water for three days is a serious business, and the thirsty people are yet again questioning the presence of the Lord with them.
God steps in
Moses becomes exasperated with these people God has commanded him to lead (v 4). God steps in and, leading him and the elders as witnesses, takes them to the rock at Horeb, where water gushes forth.
Life is not always cosy.
We may wonder why God did not provide water earlier for the Israelites and their livestock. Was it to test their faithfulness and trust in him? Neither trust nor faithfulness was evident as they rebelled against Moses (v 2).
God can seem to lead us along hard and difficult paths, but this is not because he is a hard and malicious God who wants to catch us out, but because life is not always warm and cosy.
Keep talking with God
The Sinai desert is arid, and water is scarce. When Moses appealed to God after three days, God provided. We know that Jesus is always with us in both good times and bad (see Matthew 28:20). We need to talk with him constantly along the way (see Jude 20).
Gillian Peall
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Prayer : Respond
Who has held you up - or helped you - in the last 24 hours?
Think about everything that others have done for you, then thank God for those people. Praise God for what he has done for you.
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Choose from today's activities...
Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14657&activityid=77914
Deeper study: Reading the signs : http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14657&activityid=77917
Application: His ways for our days: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14657&activityid=77918
Intercede: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14657&activityid=77919
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14657&activityid=77920
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14657&activityid=77921
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14657&activityid=77846
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Choose from this week's activities...
Welcome: 'We don't do God': http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77900
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77901
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77078
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Prayer : Prepare
Half-full or half-empty? At least you have the glass. Have your blessings become transparent?
Exodus 16:1-16
'Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions."'
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Bible passage: Exodus 16:1-16
Exodus 16
The Lord Gives Israel Food Every Day
1 The whole community of Israel started out from Elim. They came to the Desert of Sin. It was between Elim and Sinai. They arrived there on the 15th day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.
2 In the desert the whole community told Moses and Aaron they weren't happy with them. 3 The Israelites said to them, "We wish the Lord had put us to death in Egypt. There we sat around pots of meat. We ate all of the food we wanted. But you have brought us out into this desert. You must want this entire community to die of hunger."
4 Then the Lord spoke to Moses. He said, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people must go out each day. Have them gather enough bread for that day. Here is how I will put them to the test. I will see if they will follow my directions.
5 "On the sixth day they must prepare what they bring in. On that day they must gather twice as much as on the other days."
6 So Moses and Aaron spoke to all of the people of Israel. They said, "In the evening you will know that the Lord brought you out of Egypt. 7 And in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord. He has heard you say you aren't happy with him. Who are we? Why are you telling us you aren't happy with us?"
8 Moses also said, "You will know that the Lord has heard you speak against him. He will give you meat to eat in the evening. He'll give you all of the bread you want in the morning. But who are we? You aren't speaking against us. You are speaking against the Lord."
9 Then Moses told Aaron, "Talk to the whole community of Israel. Say to them, 'Come to the Lord. He has heard you speak against him.' "
10 While Aaron was talking to the whole community of Israel, they looked toward the desert. There was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud!
11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 "I have heard the people of Israel talking about how unhappy they are. Tell them, 'When the sun goes down, you will eat meat. In the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.' "
13 That evening quail came and covered the camp. In the morning the ground around the camp was covered with dew. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes appeared on the desert floor. They looked like frost on the ground. 15 The people of Israel saw the flakes. They asked each other, "What's that?" They didn't know what it was.
Moses said to them, "It's the bread the Lord has given you to eat. 16 Here is what the Lord has commanded. He has said, 'Each one of you should gather as much as you need. Take two quarts for each person who lives in your tent.' "
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Text: Main point: Never satisfied?
Trust God
The whole assembly of Israelites are grumbling, threatening rebellion (vs 1,2). Moses and Aaron (who is speaking for Moses; see Exodus 4:13-17) warn the Israelites that they are testing the Lord, and doubting his word, which they have no right to do (v 8).
God's reply is to demonstrate his power to the Israelites. They get an abundance of quail for supper and manna for the morning.
God is not a vending machine
We all grumble about the lack of things we want. I wish I had this or that or more of the other, we say. Are we really testing God and doubting his power to provide?
We pray that God will answer our prayers the way we want, but often have an alternative plan in our minds in case he doesn't come up with the goods. But God is not a vending machine - pray this and get that.
Do something
The Israelites did not have miraculous pots of quail stew descend from heaven. They had to go and gather up the birds, kill and prepare them.
Likewise, they had to gather the manna from the ground every morning. When God provides for us we may have to work for it, like the Israelites, or perhaps receive from the hands of others.
Gillian Peall
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Text: Respond
Watch out for your 'grumbles' today.
What do you moan about. . to other people?. to yourself?. to God? Every time you catch yourself, take a minute to thank God for ways in which he's blessing you and providing for you.
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Choose from today's activities...
Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77823
Deeper study: Reality bites: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77826
Application: No more drama?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77833
Life as it should be?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77834
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77837
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77838
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77844
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Choose from this week's activities...
Editorial: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77900
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77901
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14652&activityid=77078
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Support WordLive
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Justice and salvationhttp://www.wordlive.org
Prayer : Pray first
Ask God to reveal himself to you today in a new way. Then you can share this vision with others.
Psalm 98
'Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvellous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.'
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Bible passage: Psalm 98
Psalm 98
A psalm.
1 Sing a new song to the Lord.
He has done wonderful things.
By the power of his right hand and his holy arm
he has saved his people.
2 The Lord has made known his power to save.
He has shown the nations that he does what is right.
3 He has shown his faithful love
to the people of Israel.
People from one end of the earth to the other
have seen that our God has saved us.
4 Shout to the Lord with joy, everyone on earth.
Burst into joyful songs and make music.
5 Make music to the Lord with the harp.
Sing and make music with the harp.
6 Blow the trumpets. Give a blast on the ram's horn.
Shout to the Lord with joy. He is the King.
7 Let the ocean and everything in it roar.
Let the world and all who live in it shout.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands.
Let the mountains sing together with joy.
9 Let them sing to the Lord,
because he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the nations of the world
in keeping with what is right and fair.
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Text: Main point: Justice and salvation
'That's not fair!'
This is a cry we often hear from children. But it is also an inbuilt part of human nature.
We expect the world to operate in a way that we would describe as 'fair'. Maybe this is part of what it means to be creatures made in the image of God - an innate sense that things should be done in a way that is just.
Rejoicing in judgement
In contrast to the reading from Zechariah, the psalmist rejoices in God's judgement. This is because when judgement comes salvation and righteousness will be revealed for what they really are - God's ultimate demonstration of 'fairness'.
Our future hope
That is not to suggest that the world will be 'fair' now. The world is not as God intended - it is broken and in need of restoration.
While we wait for God's salvation to be revealed we have to suffer the consequences of that brokenness. But the psalmist reminds us of that future hope - promised by God.
Praise God for righteous judgement
So in the here and now we lift our voices to sing praises to the God who is continually at work in his world and who remains loving and faithful throughout the whole of history. In doing so, we join with the whole of creation in praising God for his righteous judgement.
John Stephenson
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Choose from today's activities...
Prophecy's last horizon: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14643&activityid=77730
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14643&activityid=77731
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14643&activityid=77627
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Choose from this week's activities...
Editorial: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=77654
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=77655
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=77078
Topical: Close Encounters: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=78177
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Prayer : Pray first
One day everything will be made right. Till then, begin the process with prayer.
Zechariah 14:1-21
'The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.'
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Bible passage: Zechariah 14:1-21
Zechariah 14
The Lord Will Be King Over the Whole Earth
1 The day of the Lord is coming. At that time Jerusalem's enemies will steal everything its people have. They will divide it up right in front of them.
2 The Lord will gather all of the nations together. They will fight against Jerusalem. They'll capture the city. Its houses will be robbed. Its women will be raped. Half of the people will be taken away as prisoners. But the rest of them won't be taken.
3 Then the Lord will march out and fight against those nations. He will go to war against them.
4 On that day he will stand on the Mount of Olives. It's east of Jerusalem. It will be split in two from east to west. Half of the mountain will move north. The other half will move south. A large valley will be formed. 5 The people will run away through that mountain valley. It will reach all the way to Azel. They'll run away just as they ran from the earthquake when Uzziah was king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come. All of the holy ones will come with him.
6 There won't be any light on that day. The sun, moon and stars will not shine. 7 It will be a day unlike any other. It won't be separated into day and night. It will be a day known only to the Lord. After that day is over, there will be light again.
8 At that time water that gives life will flow out from Jerusalem. Half of it will run into the Dead Sea. The other half will go to the Mediterranean Sea. The water will flow in summer and winter.
9 The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord. His name will be the only name.
10 The whole land south of Jerusalem will be changed. From Geba to Rimmon it will become like the Arabah Valley. But Jerusalem will be raised up. It will remain in its place. From the Benjamin Gate to the First Gate to the Corner Gate nothing will be changed. From the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepress the city will remain the same. 11 People will live in it. Jerusalem will never be destroyed again. It will be secure.
12 The Lord will punish all of the nations that fought against Jerusalem. He'll strike them with a plague. It will make their bodies rot while they are still standing on their feet. Their eyes will rot in their heads. Their tongues will rot in their mouths. 13 On that day the Lord will fill people with great panic. They will grab one another by the hand. And they'll attack each other.
14 Judah will also fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all of the surrounding nations will be collected. Huge amounts of gold, silver and clothes will be gathered up. 15 The same kind of plague will strike the horses, mules, camels and donkeys. In fact, it will strike all of the animals in the army camps.
16 But some people from all of the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will still be left alive. All of them will go up there to worship the King. He is the Lord who rules over all. Year after year they will celebrate the Feast of Booths.
17 Some nations might not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King. If they don't, they won't have any rain. 18 The people of Egypt might not go up there to take part. Then they won't have any rain either. That's the plague the Lord will send on the nations that don't go to celebrate the Feast of Booths. 19 Egypt will be punished. So will all of the other nations that don't celebrate the Feast.
20 On that day holy to the Lord will be carved on the bells of the horses. The cooking pots in the Lord's temple will be just like the sacred bowls in front of the altar for burnt offerings. 21 Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be set apart to the Lord. All those who come to offer sacrifices will get some of the pots and cook in them. At that time there won't be any Canaanites in the Lord's temple. He is the Lord who rules over all.
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Text: Main point: Judgement and hope
When the people of the Old Testament thought about God's judgement they had enough experience to know that it wasn't a pleasant experience. Throughout their history they had seen the nations around them suffer under God's judgement and they had also seen what happened as a consequence of their own disobedience.
God is in control
In Zechariah this image of 'a day of the Lord' (v 1) is one of terror. The images conjure up a world that is completely out of our control (vs 4,6,10,12).
Instead the Lord is in control and his judgement is final. We have often allowed ourselves to have a romantic view of what it will mean when Jesus comes to reign, but for many it will be a terrible day.
Seeds of hope
But alongside those images of destruction are seeds of hope. Jerusalem will be secure (v 11), living water will flow (v 10) and God will be worshipped (v 16).
We also need to remember that in Revelation 22 there is a picture of what that judgement will lead to. Our hope is in a God who is king over all the earth, who will bring about restoration, and we will worship him.
John Stephenson
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Choose from today's activities...
The hand of God: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14642&activityid=77725
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14642&activityid=77726
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14642&activityid=77626
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Choose from this week's activities...
Editorial: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=77654
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=77655
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=77078
Topical: Close Encounters: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=78177
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We'd love you to support WordLive. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/91202.id?in=WLDEP Don't be a busybody, be busy!http://www.wordlive.org
Prayer : Pray first
Pray, not for yourself, but for others. Is there someone who needs your prayer today?
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
'As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.'
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Bible passage: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
2 Thessalonians 3
Paul Asks for Prayer
1 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord's message will spread quickly. Pray that others will honor it just as you did. 2 And pray that we will be saved from sinful and evil people. Not everyone is a believer.
3 But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you. He will guard you from the evil one.
4 We trust in the Lord. So we are sure that you are doing the things we tell you to do. And we are sure that you will keep on doing them.
5 May the Lord fill your hearts with God's love. May Christ give you the strength to go on.
Paul Warns Those Who Do Not Want to Work
6 Brothers and sisters, here is a command we give you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep away from every believer who doesn't want to work. Keep away from anyone who doesn't live up to the teaching you received from us.
7 You know how you should follow our example. We worked when we were with you. 8 We didn't eat anyone's food without paying for it. In fact, it was just the opposite. We worked night and day. We worked very hard so that we wouldn't cause any expense to any of you.
9 We worked, even though we have the right to receive help from you. We did it in order to be a model for you to follow. 10 Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, "Anyone who will not work will not eat."
11 We hear that some people among you don't want to work. They aren't really busy. Instead, they are bothering others. 12 We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. So we strongly command people like that to settle down. They have to earn the food they eat.
13 Brothers and sisters, don't ever get tired of doing the right thing.
14 Keep an eye on anyone who doesn't obey the directions in our letter. Watch that person closely. Have nothing to do with him. Then he will feel ashamed. 15 But don't think of him as an enemy. Instead, warn him as a brother or sister.
Final Greetings
16 May the Lord who gives peace give you peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with all of you.
17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own handwriting. That's how I prove that I am the author of all my letters. I always do it that way.
18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
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Text: Don't be a busybody, be busy!
I wonder how confident I am about how much my life is an example to others? Paul again offers us a model for Christian ministry that speaks powerfully to us.
Spread the word
He acknowledges his own need of prayer - not because he is particularly worthy of prayer but so that God's Word might spread.
He is also able to remind them of his own example of not being a burden to others. In fact he is able to tell them that he was financially self-sufficient so that they would not need to support him.
Depend on God
This proved to be a vital example - a combination of depending on God and doing all that he could not to be dependent on others to meet his basic needs. We need to operate in much the same way.
Do God's work
In this final section Paul deals with another issue that has arisen since his first letter. Some had been suggesting that since the return of Jesus was imminent there was no point in working - we should simply wait.
But Paul wants us all to know that part of our role is to do all that we can to do God's work while we wait for Jesus to return.
John Stephenson
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Choose from today's activities...
Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14641&activityid=77709
The enemy within: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14641&activityid=77713
Thank God it's Monday?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14641&activityid=77716
Under- or over-active?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14641&activityid=77718
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14641&activityid=77720
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14641&activityid=77625
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Choose from this week's activities...
Editorial: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=77654
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=77655
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=77078
Topical: Close Encounters: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14633&activityid=78177
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