Read To Me Daily Semester 2Sample

1SAMUEL 23-24:
As we heard yesterday in 1st Samuel, when David fled from Saul, he went for help to Ahimelech the priest. He needed food and wanted to consult with the Lord, and it happened that Ahimelech also gave him Goliath's sword. All this resulted later in Ahimilech's death and the deaths of all of his family— except one.

PSALM 104b:
Today we read the second half of Psalm 104. Once again we’ll hear the refrain that was also in Psalm 103. This psalm expounds on the majesty of God— especially as seen in His creation.

ROMANS 8:
In Romans, we have now heard that the power behind the new lives that God wants us to live is the Holy Spirit. A side observation here: We can see that the Holy Spirit can equally be called the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ (vs. 9-11). He is the power for transformation in our lives. But having God's Spirit in our lives does not mean that we will never suffer. In the second half of today's reading, note the Holy Spirit's role for us in the midst of our sufferings. Then at the end, note the wonderful promises given to us!

Four times in this chapter Paul refers to us as God’s ‘sons’. Although GNT translated ‘sons’ as ‘children’, I feel that translating using the word ‘sons’ is better, but I will need to explain. Just as men feel a bit squeamish about being included in the ‘bride of Christ’ in Ephesians, I am sure there are some of the women listeners who will not feel comfortable being included as sons. But look for the treasure here! This passage and Ephesians 1:5 show that we are given legal adopted status as sons. In Roman law, the adoption of a son could not be revoked. God has made the unchangeable decision that we would be his legally adopted sons and we have all the rights and privileges of that status. 

Let’s pray.
We praise you, O Lord our God! May our whole being praise You. You are clothed with majesty and glory, and You are covered with unapproachable light, yet now You have given us access to You through Christ and by means of the Holy Spirit. You, Lord, have broken our bondage to the law of sin and death. We are no longer obligated to live as our sinful human nature dictates. Instead we can now wage war against our human nature and we can put to death our previous habitual sinful actions. O Lord, I cry out for mercy in this, for myself and my listener. We are so weak. O Holy Spirit, please come to our aid. Keep us calling out Abba Father in our prayers. Help us in the midst of our suffering and groaning to see that our redemption is sure and glorious. Keep us fervent in our hope. Holy Spirit, please keep on pleading with the Father on our behalf, and please correct our weak and feeble prayers.