Read To Me Daily Semester 3Намуна

1CHRONICLES 9-10:
Today we begin with chapter 9 of 1st Chronicles, which is the last name chapter in the first part of this book. This brings us up to the time of the returning exiles. At the end of chapter 9, king Saul’s genealogy is given, which introduces the story about Saul related in chapter 10.

PROVERBS 17b:
For me and my family, this verse from Proverbs 17 brings back golden memories of an old chorus we used to sing every Sunday evening with fellow missionaries in Indonesia.

Pro. 17:22 NLT A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

1st THESSALONIANS 1:
Today we begin Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian church. The book of Revelation has the reputation of being about the second coming of Christ, but our doctrines about the second coming come much more from the two letters to Thessalonica. Every chapter in 1st Thessalonians includes a reference to the second coming. And the second coming is mentioned 20 times in these two little letters. Paul, Timothy and Silas spent only three Sabbath days in Thessalonica, and Timothy returned to teach the believers. It’s natural that they would have questions. Some were worried about believers who had died or would die before Christ’s return. Others were thinking Jesus would return so soon that they need not do any work now. This is a highly personal letter to people who had become dear to Paul in a very short time, and one of his earliest letters, written around 51 AD. 

Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, it has been your will and design that we have not been taken out of the world, but left in it as resident aliens to be your representatives here. Help us to fully realize our position in union with You, because the truth about our new identity is actually our spiritual armor. So help us to fully believe all the truth You have given us, so that we will stand firm when we are under spiritual attack. Lord this attack can come from what people say and do, but it can be an inner battle against all sorts of negative messages from the evil one. Help us to hold onto the truth against both kinds of warfare against us. Help us that we will live out the righteousness You have given us, as this is our body armor. Make our foundation in the Good News secure, as this gives us a firm place to stand and gives us inner peace. May our full belief in You shield us. May we keep our gaze on you when we are under attack. Give us assurance of our being saved by You, as this is the helmet protecting our minds. Help us to keep your Word in our minds daily, so that we will be able to use your Word in our conversations and in our defense. And our cell phone direct connection to your throne is prayer. May we pray on every occasion, give thanks in all circumstances, and never give up.