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Reading
First Lesson
Isaiah 43:1-12
1
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he
that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee,
I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou
walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall
the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:
I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable,
and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and
people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the
east, and gather thee from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not
back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends
of the earth;
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created
him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that
have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people
be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former
things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be
justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I
have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand
that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall
there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there
was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses,
saith the LORD, that I am God.
QUESTIONS - Isaiah 43:1-12. God said to Jacob and Israel, fear not. (V. 1) Has He said that to me, also? What's my response? What is it that we are told casts out fear? (1 John 4:18) RESOLVE.
Second Lesson
Acts 11:1-18
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that
the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of
the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat
with them.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded
it by order unto them, saying,
5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a
vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet,
let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered,
and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and
creeping things, and fowls of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and
eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath
at any time entered into my mouth.
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common.
10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again
into heaven.
11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come
unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12 And
the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these
six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
13 And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which
stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon,
whose surname is Peter;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house
shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on
us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said,
John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with
the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto
us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I
could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified
God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance
unto life.
QUESTIONS -Acts 11:1-18. How does this experience relate to the Epiphany? When was the last time I allowed the Spirit to bade me do something, "nothing doubting"? (V. 12) Has the Holy Spirit ever done that to me? Am I sure about that? RESOLVE.