Scripture Union Daily Guide 2nd April 2024 (Tuesday) Devotional Message
Scripture Union Daily Guide 2nd April 2024 TOPIC: “PEACE BE WITH YOU!”
OPENING PRAYER: May my heart, O Lord, be receptive to your word as I meditate on it.
SCRIPTURE: JOHN 20:19-31
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• Q4: Is there any promise for me to believe or hope for?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 2ND APRIL 2024 OUTLINE
When the disciples locked themselves up for fear, “Jesus came and stood among them” (v.19). What scares us in life and causes us to fear or hide? May we notice Jesus standing with us—as a family, a church, or as an individual. For He promises, “Never will I leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Notice, however, that “the disciples were together” (v.19). Fellowship, “not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25) strengthens our faith. How does this lack of fellowship affect Thomas (vs.24-29)? While the world says, “Seeing is believing”, Jesus says, “Believing is seeing!”—that is faith.
Jesus’ greeting, “Peace be with you” (v.20) is great blessing. When troubles overwhelm us, as it overwhelmed the disciples, may we experience Christ’s peace, as He promises in John 14:26, 27.
Notice the charge the risen Christ gave to His disciples which we have inherited (vs.21-23)? Jesus breathed on His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit (v.22) to empower them to go and make disciples of all nations. For the role of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the Great Commission, see Acts 1:8.
Read vs.30-31 and note the need for signs and why they are recorded in the Scriptures.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, please let your peace dwell richly in our souls and breathe your Holy Spirit on us, that we may be effective witnesses.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalm 37: 4 ‐ 5
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 93- Judges 10-12
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN APRIL 2, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
BENIN REGION
“Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power…” Rev 4:11a
THANK GOD FOR:
• His unfailing love over the brethren in the Region.
• His faithfulness towards all the Regional Committee members and their families.
PRAY FOR:
• The Lord will raise more men who will be committed to the burden of the Region.
• For wisdom on the Regional Chairman and all Regional Committee members to pilot the affairs of the Region.
• For God’s blessings upon all the brethren in the Region.
READ ALSO: MFM Devotional 2nd April 2024 (Tuesday) – Speak To Your Problem