Scripture Union Daily Guide Reading for Today 28 April 2024 (Sunday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, make me more like you through the power of your word as I meditate on it.
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SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11-21
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q3: Is there any command for me to obey?
* Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide Reading for Today 28 April 2024 OUTLINE
We ended yesterday with imminent judgment (v.10). Therefore (ESV) or since (NIV) we know that God’s judgment must surely come, we should diligently carry out God’s work with sincerity. Maintaining pure motive in ministry is never easy. Self-interest, pride, personal gain, and other such things often pollute our Christian service. We must strive to cultivate the kind of transparency that Paul highlights in v.11.
Read vs.12-13 again and note that Paul, in contrast to the false teachers, was not boasting about himself or his ministry. He was rather, with sincere heart, laying emphasis on his transparency in ministry. Note also how the believers’ identity with Christ is expressed in vs.14-17. Christ’s death brought new life to us. We are dead to the old nature.
The life we live is the life of Christ. Salvation is in Christ alone and is open to all. It leads to total transformation, and it is a radical change of allegiance (v.17). However, it also comes with the responsibility to tell others of Christ with wholehearted commitment as His ambassadors (vs.19-21). Read v.21 again in NLT or LB and notice the great exchange that took place at the Cross of Calvary!
Practice/Word Application
What Next? We have been saved to serve. How are you serving? What are the motives for your Christian service (Matthew 6:24)?
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!
2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!
3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.
4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!
Closing Prayer
Father, help me to faithfully carry out this ministry that you have committed into my hand.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with 2 Corinthians 9:8
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 119 – 1 Chronicles 7-10
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Sun Apr 28, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
FAITHFUL GOD
Wait for the Lord: be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:14
THANK GOD FOR:
* His Word that is yes and amen
* The assurance of His faithfulness in keeping to His promises
* Brethren who are still holding unto their faith, despite the situation they have found themselves
PRAY FOR:
* Brethren among us who are believing God for spiritual, physical, emotional and financial breakthrough
* Grace to wait despite the difficulties and challenges of life, knowing that God is a faithful God
* They will find encouragement more and more as they fellowship with brethren from time to time
PRAY AGAINST:
Seeking solution outside of God’s will
