Scripture Union Daily Guide 2 February 2025 (Sunday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: Fasting Must Go Along With Faith
OPENING PRAYER: May the meditation of my heart be acceptable unto you, O Lord as I read from your word.
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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Matthew 9:14-26
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
► Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 2 February 2025 – OUTLINE
The disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus about fasting, a religious observation of the Pharisees that they were upholding. Jesus warned of the danger of mixing the old order with the new (Matthew 9:16-17). He confirmed that His disciples were not fasting at that time but would do so at the appropriate time. Similar controversies about fasting exist today.
In some Christian denominations and some other religions, fasting is a requirement and is often portrayed as a sign of spirituality. It can easily lead to the dangers of showing off and a feeling of self-righteousness. Fasting should not just be a refrain from eating but should be a time spent meaningfully with God in Bible meditation and prayer.
Notice in Matthew 9:18-26 the striking similarity between the ruler and the woman and the different ways each expressed their faith in the power of Jesus to solve their problems. Whether expressed openly or secretly, none of them was disappointed. How confident are you when you pray? Do you believe that nothing is impossible for God to do for you? Often, our frustration is caused by lack of faith, or asking selfishly (James 4:3).
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Offer a prayer of faith in line with: Psalms 19:14
Closing Prayer: Help me, dear Lord, to hold on to you in faith, ever trusting your power to deliver.
One Bible Reading Guide:
Exodus 9-10, Psalms 29.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Sun Feb 02, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
SCRIPTURE UNION CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP (SUCF)
Remember now your creator in the days of your youth…Eccl 12:1
THANK GOD FOR:
* The vision of SUCF and what God is using them to do in campuses and in the Ministry
PRAY FOR:
* Constant manifestation of the presence of God in their fellowships; spiritual and numerical increase. • Increased anointing on leaders and members for godly living and continuous zeal to serve in God’s vineyard. • God to help them to understand SU working principles and key into the vision of the ministry.
PRAY AGAINST:
* All attempts of the devil to corrupt SUCF, moral weakness, self- indulgence and self- seeking
Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. (Scripture Union Daily Guide 2 February 2025)
