Scripture Union Daily Guide 31 August 2020
Topic: The Lord’s Grace
Opening Prayer: “Open my eyes O Lord that I might behold wondrous things from your word in Jesus name”.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 1: 12 ─ 20
Glory to God for His Grace
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an [a]insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to [b]God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Fight the Good Fight
18 This [c]charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,
20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Reflection:
• Is there any warning for me to heed?
• What is God revealing to me in this passage?
MESSAGE: Paul confesses that his calling and the strength to do God’s work was unmerited. Notice how far away he was from the truth about God due to ignorance and unbelief in Jesus Christ. Refusing to believe is one thing, but to blaspheme and persecute believers is another thing (v.13).
But more important is the extent of God’s love, grace and mercy in which God reached out to Paul and to us. Have you experienced God in similar ways? By describing himself in vv.13&15 as chief of sinners, Paul was not putting himself down but firing himself up as he remembers the grace and mercy of God in his life.
What ever your past may be, you can be assured of God’s forgiveness and calling to service (see also Isaiah 1:18; Matthew 11:28–30 and 1 John 1:9). What, according to v.15, is the good news? Spread it around and fast too. Time is running out. It is not only the minister of the gospel, but every believer who wants to make it to the end must heed Paul’s warning to Timothy in vv.18–20.
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• So what: Watch your back. Watch your conscience. It is the gateway to your life.
Today’s Prayer:
• Read v.17 again and celebrate our King. Spend time to worship him.
• Pray for revival of Christians to personal witnessing and that the witness of the Church worldwide will never be muffled; pray for Church budgets to reflect Kingdom priorities.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with John 17:21
Read the Bible in one Year: Psalms 135–136; 2 Cor. 11:1–15
Scripture Union Daily Guide 31 August 2020 – Scripture Union is an international, inter-denominational, 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.
