Scripture Union Daily Guide 29 November 2024 (Friday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: Test the Spirits
OPENING PRAYER: May my heart, O Lord, be receptive to your word as I meditate on it.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: 1 JOHN 4:1-6
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
Daily Guide 29 November 2024 – Today’s Outline:
Supernatural manifestations can have divine or satanic origin. We need to test the spirits. In the Old Testament, prophecies were judged by their outcome and nature – whether they came to pass or not, and whether they were consistent with known injunctions of God. See Deuteronomy 13:1-5. We have here two tests of true prophecy.
Read vs.2-3 and note the first proof test – belief in the human nature of Jesus. Docetism, a very distinct heresy in the first century Church, suggests that Jesus did not have a real or natural body during His life on earth but had only an apparent or phantom one. In 1 John 1:1&2, John clearly affirms the humanity of Jesus. Every true prophet and preacher will teach that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. Anything less is ‘the spirit of the antichrist’.
In vs.5-6, John presents a contrast between those who belong to the world and those who belong to God. Note the distinctive characteristics of each group. False prophets and preachers tend to seek popularity by telling people things that will please them. A faithful Christian preacher will emphasize holy living, present God’s word against sin and evil lifestyle and demand transformational living. They are not likely to be popular with the world.
Practice/Word Application
And so? Have you personally taken seriously the responsibility to test every sermon and prophetic message? Pray for grace to do this so you will never fall prey to their tricks.
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 34:10
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 334-1 Corinthians 5-8
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN 29 NOVEMBER 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
SU NATIONAL PRAYER AND FASTING DAY
… I urge that prayer be made to those in authority so we may live a quiet and peaceful life with reference to God. – 1 Timothy 2:1, 2.
THANK GOD FOR:
‣ His sustenance and help in this difficult and hard times of the nation.
‣ The relative peace we have enjoyed in the nation.
PRAY FOR:
‣ God will show Nigeria mercy and forgive the nation of her sins
‣ Change the heart of the leaders and give them the heart to lead well.
‣ God will dethrone bad leaders in the nation and replace them with leaders that will reverence his name
PRAY AGAINST:
‣ The spirit and altar of hardship and bad leadership in the nation.
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 29 November 2024)