SU DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL READING
Scripture Union Daily Guide 14th March 2023, SU Daily Guide Devotional Reading for Tuesday. Read SU Daily Guide Message
TOPIC: Duty to God and to the State
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OPENING PRAYER: Help me to understand the exceeding greatness of your power as I read through this passage, dear Lord.
SCRIPTURE: Mark 12: 13-17
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Q 3: Is there any command for me to obey?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 14th March 2023 MESSAGE
What challenges you about Jesus’ response to the trap that these religious leaders set for Him? If Jesus had replied ‘Yes’, the Pharisees would have accused Him before the Jewish people of being a traitor. And if ‘No’, the Herodians would have accused Him before the Roman authorities of treason. Jesus’ response in v.17 shows that our duties to God and to civil authorities are not in opposition to each other. The State provides many services that make life worth living. We must therefore fulfil our civic responsibilities including payment of taxes and duties. Likewise, we must fulfil our responsibilities as citizens of God’s kingdom.
There is however a limit, in the event of a conflict between the demands of the State and the sovereignty of God and the lives of the believer. Where the State demands what is due to God, we have only one response (see Acts 4:19; 5:29). Christians over the ages have suffered because of putting Christ first and this persecution continues today. This has however made some Christians to either lower the standard or deny the faith outrightly. It must be noted that the cross remains the symbol of Christianity. The Master said that except we take up our cross and follow Him we are not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:38-39)
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
I pray that I will always recognize that God is sovereign over my life, over my country, and that loyalty to Him comes first.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Philippians 4:6 ‐ 7
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Numbers 17, 18, Acts 6.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Tue, 14-Mar-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
DEAD TO SELF
… I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…
– Philippians 3:8
THANK GOD FOR:
► The love of God that made Him give up Himself for us.
► The benefit we enjoy in knowing and serving Him.
PRAY FOR:
► Grace to daily be renewed in the spirit of our mind and to lay aside every corrupt and lustful spirit.
► Discipline to put on the new self which is in the likeness of God, created in righteousness, holiness and truth.
► Living the crucified life daily, as we consider our members dead to immorality, impurity, evil passion, evil desire and greed.
PRAY AGAINST:
► Refusing to deny the self-life, thereby refusing to take up our cross daily and following Jesus.
► Going back to our vomits, therefore remaining dead to Christ and losing our relationship with Him.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 14th March 2023. 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.
