Scripture Union Daily Guide 14th March 2024, Thursday
Scripture Union Daily Guide 14th March 2024 TOPIC: Focus on God’s Promises
Opening Prayer: Oh Lord, fill me with the power of the Holy Ghost as I study your word.
Today’s Reading: JOHN 16:12-24
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Q4: Is there any promise for me to believe or hope for?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 14th March 2024: MESSAGE
It is one thing to personally desire to know all truths about Christ, to become like Him, but it is another thing to be available to be guided into these truths. The same person who guides is also the one who helps us know the right and wrong as we patiently learn and practise the truth. This person is none other than the Holy Spirit. What other services does He extend to us (vs.12-15)?
For the disciples, the nature of missions, oppositions to missions and results of mission efforts were future experiences which they would only understand with the coming of Holy Spirit (v.13). Since the Holy Spirit has been given, all we need to do to understand and practise scriptures is to depend on Him.
Read vs.16-24 again and observe the reaction of the disciples to Christ’s departure (v.20). While the world rejoiced, the disciples wept and lamented. But the sorrow was turned to joy when Christ resurrected. We may suffer and sorrow now but when Christ returns, we shall have everlasting joy. This should encourage us to keep holding on to the Lord (2 Timothy 2:11-13).
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Lord, help me to remain faithful to you to the end despite tempting pressures of the world’s system.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with John 17:2
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 74 – Deuteronomy 11-13
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Thu Mar 14, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
(RESIDENTIAL COUNCIL MEETING STARTS TODAY IN IBADAN)
CHURCH OF GOD
Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger forever.
Jeremiah 3:12
THANK GOD FOR:
• His mercies and workings in His church.
PRAY FOR:
• Journey mercies for all Council members as they travel to Ibadan for March Council meeting
• The Church in Nigeria to return to the Lord in earnest.
• The Spirit of God to brood over His Church, bringing conviction on individual believers, Christian leaders and the Church corporately.
• Revival and the spirit of genuine repentance, brokenness, contriteness and seeking the Lord in Spirit and truth to be restored to the Church
• God will cleanse his Church and prepare her to take her rightful place in the nation, as living witnesses in the Spirit and power of God, with signs and wonders following.