Scripture Union Daily Guide 18 July 2025 (Friday) Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 18th July 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: Led by the Spirit
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, I pray that you lead me into your truth as I meditate on your word in Jesus name.
BIBLE READING
Acts 19:21-41
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs,[a] who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?[b] 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further,[c] it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
QUESTION FOR MEDITATION
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 18 July 2025: OUTLINE
Apart from preaching in Ephesus, Paul, led by the Spirit, proposed an itinerary to go to Macedonia, Achaia, Jerusalem, and Rome (Acts 19:21). What lesson can you learn from this? Don’t you think listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying Him is relevant to you today? But Paul tarried awhile in Ephesus despite the Spirit’s leading.
From Acts 19:23-34, opposition and uproar followed several fruitful sessions, even threatening the lives of the believers. But, why? With Paul still in town, the believers must have been encouraged. This perhaps explains why the Holy Spirit led him to stay in Ephesus for a while. Remember that “…all things work together for the good of those who love God.…” (Romans 8:28).
Read Acts 19:35-41 again. Notice that the Apostles were not hurt because God chose to use a government official (the City Clerk) to calm the situation. He is indeed a present help in trouble, so He delivers His children from their many afflictions (Psalms 34:19).
AND SO
Desire the leadership of the Holy Spirit in all you do.
INSIGHT
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, help me to be sensitive to the leading of your Spirit daily.
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Hosea 7-9.
One Year Bible Reading Plan – Hard Copy version:
Isaiah 23-27
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Fri Jul 18, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
CAMPING SEASONS: STUDENTS/ YOUTHS & CHILDREN LONG VACATION CAMPS
“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, then no one can work”. John 9:4
THANK GOD FOR:
* His faithfulness in the past years. • The opportunity to disciple children and young people through our camps.
PRAY FOR:
* Grace, strength, wisdom and direction for all those who will labour in the camp in all the Areas and Zones; the TSes, Missionaries, Areas/ Zonal Schools Implementation Committee members, LOC, Camp Officers, SUCF members and Pilgrims. • The mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all the resource persons; Speakers, Bible Study/ Seminar Leaders, Children teachers etc. • The power of God will be present to save, restore, heal, deliver and establish. • All the programs will be impactful and achieve God’s purposes. • Abundant provisions and divine safety before, during and after the Camps.
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 July 18, 2025)