Scripture Union Daily Guide 19 July 2025 (Saturday) Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 19th July 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: Travels on Purpose
OPENING PRAYER
Dear Lord, I pray that you sanctify my spirit, soul and body as I read your word in Jesus name.
BIBLE READING
Acts 20:1-16
20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews[a] as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and[b] the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
QUESTONS FOR MEDITATION
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
► Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 19 July 2025: OUTLINE
Focus on ministry vision minimizes distractions. Do not just preach and rush off for another programme. Note what Paul did (see Acts 20:22). He remained with and encouraged the brethren despite the urgent need for him to travel and minister elsewhere (Acts 20:1-2).
Don’t you think it is godly wisdom to change travel arrangements when there are known life threatening community hostilities? Such sensitivity and changes give preachers more opportunities for service than dying “early”. What truth is revealed in Acts 20:4-5 (and 1 Corinthians 1:10) regarding the diversity of Paul’s team members? The Church in Africa must fight tribal and denominational differences in favour of harmonious co-existence.
Paul’s vigil sermon, though to maximize time, would have ended up tragic but the Lord intervened by raising Eutychus from the dead. Why do you think they ate the communion together at this already long sermon (Acts 20:7,11; 1 Corinthians 11:26)? Establishing young believers in the word and teaching them correct Christian practices is worth the visit. Identify the main reason for Paul’s rush as he desired to cover many locations before getting to Jerusalem (Acts 20:16). Pentecost festival was ahead.
NOTE
This passage is the clearest in the New Testament which indicates that the practice of Christian weekly worship services took place on Sundays (Christ’s resurrection day) not Saturdays (the Jewish Sabbath) and with the Holy Communion service (Acts 20:7).
INSIGHT
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Increase my passion for the unreached, Lord, and make me a focused team player.
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Hosea 10-12.
One Year Bible Reading Plan – Hard Copy version:
2 Kings 18, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalms 48
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Sat Jul 19, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
SU ELDERLY BRETHREN: FINISHING STRONG
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have remained faithful. 2 Tim 4:7
THANK GOD FOR:
* Our elderly brethren who have run and are still running this Christian race
PRAY FOR:
* Grace for them to run well, remain faithful and finish strong as they continue to follow the Lord. • Spiritual and physical strength to endure to the end and make it to heaven at last. • Good health for them so they can live long to enjoy the fruits of their labours and God’s blessings for their families
PRAY AGAINST:
* Discouragements, sicknesses, and failing to continue the good work to the end
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 17 2025)