SU DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE FOR TODAY
Scripture Union Daily Guide 20th March 2023, SU Daily Guide Devotional Reading for Monday. Read SU Daily Guide Message
TOPIC: Conviction in a Clash of Cultures
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, may the entrance of your word bring light and life to all I will do today.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Esther 3: 1 – 15
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
• Q 2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• Q 7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 20th March 2023 MESSAGE
It is worth noting that all this while, Mordecai had continued to keep his family background and nationality a secret (2:10,20). Now with a new law coming into force (vs.1,2), Mordecai came under intense daily peer pressure in the palace to obey the King’s command. Why did he refuse to comply with this order (v.4)? On what basis do you make your day-to-day workplace or community decisions when they contradict your own values or vision? How difficult can such situations be?
It is right to show due respect to leaders. Mordecai’s behaviour might have been informed by his belief as a Jew (v.5). The Life Application Study Bible notes explains that he knew that Haman’s ancestors were ancient enemies of the Jews, and God had commanded Israel to “destroy the Amalekites and erase their memory from under heaven” (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). At various points every Christian will face such conflicts of choices and cultures.
Sadly, many make the easy choice to compromise, particularly for material gain or to avoid perceived danger. We must always be guided in such situations by the choice of Christ, “you must worship the LORD your God and serve him only” (Matthew 4:10).
PRACTICE/WORD APPLICATION
Questions for decision making guide:
1. Does the Bible allow it?
2. Does my conscience allow it?
3. What is the effect on other Christians?
4. What is the effect on non-Christians?
5. What is the effect on my spiritual life?
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, help me to stand firmly for you in every situation.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 115:14
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Numbers 29, 30, Acts 12.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Mon, 20-Mar-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
PRINCIPLED DISCIPLES
I, therefore as a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility, gentleness and patience.
– Ephesians 4: 1-2
THANK GOD FOR:
► Calling us into the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace in SU.
► Making us enter into one hope to be one in the body and in the spirit.
PRAY FOR:
► Constant sanctification of the spirit in all SU formations as we continue to serve Him in total obedience to His leadings.
► Grace to be multiplied to both the leader and the led in all SU formations as we continue to live our lives to glorify the name of our God.
► Us to continue to operate in kindness, forbearing with each other as we patiently continue to believe God for perfecting each other’s lives.
PRAY AGAINST:
► Every form of impatience that may lead to wrath.
► Lack of revelation about God’s power and victory we have in Christ Jesus that enables us to continue in holy living.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 20th 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.
