Scripture Union Daily Guide 8 June 2025 (Sunday) Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 8 June 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: No Favouritism from God
OPENING PRAYER: Oh Lord, fill me with the power of the Holy Ghost as I study your word.
SCRIPTURE READING – Acts 10:23b-48
23b The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[a] and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Question(s) For Meditation:
► Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 8 June 2025: OUTLINE
Observe how Cornelius’ faith is put into action as he and his household and friends wait for Peter, the Jew, to come to his house (Acts 10:24). By entering the Gentile’s house, Peter proves that his heart has indeed been touched by God. He will no longer “call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15). Are there any related issues in your life that you are still struggling with? Allow the Lord to reveal His ways to you.
Note the reaction of Peter to Cornelius’ attempt to worship him (Acts 10:25-26). Christian leaders must never accept or demand worship from their members. All worship goes to God alone.
Read Acts 10:34-43 again. Peter did not begin his sermon by emphasizing Cornelius’ sinfulness and need for salvation. Instead, he began with a statement of God’s righteous character; that Jews and Gentiles are equally sinners before God (cf. Galatians 6:15). He then presented the gospel by summarizing the life and mission of Jesus Christ. What a model evangelistic message. When evangelising, we too must bear in mind that we are not to attack people’s sins but to present the good news.
What is the significance of Acts 10:44-48? The Holy Spirit ‘drove a final nail on the coffin’ of the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles.
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
HYMN: Holy, Holy, Holy
1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns
Around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.
3. Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name,
In earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!
Closing Prayer:
Lord, help me to overcome every form of prejudice that can hinder me from proclaiming the gospel to others.
One Year Bible Reading Guide:
1 Chronicles 22-23; Mark 7.
One Year Bible Reading Guide, Hard Copy Version:
Proverbs 16-18
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Sun Jun 08, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
ELDERS IN THE MINISTRY- RETIRED BUT NOT TIRED
“I have been young, and old now am old, I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread”. Psalm 37:25
THANK GOD FOR:
* The lives of all our elderly brethren, who have laboured and retired from active service • The strength and grace he keeps giving them to remain relevant in God’s agenda • Their continued commitment to SU work in their formations
PRAY FOR:
* They will continue to enjoy the fruit of their labour • They will be fruitful even in old age and continue to have joy serving the Lord • They will finish well and strong
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 8 June 2025)