Scripture Union Daily Guide 8th February 2025 (Saturday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: Unbelief and Hardness of Heart
OPENING PRAYER: Oh Lord, fill me with the power of the Holy Ghost as I study your word.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Matthew 11:16-30
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
► Q5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 8th February 2025 – OUTLINE
People use different methods to get others to respond to issues of their interest. It is, however, quite frustrating when someone fails or refuses to respond no matter the method of approach. The generation Jesus addressed in today’s passage neither responded to John’s nor Jesus’ approach.
John lived as a hermit, removed from the people, so they concluded that he was a demoniac (Matthew 11:18). Jesus came, living and mixing with the people, eating, and drinking with them and they criticized and insulted Him too (Matthew 11:19). Do you find it difficult to accept spiritual truth without first finding trivial fault in the message or the messenger?
Bethsaida, Capernaum, and Chorazin were cities where Jesus spent His life and time preaching and teaching. Also, He invested His spiritual resources and authority there performing various miracles, yet they hardened their hearts in unbelief. Notice the consequence of their refusal to repent (Matthew 11:21,23)? Like these cities, God has made and is still making investments into our lives. The only useful return on these investments is our repentance and surrender to Him. Otherwise, we risk reaping the same consequence (see Luke 13:6-9).
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER: Search me O God, and know my heart today; Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray; See if there be some wicked way in me; Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. (James E. Orr).
Pray for personal revival, grace to daily live for Christ. Ask for grace not to compromise your faith especially in this hard and perilous time we are in.
One Bible Reading Guide:
Exodus 21-22, Matthew 4.
One Bible Reading Guide, Hard Copy Version:
Exodus 28-29
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Saturday Feb 08, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
PILGRIMS GROUPS
… I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not come against it. Matt. 16:18
THANK GOD FOR:
* The pilgrim’s ministry which is well established in SU Nigeria • The privilege to fellowship regularly at this level to study the word of God, pray and encourage one another • The great impact this has brought to us as members of SU
PRAY FOR:
* Spiritual and numerical increase in our groups • More young people to be encouraged to be part of our fellowships • Enriching programs that will make members look forward to attending fellowship meetings • More of God’s grace upon EXCOS of these groups • The ongoing National EXCO Meeting at Benin.
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 8th February 2025)