Scripture Union Daily Guide July 17, 2025 (Thursday) Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 17th July 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: Preach The Word Not Miracles!
Opening Prayer
As I read your word O Lord, grant me an insight and grace to do your will in Jesus name.
Bible Reading
Acts 19:11-20 (ESV)
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all[a] of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.
19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
Meditation Question
► 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 17 July 2025 – Outline
These days the emphasis on miracles by some ministers rather than preaching the word of God for the salvation of the unsaved is on the increase. It explains why invitation posters and electronic media adverts emphasize signs and wonders. Yet, Jesus commissioned us to be His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20; Matthew 28:19-20). From Acts 19:11-12, who did the unusual miracles? Paul was only a vessel in the hand of God who chose to honour Himself that way. He found himself within a community where many of them use sorcery to perform miracles. God had to give Paul “the power to perform unusual miracles” to help draw the people to Christ (Acts 19:11,18-20). Miracles followed the preaching of the word, as Jesus had promised believers (Mark 16:15-18).
Acts 19:13-16 show that mere working of miracles, devoid of the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, leads to disastrous consequences. What are your thoughts on the Jewish Exorcists’ attempt to use the name of Jesus, whom they never accepted as Saviour, to cast out demons? Desiring to make a name will lead to wrong imitation, and competition for having the largest congregation will lead to false teachings that only please and pamper men. But the gospel of Jesus Christ, preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, saves and transforms lives.
Food for Thought
Preach the undiluted word of God and leave the result to God.
Insight
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Lord, help me to bring honour and glory to your name by my lifestyle and preaching.
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Hosea 4-6.
One Year Bible Reading Plan – Hard Copy version:
Isaiah 18-22
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Thu Jul 17, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
SCRIPTURE UNION CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP (SUCF)
May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace. Ps 144:12
THANK GOD FOR:
* All he has been doing in the SUCF from the National to Group levels. • Godly character and good academic performances recorded by many of our SUCF brethren
PRAY FOR:
* SUCF National Chairman – Prof. Solomon Nwigbo and the HOD – Mr. Abraham Eyeroruma; for anointing and insight in all their deliberations and decisions. • God’s anointing and wisdom for the SUCF leadership to coordinate the fellowships and for nurturing to maturity. • God’s favour for all the SUCF graduates as they go into the labour market. • Grace for members to stand out in godly character and be effective witnesses and vessels for Christ.
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)