Scripture Union Daily Guide 14 September 2024: Philip Proclaims The Gospel (1)
Daily Guide Devotional For Today 14th September 2024 (Saturday)
TOPIC: PHILIP PROCLAIMS THE GOSPEL – PART 1
OPENING PRAYER: Grant me depth of insight, revelation and knowledge as I meditate on this passage, O Lord.
SCRIPTURE: ACTS 8:4-13
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
* Q3: Is there any command for me to obey?
* Q5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 14 September 2024 Outline:
Though disruptive, painful, uncomfortable, and displacing, the outcome of persecution is not always necessarily negative. As we saw yesterday, the persecution scattered the believers thus occasioning the opportunity for the gospel to spread outside Jerusalem (v.4). One of those who was scattered was Philip (6:5), a companion of Stephen in the administration.
Take note of his ministry in Samaria (vs.6-7) and compare it with the charge that Jesus gave to His disciples (Matthew 10:8). Though we are not called to perform or follow miracles, they nevertheless accompany believers (Mark 16:17-18) and serve as powerful demonstrations of the presence and the power of God.
What was the outcome of Philip’s ministry according to v.8? Do you think Philip’s ministry would have flourished if he remained in Jerusalem?
Then comes in Simon the sorcerer! Notice how the deception of his sorcery and his arrogance had held “all the people of Samaria” in his grip (vs.9-11). Are there people like Simon in our society today, who dazzle and hypnotize their followers to proclaim them great, supreme, and powerful? As followers of Christ, how should we counter such people? Contrast the effect of Simon’s sorcery on the people and the impact of the gospel as preached by Philip (vs.11-12).
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord, uphold your people whose lives have been disrupted by persecution because they are not ashamed to proclaim you as the Lord, and to witness to your gospel.
Prayer for the week
* Pray for the vulnerable, that God will send help to them and deliver them • Pray that the gospel of Jesus Christ will reach them
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 4:8
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 258- Daniel 7-9
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN 14 SEPTEMBER 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
BACHELORS, SPINSTERS AND WAITING COUPLES.
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord. Prov. 19:14
THANK GOD FOR:
‣ For our matured brothers and sisters who have continued to wait patiently on the Lord for their rightful life partners.
‣ For His word which tells us; it is the Lord who gives a prudent wife: it is also the Lord who brings a loving husband
PRAY FOR:
‣ The door of marriage be open to our brethren across the Groups, Zones and Areas.
‣ There will be divine supply for those in courtship to wedded.
‣ Couples trusting God for the fruit of the womb will receive divine visitation at this time – the lord will remember them.
PRAY AGAINST:
‣ Every contention against marriages and fruitfulness.
‣ Every ungodly character/sin that might give the enemy a foothold to resist their blessing.
Joyce Meyer Devotional 10 September 2024: Build Your Life On God’s Certainties
