SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR APRIL 9, 2023 (LOOKING FOR JESUS TO SERVE HIM)
TOPIC:LOOKING FOR JESUS TO SERVE HIM
OPENING PRAYER: Sanctify my life dear Lord as I study your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Mark 16: 1-8
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?
MESSAGE
Read vs.1-5 again. The women went in search of Jesus to serve him. They took deliberate actions at their own cost to anoint the body of Jesus. Fruitful and rewarding service to the Lord begins with voluntary conviction and commitment to bear the cost involved. This is true for both full and part time services in churches, mission agencies, politics, civil service, etc. In truly voluntary services, you seek what the grace of God in you can contribute to advance the gospel and not what you can get from it. What is your motive for service?
Consider the concern of the women on their way to the tomb (v.3). See however, how God took care of it before they arrived (v.4). Handover all your cares and fears to the Lord, for He cares (1 Peter 5:7).
Read Matthew 27:62-66 and 28:1-8 to see how God intervenes and sets aside human plan and might to fulfil His own plan. When it was God’s time for Jesus to rise from the grave, neither the tomb, the heavy stones nor the guards could stop Him. Hallelujah! Read v.6 again. This is the climax of Mark’s gospel i.e., the resurrection of Jesus. Without it, His death would have been a tragedy. But in the resurrection, Jesus is declared to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4).
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
HYMN: Hallelujah, He is risen!
1. Hallelujah, He is risen!
Jesus is gone up on high!
Burst the bars of death asunder,
Angels shout and men reply:
He is risen, He is risen,
Living now no more to die.
He is risen, He is risen,
Living now no more to die.
2. Hallelujah, He is risen!
Our exalted Head to be;
Sends the witness of the Spirit
That our advocate is He:
He is risen, He is risen,
Justified in Him are we.
He is risen, He is risen,
Justified in Him are we.
3. Hallelujah, He is risen!
Death for aye hath lost his sting,
Christ, Himself the Resurrection,
From the grave His own will bring:
He is risen, He is risen,
Living Lord and coming King.
He is risen, He is risen,
Living Lord and coming King.
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, may my quest to serve you proceed from a pure motive and genuine love for you.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Isaiah 45:6
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Deuteronomy 32, Psalms 43, 44.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Sun, 09-Apr-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
UNDETERRED LOVE FOR JESUS
Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Lord.
– Philippians 1:27
THANK GOD FOR:
► The call to stand firm in order to resist the devil.
► The power of God that helps us walk in a manner that will please Him.
PRAY FOR:
► Abundant grace to live, shine and apply lessons we will learn during the camp.
► Increased faithfulness to pray and persevere as we await the coming of the Lord.
► Grace to continue to labour among the children, youths and families while still working in churches.
PRAY AGAINST:
► Challenges of life that will deter us and make us loose focus as we continue in this Christian race.
► Inability to hold back and persevere through trials and temptation in this end time.
Scripture Union Daily Guide (9th April 2023) Sunday. 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.
