SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY GUIDE DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FEBRAURY 21, 2023 (CHALLENGES TO BEING COMPASSIONATE)
TOPIC: CHALLENGES TO BEING COMPASSIONATE
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, may the entrance of your word bring light and life to all I will do today.
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Mark 8:1-13
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
• Q 3: Is there any command for me to obey?
MESSAGE
Jesus had compassion on the multitudes (v.1) and so decided to meet the physical needs of these people who had gathered to listen to His words/teachings. Read vs.2-4 and compare the response of the disciples and that of Jesus to the needs of the people (cf. 6:35-36). Jesus is still moved today with deep sympathy for the needs of people. Being compassionate, however, becomes challenged when we focus on what is not readily available, our inadequacy, and challenges. We must trust God to bless the work of our hands in order to become a blessing to others in need.
Like what they did in chapter 6, the disciples again picked up the broken pieces and filled up seven baskets. This again re-emphasizes the need to properly manage both plenty and scarcity. Wastage during harvest time often leads to serious lack later.
The Pharisees asked for a sign from heaven (from God) just to tempt Christ (vs.11-12). Do you also set up situations for people just to trap them? See Matthew 12:38-40. Jesus’ resurrection is the strongest proof of His Messiahship. This is the strongest sign today.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Ask God to give you a compassionate heart and the willingness to meet the need of the helpless.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Genesis 17:4
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Leviticus 6,7, John 3.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Tue, 21-Feb-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST
My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.
– 1 John 15:12
THANK GOD FOR:
► The love of God that has kept us thus far in all we are doing.
► The family relationship we have in SU where we all look out for each other’s good.
PRAY FOR:
► Grace to continue to strengthen our relationship with trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as we share our love for the brethren.
► Increase in kindness, demonstration of love within our SU, family members and to all those around us.
► Expression of our love especially to the less privileged, orphans, widows/widowers and those who need it most amongst us.
► Leaders who will take care of the less privileged in Nigeria and not those who will steal Nigerian resources.
PRAY AGAINST:
► Every spirit of arrogance, jealousy and impatience among us in SU.
► Failing to pray for one another, not being kind to one another, or even loving one another.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 21st February 2023. 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.
