SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 8, 2023 (FAITH COMES FIRST)
TOPIC: FAITH COMES FIRST
Opening Prayer: Help me dear Lord to meet with you as I meditate on your word in Jesus name
Scripture: Romans 4:1-12
Question(s) 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
When something is to be done repeatedly, great effort is made to ensure that the first one is done right so that it can serve as the pattern (prototype).
When it comes to living by faith, our prototype is Abraham. Read vs.1-5 again and notice what justified Abraham. The way Abraham was justified is the same way we are: by believing God and accepting God’s forgiveness.
Abraham trusted in God alone to fix the mess in his life. Because God is faithful, we should have faith in Him. God made promises to Abraham, and he responded in faith. The promise was fulfilled 25 years later (Genesis 21:1-7).
Read vs.6-8. How was David justified – by faith or works? Justification is not for Jews only (vs.9-12). Abraham was justified before he was circumcised and before the law.
Therefore, signs of a covenant, e.g. circumcision or baptism, do not save anyone. It is far better to receive the justification that Jesus earned for us rather than struggling to earn it by our own efforts.
We can only have a relationship with God because we have been forgiven through the Christ’s sacrificial death and not by our efforts.
Practice/Word Application
So What? In what particular ways is God asking you to testify publicly to your faith?
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing PrayerFather, we thank you for our justification through the death of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Job 36:11
One Year Bible Reading Plan1Samuel 9, 10, Psalms 50
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – 8TH MAY 2023
PRAYER FOCUSJUSTIFIED BY FAITH: AID FOR LIFE, WEEK OF EMPHASIS 8TH – 14TH MAY Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… -Romans 5:1
THANK GOD FOR:► The justification we have as we live by our faith in Christ Jesus.► The faith we have in Christ that has been reckoned to us as righteousness.► Another year of aid for life week of emphasis.
PRAY FOR:► Help for brethren involved as they start and continue the training in the various pilgrim groups.► The grace of God to abound with the brethren as we keep looking up to our God in faith.► The peace of God to abide with us as we continue to live holy and righteous lives in Christ Jesus.
PRAY AGAINST:► Shrinking back from faith due to circumstances of life.► Failing to live on in the righteousness and holiness of our Master Jesus.
