TOPIC: Worship the Saviour
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, I request that you help me to encounter you as I meditate on your word. – Matthew 2.1‐12
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY GUIDE 26 DECEMBER 2022 MESSAGE
Here we see wise men from the East who were earnestly searching for the new‐born child to offer him the worship due to a King. Their sincere hearts ultimately found the infant born in a humble village, Bethlehem (‘the house of bread’). Anyone who searches for Jesus will find Him, the ‘Bread of life’ who satisfies hungry hearts.
Observe the great knowledge of the chief priests and teachers of the law regarding prophecies about the Messiah (vs.5‐6). However, with all the knowledge they had, they lacked spiritual insight. Christ, the Messiah, was only historical knowledge to them. We truly celebrate Christmas when we experience Christ being born in our hearts.
Notice the different reactions to the announcement of the birth of the future King (vs.2‐3, 7‐10). Jesus inspires both worship and hostility, reactions that are repeated throughout His life and still today!
READ: Our Daily Bread 26th December 2022 ODB Devotional – When You’re Afraid
With adoration, the wise men offered their treasures to Jesus: gold as token of His royalty; frankincense representing His priesthood, and myrrh, announcing His future sacrificial death. These gifts express both Jesus’ divine and human nature.
PRACTICE/WORD APPLICATION
So what? Today, God the Father expects true worship from us (John 4:23,24). How will you respond?
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
• I worship You, O Prince of peace?. There is none like You!
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Genesis 1:11
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Isaiah 66; Psalms 149; Revelation 9.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN (Scripture Union Daily Guide 26 December 2022)
PRAYER FOCUS
SPIRITUAL DEMANDS
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things and the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:9
THANK GOD FOR:
☀ Teaching us daily from His word and sending us forth to go and make disciples for Him.
☀ Giving us peace despite the confusion in the world.
PRAY FOR:
☛ SU brethren to continue to do good to everyone especially to those in the house-hold of faith.
☛ Grace to continue to pray for friends and relations who may be ignorant or wayward, that God will help them to repent.
☛ Us to pray, intercede and give thanks, believing God for peaceful and quiet lives.
PRAY AGAINST:
⚠ Failing to sow into other people’s lives what God has done in our own lives.
⚠ Being careless with our lives, and the flock of God which He kept in our care.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 26 December 2022. 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 26th December 2022