TOPIC: Priorities
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, expose me to your truth as I read your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE: MARK 1: 29-45
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
• Q 2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 3 January 2023 OUTLINE
Jesus Christ knew when to take time away from the hectic demands of ministry in order to be refreshed in personal fellowship with the Father (v.35). Unlike Him, we could be so busy doing the work of the Lord that we have little or no time for the Lord of the work! He also knew when to take time off simply to rest (ch. 6:31).
Some leaders do not know how to say, “No!” They accept every invitation for ministry all over the place and are always busy hopping from one conference to another. As a result, sometimes they do not even have enough time for their wife and their children, which is their first God-given ministry! Opportunities and requests (vs.36-37) for different types of ministry will never be exhausted, but the man of God can be!
Do you not find v.44 surprising? Surely, Jesus Christ should be glad for all the publicity He could get so that many more people would come to see His wonder-working power! Is that not why our evangelists put up large billboards to invite the whole city to their crusades? Jesus Christ knew that it could be counter-productive when crowds come for the wrong reasons (v.45).
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
HYMN FOR TODAY: IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE
1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
3 To all life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish but naught changeth thee.
4 Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, please teach me to make your priorities mine as well.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Jeremiah 31:3
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Genesis 3,4, Psalms 5.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Tue, 03-Jan-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
NATIONAL WEEK OF PRAYER AND FASTING 3RD – 9TH JANUARY
SHUT IN WITH GOD
Cease striving and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10
THANK GOD FOR:
► Always being there for us, in us and surrounding us as we continue to relate with Him as our Father.
► The fellowship we have with Him and in Him daily.
► Another week of Prayer and fasting as we await His return.
PRAY FOR:
► The presence of God in our personal life this year as we read and study His Word, hear His Voice, and Obey His leadings this year.
► Grace to continue to hope in the Lord as we await His return either by death or by rapture.
► The peace of God and grace to guard our thoughts, hearts and emotions this year. Knowing God will cause all things to work for our good.
PRAY AGAINST:
► Every spirit of distraction and unquietness that will make us become too busy, thereby loosing the essential lessons of life this year.
► Always striving instead of remaining still and letting God be God.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 3 January 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.