TOPIC: Jesus Heals First the Root Cause, And Then the Disease
OPENING PRAYER: I open my heart to meditate on your word, teach me your ways oh Lord.
SCRIPTURE: MARK 2: 1-12
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 4th January 2023 OUTLINE
There is a spiritual as well as a physical dimension to sickness. Sometimes, (such as in cases of sexually transmitted diseases) sickness is the direct result of human sin, but not always. However, originally, it was human sin which brought sickness and pain and death to the world which God declared to be good at Creation (Genesis 1:31). This is probably the reason why Jesus Christ saw the need to begin with the forgiveness of sin here. Notice what the scribes got right, and what they got wrong in v.7.
Again and again, we see miracles of healing brought about by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Often, it is the faith of the person who needed the healing (e.g. 5:34; 10:52). Sometimes it is the faith of the person doing the healing (Acts 9:40). In this story, it is the faith of the friends (v.5). This is an encouragement to us to bring our friends before the throne of grace in confidence that Jesus Christ will always hear our prayers on their behalf. It also teaches us not to blame them for lack of faith if they are not healed when a man of God prays for them.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Read James 5:14-15 and pray earnestly for sick people known to you today.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Deuteronomy 7:9
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Genesis 5,6, Psalms 6.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Wed, 04-Jan-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
SU WORK: ONE THING IS NEEDFUL
(NATIONAL PRAYER AND FASTING CONTINUES).
This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth. – 1 Timothy 2: 3-4
THANK GOD FOR:
► Calling us, equipping us and training us in SU to work with churches to ensure His will for children, youths and families are brought to pass.
► Teaching us to walk with Him daily as we listen and obey His instructions concerning SU work and vision.
PRAY FOR:
► A closer relationship and spiritual connection to ensure all work will be done according to God’s pattern.
► Discipline to remain in Him in order to get revelations on how the work will be done this year among children, youths and families.
► Commitment and dedication among our staff and pilgrims to the vision of SU this year.
PRAY AGAINST:
► Doing the work without listening to the Holy Spirit.
► Going ahead without seeking clearance from God in all we do this year in SU.
READ:Seeds of Destiny 4th January 2023 SOD – Praise: A Trigger for the Next Level
Scripture Union Daily Guide 4th 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.
