SCRIPTURE/FOCUS – Week of January 4, 2016 – January 8, 2016
FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Step into your new life in Christ
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold,
all things are become new. 2 Corinthian 5:17
Call (641) 715-3378, access code 259748, Reference #31 to listen to a review of these lessons.
Visit our website at www.5ambiblestudyministry.org
Overview: Sometimes God’s answer to our heart’s cry is No! However, He cares and we must trust Him for the outcome. These are times that we may experience the ache of abandonment but remember that we can rest in the joy and peace that Jesus gives us. Reach out to the loneliest of our brothers and sisters in their time of need in obedience to God’s command. We may stumble sometimes by neglecting our ministry assignment, however, repent and pray that God will extend grace and mercy to bring us to an expected end where He desires us to be. We must never try to justify our personal desires when it does not line up with the Will of God, instead, accept the truth that Jesus is the way and He is the fulfillment of a full and satisfying life.
Monday, January 4, 2016 – Is He Listening? – Matthew 26:39-42; 27:45-46
Focus: Our painful outcry to God to change a matter can sometimes be No. However, God hears us, so we must continue to pray and trust Him for the outcome. God is good and He knows what’s best.
Scriptures: Daniel 10:10-14; Jeremiah 29:11
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 – The Lonely Season – 2 Timothy 4:9-18
Focus: Many of us have experienced the lonely ache of abandonment. However, we now have the peace, joy, and hope that Jesus brought into our lives. Let us reach out to the loneliest of our brothers and sisters to encourage them.
Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-3
Wednesday, January 6, 2016 – Ringing Reminders – Psalm 37:21-31
Focus: Let’s be reminded that whatever comes our way, God deeply cares. Though we may stumble sometimes, God is forgiving. We must trust God to guide our steps.
Scriptures: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 91; Job 5:19-27
Thursday, January 7, 2016 – Starting Upstream – Matthew 6:5-10
Focus: A new starting point for prayer is to direct our concerns to God and look up to Him in our times of trouble. Let’s praise, thank and trust God for His grace and mercy to bring us to a desired outcome.
Scriptures: Matthew 6:31; Psalm 5:1-3, 7
Friday, January 8, 2016 – The Best Kind of Happiness – John 8:31-38
Focus: We often justify our personal desires, thinking it will bring us happiness even if it doesn’t line up with God’s word. The best kind of happiness comes when we accept the truth that Jesus is the way and He will give us a full and satisfying life.
Scriptures: Psalm 34:8; Psalm 91:14-16
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson – The theme verse for 2016 is 1Timothy 4:7, “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”
In other words, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. Our goal for the New Year is godliness, not personal success. To be godly is to be like God which comes through knowing Him deeply, so that our lives will glorify the Savior who gave Himself for us on the cross.
The five areas in which we can grow spiritually are:
- Put in place a regular, daily time to pray and meditate on God’s Word and to listen to Him.
- Reach out in friendship and encourage the lonely.
- Face the New Year with courage, whatever may come your way, because God cares deeply about every moment we live.
- Get in the game of life and do your part to promote God’s work in your home, community and church.
- Work on true happiness and contentment by obeying Jesus’ commands instead of pursuing your own desires.
Let’s discipline ourselves in these areas for the purpose of godliness so when we look back on 2016 we will see a year of spiritual growth in the Lord