SCRIPTURE/FOCUS – Week Of October 16 – 22, 2016
FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Love Opens Hearts and Minds to the Purpose of God
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
And this they did, not s we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord,
and unto us by the will of God. 2 Corinthians 8:5
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Overview: We must develop a prayer life that will bring us into an intimate relationship with God. If there are areas of our lives that we need to genuinely repent, let’s do so and God will forgive us. He will be able to use us more effectively to serve Him and others with our whole hearts. Remember, God made everything “good”. We were created for His good pleasure and purpose. Let’s be careful not to be so entangled with the creation that we neglect God the Creator, instead, put Him first and give Him praise with thanksgiving for all that He has done. If we have fallen short and have strayed away from God, times may be very challenging, however, even in those places, God will never leave us alone. Let’s lift up our faith to Him who is faithful as we humble ourselves and receive the wonders of God’s kingdom benefits with anticipation. In conclusion, despite our immediate circumstances, God’s unfailing love and mercy will sustain us in those rough places. We must trust and praise Him through it all.
Monday, October 17, 2016 – Do We Have To? – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Focus: We must follow Jesus’ example of prayer. Make known to God everything that concerns us, in doing so, this will bring us into an intimate relationship with Him.
Scriptures: Matthew 6:6, 9-12; Psalm 85:1-7
Tuesday, October 18, 2016 – From the Heart – Joel 2:12-17
Focus: If we sin and genuinely repent, God will forgive us. Afterward we can effectively serve Him and others with our whole hearts.
Scriptures: Luke 24:47; Isaiah 57:15-19
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 – Desert Solitaire – Psalm 136:1-9
Focus: God created everything good for His good pleasure. We must be careful not to praise the creation over the Creator, instead give God thanks for His greatness.
Scriptures: Psalm 100; Psalms 148:1-14
Thursday, October 20, 2016 – Your Journey – John 14:15-21
Focus: There are times in life when we stray away from God and this will create a challenging journey. However, our faith will remind us that even then, we’re not alone.
Scriptures: Use references in the story. Isaiah 6:5-13
Friday, October 21, 2016 – Unfailing Love – Lamentations 3:21-26
Focus: We must humble ourselves and receive the wonders of God’s kingdom benefits with anticipation. Despite our immediate circumstances, God is faithful to extend His unfailing love and mercy toward us in those rough places. Let’s trust and praise Him!
Scriptures: Psalm 63; Psalms 103:1-19
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson –
God’s Mercy Endures Forever
As Thanksgiving approaches this year, the world seems to be darkened. The secret of giving thanks, even in the darkest of times, is found in Psalm 136. The phraseFOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER is repeated 26 times in the 26 verses of Psalm 136. This is telling us something of great importance. God is telling us over and over again about His enduring mercy.
When we want to give up, when we feel we can’t take life any more, our problems have us down and depression is weighing us down, just remember how good and faithful God has been to us, His love, grace and mercy endures forever.
How can we give thanks to God in a world as troubled as ours? Psalm 136 paves the way:
· Yes, the world is spiraling out of control, God’s mercy endures forever.
· Yes, there are evil people out there doing evil things, but God’s mercy endures forever.
· Yes, there are moments when hope seems impossible and you want to give up, but God’s mercy endures forever.
In the face of everything, God is stable, God is certain, and God is consistent. From the rising of the setting sun, His mercies are new every morning and endure for ever. Nothing but God’s grace and mercy can help us so don’t let go. His mercy is bigger than any of our mistakes!