SCRIPTURE/FOCUS – Week Of October 23 – 29, 2016
FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Love Opens Hearts and Minds to the Purpose of God
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:34
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Overview: We are no longer a slave to sin because Jesus came to give us a new heart and a right Spirit. Though we may still experience various limitations whether emotional, physical or intellectual, it’s then that the gift of the Holy Spirit will enable us to go about the business of God with confidence and courage as we learn to be content and grow where He has planted us. God wants to mend the hearts of those who don’t know Him. Therefore, we must let our lights shine so that men will glorify the Father. Think about stage by stage how God took our broken lives and directed our paths for His glory. We must always be thankful for His grace, His faithfulness and His covenant love toward us. We must never get so immersed in the things of life that we forget to thank God and tell others of His bountiful blessings and His wondrous deeds.
Monday, October 24, 2016 – Choosing to Change – Ezekiel 18:25-32
Focus: The only way that we can change from our offenses against God is to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Let’s choose today not to be a slave to sin, but instead devoted to God.
Scriptures: Haggai 1:5-7; Romans 8:5-18
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 – This Gift – 2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Focus: Despite any limitation we may have, let’s not complain. Instead, rest in His power, learn to be content and grow where God has planted us.
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 11:30; Psalms 37:23-26
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 – Mending Hearts – Matthew 5:1-16
Focus: Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to shine the light of Jesus in our hearts so that others may see Christ in us. God wants to mend their broken hearts.
Scriptures: Ephesians 5:8-17
Thursday, October 27, 2016 – Stage by Stage – Numbers 33:1-15, 36-37
Focus: Stage by stage, let’s reflect on our lives and write down the paths God has taken us. Thank Him for His faithfulness and covenant love toward us.
Scriptures: Psalm 118:1-18; Psalms 137:1-9
Friday, October 28, 2016 –Learning to Count – Psalm 139:14-18
Focus: There are times that we may become immersed in things of life, however, take time to thank God for His bountiful blessings and wondrous deeds.
Scriptures: Psalms 103:1-5
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
The Blessing of Weakness
We are not accustomed to think of weakness as a condition of blessing. We say, “blessed is strength and blessed are the strong.” But the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 are usually the opposite of what nature would say:
“Blessed are the meek, blessed are you when men shall reproach you.”
Let us adopt this as the 5 A.M. Ministry Beatitudes. “Blessed are the weak for we shall have God’s strength.”
Weakness is blessed because it ensures to us more of the love and help of Christ. Weakness appeals to a gentle heart.
Weakness is blessed because it saves us from spiritual peril. Paul tells us that his thorn was given to him to keep him humble. Paul boasted in his weakness because it was in weakness that God’s power was revealed in him.
This is the blessed secret of having our weakness transformed into strength. The secret can be found only in Christ. Therefore, God really honors us when He sets us in places where we must struggle. He is giving us an opportunity to win the best honor and the richest blessing. Yet He never makes life so hard for us that we cannot live victoriously through the help which He is ready to give.
Every weakness we have is an opportunity for God to show His strength in our lives.
Depending on God isn’t a weakness, it is acknowledging His strength.
“…my strength is made perfect in weakness”. 2 Corinthians 12:9