SCRIPTURE/FOCUS – Week Of November 6 – 12, 2016
FOCUS OF THE MONTH
How Shall We Give?
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly,
or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthian 9:7
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Overview: There are many situations in life that seem like a mountain that’s hard to climb. We must first go to God in prayer. He will give us grace to endure the hardship. He will also refresh us with the presence of Himself. We all have daily needs that are sometimes not met. However, we don’t always admit it or let anyone know. Let’s be honest with ourselves and others about our lack so that we don’t have to say, “we didn’t know that our brothers and sisters were destitute”.
Our Heavenly Father knows our personal situation and what’s best for us even when there are still questions about how He answers them. Rather than asking for a sign, let’s begin to trust God and get to know Him in ways that we never have. Keep in mind, He’s called us to co-labor with Him and He knows where He is taking us as we share our victory stories with others who are struggling. In doing so, our hearts will exhibit the love of Jesus with expectation that it will change and re-direct the lives and eternal destinies of others to the purpose of God. As we consider that God is all powerful, He’s holy, and He’s a great provider, its mind boggling and amazing that He would also call us His friends.
Let’s do what is right and return the friendship by loving Him and one another.
Monday, November 7, 2016 – A Difficult Hill – Psalm 110
Focus: Before we face any difficult mountain, we must go to God in prayer. He will refresh us with Himself and we’ll be able to endure the hard climb.
Scriptures: 1 Kings 18; 1 Kings 19:1-8: Joshua 14:9-13
Tuesday, November 8, 2016 – We Had No Idea – Galatians 6:2-10
Focus: As children and servants of God, we must not be so caught up in our own circumstances that we fail to see the needs of others. We must pray and ask God to show us who to help in the body of Christ as well as others. Let’s get to know one another better so that we won’t say, “We Had No Idea.”
Scriptures: 1 Kings 17:13-23; Acts 4:32-37
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 – Signs and Feelings – Matthew 16:1-4
Focus: It is wise to ask God for directions even if He may not respond as we would like. As we seek Him and not a sign, let us get to know Him in ways we have not seen before.
Scriptures: Use references in the story. Matthew 6:6-8
Thursday, November 10, 2016 – A New Purpose – Mark 1:16-22
Focus: We must purpose in our hearts to allow God to use us to be fishers of men. As we exhibit the love of Christ, it can change the lives, purpose and eternal destinies of others.
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 6:1-2
Friday, November 11, 2016 – Seeing Well – John 15:12-17
Focus: When we consider some of the attributes of Christ, that He is great, powerful, yet humble enough to call us His friends, we should desire to know Him better and keep His commandments.
Scriptures: Use examples in story.
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson:
A Season of Blessings
Ezekiel 34:26 says “And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.”
The Lord wants to show us His goodness, send us rain from heaven to water the faithful seeds we have sown and bring us into a season of blessings. When we count our blessings, we are sure to discover that we have far more than we thought we had. In fact, when we focus on our blessings, something wonderful and encouraging usually occurs. God gives us more! He loves it when we are thankful and joyful for the abundance He has provided for us. He loves it even more when we joyfully share our blessings with those around us, spreading the good without asking for anything in return. Our appreciation makes God smile and then we receive even more blessings for which we should be grateful.
Blessings don’t have to be big. In fact, the most treasured blessings often come to us in the form of love from the people in our lives, as well as the kindness from strangers we meet. Often blessings come from what we give away, rather than what we receive. From the homes we live in and the things we surround ourselves with to the greater gift of love, faith and hope, we are emerged in an abundance of blessings, more than we could ever count.
To those who have, more will be given. When we ask, we shall receive. Let us all look around during this month of November and count our blessings, big and small. Then watch as even more blessings come into our lives in the most amazing ways.
A grateful heart makes us happier and it makes God happy too.