FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Who God Is
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. Leviticus 20:8
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Overview: There are many challenges in the life of believers, however, we must pray to God when we are in distress. He can turn our trials into a valley of blessings. It is true that sometimes we can despair life itself because of so many disappointments but remember, God is bigger than our problems. Let’s trust Him as He continues to give us a new start to share this truth with others who may be going through themselves. When communicating to others about our victories, let’s ask God for wisdom to gently invest spiritual values in the lives of those whom the gospel may have been hidden. In doing so, this could cast a long shadow of positive influence for God long after we’re gone. We have been commissioned to share the gospel with every nation of people and not hide it. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to use us boldly. While advancing the kingdom of God, we may sometimes be tempted to conform to the conveniences and technology of our day but don’t fall for the trap of appeasing our flesh as a way of escape from our problems. Instead, thank God every day for the brevity of life and perhaps others will join us in a glorious praise to our God.
Monday, January 16, 2017 – The Valley of Blessing – 2 Chronicles 20:1, 13-22
Focus: The challenges of health issues, jobs, or relationships can be overwhelming. Let’s pray to God in our distress and praise Him because He can turn our disasters into a valley of blessings.
Scriptures: Psalm 64; Psalm 34:1-6
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 – Finding Life – John 14:5-14
Focus: During life’s disappointments, we can begin to despair life itself. However, we must remember that God is bigger than our problems and we can trust Him. He will give us a new start in life; let’s share this truth with others.
Scriptures: Psalm 91:14-16; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 – Long Shadows – Psalm 100
Focus: We must pray that God will grant us wisdom to invest spiritual values in the lives of others. In doing so, it could cast a long shadow of influence for God long after we are gone.
Scriptures: Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:16; Psalm 90:4, 9, 10, 12
Thursday, January 19, 2017 – A Treasure to be Shared – 2 Corinthians 4:1-7
Focus: The gospel of Christ is not to be hidden but instead we must share it with every nation of people. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to use us boldly.
Scriptures: Matthew 5:13-16
Friday, January 20, 2017 – Breath of Life – Genesis 2:4-8
Focus: We may sometimes be tempted to conform to the conveniences and technology of our day; however, we must remember it is God that gives us the breath of life. Let’s be thankful for life itself so others will learn to appreciate and praise God with us.
Scriptures: Philippines 4:8-13, 19; Acts 17:24-26
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
Turning Burdens Into Blessings
There are things in our heart that will always weigh us down; problems that we would rather not have like burdens, hardships and difficulties. Life is tough and the burdens can be hard to bear, but we do not need to carry them alone. We need to turn burdens into blessings.
· Cast our burdens on the Lord and He will sustain us. Psalm 55:22
· Come to Jesus all who labor and are heavily burdened and He will give us rest. Matthew 11:28-30
· When we cry out the Lord hears and delivers us out of trouble. Psalm 34:17
· Bear one another’s burdens as we fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
· Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens for us. Psalm 68:19
Let us talk about our blessings more than we talk about burdens because if God can turn night into day, He can turn our burdens into blessings.
Every Burden Prepares Us for Eternity