FOCUS OF THE MONTH
God Is Love
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
We do not have any birthdays this week.
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Overview: Many of us have encountered days when the rain stopped and the sun seemed to have dried up our lives. These are the moments where instead of retreating or giving in to our circumstances, we must trust God to water our withering bush. It’s then, we will become like a tree planted by the rivers of water and bear fruit for His Kingdom.
As we go viral with the gospel boldly, let’s lovingly tell others how the word of God has transformed our lives. Never think of ourselves more highly than we ought to by condemning others, but instead remember that we’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Jesus shed His blood to redeem us and restore our relationship to give us peace with God. Let’s be mindful to relate the dual message of God’s forgiveness for our sins by extending His grace through Jesus Christ.
We are still a work in progress, so despite our failures or successes, let’s keep pressing on toward the ultimate goal of becoming more like Jesus as we live out our days. Don’t dwell on the what if, but the what is. God is sufficient in all things.
Time is precious and short. No one knows the number of our days. Many of our loved ones and friends have completed their assignments and have gone on before us. Therefore, in times of grief or difficult life challenges, let’s entrust our broken hearts to the God of All Comfort, who is able to give us hope in this life and the life to come.
Monday, February 20, 2017 – River Tree – Jeremiah 17:5-10
Focus: We must never rely on our own abilities in difficult times. Instead, put our trust in God who never changes. We then will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water bearing much fruit.
Scriptures: Psalm 1:1-3
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 – The Viral Gospel – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Focus: Just as the gospel of Jesus Christ transformed our troubled lives, let’s ask God to help us go viral as we lovingly by the power of the Holy Spirit tell others about Him today.
Scriptures: Romans 10:12-17; Isaiah 6:5-8
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 – Perfect Grace – Matthew 5:43-48; John 8:9-11
Focus: We were all guilty of sin; however, Jesus satisfied the sin debt by redeeming us with His own blood. The dual message of sin and grace should cause us to thank God for our restored relationship of peace with Him.
Scriptures: Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 2:1-9
Thursday, February 23, 2017 – Press On – Philippians 3:12-21
Focus: Despite our past failures or successes, let’s keep pressing on toward the ultimate goal of becoming more like Jesus.
Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Friday, February 24, 2017 – The Land of “What Is” – Psalm 46:1-7
Focus: Instead of what if, let’s dwell on what is. We will find hope in difficult times of grief and other life challenges. We must entrust our broken hearts to the God of all comfort.
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
This is Our Season for God’s Grace
Psalm 102:13 says “Thou shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.” Jesus has brought God’s favor upon us. This verse tells us that the set time to favor Zion, the people of God, has come. That implies the favor of God that we enjoy today has not always been available to man. Israel did not enjoy the favor because the set time had not come yet.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2 that “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation.)” The “time accepted” means the season of God’s favor. This is the accepted time we are living in right now! This is the season of grace. It is a season that we can come boldly to grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace in the time of need. This favor is not in reference to spiritual things only, but it includes everything that concerns us from our finance, health, and relationships to our spiritual life.
Let us go boldly to the throne. It is a throne of grace where no good thing will He withhold from us in Christ. It is a season for favor in every aspect of our lives.
This is our season for grace, for favor. This is our season to reap what we have sown.