FOCUS OF THE MONTH
God Is Love
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. –
1 John 4:16
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sister Jacquelina Ruff – February 27 – Class 08
Sister Diane Pierce – February 28 – Class 09/10
Sister Zelpha Ware – March 2 – Introduction Class
Sister Jean Wright – March 3 – Class 09/10
Sister Tara Dorsey – March 3 – Introduction Class
Sister Julia Bowman – March 3 – Introduction Class
Sister Morise George – March 4 – Class 01
Call (641) 715-3378, access code 2597-48#; Reference 145# to listen to a review of these lessons.
Visit our website at www.5ambiblestudyministry.org
Overview: We live in a fallen world that surrounds us with sin and darkness. Unfortunately, because of man’s sin nature, we love darkness rather than light and sin seems to prevail. However, Jesus came to show us the way out of the ring of sin, therefore, we must strive to walk in obedience to His word. It’s imperative that those whom God have set free from the bondage of sin share the simple truths with the unsaved — that man’s sins can be forgiven and the dark door of death can be replaced with eternal life.
If every believer would cherish the fact that God’s amazing grace was extended to us through the agonized death of His Son, perhaps, we would began to present our complete lives to Him and not be entangled again and again with the yoke of bondage. Keep in mind, the enemy of our souls, the devil, wants us to compromise our values; however, the Cross reorders our steps and cancels all vanities.
Whatever challenges we may face in life, let’s not forget that Jesus, our High Priest, understands and we can trust Him with our concerns. He knows about our pain and sufferings in this fallen world because He lived it! Stay strong in the Lord and no matter how grievous life becomes feel confident that someday we will see Jesus, face to face and our sorrows will be turned into joy.
Monday, February 27, 2017 – Ring of Invisibility – John 3:16-21
Focus: By nature, men love darkness rather than light. We must thank God for Jesus who showed us the way out of the ring of sin. Let’s walk in obedience to His truth.
Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:9; Psalm 97:1-12
Tuesday, February 28, 2017 – A Chuckle in the Darkness – John 11:17-27
Focus: Those who trust in Jesus will never die. Let’s remind the unsaved of the simple truths that their sins can be forgiven and the dark door of death will be replaced with eternal life.
Scriptures: Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 4:3-7
Wednesday, March 1, 2017 – All of Me – Matthew 27:45-54
Focus: God’s amazing love which allowed Jesus to die such an agonizing death to save us from sin should demand us to present our complete lives to Him.
Scriptures: Romans 6:12-13; Galatians 2:20
Thursday, March 2, 2017 – One of Us – Hebrews 2:9-18
Focus: We must thank God for Jesus, our High Priest, made like us to identify with life challenges that we face every day. Let’s trust Him with our concerns.
Scriptures: Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 4:14-16
Friday, March 3, 2017 – Two Portraits – John 16:19-24
Focus: Jesus doesn’t only know about our pain and suffering but He lived it, therefore, we can be confident that any grief that we may encounter will someday be turned into joy.
Scriptures: Psalm 30:5
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson: Finding Joy in Grief
The theme of this week’s lesson as we enter the holy season of Easter is finding joy in our grief. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. Sorrow and joy are a part of life; without one the other is unappreciated. Changes occur constantly. One moment we will be on the mountain top rejoicing and dancing and the next moment we will be in the valley of despair weeping and mourning.
During these changing times, it is important to grieve, rejoice laugh, and dance. God intends for us to grieve. Jesus grieved when His friend died and when He was preparing to die in the Garden of Gethsemane. Grieving is healthy for our well-being and brings closure. It is also important for us to laugh and rejoice. There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in our present grief.
Think on This: If you only thank God in seasons of good health and prosperity, we will not be thanking God very much, because those seasons of weeping and mourning come and go like the tide.
· The pain that you have been feeling cannot compare to the joy that is coming. Rom. 8:18
· Weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning. Ps. 30:5
· The joy of the Lord is your strength. Neh. 8:10
This is the sacred death of grief and joy when Jesus went to the cross.