Bible Study: Week of April 30 – May 06, 2017

Overview: God doesn’t always give us answers to why we suffer in life’s circumstances . However, He promised never to leave us. Let’s obey Him when He sends us on a difficult assignment. God reminds us to be willing to help individuals with physical and mental disabilities because they too, are His children. Just one touch can show them the love of Jesus  — if we are willing to come out of our comfort zones.  If we are fearful, we must trust God to help us to overcome our anxieties and allow Him to use us wherever He sends us.

It doesn’t matter how deep our failures have been in the past, now is the time to embrace the presence and goodness of God which is greater than our past faults. He will always be there to help us even when we don’t realize His plans. Be mindful, however, that we must take time to pray daily because we are needy and God wants to hear from us. Perhaps, this may have a big impact on family and friends that we may be witnessing to and as they begin to cry out to the Lord, He will not despise their plea.

Oftentimes, difficult life experiences may cause some of us to suppress painful encounters;  however, God is able to bring back those memories to nurture our faith in Him. We must not be fearful of the plans God has for us to be witnesses for Him and to demonstrate His love toward others.  

Monday, May 1, 2017 – Questions for God – Judges 6:11-16, 24

Focus: We may have questions for God about why we suffer in life and no answers. Instead, He satisfies us with His nearness. Let’s obey Him when He sends us on difficult assignments and remember, He will never leave us.

Scriptures: Job 31 and Job 38 (use selected verses); Habakkuk 1:1-3

Tuesday, May 2, 2017 – Just A Touch – Matthew 8:1-4

Focus: We must overcome our fears and trust God. He can then use us to help those who may have physical or mental disabilities. Just one touch can show them the love of Jesus.

Scriptures: Acts 3:1-11

Wednesday, May 3, 2017 – Alone in Space – Genesis 28: 10-17

Focus: It doesn’t matter how deep our failures have been in the past, the unseen, presence and goodness of God is greater. Never think that we’re alone, God is with us.

Scriptures: Psalm 139:7-10; 1st John 3:19-21

Thursday, May 4, 2017 – Five-Minute Rule – Psalm 102:1-17

Focus: We’re all needy people. God cares and wants to hear from us. We must take the time to pray daily and perhaps, this will have a big impact on family and friends to do likewise.

Scriptures: James 5:10-20

Friday, May 5, 2017 – The Ministry of Memory – Jeremiah 29:4-14

Focus: Many of us may have tried to suppress difficult life experiences. Let’s not be fearful when God chooses to bring back our past memories to nurture our faith in Him. He may have plans to demonstrate His love and prosper us in the future.

Scriptures: Philippians 3:13-16

Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson –    The Voice of God

The theme of this week’s lessons was “how to discern God’s voice”.

·       Gideon had questions for God after God spoke

·       Jesus spoke to the leopard by reaching out and touching him

·       Jacob heard the voice of God in a dream

·       God spoke to Jeremiah and told him about his plans for the future

When we hear the voice of God speaking to our heart,

Do we obey and follow Him or are we slow to start.

For when the Lord speaks to us, we need to heed the call

And do the things He wants us to do, giving to Him our all.

I know at times it can be hard to know the Father’s will

We need to listen to His voice because He speaks when all is still.

Many times we fret so much and rush so much about

We then find all of our busyness may push our Savior out.

So this is why we take some time every morning to be still before the Lord,

So He can speak into our lives and show us so much more.

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up.”  Psalm 5:3

“Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest  not.” Jeremiah 33:3