FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Forgiveness Between One Another
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your
Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. — Mark 11:25
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sister Kathleen Barringer – June 12 – Class 09/10
Brother Dondi Randolph – June 12 – Class 08
Sister Eloyce Wood– June 14 – Class 05
Sister Carmen Blackman – June 14 – Introduction Class
Call (641) 715-3378, access code 2597-48#; Reference 160# to listen to a review of these lessons.
For more information our website at www.5ambiblestudyministry.org
Overview: Life can bring many physical and emotional challenges, however, we must believe that what we do for Christ will last. Every small effort can make a difference in God’s kingdom. Let’s do what we can and leave the rest up to God because nothing is useless.
In our times of meditation when our lives seem to be drifting, let’s consider the wonder of the clouds, an outward and visible sign of God’s goodness and grace. If God can hang the clouds in the sky, how much more will He care for us! Oh how we must praise Him with our whole hearts!
Let’s never get in a habit of practicing religion because Christianity will become exhausting. Instead, rest in the finish work of Calvary and develop an intimate relationship with Christ. God wants us to enjoy our walk with Him in His pathway of grace as we co-labor with Him.
In our quest to convert people, we must remember, that we are a diverse people and will not always agree. When it’s hard to reconcile because of the other party becoming silent, let’s ask God for the healing power of the Holy Spirit. The healing power that brings the bond of peace and unity as we humble ourselves and become more patient.
We must never forget our past, we were all born in sin but God raised us up in the newness of life through His Son. He gives us life and purpose, again, as we serve Him and others, let’s always give Him praise for His love for us all.
Monday, June 12, 2017 – Nothing Is Useless – 1 Corinthians 15:42-58
Focus: It doesn’t matter about the weakness of our body; let’s believe that every small effort done in love can make a difference in God’s kingdom. Give what we can and leave the rest to God.
Scriptures: Galatians 6:9-10; 1st Corinthians 3:6-10
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 – Consider the Clouds – Job 37:1-16
Focus: Clouds are a visible sign of God’s goodness and grace in creation. This fact should cause us to adore Him and in wonder, appreciate His creation.
Scriptures: Matthew 24:27; Acts 1:9; Exodus 13:21; Exodus 34:30-35
Wednesday, June 14, 2017 – Rhythms of Grace – Matthew 11:25-30
Focus: Christians should not practice religion because it can drain them. Instead, we must build our relationship with God as co-laborers through Jesus Christ. We can then enjoy our walk with Him in His pathway of grace.
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:1-7
Thursday, June 15, 2017 – The Bond of Peace – Ephesians 4:1-6
Focus: Because we are a diverse people, we will disagree about some things. However, when it seems impossible to make amends because of silence, we must ask God for healing power. The Holy Spirit will bring peace and unity through a humble and patient heart.
Scriptures: Psalm 34:14; Romans 12:18-19
Friday, June 16, 2017 – Made Alive– Ephesians 2:1-10
Focus: Every soul was dead in our sins, but God loved us so much that He allowed us life and purpose through His Son. Let’s truly begin to praise Him with our lives.
Scriptures: Luke 15 – Three loses: sheep, coin, and son; Romans 6:1-6
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson – A Sabbatical Blessing
In this chaotic world in which we live we may have lost the rhythm of life, the balance between effort and rest, doing and not doing. If so, we may also feel exhausted and deprived in the midst of great abundance, longing for time with family and friends, longing for a moment to ourselves, longing for peace and restoration.
Jesus understood the importance of balance. He incorporated a rhythm of rest into His life. After ministering to others and before pouring Himself out again, the scriptures tells us in Mark 1:35 “very early in the morning while it was still dark He departed and went out into a desolate place and there He prayed.” Jesus doesn’t just offer rest, He shows us how to do it, the unforced rhythm of grace. In His earthly life, Jesus displayed three types of rest:
- Spiritual Rest – Spending time daily with God alone.
- Physical Rest – Jesus fell asleep in a boat in a raging storm while His disciples were afraid. Jesus was willing to take a nap. He knew when His body needed physical rest.
- Mental Rest – Jesus pulled away and left the crowd who desperately wanted His help, to spend time alone with His Father.
This summer, let us take a sabbatical rest and ask God what aspect of His rest we need to learn to do. He is calling all of us to fully rest in Him. To enjoy spiritual, physical and mental rest, we will discover and learn the unforced rhythm of grace.
When we run alone, it is called a RACE. When God runs with us, it is called GRACE.