FOCUS OF THE MONTH
The Presence of the Lord brings a Refreshing Deliverance
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. – Acts 3:19
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sister Eloisa Brown– August 06 – Class 12
Sister Mary Singletary – August 08 – Class 04
Sister Lillie Brown – August 10 – Class 02
Sister Shirley Richardson – August 10 – Class 03
Sister Nuria Alvarez – August 11 – Introduction Class
Call (641) 715-3378, access code 2597-48#; Reference 168# to listen to a review of these lessons.
For more information our website at www.5ambiblestudyministry.org
Overview: The thief came to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came to give us abundant life. Despite the opposition, let’s purpose to serve the Lord with gladness each day of our lives because this is our reasonable act of worship to Him. Ultimately, this brings honor to Jesus for giving His life as a ransom for us. Therefore, we are obligated to follow His example to be loving, compassionate and available to others.
Our concern and burden for the lost should cause us to stay in our prayer posture on their behalf and to ask God for mercy for the unsaved. This demonstrates the heart of Christ who laid down His life for us.
When our enemies seem to attack us on every side, we must remember that we are more than conquerors. It was at the cross that Jesus defeated Satan. It’s there that we can see the love and face of God through Jesus Christ who delivered us out of the hand of the enemy and will continue to deliver us from evil. However, when unexpected troubles come, rather than say, what if…, let’s begin to exercise our faith in the goodness of our God and His heart of love. We may not understand His plans for us but we know that He knows what’s best.
Please Note — Story Scriptures this week are from the Amplified Version.
Monday, August 7, 2017 – Life to the Full – Mark 10:28-31; John 10:9-10
Focus: Jesus came to offer us abundant life. Therefore, we should be motivated to serve Him joyfully every day. It’s our reasonable act of worship.
Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16; Psalm 100:2-4
Tuesday, August 8, 2017 – Available to All – Mark 10:42-52
Focus: As we honor Jesus for giving His life as a ransom for us, may we too, be loving, compassionate and available to others today.
Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20; John 13:12-17
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 – The Heart of Christ – Exodus 32:21-32
Focus: Our concern and burden for the lost should cause us to intercede on their behalf for God to have mercy. This demonstrates the heart of Christ who laid down His life for us.
Scripture: Exodus 32:11-14; Genesis 18:20-33
Thursday, August 10, 2017 – Our Father’s Face – Psalm 80
Focus: When our enemies attack us from every side, remember the victory at the cross. It’s there that we can see the love and face of God through Christ Jesus who will deliver us from evil.
Scripture: Psalm 31:13-19
Friday, August 11, 2017 – If Only – John 11:21-35
Focus: When unexpected troubles come, rather than say, what if…we must have faith to trust God’s goodness and His heart of love. When we don’t understand His plans for us, remember, He knows what’s best.
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
Seeking the Face of God
If we see God only when we are desperate, He will keep us in desperate circumstances because He deeply desires to fellowship with us. God will rescue us and get us out of trouble when we come to Him. But if we want to stay in a place of constant victory, we must diligently seek Him at all times.
Seek God’s face and not His hand. Don’t wait until trouble comes to be in His presence. Seek God’s guidance daily. It will prepare you to handle the tests.
The great promise to seek the Lord is that He will be found (1 Chronicles 28:9), and when He is found, there is a great reward. God Himself is our greatest reward and when we have Him we have everything. Therefore, seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually. Then we will see a great big smile on God’s face.