FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Messianic Prophecies
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste. — Isaiah 28:16 (KJV) (NIRV)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sister Delores Hawkins – December 18– Class 05
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Overview: During this Christmas season, many of us suffer pain, loss and feel alone. However, these are the times where we must not lament but put our hope in a faithful God who will help us during these difficult times.
We must reflect on the extreme measure that God took to prove His love for us. He sent His Son into the world to save and restore us into fellowship with Himself. As a result of Jesus’ birth, which was a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, we can agree that this changed history!
We too must proclaim that Jesus is our redemption and preach repentance to the lost to make ready a people for Jesus’ return. It doesn’t matter where we are in this world, we can all attest to the fact that there is gross darkness over the land. We must be determined to make a difference as we share the good news of the gospel.
We are pilgrims passing through this troubled world; however, we can take consolation in knowing that we have a home in heaven. Once our assignments have been completed, Jesus will call us home.
In closing, Jesus came to this dark world, in human flesh, to bring eternal life to those who accept Him as their Savior. We, who have the Son, have life and light and are now one with Him. We can rest in His peace regardless of how filled or empty this holiday season may be.
Let’s give God thanks that we are a new creation and praises for Jesus Christ, our Savior.
***The Scriptures for this week’s lessons are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL READER’S VERSION (NIrV).
The New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) is a new Bible version based on the New International Version (NIV). The NIV is easy to understand and very clear. More people read the NIV than any other English Bible. We made the NIrV even easier to read and understand. We used the words of the NIV when we could. Sometimes we used shorter words. We explained words that might be hard to understand. We made the sentences shorter.
We did some other things to make the NIrV a helpful Bible version for you. For example, sometimes a Bible verse quotes from another place in the Bible. When that happens, we put the other Bible book’s name, chapter and verse right there. We separated each chapter into shorter sections. We gave a title to almost every chapter. Sometimes we even gave a title to the shorter sections. That will help you understand what each chapter or section is all about.
Is the NIrV an Accurate Bible?
At the time the Bible was written, God’s people used the Hebrew and Greek languages. So the first writers of the Bible used those languages. We wanted the NIrV to say just what the first writers of the Bible said. So we kept checking what the Hebrew and Greek said.
We used the best and oldest copies of the Hebrew and Greek. Some of the first English Bible could not use those copies because they had not yet been found. But today we can check copies that are closer in time to the ones the first Bible writers wrote. We wanted to make sure we were giving you the actual Word of God. To learn more, visit New International Reader’s Version.***
Monday, December 18, 2017 – Everlasting Hope – Psalm 146
Focus: During this Christmas season, many of us suffer pain and loss. However, we can always put our hope in a faithful God that will help us.
Scriptures: Psalm 17:5-6; Lamentations 3:21-26
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 – Extreme Measures – Luke 19:1-10
Focus: This Christmas, let’s truly thank God for taking extreme measures to demonstrate His love. Tell those who are hopeless that Jesus came into the world to save and restore them into fellowship with Him.
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 9:15
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 – Breaking the Silence – Luke 1:11-17
Focus: The birth of Jesus broke the silence of the Old Testament prophecies. We too, must proclaim that Christ is our redemption and make ready a people for His return.
Scriptures: Use scriptures in the story; 2 Peter 3:8-10
Thursday, December 21, 2017 – Home for Christmas – Genesis 28:10-17
Focus: No matter where we are geographically in the world today, darkness is everywhere. We who are pilgrims in a foreign land can take consolation in knowing that we have a home in heaven, where no darkness dwell.
Scriptures: Hebrews 11:13-16
Friday, December 22, 2017 – Silent Night of the Soul – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Focus: Jesus was born into this dark world to give us eternal life. We are a new creation, one with Him. Regardless of how empty or filled this season is, let’s give praises to our God for Jesus.
Scriptures: 1 John 5:8-13
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson – Happy Birthday Jesus!
We come together in the morning to sing
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Glad tidings of great joy and love we bring
Happy Birthday Jesus!
God sent You — His Only Begotten Son; His special Gift to bring us Hope and Peace
To give our lives a marvelous lift
Your wonders and miracles never cease
This Baby born in Bethlehem
Is God in human flesh.
You came to save and not to condemn
Our souls You will and do refresh.
Jesus, Your birthday party is the best in town
And everyone has is invited
Come and be with Christ who wears the crown
And let us rejoice and be excited
Let us sing again the hymns of old
Which stirs us in this holy season
And gladly share the truth we hold
That Jesus is the reason! John 1:14