FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Because of God’s Sacrifice we can experience the
presence of God and have a new beginning
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
(13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.– Ephesians 2:13-14(KJV) (ESV)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sister Florence Ruffin – March 18 – Introduction Class
Brother Jimmie Davis – March 19 – Class 9/10
Sister Roberta Faulks – March 20 – Introduction Class
Call (641) 715-3378, access code 2597-48#; Reference 200# to listen to a review of these lessons.
For more information visit 5ambiblestudyministry.org
Visit here to submit Prayer Requests
Overview: The Bible helps us to see who we really are and how much God loves us despite ourselves. While going through hard times, the Word instructs us to choose the art of a grateful heart. We will discover that God’s love endures forever. It’s during these times we can experience His strength.
Let’s allow Him to build godly character in us as he molds us into His likeness. Let’s continue to praise Him as we focus on His goodness. As we go through various seasons in our lives, we’ll find that some are more challenging than others. However, we can still be thankful that God is our companion. May we use this time to deepen our relationship and trust Him more.
If we are facing a situation today where Jesus is calling us to do something that seems as impossible such as walking on water — we must take courage. Remember, He who calls us will equip us and is faithful to do it. Life is fleeting.
If we expect to leave a godly legacy, we must begin to influence the next generation by sharing our faith in God. They too, may become the sheep of God’s pastures and praise Him forever. Throughout our journey, we have the consolation that as children of God, our hope is in a faithful, promise-keeping Go, to provide comfort and strengthen us until He calls us home.
***The English Standard Version (ESV) stands in the classic mainstream of English Bible translations over the past half-millennium. The fountainhead of that stream was William Tyndale’s New Testament of 1526; marking its course were the King James Version of 1611 (KJV), the English Revised Version of 1885 (RV), the American Standard Version of 1901 (ASV), and the Revised Standard Version of 1952 and 1971 (RSV). In that stream, faithfulness to the text and vigorous pursuit of accuracy were combined with simplicity, beauty, and dignity of expression. Our goal has been to carry forward this legacy for a new century.
To this end each word and phrase in the ESV has been carefully weighed against the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, to ensure the fullest accuracy and clarity and to avoid under-translating or overlooking any nuance of the original text. The words and phrases themselves grow out of the Tyndale-King James legacy, and most recently out of the RSV, with the 1971 RSV text providing the starting point for our work. Archaic language has been brought to current usage and significant corrections have been made in the translation of key texts. But throughout, our goal has been to retain the depth of meaning and enduring language that have made their indelible mark on the English-speaking world and have defined the life and doctrine of the church over the last four centuries.
The ESV is an “essentially literal” translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. It seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and meaning of the original. More about the ESV translation philosophy….***
Monday, March 19, 2018 – The Art of a Grateful Heart – Psalm 118:1-14, 26-29
Focus: In hard times, we are instructed to choose the art of a grateful heart. God’s love endures forever and He will strengthen us as He builds our character.
Scriptures: Habakkuk 3:17-19; Psalms 107:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Tuesday, March 20, 2018 – A Good Season – Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Focus: We all go through seasons in our lives. Some are more challenging than others to cause us to be more thankful for God’s companion and deepen our trust in Him.
Scriptures: Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 1:3-9; use examples in story.
Wednesday – March 21, 2018 – Walking on Water – Matthew 14:25-33
Focus: If we are facing a situation today where Jesus is calling us to do something that seems as impossible as walking on water, we must take courage. Remember, He who calls us will do it.
Scriptures: Joshua 1:9
Thursday, March 22, 2018 – Passing on the Legacy – Psalm 79:8-15
Focus: If we expect to influence the next generation to become the sheep of God’s pastures and praise Him forever, we must share and live out our faith before them.
Scriptures: Psalm 100:5; John 21:15-17
Friday, March 23 2018 – A Double Promise – Isaiah 25:1-9
Focus: We the children of God have the hope that He not only keeps His promises to provide and comfort us but He also is faithful to sustain us until He calls us home.
Scriptures: Lamentations 3:18-26
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson – Recognizing Life’s Seasons
The Lord created different seasons in our lives to help us to become who He intended us to be. Seasons of life, good or bad, are ways for God to capture our hearts and our faith. What season are you in:
- The Dry Season – This is the season when God is quiet or you cannot hear His voice or sense His presence as you once did. Do a self-examination, check to see if there is anything that may be causing the silence or dryness (unconfessed sin). If you think so, confess it, ask His forgiveness, repent, and keep drawing closer to God. 1 John 1:9
- The Waiting Season – Whatever you are waiting on, hang in there. You can get through this season, God has not forgotten you. He is planning. He is pruning you. He is cutting away what is not needed for the next level. He is making you ready. So let God work and however long it takes, go with His flow and grow because Father knows what is best.
- The Grinding Season – This is the busy season. This is the “I don’t have enough time to get everything done” season. Don’t burn out. Pace yourself and your tasks. There is only one you. Breathe. Pray. Take a break. Then carry on in your grind.
- The Test and Trial Season – If you are going through some hard times in this season, know that God is with you right there in the midst of it all. Be encouraged that God knows and in due time all will be revealed. But in the meantime, don’t give up or get tired in doing good. 2 Corinthians 4:17
- Spiritual Warfare Season – If you are in spiritual warfare, girdle up. Stay focused on what is in front of you. If you are being spiritually attacked, evidently you are doing something right and the devil does not like it. Whether you are walking by faith, regardless of your situation or doing what God has called you to do, the enemy will rage war against you. Ephesians 6:12-17
Whatever season you are currently in, try to understand that God is working everything to be beautiful in His time.