FOCUS OF THE MONTH
The high cost of unforgiveness vs. the high reward of forgiveness
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also; for if I forgave any thing,
to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ. — 2 Corinthians 2:10 (KJV) (ESV)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sister Sandra Powell – May 06 – Introduction Class
Sister Tammy Phillips – May 10 – Class #06
Sister Gloria Turner – May 10 – Class #04
Sister Rosalind Rogers – May 12 – Class #12
Call (641) 715-3378, access code 2597-48#; Reference 207# to listen to a review of these lessons.
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Overview: Instead of wishful thinking, have faith in the promises of God. We must develop a life of holiness and seek God for the power to line up with His will. We are made in the image of God and we are fearfully made. God has ordained us to do good works in Christ in His timing. Therefore, when He calls us out of our comfort zones to do a mission unknown to us, don’t fear. Respond positively to where He wants us to go.
Through the journey, we may sometimes retaliate against those who are instructing us. If we’ve said or done anything to the point of no return, we must ask for forgiveness. Ever be reminded that our words must always be seasoned with grace. Those difficult assignments and circumstances can weary us.
However, if we develop an eternal perspective, we can begin to focus on the promise that one day we will see King Jesus! So, again, when physical or emotional challenges feel like an aggressive adversary, we must learn to trust God to sustain us, stand on His promises and He will give us peace.
***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, May 7, 2018 – The Fingerprint of God – Ephesians 2:1-10
Focus: The fingerprint of God on our lives shows His handiwork. As image bearers of Christ, we must allow God to use us to do good works which He ordained.
Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 9:10; Ecclesiastes 3:11-15
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 – Responding to God’s Leading – Exodus 3:7-14
Focus: When God calls us out of our comfort zone to do a mission unknown to us, don’t fear. We must respond to His leading and accept where He wants us to be.
Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:11
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 – The Point of No Return – James 3:1-12
Focus: If ever, we’ve said or done anything to the point of no return to hurt someone, ask for forgiveness. Our words must begin to bring healing to their souls.
Scriptures: 1 John 1:9; James 1:19; Proverbs 18:4
Thursday, May 10, 2018 – The Land of Far Distances – Isaiah 33:17-22
Focus: In order for us to see above our difficult circumstances, we must have an eternal perspective. There we can find hope knowing one day, we will see King Jesus.
Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Friday, May 11, 2018 – Persevering with Peace – Psalm 3
Focus: When physical or emotional life challenges feel like an aggressive adversary, we must learn to trust God. He will sustain us and give us peace.
Scriptures: Psalm 55:22
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson –
This Tongue of Mine
Spirit of the Living God control this tongue of mine.
No knife is quite as sharp as words yet words can be divine.
A tongue not yield to God’s will can stir up awful strife.
Lord use this tongue of mine today to speak your word of life.
I want my tongue to sing God’s praises to tell His love for me.
To speak God’s holy name in prayer and thanks for Calvary.
Lord help me that this tongue of mine shall speak your word in love.
That what I say will be your will directed from above.
Oh Holy Spirit, faithful guide this tongue of mine inspired
That only words that please the Lord shall be my heart’s desire.
So may I lead some soul to Christ by spoken words or songs.
Then as God leads, do not forget my tongue my tongue to Him belongs.
Edward Crane