FOCUS OF THE MONTH
The Gift that Keeps On Giving
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 — John 3:16 (KJV)
16 “For God so loved the world,a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16 (ESV)
Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)
Friday End of Week Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
!!!! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!
Sister Magdalen Harris – December 1 – Class #06
Sister Viola Freeman – December 5 – Class #03
Sister Frances Melvin-Norman – December 7 – Class #03
Call (605) 472-5694, access code 4558-62#; Reference 73# to listen to a review of these lessons.
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Overview:
Sunday – God’s love won’t prevent bad things from happening. However, we can be confident that if God is for us, no weapon formed against us will prosper.
Monday – Therefore, in this hostile world, we must not reject those who have a false religion. But rather, by the grace and mercy of God, we must in the love of Jesus share the truth of the gospel.
Tuesday – In many cases, people look to earthly treasures to satisfy their deepest needs. Believers in Christ must learn and recognize the importance of storing up treasures in heaven. Then, we can become more effective as we enlighten others with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday – We’ve all sinned and have hidden shames of our past. However, we must unmask our hearts so that we don’t fall into condemnation. Remember, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Thursday – As we continue to show genuine love to others, we may still be mistreated for our past mistakes and our faith. Regardless of the opposition we face, we must intentionally show kindness to all men.
Friday – We must always be appreciative of God’s greatest gift to humanity, Jesus Christ! We can demonstrate His love by sharing the gift of Jesus by giving of our time, talents and treasures.
***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….***
Sunday, December 1, 2019 – Is There Hope? – Romans 8:31-39
Our Daily Bread Topic: Hope; Trust in God; Joy; Life Struggles
Reflect & Pray
When you face seemingly hopeless situations, how do you typically respond? What promise of God can you cling to, knowing He is faithful?
To learn more about living with the difficulties, visit bit.ly/2wXd3Jj.
Monday, December 2, 2019 – The Flip Side of Love – 2 John 1:1-11
Focus: We must not reject anyone with a different gospel. Rather, let’s extend grace and mercy to them in love to know the truth.
Scripture(s): 1 Corinthians 9:19-22; Jude 18-23
Our Daily Bread Topic: Christ, deity; False Teaching
Reflect & Pray
How can you reflect God’s love in your relationships today? What issues might you need to confront in your own life or in the lives of others?
Father, You love us in Your truth. Help us extend that love to others with the unwavering grace that comes only from Your Spirit.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019 – The Lost Envelope – Matthew 6:19-21
Focus: Earthly treasures can be lost. Let’s use this message to teach others to put their trust in Jesus as we store up treasures in heaven.
Scripture(s): James 2:5; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Our Daily Bread Topic: Living like Christ
Reflect & Pray
What can you do this week that has eternal implications? How can you better use your earthly treasures as investments for heaven’s good?
Dear God, thank You for everything You’ve given us on this earth—our money, our homes, and more. Help us to hold them loosely while seeking to store up more eternal treasures.
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 – Free from Condemnation – 1 John 3:19-24
Focus: No matter what ours or others hidden shames are, we must unmasked them. God knows our hearts and He will forgive and heal.
Scripture(s): Romans 8:1; James 4:6-10
Our Daily Bread Topic: Forgiveness of Sin
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced shame or condemnation? What does it mean for you to know that Jesus has freed your heart?
God, I have such regret. I wish I could erase this painful situation and do it all over. But thank You for giving me grace to learn and move forward.
Thursday, December 5, 2019 – Intentional Kindness – 2 Samuel 9:3-11
Focus: Despite how we are treated, we must intentionally show kindness to all men.
Scripture(s): Luke 6:35; Joshua 2:12-14
Daily Bread Topic: Kindness; Love for Others
Reflect & Pray
Who can you show God’s kindness to? What specific act of kindness can you demonstrate to someone who is hurting or discouraged?
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the kindness You’ve shown me. Help me to lavish it on others.
Friday, December 6, 2019 – Gifts from Above – Matthew 1:18-25
Focus: Jesus is God’s gift to humanity. In appreciation to God, let’s share the gift of Jesus with others by sharing the gospel and giving.
Scripture(s): Hebrews 2:9-18; 2 Corinthians 9:8-15
Our Daily Bread Topic: Encouragement; Giving; Christ Birth
Reflect & Pray
How can you give the gift of Jesus today? How does His presence lead you to share your resources of time, wisdom, and love with others?
Jesus, thank You for the way You left Your Father to be born in humble circumstances. May I never take for granted Your presence in my life.
To learn more about the birth of Jesus, visit bit.ly/2R7FD4f.
Saturday, December 7, 2019 – Don’t Forget the Giver – Deuteronomy 6:4-12
Our Daily Bread Topic: Thankfulness; Worship
Reflect & Pray
Name five blessings in your life. Why are you grateful for them? How will you thank God for them today?
Loving Father, You are the source of every blessing in our lives. In our pride we often imagine otherwise, but we know better. We do. Thank You for all Your gifts.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
Random Acts of Kindness – Pay it Forward
The heart of “pay it forward” is based on Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7:12 which says “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” This is the Golden Rule of Life. It causes us to treat other people the way we want to be treated. It releases the love of God in our lives and enables us to make a difference.
As members of the 5AM Bible Study Ministry, let’s give a birthday gift to Jesus by doing a random act of kindness each day during the month of December. These random acts of kindness could be paying for a meal at a drive through restraint; paying the toll for the person behind you; treating someone for coffee or tea; letting someone pass you in the line; holding the door open; and offering your help to someone. Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, except for the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.
To reward someone’s kindness towards you is being kind to someone else. The idea is that you do not hold the kindness for yourself or confine it only to a small circle of people; you spread the goodwill in order to affect as many people as possible.
Thirty-One acts of kindness as a birthday gift to Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia