FOCUS OF THE MONTH
The Gift that Keeps On Giving
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. — 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: — 1 Peter 4:10 (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 Barbara Mbabazi – December 25 – Class #09/#10
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Overview:
Sunday – Despite how our relationships may have been or perhaps, still are, with our earthly fathers, we have a new identity with Christ. In the midst of our anxieties, the Father has lavished His blessings of love upon us. He will always care for us.
Monday – As we ponder over our past, think of the string of yeses to God’s will. A surrendered life of obedience is a blessed life. Let’s continue to say yes.
Tuesday – As we consider the brevity of life, one day death will come to our door. Those who have peace with God must share the greatest message of all and remind the world that Jesus was born to save us from sin and eternal hell.
Wednesday – God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Let’s grow in giving of our time, talent and treasures as we unselfishly share the love of Jesus in ways that God instructs us.
Thursday – We ourselves, may have thought that good works would have caused God to love us more. However, the truth is, Jesus redeemed us from the big shuffle of sin by grace through faith. As we witness to others, we can be assured that, despite our past, we are loved and accepted by God.
Friday – As a cohesive body in Christ, by faith, we must follow the Word of God. It is our guide, our road map through life. In doing so, we will be able to show others the way to Jesus.
***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 22, 2019 – The Father’s Blessing – 1 John 3:1-3
Our Daily Bread Topic: Relationships; God’s Love
Reflect & Pray
What comes to mind when you ponder the word father? How does God’s lavish love reshape the father image for you?
God, teach me more about how You are my Father. May I experience and know Your care.
Monday, December 23, 2019 – A String of Yeses – Luke 2:15-19
Focus: Ponder over the outcome of our surrendered lives by the string of yeses to God’s command. Continue to obey Him and be blessed.
Scripture(s): Psalm 1:1-3; Matthew 16:24-25; Isaiah 6:8
Our Daily Bread Topic: Christ, birth; Obedience
Reflect & Pray
What yeses do you need to say to God? How can you learn to be more obedient?
Dear God, help us to respond, one yes at a time, to Your ongoing work in our lives.
Tuesday, December 24, 2019 – A Christmas Visitor – Luke 2:25-33
Focus: Death will come to us all. Therefore, share the greatest message of all that Jesus was born to save us from sin and hell.
Scripture(s): 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; John 3:16; Acts 7:54-60
Our Daily Bread Topic: Chist, birth; Faith; Salvation; Spiritual Transformation
Reflect & Pray
Why do you think McDougall saw death as a welcome visitor for Brinker? How does Jesus bring you joy and change you?
Jesus, thank You for ushering in peace through Your death and resurrection. Help me to share Your gift of salvation with someone I know or meet.
Wednesday, December 25, 2019 – Growing into Giving – 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
Focus: God has freely given us His Son. Let’s grow in our giving as we unselfishly share the love of Jesus in ways that God instructs us.
Scripture(s): Acts 20:35; Luke 6:38
Our Daily Bread Topic: Giving; Christ, birth
Reflect & Pray
In what ways do you need to grow in giving? What could you do today?
Thank You, Father, for giving me the best gift of all: Your Son! Help me to share Your generosity with others today.
Thursday, December 26, 2019 – The Big Shuffle – Ephesians 2:4-10
Focus: Jesus redeemed us from the big shuffle of sin by grace and not by our works. We can be assured that we are loved and accepted.
Scripture(s): 1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 8:1; Romans 5:8-11
Daily Bread Topic: Salvation; Serving
Reflect & Pray
Why is it easy to mistakenly believe you must do good things to be accepted by God? How does understanding the gospel help you to love others better?
God, help me to trust that You’ve done what’s needed for me to be accepted by You.
Friday, December 27, 2019 – Led by His Word – Psalm 119:1, 133-136
Focus: We must remain united in the faith as we follow the Word of God. In doing so, we will show others the way to Jesus.
Scripture(s): Psalm 17:5; Psalm 37:23, 31
Our Daily Bread Topic: Bible; Living like Christ
Reflect & Pray
How closely do you walk with God? Finding your answer in Psalm 119, identify one key step you can make to follow God more closely. What benefit can you gain?
Dear God, order my steps in the wisdom found in Scripture today, helping me to walk like You.
Saturday, December 28, 2019 – Never Forgotten – Isaiah 49:8-16
Our Daily Bread Topic: God’s Love; Serving
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt forgotten or abandoned? In what ways has God always been present with you to remind you of His constant love?
Jesus, thank You that I’m never forgotten by You. When I feel abandoned by others, help me to remember and rest in Your never-ending, constant love.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
Jesus is the Perfect Gift
Jesus is the gift that perfectly fits every heart
And it is with His love that all celebrations start
We rejoice in Him as we remember His birth
And thank God for sending His only Son to earth
His life led from a manager to a cross on a hill
Where He faithfully followed His Father’s perfect will
He freely laid down everything so that He could live
There is no greater treasure that anyone can give
Like a scarlet ribbon, His love wrapped around the cross
And He offered it to us all at the greatest cost
So each time we give gifts, we remember what He has done
And honor the perfect gift – God’s one and only Son
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia