FOCUS OF THE MONTH
The Gift that Keeps On Giving
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. — James 1:17 (KJV)
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. — James 1:17 (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 Betty Walker – December 8 – Class #09/#10
Sister Rosa Martin – December 11 – Introduction Class
Sister Delores Hatten – December 13 – Class #03
Call (605) 472-5694, access code 4558-62#; Reference 74# to listen to a review of these lessons.
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Overview:
Sunday – Despite the pain and struggles we encounter in life, we have peace with God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let’s learn to be thankful in all things.
Sunday – Despite the pain and struggles we encounter in life, we have peace with God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let’s learn to be thankful in all things.
Monday – Despite the pain and struggles we encounter in life, we have peace with God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let’s learn to be thankful in all things.
Tuesday – If we have depleted our resources, it’s time to come to the end of ourselves and cling to Jesus. We will find out in the end that God’s grace is sufficient.
Wednesday – As we struggle with relational issues, God wants us to always show mercy. Even if someone owes us, we are to show the character of Christ and cancel the debt. In doing so, we have the opportunity to give hope to those in need.
Thursday – Life can be scary, however, when fear grips us, look to God. He will help us gain a right perspective of our problem. Even though the threat is huge and real, remember, God is greater!
Friday – During our times of distress, ask God to help us. Let’s be honest and don’t complicate the request. Instead, believe God to hear our cry and to show us mercy.
***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 8, 2019 – Attitude of Gratitude – Colossians 3:12-25
Our Daily Bread Topic: Thankfulness; Life Struggles
Reflect & Pray
What do you need to stop complaining about? What do you have to thank God for today?
God, how often I complain about things that are mere inconveniences. Help me never to lose sight of Your goodness. Give me a heart full of gratitude.
Monday, December 9, 2019 – Our Guiding Light – 2 Samuel 22:26-30
Focus: When the darkness of fear, defeat and death begins to press in on us, remember, God is our “Guiding Light”.
Scripture(s): Psalm 18:28; Psalm 27:1-2
Our Daily Bread Topic: Fear; Trust in God
Reflect & Pray
Why can you trust God to help you with your fears? What can you do to seek God’s guidance in your life?
God, please assure me of Your presence when I’m afraid. Help me to remember that You’ve defeated spiritual darkness through Your death and resurrection.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019 – Grace at the End – Mark 5:25-34
Focus: When our lives are in a shamble and we’ve depleted our resources, by faith, we must cling to Jesus. Trust God’s grace to meet our needs.
Scripture(s): Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Our Daily Bread Topic: Trust in God; Stories of Faith
Reflect & Pray
When have you desperately clung to Christ? How did God meet your need?
Father, thank You for Your power to rescue me. Help me to trust You to meet all my needs.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 – Canceled Debts – Deuteronomy 15:1-8
Focus: We must show mercy to those who owe us. Just as God cares about our financial burdens, we too, must be generous to spare others.
Scripture(s): Luke 6:36-38; Luke 6:30-34
Our Daily Bread Topic: Forgiving Others
Reflect & Pray
How have your “debts” been forgiven? Who can you lift up by forgiving a debt owed or a wrong done to you?
Jesus, thank You for caring about the financial burdens we carry.
Thursday, December 12, 2019 – Overcoming Fear – 1 Samuel 17:4-7, 45-50
Focus: When fear grips us, look to God to gain a right perspective of the problem. Though the treats are real, God is greater!
Scripture(s): Romans 8:31; 1 John 4:18; Hebrews 13:6; Numbers 13:30-33
Daily Bread Topic: Fear; Trust in God
Reflect & Pray
What giant battle are you facing that’s crippling you in fear? How can you intentionally fix your eyes on the living God?
Thank You, God, that You’re bigger than any other giant in my life. I trust You.
Friday, December 13, 2019 – Asking God – Psalm 6:4-9
Focus: During our times of distress, be honest and ask God to help. Don’t complicate the request, instead believe God to hear our cry and show mercy.
Scripture(s): Psalm 17:6; John 15:7; Philippians 4:6-7
Our Daily Bread Topic: Prayer
Reflect & Pray
What’s stopping you from asking God for His help? What help will you seek from Him today?
Dear God, as you cleanse our hearts, grant us courage to ask for Your divine help, believing that You hear us and will answer.
Saturday, December 14, 2019 – Jesus and the Bigger Story – Ruth 4:13-17
Our Daily Bread Topic: God’s Love
Reflect & Pray
When has God turned an ordinary situation into one of extraordinary significance for you? How has He made all moments in life something sacred and extraordinary?
Jesus, You give eternal purpose and meaning to the most ordinary of circumstances. Help me to see all my relationships and circumstances through You!
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
What is Christmas without Jesus Christ, Our Lord?
- It is the virgin mother without a supernatural baby
- It is a manger cradle without the Divine Occupant
- It is the angel without a song
- It is the lonely shepherd with a message from heaven
- It is a fruitless quest of the wise men on a hopeless mission
- It is a perishing world without a Savior
- It is a Bible without a message of hope
- It is a God of infinite power without love for dying sinners
- It is history and eternity without Jesus
Therefore, it would mean that life is without purpose. We will struggle and suffer and pass our days on earth, then die in our sins only to face the judgment of a righteous and holy God. But thanks to our God forever, the message of the angels was true “unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
Christmas is real because the living Christ dwells in our heart.
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia