FOCUS OF THE MONTH
The Splendor of God’s Love
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. — Genesis 29:18 (KJV)
18 Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” — Genesis 29:18 (ESV)
Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)
Friday Benediction Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
!!!! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!
No birthdays this week.
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This Week’s Overview:
Sunday – Let’s be mindful of the attitude of our hearts when sharing our views about Bible truths. We must not tear others down but rather, be diligent to keep the unity of the faith in love.
Monday – When sharing the gospel in an unfamiliar territory, remember the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say. We may even feel loneliness in a strange place; therefore, we must pray and cling to Jesus for comfort.
Tuesday – Life is fleeting and many loved ones have preceded us in death. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we have hope and can look to the promise of an unimaginable future in the presence of God someday.
Wednesday – No matter what life brings us, don’t be discouraged. Even when life looks bleak and we are surrounded by enemies, trust God. He will open our eyes and He will fight our spiritual battles.
Thursday – We must not allow our past mistakes to hinder us from bearing fruit in God’s Kingdom. He may take us back to those hard places where He delivered us from to witness to those who are still in darkness. Remember, all things are possible if we only believe.
Friday – It’s important while we may have to minister to those in our past, not to allow them to dictate our future. We now belong to the family of God and are secured. We may still face hard times; however, we are able by faith to celebrate life and a future hope in its fullness now and forever.
***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, February 16, 2020 – Divided In Love – Ephesians 4:2-6
Our Daily Bread Topic: False Teaching; Unity of Believers
Reflect & Pray
How can you explain your stand on sensitive issues humbly, gently, and lovingly? What will you pray for those who seem to disagree?
God, guide me as I speak the truth so that I do so out of love and seek only to build up, not to tear down.
Monday, February 17, 2020 – Ever-Present Presence – Matthew 28:16-20
Focus: The Holy Spirit is with us when we share our faith in unfamiliar territory. If it seems lonely, pray and cling to Jesus for comfort.
Scripture(s): John 14:16-20; Romans 8:9-11; Ruth 1:16
Our Daily Bread Topic: God’s care
Reflect & Pray
How does the assurance that Jesus is always with you provide comfort? How has He comforted you when you felt alone?
Jesus, thank You that I’m never alone because You’re with me.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 – Unimaginable – Psalm 23
Focus: As we walk through the shadow of the valley of death, we can look to the promise of an unimaginable hope in God’s presence someday.
Scripture(s): Revelation 21:4; Psalm 34:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Our Daily Bread Topic: Grief; Love for Others
Reflect & Pray
What’s the best thing you can say to friends who’ve suffered the loss of someone they loved? How can you prepare for those times?
Thank You, God, for being with us even in the darkest valley as we imagine the glories of heaven.
For hope, read Life After Loss at discoveryseries.org/cb131.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 – The Reality of God – 2 Kings 6:8-17
Focus: When life looks bleak because we are surrounded by enemies, trust the realness of God. He will open our eyes and fight our battles.
Scripture(s): 1 John 4:4; Judges 16:28-30
Our Daily Bread Topic: Life Struggles; Trust in God
Reflect & Pray
What difficult times are you facing? How have you experienced that God is greater than any evil you face?
Thank You, God, for Your faithfulness.
Thursday, February 20, 2020 – The Hardest Places – Genesis 41:46-52
Focus: Despite past mistakes, God wants us to bear fruit. He is able to use us in the hard places where He delivered us from, if we believe.
Scripture(s): Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11-12 ; Luke 22: 31-34; Acts 2:38-41
Daily Bread Topic: God’s care; Hope; Spiritual Transformation
Reflect & Pray
When have you seen God bring something good out of difficulty in your life? How can you use your past problems to encourage others today?
All-powerful Father, I praise You that nothing is too hard for You! Thank You for Your perfect faithfulness, today and forever.
Friday, February 21, 2020 – A Place of Belonging– Ephesians 3:14-21
Focus: Our place of belonging is in Jesus. We may still have hard times, however, we are able to celebrate hope and enjoy the fullness of life now.
Scripture(s): Psalm 100:3; 1 John 4:4; Romans 5:1-5
Our Daily Bread Topic: Despair; Hope
Reflect & Pray
In what ways has Jesus changed your life? What does it mean for you to belong to Jesus?
I’m grateful that I belong to You, Jesus. Thank You for a life of hope for now and forever.
Saturday, February 15, 2020 – Ancient Promises – Numbers 6:22-27
Our Daily Bread Topic: God’s love
Reflect & Pray
What does it mean to you that God desires to bless you? How can you share His love with others?
Father God, I give thanks for the many blessings You give to me. Help me to notice the ways You bring me joy and peace, that I might praise You.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
Does God Cry When It Rains?
As the rain slowly falls down my window it’s like watching the tears of God slide down the glass. A sudden emotion blankets my attention and I begin to feel the pain of our Creator. I’m not saying I totally understand what God feels, for the most part, I realize that we as God’s children are far from what He made us to be. Even God cries after seeing His children’s miseries. The unseasonable rains are not just rains.
When it rains it’s just God crying, trying to wash away the sins of His children. As His tears stream down from the clouds, Heaven opens up for a brief moment and as we look up, we can feel what God feels and we should cry too. Cry out to Jesus. There is hope for the hopeless, rest for the weary, and love for the broken hearted. There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing. He will meet us wherever we are. Cry out to Jesus.
Remember tears are prayers too. They travel to God when we cannot speak. Psalm 56:8
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia