FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Plugged in and Nurtured by a Mother’s Love
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. — Proverbs 31:15 (KJV)
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens. — Proverbs 31:15 (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 Tammy Phillips – May 10 – Class 06
Sister Gloria Turner – May 10 – Class 04
Sister Rosalind Rogers – May 12 – Class 12
Sister Lois Hodge – May 13 – Class 06
Sister Phyllis Newton – May 15 – Introduction Class
Call (605) 475-4971, access code 455-862#; Reference 96# to listen to a review of these lessons.
Open Invitation
Join the Introduction Class on 1-605-313-4831; access code 259-748#, whenever your Class Facilitator is absent
Did you miss your class today? Do you want an evangelism tool?
If yes — call or share the Introduction Class Instant Replay
1-605-313-4904; access code 259-748#
For more information visit 5ambiblestudyministry.org
Visit here to submit Prayer Requests
This Week’s Overview:
Sunday – In these difficult times, let us demonstrate our love for God and others. Sing about His wondrous power to save and rejoice in His unfailing love.
Monday – Remember to come to Jesus with childlike trust when we are perplexed. He will lovingly reveal to us a remedy and He will rescue us from our troubles.
Tuesday – God hears the cries of His children and His arms are opened wide. He invites us to take refuge in Him and to praise Him for His protection. Let’s encourage others to do likewise.
Wednesday – We all are on an assignment to bring the lost to Christ. Never desire to be in the spotlight. We must decrease and allow Jesus to increase. All glory belongs to Him.
Thursday – We all have become frustrated with ourselves for allowing the potholes of sin to slow us down. Remember, we’re still under God’s construction plan of salvation. However, one day our bodies will be changed and God will complete the work that He has begun in us.
Friday – During these perilous times, God’s people must crucify the flesh and unite in love with God and each other. We must never allow contention in the body of Christ. Instead, stay in tune with the Holy Spirit and He will keep us from falling. Praise 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, May 10, 2020 – Forever Love – Psalm 136:1-9
Our Daily Bread Topic: God’s Love
Reflect & Pray
How has God assured you of His love? How has He strengthened your faith?
God, please help us to love You and others, as we become more confident in Your never-ending love for us.
Monday, May 11, 2020 – Learning from Little Ones – Matthew 21:8-17
Focus: In times of trouble, if we come to Jesus with childlike trust, He will lovingly reveal to us a remedy.
Scripture(s): Psalm 8:1-2; Matthew 11:25-26
Our Daily Bread Topic: Faith; Trust in God; Salvation
Reflect & Pray
How have your views of Jesus changed over the years? What things get in the way of seeing Him as the Son of God who has come to save you?
Jesus, help me to see You for who You are—my Lord and Savior.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020 – Open Arms – 2 Samuel 22:1-7, 17-20
Focus: God invites us to praise Him and to take refuge in His arms. Run to Him and encourage others to do likewise.
Scripture(s): Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 46:1, 4-5, 7-8
Our Daily Bread Topic: God’s Care
Reflect & Pray
When has God been your refuge? How can you help someone else run to Him?
God, I’m grateful You’ve always been and will always be my secure place to land.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 – Photobombing Jesus– John 3:26-36
Focus: Never desire to be in the spotlight with Jesus. We must decrease and allow Him to increase in all that we do to bring Him glory.
Scripture(s): John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Our Daily Bread Topic: Humility
Reflect & Pray
When are you tempted to share the spotlight with Jesus? How can you turn the attention to where it belongs?
Heavenly Father, help us understand that our task is to direct everyone’s attention to Your Son, so that He increasingly fills up the frame. Help us see that we must decrease and He must increase.
Thursday, May 14, 2020 – Under Construction – Hebrews 10:11-18
Focus: We’re still under construction while on earth. The potholes in our lives can be frustrating; however, God will perfect us someday.
Scripture(s): Philippians 1:6, 10-11
Our Daily Bread Topic: Trust in God; Life Struggles
Reflect & Pray
Do you ever get frustrated that spiritual progress seems slower than you expected? How does this passage from Hebrews encourage you to think about your spiritual growth?
Faithful God, sometimes I get frustrated that my spiritual progress seems slow. Help me to remember that You’re still at work in my life, shaping me and helping me to become more and more like You.
Friday, May 15, 2020 – In Tune with the Spirit – Galatians 5:16-26
Focus: We must unite in love with God and each other. Never allow contention in the body of Christ. Instead, stay in tune with the Spirit.
Scripture(s): Romans 8:1-6; Colossians 3:10-14
Daily Bread Topic: Holy Spirit; Unity
Reflect & Pray
In what ways might I be causing discord among the body of believers? How can I spread harmony?
Gracious God, teach me how to “get in tune” with the Spirit’s leading and live in harmony with others.
Saturday, May 16, 2020 – Tell Me A Story – Mark 4:26-34
Our Daily Bread Topic: Evangelism
Reflect & Pray
How could you weave a story or parable into your conversations this week? Maybe something like, “Once upon a time, God answered my prayer in a surprising way . . . .”
Jesus, You’re the Wonderful Counselor and the Great and Mighty God. Give us creativity in the ways in which we share Your love with a world that still slows down to hear a story.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
Coronavirus Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, 2020, is the day in which we honor the most important people in the world – our mothers. This year, Mother’s Day has shaped up to be a challenge due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Whether you are in quarantine, affected by travel restrictions, or simply thinking about keeping Mom safe – this year spending time in person on Mother’s Day was quite difficult. On the other hand, it is times like this when Mom needs and deserves our attention and let us admit we also need our Mom more than ever.
This “Coronavirus Mother’s Day” was an opportunity to do something special while still maintaining social distance and keeping everyone safe and healthy. Our Moms cherished the home made cards we made as children. Here are some suggestions we could have used.
- “Dear Mom, I may run out of toilet paper, but I will never run out of love for you.”
- “A Mom as great as you is harder to find than toilet paper.”
- “Wishing you once in a lifetime Mother’s Day full of isolation, social distancing and quarantine.”
- “I washed my hands before writing this card.”
Isaiah 66:13 says “as one whom his mother comforts so I will comfort you; …” We learned the best qualities from our mothers, so it’s only natural that we pass them down. In times of despair, Jesus will comfort us just as His mother comforted Him.
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia