FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Where God is there is Unity and/or Strength
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. — Isaiah 40:29 (KJV)
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. — Isaiah 40:29 (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 Almetta Williams – August 2 – Class 08
Sister Teresa Bailey – August 5 – Class 06
Min. Eloisa Brown – August 6 – Class 12
Sister Tawana James-Stevens – August 6 – Introduction Class
Brother James D. McNair, Jr. – August 8 – Class 06
Call (605) 475-4971, access code 455-862#; Select “#” to listen to the most recent Facilitators’ Tuesday Review Call OR listen to the Review below.
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This Week’s Overview:
Sunday – In love, we must all correct one another when we stray away from the things of God.
Sunday – In love, we must all correct one another when we stray away from the things of God.
Tuesday – Although we are free-agents and over-comers, there will still be battles to face. In this volatile world, people will go to the extreme to hurt one another. If you have been persecuted because of your faith, show mercy and forgiveness. Trust God to handle any injustices and be ready for reconciliation. Remember, he who wins souls is wise.
Wednesday – Periodically, let us take a look in the mirror (the Bible) and begin to appreciate how loved, beautiful and gifted we are. The Holy Spirit will free us from fear and confirm that we are truly God’s children and that He loves us.
Thursday – We can all agree from early biblical leaders up to this present time that corrupt leaders can corrupt nations. Therefore, we must pray for leaders with integrity who fear God and desire to lead the people according to God’s ways. This perhaps, will tone down the hostilities, perversions, injustices and evils of today’s world.
Friday – Many people are dying senseless deaths today by the hands of evil people. Whether, it’s a brutal death, death from the COVID-19 virus or something else, separation can be very difficult. However, we can be comforted in knowing that those who die in the Lord will be in the presence of God 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, August 2, 2020 – Kind Correction – James 5:19-20
Our Daily Bread Topic: Confrontation
Reflect & Pray
What risks or rewards are associated with helping a wanderer find his or her way back to where they belong? When did God use someone to bring you back from a not-so-good place?
Father, keep me from straying from Your truth and grant me courage to help bring back those who are wandering.
Monday, August 3, 2020 – The Battle’s Over. Really. – Romans 6:1-11
Focus: Jesus won the battle over sin and death. Let’s not struggle with sin, instead embrace our freedom and live a life of victory.
Scripture(s): Romans 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
Our Daily Bread Topic: Salvation; Sin
Reflect & Pray
How are you tempted to believe that death and sin still hold power over your life? Where can you see Christ’s victory already present in the world?
Jesus, I know You’ve won the battle over evil and darkness. Would You help me to live this out?
Tuesday, August 4, 2020 – God’s Mercy at Work – 1 Samuel 24:1-10
Focus: We must show mercy and forgive those who hurt us. Trust God to handle any injustices while we try to reconcile with them.
Scripture(s): Ephesians 4:32; Romans 12:17-21
Our Daily Bread Topic: Anger; Forgiving Others
Reflect & Pray
How can trusting that God is perfect, loving, good, and in control help you when sin seems to be prevailing? Who do you need to forgive and place in God’s mighty and merciful hands?
Merciful God, please help me trust You to determine how justice prevails.
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 – Loved, Beautiful, Gifted – Romans 8:15-17
Focus: The Holy Spirit frees us from fear and confirms that we are God’s children. What scriptures tell us how loved, beautiful and gifted we are?
Scripture(s): Romans 8:38-39; Psalm 139:14; 1 John 4:16-19
Our Daily Bread Topic: Self-image; God’s Love
Reflect & Pray
What words come to mind when you see yourself in the mirror? How different are they from Scripture’s depiction of what God sees in you?
Father, thank You for loving me, gifting me, and making me Your child. May Your Spirit work in me today to truly, deeply believe it.
Thursday, August 6, 2020 – In the Father’s Ways – 1 Samuel 8:1-9
Focus: We must pray for leaders with integrity who fear God and who follow His ways. This will help to eliminate perversion, injustices and evil.
Scripture(s): Romans 12:1-2; Deuteronomy 16:19-20; 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Our Daily Bread Topic: Injustice; Living like Christ; Greed
Reflect & Pray
What current example of injustice are you aware of? What is one way you can work toward justice in that example?
God, injustice surrounds us on every side, often overwhelming our hearts. Help me to stand with those who suffer and commit my life to walking in Your ways.
To learn more about the life and time of Samuel, visit bit.ly/2pJSpwu.
Friday, August 7, 2020 – Letting Go – John 11:21-36
Focus: When loved ones die, separation can be difficult. We can be comforted in knowing that believers will be in God’s presence forever.
Scripture(s): Hebrews 4:9-11; Revelation 14:13
Daily Bread Topic: Death; Eternal Life; Heaven
Reflect & Pray
What did Jesus accomplish by His death on the cross? How does His sacrifice affect every person who has ever lived?
Precious Father, thank You for the promise of eternal life in Your presence.
For help in dealing with loss, read Life After Loss at discoveryseries.org/cb131.
Saturday, August 8, 2020 – His Death Brings Life – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Our Daily Bread Topic: Evangelism; Spiritual Transformation
Reflect & Pray
How has Jesus’ transforming work been evidenced in your life? What areas of your life are still in need of that “new creation” impact?
Loving Father, thank You that, because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, I am a new creation. Forgive me for the times I return to the old things that need to pass away.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
A Time of Grief
The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a profound effect on the grieving process. Many of those who have lost loved ones caused by the virus have been unable to sit at their bedside as they passed away due to the quarantine. When you can’t hold a funeral or even hug a friend, how do you process your grief when someone close to you dies?
Technology has opened up new avenues for families who are unable to come together to mourn:
- Zoom wakes give you a sense of closure to share memories of the departed online.
- Virtual funerals on Facebook and YouTube are available.
- Virtual altars can create a space where people leave messages, songs, photographs, and prayers or poems which can be a source of comfort for years to come.
This has not changed: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”. — Psalm 116:15
Death for the believer is not a dreaded parting; it is a glorious homecoming.
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia