FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Where God is there is Unity and/or Strength
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. — 1 Corinthians 1:10 (KJV)
10 I appeal to you, brothers,a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. — 1 Corinthians 1:10 (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 Betty Jones – August 9 – Introduction Class
Sister Lillie Brown – August 10 – Class 02
Sister Shirley Richardson – August 10 – Class 03
Sister Nuria Alverez – August 11 – Introduction Class
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This Week’s Overview:
Sunday – Our lives should be positive letters to those who read us. They should be able to see that our relationship with Jesus is genuine. Ultimately, this visualization should impact them and the world. Why? Because people need hope and the only hope is in the Jesus we serve.
Monday – The truth is, many people are in and out of our lives which can make our lives seem uncertain and unstable. A close relationship with Christ is necessary to give us stability in this world today. He will help us make wise decisions and live godly lives before all people as we strive to finish our race well.
Tuesday – Society has a tendency to define many of us by the negative nicknames that we were given as children. Therefore, it’s important to remember that we have a new name in Christ. We must now live out our days as righteous children of God.
Wednesday – We must be intentional and purposeful as we live our lives for Jesus. Ask God for grace and He will give us fervor to do our assignments with excellence.
Thursday – If we take our assignments serious, no distractions will deter or thwart us. With God’s help, we will be able to do great works for the Kingdom.
Friday – Amid all the confusion of the world today, we must change our attitude. Begin to appreciate God’s beautiful creation and reflect on God’s glory when we feel down, and He will restore our hope.
***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 9, 2020 – Time-Traveling Letters – 1 John 1:1-8
Our Daily Bread Topic: Bible; Inspiration; Fellowship with God
Reflect & Pray
If God wrote a letter to you today, what would it say? If you wrote a letter to a friend telling about how you’ve encountered the living God, what would it say?
Thank You, Father, for the fellowship I have with You.
Monday, August 10, 2020 – On the Bubble – 1 Peter 2:4-10
Focus: If our race and purpose in life seem uncertain, trust Jesus to give us wisdom. He will help us to live godly and finish well.
Scripture(s): Exodus 19:5-6; Ecclesiastes 9:9-12
Our Daily Bread Topic: Despair; God’s Love
Reflect & Pray
In what areas of life have you found yourself “on the bubble” and struggling with uncertainty? What can you do to regain your confidence in Jesus?
Father God, when disappointments threaten to undermine my identity as Your child, remind me to put my hope and confidence in You alone.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 – Named By God – Ruth 1:19-22
Focus: If we were given negative nicknames, remember, we have a new name in Christ. Let’s now live an upright life as a child of God.
Scripture(s): Revelation 2:17; Romans 9:25-26; Ecclesiastes 7:1, 8, 10-11, 29
Our Daily Bread Topic: God’s Love
Reflect & Pray
Think of a nickname someone gave you. What did you like or not like about it? How does being called a beloved child of God change how you see yourself?
Heavenly Father, thank You that I’m not defined by the circumstances or experiences of my life. Thank You for calling me Your child.
Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Living On Purpose – Romans 12:9-21
Focus: Live our lives for Jesus on purpose. Ask God for grace to give us fervor and to be intentional in our actions.
Scripture(s): Colossians 2:17, 23
Our Daily Bread Topic: Living for Christ; Serving
Reflect & Pray
Have you ever been on a mission? How can you make life all about God?
Please give me grace to live for You, Jesus, so that I may one day hear You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23).
Thursday, August 13, 2020 – A Great Work – Nehemiah 6:1-4
Focus: We must take our God- given assignments serious. Don’t allow anything to distract us from doing great works for God.
Scripture(s): Colossians 3:23; 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Our Daily Bread Topic: Living for Christ
Reflect & Pray
What has God called you to do? Why is it important for you to take it seriously—seeing it as a great work?
Dear God, help me to believe that I’m doing a great work. I trust that You’ve called me to this in this season. Give me the focus to stay the course.
Friday, August 14, 2020 – Hope Blossoms – Isaiah 35:1-4
Focus: God’s creation can give us hope amid the gloom in this world. Trust God for a renewed attitude when we feel hopeless.
Scripture(s): Psalm 19:1; Ezekiel 36:6, 8; Romans 8:22-25
Daily Bread Topic: Hope; Suffering
Reflect & Pray
When you feel hopeless, how do you usually respond? How could spending time outdoors in God’s creation transform your despair to renewed hope in God?
Dear God, thank You for the splendor of Your creation, pointing me to Your glory, and reviving my hope in You.
For encouragement, read Hope: Choosing Faith Instead of Fear at discoveryseries.org/q0733.
Saturday, August 15, 2020 – Running Into Love – Jeremiah 31:1-9
Our Daily Bread Topic: Abortion; God’s Love
Reflect & Pray
What’s your perception of God? How does it line up with the God you read about in today’s Scripture reading?
Father, I so often take Your incredible love for granted. Forgive me, and help me to reflect that love to someone today.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
A Wake-up Song
Are you so excited about living that you can’t wait for the dawn of a new day? In Psalm 108, David is. He is up and singing with musical instruments in hand. David says “I will awake early to praise you among the people and the nation.”
Maybe you don’t face your days like that. You had a sleepless or troubled night, filled with anxiety. The last thing on your mind is cheerfully getting up. What is there to sing about? You are not alone in God’s great universe today. You are part of the 5 A.M. Ministry who lift our voices to praise God every morning. Let’s open our hearts and voices to God as David did. “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 108:5
Good morning! It’s a brand new day. Yesterday is not our today. Forget about the troubles of yesterday, God has granted us new mercies. This is morning glory!
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