FOCUS OF THE MONTH
God’s Unconditional Love
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. — John 15:9 (ESV)
Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)
Friday End of Week Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
!!!! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!
Brother James Gaddis – February 25 – Class 05
Brother George Brown – February 26 – Class 02
Sister Jacquelina Ruff – February 27 – Class 08
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This Week’s Overview:
Sunday – If we focus on past mistakes, we can become stagnant. Ask God for forgiveness and trust Him for grace to bring forth the unimaginable promises that He intended for us from the beginning of time.
Monday – In this process, allow the Holy Spirit to develop in us the fruit of the Spirit to form us into the image of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday – We must always remember that we are light-sharers empowered by the Holy Spirit. He is able to use us as radiant lights to reflect the love of God in this dark world.
Wednesday – This ministry assignment as light- sharers may cause us to feel alienated and alone. If so, pray that God will help us form meaningful relationships that will ultimately be fruitful to the Kingdom.
Thursday – Separating from people and lifestyles of the past can be grievous to the flesh. It’s alright to cry because God made us to be relational and we are human.
Friday – People can be offended by our stand for righteousness and may falsely accuse us of wrongdoing. Don’t let fear destroy our witness as transformed believers in Christ. Instead, pray for them and trust God to resolve the situation. The battle is His!
***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 21, 2021 – Unimaginable Promises – 2 Peter 1:2-8
Our Daily Bread Topic: Self-image
Reflect & Pray
Why can it be difficult for us to accept “unearned” grace and love? How does it touch your heart to consider that in God’s eyes you have a future filled with unimaginable beauty?
Jesus, some days all I can see is the ways I’ve disappointed myself and others, the ways I’ve broken the future I’ve dreamed of. Help me to see the unchanging beauty of the future I find in You.
Monday, February 22, 2021 – Like Jesus – Romans 8:22-30
Focus: Yield your will to the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to transform you more into the image of Jesus.
Scripture(s): 1 John 3:2; Galatians 2:20
Reflect & Pray
What attribute of the fruit of the Spirit would you like to live out to a greater degree? (see Galatians 5:22–23). What will help you do so?
Father, I long to be more like Your Son but so often fall short in word, thought, or deed. Forgive me, and help me to yield to the work of Your Spirit so that Jesus might be formed in me.
For further study, read Free in the Spirit at DiscoverySeries.org/Q0307.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 – Turn on the Light – Matthew 5:14-16
Focus: We are light-sharers, powered by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, live a radiant life to reflect the love of God to the world.
Scripture(s): 1 John 1:5; Isaiah 60:1-4
Reflect & Pray
How can you be a light for Christ, intentionally expressing His love to those in your sphere of influence this week? How can you shine a light on God’s love as you serve people who don’t know Him?
Loving Father, please fuel me with Your perfect truth and love so I can shine a spotlight on You by loving You and others wherever I go.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 – Never Alone – Ecclesiastes 4:8-12
Focus: If you are feeling alone, pray that God will help you form meaningful relationships with others. Remember, He’ll never leave you.
Scripture(s): Psalm 139:7-10; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Samuel 18:1-4
Reflect & Pray
How might you reach out to someone who’s lonely? How have you experienced the blessing of God’s Spirit with you when you’ve felt alone?
Heavenly Father, when I feel lonely, give me courage to reach out to others with an offer of friendship.
Thursday, February 25, 2021 – To Be Human – Matthew 23:37-24:2
Focus: We must acknowledge the things that grieve us. It is alright to cry because you are human.
Scripture(s): Mark 14:71-72; 2 Samuel 18:32-33, 19: 1-2
In what situations in your life might you be avoiding grief? How can your faith in a Savior who cries (John 11:35) help you express your grief in a healthy way?
Father, please replace any cold illusions of strength I cling to with a growing understanding of the cares and concerns that break Your heart for children like me.
Friday, February 26, 2021 – Facing Fear – Psalm 56:3-11
Focus: If false accusations have been made against you, don’t fear. Pray, turn to God, and trust Him to resolve the situation.
Scripture(s): Psalm 118:5-8; Matthew 5:10-12
Reflect & Pray
What real fears do you face? How can David’s prayer help you deal with them?
Loving God, I’m afraid—and so today I put my trust in You. What can mere mortals do to me when You’re fighting for me? Thank You for the coming victory.
For help in choosing hope instead of fear, read DiscoverySeries.org/Q0733.
Saturday, February 27, 2021 – No Longer Yourself – Galatians 2:14-21
Our Daily Bread Topic: Living for Christ
Reflect & Pray
How can you stop trying to please God on your own? Where do you need to cling to Jesus today, trusting His righteousness?
Dear Jesus, thank You for doing for me what I could never do for myself. I turn away from trying to please You on my own. I’m so glad I don’t need to earn Your love.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
3-Strand Cord of Friendship
We really do need some faithful friends for the journey! Friends who will keep us accountable and speak the truth in love when we are tempted to fall.
The 3-cord strand of love, forgiveness, and truth will not be broken even when we fall. Friends who will accept us and love us through it all.
To have a good friend is one of the highest delights of life; to be a good friend is one of the noblest and most difficult undertakings. Friendship depends not upon fancy imagination or sentiment, but upon character. There is no man so rich that he is not poor without a friend.
Friendship is a word made to cover many kindly imperfect relationships. A 3-strand cord friendship is abiding. Like charity, it suffers long and is kind.
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia
***The Daily Devotionals are taken from Our Daily Bread Ministries and the Scriptures are from the BibleGateway.***
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