FOCUS OF THE MONTH
The Risen Savior
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live: — John 11:25 (KJV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, — John 11:25 (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 Gloria Baskin – April 8 – Class 08
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This Week’s Overview:
Sunday – How comforting to know that Jesus has risen and is alive forevermore! Not only that, but we have the Holy Spirit abiding in us. We are God’s watered garden, and He will give us joy when we’re lonely.
Monday – God made us relational, therefore, we must be a strong support to family and friends by remaining anchored in God’s truth. Let’s point all of them to Jesus!
Tuesday – Let’s encourage our faithful friends in Christ and thank God for the joy they bring to our lives. This not only promotes happiness but will aide in keeping us in good health.
Wednesday – Friends may not always be there for us but we can trust God to be with us through thick and thin. Continue to pray, listen to Him, and read the Scriptures. Enjoy His presence as we fellowship with Him anytime and anywhere.
Thursday – Keep in mind, the love that reigns in us will require us to lay down our rights to gain the respect of others even when they are opposing. Let’s not pass judgement on anyone.
Friday – While sharing the gospel with others, we may be rejected, however, we can always find refuge in Jesus. Remember, don’t judge. God knows if our motives are pure while witnessing and He will reveal it at the Bema judgement seat.
***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, April 4, 2021 – In The Garden – John 20:11-18
Our Daily Bread Topic: Christ, Resurrection
Reflect & Pray
How is it comforting to know that you don’t have to do this life on your own? When have you intimately felt Jesus’ presence?
Jesus, I’m so thankful You’re alive and that as Your child You live in me!
To learn more about the resurrection of Jesus, visit ChristianUniversity.org/resurrection.
Monday, April 5, 2021 – Anchored in Truth – Isaiah 22:15-20, 22-25
Focus: If you desire to be a strong support to family and friends, you must be anchored in God’s truth. Point them to Jesus!
Scripture(s): Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 7:24-25; 2 John 1:1-4
Reflect & Pray
How can you stay firmly anchored in God’s truth and grace? In what ways can you support those feeling weighed down by life’s burdens?
Dear Jesus, thank You for being my anchor. As Your child, I know that I’m firmly planted in You.
Read Navigating the Storms of Life at DiscoverySeries.org/HP061.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 – Companions in Christ – Philippians 1:3-8
Focus: You must connect with brothers and sisters that share the same faith. This will help you to be happy and in good health.
Scripture(s): Romans 1:9, 16:1-3
Reflect & Pray
Who are the friends that surround you? What’s the substance of your relationships? How has the grace of God shaped your choice of companions?
Dear God, thank You for the gift of friendship. Help me to express my gratitude to those who have been faithful companions to me. Give me the grace to strengthen and encourage them.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 – Through Thick and Thin – Exodus 40:34-38
Focus: Throughout your journey in life, thank God for being with you through thick and thin. Continue to pray and enjoy His presence.
Scripture(s): Psalm 121:5-8, 139:7-12
Reflect & Pray
What places in nature make you feel especially close to God? How can you seek Him anytime and anywhere?
Father, help me to seek and find You even when I’m lost in a desert wilderness.
Thursday, April 8, 2021 – Love Reins Us In – Romans 14:1-13
Focus: When love reigns in you, it may require that you lay down your rights to save or gain the respect of others. Be careful not to pass judgement.
Scripture(s): 1 Corinthians 8:4-13; 2 Corinthians 6:3-4
What has God equipped you to do for those in need? How has God revealed His own hospitable nature?
Loving God, help me to look around for people who need an encouraging word or action from me. Then help me offer hospitality to them.
Friday, April 9, 2021 – Refuge for the Rejected – Psalm 57
Focus: You must maintain pure motives while telling others about Jesus. If rejected, remember, you can find refuge in Jesus. God is the judge.
Scripture(s): Psalm 46:1-2; Matthew 10:16-20, 22, 26, 32
Reflect & Pray
How does dwelling on God’s mercy help you when you’re discouraged? How can you demonstrate His love to another?
Abba Father, I praise You that I can be accepted by You forever because of Your Son. I take refuge in Your perfect love today.
Saturday, April 10, 2021 – Finding Joy in Praise – Habakkuk 3:6, 16-19
Our Daily Bread Topic: Joy; Trust in God
Reflect & Pray
When you praise God, what’s the impact on your spirit? Reflecting on God’s goodness, name three things you can praise Him for today.
Loving God, even during hard times, stir in my heart—and on my lips—the rich spirit of joyful praise to You.
To learn more about the book of Habakkuk, visit ChristianUniversity.org/OT314.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
Hope Anchored in Jesus
We live in a dangerous and unpredictable world, yet we can still have joy because our souls are anchored in the Lord. Hebrews 6:19 declares, “We have this hope as an anchor of the soul, firm and secure.” A time will come when Jesus calls all believers to that blessed place, He has prepared for us.
Life has a way of testing our anchors and tempting us to drift. Nevertheless, if our anchors are correctly placed in the Rock of our Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ, they will hold no matter the force of the wind, the strength of the tide, or the height of the waves.
Our anchor of truth is made and guaranteed by Jesus. Nobody makes an anchor like His! Jesus said at John 8:32, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” We are set free from the grip of the storm by being anchored to “the truth of love,” so that we are not “carried around by every wind of doctrine.” (Ephesians 4:14-15)
When we feel the stress of the storm, we learn the strength of our Anchor, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“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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