FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Abundant Life
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. — John 10:10 (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 Margaret Lindsley – May 4 – Introduction Class
Sister Sandra Powell – May 6 – Introduction Class
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
***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 2, 2021 – What Can’t Be Seen – Hebrews 11:1-6
Our Daily Bread Topic: Faith
Reflect & Pray
In a world where seeing is believing, in what ways do you struggle to live by faith in God? What has strengthened your faith, and in what areas do you need to rest in Him more fully?
Father, sometimes it’s a struggle to believe what I can’t see. Nevertheless, You’ve promised Your faithful love and that You’ll never leave me or forsake me. Help me to rest in that promise.
How are you living out Jesus’ words of giving to those who ask and loving your enemies? What would you like to change?
God, help me to love others as You love me. Show me how to do that today.
When have you felt God’s presence during a difficult trial? What gives you confidence to press on when challenges come?
Almighty God, thank You for being with me in the fire and for comforting me with Your presence.
Reflect & Pray
In your relationship with Jesus, how have you experienced that it’s Who you know, not what? What has Christ’s forgiveness meant to you?
Father God, I pray for all who’ve yet to come to know Jesus by believing in Him and accepting His sacrifice on their behalf. And if I’m one who hasn’t received Jesus as my Savior, may I confess with my mouth “Jesus is Lord” today.
To learn more about who Jesus is, visit ChristianUniversity.org/NT109-03.
When have you turned to God in the midst of your despair? What’s keeping you from crying out to Him now?
Father, help me to see Your open, welcome arms regardless of my situation.
Reflect & Pray
When have you had an experience of seeing the gospel in a new way for the first time? How can prayer keep your heart receptive to your constant need for God’s grace?
Loving God, forgive me for, far too often, taking Your grace and goodness for granted. Help me to daily grasp in new ways the depths of Your grace and love. And help me find the right words to share what You’ve done.
Saturday, May 8, 2021 – Legally His – Romans 8:1-2, 10-17
Our Daily Bread Topic: Salvation
Reflect & Pray
How does your status as a child of God affect how you live? What could you do to embrace this central part of your identity?
Father God, You created me in my mother’s womb, and You know and love me. May I never doubt how much You care for me.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
WHEN DOUBT KNOCKS
Yet when you bring your doubts to God, He uses them to increase and strengthen your faith. Though He may provide a sudden awakening of belief and understanding, He promises to send His Spirit into your heart. It’s the Holy Spirit’s work to nurture lasting faith, a faith that is healthy, alive, firm, and deeply rooted.
Just as sunshine warms to summer, allow the light of God’s great love for us to warm our hearts and renew our souls. We should bring our doubts out into the open and let God’s Spirit use them to grow within us the joy of a lively faith in Him.
“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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