FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Abundant Life
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. –– Jeremiah 29:11 (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 Tammy Phillips – May 10 – Class 06
Sister Gloria Turner – May 10 – Class 04
Sister Rosalind Rogers – May 12 – Class 12
Sister Unitti Peyton – May 12 – Introduction Class
Sister Lois Hodge – May 13 – Class 06
Sister Phyllis Newton – May 15 – 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 9, 2021 – Noticing Nature – Matthew 6:25-34
Our Daily Bread Focus: Creation; God’s love and care
Reflect & Pray
Since nature isn’t God, and vice versa, how do you think He can be seen through it? How can you take a few minutes today to notice His care through His creation?
God of heaven, earth, streams, and birdsongs, I worship You today.
What keeps you from hearing God? How can you tune your ears to hear His delight in you?
Thank You, God, for taking great delight in me. May I always listen to your voice as You joyfully sing over me.
To learn more about Zephaniah, visit ChristianUniversity.org/OT226
Why are you sometimes reluctant to listen to the wise advice of others? How can you be sure the advice you receive reflects true wisdom?
God of wisdom, teach me Your ways and help me to avoid folly. Thank You for putting others in my life who are in a position to offer helpful advice when I need it.
Reflect & Pray
How will focusing on God’s unchanging nature instead of your circumstances give you greater hope? Where are you currently struggling with spiritual nearsightedness?
God, please renew my vision so I can focus on Your constant presence and live with an eternal perspective in all circumstances.
Where are the parched and barren places in your world? How can you look for and trust in God’s abundant waters?
I need Your water, God, Your provision. If You don’t help me, I don’t think I’ll make it. Will You bring me the water I need?
Reflect & Pray
How do you deal with the thought of dying? On what do you base your confidence of heaven?
I’m grateful, God, that You have provided a place for Your children. I look forward to being at home with You.
Visit ChristianUniversity.org/CA204 to learn more about life after death.
Saturday, May 15, 2021 – Shining Stars – Philippians 2:12-18
Our Daily Bread Focus: Living like Christ
Reflect & Pray
What causes your light for Jesus to dim? What do you need to do to brighten it?
Loving God, I ask Your Spirit to empower me to shine in the darkness. Make me into someone who is known for my love of others and my faithfulness to You.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
God is Everywhere
“God, are You there?” This question is an all-too-human cry for some assurance that God remains involved in the life He has created, and His answer is a resounding “Yes!”
Though our emotions may not detect His presence, He is with us 24/7. God wishes to strengthen our faith in Him by inviting us to believe even when belief isn’t easy. He has promised to be with us always, even to the end of time.
Look at the sun and stars, flowers and trees, rippling ponds, and trickling streams—see God’s Word. Listen to His whispers of love in the wind and the waves—hear His voice. God is everywhere, so pray anywhere. The virus may be everywhere, but so is God!
God will be:
Above you — to bless you.
Below you — to support you.
Before you — to guide you.
Behind you — to protect you.
Beside you — to comfort you.
Inside you — to sustain you.
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the good and the evil.” Proverbs 15:3
God is everywhere…even when we are at our wits end.
“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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