FOCUS OF THE MONTH
We Show Glory To God By Serving Him With Our Lives
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; — Colossians 3:23 (KJV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, — Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)
Friday End of Week Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!
Sister Almetta Williams – August 2 – Class 08
Sister Teresa Bailey – August 5 – Class 06
Min. Eloisa Brown – August 6 – Class 12
Sister Tawana James-Stevens – August 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
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***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 1, 2021 – Who Needs Your Support? – Jeremiah 26:12-15, 20-24
Our Daily Bread Focus: Injustice
Reflect & Pray
Whom can you stand with? If you voice your support, what do you think might happen to them, to you, and to others?
Loving God, help me to love others as You’ve loved me.
Learn more at DiscoverTheWord.org/series/the-mercy-prayer/.
Monday, August 2, 2021 – The Beauty of Adoption – Galatians 3:26-4:7
Our Daily Bread Focus: Self -Image
Scripture(s): Romans 8:15-17; Luke 15:11-24
How does being a child of God affect your self-identity? In what ways does this change the way you view yourself?
Thank You, Father, for making me Yours. Help me to understand my identity as Your child.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021 – Walking With Jesus – Hebrews 12:1-3
Our Daily Bread Focus: Living Like Christ
Scripture(s): Galatians 6:9; Luke 21:34
What else does the Bible teach us about the joy found in God? How does inner joy contribute to a healthy mind, body, and spirit?
The joy You provide is my strength, dear God. Help me to be a messenger of Your love to others.
Wednesday, August 4, 2021 – Not Forgotten – Isaiah 49:14-18
Our Daily Bread Focus: God’s Love and Care
Scripture(s): Joshua 1:9; Zephaniah 3:16-17
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt alone, forsaken, and forgotten by God? How does processing the love of God expressed by sending Jesus to die for your sins help to counter feelings of being forgotten by Him?
Father, when I’m tempted to feel neglected, forgotten, and abandoned, help me to ponder again the love You demonstrated by sending Jesus to die for me.
Thursday, August 5, 2021 – Greatness – Mark 9:33-37
Our Daily Bread Focus: Humility; Serving
Scripture(s): 1 Peter 4:10; Matthew 20:28; Luke 10:25-37
When you think of a “great” person in history, what image comes to mind? How can you pursue Jesus’ kind of greatness today?
Dear God, help me to humbly serve others.
Friday, August 6, 2021 – Rise Again – Proverbs 24:15-18
Our Daily Bread Focus: Suffering; Tragedy
Scripture(s): Micah 7:7- 8; Esther 7:9-10; Psalm 34:19
Reflect & Pray
How has God strengthened you after a difficult disappointment? How does that give you encouragement for the struggles you face today?
Heavenly Father, thank You that in every trial and disappointment You’re always close, offering comfort and strength to help me rise again.
Visit ChristianUniversity.org/SF108 to discover how you can best serve others and understand yourself better.
Saturday, August 7, 2021 – First Forgive – Genesis 33:1-11
Our Daily Bread Focus: Forgiving Others; Racism
Reflect & Pray
Against whom do you hold a grudge or grievance? What steps can you take to reconcile?
Dear God, when I hold onto hard feelings against another believer, inspire me on the way to Your altar to first forgive.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
The Spiritual Olympics – Keeping Spiritually Fit
As I was watching the 2020 Olympics, I remembered Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV), where he taught that we should run a race in such a way as to win the prize. He meant that there were comparisons between being an athlete and being a Christian.
The Bible uses sporting analogies to highlight various aspects of spiritual life. Like athletes in the 2020 Olympics, we need to train and keep spiritually fit. They do it because they want to win a gold medal. We do it “to get a crown that will last forever.” So how do we train and keep spiritually fit? Here is our training program:
1. Pray every day.
2. Read Scriptures every day.
3. Examine your conscience every day.
4. Fight the battle for the mind every day.
5. Repent every day.
6. Make time for spiritual reading
7. Love your neighbors and your enemies.
8. Cultivate the virtue of hope.
9. Be joyful and content.
10. Listen to Jesus, your Coach.
May we strive to be spiritual athletes and be the kind of Christian champions who start well, run well, win well, and end well. By His grace, may we also stand on the winner’s platform and receive the crown (medal) we will wear for all eternity— for God’s glory.
Physical exercise has some value, but the spiritual practice is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next, according to 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV).
“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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Video by Erosvideos from Pixabay