SCRIPTURE & FOCUS – Week Of December 26, 2021 – January 1, 2022

FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Being Born Again Brings Us Into A Relationship With Christ


SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK

 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  — Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. — Galatians 2:20 (ESV)


Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)

Friday End of Week Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)



!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!! 

We do not have any birthdays this week.
Blessed Birthday Song by Minister Nadine Cager

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 half-millennium. The fountainhead of that stream was William Tyndale’s New Testament of 1526; marking its course was 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). Faithfulness to the text and vigorous pursuit of accuracy were combined with simplicity, beauty, and dignity of expression in that stream. 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 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 translating 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 the structure and meaning of the original as directly as possible. More about the ESV translation philosophy….***


Trey McLaughlin and SOZ “Worship Medley” Paul Morton/Stephen Hurd (cover)

Sunday, December 26, 2021TIMELY RESOLUTIONMatthew 5:21-26

Our Daily Bread Focus:  Conflict & Confrontation

Reflect & Pray

Who comes to mind when you think of someone you need to reach out to so that relational healing might begin? What’s keeping you from doing so?

Father, You know where the relational fissures are in my life. Forgive me for my slowness to attempt resolution. Give me the strength to take the next steps.

Timely Resolution

Monday, December 27, 2021 GOD’S RIGHT HANDIsaiah 41:8-13

Our Daily Bread Focus:  God’s Love and Care

Scripture(s):  Joshua 1:6, 7, 9; Proverbs 16:9

Reflect & Pray

How do you need God’s help today? How have you experienced His help in the past?

Healing God, I need Your help! Please use Your righteous right hand to take hold of my broken, weary hands and help me, I pray. 

God’s Right Hand

Tuesday, December 28, 2021 – GREAT WISDOMJude 1:17-23

Our Daily Bread Focus:  God’s Love and Care

Scripture(s): Romans 15:1-7; Titus 2:11-15

 
Reflect & Pray

Why is it crucial to “[build yourself] up . . . in the Holy Spirit” (v. 20) before you respond to perceived threats? What examples have you seen of great wisdom and compassion used in helping someone in great pain?

God of love, when I’m faced with evil and hate, help me not to respond in kind but anchor myself in Your love. 

Great Wisdom And A Thousand Eyes

Wednesday, December 29, 2021LION, LAMB, SAVIOR!Revelation 5:1-7

Our Daily Bread Focus: Forgiveness of Sin; Eternal Life; Christ, Savior/Messiah; Names

Scripture(s):  John 1:29; John 10:27-29; 1 John 1:9

Reflect & Pray

What’s your favorite name for Jesus? What aspects of His character make you want to praise Him most?

Beautiful Savior, I could praise You for all eternity and never come to the end of all that You are. Thank You for giving Yourself for me, so that I may live in Your love forever!

Lion, Lamb, Savior!

Thursday, December 30, 2021 BETTER THAN GOLDProverbs 3:13-18

Our Daily Bread Focus:  Contentment

Scripture(s): Proverbs 4:7; James 2:13-18

Reflect & Pray

What shiny wishes have you been chasing in life? Where could the path of wisdom take you instead?

Heavenly Father, when I’m blinded by the lure of shiny wishes, inspire me to take hold of wiser choices, walking the path of wisdom back to Your blessed peace.

Better Than Gold

Friday, December 31, 2021ONE DAY CLOSER TO CHRISTMASPhilippians 3:15-21

Our Daily Bread Focus:  Christ, Return

Scripture(s): 1 John 3:2-3; Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:44

 
Reflect & Pray

What are some of the things you hope for in this world? How do you think your hope in Jesus influences and affects the earthly things you long and hope for?

Father, thank You for the hope that I have in Jesus and in His return. When lesser hopes compete for my heart’s affection and attention, help me to lift my eyes to You.

One Day Closer To Christmas

Saturday, January 1, 2022 THE WORD AND A NEW YEARJohn 1:1-14

Our Daily Bread Focus:  Salvation; Story of the Bible

Reflect & Pray

What does it mean that Jesus is the Word of God? What difference will this make to your life in this new year?

Jesus, give me the words to speak, that I might bless someone with Your grace and love today and in this new year.

The Word And A New Year

2022 NEW YEAR CHARGE

As this year ends, don’t look back at yesterday’s disappointments. Instead, look ahead to God’s promises yet to unfold. Year-end is neither an end nor a beginning. It is ongoing, with all the wisdom that experience instilled in us. 

As we wait for 2021 to end and 2022 to begin, we are indeed one day closer to Jesus’ return every passing day. Therefore, we must be ready all the time for the Son of Man will come when we least expect (Matthew 24:44). 

Time is short and precious. Now is the time and the hour to awake from our sleep, for our salvation is nearer than we believed. 

The end of the year is a time to recharge our faith.

Let’s take a leap of faith and end this year on a solid note by looking forward to the new season and the fresh anointing waiting for us in 2022!


2022 New Year Charge!
Thoughts By Sister Clovia Thompson – December 26, 2021

“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.***

Lookup a word or passage in the Bible


BibleGateway.com



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