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 !!!!
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***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….***
Sunday, December 26, 2021 – TIMELY RESOLUTION – Matthew 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.
Monday, December 27, 2021 – GOD’S RIGHT HAND – Isaiah 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.
Tuesday, December 28, 2021 – GREAT WISDOM – Jude 1:17-23
Our Daily Bread Focus: God’s Love and Care
Scripture(s): Romans 15:1-7; Titus 2:11-15
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.
Wednesday, December 29, 2021 – LION, 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!
Thursday, December 30, 2021 – BETTER THAN GOLD – Proverbs 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.
Friday, December 31, 2021 – ONE DAY CLOSER TO CHRISTMAS – Philippians 3:15-21
Our Daily Bread Focus: Christ, Return
Scripture(s): 1 John 3:2-3; Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:44
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.
Saturday, January 1, 2022 – THE WORD AND A NEW YEAR – John 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.
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.
- Be prepared for Christ’s return. – Matthew 24:42-44
- Be on guard when the Devil tries to tempt you. – 1 Peter 5:8
- Stand firm when trials happen because they will happen. – 1 Corinthians 16:13
- Plan ahead. – Proverbs 6:6-8
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!
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.***
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