FOCUS OF THE MONTH
God is our refuge and strength
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. — Psalm 62:7 (KJV)
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. — Psalm 62:7 (ESV)
Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)
Friday End of Week Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Open Invitation – Introduction Class
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#
Open Invitation – Intercessory Prayer
Join the Intercessory Team every 2nd Saturday each month
1-605-313-5671; access code 563-972#
start time is 4:45AM
Welcome To The Class Instant Replay
Introduction Class – (605) 313-4904; access code 259-748#
Class 5 – (605) 468-8114; access code 694-591#
Class 6 – (605) 313-4899; access code 943-172#
Class 8 – (267) 807-9603; access code 547-846#
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….***
Sunday, August 14, 2022 – GRACE FOR TRIALS – Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Our Daily Bread Focus: Suffering & Tragedy
Reflect & Pray
When you endure trials, how do you trust in God? How could you share your stories of His faithfulness with others?
Heavenly Father, when I’m feeling discouraged and distressed, please remind me through Your Spirit that You’ll never leave me.
Monday, August 15, 2022 – THE MARRIAGE METAPHOR – Ephesians 4:2-13
Daily Bread Focus: Family relationships; Marriage; Spiritual growth and transformation
Scripture(s): Ephesians 5:25-27; Colossians 3:12-13
Reflect & Pray
How have differences between you and those close to you helped you both to grow? How can differences between church members help to develop godliness?
Heavenly Father, please use our differences to help us mature.
To learn how to strengthen your marriage, visit https://odbu.org/cc010?utm_source=ODB+devotional&utm_medium=ODB+article&utm_campaign=ODB+article+August+15th&utm_id=ODB+August+15th
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 – CRUSHED AND BEAUTIFUL – Psalm 51:10-17
Daily Bread Focus: Authenticity; Repentance
Scripture(s): Isaiah 43:25; 1 Samuel 16:7
Reflect & Pray
What parts of your heart are crushed? How might you entrust your brokenness to God?
Dear God, I entrust my brokenness to You, believing that in Your time, You’ll transform it into something truly beautiful.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 – THE MAKING OF ME – Acts 15:36-40
Daily Bread Focus: Living with other believers
Scripture(s): 1 Thessalonians 5:10-12; Luke 22:32
Reflect & Pray
Who had faith in you and helped you succeed? What did that person do to encourage you?
Dear God, thank You for walking alongside me and placing people in my life who helped to make me who I am today.
Thursday, August 18, 2022 – A COMPASSIONATE FATHER – Psalm 103:13-18
Daily Bread Focus: Forgiveness of sin; God’s love and care
Scripture(s): Luke 19:9-10; Exodus 34:6-7; Proverbs 9:10
Reflect & Pray
How do you mind the gap between knowing God loves you and experiencing His love? How does it make you feel that Jesus, our High Priest, can empathize with every scar you have?
For further study, see https://odbu.org/courses/sf107/?utm_source=August+18+ODB+article+&utm_medium=email%2C+app%2C+web&utm_campaign=70×7+ODBU-ODB+
Heavenly Father, thank You for your compassionate love for me. May You use my scars for Your glory.
Friday, August 19, 2022 – AS STRONG AS IRON – Jeremiah 1:14-19
Daily Bread Focus: Encouragement; Hope
Scripture(s): Deuteronomy 31:6
Reflect & Pray
Which circumstances are threatening to crush you? How do the examples of Bible characters inspire you to exhibit faith in God?
Dear God, please strengthen me to meet the challenges I face today.
Saturday, August 20, 2022 – RADIANT DRIFTERS – Philippians 3:10-21
Our Daily Bread Focus: Evangelism
Reflect & Pray
How has your perspective on life’s challenges changed as you’ve considered what Christ has done for you? What can you do to become radiant with the character of Christ?
Merciful Jesus, when difficult circumstances come, please shine through me and help me point others to You.
This Week’s Thoughts by Sister Clovia Thompson
A FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER
Family prayer is the most significant deterrent to sin and the most beneficial provider of joy and peace. The old saying penned by Mother Teresa, “the family that prays together stays together,” is true. Your family is one of the most priceless gifts that God gave you in your life. Your relationship at home determines what kind of person you are today. Family is not an important thing. Family is everything!
Prayer helps families deal with stress, enables them to focus on shared beliefs and hopes for the future, and allows them to deal constructively with challenges and problems in their relationships and their lives.
We are a family that has been through so much pain.
We stand together through sunshine and the rain.
We fuss and fight, but we love each other so.
When in trouble, down on our knees, we go.
We’ve learned that a family that prays together will stay together.
— Song by Tyler Perry
Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers. — Proverbs 17:6 (NKJV)
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia