FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
Walking Together in the Newness of Life
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, — Acts 2:46 ESV
Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)
Friday End of Week Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
MEMBERS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
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 of each month
1-605-313-5671; access code 563-972#
start time is 4:45 AM
You Are Welcome To Listen To
Class Review Instant Replays
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#
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), 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 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….***
PRAISE & WORSHIP
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Sunday, January 22, 2023 – REACHING OUT – Psalm 18:16-19
Our Daily Bread Focus: God’s Love & Care; Depression; Suffering and Hope; and Trust In God
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt overwhelmed by trials? How did God sustain you?
Heavenly Father, there are times when my burdens become too much to carry. Thank You for continuously reaching out to me, sustaining me, and granting me Your peace, strength, and wisdom.
For further study, read When the Going Gets Tough: Finding Hope and Joy in Our Trials.
Monday, January 23, 2023 – LOST, FOUND, JOY – Luke 15:1-10
Our Daily Bread Focus(es): Christ, person and work; Evangelism; Forgiveness of sin; Salvation
Scripture(s): Psalm 119:175-176; Matthew 28:19-20
Reflect & Pray
What joy have you seen when people turn to God? How will you point others to Jesus’ love today?
Thank You, Jesus, for finding and loving me! Please send me in Your joy to another who needs You today.
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 – NO LOSS – Matthew 13:44-46
Our Daily Bread Focus(es): Humility; Living for Christ
Scripture(s): Matthew 6:33; Psalm 37:3-5, 11
Reflect & Pray
What have you had to live without for the sake of following God? How does Matthew 13:44–46 encourage you?
Father, let each day of my life be a celebration of the treasure I’ve found in You.
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 – FIGHTING “FLASHY” THINGS – Proverbs 22:1-6
Our Daily Bread Focus(es): Parenting; Temptation
Scripture(s): Ephesians 6:1-4; 1 John 2:15-16
Reflect & Pray
Why is it helpful to remember that Proverbs 22:6 isn’t a promise but a wise principle? Who can you help to “train up”?
Dear Father, help me to instill Your values into the hearts of the children You’ve placed in my life.
Thursday, January 26, 2023 – LOVE THAT FORGIVES – Colossians 3:12-14
Our Daily Bread Focus(es): Forgiving others; Love and marriage; Reconciliation
Scripture(s): Matthew 18:21-22; Ephesians 4:32
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced healing through forgiving or being forgiven? How are relationships strengthened through practicing both forgiveness and accountability?
Jesus, help me to forgive others just as You’ve forgiven me.
Friday, January 27, 2023 – MERCY FOR YOU AND ME – Psalm 103:8-12
Daily Bread Focus(es): Forgiveness of sin; Forgiving others; God’s love and care
Scripture(s): Ephesians 4:31-32; Proverbs 17:9
Reflect & Pray
Who have you been tempted to harm because of the hurt they’ve caused you? Who can you ask to pray for you?
God of mercy, kindness, and forgiveness, please help me to extend grace and mercy to those who’ve caused me pain.
Saturday, January 28, 2023 – THE PINK COAT – 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Our Daily Bread Focus: Stewardship and Giving
Reflect & Pray
Who might you show God’s love to today? How can your generosity bubble up in joy as a return gift to you?
Loving Father, You gave me the gift of Your Son, and so I want to give to others. May I respond to Your gentle nudge to meet the needs of another.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS BY SISTER CLOVIA
IF NOT FOR GOD’S MERCY
Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone when it is within one’s power to punish or harm. God is full of mercy towards us. Even when we go astray, God still extends a hand of mercy to us and allows us to repent and ask for forgiveness. Our sin is not greater than God’s mercy.
The truth is that God will show mercy to whom He will, even when we don’t deserve it by human standards. We have failed a thousand times, and God’s mercy remains. God’s mercy is more significant than any mistake that you have made. His mercy is new every morning.
If not for the mercy of God, many of us would not be here. Let’s thank the Lord who has kept us in our right mind, provided for us, and protected us from dangers seen and unseen during the pandemic.
“…so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that He have mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:2
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia