FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
Marching Through the Wilderness of Life
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. — 1 Kings 19:4 KJV
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” — 1 Kings 19:4 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, March 5, 2023 – GOD KNOWS US – Jeremiah 12:1-3
Our Daily Bread Focus: Holy Spirit; Identity in Christ
Reflect & Pray
What makes you feel alone, isolated, or unseen? How does it change things to realize that God knows you?
Dear God, this world can be a lonely place, but I’m astounded at how truly You know me. It fills me with wonder and joy.
Monday, March 6, 2023 – ALL ALONE? – Genesis 21:9-19
Daily Bread Focus: God’s love and care
Scripture(s): Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10
Reflect & Pray
Whom do you know that always seems to find ways to help others? What can you do to become more aware of others’ needs?
Father, open my eyes each day to see the hurting and needy people around me. Open my heart to do what I can to show them what God’s love looks like.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 – NEVER TOO FAR – Luke 22:31-34, 54-62
Daily Bread Focus: Forgiveness of sin
Scripture(s): Micah 7:18-19; Psalm 130:3-4
Reflect & Pray
What fears might you have about turning back to God? How can knowing His heart of forgiveness help you to return to Him?
Father, thank You for Your endless mercy and patience with me. Thank You that I can trust in Your everlasting love.
For further study, read Walking Free: Overcoming What Keeps Us from Jesus.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 – GOD’S POWERFUL PRESENCE – Psalm 68:4-14
Daily Bread Focus: God’s love and care; Justice, Injustice; Rest; Trust in God
Scripture(s): Psalm 40:3; 46:1
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced God’s care during a difficult struggle? What encouragement does that bring you?
Father, thank You for Your constant presence in my life, guiding me and fighting for me when I face suffering and injustice.
Thursday, March 9, 2023 – COMFORT ON DOORFRAMES – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Daily Bread Focus: Bible study
Scripture(s): Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 28:20
Reflect & Pray
When has Scripture comforted you the most? How are the truths of Scripture the foundation for your life?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Scripture that guides my path. Remind me to build my foundation on it.
Grow in your knowledge of the Scriptures.
Friday, March 10, 2023 – WATERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT – 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
Daily Bread Focus: Encouragement
Scripture(s): 1 Peter 5:8; Luke 21:34-36
Reflect & Pray
What’s the most recent encouragement you’ve received? Whose heart could you water today or this week?
Father, thank You for the encouragement I’ve received and help me to encourage others.
Saturday, March 11, 2023 – MUSICAL MEDICINE – 1 Samuel 16:14-23
Our Daily Bread Focus: Coping with Disease
Reflect & Pray
How has God used music to soothe you? How can you bring music to someone as David did to Saul?
Father, thank You for creating music and using it to soothe my heart and mind during times of struggle.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS BY SISTER CLOVIA
RECLAIM THE NEGRO SPIRITUAL SONGS
Today the African American community must confront many impossible challenges, such as racism, discrimination, unemployment, education, and health care. Yet, our music has always told our story.
Instead of rapping about negative things about women, money, and authority, we need to reclaim the Negro Spirituals in today’s music. Music gives us hope that can empower our community to trouble the waters of injustice and to struggle for a better day.
Negro Spirituals are the foundation of our music, and its traditions come full circle from protest songs of the 1960s to the hip-hop and rap of today.
“Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” is far from home because “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.” I’m “Climbing Jacob’s Ladder and “Wading in the Water,” so “Gimme That Ol-Time Religion” it’s good for me because I know “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand.” So let’s “Steal Away to Jesus” so He can “Fix Me, Jesus” because “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me.”
“In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning, “I’ve got a robe, you’ve got a robe, all of God’s children got robes. When we get to Heaven, goin’ to put on my robe goin’ shout all over God’s Heaven. Ev’rybody talking ‘bout Heaven ain’t goin’ there. “Go Tell It On the Mountain” that Jesus Christ is born!
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia