FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
God’s April Showers – A Time to Plant
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. — Psalm 65:9 KJV
You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. — Psalm 65:9 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, April 16, 2023 – GREATER LOVE – John 15:9-17
Our Daily Bread Focus: Christ, death; Love For Others; Serving
Reflect & Pray
How do you react to stories such as that of Arnaud Beltrame? How can you serve someone sacrificially today?
Dear Jesus, You died to give me life everlasting. May I live with gratitude for this gift and share it with those You put in my path.
Monday, April 17, 2023 – REMEMBERING TO PRAISE – Isaiah 63:7-9
Daily Bread Focus(es): Bible study; Thankfulness; God’s Character
Scripture(s): Psalm 103:1-2; Hebrews 13:8, 15
Reflect & Pray
What kindnesses has God shown you in the past? How does praising Him for them help you when you’re going through challenging times?
Father, You’re sovereign over all creation. I praise You because Your goodness doesn’t change, and You’re always with me.
For further study, read Worshipping God Means More than Singing.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – FUTURE FAITHFULNESS – Jeremiah 32:37-44
Daily Bread Focus(es): God’s love and care; Trust in God
Scripture(s): Lamentations 3:24-26; Joel 2:25-26
Reflect & Pray
What causes you to lose sight of God’s faithfulness? How can you “invest” in light of the restoration He promises?
Dear God, help me to invest today for the future I can’t yet see.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – RENT-A-FRIEND? – Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
Daily Bread Focus: Friendship
Scripture(s): Proverbs 12:26; 18:24; John 15:14-15
Reflect & Pray
How are you investing time and effort into your friendships? Who could you welcome into your friendship group now?
Father, help me to be a good and loyal friend to others.
Thursday, April 20, 2023 – PRESSING ON IN JESUS – Philippians 3:12-16
Daily Bread Focus: Spiritual growth and transformation
Scripture(s): Philippians 1:21; Romans 14:8
Reflect & Pray
What mistakes can you confess to God today? How can His assurance of forgiveness help you to press on in your walk of faith?
Thank You, God, for Your mercy. Help me to lead a life that pleases You, knowing that Your Spirit is working in me to transform me into Your Son’s likeness.
Explore classes to help you grow on your spiritual journey.
Friday, April 21, 2023 – DISCOVERING CREATION – Psalm 95:1-7
Daily Bread Focus(es): Creation; God’s love and care; Trust in God
Scripture(s): Psalm 19:1-3; Psalm 96:11-12; Revelation 4:11
Reflect & Pray
How has God guided you through dark places? In what new place or way is He inviting you to trust Him now?
Creator God, help me to trust in Your care for me even in the darkest places!
Saturday, April 22, 2023 – THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS – Matthew 18:23-35
Our Daily Bread Focus: Forgiving Others
Reflect & Pray
When is forgiveness hardest? How can you trust the Holy Spirit to help you forgive?
Jesus, help me to reach out to those who need me to forgive them as a testimony of Your power and goodness.
Learn more about how to forgive yourself and others.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
GOD IS ABLE! EPHESIANS 3:20-21
In Ephesians 3:19, Paul prayed that the Ephesian believers would be complete with God’s fullness. You can’t go any higher than to be filled with all the fullness of God.
Then Paul added the doxology that the 5 A.M. Bible Study Ministry members say every Friday to close the week’s study. Paul is saying to us: “In case you think that it is too much to ask God to fill His saints to all of His fullness, remember that He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to His power and for His glory.”
We can pray big prayers to God for everything and everything we can’t imagine. He is God! He is able! He may not answer every prayer to the tune and timing of our desires, but He hears every prayer and answers according to His will.
God can take your life with all of the heartaches, all of the pain, all of the regrets, all of the missed opportunities, and use you for His glory.
Do you believe what you have been repeating every Friday for 33 years? Saints, what is it that you need?
Let’s pray in faith, asking God to do far beyond all we can ask or think!