FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
God’s April Showers – A Time to Plant
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; — 2 Corinthians 9:10 KJV
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. — 2 Corinthians 9:10 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 23, 2023 – LOVING LIKE JESUS – 1 John 3:11-18
Our Daily Bread Focus: Love For Others
Reflect & Pray
When have you experienced selfless love from someone? How can you love others selflessly this week?
Loving Father, please help me see people with a heart ready to extend compassion and selfless love wherever You send me.
Monday, April 24, 2023 – STRING TOO SHORT TO USE – Exodus 16:21-30
Daily Bread Focus: God’s Love and Care
Scripture(s): Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 3:16-19
Reflect & Pray
In what ways do you sometimes take things into your own hands? How has God proven Himself to be faithful to you in the past?
Father, help me to take You at Your word and to trust You with everything.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 – LET IT GO – Romans 13:11-14
Daily Bread Focus: Salvation; Sin
Scripture(s): 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 6:11
Reflect & Pray
What’s keeping you from giving your life to Jesus? How might your life change if you let it go?
Dear Father, let nothing come between me and You.
For further study, read Remade in the Image of Jesus at DiscoverySeries.org.
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 – STRONG AND GOOD – Psalm 118:13-14, 22-29
Daily Bread Focus: Christ, life and teaching; Living for Christ
Scripture(s): Romans 13:13-14; Colossians 1:13-14
Reflect & Pray
What dream or plans do you have as you build for God? How can you put Christ at the cornerstone of your plan, building it for Him?
I praise You, Jesus, for being the chief cornerstone. Only on You can Your church and my life stand.
Thursday, April 27, 2023 – WATERING THE WEEDS – Galatians 5:13-26
Daily Bread Focus: Living for Christ; Spiritual Growth and Transformation
Scripture(s): 1 Peter 1:2-3; Ephesians 3:16-17
Reflect & Pray
What areas of your spiritual life need some “weeding”? How can you surrender to God and walk with Him?
Father, sometimes I water the weeds in my life. Help me to instead experience being in step with You as You produce spiritual fruit in my life.
Friday, April 28, 2023 – LAUGHING OUT LOUD – Genesis 21:1-7
Daily Bread Focus: Hope and Joy; Thankfulness
Scripture(s): Psalm 126:2; Proverbs 17:22; Ecclesiastes 3:4
Reflect & Pray
When has laughter been “good medicine”? How can finding humor in your life help even in the most difficult times?
Dear God, thank You for giving me the gift of laughter.
Saturday, April 29, 2023 – ALWAYS TRUSTWORTHY – Psalm 145:9-13
Our Daily Bread Focus: Trust In God
Reflect & Pray
What have you been worried about lately, and which of God’s promises can you hold on to? How does knowing that Hudson Taylor’s and King David’s faith wasn’t in vain encourage you and give you hope?
Dear God, thank You for being trustworthy and keeping Your promises to me. Please help me to remember Your faithfulness as I trust and obey You each day.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
LORD, REVIVE MY PRAYER LIFE!
The consistent behavior that has sustained the 5 AM Bible Study Ministry over 33 years and beyond is PRAYER. We pray before and after each leader’s meeting and class. We pray for each other and with each other.
We pray every Monday evening for personal issues and every Thursday evening for corporate/world matters. Each Wednesday, we pray and fast over our ongoing problems.
In addition, we have intercessory prayer warriors who monthly petition for people from New Zealand to Texas to most southern states in America.
All this is pleasing to God. But how is your personal prayer time? No matter how stale or weak your prayer life is, it can be restored, revived, and revamped. How? By praying to God without ceasing.
Revival praying is connecting your prayers to God’s purpose. Instead of asking the Lord to bless your ideals, efforts, and goals, you must join your prayers to His eternal purpose.
A Revival Prayer
Lord, set my prayer altar on fire for you!
Let my prayer revival come upon my soul. Today by the operation of the anointing, I receive new fire in my prayer life. Glory to God; things are changing for the better for me! In Jesus’ name. Amen
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. — Colossians 4:2 NLT