FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
God’s April Showers – A Time to Plant
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; And bread of the increase of the earth and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.
— Isaiah 30:23 KJV
And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous. In that day your livestock will graze in large pastures, — Isaiah 30:23 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 9, 2023 – DEEPER HEALING – Isaiah 53:4-6
Our Daily Bread Focus: Christ, death; Christ, resurrection; Salvation
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced the miraculous spiritual healing of God? How does your healed relationship through Jesus’ sacrifice help you bear up under your physical ailments?
Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice that brings healing to my spiritual sickness. Help me to trust You in my physical challenges.
Monday, April 10, 2023 – STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS – Judges 7:1-9
Daily Bread Focus: God’s love and care
Scripture(s): Isaiah 40:29; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced God’s power made perfect in your weakness? How could you help someone who’s experiencing weakness?
God, I want my life to display Your power, even in weakness. Help me to depend more on You each day, and to feel Your strength when I struggle.
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY – 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Daily Bread Focus: Evangelism
Scripture(s): Ephesians 4:11-12; Mark 16:15
Reflect & Pray
What discourages you from sharing your faith? How might remembering that Jesus is coming back help you to overcome your fear?
Dear Jesus, help me to seize every opportunity to share Your words with others that they may find hope and comfort in You.
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 – GOD SPEAKING TO US – 1 Samuel 3:3-10
Daily Bread Focus: Encouragement; Prayer
Scripture(s): Jeremiah 29:12-13; Philippians 4:4-7
Reflect & Pray
What message of encouragement did someone recently share with you? Who might be encouraged by a phone call from you?
Dear God, prompt me to think of others whom I can encourage with Your wisdom.
Thursday, April 13, 2023 – TEARS OF PRAISE – Psalm 30
Daily Bread Focus: Caregiving; Suffering and tragedy; Worship
Scripture(s): Psalm 34:1-2; Psalm 116:1-2
Reflect & Pray
How has God helped you trust Him with your mixed emotions? How can you praise Him while still processing hardship?
Dear God, please help me trust You and praise You as I process my emotions.
Friday, April 14, 2023 – UPHILL ALL THE WAY– 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 23-26
Daily Bread Focus: God’s love and care; Hope
Scripture(s): Job 13:15; James 1:5
Reflect & Pray
In what ways has life seemed uphill and winding to you? How will you trust God to lead you on the road you’re traveling?
Dear God, this life seems so hard sometimes. Yet I trust You to do what’s right, for me and for everyone. Help me live in Your hope, anticipating the day I’ll be with You.
Saturday, April 15, 2023 – RECONCILING RELATIONSHIPS – Ephesians 4:22-32
Our Daily Bread Focus: Forgiving Others; Reconciliation
Reflect & Pray
When has someone hurt you? What did you learn from that moment?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the people You’ve placed in my life. Help me to have a loving and forgiving spirit.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS BY SISTER CLOVIA
REVIVAL SEASON – – – FASTING
Fasting is an intentional spiritual discipline that helps us draw close to God. However, it is a temporary act of self-denial. Going without food for a brief period makes us more aware of our need for daily sustenance from our Heavenly Father.
During fasting, let’s focus on God and His promise to sustain our faith. Done correctly, fasting will deepen our humility and dependence on God.
Jesus said in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”
If you want to stay hungry for God, I will encourage you to set aside some time every Wednesday and join other 5 A.M. Bible Study Ministry members to pray and fast over the many issues on our prayer list. Our governing scripture for fasting on Wednesday is Isaiah 58.
The goal of fasting is to stay consistent with it. Sometimes God will call you to go on a fast randomly. It is always so rewarding to be obedient to His call to fast, which will increase your love for Him in new ways. When you enter a fast, you will come out hungrier, for more of God and His Spiritual food.
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia