FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
Images of God’s Birthing of His Nation
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. — Revelation 12:1-2 KJV
Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth. — Revelation 12:1-2 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, May 28, 2023 – WHAT ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN DO – Acts 2:1-13
Our Daily Bread Focus: Holy Spirit
Reflect & Pray
How are you tempted to rely on your own efforts or tenacity? Where do you need to wait for what the Spirit can do?
God, I’ve exhausted myself by believing that I must make things happen. Holy Spirit, come and help me.
Reflect & Pray
How does rejoicing in God help you in difficult times? What can you do to praise Him today?
Father, thank You that come what may, my future is bright with You!
Reflect & Pray
What’s broken in your life? How might you rely on God to bring restoration?
Dear God, parts of my life seem like they’ll never be restored. I’ve tried to fix them on my own, but my only hope of restoration is found in You.
For further study, read Wounded in Worship.
Reflect & Pray
Why do you think you can experience both joy and sorrow at the same time? How can you cultivate joy today?
Loving God, in this world we experience pain and suffering. Spark joy in me as I look to You for hope and peace.
Thursday, June 1, 2023 – IN GOD’S HANDS – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Daily Bread Focus: Spiritual Growth and Transformation
Scripture(s): Ephesians 4:12; Psalm 37:4; Hebrews 13:17
Reflect & Pray
How have you observed God helping you to grow in Him? Whose growth do you need to entrust to Him?
Father, thank You for being the initiator and finisher of my spiritual growth. Please help me to trust You for that good work.
For further study, read Heart, Soul, and Mind: Raising Kids to Know and Love God.
Reflect & Pray
What disunity in the world is heavy on your heart today? How does looking forward to God’s eternal kingdom give you strength?
Dear God, I acknowledge Your sovereignty over every power in the world today! You reign above it all.
Saturday, June 3, 2023 – WITHIN GOD’S REACH – Psalm 139:1-12
Our Daily Bread Focus: God’s Love and Care; Holy Spirit
Reflect & Pray
How has knowing the vastness of God’s extensive reach affected your faith? How has He comforted you during a time when you felt hopeless and helpless?
Loving Father, help me to remember that You’re always willing and able to reach me and my loved ones.
Learn more about trusting God in times of suffering.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
GOD’S GIFT OF HOPE
All of us have felt hopeless at one time or another. At those times, life has beaten us down and robbed us of our will to go on. Yet, somewhere deep inside is a flame that flickers but never goes out, no matter how strong the winds of despair blow against it.
That is the flame of hope, which God has instilled in each of us who understands that this, too, shall pass and that if we hold on a little longer, things will get better.
Hope is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.
Hope keeps dreams alive, no matter how many times our heart breaks.
Hope keeps faith alive, for with hope, we have an assurance of better and brighter times ahead.
To give up hope is to give up life, and God wants us to live and live abundantly. By reaching deep within, we can touch the flame of God’s love, the eternal hope in our hearts.
Meanwhile, the warmth of that flame assures us that there will soon come a time when we can find happiness and purpose in life.
Hope never dies.
Hope is eternal.
Hope is a flame that flickers but never ceases to be a small light shining in the dark, urging us onward to where healing and inner joy awaits us.
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. — Hebrews 6:19 (NLT)