FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
The Power of the Blood
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. — Hebrews 9:22 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
Young Adult Prayer Call (Age Group 18-35)
1-605-472-5660; access code 781-480#
start time is 7:30 PM – every Sunday
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, August 13, 2023 – A DIFFERENT APPROACH – 1 Corinthians 9:9-23
Our Daily Bread Focus: Evangelism
Reflect & Pray
What unique way to reach out to others has God placed on your heart? How will you accomplish it?
Dear heavenly Father, please give me wisdom to find the right way to help others.
Reflect & Pray
When have you experienced the pain of being forgotten? How does the reminder of God’s constant presence provide comfort?
Heavenly Father, help me to reach out to You when I feel forgotten and remember that You’re always with me.
Reflect & Pray
What’s been your experience with human brothers? How do you see Jesus as your true brother?
Dear Jesus, I’m astounded to think of You as my brother. Walk with me. Love me. Teach me. Show me Your way.
For further study, read We Are His: Belonging to the Family of God.
Reflect & Pray
What helps you to be persistent in prayer? What request will you keep pleading?
Dear Jesus, I thank You for answering my persistent prayers.
Thursday, August 17, 2023 – MORE THAN BRAND AMBASSADORS – 2 Corinthians 5:11-20
Daily Bread Focus(es): Evangelism; Spiritual growth; Discipleship
Scripture(s): Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Ecclesiastes 12:13
Reflect & Pray
What do you think of the idea of being an ambassador for Jesus? How can you practically live out that calling?
Dear Jesus, thank You for inviting me to be an ambassador for You.
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced a sense of connection with God when gathering with others for worship? How has the presence of others helped?
Thank You, God, for inviting Your people to worship You together.
Saturday, August 19, 2023 – THE POWER OF CHRIST – Mark 4:35-41
Our Daily Bread Focus: Trust in God; Waiting on God
Reflect & Pray
How has witnessing Christ’s power in the lives of others strengthened your faith? How can prayer help you walk with confident faith?
Thank You, Father, for calming my heart as I trust You through life’s stormy seasons.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
COME, LET US WORSHIP!
During the pandemic, we turned on worship music on Spotify, watched a sermon on YouTube, read the Bible on our iPhones, and then shared our prayer requests with others on Facebook. Why is it that we asked to gather together as a church? In the Bible, I recognize that there is a command NOT TO neglect the gathering of the Saints in Hebrews 10:24-25.
But why? Why is this important to God? And because it is essential to God, shouldn’t attending church services be necessary for us?
When we gather together, we say “Lord, thank You” in response to His incredible WORK OF SALVATION. We gather together to worship as an act of GRATITUDE. When we gather to worship, our corporate identity is not what we have done but what God has done!
Worshiping together:
- Reminds us that we are not alone in our Christian walk;
- Strengthens us against the world;
- Reminds us of whose we are;
- Celebrates God for who He is.
Worship is reaching God. Telling Him we acknowledge Him as God over us. We seek to build one another up and encourage each other spiritually. Gathering together brings believers together as one family.
Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. — Psalm 95:6 (NLT)