FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
God Is In Control
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. — Psalm 135:6 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, September 17, 2023 – ANY QUESTIONS? – Luke 18:35-43
Our Daily Bread Focus: Evangelism
Reflect & Pray
Why can questions be better conversation starters than direct statements? What questions can you ask those who need spiritual help?
Dear Jesus, please help me to reach out to others in a way that can lead to transformation.
Reflect & Pray
Which of the attributes from Colossians do you most need to put on today? How else has God “outfitted” you for service to Him?
Please clothe me, Jesus, in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Reflect & Pray
What is one simple thing you could do for someone today? How can you remind yourself that God knows your heart and the work of your hands?
Heavenly Father, please continue to show me what good works You’ve prepared for me to do, and give me the faith to do it for You alone.
Reflect & Pray
Why can ambition be both good and bad? How can we make it our ambition to serve like Jesus?
Jesus, I desire to do great things for You, but for the right reasons.
Thursday, September 21, 2023 – GOD COVERS OUR SIN – John 8:1-11
Daily Bread Focus(es): Person and work of Christ; Salvation
Scripture(s): Deuteronomy 22:22-24; Matthew 5:17; Romans 8:1
Reflect & Pray
How has Jesus and the forgiveness of sin He provides written a new story in your life? How will this change how you treat others who’ve also sinned?
Jesus, thank You for cleansing me of my sins. Help me to live a renewed life in You.
Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.
Reflect & Pray
What needs beautiful restoration? How does this imagery of “new creation” stir hope in you?
Dear God, please restore me and make my world new.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – ALL THE ANSWERS – John 14:15-26
Our Daily Bread Focus: God, doctrine of ; Holy Spirit; Trinity
Reflect & Pray
What big questions trouble you? How do you sense the Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit) guiding you in this?
Heavenly Father, help me to seek You for the answers I need. Help me trust You completely and find real peace in You.
For further study, read Learning to Love Scripture through Learning to Love the Questions.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
HEART OF A SERVANT
Serving others is not easy, especially those we do not relate to or have a good relationship with. We live in a culture divided on everything; genuine love and service for others is rare.
As Christians, we ought to be known for our love, yet we are hesitant to serve. How do we fight sinful thoughts and cultivate a servant’s heart?
Why should we serve? Because Christ serves us, and He is in us. The God of the entire universe humbled Himself and became a servant. He came down to earth and gave His life for us.
Jesus is the best example of servant leadership. His ministry should encourage and strengthen us to have a servant’s heart, thus showing His spirit in us.
Having a servant’s heart means not only putting the needs of others ahead of our own but also serving with the right motivation, which is putting God’s Will first.
Mother Teresa said, “Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.”
Our response:
Give us the hearts of a servant,
Tender and faithful and true.
Fill us with love, then use us, O Lord,
So that the world can see you.
God said, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” — Ezekiel 36:26 NIV