FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
GOD’S GREATEST GIFT
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. — Ephesians 2:8 KJV
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, — Ephesians 2:8 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, December 10, 2023 – GOD WON’T FORGET YOU – Isaiah 49:13-18
Our Daily Bread Focus: God’s Love
Reflect & Pray
When were you clearly reminded that God never forgets you? How can His unchanging love give you hope and security in your present situation?
Father, thank You for Your constant love and presence.
Monday, December 11, 2023 – God is More than Enough – Ruth 4:9-17
Daily Bread Focuses: Christ, Savior/Messiah; God’s love
Reflect & Pray
When has God blessed you beyond what you imagined? How has He shown you that He’s more than enough?
Jesus, You’re more than enough for me.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – Lean on God – Proverbs 18:10-15
Daily Bread Focuses: God’s character; Trust in God
Scripture(s): Psalm 40:4; Proverbs 28:26
Reflect & Pray
What “towers” do you lean on? How can you remind yourself to run to God, the strong tower?
Dear God, help me to run to You instead of turning to other things for comfort and security.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 – Overcoming Trials – Genesis 50:15-21
Daily Bread Focuses: God, waiting on; God’s love
Scripture(s): 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Corinthians 1:4; Jeremiah 29:11
Reflect & Pray
How has God helped you through a trial? How have you been able to help another in their struggle?
Dear God, thank You! You helped me come through a trial. Please help me to be a helper to others.
Learn more about suffering in the Christian life.
Thursday, December 14, 2023 – Appetite for Distraction – Psalm 131
Daily Bread Focus: Spiritual growth
Scripture(s): Mark 7:20-23; John 13:12-17; Psalm 121:1-2
Reflect & Pray
How does technology influence your ability to rest quietly before God? Does your phone contribute to your contentment? Why or why not?
Father, the world is awash in distraction that doesn’t satisfy my soul. Please help me trust You to fill me with genuine contentment.
Friday, December 15, 2023 – Equal Before God – Romans 3:21-26
Daily Bread Focuses: Race, multi-culture
Scripture(s): Galatians 3:26-29; 1 Corinthians 12:20-21
Reflect & Pray
How does it help you to love others better by recognizing we’re all equal before God? How has Jesus met your deepest need?
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to earth to live a perfect life and to willingly give His life as a sacrifice for my sins.
Saturday, December 16, 2023 – COMMUNITY IN CHRIST – Acts 2:38-47
Our Daily Bread Focus: Church Participation
Reflect & Pray
How might you commit to spending time with fellow believers? Where and when will you do this?
I need You and Your people, God, to help me live the fullest life for You.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
STOP! BE STILL IN GOD’S PRESENCE
Looking back on the years during the COVID-19 pandemic, we can agree that life was and is complex. Life has often left us feeling tired, worn out, and broken. Life sometimes saw us moving from crisis to crisis to crisis.
Sometimes, difficulties in life drain all the energy from us, and we find ourselves in despair. The Scripture says, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.” — Psalm 37:7 NLT
We are to rest in our Lord, being still in His presence, knowing He is God, all the time quietly and submitting to His will. We are patiently waiting for Him for the joy He will bring, the help He will give, and the deliverance He promises.
Are you in a season of waiting? Do you see God working in your life? How are you spending your time?
Be Still With God Checklist:
- Regularly get STILL before the Lord.
- TURN off the noise from the TV, radio, internet, and social media. Be INTENTIONAL with God.
- Always MAKE God your plan “A,” not plan “B.”
- TALK to Him and listen for God’s small, still voice.
- SPEND quality time with Him. READ God’s word, praise and worship Him for where you are.
- WRITE a prayer telling God how you feel.
- PRAY and PRAISE on behalf of other people’s situation.
- Be PATIENT and be OKAY with His answer of either yes, no, or not now.
- TRUST that God is your Jehovah Jireh, your provider!
- PARTICIPATE in the 5 AM Bible Study Ministry 40-Day Prayer Challenge.
- JOIN the 5 AM Bible Study Ministry and give God your first fruits early in the morning.
- ATTEND a Bible-based teaching church.
Ask Him to help you trust that He’s working on your behalf. Ask God to help your unbelief.
My dear friends, wait on the Lord. He will renew your strength so you will soar like an eagle in the 2024 new year and beyond!