FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
GOD’S GREATEST GIFT
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. — 2 Corinthians 9:15 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 17, 2023 – CHRISTMAS DILEMMA – Proverbs 3:5-18
Our Daily Bread Focus: Loneliness; Wisdom
Reflect & Pray
What dilemma are you facing? What loving solution might God have for you?
Father God, please whisper to my heart Your creative solution to my problem.
Reflect & Pray
How can knowing that God is near change your reaction of worry to one of peace? What specific requests can you present to Him?
Dear God, thank You for being near me. Because of Your loving presence, help, and peace, I don’t have to be anxious.
Reflect & Pray
What spiritual scars do you have? How might they symbolize the end of something bad and the start of something new?
Father, my limp is a sign of Your love.
Learn more about finding God in life’s hurts.
Reflect & Pray
What regrets do you harbor in your memory and play over and over again? How can you give them to God and release the past?
Dear God, thank You for forgiving and forgetting my sins.
Thursday, December 21, 2023 – THE LIGHT OF HOPE – Psalm 42
Daily Bread Focuses: Family Relationships; Hope; Loving others; Suffering
Scripture(s): Romans 12:18; Lamentations 3:24; Luke 6:35; 1 Peter 5:10
Reflect & Pray
How has Jesus helped you process grief while celebrating Christmas? How can you support someone who’s grieving this season?
Dear Jesus, thank You for carrying me through times of grief and joy all year round.
Reflect & Pray
What dividing walls do you see? How can you help remove them in Jesus’ strength?
God of peace, please help me tear down walls that deny Your truth and love.
Saturday, December 23, 2023 – FELLOWSHIP IN JESUS – 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15
Our Daily Bread Focus: Community; Encouragement; Family of God; Loving others
Reflect & Pray
What benefits do you gain from being with believers? How can you help others experience fellowship in Christ?
Dear God, please help me to be a “fellowshiper”—one who generously encourages others in love and compassion.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
THE PRINCE OF PEACE
In a world filled with war, poverty, and violence, it is difficult at times to see how Jesus could be the all-powerful, loving God who acts in human history and is the Prince of Peace.
We know that physical safety and political harmony do not necessarily reflect the kind of peace God is talking about.
In John 14:27, He talks about the “Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Peaceful does not mean “easy.” Jesus never promised EASY; He only promised HELP. He told us to expect trials and tribulations. But He also said that if we call on Him, He will give us the “peace of God,” which surpasses all understanding.” — Philippians 4:6-7.
No matter what hardships we face, we can ask for the peace that comes only from the powerful love of God. His peace is not dependent on our strength or the situations around us.
So let the Prince of Peace be with thee and swat the Devil off your knee.
Just know that there is no truth to the lies and things the Devil tells you.