FOCUS FOR THE MONTH
STEPPING OUT UPON HIS PROMISE
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
(2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (4) So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. — Genesis 12:2, 4 KJV
2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. — Genesis 12:2, 4 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, January 14, 2024 – A GAZE FIXED ON GOD – Isaiah 26:3-7
Our Daily Bread Focus: Trust in God
Reflect & Pray
Where do you normally fix your attention? How might you renew your gaze on God?
Dear God, my mind can be a scary place, and I fear so much. Please give me Your peace.
Reflect & Pray
What are your current personal and career goals? What doors could you open for others right now?
Dear Jesus, show me how to use my position to serve others in Your name.
Reflect & Pray
What warning should we recall when tempted to sin? How can we learn from our mistakes as well as the mistakes of others?
Dear God, please help me learn from failures so that I might be more obedient to You.
Reflect & Pray
What choices have you regretted making? How might you have handled those situations more wisely?
Father, sometimes life can feel overwhelming—and so can the many choices that confront me. Please guide my steps and my decision-making so that I honor You in the choices I make.
For further study, read Dangerous Decisions: Learning from the Mistakes of Lot and Achan.
Thursday, January 18, 2024 – WASHING FEET . . . AND DISHES – John 13:6-17
Daily Bread Focuses: Humility; Serving
Scripture(s): Micah 6:8; Philippians 2:3-4; Proverbs 3:27; Galatians 6:2; Matthew 5:16
When has someone unexpectedly offered to help you with a difficult task? Why is humility such an important aspect of serving others?
Loving Savior, thank You for showing me how to be a servant.
Reflect & Pray
What spiritual warning has been speaking to your heart? How has Scripture confirmed a warning to you?
The Scriptures warn with love, dear God, and we thank You. May we heed those words today.
Saturday, January 20, 2023 – CALLING OUT TO GOD – Psalm 25:16-22
Our Daily Bread Focus: Lament; Prayer
Reflect & Pray
How comfortable are you taking your cries to God? Why? How might you offer up a lament to Him today?
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your faithfulness to hear my cry and to act.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
SPIRITUAL DANGERS
Many people, including Christians, ask, what are spiritual dangers? Is it possible to avoid perils? They sense fear and don’t know how to escape danger. God wants His children (those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior) to STAY AWAKE spiritually.
In Mark 13:37, Jesus said, “And I say unto you, I say unto all, watch.” Jesus was describing His return, and that warning signs would be obvious. Have you looked around for the signs? If not, see Matthew 24:37-44 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5. This year, 2024, may be the year Jesus appears. Are you ready?
What is spiritual danger? Anyone or anything that derails your spiritual health would fall under the category of spiritual danger. That may involve Christian complacency, lack of spiritual maturity, indifference, or embracing sin instead of holiness.
Jesus gives us the best advice. Do not let your guard down when you are supposed to be alert. Satan targets areas in your life that are most vulnerable.
Know the sins in your heart; know the people that drag you away from God; be alert for anything that appears gentle but could be a fierce wolf in disguise.
Spiritual signs are all around us. Open your heart and soul to believe as well as receive.
Always study, pray the Word of God, and stay watchful!