Greetings Family,

Ponder these thoughts from the author of the book, “Discerning The Voice Of God”.

“So as we get ready to dig in, let’s say a prayer that God will bless what He’s about to give us, and that He’ll open our hearts, certain beyond a doubt that we’ll hear from His Word and His Spirit.” (Page 13); Author: Priscilla Shirer

For this week (August 13 through August 19), let’s consider the following bible passages (in collaboration) with the “#BeEncouraged - Bible Passages That Share Encouragement” from our ATBC website section [“Love Note from Senior Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Jr.”]. We beseech you to ‘pray aloud’ and meditate on the prayer themes and the scripture verses. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.  

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

• Believe, God has the answers
  • Psalm 13:5 (NIV) But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) ²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
• Sunday School Lesson (8/20)
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (KJV) ⁷ But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving. ⁸ I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. ¹⁰ And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. ¹¹ Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. ¹² For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. ¹³ Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. ¹⁴ At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, ¹⁵ as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

Come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

As we continue seeking the will of God and His discernment through the processes of prayer and meditation, we invite you to not only incorporate our Scripture & Meditation Focus into your daily life via the weekly newsletter insert, but also the entire archive on the Church website (Allen-Temple.org; click Pastoral Transition on the top blue bar of the home page), but to also join us at our Thursday Pastoral Transition Prayer Hours in the Sanctuary. The Prayer Hour will be followed by Thursday Evening Bible Study taught by Pastor Smith and Reverend Olu Bereola. Dates and times are:

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule

Thursday, August 23 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, September 6 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, September 20 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, October 4 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, October 11 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!