Greetings Family,

Ponder these thoughts from the author of the book, “Farther In and Deeper Down”.

“What wonderful things God does in His children when they are forced to wait! Sitting in God’s waiting room is never fun or comfortable, but it’s where the child of God learns the most about the character of God and the depth of their faith. “ (Page 44); Author: Dr. E .K. Bailey}

For this week (June 18 through June 24), we beseech you (once again) to ‘pray aloud’ and meditate on the prayer themes and the scripture verses from the Psalms. Trust and Engage. 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 34:1-4; 8 (NIV): 1 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV): 1 Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. 2 Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. 3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Psalm 145:1-3 (GNT): 1 I will proclaim your greatness, my God and king; I will thank you forever and ever. 2 Every day I will thank you; I will praise you forever and ever. 3 The Lord is great and is to be highly praised; his greatness is beyond understanding.
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Psalm 23 (KJV): 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
• Sunday School Lesson (06/24) – Reaping God’s Justice
  • Luke 16:19-31 (KJV): 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

[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, June 28 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, July 12 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, July 26 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, August 9 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

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

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

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

God Bless!!!