Week 1 Tuesday
S- Luke 9:16-17 "Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."
O- Jesus gave thanks before the miracle happened. He didn't just provide what was needed to feed 5000, but more.
A- I love the example that Jesus gives in giving thanks before getting what we pray for. I need to give thanks for what I am asking regardless of how my prayer is going to be answered. Because God knows best. He will always provide for me all I need and so often even more.
P- Dear God, Thank you for being my provider. For knowing my needs and providing abundantly. Thank you for answering our prayers. For hearing and knowing our every thought before we even bring it to you. Thank you.
Week 1 Wednesday
S- Luke 9:23-26 "Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."
O- Jesus is teaching to die to ourselves and follow Him. We have nothing to lose with Him. And everything to lose without Him. If we aim to please or "gain" the world, we will forfeit ourselves. The world only offers temporary gain. Jesus offers us eternal life.
A- Once we are saved by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit changes our hearts. We need to die to ourselves and the wants of our flesh and live like Jesus. He tells us "
Whoever loses their life for me will save it."
P- Dear God, Thank you for saving and changing me. I pray that I would humbly take up my cross daily and follow you. Please help me to not get caught up in worldly things. Help me to not be ashamed for living my life differently than the way our culture does. Please use me to be a light for others who may see that I am different, because I have you. Make me more like you, Jesus!
Week 1 Thursday
S- Luke 9:47-48 "Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”"
O- Jesus is showing the importance of serving, being the least of these. "For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest."
A- I love how The Jesus Storybook Bible says, "You don't have to be good at being good for God to love you. You just have to believe what Jesus has done and follow him. Because it's not about trying, it's about trusting. It's not about rules, it's about Grace: God's free gift-that cost him everything." It's not about being the most important or being better than anyone else or being at the top to impress others. It's loving and serving others that makes us great in God's eyes.
P- Thank you God that I don't have to compare myself to others and try to be better for them. Thank you that you love me for me. Thank you that it is you that makes me better. Thank you that you make us all unique and give us each our own gifts. Thank you that together we as a church are strong. We all have gifts and weaknesses, but together we do great things. Help me to serve others, to lift others up and encourage them for the gifts you give us and not tear them down by pointing out weaknesses (my own or theirs). Help me to love you most. Not myself! It is not about me. It is all about you. Thank you!
Week 1 Friday
S- Luke 9:58, 60, 62 "58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”" "60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”" "62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”"
O- These men that Jesus asked to follow Him pointed out things that they thought needed to be done first; burying his father or telling family goodbye. Jesus pointed out the importance of proclaiming the kingdom of God without looking back.
A- There is nothing more important than following Jesus. We should not wait a single second to follow Him. And we should not put anything before Him. We should go and proclaim the kingdom of God. We should not focus on our past lives as unbelievers, but go forth and share the good news.
P- Thank you God that my past is behind me. I pray I would not look back. I am so blessed that you saved me from the life I was living as an unbeliever and have shown me what it is like to live for you. Thank you that you are with me when it is hard. Thank you for the hope I have in you and in my future. Thank you that Heaven awaits me! Thank you that it is by faith alone that I am saved.
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