Week 3 Monday
S- Luke 11:2-4, 13 "He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”" "13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”"
O- Jesus didn't just pray during special occasions. He prayed regularly. If we know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more does God love us and will bless us if we ask!
A- "For we also forgive everyone who sins against us." stood out to me. I've definitely gotten better at forgiveness, but I'm not always quick to forgive. My mind plays out the situation and how I'm right and so and so is wrong. Jesus forgives them and I need to be quick to forgive and not dwell in my selfish ways.
P- Dear God, thank you for showing us how to pray. Thank you that you know our hearts and our needs. Please help me to pray to you continually. To share my desires and give thanks, as well as ask for daily needs. Please help me to be quick to forgive, sincerely. Rid me of my selfish ways! Thank you for loving me more than imaginable. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Week 3 Tuesday
S- Luke 11:17, 28 "17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall." "28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”"
O- Division will cause ruin. Jesus replied to the woman in the crowd who said that Jesus' mother is blessed, that those who hear the word of God and obey it are more blessed than she.
A- We can cause our own ruin if we allow division in our homes. This made me think of yesterday how I said I am not quick to forgive. When I am being selfish and making it all about me, I am causing division. I need to show grace and quickly apologize. My attitude will rub off on my family. I need to lift them up.
P- Thank you God for showing me my selfishness this week. Please help me to lift my family up, show them grace, and be quick to forgive. I pray that there would not be division in my home or relationships. Thank you for your example in Jesus.
Week 3 Wednesday
I'm so sorry I've been slacking. Nap time has turned into running and shower time. My priorities are not lining up. And just as I think I'll have some free time tonight while Luke is with his men's group, the kids don't think they need to sleep. Lucy is not feeling great and I got to rock and cuddle her. And now Zac is yelling over and over, "Cover me up again." and "I want to say a prayer one more time." Anything to stay awake. How do you say no more prayers? And at the same time I know he is working me. This is my hardest thing to ignore. I feel guilty every time I don't say ONE more prayer.
Ah ha! There is silence! I can now concentrate and focus on the verses!
S- Luke 11:29, 33-34 "29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." "
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness."
O- Jesus is not giving them a sign except the sign of Jonah. He knows their motives are wicked. Jonah was "buried" inside the fish, as Jesus was buried for three days before the resurrection. We need to be a light that others can see.
A- What are my intentions when speaking to others, and more importantly when speaking to Jesus? Are they wicked? Selfish? For my own good only? I need to be a light to those who come to see. Not keep "The Light" - Jesus hidden.
P- Dear God, Seek my heart and show me my sins. Clean me of any wicked ways. Help me to ask and speak with good intentions. Unselfishly. Please help me to be a light to others. To shine brightly so that you are always seen. Help me to not be ashamed, or intimidated, but to share your good news boldly. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Week 3 Thursday
S- Luke 11:39-40, 42 "Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?" "42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone."
O- The Pharisees were more concerned about ceremonial rituals than being loving. God knows our hearts. The Pharisees were tithing, but not loving God.
A- God knows our hearts. We should be more concerned with what's on the inside than what's on the outside. We should love God first and the rest should follow. If we are doing something just to follow a rule (paying tithing or whatever else it is) and not doing it with love for God, it is not with the right intention. Our heart should be to do things to worship God. Not to look good on the outside or to earn anything. Same with serving. We shouldn't do it because it makes us look good or to get anything in return. We should do it gladly to honor God.
P- Dear God, Thank you for showing me that all things can be an act of worship to you if we do it out of love. Please help me to have a heart that seeks to honor you in all that I do. Help me to not get caught up in my to do list, but to slow down and realize that I am doing it for you. Thank you. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Week 3 Friday
S- Luke 11:46, 52, 53 "46 Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them." "“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions,"
O- The Pharisees and teachers of the law were making things even harder on the people and not helping them. They were not believers of salvation and led the people away from believing the truth. When confronted by Jesus they were upset and wanted to find Him guilty.
A- I want to be quick to help others, not burden them. I want to lead people to the truth, not away from it.
P- Dear God, Thank you that salvation is so much more simple than so many people believe. Thank you that it is by faith we are saved. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for knowing that we could never do enough to earn our salvation. Thank you for providing a way to you through Jesus' sinless life. Please help me to not get caught up in doing things the right way, rather doing things in love for You because you first loved me!
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