Silence
1. Put on your “brakes” and stop for a moment of silence
2. Wait for God. Breathe deep for God's peace. Exhale your worries.
Praise and Thanksgiving
1. Think through your day, all the times that made you smile
2. Thank God for all those moments, and for all those people3. Open your heart to praise the Lord
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:7-8
Confession and repentance
1. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in you:
“Dear Holy Spirit, shine your light into the places of darkness in my life. Show me my sins, everything that blocks me from encountering God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
“Dear Holy Spirit, shine your light into the places of darkness in my life. Show me my sins, everything that blocks me from encountering God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
2. Through the Holy Spirit, examine yourself for a short silence and then pray:
"Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins and being victorious over death and sin. I confess my sin to you(pause, to tell Jesus what the Holy Spirit has shown you). Forgive my sins by your blood and help me follow you. Holy Spirit, fill me that I may be able to receive your gift to love God and His people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen."
"Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins and being victorious over death and sin. I confess my sin to you(pause, to tell Jesus what the Holy Spirit has shown you). Forgive my sins by your blood and help me follow you. Holy Spirit, fill me that I may be able to receive your gift to love God and His people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen."
The Word
Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe":
My Listening
Today and tomorrow's passage is talking about the three things that Jews saw as standard obligations, namely giving, praying and fasting. Our new lifestyle of Christlikeness in these matters gives us a new perspective.
Bishop N.T. Wright says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._T._Wright):
What matters is the motive. If these religious duties are done with an eye on the audience, they become rotten at the core... What matters is learning to do them simply to and for God himself.
N.T. Wright. Matthew for Everyone, Part 1. Louisville,KY:Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p.54-55.
This world teaches us to get whatever we can get. Jesus teaches us to give whatever we can give. Who are you listening to?
If you are listening to what Jesus is going to tell you, are you willing to give? What is your motive for giving? Is it a bargain where you want God to bless you in return? Or, are you simply overflowing with thankfulness to God so that you respond by giving and tithing?
If you are listening to what Jesus is going to tell you, are you willing to give? What is your motive for giving? Is it a bargain where you want God to bless you in return? Or, are you simply overflowing with thankfulness to God so that you respond by giving and tithing?
Dear Lord Jesus,
Lead us to be able to give unconditionally. Help us to check our motive when we give so that we can live out this new lifestyle of Christlikeness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Reflect on these questions:
1. This world teaches us to get whatever we can get. Jesus teaches us to give whatever we can give. Who are you listening to? What is your struggle? Name it and ask Jesus to help you through the struggle.
2.
3.
4. Do you have a heart to give to the poor and the needy? Have you started your weekly offering, your tithing as your new lifestyle of Christlikeness? Have you learned to give simply to and for God himself?
4. Do you have a heart to give to the poor and the needy? Have you started your weekly offering, your tithing as your new lifestyle of Christlikeness? Have you learned to give simply to and for God himself?
Family Corner:
1. In your family, how do you practice giving to each other, whether in time, service, or money/gifts?
2. In your family, what are practical ways for you to practice giving to people outside of your family? (e.g. volunteering together, fundraising campaign to give to a charitable organization, etc.)
1. In your family, how do you practice giving to each other, whether in time, service, or money/gifts?
2. In your family, what are practical ways for you to practice giving to people outside of your family? (e.g. volunteering together, fundraising campaign to give to a charitable organization, etc.)