3. Open your heart to praise the Lord
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
Psalm 5:11
“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 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."
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:1-5
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?
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?
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.)