Ending Prayer:

Weekly Reading Assignment: (Acts 19-20)

 

I have finished reading my weekly assignment!

 

Ending Prayer:

 

Father God, thank You for Your love and compassion each and every day. Thank You for this New Year that has come to us. Father God, we ask for forgiveness us today for all sin we have committed against anyone, especially of You O Lord our God.  Father God create in us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit, so we can forgive others who trespass against us. As new creation of Yours, our hearts has been changed and we love all Your people and will forgive each day as many times as we should. This we pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Weekly Praise:

Hallelujah to our Lord

 

In the darkness let there be light. In the sorrow let joy arise. As Your kingdom fills the earth.  Hallelujah to our Savior; God our Saviour giver of new birth.  Hallelujah to our King. Let all sickness bow its knee to Christ our Saviour our victory.  By His death at calvary  I'm forgiven I have been set free. Hallelujah to the Lord.  Hallelujah to our God. Lift Him higher above all things. Christ our Savior King above all Kings. Strength in weakness.  Hope for the poor.  Chains are broken my life restored. Grace abounding unending love. There is no one no one like our God. Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Holy Holy is the Lord is the Lord.  Lord God we praise You; Hallelujah to our Lord.

Let's Hallow His name by rehearsing Who He is:

 

Name:      Jehovah-Sabaoth:

 

"The Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 1:24; Psalm 46:7) – Hosts means "hordes," both of angels and of men. He is Lord of the host of heaven and of the inhabitants of the earth, of Jews and Gentiles, of rich and poor, master and slave. The name is expressive of the majesty, power, and authority of God and shows that He is able to accomplish what He determines to do.    Hallelujah to Him!!

Weekly Song:

(Matthew 26:30)    Oh Come let us adore Him

 

O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the king of angels
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Christ the Lord

Sing, choirs of angles 
Sing in exultation
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above
Glory to God
Glory in the highest
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Christ the Lord

Yea, Lord we greet thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to thee be all glory given
Word of the father
Now in flesh appearing
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Christ the Lord

Come let us adore him
He is Christ the Lord
Sing choirs of angels
Come let us adore him (come let us adore him)
Come let us adore him

Answers/Questions:

 1).     What is forgiveness?

Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender well.

2).    What is temptation?

Temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment, that threatens long-term goals. In the context of the Bible, temptation is the inclination to sin. Temptation also describes the coaxing or inducing a person into committing such an act, by manipulation or otherwise of curiosity, desire or fear of loss.

3).    How do we forgive?

We forgive others when we let go of resentment and give up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss we have suffered. The Bible teaches that unselfish love is the basis for true forgiveness, since love "does not keep account of the injury."—1 Corinthians 13:4, 5.

4).    How do the book of Matthew make this phrase?

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6:12)

5).    How do the book of Luke make this phrase?

"And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us." (Luke 11:4)

6).    What is this phrase referring to?

This phrase is referring to sin itself.

7).    How often must I forgive others?

In Matthew, Jesus says that church members should forgive each other "seventy times seven times" (18:22), a number that symbolizes boundlessness.

8).    What if I don't want to forgive?

Not forgiving evaporates your joy. When you don't forgive, it brings up a barrier to the joy God has for you. No one is ever truly happy if they have unforgiveness in their heart.

Not forgiving weakens your body. It eats away at you and eventually takes over and destroys your life from the inside. It makes you physically sick as well as spiritually crippled. When you forgive you release it into God's hand and healing comes for your body as well as your soul.

Not forgiving opens the door for the enemy to work in your life. We have to forgive "lest Satan should take advantage of us" (2 Corinthians 2:11). We invite the enemy in if we harbor unforgiveness. And when you treat your spouse as if he (she) is the enemy —or your spouse acts as if you are —you align yourselves with your true enemy and his plans for your future.

Not forgiving pollutes your soul. The Bible says, "Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?"  (James 3:11). If you have unforgiveness, the water in your soul will become bitter. My suggestion is to pray for God to change your heart.

9).    How quickly must I forgive?

Immediately;  (Matthew 5:25). We're in a self-made jail and at a stand-still in our relationship with God until we forgive.

10). Do I have to forgive in order to heal?

I truly believe we do! The Bible says we do.

11).   What if I forgive and not forget?  

Forgetting offenses against us does not mean we have amnesia but that there is no special sting in us when we remember offenses. If it hurts us to remember offenses against us, either we need healing or have not truly forgiven.

12).  Can I be saved and not forgive?

I don't think so! God sent His Son to dye for us, so we could be

Be forgiven and forgive others too.

13).  Is God a forgiving God?

Yes He is!  He forgave me and others talk of His forgiving them too. He is a merciful God! The Bible says God forgive us in (1 John 1:9).

14).  What is the difference between forgiving from the head/heart?

Forgiving from the head is not what God intended for us, but our heart must be involved in forgiveness, not our head. God desire us to have a pure heart when it comes to forgiveness.

Weekly Pattern:

Personal Relationships

 

Talk about personal relationships, but note this is about forgiveness. It is the only part of the prayer repeated for emphasis later. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." When you get to the end of the prayer, it says if you don't do that your Father in heaven won't forgive you either. Here in this prayer is the key to our relationship with each other. We deal with our relationships when we pray: "Lord, is there somebody in my life that I haven't forgiven? Because you have said that You want to forgive me in the same manner I forgive others" Life is full of relationship challenges-friendships, family, and coworkers. Pray about relationships every day.

Prayers from the Bible:

Jehoshaphat's prayer

 

And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, ⁶ and said, "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. ⁷ Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? ⁸ And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ⁹ 'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment,^[c] or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.' ¹⁰ And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— ¹¹ behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. ¹² O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

This Week's Prayer:

 Dear Father God; Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day. We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that you will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else. We ask that you will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that you would help us release our grip on the things to which you've said "no," "not yet," or "wait." We ask for help to pursue you first, above every dream and desire you've put within our hearts. We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us. We pray you would make us strong and courageous for the road ahead. Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you. We pray that you'd keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations. That you would whisper in our ear when we need to run, and whisper in our heart when we need to stand our ground. We pray for your protection over our families and friends. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the evil intent of the enemy; that you would be a barrier to surround us, that we'd be safe in your hands. We pray that you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years, to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways. We ask that you would keep our footsteps firm, on solid ground, helping us to be consistent and faithful. Give us supernatural endurance to stay the course, not swerving to the right or to the left, or being too easily distracted by other things that would seek to call us away from a close walk with you. Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independent of your spirit. Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds, and for allowing pride and selfishness wreak havoc over our lives. Forgive us for not following your ways and for living distant from your presence. We confess our need for you…fresh…new…again. We ask that you make all things new, in our hearts, in our minds, in our lives, for this coming year. We pray for your refreshing over us. Keep your words of truth planted firm within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, give us the power to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us where we have been, hissing his lies and attacks our way, we trust that your voice speaks louder and stronger, as you remind us we are safe with you and your purposes and plans will not fail. We ask that you will be our defense and rear guard, keeping our way clear, removing the obstacles, and covering the pitfalls. Lord, lead us on your level ground. We ask that you would provide for our needs, we ask for your grace and favor. We pray for your blessings to cover us, we pray that you would help us to prosper and make every plan that you have birthed in our heart to succeed. We pray that others would take notice of your goodness and could not help but to say, "These are the ones that the Lord has blessed." Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own. May we be lovers of truth, may the fruits of your spirit be evident in our lives - your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set you way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing. To you be glory and honor, in this New Year, and forever. In  Jesus' name, Amen.