1ST READING
The
bargaining of Abraham with God indicates the depth of God’s mercy. God
does not want to seek revenge against us because of our sin. In fact, He
is looking for every possible way to be merciful to us. It is not a
matter of fearing Him when we have sinned but trusting in His mercy and
love enough to seek forgiveness. We can be sure that God will forgive a
repentant sinner.
Genesis 18:16-33
16 Abraham
and the men who had visited him by the Terebinth of Mamre set out from
there and looked down toward Sodom; Abraham was walking with them, to
see them on their way. 17 The Lord reflected: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 now that he is to become a great and populous nation, and all the nations of the earth are to find blessing in him? 19 Indeed,
I have singled him out that he may
direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the
Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord may carry into
effect for Abraham the promises he made about him.” 20 Then the Lord said: “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave, 21 that
I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to
the cry against them that comes to me. I mean to find out.” 22 While the two men walked on farther toward Sodom, the Lord remained standing before Abraham. 23 Then Abraham drew nearer to him and said: “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? 24 Suppose
there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the
place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people
within it? 25 Far
be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the
guilty, so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike!
Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?” 26 The Lord replied, “If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Abraham spoke up again: “See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes! 28 What
if there are five less than fifty innocent people? Will you destroy the
whole city because of those five? He answered, “I will not destroy it
if I find forty-five there.” 29 But Abraham persisted, saying, “What if only forty are found there?” He replied, “I will forebear doing it
for the sake of the forty.” 30 Then
Abraham said, “Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on. What if only
thirty are found there?” He replied, “I will forebear doing it if I can
find but thirty there.” 31 Still
Abraham went on, “Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord, what if
there are no more than twenty?” He answered, “I will not destroy it for
the sake of the twenty.” 32 But he still persisted: “Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last
time. What if there are at least ten there?” He replied, “For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.” 33 The Lord departed as soon as he had finished speaking with Abraham, and Abraham returned home.
P S A L M
Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 8-9, 10-11
R: The Lord is kind and merciful.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (R) 3 He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. 4 He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion. (R) 8
Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. 9 He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. (R) 10 Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. (R)
GOSPEL
Following
Jesus means making difficult decisions that will sometimes shock
others. Sometimes we need to put the work of the Gospel before the
expectations and desires of others and this may make us unpopular. It is
not that we are setting out to offend anyone but that there are times
when God’s will must be placed above all other desires and expectations.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
Matthew 8:18-22
18 When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. 19 A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 21 Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go
first and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”
think: Following Jesus means making difficult decisions that will sometimes shock others.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Chronicles 25-27
PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT
The ultimate purpose of my life
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
GOALS FOR THE QUARTER
Priority areas God wants me to work on
1st READING 2nd READING
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TODAY’S
BLESSING
LI pra PRAYER
SHEET FOR
Things I will pray for
regularly MY LIFE
GOSPEL PSALM
DATE PERSONAL NEED DATE GOD’S ANSWERS
When I ‘Until now, you have not When the
“Ask and you shall receive
Started asked for anything in My Name’
answer that your joy may be full”
praying (John 16:24)
came (John 16:24)
_________ _____________________ _________
______________________
TODAY’S
_________ _____________________ _________ ______________________
_________ _____________________ _________ ______________________
PRAYER SHEET FOR
Things I will pray for
regularly MY LIFE
EVANGELISM LIST CARING LIST
LIST
People that God wants me to People that God wants me to
Bring closer to
Him pray more and show more love to
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
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