1ST READING
One of the most important aspects of the character of God that we need to remember is that He always desires the best for each and every one of us; He always desires to bless us. We do not deserve His unmitigated kindness but that is of no account to Him – He gave it to us anyway. As we begin the New Year, let us resolve to be open to Him many blessings in our lives and be grateful for them.
Numbers 6: 22-27
22 The Lord said to Moses, 23”Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them, ‘This how you shall bless the Israelites.’ Say to them, 24The Lord bless you and keep you! 25The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! 26The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! 27So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
P S A L M
Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8
R: May God bless us in his mercy.
1[2]May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 2[3]So may your way be known upon the earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R) 4[5]May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on earth you guide. 5[6]May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! (R)7[8]May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)
2ND READING
Galatians 4; 4-7
Again, we hear of God’s blessing for us, this time of His Son sent to be our Redeemer. Perhaps one of our greatest sins is our blindness to the many blessings God bestows upon us. Perhaps a good way to begin this year would to pray for the grace of gratitude, particularly god God’s blessings. True gratitude is the sign of a person who understands the depths to which we are beholden to others for their goodness to us, especially to God.
4Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6As proof that you are sons, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.
GOSPEL
Another sign of gratitude is the willingness to reflect upon the good things of God in our lives and acknowledge properly their origin. A part of gratitude is the willingness to respond to another’s goodness. There is an old saying: “One good turn deserves another.” This is a partial understanding of what gratitude is. Are we willing to respond to God’s many blessings in our lives? If so, how?
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
Luke 2:16-21
16The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found May and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 19And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 21When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
think: We do not deserve God’s unmitigated kindness but that is of no account to Him – He gives it to us anyway.
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 Luke 1-3
Five Steps in Using Companion
1. PRAY
Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit:
Father, speak to me. I wish to receive Your Word into my heart. Send forth Your Spirit to me. Reveal Your Face to me today…
2. READ
Prayerfully read the Bible passages assigned for the day, and underline words, phrases or verses that strike you.
3. READ DIDACHE
Read your Didache reflection for the day.
4. WRITE
Write your reflections and prayers in response to the Bible passages you have read.
5. PRAY AGAIN
Thank the Lord for His message to you, and pray that you may be able to live it out in your daily life. Father, I thank You, Your Word is manna to my spirit. May Your Word that I receive today transform my soul. Make me more like You. Amen.
PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT
The ultimate purpose of my life
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GOALS FOR THE QUARTER
Priority areas God wants me to work on
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PRAYER SHEET FOR
Things I will pray for regularly MY LIFE 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: 24a came - John 16: 24b |
PRAYER SHEET FOR
Things I will pray for regularly MY LIFE EVANGELISM LIST CARING LIST People God wants me to People God wants me to bring closer to Him pray for and show more love to |
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