Matthew 7 - 9.1.2023

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Matthew 7:2,5

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

This verse really made me think about the rules I enforce in my own home. My wife and I are big believers that setting the correct boundaries can and will help our home. Initially, this verse reminded me of what a horrible big brother I was growing up. Holding my younger brother to a different set of standards (I mean they were my standards too but I never abided by them!) I pestered him for years and years until finally it just broke him and he was forever mad at me. Understandably so, I mean I am the literal hypocrite in verse 5 up there. And then of course this verse made me think of that one police officer…that one time…when he drove through the red light, briefly flashing his cherry lights, and promptly turning it off when he had passed the intersection.

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

Lord, help me to go over the rules in my own home today. Help me to not be a hypocrite. If there are any logs in my own eyes, help me to see them clearly. Help me to remove them immediately. May my wife and kids not look at me as a hypocrite. May I not be one too.

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

God, I pray that you bless this endeavor. May this filter of Yours be used not just today but consistently in my life. May I be a man of Yours that is always setting the right standard. By following Your son Jesus’s standards. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee

Matthew 6 - 8.31.23

Scripture

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Observation

Jesus continues His Sermon on the Mount in this passage by teaching the people about the importance of forgiveness. We must forgive others the way our Heavenly Father forgives us…and that’s unconditionally.

Application

What if God treated us the way we treat others? 🤔

It’s a great question to ask ourselves today, especially in regards to the subject of forgiveness. The verse that stood out to me this morning talks about forgiving others the way God forgives us. And if we are unwilling to forgive those who sin against us, God will not forgive us either. But we may say, “I can’t forgive that person! You just don’t know how much they hurt me!” We may even have a list of things we deem as “unforgivable” in our book, and will never find it in our hearts to forgive someone if they cross that line. But is that what Jesus wants us to do? If we call ourselves Christ Followers shouldn’t we forgive the way Jesus did? I mean Jesus was betrayed by one of His own disciples, mocked, wrongfully accused, beaten, and sentenced to death. All this when He didn’t do anything wrong! But Jesus still forgave those who hurt Him.

“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.”-Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭34‬a

So today let’s ask ourselves the question “Is there anyone out there I need to bury the hatchet with, and forgive?” Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anyone out there we may still be holding grudges with. Let go of that grudge, and forgive. And our Heavenly Father will be sure to forgive us too. 😊❤️

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”-C.S. Lewis

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgivenesses. You forgive me time and time again every time I mess up and fall short to Your standards. Please forgive me of my sins. Reveal in my heart anyone out there that I need to forgive. Help me to be like You and forgive unconditionally. May relationships be restored from it. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Matthew 5 - 8.30.23

Scripture

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Observation

First let me say that there is SO much in Matthew chapter 5, I could spend a whole month journaling on it!

Verse 11 says we will be blessed when people persecute us because of Jesus. So far, I have only encountered mild disdain or condescension because of my belief, but I know that could change at any time. Jesus says is saying that when we stand up for him, regardless of people’s words or actions, we will be blessed by him for that obedience.

Verse 11 spoke to me because I had to deal with an insult today. I wasn’t insulted because of Jesus, but my response was because of Jesus, and I believe he will bless us every time we are obedient to him.

Application

I received an insulting email today. I wasn’t tempted to strike back in anger, but I certainly did consider some snarky responses in my head! I sulked for a while and gave myself time to put together a polite response. But as I typed the words, I knew I really didn’t mean them – it was just what was expected of me. And I remembered my new resolve – Unless the Lord builds the house. There was no point in writing a fake response – I needed God to work in my heart and help me to truly forgive.

Later in the day, I was able to write a kind response that I truly meant. Psalms 15:1 says, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. And it did! But if it hadn’t, I would know that I had done my best to follow his command to love others.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for working in my heart today. Thank you that your promises are true! Please continue to remind me that Unless the Lord builds the house, it is in vain. I don’t want to waste my time doing things in my own strength or at my own direction – I want to be led in all I do by you.  

  - Debbie Dunn