The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 29:20 (NLT)
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 25:3 (HCSB)
No one who waits for You will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Matthew 7:1-6 (HCSB)
1 "Do not judge, so that you won't be judged. 2 For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but don't notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and look, there's a log in your eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 6 Don't give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.
My observation:
In our focal passage for today from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches his disciples an important lesson about how to deal with a brother or sister in Christ who stumbles. He warns about judging, but does not completely prohibit it. Rather, he called for self-examination and eye surgery on self first. God expects you to have discernment, and he will give it to you. Notice the admonition of Jesus in verse six.
As a Christian we all stumble. However, the good news is that we belong to a God who loves us supremely, and is a God of unending mercy. Where would you and I be without the grace of God? As for me, grace and mercy suits my case. Think about these scriptures:
Isaiah 63:9 (MSG)
In all their troubles, he was troubled, too. He didn't send someone else to help them. He did it himself, in person. Out of his own love and pity he redeemed them. He rescued them and carried them along for a long, long time.
Galatians 6:1 (MSG)
Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out.
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you would help me to align my attitude, and my activity with that of Jesus. Father, give me an attitude that is motivated by love, and activities that demonstrate love in action. Father, if you find in me a condemning spirit toward those who stumble, I ask that you replace it with a spirit of redemption.
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2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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