Tuesday November 8, 2022

Today is Tuesday, November 8 and we are studying the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter seven.

As I begin this time of prayer, I focus myself upon the God who loves me. My heavenly Father calls me close to His side for a quiet and intimate conversation.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, speak to me about the Kingdom of Heaven and teach me how to live a life of love. I sit at Your feet listening to the words from the Sermon on the Mount longing for Your voice to permeate my soul. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s faithfulness and praise Him with the words of Psalm 96.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. Psalm 96:11-13

Pause and Pray

In the seventh chapter of Matthew, Jesus turns his attention to right relationships. He cautions us against being judgmental because destructive criticism is counterproductive. Harsh and petty fault-finding becomes a corrosive chemical that erodes my relationships – with spouse, family, friends and coworkers. Before I attempt to correct others, I should lay my life under the microscope of Jesus Christ and not be oblivious to my many faults and shortcomings.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 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. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:3-6

I am not to judge my brother or sister, but love and serve them. After all, they are accountable to God and not to me. I can never know their full story, but God knows everything and sees all. It is no benefit for me to point out a tiny speck of sawdust in someone else’s eye when I have a great big plank sticking out of my own eye and I am blind to even recognize it. Rather than a critical spirit I should first humbly remember my own shortcomings. Then I can shift my energy from denouncing others and instead focus my intentions on alleviating their troubles and offering generous help.

Ask: What is the plank in my eye which I have overlooked and needs to be removed? When is it appropriate to offer criticism and what is the best way to do so?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, forgive me for noticing the shortcomings of other people and ignoring my own many faults. I regret trying to correct and improve others while You remain cognizant of my many deficiencies and imperfections. Teach me how to take the plank out of my own eye so that I can see clearly. Teach me how to value what is sacred and hold on to what is holy. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 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. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:3-6

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Which relationships in my life could benefit from improvement and how might God be speaking to me about particular people today? I consider how the words of Jesus shed light upon my current circumstances and daily interactions. Perhaps there is someone with whom I have been particularly critical lately. Maybe I am overlooking my own faults and focusing instead on the faults of others.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, come and examine the eye of my heart. Grant me a greater awareness of the planks that prevent me from living the kingdom life to which You call me. Teach me how to take the plank from my own eye and restore right vision. Help me to see others as You see them – with understanding, mercy, love and grace. Amen.

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Romans 14:10,12-13

I leave this time of prayer, wrapped in the mercy of the God who loves me. I go to love and serve others in humility and grace.

Amen