a 365 day trip through Matthew with a key thought, prayer, focus verse and contextual verses for each day
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If you think you can judge others, you are wrong. When you judge them, you are really judging yourself guilty, because you do the same things they do....You judge those who do wrong, but you do wrong yourselves. Do you think you will be able to escape the judgment of God? He has been very kind and patient, waiting for you to change, but you think nothing of his kindness. (NCV) 1988, 1991.
Romans 2:1-4
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it....Who are you to judge your neighbor? (NIV)
Isaiah 58:6-9
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
Galatians 6:1-5 |
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March 22
Looking in the Mirror First - Matthew 7:3-5
"Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? How can you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend’s eye."
Full Text
Key Thought
Jesus reminds us that we often pass judgment on others to keep from examining ourselves. This is wrong. In fact, it is obnoxiously and hypocritically wrong in God’s eyes.
Before we start removing someone else's sawdust, we had better get our own blinding 2x4 plank out of our way. It's ridiculous for us to spend so much time finding all the little things that are wrong with others when we leave our own huge problems undressed. Let's address our own problems, weaknesses, sins, and inconsistencies before we start trying to "fix" anybody else!
Today's Prayer
Almighty and compassionate Father, you have been so patient and kind with me. You provided Jesus as the sacrifice that purifies me from my sin. You sent your Spirit to help complete your work of maturing me. Please bless me as I try to be honest with my own failures, sins, and shortcomings. I don't want to let Satan use discouragement from my failures to embarrass or alienate me from you or your people. But Father, neither do I want to pretend they are not there and leave them un-addressed by your grace and at odds with your righteousness. Please work in me your holy will and produce in me your holy character and not find the faults of others to keep from dealing with my own. In the holy name of your Messiah and my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses with Jesus
(key verses in bold)
1 “Don’t judge other people, or you will be judged.
2 You will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and
the amount you give to others will be given to you.
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3 “Why do you notice the little
piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice
the big piece of wood in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your
friend, ‘Let me take that little piece of dust out of your
eye’? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood
in your own eye. 5 You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your
own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your
friend’s eye.
6 “Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t
throw your pearls before pigs. Pigs will only trample on them,
and dogs will turn to attack you.
7 “Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will
find. Knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, everyone who
asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And everyone
who knocks will have the door opened.
9 “If your children ask for bread, which of you would give
them a stone? 10 Or if your children ask for a fish, would you
give them a snake? 11 Even though you are bad, you know how to
give good gifts to your children. How much more your heavenly
Father will give good things to those who ask him!
12 “Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is
the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the
prophets.
(NCV) The New Century Version, (Dallas, Texas:
Word Publishing) 1987, 1988, 1991.
Used by permission.
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