Monday, September 3
Theme for the week:
Disciples Take Sin Seriously Whether it’s in Thought, Word or Deed

Matthew 18:9

If your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
~ Jesus

We acknowledged last week that the USA embraces a highly sexualized culture. Nonetheless we are still responsible for what our eyes take in.

While there are certainly external enticements, we need to face our internal temptations too. We have a choice over what our eyes look at or don’t look at.

Evangelist Dwight L. Moody aptly described the greater source of sinful trouble: I have more trouble with D. L. Moody than with any man I know.

Moody’s eyes may have dwelt on sinful pleasures at one time, but he never gouged his eyes out over it. Nor have I. Jesus isn’t seriously calling for us to gouge out our eyes; what he is calling for is a serious approach regarding sinfulness. Don’t minimize it or downplay it. That’s our focus this week from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

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Prayer for the Week

Holy Spirit, convict me of any area of my life where I’ve minimized my sin. I don’t want to allow what you find unacceptable. This may not be easy for me. Encourage me even as you draw my attention to sins I’ve been allowing to go unchallenged or unchecked. (Pause and listen… consider writing and confessing; thank Jesus for the gift of forgiveness, then finish up remembering that you’re forgiven.)

Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God

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This is our continuing opportunity to encounter God through His Word in Psalm 119. Unique in the bible, Psalm 119 is fashioned around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (seen above). Each section contains eight verses, making it easily the longest psalm at 176 verses. 

Psalm of Meditation for the Week:

Psalm 119:161-168 (Shin)

ש

  1. Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
  2. I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
  3. I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
  4. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
  5. Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
  6. I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands.
  7. I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
  8. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

  • Read: the verses twice.

  • Mark: the words or phrases that catch your attention.

  • Meditate: talk (better yet write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect a response from the Lord.

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Pondering Point

The letter Shin signifies tooth (some say fire) which transforms other things. The psalmist faces pressure to be changed both from the world (rulers) and God (His word). He lets God’s word be his change agent.

Tuesday, September 4
God’s Mission

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands
As darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow...
~ Slow Fade, Casting Crowns (The Altar and the Door, 2007)

Borrowing from the children’s song O Be Careful Little Eyes What You See, these lyrics from the Song Slow Fade portray the damage that occurs not just to the one sinning, but to the ones watching also – particularly little ones. Accordingly we hear Jesus say:

Matthew 18:6

If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

When you read this Matthew 18:1-9 section of the Gospel (located below) and you’ll see a 2nd time Jesus sharing stark “gouging out” words about handling our sinfulness. Don’t close your eyes to this detail. It comes on the heels of Jesus addressing (or dressing down) the disciples arguing over who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Having pulled a child into their midst, he tells them that whoever humbles himself like that little child is the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus called for (1) change, (2) humility, and (3) aggressive assault on our own sin. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead the way for you in each of these areas.

Matthew 18:1-9

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Causing to Stumble
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

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Prayer

[Pray about whatever God has put upon your heart]

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:161-162

Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God… 

The Promise:

Philippians 4:7

…and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Pondering Point

Great spoil (Psalm 119 verse 162) is the reward of a well-fought victory: To the victor goes the spoils. Continuing in God’s Word brings such victories and the ensuing spoils.

Wednesday, September 5
Your Identity in Christ

• In Christ, I am a disciple who is willing to waive my personal rights if I’m a stumbling block to others.

"Be careful", Paul writes, "that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak."

This quote from 1 Corinthians 8:9 and the identity statement above are setting the stage for tomorrow’s Review, Repent, and Return. Being willing to waive your personal rights is not an easy ask, but the bigger question is this: Are you willing to honor God with your life?

Are you following Jesus as a disciple or are you only a fan of his still running your own life?

Jesus gave up all kinds of rights – and not just human ones. He gave up God rights, as Philippians 2:6 says, he – being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing – for our sake. We’re not just supposed to TAKE SIN seriously; we’re supposed to take FOLLOWING JESUS seriously, letting our attitude be the same as Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5).

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Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for giving up your rights so that I might experience grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation with my Heavenly Father. As I follow you, living out my discipleship in faith and action, let me echo that willingness to waive my rights for to benefit others. Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:163-164

I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Colossians 3:12

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

The Promise:

Matthew 21:22

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. 

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Pondering Point

What does the Psalm’s line seven times a day I praise you (Psalm 119:164) stir within you? Skepticism? Legalism? Envy? Admiration? Does it spark possibilities? A challenge?

Thursday, September 6
Re-Center Around God

1 Corinthians 8:9,12

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak… When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
~ Apostle Paul

Personal Rights

Knowing such things matter to God, let’s do an internal review and re-center our attitudes on personal rights around God. Beyond freedom, justice, and equality, here’s a sample of some such rights: To say “no”, to sleep, to change your mind, to do what you want, to express or withhold your feelings, to seek personal space or time away, or to have your own opinion.

Review the week

Is your behavior leading others astray? Are you exercising your rights without concern for how it impacts others? Are you bothered that your behavior may cause others to stumble?

Repent (if necessary)

You may find a need to repent of actions and attitudes. Do an ego-check. Note the Bible’s language When you sin against your brothers in this way...you sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:12) Sin against Christ is serious. That is the Apostle Paul’s point.

Return (as necessary)

Picture yourself coming to God with your personal rights in hand, represented by sticks. In prayer, lay those sticks out before Him and ask how to use those rights in ways that are acceptable in His eyes, even bringing honor to Him.

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Prayer Prompt

Pray about what God has put upon your heart.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:165-166

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

John 12:26

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 

The Promise:

Psalm 23:6

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

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Pondering Point

Did you notice that peace (Psalm 119:165, Shalom in Hebrew) is assured to those who love God’s law rather than those who keep it? Peace is not the result of keeping God’s Word, but in knowing God and His Word.

Friday, September 7
Discipleship Point

The Point

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

What does this mean? Per Luther’s Catechism, we should fear and love God so that we do not force or entice away our neighbor’s spouse, workers, or animals, but urge them to stay and do their duty.

Our discipleship point comes from the last commandment. It’s not just actions that are wrong, but ways of the heart too. Titled God’s Gift of Contentment in the Catechism explanation, coveting betrays a lack of contentment – an unhealthy battle inside of us. The want to entice away our neighbor’s wife or workers shows a problem with our heart. Coveting seems to be one of those sins that have fallen off the map of evils to confess. Don’t let this be so for you.

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Discipleship Prayer

Father God, lead my spirit to the place of contentment in You. You are my real portion, my real treasure. Let me view all earthly joys and treasures as gifts from You, never to take your place or to be coveted. And help me celebrate others’ gifts with them without covetous eyes. Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:167-168

I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Matthew 6:19-20

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal; store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

The Promise:

Philippians 2:13

It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

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Pondering Point

The KJV says my soul hath kept thy testimonies rather than just “I” in the NIV. My soul loves the added dynamic of including the deepest part of the self.

Saturday, September 8

Matthew 18:10-14

The Parable of the Wandering Sheep

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 

12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

The more familiar location for the Parable of the Lost Sheep is in Luke 15:4-7 where it’s combined with the Parables of the Lost Coin and the Lost or Prodigal Son.

The context in Matthew is different in that it bridges Jesus’ call to deal with our own sin seriously (18:8-9) and His call to deal with other’s sin seriously (18:15-17).

Whether that symbolic sheep lost in sin is you or someone else, God the Father’s attitude remains the same: Your Father is heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost (Matthew 18:14). He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost – and is thrilled to again find that lost person – or sheep – as the parable portrays.

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Prayer Prompt

Pray to Jesus, your shepherd. Utilize Psalm 23 with its shepherd-sheep language or use your own creative imagination to couch your prayers in sheep to shepherd images. What other sheep need prayers?

Sunday, September 9
Call to Worship God, to Gather Together

God Bless You

Psalm 149:1,4

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!... For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. 

For worship is, essentially, the reverse of sin. Sin began (and begins) when we succumb to the temptation, “you shall be as gods.” We make ourselves the center of the universe and dethrone God. By contrast, worship is giving God his true worth; it is acknowledging him to be the Lord of all things, and the Lord of everything in our lives. He is, indeed, the most high God!
~ Sinclair B. Ferguson
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Prayer for Worship

This prayer is based on Psalm 23:
Lord Jesus, I rejoice that you are my shepherd and that I lack nothing.
I thank you for a place to lie down at night,
and for the proverbial green pastures of food
that you daily provide for me in so many ways.
Thank you for providing for my need of water,
Both physically and spiritually.
Thank You for restoring my soul.
Help me to appreciate your goodness and mercy
and stay within it all the days of my life.
Thanks again –
Your sometimes-straying-but-so-appreciative sheep.
Amen.

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