Monday, October 22
Theme for the week:
Disciples Learn to Judge (Under Jesus) With a Right Measure

Matthew 7:1-2

Jesus taught: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 

We see Jesus clearly saying do not judge, which is been quoted by many people in the face of perceived criticism. This is also a good place to acknowledge that Jesus in another place tells us, stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly (John 7:24). This reminds us that Jesus is not advocating a zero judgment policy. So what does Jesus mean? Think of it this way. Have you ever had somebody say to you “don't judge me!” after you compliment them? Not likely. Though it may happen, it will be rare. Most people say “don't judge me” in light of criticism. We want to be very careful with our criticisms and judgments. Follow God and his lead here. God clearly has the right to judge us, but that's not his goal. So even if you have the right to judge that should never be your goal. Your goal should connect to God’s goal, which we will cover tomorrow.

Placeholder Picture

Prayer Prompt

Father God, teach me to judge well – not by mere appearances – but by your Holy Spirit, the One who in Christ sets me and all people free from the Law of sin and death. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Micro-Meditation

Psalm 1:1-6

  1. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
  2. but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
  3. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
  4. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
  5. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
  6. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

  • 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.

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

What does walking with the wicked bring to mind for you? What about standing with sinners? Sitting with mockers? How might God convict you here?

Tuesday, October 23
God’s Mission

John 3:16-18

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
~Jesus

All people in this world will be judged by God. Some will end up condemned by God in this world, but not because its God's desire. God's goal is never condemnation, but as you read in these couple of verses in John 3 -- the goal is salvation: not perishing but having life eternal – brought into God’s presence rather than pushed out.

As disciples of Jesus, we want our goals to align with God's. People did not pick up an attitude of condemnation from Jesus – nor should they pick it up from us. In truth, people will end up standing condemned, but that's not our role. Our role is to get as many people to be in Christ. Why? Because in Christ there is no condemnation we are told (see Romans 8:1).

Romans 8:1-2

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Placeholder Picture

Prayer

Lord Jesus, build into me a heart of love for the world that you and our Father in Heaven share. Then show me how to display this love for all to see and experience your love for them. Amen.

Micro-Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 1:1-2

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Placeholder Picture

Teaching or Command of God:

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. 

The Promise:

Psalm 139:2

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

Could you make a case to God that you are one who meditates on His law day and night? What would you point to? How might the Spirit tweak (or even overhaul) your current practices?

Wednesday, October 24
Your Identity in Christ

• In Christ, I am set free from the law of sin and death. Thank you Spirit of life!

In Christ, there is no condemnation the Apostle Paul points out in Romans 8:1. God sent Jesus Christ in this world of people not to condemn but to save her. Until this truth soaks in to you, we will struggle to reflect the heart of God. The heart of God is to save all people – for them to identify as his children. We want this identity for all people. So, to keep quoting the Apostle Paul, “judge nothing before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and he will expose the motives of the heart.” (1 Corinthians 4:5). God is way more equipped to handle this sensitive judgment issue than we are. Let's get back to our given role of making disciples and of loving people as God has loved us.

Placeholder Picture

Prayer

Thank you Spirit of God for setting me free from the Law of sin and death. Thank you Jesus for enabling this gift by your sacrificial death on the cross, fulfilling the law on our behalf. In Your name I pray, amen.

Micro-Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 1:3

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Placeholder Picture

Teaching or Command of God:

John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 

The Promise:

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

If you reflect on yourself as a tree, how is the health of your root system? How are you taking in “water” to nourish you? Is this intentional? What is the state of your leaves? Where might you and God describe your fruit?

Thursday, October 25
Re-Center Around God

1 Corinthians 4:5

“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”
~ Apostle Paul

This is the type of reviewing and re-centering period that can reveal some hidden prejudices. Be on the lookout. It doesn’t take much effort to mistakenly put ourselves in the place of God and become a judge of other people.

Review the week

Do I display a non-condemning spirit toward others, even those I disagree with? Do I pre-judge people? Could I be rightly accused of being prejudiced toward certain people or people groups? Want to know for certain? Ask around. Have I left judging in the hands of God?

Repent (if necessary)

Ask God to forgive you for any harsh and/or condemning attitudes that have been allowed to linger in you, be it for months or years, or even only hours or minutes.

Return (as necessary)

Ask God for a heart of love for those where you heart has previously been lacking in this area.

Micro-Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 1:4-5

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

Placeholder Picture

Teaching or Command of God:

Malachi 3:2-3a

But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. 

The Promise:

Matthew 3:12

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

As a tree in God’s orchard, what might prospering look like in your plot of dirt? What changes could you make to foster another nuance of prospering?

Friday, October 26
Discipleship Point

From Luther’s Small Catechism:
Sacrament of the Altar

What is the benefit of eating and drinking this sacrament? These words, "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins," show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

What is the benefit offered in this sacrament? The chief blessing of the Sacrament is the forgiveness of sins which Christ's body and blood have won for us on the cross, showing the Lord's Supper to be a means of grace as seen in Matthew 26:28: This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins and in 1 Peter 1:18-19: You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Don't lose sight of these words -- in this moment devoting with God – in light of another of Jesus' teachings: If you love me you will obey what I command.

Placeholder Picture

Discipleship Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for the forgiveness of sins that you have won for me and all people on the cross. Fill my life with meaning as a follower of yours. Amen.

Micro-Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 1:6

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Placeholder Picture

Teaching or Command of God:

Hosea 14:9

Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. 

The Promise:

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.  

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

As you look at your ways, are they aligned with God (and being watched over) or contrary to God ways (and therefore destructive from God’s perspective)?

Saturday, October 27

1 Kings 3:1-28

Solomon Asks for Wisdom

1 Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her to the City of David until he finished building his palace and the temple of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the Lord. 3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.

A Wise Ruling

16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.

19 “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.”

22 The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.”

But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king.

23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”

But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”

28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

Solomon, son of previously reigning King David, had been recently announced as king and was directed by God to ask for anything that he wanted. In a great example for young and powerful people, he asked God for wisdom. He prayed for wisdom to rule wisely though so young for his position. That wisdom that he asked to receive – and was given – is then displayed within the story from scripture for this week.

Placeholder Picture

Prayer Prompt

Father God, it would seem that a natural prayer after this story would be praying for wisdom in judging. I do pray that you grant that, but I also pray for a Solomon-sized dose of humility that we see displayed in his early years of service as King. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Sunday, October 28
Call to Worship God, to Gather Together

God Bless You

Daniel 2:23

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.

Don't let life affect your worship; let your worship affect life.
~ Lamar Boschman
Placeholder Picture

Prayer for Worship

Jesus Christ, Judge of all, give us wisdom to judge rightly at all times, withholding or delaying judgment when called for, and remembering Your mercy and grace toward us when judgments must be rendered by us. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Sponsored by Hope Lutheran Church 

Copyright (c) 2017-2019 Paul vonWerder

Photo Credits
HomeAll DevotionsTop