Matthew 7.1-6
Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when there’s a log in your eye? You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye. Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t throw your pearls in front of pigs. They will stomp on the pearls, then turn around and attack you.
Lord Father we come before you as your children praising your name. We thank you for the provision and shelter we have in you. You are steadfast in your promises to your people and hold us in your abiding love.
In this Easter season we remember Jesus and the example he left us of caring for those he came in contact with. May we likewise show this love to those we meet. Extending grace and mercy in this world that is quick to pronounce judgment on others. Let us be slow to anger, and quick to forgive. Remembering that Christ carried all of our sins to the cross. A gift of redemption for which none of us is worthy.
May our acts of grace and mercy plant seeds in others to do likewise. Our prayer is that these seeds will bloom and produce a more loving atmosphere in our community and that Jesus, through whom we pray, and You, Our heavenly Father will be glorified.
Amen.
(Prayer written by Stewart Smith, one of our Northlake Church Elders)
