Today's Verse - Acts 16:30-34

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole household.

—Acts 16:30-34

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Faith in Jesus is the most crucial response to God's grace and a life-transforming blessing. For the jailer, faith meant hearing the gospel of Jesus as LORD and responding by believing that message, demonstrating a life change, being baptized immediately, and sharing in fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:38-47). Imagine going from being the jailer over men to washing their wounds in your own home! Think about being responsible for the painful incarceration of men, then having these men baptize you and your family that same night! Imagine locking men in chains who would later sit at your table sharing a meal! Isn't God incredible! Isn't his grace indescribable! No wonder we rejoice when those who are lost fully believe! Life is forever different them.

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for the surprises you have brought into my life through your grace. Please bless me as I strive to share your grace this week by presenting the Gospel of Jesus to those I love. May we see whole households turn to you because you surprised them with your amazing grace! In the name of the LORD Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Romans 14:4

Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

—Romans 14:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The apostle Paul warned early believers against passing judgment on other Christians in matters not central to the faith. He also reminded them of whose job it is to judge in these matters - the LORD. He also emphasized that the person on whom they passed judgment belonged to the LORD - that person was HIS servant. Paul then asked them (and us): What right does anyone have to pass judgment on a person for whom Christ died and who is also a servant who belongs to the LORD? (Romans 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:11)
Unfortunately, the evil one makes it easy for us to find fault and pass judgment on others about something nonessential while never dealing with the obvious sin in our own lives. We must not judge other believers in matters that are not central to the faith. We will answer to God for our sin and our judgmentalism. Jesus warned that the harshness we use to judge others will be the harshness the LORD will use with us on judgment day (Matthew 7:2). That's sobering, and a reminder to not judge each other.

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My Prayer...

Father, please forgive me. I confess that I have wrongly passed judgment on others when I had no right or authority to do so. I know Jesus died to redeem them and want to use them for your glory. I know you love them and have a plan for each of them. I know that I have things wrong in my own life. Please redeem my heart and use me to be an encouragement, never a stumbling block, to your precious, blood-bought children. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Romans 14:13

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

—Romans 14:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It is so easy to be judgmental of others. We must remember that we don't know their struggles, circumstances, or discouragements. Most of all, we don't know their hearts. When we are judgmental, we erect a barrier between others and ourselves as we set ourselves up as superior to a brother or sister for whom Christ Jesus died! If we are not careful, we can spread our judgmental impression of them to others in gossip. Our stubbornness to only view them with a judgmental spirit erects a stumbling block that can lead them to become discouraged and cause them to stumble. Jesus warns us sternly about such a damaging practice (Matthew 18:6-7). Let's set our minds on being an encouragement and blessing to our brothers and sisters and not put an obstacle in the way of others.

My Prayer...

Father, I ask you to conform my attitude toward others to match the redemptive grace you have for them. I want to be more patient with the failures of others, just as you are patient with mine. Please forgive me for not being more encouraging to those who are weak and struggling. Open my eyes to the ways I can be a blessing. Forgive me for being a hindrance to others. Open my heart to share your blessings with them. Please use me as your instrument of grace and encouragement, never as a selfish stumbling block to one of your precious children. In Jesus' name, I ask to grow in these graces. Amen.