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.

Today's Verse - 1 Thessalonians 3:12

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

—1 Thessalonians 3:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is love. God is also the source of love. He pours love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). So, how do we make our churches, our families, our small groups, and communities more loving? We pray for God to grow the love in those in groups, letting them know that we are praying for them, and then communicate and demonstrate our love to those very same groups in words and actions. As John wrote to early believers:

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18).

My Prayer...

Father, use me to help be an example of love to those around me. Please pour your love into my heart through your Spirit, as you promised, and then help me channel that love out into the lives of others. Please empower the love in our congregations, schools, and families to grow pervasively and generously, so that the world may know that you sent Jesus. May our love not just be known among us, but also to those around us who are not part of your Kingdom family. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Romans 14:1

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

—Romans 14:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our life in Christ is such a blessing! We want to welcome new disciples into our fellowship to share the blessings that Jesus has given us. We don't bring them in to scrutinize their past failures or the current struggles, but to bring them into the love of God's acceptance as part of his eternal family. They will make mistakes and stumble, just as we did when we were new believers. Yet God welcomed us patiently, graciously, and compassionately. Let's do the same with new believers as they learn to live for Jesus. As Paul commanded the Romans:

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God (Romans 15:7).

My Prayer...

Father, please make me more understanding and patient with my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who are new to the faith. Give me insight and empathy so I can encourage them, build them up, and help them feel accepted into your family as your beloved children. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.