Morning Devotional 050425 Extend God's Grace to All

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  May 4, 2025

John 8:1-11         

1 And Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he returned to the temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The legal experts and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. Placing her in the center of the group, 4 they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone women like this. What do you say?” 6 They said this to test him, because they wanted a reason to bring an accusation against him. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. 7 They continued to question him, so he stood up and replied, “Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone.” 8 Bending down again, he wrote on the ground. 9 Those who heard him went away, one by one, beginning with the elders. Finally, only Jesus and the woman were left in the middle of the crowd. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Is there no one to condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”

Good Morning. Praise God for the life-giving rain!

People are very quick to judge others. The categories for which we judge are endless. Our judgment is rooted in the idea that we are right and there couldn’t possibly be any other way. 

It is easy to point a finger at someone for their contrary actions. Even when we keep our thoughts to ourselves, we often judge others in our minds. Remember that God knows our thoughts, words, and actions. Oh my, this is a tough one!

How can Jesus look around and see only beauty and goodness, but we see ugliness and evil? Jesus looks into our souls where our God-given essence lies. He is not distracted by our earthly trappings. 

We are all sinners! By God’s grace, we are given the opportunity to repent of our sins and choose Christ. Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”

We are to stop throwing stones and focus on finding the goodness that is within all God’s children. 

Loving Lord, Maker of all things! Help us see others through the eyes of our hearts and souls. Thank you for looking past our imperfections and loving us. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: We extend God’s grace when we are accepting of others. 

Love one another! Pastor Liz