Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
November 23, 2021
Read 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! Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone.
Have you noticed how easy it is to judge others? I remember an old saying that you shouldn’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.With that mindset, we should spend time trying to consider or understand another person's perspectives, experiences, or motivations before making a judgment about them. As Christians, Jesus teaches us that it is not our place to judge the actions of others unless we, ourselves, are without sin.
God made each of us and God made everything good, so how do we reconcile what we see when we turn on the news and view such hatred and disregard for life. The answer is simple: Satan has a strong hold on many because he uses distractions to make people think that they need or want what he has to offer. It is so easy to give in to our desires, to envy what others ‘seem’ to have. Then, before you know it, you are living a life apart from God.
Now it is easy to read this and think, “this will never happen to me!” or “I would never do such a thing.”, but the power of Satan is strong. Only through our Lord and Savior are we able to walk away from the temptations of evil. Satan presents our greatest temptations: Jesus presents our eternal life. The Good News is that God will erase our sins when we choose to proclaim Christ as our Lord and Savior. Christ who bears our sins on His cross.
Instead of judging others, look for the person inside the facade, and pray that they will find their way back to the loving arms of Jesus. Nothing is impossible through God.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. We seem to instinctively judge others. Help us believe that within each of us is a good person trying to surface. Thank you for seeing that good in me. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Jesus loves every person in my community.
Instead of judging, pray! Pastor Liz
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