Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"Hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to remove the speck
from your brother's eye."(Matthew 7:5)

Reflection:

There will always be applicants for the position of
"Splinter Inspector" in the lives of others. But the
real need is for Christians who are willing to become
"Plank Removers" in their own lives.

Would you trust your teeth to a dentist who has no
teeth? Or your car to a mechanic who couldn't keep
his own car running? Of coarse not!

Would you trust a Christian whose life showed no
evidence of the power of God at work?

It's a question worth asking. AND THE FIRST
PERSON TO ASK IS YOURSELF!

Prayer:

Oh Lord, may I always remember to remove the
plank in my own eye, before I see this splinter in
my neighbors eye.  Please O God give me the wisdom
not to be a hypocrite. In Jesus Name Amen

This is what the LORD says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
     who draws strength from mere flesh
     and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
     they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
     in a salt land where no one lives.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
     whose confidence is in him.” —
Jeremiah 17:5–7

People can choose to put their faith in humanity.
Moreover, people can indeed achieve the results
they were looking for. Doctors cured loved ones,
friends got them a new job. However, these people
will miss the truth that it was God who did these
great things for them and that those people involved
in helping them were merely God’s messengers.
They might have gotten what they wanted, but
Jeremiah says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh . . .”

Ultimately, these people have won the battle but lost
the war because their “heart turns away from the
LORD.” Their trust in humanity has created distance
from God. This is the “curse” of trusting in humanity.
It pushes a person farther from the Lord.

I want to encourage us to hold tightly to our faith
 whether things work out the way we want or not. We
never lose with faith. Either we get what we asked for
or we get something even better — closeness to God.
This kind of closeness and deep faith is an invaluable
gift; one that will make our entire lives more peaceful,
joyful, and meaningful.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

(from Holy Land Moments)

Scripture:

"Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be
reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift"
(Matthew 5:24 )

Reflection:

it is not easy to sing praises to God when you're angry
with the person sitting next to you. Or you feel the eyes
of one you have wronged glaring at you. Or you sense that
a wrong relationship with a brother or sister is getting in the
way of a right relationship with your Father.

Before  you attempt to show your love for God by singing,
praying, or searching His Word, go to someone you treated
wrongly, and deal with the grievance.

The heart that yearns to stay right with God will not resist
His command to get right with others.

Prayer:

Almighty God, remind me to always be mindful of
reconciliation to those I have treated wrongly. May I always
strive to be right with others. In Your Holy and Blessed Name.
Amen