What the LORD Says!

 

 

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.”

 

—Zechariah 7:9 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

O LORD of Heaven’s Armies,

 

May all my judgments be fair, and may I always show mercy and kindness to others—as I am reminded of the way You judge everything about me fairly, yet still lavish me with love and grace, pouring out Your mercy and kindness upon me.

 

Keep me from standing arrogantly in rash judgment of others—from being too quick to condemn people for how they act.  For only You can truly know the deep wounds of a person’s heart, and only You can judge their motives and intentions.

 

So instead, give me the boldness to speak the Truth in love against that which is sin—as You have revealed it in Your Word—all the while showing the same mercy and kindness that You pour out upon us all, because of Your great love for each one of us.

 

Grant me the wisdom to fairly judge for myself between that which is right and good, and that which is wrong and evil—so that I would live a life full of truth and grace, and bring glory to You in all my thoughts, words and actions.

 

May all my judgments be fair, and may I always show mercy and kindness to others—as I am reminded of the way You judge everything about me fairly, yet still lavish me with love and grace, pouring out Your mercy and kindness upon me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Look at the Heart

 

 

 

“The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

 

—1 Samuel 16:7b (NLT)

 

 

 

O LORD, who sees each heart,

 

Help me not to judge others based on their outward appearance, but rather help me to take the time to see them as You see them—at the level of their hearts—and then empower me to love them as You do.

 

Keep me from being that person who makes snap judgments about others based on what he sees on the surface—discounting another person's value with the glance of his eye.

 

Rather, teach me to take the time to try to understand the heart of each person that I encounter—to search out the treasures that You have hidden there, just waiting to be discovered.

 

Then help me to see what You see, LORD—a soul worth saving, a life worth sacrificing Your only begotten Son to redeem—and give me that kind of love for them.

 

Help me not to judge others based on their outward appearance, but rather help me to take the time to see them as You see them—at the level of their hearts—and then empower me to love them as You do.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Just as Christ!

 

 

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. —1 Peter 2:21-23 (NLT)

 

 

Dear Father God,

 

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it.

 

Thank You for the perfect example set by Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help me to follow in His steps.

 

Help me to turn my back on sin—and to be obedient to Christ in all my ways 

 

Help me to be honest, open, and transparent in all my affairs—to live in truth and never act deceitfully.

 

When I am reviled or insulted, help me to control my flesh and my thoughts—and choose not to retaliate, or threaten to get even—even when I suffer unjustly as I follow Christ.

 

Help me rest in the peace that comes as I continue to entrust my case, indeed my very life, into Your loving hands—with full confidence that You will always judge fairly.

 

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Mercy for Mercy

 

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

—James 2:12-13 (NLT)

 

Just and Merciful God,

 

May all my thoughts, words and actions be the evidence that I truly understand the depths of the mercy You have offered me—for I know I will receive mercy according to my willing obedience to extend that same mercy to others.

 

Help me remember that the same law that sets me free—that moral law that sets all obedient followers of Christ free from the bondage of sin—is the law by which I will be judged.

 

For while I have been saved by grace through faith, the evidence of my having received that salvation is my obedience to Christ—which is the path upon which perfect freedom is found—and my ability to extend mercy to others, is a proof that I am walking out that salvation which the Gospel of Christ has provided.

 

Let the mercy that You have poured over me be reflected in me, to all those around me, through my obedience to Christ’s command to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. For therein lies the power to love my neighbor as myself.

 

May all my thoughts, words and actions be the evidence that I truly understand the depths of the mercy You have offered me—for I know I will receive mercy according to my willing obedience to extend that same mercy to others.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Don't Speak Evil

 

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.  If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law.  But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.

 

—James 4:11 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me never speak evil against my brothers and sisters—never say anything about someone which would hurt them or defame their character in the eyes of someone else—as I choose instead to live by Your law of love.

 

Replace any critical spirit within me with a spirit of grace and truth.  Grant me the wisdom to discern truth in every situation—and as I seek after what is just and right, help me remain submitted to Your laws of forgiveness, kindness and grace.

 

Help me to capture and bring my every thought into obedience to Christ and His character, as revealed in Your Word—so that any word I speak would be true and useful to bring encouragement and unity between myself and others.

 

And if I ever feel offended by someone, keep me from sharing that offense with others.  Rather, help me always to go directly to the offender to express my complaint against them—in humility, with kindness and love—so that understanding can come, our relationship can be restored and strengthened, and the enemy’s plans to bring division between us can be stopped.

 

Help me never speak evil against my brothers and sisters—never say anything about someone which would hurt them or defame their character in the eyes of someone else—as I choose instead to live by Your law of love.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Judge Fairly

 

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.”

 

—Zechariah 7:9 (NLT)

 

O LORD of Heaven’s Armies,

 

May all my judgments be fair, and may I always show mercy and kindness to others—as I am reminded of the way You judge everything about me fairly, yet still lavish me with love and grace, pouring out Your mercy and kindness upon me.

 

Keep me from standing arrogantly in rash judgment of others—from being too quick to condemn people for how they act.  For only You can truly know the deep wounds of a person’s heart, and only You can judge their motives and intentions.

 

So instead, give me the boldness to speak the Truth in love against that which is sin—as You have revealed it in Your Word—all the while showing the same mercy and kindness that You pour out upon us all, because of Your great love for each one of us.

 

Grant me the wisdom to fairly judge for myself between that which is right and good, and that which is wrong and evil—so that I would live a life full of truth and grace, and bring glory to You in all of my thoughts, words and actions.

 

May all my judgments be fair, and may I always show mercy and kindness to others—as I am reminded of the way You judge everything about me fairly, yet still lavish me with love and grace, pouring out Your mercy and kindness upon me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Look at Their Heart!

 

“The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

 

—1 Samuel 16:7b (NLT)

 

O LORD, who sees each heart,

 

Help me not to judge others based on their outward appearance, but rather help me to take the time to see them as You see them—at the level of their hearts—and then empower me to love them as You do.

 

Keep me from being that person who makes snap judgments about others based on what he sees on the surface—discounting another person's value with the glance of his eye.

 

Rather, teach me to take the time to try to understand the heart of each person that I encounter—to search out the treasures that You have hidden there, just waiting to be discovered.

 

Then help me to see what You see, LORD—a soul worth saving, a life worth sacrificing Your only begotten Son to redeem—and give me that kind of love for them.

 

Help me not to judge others based on their outward appearance, but rather help me to take the time to see them as You see them—at the level of their hearts—and then empower me to love them as You do.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Following in Christ's Steps

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. —1 Peter 2:21-23 (NLT)

 

Dear Father God,

 

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it.

 

Thank You for the perfect example set by Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help me to follow in His steps.

 

Help me to turn my back on sin—and to be obedient to Christ in all my ways 

 

Help me to be honest, open, and transparent in all my affairs—to live in truth and never act deceitfully.

 

When I am reviled or insulted, help me to control my flesh and my thoughts—and choose not to retaliate, or threaten to get even—even when I suffer unjustly as I follow Christ.

 

Help me rest in the peace that comes as I continue to entrust my case, indeed my very life, into Your loving hands—with full confidence that You will always judge fairly.

 

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Give Mercy, Receive Mercy

 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

—James 2:12-13 (NLT)

Just and Merciful God,

 

May all my thoughts, words and actions be the evidence that I truly understand the depths of the mercy You have offered me—for I know I will receive mercy according to my willing obedience to extend that same mercy to others.

 

Help me remember that the same law that sets me free—that moral law that sets all obedient followers of Christ free from the bondage of sin—is the law by which I will be judged.

 

For while I have been saved by grace through faith, the evidence of my having received that salvation is my obedience to Christ—which is the path upon which perfect freedom is found—and my ability to extend mercy to others is a proof that I am walking out that salvation which the Gospel of Christ has provided.

 

Let the mercy that You have poured over me be reflected in me, to all those around me, through my obedience to Christ’s command to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. For therein lies the power to love my neighbor as myself.

 

May all my thoughts, words and actions be the evidence that I truly understand the depths of the mercy You have offered me—for I know I will receive mercy according to my willing obedience to extend that same mercy to others.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Obey the Law of Love

 

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.  If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law.  But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.

 

—James 4:11 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me never speak evil against my brothers and sisters—never say anything about someone which would hurt them or defame their character in the eyes of someone else—as I choose instead to live by Your law of love.

 

Replace any critical spirit within me with a spirit of grace and truth.  Grant me the wisdom to discern truth in every situation—and as I seek after what is just and right, help me remain submitted to Your laws of forgiveness, kindness and grace.

 

Help me to capture and bring my every thought into obedience to Christ and His character, as revealed in Your Word—so that any word I speak would be true and useful to bring encouragement and unity between myself and others.

 

And if I ever feel offended by someone, keep me from sharing that offense with others.  Rather, help me always to go directly to the offender to express my complaint against them—in humility, with kindness and love—so that understanding can come, our relationship can be restored and strengthened, and the enemy’s plans to bring division between us can be stopped.

 

Help me never speak evil against my brothers and sisters—never say anything about someone which would hurt them or defame their character in the eyes of someone else—as I choose instead to live by Your law of love.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Judge Fairly, Show Mercy, Be Kind

 

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.”

 

—Zechariah 7:9 (NLT)

 

O LORD of Heaven’s Armies,

 

May all my judgments be fair, and may I always show mercy and kindness to others—as I am reminded of the way You judge everything about me fairly, yet still lavish me with love and grace, pouring out Your mercy and kindness upon me.

 

Keep me from standing arrogantly in rash judgment of others—from being too quick to condemn people for how they act.  For only You can truly know the deep wounds of a person’s heart, and only You can judge their motives and intentions.

 

So instead, give me the boldness to speak the Truth in love against that which is sin—as You have revealed it in Your Word—all the while showing the same mercy and kindness that You pour out upon us all, because of Your great love for each one of us.

 

Grant me the wisdom to fairly judge for myself between that which is right and good, and that which is wrong and evil—so that I would live a life full of truth and grace, and bring glory to You in all of my thoughts, words and actions.

 

May all my judgments be fair, and may I always show mercy and kindness to others—as I am reminded of the way You judge everything about me fairly, yet still lavish me with love and grace, pouring out Your mercy and kindness upon me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Look at the Heart

  

“The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  

—1 Samuel 16:7b (NLT)

 

O LORD, who sees each heart,

Help me not to judge others based on their outward appearance, but rather help me to take the time to see them as You see them—at the level of their hearts—and then empower me to love them as You do.

Keep me from being that person who makes snap judgments about others based on what he sees on the surface—discounting another person's value with the glance of his eye.

Rather, teach me to take the time to try to understand the heart of each person that I encounter—to search out the treasures that You have hidden there, just waiting to be discovered.

Then help me to see what You see, LORD—a soul worth saving, a life worth sacrificing Your only begotten Son to redeem—and give me that kind of love for them.

Help me not to judge others based on their outward appearance, but rather help me to take the time to see them as You see them—at the level of their hearts—and then empower me to love them as You do.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Called To Do Good

 

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. —1 Peter 2:21-23 (NLT)

Dear Father God,

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it, as long as I remain here on earth.

Thank You for the perfect example set by Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help me to follow in His steps.

Help me to turn my back on sin—and to be obedient to Christ in all my ways 

Help me to be honest, open, and transparent in all my affairs—to live in truth and never act deceitfully.

When I am reviled or insulted, help me to control my flesh and my thoughts—as I choose not to retaliate, or threaten to get even—even when I suffer unjustly as I follow after Christ.

Help me rest in the peace that comes as I continue to entrust my case, indeed my very life, into Your loving hands—with full confidence that You will always judge fairly.

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it, as long as I remain here on earth.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.