An Eye For An Eye?

Exodus 21:23-24

But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.

Lord, you gave us this rule to keep punishments from going overboard, not to give us permission for revenge. We humans can tend to get carried away with wanting retribution when we've been wronged or injured in some way. Left to our own devices, minor arguments can quickly escalate into full on wars.

When my feelings are hurt or someone has wronged me, help me to look to YOU, Lord, instead of letting my emotions run away with me. Help me to follow Jesus' example. In, Jesus' name, amen.

1 Peter 2:21-23

This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

MEMORY VERSES

All Have Sinned

Romans 3:23

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

Romans 3:23

All Have Sinned

All Have Sinned

Isaiah 53:6

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.

Isaiah 53:6
All Have Sinned

Sweat the Small Stuff! Bring it to God!

Romans 12:1

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Romans 12:1

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Exodus 15:24

Then the people complained and turned against Moses.

Lord, how quick I am to complain and to turn on those I love. Instead of complaining I need to be talking to you about it. Even the small stuff, especially the small stuff. It's the small stuff that builds up and ruins marriages and other relationships.

Lord, please forgive me for being a complainer. Help me to run to you with the small stuff, then if it's necessary, talk to the person who is doing it so that it doesn't cause friction in that relationship.

Lord, I have some relationships that already have years of small stuff built up. Will you show me how to break down those barriers so there can be reconciliation and no more friction?

 

Song of Solomon 2:15

Quick! Catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard of your love, for the grapevines are all in blossom.

Philippians 2:14-15

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Don't Quarrel

Genesis 45

Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!" 
Genesis 45:24

Oh, my gosh! This makes me laugh! But I laugh because it is so true and hits so close to home. Joseph knew his brothers. Why is it that we have a tendency to argue with the ones who are the closest to us?

Joseph had also just shown great favoritism to Benjamin by giving him a lot more gifts than the rest. He must have known that they would be tempted to harass Benjamin about that.

Lord, help me to not give in to the temptation to argue with my family. Help there to be unity within our family so that others see it and wonder what is so different about us.

Lord, I see so much strife in the family across the street. You know that they desperately need you, Jesus. Holy Spirit, I pray that you would pursue that young woman and her boyfriend. Give her grandmother the strength she needs to manage this wild girl. Comfort them all as they still grieve the tragic shooting death of the grandfather. I pray that now that the mom is out of prison that she will remain drug free. 

Holy Spirit, please pursue every person in that home! As well as everyone who is in and out of it. I pray that you would give me opportunities to share with them and boldness to speak the words you give me in those moments!

Amen

If this post resonated with you, please leave your comments below. I'd love to hear how God is working in your life.