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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 19, 2006 “Give and It Will Be Given to You” |
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Frontline Devotion for Sunday, February 19, 2006 by Brenda Kessler
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV Study Bible)
When I read these scripture verses the words that usually catch my attention are “do not judge.” My study bible tells me that “Jesus did not relieve his followers of the need for discerning right and wrong but he condemned unjust and hypocritical judging of others.”
Today, however, the word that jumped out at me as I was preparing the frontline devotion was “give.” Verse 38 shows us that three sentences compose the idea of giving, not just one sentence as with the concepts of judging, condemning, and forgiving. “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” My study bible suggests that poured into your lap “probably refers to the way the outer garment was worn, leaving a fold over the belt that could be used as a large pocket to hold a measure of wheat.”
I want to share a short quote from an unknown author. Find a quiet place - a shalom place - to reflect on this quote. What does it say to you?
“The man who takes and never gives, may last for years but never lives.”
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Jesus
Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for the countless opportunities we have to give of our resources and of ourselves. Forgive us when we think only about getting. Use our gifts to further your kingdom wherever we are. Help us to really live for you! We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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