"I thank You, living and eternal King, for You have graciously restored my soul within me. Great is Your faithfulness."
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
"Lord, let my heart be humbled before You today. May I see with clear eyes, free from pride, self-righteousness, and judgment. Reveal my own need for grace before I ever extend judgment toward another. Let me be an instrument of Your mercy, a vessel of Your love, and a living testimony to the forgiveness You have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
It’s easy to spot the mistakes of others. That harsh word someone spoke. That selfish action. That failure to live up to expectations. But when it comes to our own faults? Those are harder to see.
Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, gave us an image so striking, so piercing, that it forces us into self-reflection:
"Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye,' and look—the plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." (Matthew 7:3-5, NKJV)
This is one of Jesus’ greatest lessons on grace—not just receiving it, but extending it. Because in our rush to correct others, we forget that we too are in need of healing.
Scripture:
"Judge not, that you be not judged... Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." (Matthew 7:1-5, NKJV)
Reflection: Jesus isn’t telling us to ignore sin. He’s telling us to begin with our own hearts. Before we can be vessels of grace, we must experience it for ourselves.
Cross-reference: Romans 2:1-3 – "You who judge practice the same things."
Scripture:
"He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." (John 8:7, NKJV)
Reflection: True grace is not about excusing sin—it is about restoration.
Cross-reference: Galatians 6:1-2 – "If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently."
Scripture:
"You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7, NKJV)
Reflection: We must confront our own failings before we condemn others.
Cross-reference: Psalm 51:10-12 – "Create in me a clean heart, O God."
Scripture:
"Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (Matthew 18:33, NKJV)
Reflection: Forgiveness is not optional—it is the very fabric of God’s kingdom.
Cross-reference: Colossians 3:13 – "Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Scripture:
"Do you love Me? Feed My sheep." (John 21:17, NKJV)
Reflection: Jesus doesn’t leave us in our failures—He calls us into deeper love.
Cross-reference: Micah 7:18-19 – "He delights in mercy."
"Lord, before I speak, before I judge, before I point out another’s flaws, let me first be humbled by Your mercy. Help me see clearly—not with eyes of condemnation, but with a heart transformed by grace. May I walk in forgiveness, just as You have forgiven me. Let me be a vessel of Your love today. Amen."
Who do you need to forgive today? What "plank" is God asking you to remove from your own heart first?
May this devotional lead you deeper into the mystery of Christ, where grace and truth embrace.
