When Your Brother (or Sister) Sins against You – Matthew 18 – 2025 Day 103

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 71, Matthew 18

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 18:14-17 ESV

Yesterday we looked at not causing someone else to stumble or sin. Today let’s look at what to do when someone else sins against us.

I had someone ask me how to handle a conflict she was having with a sister serving in her church’s children’s ministry. I’ve copyied my answer here in hopes that it will help you, too!


When a sister in Christ has hurt you, you should approach her with gentleness, humility, and love. Begin by speaking words of genuine encouragement, such as, “I’m so thankful for your service to our children. I appreciate you teaching the children to sing and worship. I want us to work together in a spirit of unity and love.”

Examine your own heart and motives. Look for the log in your own eye. We often notice pride in others more easily than we see it in our own hearts.

Remember, love thinks the best of the other person. Don’t assume that her motives are wrong.

Finally, sometimes the women that I’m serving with are eager to speak words of complaint or criticism, but slow to offer help. I love it when people come to me with offers to help! Try that first.

Here are some other passages you can read to prepare for a difficult discussion with a brother or sister.

Leviticus 19:17-18
Proverbs 27:5-6
Colossians 3:12-17
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
Ephesians 4:29-32

I highly recommend Ken Sande’s book, The Peacemaker. Here’s a link to a bunch of wonderful downloads from his Peacemaker Ministries and Relational Wisdom


Heavenly Father,

You are perfect in all Your ways. You have never sinned, and You never will. But people do, Lord. We do sin, and we need forgiveness – from You and from others.

Help us to be quick to listen and slow to anger. Keep us from pride. Make us patient and faithful. Give us discernment to see the log in our own eyes.

We know that You desire unity within Your body, so give us the strength and wisdom we need to reconcile with our brothers. For Your glory and our good we pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Prince of Peace. Amen.

You are Holy (Prince of Peace) –
Michael W. Smith
Prince of Peace – Josh Baldwin

Woe to the One by whom Temptation Comes – Matthew 17-18 – 2025 Day 102

Read Through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 70, Matthew 17-18

Today I read both chapters 17 and 18 because in Matthew 17:24-27 Jesus was explaining to Peter that though He was free from giving the tax (since He is God’s Son), He would still pay the tax so that He would not give offense to the Jewish leaders. Then, in Matthew 18:6, Jesus warned the people about not causing others to sin.

“When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?”

He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”

And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Matthew 17:24-27 ESV

That word “offend” in Matthew 17:27 is the same Greek word as”causes to sin” in Matthew 18:6, 8, and 9 — skandalizō.

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea….

Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.”

Matthew 18:5-9 ESV
Many thanks to the Blue Letter Bible app 💙

Certainly, we need to be careful how we live because we want to honor God in all we do, but we also don’t want to cause others to stumble. Let’s keep a careful watch over what we say and what we do, that we may be a help and not a hindrance to our brothers and sisters. This might mean limiting our freedoms.

Remember, Jesus was free from paying that temple tax because He was the Son of God, yet He paid it, so He wouldn’t cause others to stumble. Likewise, God might be calling you to not do something out of love for your weaker brother.

Want more? Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 would be great passages to study.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your immeasurable mercy and grace towards me, for forgiving me by the blood of Christ. I pray that I would pay careful attention to how I walk. I want to be my brother’s keeper, for Your glory and his good. Make me a helping hand and not a stumbling block.  Please give me Your strength and discernment to do what is right. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Spotless Lamb, I pray. Amen.

Sanctuary – Randy Rothwell

The Sisterhood of Believers – Matthew 12 – 2025 Day 97

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 65, Matthew 12

But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is
my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12:48-50 ESV

Yesterday’s post about Jesus carrying your burdens versus carrying your own burdens got me really thinking about the earthly importance of living in close community with other Christian sisters. I am so blessed to be a part of a vibrant, living body of believers! We have retreats together twice a year — with another one coming up next weekend. I can’t wait!

If you haven’t found some ladies to “do life with,” to plow the field with, let me encourage you – YOU NEED TO! All good things take work, including having rich relationships with women.

Here are some tips that might help you in this:

1. Don’t wait for someone else to reach out to you. They may be doing the very same thing. Remember that Christ made the first move. He reached out to you. Make the effort today to reach out to someone else. Get a date on the calendar and keep it.

2. Don’t only reach out to people who look like you, think like you, and act like you. Some of the ladies who’ve had the greatest impact on my life have been the most different from me. I need their viewpoint in my life!

3. Don’t be surprised when the scheduled time to get together, comes and you don’t want to go. Resist the temptation to make an excuse to stay home. You’ll miss out on a blessing … and so will your friend!

4. Don’t think your relational needs can be adequately met through online friendships or scrolling through social media. No matter how great that blogger 😉 or influencer or Facebook group friend seems … You’re only seeing a tiny slice of their life. Real friends will be IRL friends. If you meet that perfect sister online (which does happen!), that relationship needs to go deeper than posting photos and exchanging text messages.

5. Don’t run when the going gets tough! Authentic relationships are messy … But sisters stand by each other through the storms of life. When a sister says something that hurts your feelings, you have only two choices: (1) overlook the offense or (2) sit down with them and talk about it. Abandoning your sister isn’t an option. Yes, there are seasons for every relationship, but “breaking up” over a pretty argument or silently creeping out the back door isn’t an option when you’re sisters.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for giving me so many sisters in faith. Thank You for how they have spurned me on to love and good deeds. Thank You for the ways that they have shouldered my burdens and walked before me to help make my path easier. Thank You for the times that they have reproved me, corrected me, and taught me. Thank You for the examples that they have been for me in faith, love, and good deeds.

I pray that You would send someone to me today who needs a friend, someone that can bless me and who I can also bless. I pray, Father, that You would help me to be a good friend, to love others like You loved me. Help me to recognize how greatly I need community and to be willing to put in the work it demands! Help me to be humble and recognize the log in my own eye, rather than being so quick to see the speck in my sister’s eye.

It is in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, the Friend who sticks closer than any brother, we pray. Amen.

Make Us One – Twila Paris

Come to Jesus and He will Give you Rest – Matthew 11 – 2025 Day 96

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 64, Matthew 11

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29 ESV

I often find myself laboring in my own strength. I often feel heavy laden. I often feel tired and worn out and exhausted and in need of rest. How about you?

Yet, if I were sitting across the table from you and said, “I’m so tired. I really need some rest.” And your answer to me was, “Oh, sister, I hear you! I’ve got an idea. How about you take my yoke upon your shoulders? That will make your life easier.”

After laughing aloud 😂 (and thinking you must have taken lessons from Job’s friends in giving bad advice), I hope I’d remember Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ,” and then I might give you a very sincere “thank you” and proceed to ask you for some help with a variety of household tasks, like say cooking dinner or vacuuming. It certainly is a blessing to have friends to plow alongside, to labor in the field with. Jesus sent out his disciples two by two for a reason. We need friends to help us along this road of life. But, unfortunately, none of you can truly relieve my burden, for you have your own burdens to bear.

  • Only Jesus can carry my yoke for me.
  • Only Jesus can give rest to my soul.
  • Only Jesus can make my burden truly light.

Here I am, Lord. I’ve come. Thank You for the invitation. I need you. I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet. I cast all my cares upon You. I know that all my striving is for nothing. I trust You. You are the only place my soul can find rest. Your yoke is easy, and Your burden is light because You are the Almighty God, the Ruler of the universe, who sees me and knows me by name. My soul finds rest in You and You alone. Amen.

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Come Unto Jesus – Laura Story
I Cast All my Cares – Psalty

Who (or What) Do You Love  More than Jesus? – Matthew 10 – 2025 Day 95

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 63, Matthew 10

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Matthew 10:34-39 ESV

What do I love more than Jesus? Sleep? Chocolate cake? My phone?

Who do I love more than Jesus? My mom and dad? My friends? My kids? My husband?

Who is on the throne of my heart? Who rules over my thoughts and my actions? Who am I living my life for?

It’s a lot to think about.

Lord, help me to love You more than any thing, more than any one. Make me willing to lose what I love for Your name. Show me today what that looks like. In the name of Jesus Christ, the only worthy One, Amen.

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Clear the Stage – Jimmy Needham

Scripture Memory and Scripture Application – Matthew 7 – 2025 Day 92

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 60; Matthew 7

My oldest two children (ages 10 and 7) and I initially memorized all 29 verses of Matthew 7 almost 20 years ago. Thankfully, I’ve used the Bible Memory app since then to review the verses I memorized, otherwise I fear that I wouldn’t remember it anymore. I hope you’ll check it out! Here’s a link to learn more or download it. Here’s a link to a video I made about how to use it. And here’s a link to my Teach What Is Good Bible Memory group You can join for free for some encouragement and accountability — don’t we all need that!

There is so much wisdom in all of Matthew 7, but today what I was especially thinking about the connection between verses 21-23 and 24-27.

Don’t miss that word “then” in verse 24.

This reminded me of some other passages I’ve hidden in my heart.

This is what differentiates students from disciples: Students listen, students study, students memorize, but disciples put into practice the words of their teacher, modeling their own lives after their master’s.

Heavenly Father, we don’t want to merely listen to your Word, thus deceiving ourselves. We want to do what it says. Help us to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, modeling our lives after His, loving and serving others, doing good to them and forgiving them, as Jesus Christ perfectly modeled for us. And help us to be faithful disciple-makers, telling others the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, and teaching them all that You have commanded us, remembering that You are always with us even to the end of the age! In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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Bible Memory App – 1 Corinthians 13
How to use the Bible Memory app
I Have Hidden Your Word – Steve Green

Christ is Enough – Matthew 6 – 2025 Day 91

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 59, Matthew 6

Bear with me, please, as I silently ponder aloud some thoughts from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount.

  • Is Jesus enough for me?
  • Can I be satisfied in Him? Or do I have to manipulate others with anger or bitterness or unforgiveness?
  • Can I be satisfied in Him? Or do I need to lust after that person or that thing or that circumstance, thinking that is the key to my joy?
  • Can I be satisfied in Him? Or do I need the praise and accolades of man? Do I need good health and good food, nice clothes and nice friends to be happy?

I can just hear the Father whispering to me, “O, Kim, you of little faith. I am enough for you. Trust Me. Look at those birds making their little nests and pulling worms from the ground. Look at those flowers poking out from the dirt. I am taking care of them and I’m taking care of you. Fear not for I am with you. I am enough. You, seek Me. You, trust Me. You, pursue Me. I’ll take care of the rest. I’ll take care of you.”

Heavenly Father, You are enough. You are more than enough. You are a good, good Father who always keeps His promises. Increase my faith, Lord. Help me to seek first YOUR kingdom, rather than my own. Help me to seek to store up treasures in heaven, rather than here on earth. Give me eternal vision and help me to trust You in the little and big things. In the all-powerful name of my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Enough – Elias Dummer

Resisting Temptation – Matthew 4 – 2025 Day 89

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 57, Matthew 4

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit
into the wilderness
to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1

It struck me that it was the Spirit that led Jesus to go into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Why? Why would God want Jesus to be tempted? I found the answer in the Word, in Hebrews.

“Therefore [Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV

Jesus experienced temptation, yet He resisted the devil by wielding the sword of the Word, and so can we. Like 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

So … What should we do when we face temptation?

  • Take your thoughts captive to obey Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 10:5) The battle against temptation is won and lost in your thoughts. If you want to resist temptation, you need to “think about what you’re thinking about!” As soon as you’re tempted, capture that thought, get rid of it, and replace it with the truth of God’s Word. I know how I feel after fasting for 12 hours, so I can only imagine how hungry Jesus was after fasting for 40 days of fasting! Jesus overcame temptation with God’s Word, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes in the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 – Look at Deuteronomy 8:3 for it’s original use) The more of God’s Word you have stored in your heart, the better equipped you’ll be to replace those wrong thoughts with the right ones! (See Psalm 119:11)
  • Resist the devil. Ask yourself this question, “Who am I resisting, God or the devil?” All too often we are resisting God and submitting to the devil. 😩 If we want to resist the devil, we have to recognize his temptations and schemes. If you knew you were in a lion’s den, you’d keep alert for a lion, wouldn’t you? Listen carefully to the words of 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
  • Submit to God. In those tough moments, remember that God is your commanding officer. He has every right to give you your matching orders, and He expects you to obey them. As James wrote, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:7-8a ESV) When you’re struggling with temptation, no matter what it is, turn to God and obey Him in faith. Trust that He is good and that His plans are for your good.

Heavenly Father,

Each and every day, I meet temptations of various kinds. Some temptations are stronger than others, but all of them can be overcome by Your Spirit and Your Word. I believe that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. I trust that Your Word is my sword by which I can fight the devil’s schemes.

Please help me to resist the devil and submit to You as my commanding officer.

I am no longer a slave to sin. I am no longer a slave to my flesh. I am no longer a child of  wrath. I am a child of God by the blood of Jesus that flows through my veins. I am a soldier in the army of the Lord. I have been bought with a price, and now I have been called to serve You with my body. Make me a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You, my Lord and Captain and King.

In the holy and almighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

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“I am not my own”
Keith and Kristyn Getty, and Skye Peterson

A Pinched Off Piece of Clay – Job 33 – 2025 Day 80

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Job 33, Psalm 48

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life…. Behold, I am toward God as you are;
I too was pinched off from
a piece of clay.

Job 33:4, 6 ESV

Have you ever tried making a “pinch pot” out of a little lump of sticky brown clay or have you ever attempted to mold a little clay pot on a potter’s wheel?

I actually grew up with two aunts and one uncle who are professional potters. I spent many hours admiring their work and attempting to make my own. Then, a few years ago, my oldest daughter and I went to a local pottery shop to try our hand at throwing coffee mugs on a wheel. Let me just say that these experiences have taught me to appreciate the skill involved with making incredible beauty out of a few handfuls of wet dirt.

In this passage of Job, two things jumped out at me.

1. God is the potter. God is who made us, and He is who gives us life. He creates and shapes and molds us into what He desires. Friends, none of us are mere accidents. We didn’t just evolve from apes through a random series of genetic changes. Our lives have purpose. As Ephesians 2:10 explains, “We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

2. All mankind is level before God. Though you and I each have a unique, intentional purpose, we are all equally pinched off from a piece of clay. (Job 33:6) God has fashioned us each to look different, so that we might each accomplish the works which He has designed for us, but may we never boast as though we’re better than anyone else for we’re all jars of clay made by the same potter. May this truth keep us humble before God and before our fellow man.

Let’s pray.

Oh, Heavenly Father, what is man that You are mindful of us? You know that we are dust. We are but clay in Your skillful hands. You have a divine purpose for each of us. May that truth empower us to go and do the works that You have designed us for. Keep us humble as we remember that we are equally Your creation and give us courage as we remember that You have works prepared for us to do. In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

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Praise the One who Gives Me Breath – Job 26-27 – 2025 Day 75

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Job 26-27, Psalm 43

Let’s just ponder this one verse from today’s reading.

With whose help
have you uttered words,
and whose breath has come out from you?

Job 26:4 ESV

On the sixth day of creation, the Lord breathed into the first man, Adam, the breath of life (Genesis 2:7) and He’s been doing it ever since. Why are we so prideful, so self-sufficient, thinking that we are independent creatures who don’t need God? Truly, what do I have that I haven’t been given? Even the very breath in my lungs is a gift from God.

And to think of the gift of language, of thinking and speaking and communicating – with God and with others – oh, what a gift! As an educator for the deaf, I witnessed first-hand how desperately children and parents desire to communicate, whether using gestures or sounds or facial expressions. My 100-lb Aussie-Labradoodle moose-dog is about as smart as animals come, but he can’t communicate nearly so well as my 20-month old granddaughter. God has given mankind a unique gift in the gift of language, so that we can hear from Him and speak to Him like none of the other creatures He has made on earth.

Psalm 150, the final psalm, is a psalm of praise, praising God with trumpets and harps and strings and pipes, praising Him with dancing and loud crashing cymbals, but oh the gift of singing words of praise and making declarations of spoken praise, telling of His mighty deeds! The Lord has put breath in my lungs and with it I will praise Him! As the final verse of the final psalm says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6) Will you join me in declaring aloud His greatness?!

Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, giver of life and breath, You are worthy of all our praise! You created the sun and moon and stars by Your will and by Your word. You hung the earth on nothing. You created the seas and everything in them. You created the earth and the sky and everything that fills them. What is man that you are mindful of us?

You are worthy of every word of worship, every song of praise, every beat of the drum, every blast of the trumpet, every clang of the cymbal. You are worthy! You are holy and mighty and good. All your ways are right and all Your ways are just.

We worship You in the glory of Your presence. We ask that You would make us vessels of Your glory and grace. We ask that You would make us declarers of Your praise! Use us, Lord! By the sacrifice of Your Son, we have been made temples of Your Holy Spirit. Make us pure and holy vessels for You.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord, we pray. Amen.

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Great are You Lord