Discipleship Point
Matthew 5:29
If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Discipleship Point taken from the Luther's Catechism
The Point: You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
What does this mean? Per Luther’s Catechism, we should fear and love God so that we do not force or entice away our neighbor’s spouse, workers, or animals, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
Pondering Point
Pondering that Point: Our discipleship point comes from the last of the ten commandments. It is not only actions that can be ungodly, but ways of the heart too. Titled "God’s Gift of Contentment" in the Catechism explanation, coveting betrays a lack of contentment within us. Any desire to entice away our neighbor’s wife or workers reveals a problem in our heart. Yet, coveting seems to be one of the sins that have fallen off the radar of evils to confess.
Don’t let it be so for you. Confess as necessary.
Discipleship Prayer
Father God, lead my spirit to the place of contentment in You. You are my real portion, my real treasure. Let me view all earthly joys and treasures as gifts from You, never to take Your place or be coveted. And help me celebrate others’ gifts without covetous eyes. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
Psalm 119:161-168 21st letter: Shin (ש)
- Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word. - I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil. - I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law. - Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws. - Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble. - I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands. - I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly. - I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.
Read the verses of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Matthew 6:19-20
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal; store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
The Promise
Philippians 2:13
It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Pondering Point
The KJV says "my soul hath kept thy testimonies" rather than just “I” in the NIV. My soul loves the added dynamic of including the deepest part of the self.