There is no benefit when you judge another. It may make you feel better than, superior to another person, but judgment destroys relationships and your soul. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your friend’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Sometimes finding fault with a person can become quite a pastime. Could it be that it takes the focus off of yourself? No one is better or worse than another.

Every person has this in common: I made you all. Exactly as I intended to.

Everything I have made is very good.

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Matthew 7:2-3

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
Genesis 1:31

Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.
Proverbs 22:2

When you have been hurt, wronged or mistreated, your first response is likely prayer–prayer for My protection, healing and provision in your pain. I hear those prayers, but also want you to pray for those who have harmed you. Praying for those who have hurt you heals you more than you can know. It is a form of unmerited grace–forgiveness when forgiveness is neither warranted or requested.

It is also a form of love–loving the unlovable.

These prayers do not come easy. Nor should they.

They come in the midst of pain and weakness. However, when you dare to pray for the person that harmed you, you dare to walk in the path of light–My light. You dare to go against the way of the world, of hatred and revenge, and humbly seek mercy, forgiveness and love.

Pray for your enemy and he no longer remains your enemy. Pray and I will show you that he is just as lost as you were before I found you. Pray and your enemy may see My light in you and seek Me. Pray and your heart becomes more like Mine.

You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:43-45

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:28

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:34

The need for prayer–for intercession can feel overwhelming. There are so many people, both believers and non-believers, who are sick, out of work, lonely, or worse.

My Word tells you I already know their needs and have not forgotten them. Yet I ask you to pray for the needs of those around you as well as yourself. Pray for your president, your community, your relatives, your friends, and every person I bring to your mind. Don’t, however, get caught up in remembering every detail of every need. My Word is right. I know the needs of My people, those who are found and those who are lost. I desire your prayers because they give you a chance to talk to Me from your heart–to share your concerns and to develop a heart for the world aligned with My own.

Your prayers unite you with your brothers and sisters in Christ and help them bring their needs before Me. I am sympathetic to your desire to pray for all who desire My presence, protection, comfort and peace. I hear your prayers and I will answer them.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1 Timothy 2:1-2

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 1:10-11

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

You have your day planned and are moving forward with what you think are amazing ideas. Slow down My child, and sit with Me awhile. Have you asked what I desire of you today? Have you thanked Me for a restful night and the beauty of a new day? Rejoice today and be glad. Before you step out your door, come near to Me and I will come near to you.

Then, as you proceed through your day, whatever you do, do it all in My name, giving thanks. My presence will rest in your heart and mind, and things will be different for you. The mountains will not seem so high, and the valleys will not seem so low. I arm you with strength and keep your way secure. With Me, you can do anything.

With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps My way secure.
Psalm 18:29-32

The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
Psalm 118:24

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:25

There are many ways the enemy tries to influence you. When you are tempted to worship an object, rather than Me, it puts distance between us. Immediately pray to rid yourself of the temptation. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Resist him, standing firm in the faith.

The first step of resisting the enemy is to recognize his ways. Deceit and lies are his language, tempting you to discontentment and making you believe your value is based on your possessions. Your worth is defined by My righteousness. Don’t be fooled. Your greatest weapon to ward off discontent is gratefulness. Spend time counting your blessings, each time you do the enemy loses power over you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:8-9

Do you think your life would be perfect if only you had more money, a bigger house, a fancier car, a better looking spouse, or a more talented child? It is so easy to minimize the effect of having Me in your life. Do not love the world or anything in the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does My will lives forever.

Consider how you want to spend your time. It’s a precious commodity, something you are not able to retrieve once it is spent. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which I will give you. I am the bread of life. Invest your time in Me and you will never hunger again.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life– comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:15-17

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval”…Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:27, 35

Sometimes the people you think have a perfect life are the ones in the greatest need. Watch for subtle clues. I will open your eyes to see those who are struggling. Join with that person in prayer. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. You have seen the power of intercession from those who have lifted you up to Me in times of need. It is your turn. There are so many around you who need you to intercede.

Seek them out.

It is not always for someone you know, that I ask this. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. As you do for others, so have you done it for Me.

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

Show your love by being a good friend. Extend a hand to help with whatever may be needed. Dear child, do not love with words or speech but with actions and truth. Words are nice, but compassion and an outstretched hand speak volumes.

Does a friend have something to unburden? Listen with your heart and do not judge. The reason for his or her plight should not be forefront in your mind. After all, you had much to forgive when I rescued you. Let those in need come to you in confidence, knowing that what is shared stays only with you. Love him or her as I have loved you. A friend loves at all times.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
Proverbs 27:9

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Proverbs 17:17

Why are you harboring bitterness? Anger and unforgiveness are the roots of bitterness. When you hold onto anger you give a foothold to the enemy. Denounce the enemy, claim victory in My name over your anger, and extend forgiveness as I have forgiven you. If you are having trouble releasing the bitterness, investigate your understanding of the extent of forgiveness. There is a cost to forgiving, but there is a greater cost to clinging to anger.

Pray and remember the many times I have patiently loved you. Measure the love I have shown you with the love you have in your heart for others. Consider the difference between the two and then, through new awareness, be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:26-27

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
Galatians 5:22

When you catch yourself becoming impatient with another, think of My patience with you. How many times have you repeated a sin or asked for help with the same problem? I am not slow in keeping My promise. Instead I am patient with you, like a loving Father.

One of the fruits of My Spirit is forbearance, or patience. When you operate in the flesh, things take a turn for the worse. When you operate in My Spirit, you are strengthened with My power, to do things for the better of all concerned. To continue to forgive and bless those around you. My Spirit gives wisdom and understanding, so that you may live a life worthy of Me, being strengthened with all power according to My glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.
Colossians 1:9-11