The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

READ:  Matthew 7:1-6

THINK:  Ever heard the saying, “When you point your finger at someone, there are three other fingers pointing back at you”? This came to my mind today as I began to judge the drivers around me.  My mind was filled with statements like, “Where did that guy learn to drive?”  “What on earth is that trucker doing in my lane?”  “Why is that lady allowed to be on the road?”  “There are so few of us on the road that really know how to drive.” Meanwhile other drivers may have been questioning my sanity as I dodged between cars to move ahead and drove way too fast in hopes of being on time for my appointment. 

As Pastor Dave Nelson said on Sunday, when we get anxious about the behavior of others and judge them, we are being self-righteous.  Most likely it is because something is not right in our own lives.  At these times we need to first look at our own hearts.  We need to look at the “plank” in our own eye before trying to remove the “speck” in the eye of another. 

When I am irritated by the actions of others, the real problem is in my own heart.  I am filled with anger, bitterness, shame and condemnation.  I make my opinions and world views the standard by which others ought to live. This is well and good if my heart is in the right place, but most often my judgments are made from a selfish heart, not a pure heart. 

The desire of my heart is to love others as God has loved me and to do unto others as I would wish them to do unto me.  The break down comes between my desires and my actions. I am not a new believer yet I struggle with the same issues that challenged me when I first believed. Christianity is transformational. I can look back and see that there are definite areas of growth in my life as a believer, yet I know there is a long walk ahead to becoming the person God wants me to be.  Daily I need to be reminded to be more concerned about the issues in my life that I can change than the issues in the lives of others that I cannot change.

Do:  Today, when tempted to judge another, let’s focus on our heart condition.  What is motivating you to make that initial impression?  As you evaluate your heart, ask God to guide you and give you a heart that reflects His heart.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithful love and patience.  Help me to do unto others as I would have them do unto me.  Forgive my selfish motives in judging others and give me a heart that is motivated by your love.  AMEN

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The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Read:  I Corinthians 5:12-6:6; Romans 2:1-4

Think:  God’s judgment is based on Truth.  Upon what do I base my judgments?  Truth as I see it?  Truth filtered through my sinful mind?  Truth as defined by the situation?

I believe we have over quoted Matt. 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” while under acting upon II Timothy 4:2 ,”Preach the Word; be prepared in season an out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage---with great patience and careful instruction.”

We are told to judge those inside the church; the purpose being to destroy the sinful nature while saving the spirit.  The motivation here is love from a pure heart.  When was the last time you felt compelled to act based on such honorable motives?  It is very difficult to speak up and confront others.  It is the unusual person who can confidently and wisely judge a fellow believer.  I believe that every one of us has faced a situation where we felt we had to speak up, but because of fear, guilt, insecurity, or some other emotion we remained quiet.  Unfortunately our silence may be taken as approval.

How can we develop the ability to judge one another wisely?  We live in a society that has moved so far into acceptance of all things, at all times, in all places, that tolerance has become the most highly respected virtue.  Truth has become perceived as fluctuating beliefs that flex with situations, feelings, and circumstances.  We are still asking Pilate’s question, what is Truth? Webster’s Dictionary defines truth as “conformity with fact, reality, actual existence; accuracy; an established fact.”

May we be faithful and obedient to judge one another as commanded by God, with His wisdom and His motives.

Do:  Most actions are preceded by strong feelings. Let us be people who take time to think before acting out our feelings.  A few minutes of silence and reflection may prevent possible regret and result in a life time of peace. 

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being Truth. May we know you so well that our minds will filter our thoughts so we too will judge based on Truth. Remind us, “It is God’s kindness that leads us toward repentance.”  (Rom. 2:4)  AMEN     

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Read:  Judges 2:6-23

Think:  The reading today is based on a section of the Old Testament book of Judges.  In this passage we are told that, “the Lord raised up Judges (word could be translated leaders) who saved Israel out of the hands of the raiders.” The present generation “knew neither the Lord, not what He had done for Israel…they forsook (to leave entirely, abandon, desert, reject) the Lord, the God of their fathers.”  They followed and worshipped various gods of the peoples around them. 

God’s chosen people had chosen people over God.

What compassion the Lord had as He watched their downward spiral under those who oppressed and afflicted them.  Continually God looked for hearts to obey and serve Him.  Yet, the people refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. 

Judgment came through a series of men and even a woman appointed by God.  These attempts at rescue were thwarted by the very ones needing rescue. They were ignorant of their rich past.  The Scripture states the present generation did not know the Lord and what He had done for them.  It is safe to say we live in a similar day.  The present generation is naïve regarding Biblical illusion, characters, principles and terminology that once was common knowledge.  We who represent Jesus have a responsibility  to know God’s message and impart it to others.  This knowledge comes through study, worship and fellowship. It is our mission to keep God’s message alive and available to all.  In the context of the original role of “Judge” we have the same calling; we too are leaders in our communities raised up to save others out of the hands of The Enemy.

Do:  Balance boldness and love in your interactions with others.  A timely word could be the difference between living under oppression and affliction or living in peace and deliverance.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your compassion when our hearts are hard and we are disobedient.  Thank you that you pursue us with a pure love that desires an eternal relationship with us.  Fill us with your Truth that we may be vessels of hope for those who do not know You.  Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Thursday, May 27

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Money and Generosity

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Holding Onto Youby Mike Flathers; All Over the Worldby Matt Redman; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves Us by David Crowder.

Read: Isaiah 5:8-9; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Acts 20:35

Think: The American Dream was born in the 1950s. After WWII, America wanted to just settle down and stay at home. Most families could afford a home (average size 1,000 sq. ft.), had a single income, had one family car and lived the "Dad comes home and sits smoking his pipe reading the paper" lifestyle. Achieving this "dream" became the measure of a man.

Things have changed since then... Now the average house size is 2,300 sq. ft., it requires two incomes, two or more cars and Dads and Moms spend more time away from the house in order to afford the payments.

Pastor Ben taught us this weekend that one of the hurdles to grace-motivated living and giving is financial responsibility. We need to count the cost of the American Dream and consider scaling it down to give us the margin and the freedom to live more and give more.

Do: Read Isaiah 5:8-9 and consider the warning of the results of our creating excess. From Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and Acts 20:35 we see the blessing of obeying God's commands. The choice is ours.

Pray: Lord, I want to obey you, I want to hear your voice. Please help me to understand your dream for me and give me the courage to pursue it. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Tuesday, May 25

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Generosity

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Holding Onto Youby Mike Flathers; All Over the Worldby Matt Redman; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves Us by David Crowder.

Read: Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:31-34; Isaiah 40:28-29; Psalm 50:10

Think: What is a poverty mentality? In Pastor Ben's message on The Truth About Faith and Money one of the hurdles to grace-motivated giving was overcoming a "poverty mentality".

I've heard this term but wanted to know more about what it meant. The definitions I discovered indicate it as being focused on what we don't have instead of what we do have. It can be an attitude held by people all along the financial spectrum - those with little means as well as in people who 'have it all'. "I just need more" seems to be the underlying mentality.

In the context of our weekend message, this is manifest in our lives as "Once I get a raise, then I can tithe", or "Boy I'd love to help with that ministry BUT..." The Bible suggests a remedy in Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God"

A poverty mentality leads us to an underlying anxiety about not having enough to be able to give. The Bible says push past that thought and pray with a heart full of thankfulness for what we do have. Here are two key things to be grateful for no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in today:

When our attitude is solidly guided by a heart that sees and appreciates the blessings of the Father we can experience the promise of Philippians 4:7 - "...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Do: Next time you feel anxious about giving, pray the words from Philippians 4:6-7. God is working in us all to break down any barriers that stand in the way of us becoming generous givers. Thank Him for that work in your life.

Pray: Father, You have been so generous to me, I am truly thankful. I know that all I have is Yours and I ask that You would teach me to trust You. Help me to become more and more like You each and every day. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Monday, May 24

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Generosity

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Holding Onto You by Mike Flathers; All Over the World by Matt Redman; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves Us by David Crowder.

Read: Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Luke 12:27-31; Matthew 6:8-13; Psalm 61:3-5; Acts 2:44-47

Think:  What is it that we really need? The Bible teaches God will provide our every need --- but what is that truly referring to? Whatever it is, it has to apply to the richest Christians and the poorest Christians in the world. So it can't be iPods and flat screen TVs. Pastor Ben taught us this weekend that one of the "hot topics" in growing and becoming everything God wants us to be is a good and healthy relationship with money.

A foundation for that is knowing God will provide what we need! We don't have to be anxious at all, we can simply know that it's His promise (see Luke 12:27-31). Our faith in God gives us the benefit of His daily provision just as Jesus taught in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:8-13). The Bible gives specifics including food, drink and clothing. But I absolutely trust God provides for other human needs, in fact I know this to be true from experience.

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist who founded the theories behind humanistic psychology. In themselves they say we can become everything we are meant to be on our own -  which certainly isn't the Biblical perspective but I think we can borrow safely the hierarchy of five human needs he describes.

As young Christians our physiological needs (bottom of the hierarchy) are what we often focus on and what bring us to God in desperation. Once we experience God's provision He builds in us a sense of safety and shelter in Him (Psalm 61:3-5). That sense of safety draws us into community with the other believers (Acts 2:44-47) and being accepted and loved in that environment gives us self esteem (we see ourselves through God's eyes). All these building blocks lay the foundation for God actualization (rather than self), serving Him and His people using the wonderful gifts He has laid up in us. 

God knows our every need - and He wants to be our Source, our Sustainer, our Provider... because He loves us. We can find our true fulfillment in Him - Jesus promised He was the Bread of Life and the Living Water that will leave us to never thirst again.

Do: Assess your progress in the hierarchy of human needs. Do you believe God can provide for you? Do you feel safe in God? Do you feel that you belong in the body of Christ and are accepted and loved? Do you know the great things God says about you and how awesome you are in Him? If you have all these other needs met, are you serving the Lord out of this rich foundation?

Pray:  Lord, thank you that you promise to meet my needs; physical, emotional and aspirational. Help me where I am today to grow and take my next right step as I seek to become that mighty tool in Your hand helping to reveal Your kingdom here on earth. Amen.    

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org