GPS-Hand Slap

APR 27 / Easter Sunday – Read 5:11-12, 20, 23-24, 38-48 / John 10:17-21

Overview: Jesus’ sermon on the mount (turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, love your enemy, etc.) hits us hard where it counts most: how we treat others. Be honest…do you even want to do this?

28 / Mon – Consider  |  Read Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus made some countercultural statements here. What did the people commonly believe? What were Jesus’ unexpected counter-commands in v39-42? Read them carefully. What deeper issues was he addressing in these examples…when you are slapped (literally or figuratively), when you are being sued, when you are forced to go where you don’t want to go, or asked to give when you don’t want to? What might the Lord be saying to you through these words today?

29 / Tue – Do as he did  |  Read Matthew 5:43-47

What common cultural belief was Jesus addressing? What contrasting commands did he give? Notice, in v45, the results of obedience. If becoming more like Jesus is your goal, observe how he responded to his enemies in Luke 23:33-34. Do you know why you act toward your enemies as you do? Name some of them right now and ask yourself: am I willing to see them as Jesus does and will I let that guide my responses? The Holy Spirit can, and will, help you as you ask.

30 / Wed – Defining perfection  |  Read Matt 5:48 / Eph 2:10 / Phil 1:6 

In your world, being perfect might mean you can never make a mistake; you can never mess up, you always have to say and do the right thing. If you don’t, you are a failure. The Greek word teleios, translated in v48 as perfect, carries the idea of completeness and growing maturity. The English definition is: to be without a defect or blemish. This is how God sees you because of Jesus. You are His handiwork. He is perfecting you as you follow Him. Will you let go of your idea of perfection and trust what God is doing?

MAY 01 / Thu – When life slaps you around  |  Read Prov 18:24 / Deut 31:6

Hand Slap is a children’s game where the challenge is to beat the other hand-slapper. By now, you’ve discovered there are all kinds of ‘slaps’ in real life. What are some you’ve experienced? Did they come from someone close to you? How did you respond and what was the result? Of Jesus’ closest friends, one betrayed him, another disowned him and the rest ran away.  He knows how life’s slaps feel and promises to stick by you, no matter what. Take comfort in that.

02 / Fri – Slapped repeatedly  |  Read Gen 50:19-20

Joseph was slapped into slavery by his brothers at 17, then he was unjustly jailed by his master, and forgotten by the influential prisoner he helped. In each situation, he held on to his integrity and the Lord was with him. After 20 years, Joseph was given the second most influential position in Egypt where God used him to save many lives. You can read his story in Gen. 37, 39-50. Have you suffered multiple setbacks? Don’t give up, keep focused on God’s faithfulness. His plan will prevail.

03 / Sat – When slaps are coming and you don’t know what to do  |  Read Esther 4:15

Being royalty did not protect Esther in a palace filled with rampant jealousy, political intrigues, and power-hungry courtiers plotting the downfall of anyone in their way. It was an impossible situation. If she approached the king uninvited, she would be killed, unless he intervened. If she did nothing, she risked being exposed and murdered along with her people. Although your decisions are not as life-threatening, will you set aside time to talk them over with the Lord? Then obey what He tells you to do and leave the rest up to Him.