“And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:17).

The second part of this teaching is for the sake of the fellowship.  In our day, many have wolf-like behavior because no one will confront them.  Their behavior may be abominable, but we do not confront them.  Remember that the goal is repentance.  Like us, we want them to be a part of the body of Christ and not acting as if they are in charge.  If Jesus is not in charge, it is not the church.

Lord, You have seen abominable behavior over and over.  Help me to not be influenced by the wicked one to think that humility is accepting unacceptable behavior.  Help me to be willing to go whatever length I am able to not only for the sake of my neighbor, but also for the sake of the fellowship in which You have placed me.  You must lead me, for I do not know the heart of my neighbor.

Holy Spirit, guide me to always listen to You.  If You call for me to confront another, or to be one of the two or three that must do so, be the One who guides us.  Help me always to move beyond my place of comfort to do what You are asking me to do.  Through all things, help me to be a part of building up the fellowship of the communion of saints.  Lead me in Your wisdom to do what You give me to do.  Amen.

“Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed” (Matthew 18:15-16).

Remember that every confrontation of sin is about the goal of repentance.  This is not about superiority, discovering what sinners do, or seeking some other goal.  It is about restoring the eternal relationship we all have with our Heavenly Father.  The goal here is to show love.  We each need encouragement, even that which comes because we have been confronted by a sister or brother reminding us in love for the sin we have committed.

Lord, first, let me be willing to receive any confrontation for the sake of bringing about repentance.  Then, let me be willing to receive anger if another does not appreciate what I am pointing out.  Above all, let everything be done in love so that I seek what You desire when I dare to step into this situation.  Let me not be a hypocrite who thinks themself superior because I have discovered another sinning.

Lord Jesus, these words You give me are important.  They speak to how we are to love others so that they, like me, are not hindered from staying on the path You have set before us.  Lead me always so that if ever I am in the position of speaking to another about sin, I do so in love with the Holy Spirit directing my words and deeds.  Grow my faith, either by being confronted, or confronting others so that I become more like You.  Amen.

“And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray.  So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish” (Matthew 18:13-14).

The Lord loves us all.  He rejoices when any of His wandering sheep come home.  Our age has ravaged the sheep and so many are wandering.  Many have wandered and are no longer a part of any fellowship.  Some wander and choose only a place that gives them an appearance of faithfulness.  Wolves have ravaged the sheep, and many have been wounded.  Our Lord desires that no one perishes.

Lord, You know how difficult this world is.  We are in a time of great upheaval.  Help me to keep my eyes upon You, for only You know what is coming.  No matter what comes, You knew it would come, so help me to trust that You are leading us through this Valley of the Shadow of Death.  You will bring us home.  Your will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Our Father in Heaven, help me to see that You are with me.  Help me to not wander off the path of righteousness that You have set me on.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to be one who willingly obeys all the commandments You give.  LORD, lead me to reach out to others, for You know those who are Yours.  Through all things, help me to stay close to You and walk in Your ways.  Amen.

“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost?” (Matthew 18:12)

We each understand this, for if there is something of ours that we find missing, we go looking for it.  We do not just throw away or even in our mind dismiss that which is precious to us.  Every human soul is precious to the Lord.  Yes, there is plenty of wickedness, but He loves us none-the-less.  He has pursued you all the days of your life.  When you were off in some other place ignoring Him, He was there.

Lord, I understand that You love each one of us.  You desire that none would perish.  Help me come to the place where I see things through Your eyes.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to help you in going off my usual routine to encounter others whom You are calling to come home.  Just as You came to me, so also, through me, go to others that they too may be found, be given faith, and walk in Your grace.

Lord, You know that I do not think of myself as the one wandering sheep, but there are many times when I have wandered astray.  You have come to take me back to be with You.  Help me to not wander.  As one who has wandered, help me to reach out to those who are wandering in this world so that I may share with them You who is the One we all need and are looking for.  Lead me always, Lord, and help me to stay close to You.  Amen.

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).

Every human is an image bearer.  Do not look down upon anyone.  In the eyes of the Lord, they are equal and are those whom He has made and loves.  We are each unique and have the gifts the Lord gives us, but we are equally beloved.  Do not think that one is better than another, for the Lord has purpose for each of our lives.  Children may like or dislike certain others, but they are often very receptive to others and make friends easily.

Lord, I do judge others, and I have been caught up in the “I am better than you” attitude that many have.  When I meet someone that I think superior, I think “I’m as good as you.”  Help me to move away from this wickedness and to the place where I see that each person is who they are and that You love us all equally.  Guide me out of the ways of the world and into the way of eternity.

Lord Jesus, You have told us plainly things that are right and true.  You have given me the instructions I need to walk farther along the path of righteousness.  Lead me, O Lord, to humbly walk in the direction You have set before me, loving all whom I meet, and knowing that You are the Lord of all.  Take from me any attitude that is either inferior or superior and help me to live faithfully in this life which You have given me.  Amen.

“And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.  And if your eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell” (Matthew 18:8-9).

Why carry around the things that hurt or maim you?  The Lord is not talking about us disfiguring ourselves, but about letting nothing get in the way of our walk with Him.  He who is faithful will lead us all the days of our life.  Walk humbly with the Lord and let nothing get in the way.  Yes, sometimes, like an amputation, it will be painful to see the old Adam killed, but the Lord will stop at nothing to save you.

Lord, I often do not take this faith You have given me as seriously as I should.  Guide me in Your goodness to understand that You have given me the words of eternal life and that You will stop at nothing to prepare me to live that life.  I need Your help to not only understand, but to realize that this is truly a matter of eternal life and death.  Lead me so that I become willing to do whatever it takes to be Your disciple.

Holy Spirit, go deep within me and help me to begin to understand what it means to truly follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Help me to be willing to cut off whatever part of my life that gets in the way of me becoming what You will make of me.  Aid me to learn how to keep my eye on the prize of my salvation and to boldly walk in the way of faith.  Lead me to avoid all the obstacles that will get in the way.  Amen.

“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes!” (Matthew 18:7)

The world is often placing before us things that will cause us to go astray.  Be wary of the way of the world.  Do not buy into the lies of this age.  With stealth and shrewdness, be obedient, but do not believe all that you are told.  Believe rather what the Lord says.  A child often has more wisdom in discerning than many adults.  Listen to the Holy Spirit and be guided by what is right and fitting for every situation.

Lord, I am unable to discern all the fraud and lies that bounce around in our hurried world.  Give me eyes and ears that discern so that I may obey Your counsel.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to walk humbly under Your guidance so that I know garbage when I see it.  Through all things, continually remind me that You know what I am facing, and that You have a plan for my next steps.

Holy Spirit, help me to always be aware of and listen to You as You guide me through the stumbling blocks of this age.  I need Your guidance to keep me from falling into the pit of lies and deception which are all around me.  Despite what others may think or say, help me to remain faithful to Your calling now and always.  Speak Your word to me that I may have understanding and wisdom.  Amen.

“So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And 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 is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:4-6).

A child knows they are not in charge.  A child will want things but understands when the family places limits.  A disciplined child knows how to behave.  A child does not do well when berated or put down.  Be like a child and do not treat others as some do when it comes to children.  We are all in the same situation and need what only the Lord can and will provide.  Come into the Lord’s salvation as a humble child.

Lord, You are making of me a child of Yours.  You know what I need and what needs to be changed.  Take away the “adult” attitudes and behaviors and bring back the child-like wonder I had when I was young.  Continue to teach me all that this means and help me to understand the goals You have placed before me.  Keep me from causing anyone to stumble so that together we may grow according to Your will.

Lord Jesus, this teaching has always flown in the face of the reality of culture.  Culture wants me to grow up and be a responsible adult – whatever that means.  I know You do want me to be childish but teach me what You really mean and through Your Holy Spirit, guide me to have an attitude and demeanor that is pleasing to the Heavenly Father.  Through all things, be the One who leads me.  Amen.

“And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2).

Become like children, but do not be childish.  A child does not worry about the provision but accepts the circumstance.  A child wonders at the marvel of creation.  A child is easily occupied by the moment.  A child learns easily, willingly, and constantly.  Children know how to play.  This world wants you to be mature – whatever that means.  The Lord wants you to be His child.

Lord, there are things in my heart which only You know about which delight me.  Help me to learn again how to delight in the life You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness to be as a child, but not immature.  You know fully what You mean by this.  I need Your help to fully discover what this means in and throughout my life.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go.

Lord Jesus, this simple principle is hard to live.  Help me to not be wrapped up in this world’s expectations but live according to the goodness You intend for me.  Guide me through those places where I forget that I am a child of the Heavenly Father.  Lead me to live according to what is pleasing in the Father’s eyes.  Through all that will come, help me to keep my eyes upon You.  Amen.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1)

In this world, we are worried about position and status.  People crawl all over one another wanting what they want.  You are who you are.  The Lord has placed you right where you need to be.  Rather than worry about getting ahead – remembering that if you strive to gain the whole world, but lose your soul, you gain nothing   Spend your time and energy on doing what the Lord gives you to do.  Be guided by His grace and mercy.

Lord, You know the ambition in my heart.  Help me to be whom You are making me to be.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to know that in You I have my being.  You will place me where You will place me.  Guide me to understand that only in You do I have life.  You are the Creator, and I am Your creature.  Create in me the heart You want me to have and help me to be content with whom You are making me to be.

Holy Spirit, I cannot do this on my own, for selfish pride will rise in me.  Guide me in the path of humility to be who You are making me to be.  Help me in Your goodness to know that in You I have my being.  May I learn from You how to live according to Your goodness.  May I be guided by You so that no matter my position, I am content to abide with You.  Lead me in the way I need to go.  Amen.