It’s easy to look at someone else and point out what’s wrong. What’s harder? Looking in the mirror and remembering that we’re not perfect either.

Emma nailed it—words matter. Once you speak them, you can’t take them back. They can either build someone up or tear them down. And Caroline reminded us of something huge: you are made in the image of God—and so is the person next to you. Even with their flaws. Even with yours.

When you judge others harshly, you’re holding them to a standard you can’t even meet yourself. But God? He doesn’t treat you that way. He sees your “imperfections” and calls them beautiful. He doesn’t love some future version of you. He loves you—right here, right now.

So before you speak, pause. Remember the grace you’ve been shown. And extend it to others. Because judging doesn’t make you holy. But loving like Jesus does.

Reflection Question:

Who have you judged lately that you need to start seeing through God’s eyes instead? How can you choose mercy over criticism today?

Emma & Caroline (8th graders and youth students at Advent)

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:1–2 (NIV)

Day 2 at Lutherock! Our 8th grade girls decided to examine Matthew 7:1-2 this week. For the next 4 days we will be hearing what perspective each of our amazing girls have on this truth! 

Jesus isn’t saying that all judgment is wrong. Discernment is essential to the Christian life. What He is warning against is a spirit of self-righteousness—a critical attitude that looks down on others without examining one’s own heart.

In God’s kingdom, the standard isn’t comparison—it’s Christ. And that changes everything. Because the cross levels the playing field. All of us are sinners saved by grace. None of us earned our seat at the table. So when we judge others harshly, forgetting that grace, we’re stepping into a role only God is fit to hold.

Jesus reminds us that the same measure we use—whether mercy or condemnation—will be used for us. That’s not just about future judgment. It’s about the spiritual posture we carry now. The proud heart stays distant from God. But the humble heart receives mercy, and extends it to others.

So before you look down, look in. And then look up. See others the way Jesus saw you—broken, beloved, and worth dying for.

Reflection question:

Do I measure people by their flaws or by the grace I’ve received?

– Addy (8th grader and youth group student at Advent)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 (NIV)

What’s up everyone! This week I am at Lutherock and I had some time to teach and equip students to write a devotional. Here is one of our youth students who is a 8th grader named Mark. I hope it inspires you as it did me!

Growing up, my dad would always train me in baseball. After school, we’d head out to practice—hitting, throwing, conditioning. He’d be right there, patient and steady, helping me get better every day. There were times I got frustrated. I’d be tired or discouraged, wondering why we had to work so hard.

But looking back, I see something different now. My dad wasn’t being hard on me—he believed in me. He saw potential and wanted to help me grow into it. At the time, I didn’t fully understand it. But now I know: his love showed up in the way he stayed by my side and didn’t let me give up.

That’s exactly how God works.

Just like my dad trained me on the field, God trains us through life. It’s not always easy. In fact, it’s often feels exhausting. But it’s not pointless. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God is always working for the good of those who love Him. Not just in the wins—but in the losses, the late nights, and the moments we feel like giving up.

Joseph knew that too. Betrayed by his brothers, thrown in a pit, sold as a slave—and yet years later, he looked back and said, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good.” (Genesis 50:20). He realized God never left him. Even in pain, God was planning purpose.

So if you’re in a season where you’re tired, discouraged, or feel like quitting—remember this: your Father sees the big picture. He’s not punishing you. He’s preparing you.

Reflection Question:

When was a time you wanted to give up, but God used it for something good in your life?

You may not understand the why right now—but trust the Father who always sees the end from the beginning. He’s still training you. And it’s all for your good.

– Mark Pezone (8th grader at Advent School)

Bible Verse:
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Devotional:
An unoffendable life shines brightly in a dark and angry world. People notice when someone responds to offense with calmness, grace, and forgiveness. They are drawn to a life that is free from bitterness and outrage. As Brant Hansen describes, choosing to be unoffendable is one of the most powerful testimonies we can offer to the watching world.

When we stop demanding our “rights,” stop keeping score, and start loving unconditionally, we reflect the very heart of Christ. The world doesn’t need more outrage, it needs more grace. Today, let’s ask God to help us become beacons of His light: humble, forgiving, and radically unoffendable.

Bible Verse:
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Devotional:
Forgiveness isn’t a one-time event; it’s a way of life. In Unoffendable, Brant Hansen makes it clear that to live unoffended is to live in continual forgiveness. It means forgiving before the apology. Forgiving even when the other person doesn’t know they’ve wronged us. Forgiving when justice seems absent—because we trust God’s justice more than our own.

Christ forgave us completely and undeservedly. He didn’t wait until we “deserved” it. In the same way, we are called to forgive others as a reflection of His mercy in us. Forgiveness is not excusing wrongdoing—it’s choosing to live free from its grip. Today, let’s embrace forgiveness as our default setting.

Bible Verse:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Devotional:
Carrying offense is like carrying a backpack full of heavy rocks. Each grudge, each slight, each indignation adds weight we were never meant to bear. Jesus offers us rest—a lightness of being that comes from laying those burdens down at His feet. Brant Hansen explains that when we choose to be unoffendable, we choose to live free.

What if today we dropped the heavy backpack? What if we refused to collect offenses like trophies? The path of Christ is one of freedom, not burden. We have the power to set down the weight of anger and offense, not because others deserve it, but because Jesus offers us a better way. Let’s trade our burden for His rest.

Bible Verse:
“Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” – James 1:20 (NIV)

Devotional:
So often, we try to justify our anger by calling it “righteous.” Yet James 1:20 is clear: human anger does not achieve God’s righteousness. In Unoffendable, Hansen dismantles the idea that holding onto anger is somehow virtuous. Our anger, even when we feel it is justified, tends to corrupt rather than heal. It separates rather than reconciles.

Only God can handle anger perfectly. Our role is not to manage anger better, but to surrender it altogether. Letting go of anger is an act of trust. Trust that God’s justice is enough and that His Spirit will bring about change in His way and timing. Today, let’s take an honest look at the anger we hold and ask God to replace it with His peace and mercy.

Bible Verse:
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” – Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)

Devotional:
One of the greatest lies we often believe is that we have a right to be offended. Yet Scripture tells us that true wisdom and strength come not from reacting to offense but from letting it go. In Unoffendable, Brant Hansen reminds us that being perpetually offended is not a virtue, it is a burden. The more we cling to our “right” to be angry, the more we exhaust ourselves and diminish our witness to the world.

What if, instead, we made the radical choice to release offense immediately? To forgive quickly? To lay down our pride and pick up peace? Living unoffended doesn’t mean pretending that hurt doesn’t happen; it means trusting God with justice and freeing ourselves from the need to carry judgment. Today, let’s ask God to give us the wisdom and humility to be slow to anger and quick to overlook offense.

After David became King David in the Bible there was war between the House of David and the House of Saul. Out of this war came death and the loss of warriors. Lines were drawn and revenge was on the hearts of some of David’s men. 

2 Samuel 3:22–32 (ESV): 22 Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace.” 24 Then Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone? 25 You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.” 26 When Joab came out from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. 27 And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. 31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier. 32 They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. 

The Apostle Paul writes to us in Romans 12 the following, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” If revenge was the way to peace then Christ would have called down the angel to destroy all those who placed him on the cross. Instead, in his last breaths he cried, 34 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 

The world teaches us an eye for an eye. Christ says, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you… because great is your reward in heaven.” Matthew 5:11-12. We forget that there is another life after this life. Let God have revenge and you have mercy. Peace for our soul is not more war but more forgiveness.

Aaron Kruse