What About Them?

What About Them?

James 4: ¹¹ Do not criticize one another, my friends. If you criticize or judge another Christian, you criticize and judge the Law. If you judge the Law, then you are no longer one who obeys the Law, but one who judges it. ¹² God is the only lawgiver and judge. He alone can save and destroy. Who do you think you are, to judge someone else?

 

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Speeding along in a friend’s car, it felt great to be behind the wheel of something that could really go fast! We were racing each other on the road when suddenly we cam upon several cops who were waiting for us. We were all pulled over. When one of the cops came to my car, I said in my defense, “What about them?” referring to the other speeders who were not pulled over. The reply, “But I caught you.”

 

• I was trying to use comparison as my defense.
• I thought I could use “judging someone else” to defend my breaking the law.
• I also thought I could do what I wanted to do.

 

James addressed judging other Christians. He specifically spoke to this group, probably due to them gathering together in small groups after being scattered by those who persecuted them. They may have begun to judge one another.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to look at myself instead of pointing out what other people are doing.
• GOD wants me to realize I have flaws that I need repaired by HIM.
• GOD wants me to let go of trying to change people who are not willing to change themselves.

 

Being critical of other people can be a defense mechanism for my own shortcomings. I mean, when I look at someone else and talk about him or her negatively, I am taking the lens off of me. BUT GOD sees my shortcomings clearly and wants me to see them too.

 

HE wants me to back off of looking at someone else and to ask HIM for forgiveness for my clear and blatant sins. HE is willing to forgive me and wants me to grow up to do the same. I am glad HE is the ultimate forgiver.

 

Challenge

• Why is the writer’s warning important?
• Have you ever been critical of someone and been guilty yourself?
• Will you take some time away from being critical and spend it asking GOD to continue to grow you in areas HE would like to grow you today?

Something from Nothing

Something from Nothing

Galatians 6: ³ If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself. ⁴ You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done. ⁵ For each of you have to carry your own load.

 

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When I got the title I was looking for, I thought I was “something.” I watched those who carried their titles “well” and I sought to be like them. I modeled their purchases, habits and speech patterns. One day, I no longer had that “title.” What was I going to do?

 

• I felt I was a nobody.
• I had wrapped my esteem in things I could compare to other people.
• I secretly missed the clout and recognition for achievement.

 

Paul gives a stern warning about thinking you are “something.” This form of pride is based on comparison to others and needing other people to “affirm” actions. He provides a remedy, “carry your own load.”

 

My Observations

• There is one being I should compare my life to, namely JESUS.
• When I compare my sinful life to JESUS, I quickly see that I am nothing.
• GOD knows HE can use me especially when I do not think more highly of myself.

 

Liking myself was difficult because I thought I had to achieve titles and acquire things to be recognized by others as “something.” BUT GOD scoffed at my titles and achievements because HE is the MOST HIGH. I was busy comparing myself to my coworkers and sometimes taking shots at them to make myself look good.

 

GOD loves when I recognize I am nothing without HIM. HE opens my eyes to be thankful for what HE has done and where HE has placed me. I can then see that HE values me without titles or stuff. I am grateful GOD can love me just as I am. HE made me something from nothing.

 

Challenge

• What two types of pride do you see in this passage?
• How can you tell if you are doing “good conduct?”
• If you compare yourself to others, will you accept the fact that GOD loves you without titles or achievements, so you can carry your own load to serve HIM today?

Desiring Good Body Health

 Desiring Good Body Health

1 Corinthians 11: ²⁶ This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. ²⁷ It follows that if one of you eats the Lord's bread or drinks from his cup in a way that dishonors him, you are guilty of sin against the Lord's body and blood. ²⁸ So then, you should each examine yourself first, and then eat the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For if you do not recognize the meaning of the Lord's body when you eat the bread and drink from the cup, you bring judgment on yourself as you eat and drink. ³⁰ That is why many of you are sick and weak, and several have died. ³¹ If we would examine ourselves first, we would not come under God's judgment. ³² But we are judged and punished by the Lord, so that we shall not be condemned together with the world.

 

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“If one of you is late, then all of you are late” were the words of the organization I was trying to join during college. This didn’t seem fair because there were always a couple of people who would always be late, who also were trying to join. When asked where are they, no one spoke up. I then made up something to protect them. “When one of you doesn’t tell the truth, all of you lie” was the reply. How did he know I was lying?

 

• There were times when I wanted to protect myself so I would do or say anything to do so.
• There were times when I thought “It was their fault I am being punished.”
• There were times when I felt I was justified with an individual sin I did because those people “made” me do it.

 

Paul warns people about eating and drinking in a way that dishonors JESUS. He had already explained that the “body” should have unity, now he is addressing something more serious, namely the heart. He suggests staying away from proclaiming what JESUS has done by eating and drinking communion bread and wine until recognition of “the body” is accepted.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to see all people as HIS.
• GOD wants me to examine myself to see if I have any evil desires towards one of HIS children.
• GOD wants me to turn from those evil desires by asking HIM for forgiveness.

 

Being forgiven by GOD seems unnecessary once I believed in JESUS for salvation, I mean I’m going to sin and didn’t HE forgive me for all my sins? Yes, however if I have the attitude that I do not need to follow what JESUS desires, am I in trouble? Possibly.

 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Having a healthy fear of GOD to me means I can see other people and desire the best for them, which is a saving relationship with JESUS. This doesn’t mean I or they won’t slip and sin, rather all of us will be guided by the HOLY SPIRIT to seek GOD’s kingdom first. I am not better than another person in HIS eyes. I am glad HE looks at all of us with HIS love.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the seriousness of eating and drinking to proclaim HIS death until HE returns?
• What do you see regarding how you treat others or “the body”?
• How does self-examination affect health? Do you believe health can be affected by the heart?
• Is there anyone in your heart that could be treated more honorably?

Who put you in charge?

 

Who put you in charge?

1 Corinthians 4: You should think of us as Christ's servants, who have been put in charge of God's secret truths. ² The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful to their master. ³ Now, I am not at all concerned about being judged by you or by any human standard; I don't even pass judgment on myself. ⁴ My conscience is clear, but that does not prove that I am really innocent. The Lord is the one who passes judgment on me. ⁵ So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve.

 

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After I realized I was not living as I should, I started reading the Bible more and learning what it had to say. When I found a truth that I should live, I immediately told others. But one day someone said “Who put you in charge?” My approach was pretty harsh.

 

• There have been times when I had the best intentions but my delivery was not the best.
• There have been times when I wanted to help, but the way I helped seemed harsh.
• There have been times when I thought I was serving when in reality I was judging.

 

Paul explains that anyone who speaks about JESUS, needs to be faithful. Judging someone else’s intentions is not the main goal and should be left to JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to be faithful to follow JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be careful not to judge.
• GOD wants me to keep my conscience clear, but know I am a sinner who need to be forgiven.

 

When GOD made me, HE wanted me to speak highly of JESUS. I believe everyone is made to do the same. But some will not. GOD chose to use humans to spread HIS Good News of JESUS being our Savior.

 

I can say this with a clear conscience, knowing all my actions will be judged. Some will be burned up and some will stay. I am glad GOD enables me to be dependable enough to speak HIS name.

 

• Do you feel like falling away from CHRIST?
• Are you judging someone today?
• Will you remain faithful to GOD and follow HIS ways and drop any judgement you may have of others today?

Flip Back Over

Flip Back Over

Romans 14: ⁷ For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. ⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

 

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

 

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

 

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“Look at them doing wrong over there” is what they said about us as we were just having “fun.” We would laugh and when one of my friends did something outrageous, I laughed even more. Years later, I returned to CHRIST. I felt sorry for those stuck in having “fun.: Years after that I said “Look at them doing wrong over there.”

 

• When did I flip over to being the judge?
• When did I start seeing the wrong in people?
• When did I look to blame others?

 

Paul continues with his appeal as given to him by the LORD. He had just tried to convince everyone that people will do different things for JESUS, giving honor and thanks to HIM in different ways. Now he sends a plea to stop looking at one another in a judgmental way. He ends his plea stating we all will stand before GOD as individuals, giving account for how we treated each other.

 

• GOD wants me to live for HIM and serve others.
• GOD wants me to drop the judgment and add words of life to people.
• GOD wants me to rid myself of contempt of “those” people and add prayers for “us” as sinners.

 

Being a tattletale is childish. I mean, a child tells an adult when another child is doing something wrong, meanwhile the child never looks at him or herself. This is my saying, “We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other, saying ‘you have mud on you.””

 

Judgment is a sin GOD does not like. HE sees when I look down on someone for their actions and does not go after “that” person but corrects me. HE wants me to see people as HIS children whom HE loves. I am glad HE provides grace to me and hope HE guides me drop judgment of people.

 

• Are you judging people?
• Do you see the wrong in people immediately?
• Have you asked yourself, “When did I get to this point where I am judging people and I used to be judged?”, so you can flip back over to loving others?

Make Up Our Own Minds

Make Up Our Own Minds

Romans 14: ⁵ Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds. ⁶ Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God. 

 

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“No! It must be this way” one person said to me. Another said “It must be that way”, passionately. I was quite torn over the argument at the time. A group of people had very good arguments for how to dress when attending church.

 

• There were times when I thought “my” way of worshipping GOD was the only way.
• There were times when I thought the music I liked was the only music pleasing to GOD.
• There were times when I thought the decorations, lighting and chairs arranged a certain way were the only way to truly worship GOD.

 

Paul tries to warn people to stay away from petty arguments by dealing with a difficult subject, namely honoring GOD. Some people dedicate a certain day to honor GOD and some think all days should honor GOD. Both are right if they do so to give thanks to the LORD.

 

• GOD wants me to have an individual relationship with HIM.
• GOD wants me to honor HIM by the things I eat and do.
• GOD wants me to give thanks to HIM by believing in JESUS.

 

Honoring GOD is a personal thing. I mean, I like to get up early, pray, exercise, grab a cup of coffee and read. Others like to finish their day singing to the LORD. Any praise that includes thanks for JESUS dying for our sins and being raised from the dead is acceptable to the FATHER. I am glad HE give me a personal relationship with HIM.

 

• Do you think the way your group worships is better than another group?
• Do you judge the way someone sings, dances, or speaks for the LORD?
• Can you learn to appreciate how others are giving thanks to JESUS so you can broaden your community?

Could Be Having a Bad Day

 Could Be Having a Bad Day

Romans 14: Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions. ² Some people's faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables. ³ The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn't; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted that person. ⁴ Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed.

 

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Excited to get a good meal, I sat at the table and thought of how tasty it would be. This was a restaurant recommended by the hotel, so it must be good. I sat and sat. No one came to the table. I flagged a waitress over and she said “I will get your waitress.” When she arrived, her face was sad with a slight bit of anger. She gave me “bad” service.

 

• There have been times when I wanted to complain to the manager about someone.
• There have been times when I wanted to tell the boss about what someone was doing wrong.
• There have been times when I wanted to make sure the person who was giving me “bad” service would fail and hopefully be fired.

 

Paul continues with his strange message. At the core, he is speaking about respecting other people. The three people he mentions, remind me of a restaurant. One patron orders the everything platter while another table orders the salad bowl.

 

Both could ask the question “Why did that table order that kind of food?” in a judgmental way. Meanwhile both patrons judge the wait staff, not knowing the full story.

 

• GOD wants me to welcome those who are weak in faith.
• GOD wants me to hold back any arguments I may have, trying to convince someone to grow and simply accept the person, just like HE does.
• GOD wants me to become part of HIS success by removing judgment of the workers of churches, businesses or households I encounter.

 

Finding something wrong with the way someone does things is easier and easier these days. I mean, I can watch a video of how things are supposed to go, but when I try the experience it may not go as I have expected. I then have a choice, complain or give grace. GOD wants me to understand grace more than I want to at times. I mean “that” person is clearly wrong and should be told about it, right? Maybe. BUT GOD wants me to understand grace first.

 

Remember the sad, scowling waitress I encountered. Turns out she had a serious situation at home. I said I would pray for her and she shed a tear and gave me great service from then on. I tipped heavily. I am grateful GOD gives me a second chance, especially from those who judge me. HE makes me succeed.

 

• Are you judging someone?
• Are you saying to yourself “I wouldn’t do it that way?”
• Will you stop judging others and join the LORD who is willing and able to make them succeed?

It is About You

 

It is About You

Romans 10: ⁵ Moses wrote this about being put right with God by obeying the Law: “Whoever obeys the commands of the Law will live.” ⁶ But what the scripture says about being put right with God through faith is this: “You are not to ask yourself, Who will go up into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down). ⁷ “Nor are you to ask, Who will go down into the world below?” (that is, to bring Christ up from death). ⁸ What it says is this: “God's message is near you, on your lips and in your heart”—that is, the message of faith that we preach. 

 

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Cruising at a very nice speed, I was beating everybody on the road. When I was pulled over, I quickly thought of my defense. “What about them?” I asked, not knowing where I was going with that argument. “Yes, they are speeding, but it is you who was caught speeding.”

 

• When I am in trouble I want other people to go down with me.
• When I am caught doing wrong, I want a group to be caught with me.
• When I want something that someone else has, I question, “Why them and not me?”

 

Paul tries to address a seriously diseased way of thinking. “Will that person go to heaven or hell?”” was the type of questioning that could get any human in trouble. Paul then gives the best alternative. Speak for yourself.

 

• GOD wants me to hear HIS message and place it in my heart.
• GOD wants me to speak HIS message to anyone who will hear.
• GOD wants me to have faith in HIS message so I will continue to speak about HIM.

 

Looking around at others, trying to decide if they believe in JESUS or not is impossible for any human. I mean, many people who speak and preach HIS name weekly may not know HIM in a saving way, but a greedy way.

 

On the other hand, that person who is a regular sinner, known by the community as a liar and a thief, may be GOD’s greatest example. Ask the thief on the cross. The only assignment GOD gives me is to speak about HIS SON, who took care of all my sins. I am grateful HE is gracious enough to give HIS message to me.

 

• Are you looking at “those” poor lost people?
• Do “they” need to be saved because of something ”you” saw them do?
• Will you stop judging others and include yourself by saying “I” am a sinner who needs salvation today?

Voluntary Heart Surgery

 

Voluntary Heart Surgery

Romans 2: ²⁵ If you obey the Law, your circumcision is of value; but if you disobey the Law, you might as well never have been circumcised. ²⁶ If the Gentile, who is not circumcised, obeys the commands of the Law, will not God regard him as though he were circumcised? ²⁷ And so you Jews will be condemned by the Gentiles because you break the Law, even though you have it written down and are circumcised; but they obey the Law, even though they are not physically circumcised. ²⁸ After all, who is a real Jew, truly circumcised? It is not the man who is a Jew on the outside, whose circumcision is a physical thing. ²⁹ Rather, the real Jew is the person who is a Jew on the inside, that is, whose heart has been circumcised, and this is the work of God's Spirit, not of the written Law. Such a person receives praise from God, not from human beings.

 

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 “Say you are sorry” were words that did not resonate with me. I mean, I would say the words, but I was not sorry for putting the brat in the box and sitting on the lid. He was my age but acting like he never had seen punishment of any kind.

 

Later in life, I noticed all kinds of brats in school and then in the workplace. I wish I could put “that” person in a box and sit on the lid, I would think to myself.

 

• There have been many people I did not like.
• There have been many people I wanted to show “my” justice to.
• There have been many people I desired to see their demise, because that was in my heart.

 

Paul speaks about something complicated. The Laws of Moses required circumcision. When the church leaders did this, it felt like more of a rite of passage than obedience. They figured out loopholes in the Law rather than following it with their hearts. Paul tries to convince those who have gone through the trouble of following the Law, to pay attention to the “heart” of the Law. This required “surrender.”

 

• GOD wants me to surrender my hatred for people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to well pray for my enemies.
• GOD wants me to love those who hate me.

 

Since the heart is extremely wicked, there is only one surgeon who can fix it, namely JESUS. HE sends in a specialist who can get into the darkest corners of my heart and eradicate any cancerous hatred that resides.

 

GOD promised that if I confess my sins to HIM, HE would be faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. JESUS places the HOLY SPIRIT inside me to change my heart. It is up to me to accept HIS SPIRIT when HE knocks on my heart. I accept.

 

• Is your heart full of hatred masked in the communication of the “news?”
• Do you feel better when you see someone get what is coming to them?
• Will you allow GOD to change your heart before you carry hatred, you don’t know you are carrying, into other aspects of your life today?

Trying to Lead You

 

Trying to Lead You

Romans 2: Do you, my friend, pass judgment on others? You have no excuse at all, whoever you are. For when you judge others and then do the same things which they do, you condemn yourself. ² We know that God is right when he judges the people who do such things as these. ³ But you, my friend, do those very things for which you pass judgment on others! Do you think you will escape God's judgment? ⁴ Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent. ⁵ But you have a hard and stubborn heart, and so you are making your own punishment even greater on the Day when God's anger and righteous judgments will be revealed.

 

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“I hate sneaky, deceptive people!” I said to myself in reference to my boss. He had a habit of snooping around my desk to get new ideas he could steal. I thought of a great plan. I left a terrible idea I heard from someone else on my desk.

 

I would then “hide” around the corner and peek on occasion to see if he took the bait. I wasn’t being sneaky because I was trying to catch him, right? Wrong.

 

• There were times when I justified my judgment of people and did the same things as them.
• There were times when I did worse things than others and needed grace when I was caught.
• There were times when I blamed other people, never once looking at myself.

 

Paul had just written about those who ignore GOD, substituting evil for what GOD says is right. But then he turns to those who call themselves “righteous” by following GOD’s rules. He asks a simple question. “Do you, my friend, pass judgment on others?” He then says, passing judgment on others brings condemnation on yourself.

 

• GOD wants me to turn away from the sins “I” commit.
• GOD wants me to recognize I deserve the judgment.
• GOD wants me to notice HE is trying to lead me to repent and stop doing the things I blame other people of doing.

 

Judging others is not my job. I mean, GOD is the only one who has a heaven and a hell to place those HE chooses. Yes, GOD does want me and other people to stand up for those being harmed. HE also wants me to protect people from those who want to do evil for their pleasure.

 

BUT GOD wants me to examine myself each day to see if I am judging others and acting the same way. HE has given me a generous helping of kindness, tolerance and patience. HE wants me to combat wrong with these wonderful weapons. I am glad GOD cares enough to try to lead me back to HIS ways.

 

• Are you mad at someone?
• Do you think of how wrong “that” person is?
• Do you talk about how wrong “that” person is with your friends or other family members?
• Will you examine your own heart to see if there is hatred, bitterness, anger or resentment in it so you can ask GOD to remove it and replace it with the same love HE has for you today?

Adjust the Approach

 

Adjust the Approach

Acts 26: ⁹ “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. ¹¹ Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

 

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After learning a little about the Bible, I wanted to put the information to use. When told about a couple living together, my immediate response was “They shouldn’t be doing that” in a condemning tone. This was way after I had sex without being married in college. I figure that I could tell people what they were doing wrong, now that I learned something.

 

• There were times when I thought my approach was right.
• There were times when I read the Bible and brought judgment on people.
• There were times when I overlooked my sins to point out the sins of others.

 

Paul confessed he had the wrong approach. He told King Agrippa that he was very zealous about learning the Jewish customs, so he became a Pharisee. He judged people for believing in JESUS as the Messiah, which seemed counter to what he learned. He persecuted many and applauded their death. BUT GOD had a different plan for Paul.

 

• GOD wants me to see people as AHE sees them.
• GOD wants me to give HIM my judgement in exchange for HIS peace.
• GOD wants me to love one another as HE has loved us.

 

Seeing the world as “us” is difficult sometimes. I mean, when people dream of new kinds of hatred and lusts daily, who can teach GOD’s message of love. BUT GOD knows what is going on. HE simply needs me to be consistent in my love to those HE sends me to.

 

GOD sees my heart and knows how wicked it can be. HE cleans it out and places HIS SPIRIT in it. HE gives me purpose, namely to bring people to HIM. HE says “MY grace is sufficient” and I believe it. I am grateful HE cares for people like me.

 

• Are you judging someone?
• Do you easily see their flaws and overlook your own?
• Will you allow GOD to deal with “that” person and ask HIM to adjust your approach to spreading the good news about JESUS, today?

 

Clear Conscience

Acts 23: Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” ² At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”

 

⁴ Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

 

⁵ Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.

 

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After telling the lie, immediately I asked myself… “What do I have to gain from this lie?” I mean, I had gotten in the habit of lying to cover myself. I was insecure about everything and I felt a lie was easier to live with. I even lied to myself.

 

There were lies I told myself to hide from the truth of my sins.

There were lies I told others to hide the fact that I was an imposter when it came to “being good.”

There were lies I told by withholding my sin and looking at everyone else’s.

 

Paul spoke directly to the church leaders and said his actions were done “in all good conscience.” This meant Paul was as open about his sin as he could be. His motive was purely based on speaking about JESUS being GOD.

 

With this, the high priest had Paul to be punched in the mouth. The high priest did not act like one of GOD’s servants, so Paul acknowledged what he had done based on the scripture.

 

GOD wants me to learn about HIM so I can live with a clear conscience.

GOD wants me to understand what true freedom means.

GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom so my conscience can remain clear.

 

Sin throws me off. I mean, when I sin, my conscience feels guilty and I look for GOD’s punishment. When I do that, it means I do not fully understand HIS grace. HE forgave me once and for all when HE said “It is finished.”  

 

Yes, there will be consequences to my sin, but knowing JESUS forgave all my sins clears my conscience. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me, guiding me away from the stronghold of sin. I may not be perfect, but I am taking a step in GOD’s direction each day.

 

What are you hiding?

Are you looking at someone else’s sins and not your own?

Will you admit your sins to others so your conscience can be clear to speak about JESUS today?

 

Someone Else

Someone Else

Acts 5: ³³ When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. ³⁴ Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. ³⁵ And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. ³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. ³⁸ And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

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After attending the church service, I was highly disappointed. I mean the preacher focused on money as expected and cared less about people, so I went to another church. After that service, I was disappointed. I mean the songs were boring and it seemed so dead, so I went to another church. This time, the pastor preached a great message, but the same woman shouted every week and the service was kind of long.

• Many times I judged based on unknown criteria.
• Many times I expected groups of people to behave in a certain way.
• Many times I have been disappointed with the actions of others because I thought they should be acting better than “I” was acting.

A church leader warns the others not to kill the apostles. He gave sage advice to let them go, warning everyone that if the apostles were following GOD, then they would be picking a fight against GOD that cannot be won.

• GOD wants me to look at how I am serving HIM.
• GOD wants me to look only at HIM and not others.
• GOD wants me to surrender my life to HIM so I can see HIM in more places.

Looking at “someone else” causes problems. When I look at what someone else is doing, I do not have all of the information. I do not have their journey, heartaches, pain and perseverance to get them to where they are. I also do not have the message GOD gave that person in their quiet moments.

I do have my own. I can have a great relationship with the Living GOD, knowing that I have been through a lot that others may never see. The pain, temptations, failures and disappointments I face are healed by GOD daily. I am glad I do not need to look at someone else because I can look to JESUS who sees something good inside of me.

• Are you looking at someone and are disappointed with their walk with GOD?
• Do you feel your walk with GOD is better than someone else?
• Will you stop judging and help people grow by sharing your struggles today so they can have their own relationship with GOD?

Rule Hugger

Rule Hugger

John 7: ¹⁹ Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

²⁰ The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

²¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel.²² Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. ²³ If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? ²⁴ Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

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“What a reckless driver!” I grunted to myself. As the person darted in and out I could see the imminent danger approaching. Then a morbid thought crossed my mind. “I hope they get in an accident, that will show them.” Moments later I saw police lights coming from a distance. “That’s what they get!” I thought. The police pulled me over. I was speeding.

• Many times I have judged people.
• Many times I wanted people to be punished.
• Many times I desired to see “justice” for others but not for myself.

Angry at JESUS due to their flawed thinking, the Jews sought to put HIM to death for healing a man on the Sabbath. JESUS was not following their controlling ways and as their popularity diminished, their hatred escalated to wanting to kill HIM. When JESUS confronted them, they said to the Most High GOD, that HE had a demon.

• JESUS wants me to see HIM as the one who judges me and others.
• JESUS wants me to see “us” instead of them, when it comes to people.
• JESUS wants me to include myself in the basket of sinners so my desire to judge people will be smaller.

Following the rules does not cleanse me of the rules I have broken. In fact, the more I study GOD’s word, the more I realize I cannot ever clean myself up. BUT GOD can clean me up. JESUS went through life sinless, was murdered to pay for my sin and was raised from the dead to prove HIS power over life and death.

HE wants me to seek HIS grace instead of blaming HIM for not giving me “my” way this time. Time is short and hatred for one another is growing. JESUS wants me to seek those HE has chosen, so I can give HIS words of encouragement. I am glad HE wants me to exchange my judgement for encouragement.

• Are you judging someone?
• Do you spend enormous amounts of time grousing about someone in power?
• Will you stop your negative words and start encouraging people to follow JESUS today?

Blinded by the rules

Blinded by the rules

John 5: ¹⁶ For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. ¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

¹⁸ Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 

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After years of doing whatever I wanted to do, I decided to go back to church. I had enough of “sinning” and I wanted to follow GOD for a change. As I got deeper into reading and attending church, my speech started to change. “Look at THOSE people doing THAT sin.” I mean how dare they sin!

• There were times when I measured people to ‘my’ standard.
• There were times when I looked at what people were doing wrong so ‘I’ could correct them.
• There were times when I felt ‘I’ had arrived because of where ‘I’ had come from.

The church leaders sought to kill JESUS because HE performed a miracle on the Sabbath. JESUS replied with an answer stating HE and HIS FATHER have been working together. This statement grew the rage of the church leaders so they figured they had justification for their legal actions.

• GOD wants me to follow HIS word, knowing I am still a sinner.
• GOD wants me to read HIS word, knowing people need grace.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS heart through observing HIS actions while HE walked the earth.

Over the years I have tried to correct people into salvation from what I can see. If I see the right evidence, then I feel my work is done. BUT GOD says something different. HE wants me to plant HIS seeds and take my eyes off of the person as I give them to HIM.

Strong faith does not require seeing what GOD is doing in “that” person’s life. GOD wants me to recognize what HE is doing in my life so I can drop my complaints, control and conspiring attitude. I recognize I do not follow GOD’s rules, that’s why I need HIM and thank HIM for HIS grace.

• Do you think you are good at following rules?
• Are you busy pointing at those who do not follow the rules well?
• Will you ask GOD to open your blind, rule based eyes and allow HIM to add a measure of grace to your heart today?

Stop That

Luke 20: One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. ² ‘Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,’ they said. ‘Who gave you this authority?’

³ He replied, ‘I will also ask you a question. Tell me: ⁴ John’s baptism – was it from heaven, or of human origin?’

⁵ They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will ask, “Why didn’t you believe him?” ⁶ But if we say, “Of human origin,” all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.’

⁷ So they answered, ‘We don’t know where it was from.’

⁸ Jesus said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’

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“There she goes again” I said to myself with my eyes rolling sarcastically. It seemed like every week the same person would get up and dance in church as the musician egged her on. Then I noticed a few more people would join in.  I wanted to go up to her and say “Stop that”, but I decided to leave that church. I mean, they were phonies, right?

• In the past I questioned other folk’s motives.
• In the past I labeled church goers as hypocrites.
• In the past I looked hard at what people in the church were doing and I critiqued their behavior based upon “my” expectations.

The church leaders questioned why JESUS was telling people “good news.” They were supposed to be “in charge” so they questioned HIS authority to speak about the ways of salvation.

JESUS quickly saw through their controlling hearts and asked them a question they could not answer about the authority of John the Baptist. HE knew the church leaders sided with politicians who murdered John. The church leaders could not answer HIS question.

• GOD says to me “Do not stifle MY sheep.”
• GOD says to me “Help MY sheep grow.”
• GOD says to me “Feed MY lambs.”

Instead of criticizing how people worship, GOD wants me to help them reach others for HIS purposes. I may not do things exactly the way that person does things, but does that make them “wrong?” Maybe not, especially if they are trying to follow GOD’s word.

GOD wants me to bear fruit and I cannot when I am focused on what someone else is doing. I must be responsible for bringing people to HIM and praise HIM for making every human different. I praise GOD for giving my life purpose.

• Are you criticizing what someone else is doing?
• Do you think they are not doing GOD correctly and you are?
• Will you stop trying to control people to do things your way and allow them to be led by GOD?