Don’t. Judge. Me.

The Hubs (PK), opened a can of worms last week by challenging us that the Bible doesn’t tell us “not to judge.”  But, but, but… what about Matthew 7?

Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.” Matthew 7:1

Do.Not.Judge.  I suppose, like many other verses in the Bible if that is all you read you can take that as it is, but it is not the only verse in the Bible so we must read it in context AND alongside many other verses.  The note, in my HCSB study Bible, says, “Jesus did not intend to prohibit all acts of judgment.  Elsewhere He commanded believers to discern the actions of others.  What Jesus condemned is hypocritical judgment that focuses on the faults of others while excusing one’s own sins.”  Further, in the notes relating to versus 3-5, it says, “Believers DO have a responsibility to help one another repent of sins, but only after first dealing with their own serious sins.”

Kevin gave this example.  What if, at your job, you were doing something wrong for over ten years and you didn’t even realize it.  Your co-workers noticed it, but none of them had the guts to tell you.  One day, corporate comes in and addresses this thing you’ve been doing wrong all these years and you get fired.  Wouldn’t you have wanted the opportunity to change what you were doing wrong, if only someone would’ve told you?

Sure, if you’re a follower of Jesus and surrendered your life to Him, you’re not going to get “fired” from being a Christian.  But, isn’t the heart of someone who wants to truly follow Jesus to want to please Him in all areas of their life?  Sometimes there’s sin in our life that we don’t even realize is there (the Bible calls this “secret sin”), and God may use someone to bring that to light for us – for our growth – for His glory.  “Satan wants us to believe judging is a sin, but God uses Biblical judging in our lives and our Christian walks” – PK.

Here are some DOs and DON’Ts in regards to judging:

DON’T:

-be hypocritical.  Examine your own heart first (Matthew 7:3-5).

-be condemning (Luke 6:37).

-be critical (James 4:11).  From my study bible notes, “there are never grounds for critical speech directed toward another member of the congregation.” Hmmmm.

DO:

-approach humbly and gently (Gal. 6)

-discern/judge biblically (Matt. 7:2, John 7:24)

-make personal contact (Matthew 18)

-share in LOVE (Eph. 4:15)

Now, instead of saying, “Don’t Judge Me,” we can say, “Please, judge me.”

A Sweet Baby – thoughts after the tragedy in Newtown

A Sweet Baby

My heart continues to ache today as it did yesterday after hearing the horrific news out of Connecticut – 20 babies slaughtered and several adults.  I watched my Facebook and Twitter feeds explode with words of compassion, heartache, and grief.   Then, I’d see a random tweet regarding something insignificant and was honestly a little perturbed by that.  Even though, it is very likely that that some of those tweets were “scheduled tweets”, there were others – “Hey I’m eating McDonalds” or “The sky is blue” (not actual tweets, but you get the point) or some politically motivated tweets… and THAT’s a whole ‘nutha blog post…

As a frequent tweeter, I found my self holding back on even some of the tweets that could be related to the events of the day ~ “Blessed that I’m buying groceries for my family instead of waiting outside an elementary school to see if my child is alive, #sandyhook” ~ “Thankful to hug each of my kiddos this afternoon #newtown” ~

Then, last night I was babysitting a sweet baby for some friends.  Let me tell you, sweet cuddles and playtime with a cheerful 5-month-old is medicine for the soul.  I took about a bazillion pictures – she’s so stinkin’ photogenic and sweet and fun.  I was about to tweet a picture and then I thought that it would be insensitive to tweet playtime with a baby when so many are never going to see their’s alive again.

This morning I have a different perspective.

*I am going to share encouragement from the Word.

*I am going to share what my day consists of.

*I am going to share blessings in my life and things that brings me joy.

The Word Heals Several passages in the Bible talk about the HEALING the Word of God can do (Psalm 107:20).  God’s Word has met me where I was more times than I can count, encouraging me, giving me HOPE, giving me strength, directing my life…  I will continue to speak the Word personally and online as I know the POWER in it to HEAL.

Conquer Evil With Good This exact thought is from Romans 12:21.  We’re going to hear evil things, we’re going to experience the effects of evil.  What can we do about it?  Do good.  Today I’ll be at the Flag City Free Store at LifePoint helping those in need.  It is a blessing to serve, to help, to do “good.”  This morning is a step in conquering evil.  The Bible also tells us to PRAY for those that persecute (hurt, cause harm, destruct).  We can conquer evil with the good in praying for the evil…

Count Your Blessings So many posted about hugging your kiddos a little tighter and make every day count.  Today, I’ll probably post pictures/tweets etc of me and the fam making cookies.  Insignificant in the task, but significant in that we are together, making memories, spending time together, making the most of our time.  I think it will honor those lives lost to live intentionally with those we love.

So today, amidst the grief, I hope to see your encouraging posts/tweets from the Word, hearing good things that are happening and what blessings  you are experiencing.

To close, 2000+ years ago, a Sweet Baby came and brought encouragement, came to overcome evil and blessed (and still blesses) us.  There is HOPE in Him.

Finally, here are a couple of those pix from last night of that sweet baby I was watching.  What a blessing.

Avery reading the Christmas Story and Avery under the tree.  

Stateside Missionary

America has spoken. No, I’m not (just) talking about the presidential election.  States in the United States of America have legalized marijuana, same-sex marriage, and assisted suicide.  We continue to murder babies out of convenience. People who actually hold to the truths and values of the Bible, the WHOLE Bible, are now considered the minority, narrow-minded bigots and intolerant.

Through this election, America has not only named a president, we have communicated where we are as a nation.  Romans 1:28-32 sums it up:

And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful.  Although they know full well God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.

America, God is not mocked. Whatever we sow, we. will. reap. (Gal 6:7)

For that I am sad…

And I am more determined.  A few years ago in our Christian journey, God called us to be missionaries in a 3^rd world country. Now, God has called us to be Stateside Missionaries.  We are to be a LIGHT in the darkness (Matt 5).  We are called to speak the TRUTH in love (Eph 4).  We are NOT called to please man, but God (Gal 1).  It’s time for ME to stand up for what I believe in, regardless of how I will be labeled, rejected, mocked, regardless of my social media following… And I pray, if you are a believer in Christ – especially if you are a leader in the Christian community – you will do the same.  It’s a narrow road (Mt. 7:13)– so I realize there will just be a few of us.  Don’t settle for the broad road for popularity’s sake… it leads to destruction.  We can be wishy-washy in the spirit of not “offending” or attempting to draw a larger audience or to appear to accept anything/anyone, but we are called to be diligent to stand on the Word (2 Tim 4).  Saying NOTHING to keep face is JUST AS BAD as holding to the beliefs that are rising in this country.

It’s time for Christians to get to the task of making disciples.  It’s time for us to teach truth, love others, serve the poor and pursue holiness. It’s time for us to show our faith by our actions. Under the umbrella of GRACE we have been silent about the TRUTH.  There MUST be both.

This country… this WORLD needs people to be bold like Jesus was, speaking what is unpopular (lose your life Mark 8:35, you will suffer for my Name, you will be persecuted Mt 5:10).   Yes, you will be HATED when you stand up for Christ and His principles… that’s why the group following Jesus went from 10s of 1000s to 150 in the book of Acts.  Standing up may not grow mega-churches but it will grow TRUE Christ Followers/Disciples. At the end of the day, whose approval are you (am I) seeking???

Yesterday was a lightbulb moment for me of the effects of Christians and Christian Leaders being silent.  It’s time to RISE UP and make a CHANGE. I’m ready to be a Stateside Missionary, are you?

Get Into The Word (a how-to post)

In this day and age, you don’t even need a Bible (with a binding and pages) to be able to spend time in the Word. Now, I don’t totally recommend that because, for me, I still love the rustling of the pages and marking up my Bible. However, many just use the Bibles that at at our disposal online or via the use of a “smart” device. Personally, I do a little of both, but wanted to share some online choices and apps at our disposal:

ONLINE: There are several sites that you can read the Bible from.
BIBLE GATEWAY – I love the search features of Bible Gateway. You can also quickly look up by passage and by keywords. Bible Gateway also often provides the sub-notes that are available in your hard copy Bible. Bible Gateway also has added devotionals and Bible Reading Plans, but for those I actually like

ONLINE & APPS YouVersion better. YouVersion is my fav . It is available online and also as an APP on your smartphone or other portable device. YouVersion offers several reading plans and devotionals. You can pick one for the whole year, or a topical devotion for 4-7 days. It’s easy to follow and they even send you milestone emails for encouragement. Think it’s too late to start a one-year reading or one year devotional? Nope. 2012 has 366 days so starting on January 2nd still allows you to finish up by December 31st. What better time to get started???

APPS In addition to YouVersion’s app (search “Bible” in your app store and it should be the top finding- it’s run by lifechurch.tv so that should confirm when you find it). What has quickly become a favorite way to start my day has been with Sarah Young and her book, “Jesus Calling”. Now this app is NOT free, but it is worth.every.penny. Also, we paid for it once and are able to put it on all of our devices. Everyone @CasaGrub reads Jesus Calling. Sarah writes as if Jesus is speaking in 1st person, and every day has touched my heart at the perfect time.

So,what am I doing for 2012? I’m going to continue my mornings with Jesus Calling, and for my afternoon/evening reading I chose the “Everywhere I Go” year long devotional/reading plan via YouVersion. I’ll also do my regular Bible Time/Study in the morning as Jesus Calling goes pretty quickly. Don’t freak out if you only pick one to do, I just have a voracious appetite for the Word. Do what works for you and God.

For those of you already doing a reading plan/devotional, what are YOU doing?