SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON JUDGING OTHERS

“With what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:2)

Earlier in the week I shared some insight on the topic of judging others from Oswald Chambers. In today’s reading from MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST he shares some additional thoughts that are worth our consideration this morning:

“Whatever judgment you give will be the very way you are judged. There is a difference between RETALIATION and RETRIBUTION. Jesus said that the basis of life is retribution – “with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” If you have been shrewd in finding out the short-comings of others, remember that will be exactly how you will be measured. The way you pay is the way life will pay you back. This eternal law works from God’s throne down to us (see Psalm 18:25-26).

Romans 2:1 applies it in even a more definite way by saying that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act itself, but also at the possibility of committing it, which He sees by looking at our hearts. To begin with, we do not believe the statement that says we criticize in others the very same things we are guilty of ourselves?

The reason we see hypocrisy, deceit, and a lack of genuineness in others is that they are all in our own hearts. The greatest characteristic of a saint is HUMILITY, as evidenced by being able to say honestly and humbly, “Yes, all those, as well as other evils, would have been exhibited in me if it were not for the grace of God. Therefore I have no right to judge.”

Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1) He went on to say, in effect, “If you do judge, you will be judged in exactly the same way.” Who of us would dare to stand before God and say, “My God, judge me as I have judged others”? We have judged others as sinners – if God should judge us in the same way, we would be condemned to hell. Yet God judges us on the basis of the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ.”

Something to think about this morning. I know that I have struggled in this area. Maybe you have too. Hope it provides some additional insight. Thanks for being on the journey with me.

Great Quote: When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don’t pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God. Luis Palua

WHERE ARE MY EYES?

“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

We recently spent several days at Ocean City and did the usual – B & B – beach and boardwalk. I love the shore and all that goes with it – the sound of the ocean, the smells of the boardwalk, watching the parade of people.

For years we enjoyed just sitting on the boardwalk and watching the people walk by. But the parade has changed. Maybe I am more sensitive to what I see in the parade because of the type of ministry I am in. Maybe it is the conviction of the Holy Spirit that is creating in me more of a sensitivity to the parade. And maybe it is the recognition that God is watching the parade with me.

Remember when you were young and you went to the circus? Remember the parade of all the cast members? You saw the clowns, the acrobats and the other cast members. Maybe you’ve been to a Disney parade or a parade in your town. The participants spent a lot of time finding just the right costumes and it was a wholesome for the entire family.

Maybe that is the reason the parade has changed so today at the shore. There seems to be less and less costumes on the participants. Ocean City has been known for many years as a “Christian” town – unlike some of the other shore locations. Families of all ages were able to enjoy the “wholesome” atmosphere. The boardwalk is still “gambling” free – none of this crazy games. But on this trip, it was obvious that the impact of culture on how men and women dress is a danger zone for most men, and if they are honest, even women.

What was difficult on this trip was the number of men and women walking the boards with very little clothing, particularly during the day. For those of us that struggle with our eyes and thought lives, it is a very dangerous place to be. The concept of bouncing your eyes is much needed – but this was ridiculous. Where do you bounce your eyes to because it was in every direction? One could easily get a migraine headache from your eyes darting to and fro trying to find a safe marker to fix your eyes upon. Basically there are two choices – look down at the ground or look up at the sky!

And maybe it is more complicated because you know that God is watching what you are looking at and so is your spouse. We went to the beach just one afternoon and it was very difficult. Three young ladies walked down in front of us clad in barely anything on and proceeded to undress right in front of Jan, Zach and me. They were bending over snapping their tops and bottoms. How easy it would be very easy to stumble with your eyes, which as King David discovered, was deadly.

Guys – the enemy is going to try every way to capture and arrest your attention. We need to guard our eyes with a vengeance. We need to be sure that we are teaching our wives and kids how to dress properly so that they are not causing others to stumble. I thought about the fact that some guy could be watching one of my girls or wife walking down the boardwalk or laying on the beach. Suppose she is wearing a revealing swimsuit. How would I feel knowing that guys are lusting after her body? Undressing her with their eyes? How does that make you feel? Most of us wouldn’t be very happy.

Some of us want to protect our kids, especially our teens from making bad choices morally. But think about the culture they live in. Less is better. More attractive, more revealing. More skin showing is better. It’s everywhere – from billboards to TV. I have noticed more and more in getting around to churches that even our Christian teens are dressing more and more provocatively. Here’s a thought that you can ponder. When Jesus talked about adultery he broadened the definition by adding the caveat that even if a man LOOKS on a woman with lustful thoughts, he has committed adultery.

Fox News did a brief commentary this week posing the question if a person dreams about having sex outside of his or her partner, can that be considered rape? Jesus knew that the EYE GATE is a powerful vehicle for the mind! A remember – He was addressing a culture where women were dressed up to the eyeball! Imagine what He would say to us if He literally, physically stepped into our culture.

Bottom line – we need to be extremely careful with our eyes. Maybe it begins with bouncing the eyes. Maybe it begins with sharing with your wife how difficult it is for you to be in a spot where there is so much skin available to the eye-gate.

Something to think about.

Great Quote: How many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? Anonymous

BEWARE OF CRITICIZING OTHERS

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:11

It’s a principle that I learned a long time ago – “Whenever you point your accusatory finger at someone else, there are at least three pointing back at you!” It has proven itself true over and over again in my own life. When I judge someone else, it most always shows that I am struggling with the same issues in my own life.

Chambers devotional from June 17th hits the nail right on the head and is worth your consideration today:

“Jesus’ instructions with regard to judging others is very simply put; He says, “DON’T.” The average Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The EFFECT of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding.

It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood. Criticism serves to make your harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that HIS disciples should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. This will not happen quickly but must be developed over a span of time. You must constantly be aware of anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior person.

There is no escaping the penetrating search of my life by Jesus. If I see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of timber in my own (see Matthew 7:3-5). Every wrong that I see in YOU, God finds in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-24).

Stop having a measuring stick for other people. There is always at least one more fact, which we see nothing about, in every person’s situation. The first thing God does is to give us a thorough spiritual cleaning. After that, there is no possibility of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.” From MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST

Ouch! But a great reminder about judging and condemning others. Think about it!

Great quote: “As a saved soul, the real business of your life is intercessory prayer. Whatever circumstances God may place you in, always pray immediately that His atonement may be recognized and as fully understood in the lives of others as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends NOW, and pray for those with whom you come in contact with NOW.”
– Oswald Chambers

SPENDING TIME WITH HIM

Jan, Zach and me have had three wonderful days at Ocean City with some very dear friends. It has been a very refreshing time and I have even finished two books!

I came across this very helpful little outline on spending time with God and thought it would be helpful to you.

HOW TO SPEND AN HOUR WITH GOD

Give five minutes to each of the following twelve activities:

1. Praise the Lord for who HE is (Hebrews 13:15)

2. Read the Word (Psalm 119:105).

3. Meditate on what you have just read (Joshua 1:8).

4. Confess your sins and shortcomings (1 John 1:9).

5. Intercede for others (1 Samuel 12:18).

6. Listen for God’s voice (Psalm 46:10).

7. Pray using the language of the Word (Psalm 22:1)

8. Petition God for your own needs (James 4:2).

9. Pray for your Pastor (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

10. Pray for your church (Ephesians 5:25).

11. Pray for your public and corporate leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-8).

12. Give thanks. (Psalm 136)

from Bible-Based Prayer Ministries – Forth Worth, Texas

When was the last time you spent some significant time alone with HIM?
Today is a good day to start.

Great quote: “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and from prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray!” – Samuel Chadwick

KEEP PRESSIN’ ON

“Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:12-13)

This week is a significant week for us as a ministry as we will be meeting Thursday with an individual to talk about the residential women’s ministry and a property that he owns that could thrust us forward in an amazing way. There have been a number of us praying quite earnestly that God will swing open the door to move us forward.

The need is great. Just in the last three weeks we have been notified of three women who have committed suicide because of their addictions.

I love that GOD knows what we are going through and again this morning these words from Streams in the Desert, oh so timely:

“This verse (see above) is God’s Word of encouragement to us to lift the hands of faith and to fortify the knees of prayer. All too often our faith becomes tired, weak, and listless, and our prayers lose their power and effectiveness.

The Lord’s illustration here is quite compelling. He is pointing out to us that when we become so discouraged and fearful that even one little obstacle depresses and frightens us, we are tempted to walk around it. We would rather take the easy way than face it. Perhaps there is some physical ailment that God is ready to heal, but it requires exertion on our part. The temptation is to find help from someone else or to walk around the obstacle some other way.

We tend to find many ways of walking around emergencies instead of walking STRAIGHT THROUGH them. So often we are faced with something that frightens or overwhelms us and seek to evade the problem with the excuse: “I am not quite ready for that now.” It may require some sacrifice, or demand our obedience in some area. Perhaps there is some Jericho we are facing, or we are lacking the courage to help someone else and to pray through this concern with him. Perhaps we have a prayer that awaits completion, or a physical problem that is partially healed and we continue to walk around it.

God says, “LIFT UP THE HANDS THAT HANG DOWN.” March straight through the flood, and behold! The waters will divide, the Red Sea will open, the Jordan will part, and the Lord will lead you through to victory!

Do not allow your feet to “be turned out of the way,” but let your body “be healed,” and your faith strengthened. God straight ahead, leaving no Jericho unconquered behind you, and no place where Satan can boast of having overwhelmed you. This is a valuable lesson and is extremely practical! How often we find ourselves in this very situation!

Perhaps this is where YOU are today. Pay as little attention to the discouragement as possible. Plow ahead like a steamship, which moves forward whether facing rough or smooth seas, and in rain or shine. Remember, the goal is simply to carry the cargo and to make it to port.”
STREAMS IN THE DESERT (Zondervan)

I don’t know about you, but that reminder was a good one from His lips to my ears. Keep pressin’ on, my friend.

Great Quote: It is not that God is stingy and must be coaxed, for He “giveth liberally and upbraideth not.” It is that we ourselves are so shallow and sinful that we need to tarry before Him until our restless natures can be stilled and the clamor of outside voices be deadened so that we can hear His voice. Such a state is not easily reached, and the men God uses have paid a price in wrestlings and prevailing prayer. But it is such men who rise from their knees confident of His power and go forth to speak with authority. Vance Havner

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
“The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who father’s a wise son will delight in him. Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice. I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (Proverbs 23:24-25; 3 John 4)

I used to dread Father’s Day … well at least for the past two decades.
My Dad has been with the Lord for twenty years and I still miss him today as much as I did the evening he went home to be with Jesus. This weekend we are at the shore visiting friends and the memories of his love for the shore have been very vivid in my mind.

I guess what has made this Father’s Day easier for me is the perspective of watching my three married kids in their roles as Dads. My son Josh has turned into a really cool Dad. He was never a “baby” person. In fact when our daughter Laura’s kids were born, he wasn’t real keen on even holding them as infants. That all changed the day Samuel was born. I find myself welling up with pride as I watch him holding and caring for his son.

Our two son-in-laws, Garrett and Jon, are great Dads too. Even though they are really just starting out on their journey of fathering, it has been fun to see them in this new role.

Solomon couldn’t have said it better when he said that the father of a “righteous son will rejoice greatly.” I have been blessed as a Dad with four sons (forget the son-in-law stuff). And I rejoice today that all four young men have accepted Jesus as their Savior and are growing in their walk with Him. In fact, Zach just celebrated a spiritual birthday last week!

I get to hear lots of sad stories from other Dad’s about their kids and the problems they are dealing with. Makes me even more thankful for my “men” this morning. And there is a funny thing that has happened … Jan and I have discovered that our married kids have taken on a different role – we see them not just as kids – we count them as our best friends.

Josh, Zach, Garrett and Jon – this Dad is very proud of you on this Father’s Day! And someday, Zach, Garrett and Jon will get to meet my Dad. Somehow I think he is very proud of you too!

If you have a Dad today, pick up the phone and give him a call! You’ll make his day.

Great quote: One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. George Herbert

UNADORNED WORSHIP

“And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

This morning during my quiet time this one really spoke to my heart and one not to gloss over:

“I must make my spiritual life as simple as possible. God is the most complex being in the universe; yet when it comes to His relationship to people, He wants utter simplicity. The altar the Israelites were to build for God was to be on unhewn stones, with no tool or cutting instrument used upon it. (Exodus 20:25)

The message is clear. God knows man’s tendency to adorn, to artify, to decorate a thing until MAN’S talent overshadows the instrument itself. Medieval art is an example of that. God wants to make Himself so available, so disposable to man that He wants no hindrance to a hungry, seeking heart. That means no rules or conditions to keep people from God.

The Laodicean church was the model of organization and regulation – but it was DEAD! I can become so structured, so habitualized, so regular that my devotional life becomes a self-centered worship of RULES rather than GOD. My life with God must be spontaneous. God reserves the right to break in, change habits, start new directions, and otherwise keep me on tiptoe expectation. God is not finicky, but He understands human nature and He does not want us majoring on things that do not count.

I must not become upset if someone interferes with my schedule, interrupts my ‘quiet time,’ or tampers with my routine. God may be in that very interruption, calling me to HIMSELF instead of to the scaffolding I have built around Him. I must be a Nathanael in worship as well as in life, a person without twists or deviousness, but openhearted and direct in my communion with God. The ‘blessed’ ones of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-11) are those with qualities of utter simplicity and transparency; they carry away enormous bundles of the blessings of God.” Adapted from DAILY WITH THE KING – Moody Press

Good devotional to ponder as we prepare our hearts for the Lord’s Day. Do you have a hungry, seeking heart?

Great quote: We must quit bending the Word to suit our situation. It is we who must be bent to that Word, our necks that must bow under the yoke. Elisabeth Elliot

GET MOVING

“Abide in Me …” John 15:4

I am always amazed, and shouldn’t be, how often God gives me JUST WHAT I NEED when I meet with Him in the morning. Your time alone with God each morning, men, must become a non-negotiable time on your daily agenda. We guard so many things in our schedules, but so often this time alone with HIM becomes something we put off until a later time. Sadly, most of us know, that unless we guard it militantly, putting it off means not doing it at all.

Oswald Chambers, one of my favorite devotional authors, has a way of cutting right to the quick with his insights. I read this yesterday and it was just too good to pass up sharing with you:

“Abide in Me in the matter of determination. The Spirit of Jesus is put into me by way of the atonement by the Cross of Christ. I then have to build my thinking patiently to bring it into perfect harmony with my Lord. God will not MAKE me think like Jesus – I have to do it myself. I have to bring “every thought into captivity to do it myself.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) “Abide in Me” – in intellectual matters, in money matters, in every one of the matters that make human life what it is. Our lives are not made up of only one neat confined area.

Am I preventing God from doing things in my circumstances by saying that it will only serve to hinder my fellowship with Him? How irrelevant and disrespectful that is! It does not matter what my circumstances are. I can be as much assured of abiding in Jesus in any one of them as I am in any prayer meeting. It is unnecessary to change and arrange my circumstances myself. Our Lord’s inner abiding was pure and unblemished. He was at home with God wherever His body was. He never chose His own circumstances, but was meek, submitting to His Father’s plans and directions for Him. Just think how amazingly relaxed our Lord’s life was! But we tend to keep God at a fever pitch in our lives. We have none of the serenity of life which is ‘hidden with Christ in God.’ (Colossians 3:3)

Think of the things that take you out of the position of abiding in Christ. You say, ‘Yes, Lord, just a minute – I still have to do this or that to do. Yes, I will abide as soon as this is finished, or as soon as this week is over. It will be all right, Lord. I will abide then!’ GET MOVING – ABIDE NOW! In the initial stages it will be a CONTINUAL effort to abide, but as you continue, it will become a part of your life that you abide in Him without any conscious effort. Make the determination to abide in Jesus WHEREVER you are now or wherever you may be placed in the future.” – MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST

How about you, brother? Are you abiding today in Christ? Don’t put it off. Do it today!

Great quote: “I must realize that my obedience in the SMALLEST details of life has all of the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it.
If I will do my duty, not for duty’s sake but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience all of the magnificent grace of God is mine through the glorious atonement by the Cross of Christ.” – Oswald Chambers

THE RAZOR EDGE OF FAILURE

“Now then let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the Lord our God will have no part in unrighteousness.” 2 Chronicles 19:7

Some fifteen years ago when I was serving as Vice President of Ministries at Sandy Cove, we had several staff members who were going through some difficult times because of bad choices they had made. I was sitting in my bosses’ office and remember looking him in the eye and saying, “Don’t you mess up! You better never do that to me!” In other words – I was telling him – FINISH WELL!

We last we he was our speaker for our Senior’s Week. He sent me an email at the end of the week with these poignant words: “Now I have a word for you: You’d better not do that to your wife, your family, your ministry, your Lord and to me. But I want to extend it. You have every reason to be proud. You’ve done a great job. You have reason to let it go to your head. Don’t. “Pride cometh before the fall.” Be thankful for the personality, gifts and opportunities God has given you. Don’t screw up because you think you can handle it with that alone. Continue to look to Him. I hope to be living 10 years from now when it becomes retirement age for you (or however long). I want to point my finger at you and say, “You finished well.” And don’t you forget it.”

That was a powerful reminder for me. Each of us must be intentional in remembering that we are one step away from blowing it. Our spiritual pride can be dangerous. We can pride ourselves into thinking that because we can “do all things through Christ” we will never blow it. Or because we have “security” in Christ – there is no way I could ever …. Well, you fill in the blanks.

I read this today: “The best way for me to live is on the razor edge of failure. I must be insecure enough to cling to the everlasting arms. If God blesses me as He did the Israelites, I must immediately assume that these blessings are a preparation against future problems, not guarantees of perpetual bliss. I must appreciate my blessings and use them correctly, but never grow maudlin over them.

I must get rid of my security complex. Success has a way of dimming my spiritual eye and slackening my spiritual hand. Being IN CHRIST is no assurance whatever that I will be immune from the lashings of Satan, the tantalizing of the world, or the rigors of God’s disciplinary grace. I will be safe only as I run scared, scared enough to be baby-like in my total dependence on God, for the man who makes His trust is blessed and will not go astray. (Psalm 40:4) from Daily with the King – published by Moody Press

Powerful reminder for me. My total dependence for finishing well MUST be on Him! How about you? Is there something in your life that is going to hinder you from finishing well? Is the Holy Spirit tapping you on the shoulder and reminding you of something in your life that you must look at this morning? Listen to His voice and purpose to run scared this morning. Scared to be “baby-like” in total dependence on God.

PEACE

“My peace I give you.” John 14:27

I am in process. Haven’t arrived yet. Put my pants on just like you – one leg at a time. And like many of you, sometimes the stuff gets overwhelming. In fact, right now, it is one of those overwhelming times – so little time and so much to do.

So many of my friends are going through stuff right now too. One brother’s wife is facing surgery today. She was hit in the face with a softball and has major issues. His wife is diabetic which raises the complication level. Another friend in ministry is facing challenges because of a staff member who is making life difficult. And another friend is facing a crisis with his kids.

I am thankful this morning that God knows what we need to hear from Him.
He spoke to my heart again this morning through His Word and through Streams in the Desert:

“Two painters were once asked to paint a picture illustrating his own idea of rest. The first chose for his scene a quiet, lonely lake, nestled among mountains far away. The second, using swift, broad strokes on canvas, painted a thundering waterfall. Beneath the falls grew a fragile birch tree, bending over the foam. On its branches, nearly wet with the spray form the falls, sat a robin on its nest.

The first painting was simply a picture of stagnation and inactivity. The second, however, depicted REST.

Outwardly, Christ endured one of the most troubled lives ever lived.
Storms and turmoil, turmoil and storms – wave after wave broke over Him until His worn body was laid in the tomb. Yet His INNER LIFE was a smooth as a sea of glass, and a great calm was always there.

Anyone could have gone to Him at any time and found rest. Even as the human bloodhounds were dogging Him in the streets of Jerusalem, He turned to His disciples, offering them a final legacy: ‘MY PEACE!”

Rest is not some holy feeling that comes upon us in church. It is a state of calm rising from a heart deeply and firmly established in God.

My peace I give in times of deepest grief, Imparting calm and trust and My relief.

My peace I give when prayer seems lost, unheard; Know that My promises are ever in My Word.

My peace I give when you are left alone – The nightingale at night has sweetest tone.

My peace I give in times of utter loss,
The way of glory leads right to the cross.

My peace I give when enemies will blame, Your fellowship is sweet through cruel shame.

My peace I give in agony and sweat,
For My own brow with bloody drops was wet.

My peace I give when nearest friend betrays – Peace that is merged in love, and for them prays.

My peace I give when there’s but death for thee – The gateway is the cross to get to Me.

From STREAMS IN THE DESERT by Mrs. Cowman – Zondervan

Are you in need of HIS PEACE today? I pray that today we would experience HIS perfect peace!

Great quote: The great people of the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer, nor those who say they believe in prayer, nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean these people who take time and pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. This something else is important, very important, and pressing, but still less important and less pressing than prayer. There are people that put prayer first, and group the other items in life’s schedule around and after prayer. S. D. Gordon