Friday, 20 June 2003

Due to Pastor Al being out of town, we are providing archived devotions from July of 2000.



Text: Matthew 7:1-5

Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in you neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, "Let me take the speck out of your eye,"while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of yore neighbor's eye.

Judging is the opposite of forgiving. Have you ever noticed that as we judge others, we keep holding on to an event that has happened rather than getting on with life. You could even say that we let that event rule over us and let it become bigger than life. Our judging can become some what of a "possession." It is like there is no other way we can be. It is a cycle that is difficult to break for often, we come away thinking we are more than the other person - even if just for a moment. Actually, when we judge, we don't let ourselves see our own "stuff" and therefore, we preclude our own personal growth. We are too busy picking on others, we don't let ourselves look into the mirror at what we do.



Connection: I was a Candid Camera fan. So...if you are able - if you are open to it...catch yourself in the act of judging others. It may be a fleeting moment, then again, it may be a whole morning or after noon stewing. Can you let go? Is is possible to look at a situation differently? Please note, I am not asking if you can ignore something has happened or can you bury what has happened and simply change your focus. Can you let go? Can you face someone face-to-face and put the situation on the table to resolve it before judging? I know, tough homework.



God of new life and forgiveness, show us your ways. Save us from going on a crusade to correct others and give us the patience to deal with ourselves and others in a forgiving and gracious manner. Amen