We Must Forgive Others

We all make mistakes and sin against God. We all fall way short when it comes to pleasing the Lord. Sure, we all do some good things that I am sure God likes. And some of us make less mistakes than others. But the fact is we all fail and do some really dumb things. That is why we should never judge others for their mistakes. Whenever we see others making really dumb choices, that should remind us that we are no better. What those people need is the very same thing that we need when we have failed: Love, understanding, and forgiveness. After all, isn't that what God gives each of us? Today, I am going to try extra, extra hard not to judge anyone for anything. Instead, I am going to take a moral inventory of my own life and ask God to help me remove my defects and character flaws. I know that is one tall order, but I also know I can do anything with God's help.

Psalm 86:5 says, "For thou, lord, art Good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

Father, forgive my sins and forgive when I judge others. Help each one of us to remember that we need You at the very center of our lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

Pay The Price

I wish I had a dollar for each time I have told students not to blame others for their bad grades. We live in an age where everybody wants to blame others for the things that happen to them. True, some situations happen to us over which we have no control, but more times than not, we are subject to the consequences of our own decisions and actions. I preach to them to not blame their teachers, their parents, their job, or their after-school extra-curricular activities for their low grades. When it is all said and done, regardless who is actually at fault, they will be the ones that will have to suffer and pay the price. Taking responsibility is one of the most important functions of being an adult. But how many adults have failed to adequately learn this lesson?

There have most likely been times when we adults have ignored our own decisions and decided to place the blame on someone or something else around us. But if we are true to ourselves, we will need to decide to participate in a self-examination and "fix" those areas of our lives in which we blame on others. No matter whom or what we choose to blame, we ultimately will pay the price. It is so easy to pretend a problem doesn't exist or that it is somebody Else's fault. But we can only run from the truth so long. Jesus is that Truth! If you find yourself in this delima today, ask Jesus to help. We can not do anything without Him, and if we continue to try to, we will find ourselves lost in a maze of confusion and frustration. When we finally face up to the Truth and decide to place the blame squarely on our own shoulders, only then can we finally live a free, happy life that Jesus desires for us all.

Matthew 7:3 says, "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own."

Father, please forgive us for blaming others for our bad decisions. Give us the strength through Christ to stand-up and face the Truth. In Jesus name, Amen.

Sweet Seasons

I found this on the Internet and wanted to share with you:

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted them to learn to not judge things too quickly, so he sent them each on a quest to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. He sent his first son in the winter, his second in the spring, his third in summer and his youngest in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no – it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

After hearing all his son’s responses, the wise father replied, “Sons, you are all right — because you have each seen only one season in the tree’s life. But you cannot judge a tree, or a person, or anything else by only one season. Most things can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons have come to pass”.

I think each of us has judged someone or something prematurely, and we have also probably experienced the pain of being judged that way. Lord, forgive us! We need to give each other the benefit of the doubt! We need to look closely enough and long enough to see the big picture before we rule things out. God does that for us all the time. There’s so much work to be done!

1st Corinthians 4:5 says, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."

Oh No!

I have a startling confession: I've turned into my Dad! I took my daughter to the Mall yesterday to get her a pair of shoes. Well you know 13-year old girls. That pair of shoes just had to include a pack of socks and multi-colored shoe laces as well. I know I have not been to the mall lately, but what in the world has happened to our youth? They dress like freaks, act like freaks, and listen to freaky music. I teach teenagers, but I guess in school they are a little more "civilized". I never realized just how far "out there" they have become. Hopefully, I won't need to go to the mall again anytime soon. I don't belong there. I felt like an old man in a young place. A young, freaky place! I loved my Dad and thought he was a wonderful man. I just didn't plan on turning into him until I was old....older than 41.

As a reflect on my mall trip, two things immediately come to mind. First of all, is today's youth really any different from us than we were from our parents? I can remember the first time I wanted to buy a pair of faded jeans. My grandmother hit the roof! I tried to explain to her that that was just what kids wore these days. Absolutely not! She told me I would have to wear "appropriate" jeans. It's kind of funny to think what she would say about the clothes kids wear today. The second reflection I have is the more important one. God made these kids. He loves them with all His heart. He does not see what they are wearing. He sees what is in their heart. Shouldn't I be doing the same thing? That "judging others" thing seems to keep coming up in my life. Think about who Jesus hung out with when he was on earth. He was always seen with the misfits and outcasts of society. Not that our youth are misfits or outcasts, but I'm pretty sure if Jesus was here today, he would have spend some time at the mall. Sadly, He would probably have to spend just as much time at my house.

Jeremiah 17:10 says, "I, the Lord, search the heart."

Father, thank you for my daughter. Teach me to look past the outside of today's youth, and everyone else for that matter. Teach me to see the true heart. In Jesus name, Amen.

Best Poem In The World (Author Unknown)

I found this poem on a fellow Christian's blog site Disconnected Diva. I have never heard it before but it is truly one of the best!

BEST POEM IN THE WORLD(Author Unknown)

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--The thieves, the liars,
the sinners,The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Dan, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.'
And why's everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.
''Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.

'JUDGE NOT.

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Every saint has a PAST.... Every sinner has a FUTURE!

Father, as I read this poem, You have reminded me that I am as guilty of sin as the worst murderer or liar in the history of the world. I thank you for loving me enough to send Your Son Jesus to save me. Thank you for this incredible poem! In Jesus name, Amen.

I Resemble That Remark

When we see people who are wicked and completely out of control, it is easy to feel superior and point a finger at them. But in doing this, the Scriptures remind us that we are only condemning ourselves. God is the only One who has the right to judge a person's actions because He is the only One who is perfect. When we believe that we are better than others, we are only building walls of denial around our own lives. But when we begin admitting that we are also guilty of the same things they are, God will begin tearing down those walls. He wants us to achieve a level of Christian joy and happiness that we can't even imagine. But we are the ones who hinder that progress. So today, instead of judging others by their actions, perhaps we should use their actions to truly judge ourselves. For it is only then that we can truly grow to be more like our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 2:1 says, "You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things."

Father, forgive us for when we judge others. Remind us that we have enough trouble dealing with our own lives, let alone somebody Else's life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Spolied

I overheard one of my students talking to a classmate today in such a way as to draw negative attention from everyone within earshot. I know I shouldn't judge, but she sure sounded about as spoiled as a "little rich brat". She went on and on about how she is just so much better than most of the other kids at school. She just turned 16 and for her birthday, her parents bought her a brand-new car! But it was not the kind she wanted. She actually fussed at her parents because the car they got was so "beneath her". Again, we are not supposed to judge but how do you keep from doing it with people like that? Then God hit me right between the eyes with the answer. He instantly reminded me that I am just as spoiled.

Why is it that most of our problems center around having something we don't want or wanting something we don't have? If we are totally honest with ourselves, there is probably something we want very much right now. But how do we deal with that want? Do we fuss at God because we don't have it? I have to admit, I have done that a lot lately. But oh how quickly I seem to forget all the things I do have. Although I don't have everything I want, I certainly do have everything I need...and much more! There's nothing wrong with wanting something and working hard to get it, that is as long as it is good for us and can bring glory to God. In fact God encourages us to come to Him with our wants. But we certainly should never fuss with Him, if in His infinite wisdom, He chooses not to give it to us. Instead, we should offer heart-felt praises to Him for all that He has given us. Praise God!

Psalm 113:3 says, "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised."

Father, thank you for all You have given me. I do have a want, and I know You are perfectly aware of it. Please help me to leave the details up to You. In Jesus name, Amen.

A Hairy Confrontation

Well I did it again. I have written several devotions over the years concerning the danger of judging others. I try to teach my students to not judge others. I know the Bible teaches us to not judge. But, as hard as I have tried, I failed a couple nights ago. I spotted an older man sitting in a restaurant with a group of biker dudes. All of them were well into their 50's, complete with full leathers and grey hair. This one particular man had a long, grey-almost-white, ponytail. Looking at him, I thought to myself I sure hope I don't got through a mid-life crisis like he is apparently going through. He noticed me starring at him. I tried to turn my stare away from him before he saw it, but I was too late. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him get up and walk over to my table. Uh-oh, this can't be good!

As he reached my table he said, "Hello there Allen". I turned and looked at him, then recognized who he was. He used to play on my softball team a few years ago. I absolutely did not recognize him. He sat down, and we began to talk. I could not believe how much he had changed. I always knew him to be a Christian. He always did wear a little beard, but he also kept his hair nice and trim. He looked like a 55-year old hippie! I guess he noticed me glancing at his hair so he told me why he had grown the long ponytail. He grew it because he wanted to donate it to the organization Locks of Love. Wow! Talk about being embarrassed. Here I was judging him because of the look of his hair, and all he was doing was donating it to some needy child. Not only did I judge whom I thought was a total stranger, I also continued to judge him even after I found out he was a friend of mine. When will I ever learn?

John 7:24 says, "Judge not according to appearance..."

Father, thank you for reminding me that I can still be very judgemental. Forgive me. Help us to search our hearts and rid our judgemental ways. In Jesus name, Amen.