November 17, 2024

Bob Maas
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:1-5
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you look down on them? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
Romans 14:10

God allows people and circumstances into my life to teach me lessons that I can’t learn on my own. Sometimes they are like rough sandpaper that rub me the wrong way and smooth some of my rough edges. I thank God that His grace is sufficient for me in those situations. No matter how badly I may react, I can always go to Him and confess my failures when I have wrong responses. I want to get to the place where I can love everyone without any judgement and be an instrument of His peace. While I may be doing better than I ever have, there are situations when I need to pray that in my weakness, His power will rest on me and enable me to receive everyone with grace and mercy. I shouldn’t expect people who don’t believe in the Lord to do things I know are impossible for them to accomplish. When they do what comes natural for them I need to bless them and pray for the Lord to meet their needs according to His glorious riches.