Pastoral Challenge: Pray to NOT judge others. Ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you every time you are tempted to judge. Judgmental = Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you USE in judging is the standard by which YOU will be judged. Mt. 7:1-2 (NLT) This includes blogs, letters, emails, Facebook, whatever. Dont pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the SAME TREATMENT. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. Its EASY to see a smudge on your neighbors face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Mt. 7:1-3 (MSG) Symptoms: Loss of of discernment (b/c of the log in your eye), critical spirit, acute memory concerning the weaknesses of others (fault finding), anger, isolation, loss of joy and happiness, fearful, eventual loss of stability in relationships, your heart is broken, you are hurt but live in denial, you cry easily, you accuse quickly and question motives, you are generally suspicious. Solution: Instead of being judgmental, we need to become prayermental. This means keeping your heart, lips, emails, FB, blogging clear from speaking evil about others. You make a decision to pray for them rather than judge them. You forgive and become a personal house of prayer and place yourself firmly on the foundation of Christs intercession ministry. You move from ACCUSATION to INTERCESSION. The Holy Spirits joy will become your divine strength. (Jesus) Youre familiar with the old written law, Love your friend, and its unwritten companion, Hate your enemy. IM CHALLENGING THAT. IM TELLING YOU TO LOVE YOUR ENEMIES. Let them bring out the BEST IN YOU, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the ENERGIES OF PRAYER, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-centered selves ... Mt. 5:43-45a (MSG) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our WEAKNESSES. For example, we dont know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit PRAYS FOR US with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts KNOWS WHAT THE SPIRIT IS SAYING, for the SPIRIT P L E A D S FOR US believers in harmony with Gods own will. Ro. 8:26-28 (NLT) Solution: Think of one person in your life with whom you have the most problems. Someone who has hurt you or you are constantly critical of. Spend time praying for that person. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you one aspect of the glory of God (Gods goodness, character, etc.) that is assigned to them. Now, go/or write and tell them what you see and observe how this affects the relationship. Some things to think about: In a world full of critical words, blogs, negative FB commentary, slander, gossip, talebearing, verbal attacks in the name of religion, increasing violence, strife, to POSSESS THE PURE, UNOFFENDABLE HEART OF JESUS CHRIST. By word, deed, and the patience of wisdom, engender unity among the people of God. To literally become the fragrance of Christ to God in every circumstance of life (see 2 Co. 2:15), thereby awakening both the Fathers pleasure and His power. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 2 Co. 2:15 (NLT) Have a great day. :)
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:44:30 +0000
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