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Let
God Be The Judge
Why do we judge our neighbor, fellow
Christian's, and friends? Who are we to judge the heart of another
person? Why do we insist on giving blind opinions and judgment even
when it is not warranted? Well, I'll tell you why. Mostly it makes us look
and feel better. If we can tear someone down it will certainly build us
up?
Jesus said "not to judge". Matthew
7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Jesus teaches us
to examine our own conduct and our own lives instead of passing judgment
onto others. I know, it is easy to look at the way someone does
things and pass judgment. But is their way really wrong just because it is
different then our way?
Matthew 7:3 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. Our judgment towards
fellow Christian's should be discerning ones instead of negative ones. Meaning
if you make it a habit to judge others, especially fellow Christian's than
you had better do it with a sharp and perceptive eye. What if you are
wrong in judging your brothers and sisters? Then what?
Romans 14:13-18
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead make up
your own mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's
way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is
unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for
him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat,
you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your
brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good be
spoken of as evil. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or
drinking, but of righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit, because
anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by
men.
Christians
Judging Christians
Biblically speaking we all know that we are
not to judge the heart of another, but yet, we still do it. God doesn't
say that it is a sin to judge others but He doesn't like it that we do it
either. If we believe our self to be blameless than we will not judge our
own actions. We will be too busy trying to find fault in everyone else to
assess our self! This error in thinking makes us believe that we are done
growing spiritually and our mission has been accomplished. Ultimately,
because of this error in thinking we stop doing things for the Kingdom of
God. We stop serving and ministering to those who are in need and who are
calling out for hope, truth, light, love, wisdom and prayer.
Christians must continue growing
spiritually with Jesus Christ. It is a never-ending walk that goes on
forever. When we stop growing and learning is when spiritual dissentions
arise and we become self righteous in our thinking and believe that we are
blameless. The fact of the matter is, not one of God's human creations is
blameless. We are all sinners and have sinned. And, God loves us all with
the same love no matter who we are or what we have done. God uses people
in different ways according to where they are at in His life, but His love
is still the same for all of us. We must always keep pursuing His
words and purpose for our lives and that means to keep walking with Him on
the straight and narrow path.
Some Christians are more mature
(spiritually ripe) in their spiritual walk than others and God has
instructed them to teach, serve, reach out, console, and assist those who
are reaching out for God and His Kingdom here on earth. That is what
servitude or being a good steward is all about. Romans
14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or
drinking, but of righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit, because
anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God.
The Kingdom of God is a matter of
righteousness! (not self-righteousness.) Roman's14:10-12
You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your
brother? For we will all stand before God's Judgment seat. It is written:
"As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God." So then each of us will give an
account of himself to God.
Self righteous thinking is what formulates
different denominations, religions, beliefs, regulations, rules, rites and
the like. Who is to say what is right and wrong in spiritual matters?
The bottom line is this, if you are not
hurting anyone EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY OR SPIRITUALLY. then who
is really God enough to judge the heart of another except for God himself?
No one! And this is my point.
Roman 14:1-3 One man's
faith allows him to eat everything, but another man's who faith is weak
only eats vegetables. the man who eats everything must not look down on
him who who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not
condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
A persons walk with Jesus should not be made religious in
nature, but rather should be made in and out of the love of what Jesus
has done for us! If we continue to use certain religious concepts to
accept, forgive, and to love others these things will never happen because
of secular and religious views getting in the way. There will always be
dissension and discourse among men in spiritual matters. Religions are too
picky. The simple fact is Jesus Christ was not brought to the world to
bring religion to the people, but love to the people. Jesus' purpose is to
give eternal life to those who walk with Him and do His will.
Jesus is more concerned about our walk than
our talk. He wants us to do what is right, not just say the right words.
Your house (which represents your life and marriage, Matthew
7:24) will withstand the storms of life only if you do what is
right instead of just talking about it. Jesus exposed the people who
sounded religious but had no personal relationship with Him. On "that
day" the day of judgment, only our relationship with Jesus Christ
will matter. Our acceptance of Jesus Christ and our obedience to Him does
matter in our life today. It is the most important aspect of our Christian
walk!
Are you walking with Jesus Christ? Or
pretending to walk with Jesus Christ? Pretenders talk a big talk and to
others around him, he sounds well informed in all religious aspects. But
does He know Jesus? That's the question!
Galatians 6:3 If anyone
thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
2 Corinthians 10:17-18
But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord," For it is not the
one who commends himself who is approved, but the one who the Lord
commends.
Why are some people self-righteous in their
Christian walk? Religion is their authority
instead of Jesus Christ. Religious regulations tell a person that their
religion is better than another religion. But in all actuality,
self-righteousness stunts the spiritual walk and keeps people close-minded
to understanding the meaning of what real love is because they do not have
a spiritual bond with the living Jesus Christ.
Luke 18:9-14 To
some who were confident about their own righteousness and looked down on
everybody else, Jesus told this parable, "Two men went up to pray,
one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and
prayed about himself: God, I thank you that I am not like other
men.--robbers, evil doers, adulterers --or even like the tax collector. I
fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.
But the tax collector stood at a distance. He
would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breasts and said,
"God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
I tell you that this man, rather than the other,
went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Romans 13:10 And
whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this one rule;
"Love your neighbor as yourself". Love does no harm to its
neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Are we loving our neighbor when we are judging our
neighbor?
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Dear friends,
I have been given a wonderful gift from a sister in Jesus Christ. She has
blessed this ministry with her inspirational and encouraging words that
will fill a spot in this newsletter each month with a daily devotional. I
hope that you find it as uplifting and encouraging as I. Thank you
Joanne for your kind words of wisdom.
A. Lewis -- Heaven Ministries
A PUNCTURED BALLOON
Daily
Devotional
by Joanne Lowe
Have you ever seen a balloon that
has been punctured by a fingernail or object? It only takes one little
hole in the balloon to deflate it. It may take a while for it to
completely deflate but eventually all the air goes out. You may try to
patch it with something and it might help for a while but doesn't last.
It is the same with our hearts. When someone says something
negative to us, a sarcastic remark, a discouraging word, or something
that pulls us down, that is all it takes. It only takes one
discouraging or sarcastic remark to put the hole in our hearts. That
is why it is so important to choose your friends wisely.
People can try to encourage us and tell us not to listen to
those people who delight in putting us down, but the hole is already
there and nothing anybody says or does can take the hole out of our
hearts. Jesus is the only One Who can reach down His Healing Love and
completely make our hearts new.
Someone told me that I had written something in a writing that
I had already put in another writing. I was unaware of it, but I think
the reason I used the same illustration is first of all, when I write
I have no idea what I am saying until I read it back.
Second, God probably inspired me to use the same illustration
because of what a Pastor said in a sermon I heard years ago. He said,
" I've had a lot of people ask me why I preach almost the same
message Sunday after Sunday. It is because God told me to preach it
until you grasp it and employ it in your daily lives."
Please don't say things to discourage people.
Joyce Landorf says on one of her teaching
tapes: "Men and women are leaving full time ministry in droves
because we have not encouraged them."
I urge you to be an encourager of others. Let's start building
people up instead of putting them down.
Proverbs
16:24 "Pleasant
words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the
bones".
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MAKING
YOUR MARRIAGE WORK
What's so hard about making marriage work?
Why do some marriages work and most don't? How can you make your marriage
strong and stable?
A strong and stable marriage starts with having a a godly foundation to
base the marriage upon. And then using this foundation when issues
and problems arise in the marriage. We should ask ourselves, what is God's
will for my marriage? How can I have a peaceful marriage and be happy with
my spouse?
The biggest problem I see in marriage today
is the lack of the Spiritual Jesus in the marriage. Even if one spouse is
using their God-given knowledge to solve marital issues, the marriage will
basically be standing on one leg. But if both spouses lack a spiritual
source for the marriage it most likely will not have any leg to stand on
and the marriage will fail.
Jesus Christ is the spiritual source for
the Christian marriage. In everything he or she does, the Holy Spirit
should be the Christians right hand. Jesus said He left us His Spirit
for comfort and council. We
aren't alone when trouble heads our way.
John 14:26-27 But the Counselor,
the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all
things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I
leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do no let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Wow! Jesus really loves us. Jesus wants our
marriage to work! The Holy Spirit reminds us of everything that Jesus has
said to us. It's all in the bible. We can go to the bible to find the
answers! We can listen to our conscience and do what is right. And we can
humble our self and turn the other cheek. We can do many wonderful and
righteous things for our marriage that would be pleasing to God.
Matthew 7:24-25
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into
practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came
down , the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Knowing biblical truth such as this we can
see that marriage can work if couples place their feet on the sure
foundation of Jesus Christ. Most couples when they first marry do
not deliberately seek to build on a false or wrong foundation, society
literally leads couples to place their hopes and dreams on the wrong
foundation if they are not careful. We shouldn't be in such a big hurry to
allow the world to tell us what is right and good for our marriage even if
it looks or appears to be where all the answers are.
It's like playing follow the leader. We
follow the leader to seek out the truth because we want answers, but the
leader hasn't gone to the source for the answers, instead the leader has
taken matters into his own hands, which leads all the answer seekers down
a blind alley. Most marriages are traveling down this blind alley thinking
this is where hope, love and peace is. Society obviously doesn't know the
answers to marriage; most marriages fail. We need to stop playing
follow the leader game with our life.
Many marriages do not work because of error
in foundation. couples are not heeding Christ's message!! Part of the
responsibility as believers in Christ is to stop and think about where our
life is going, what is our purpose for marriage, and what are the
consequences of ignoring Christ's message? We need to seek out the
source of marriage by going back to the beginning and talking with the
designer of marriage.
Genesis 1:18 The Lord God said, "It is not
good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Marriage was established and ordained by
God from the beginning.
Genesis 1:24 For this
reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
and they will become one flesh.
The proper foundation for marriage rest
with God and God alone, not with society. Couples need to find the comfort
and peace for their marriage that they are looking for through the word of
God.
Matthew 7:26 But
everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice
is like a foolish man who built his house (life and marriage) on sand. The
rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the
house, and it fell with a great crash.
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Honor
and Commitment in Marriage
Christians have
responsibilities in marriage. If we do not honor those
responsibilities, what then is the purpose for marriage and
getting married?
God gave marriage as a gift to Adam and Eve.
They were created perfect for each other. Marriage was not just
for convenience, nor was it brought about by any culture. It
was established, instituted and designed by God.
Marriage as three basic aspects that keep it strong and stable:
1.) the man leaves his parents and promises
himself to his wife.
He PROMISES himself to his wife. A Christian man makes his
yess a yes and his nos a no.
Meaning he said yes to marriage, not no to marriage. If a man
cannot honor his Christian promise to remain married then
he should not get married.
2.) the man and woman are joined together by
taking responsibility for each other's welfare and loving
each other above all others. (commitment)
Marriage is more than just love but is a commitment for
life. Marriage is the only contract that cannot be
broken. The marriage contract is binding forever and is
indissoluble. It cannot be broken. This is why God wanted us to
be committed to our marriage. There is no way out of
marriage except through death. By committing ourselves to the
marriage, it shows that we love our spouse, but mostly it shows
that we love and honor God as well.
3.)in marriage the two become one flesh in the
intimacy and commitment of the sexual union that is reserved
for marriage.
It is pleasing to God that sex be reserved for marriage.
Christians need to honor this agreement and remain abstinent
until marriage. Why? If Christians have sex with whomever they
please and whenever they want, why should marriage be such a
unique and special bond between married couples? It won't be.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage
should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for
God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
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The bottom line is this: People tend to believe what they
see and hear in society, which will eventually reinforce their own
selfishness and give them justification for doing the very same things
that they see and hear.
Today, more than ever Christians need to be careful about the input
they allow to form their
beliefs. Heaven Ministries motto is: what is generated in the
heart will come out in our actions) and this is so true.
With so many misguided and worldly distractions like TV, music, movies,
Internet, and the rest of the media (culture) presenting their beliefs,
sinful lifestyles, and unwholesome values, we will find ourselves
constantly bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are in opposition to
the bible. (word of God).
Jesus says in Romans 8:12-13
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful
nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful
nature, you will die; for if you live according to the sinful nature, you
will die. but if by the Spirit you put to the death the misdeeds of the body,
you will live.
So what should we as Christians do about the ungodliness around us? A few
things we can't do anything about; sometimes it will be beyond our control
to physically remove our self or eyes and ears from ungodliness. But we
can live by the Spirit as Jesus Christ says and put to death the sinful
nature so the sins of the world do not scathe us. But most things are in
our control like watching unwholesome television or listening to foul lyrical
music. These things can be eliminated from our lives all together. We can
make choices for ourselves and we can choose to do what is right.
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of
God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say
"NO" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self
controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Jesus Christ said that we will need to be on constant
guard against the immorality around us. You know who you are. If you are a
Christian act like a Christian. Read the bible as much as possible.
Plant Christ's love in your heart and talk to him silently
throughout the day.
Jesus Christ is always with the Christian. If something isn't going right
in your marriage and you are having troubles, seek guidance from Christ.
Tell Him your heart and He will guide you through it with His words of
wisdom. Wisdom that you yourself as a Christian already know. It's all
about doing what is right.
For the Christian the bible is the only standard of truth. That means we
should always strive to evaluate all other opinions, ideas and beliefs
with careful discernment.
Do you have questions about this newsletter? Email
Heaven Ministries.
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