Psalm 5 – 4   For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil will not sojourn with you. …

11  But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over [...]]]> Wednesday, February 22, 2012 (Ash Wednesday) – Psalm 5; Amos 5:6-15; Hebrews 12:1-14 and Luke 18:9-14

Psalm 5 – ⁴   For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil will not sojourn with you. …

¹¹  But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
so that those who love your name may exult in you.
¹²  For you bless the righteous, O LORD;
you cover them with favor as with shield.

Luke 18:9-14 – ⁹He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ¹⁰“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ ¹³But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Today is Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the beginning of Lent (at least for Christians in the West – Western part of Europe and the America’s, and Christians associated with us around the world.) Lent is traditionally the period of time that we strive to refocus ourselves upon our need for God’s love expressed in Jesus Christ and upon all that God has and is doing for us. It’s a time of repentance and the seeking of new life. It’s nice that at least for us in the northern hemisphere of the world that our journey begins now in the midst of winter and concludes with the coming of Spring and new life.

Today, I offer the following prayer litany for Lent. It will be part of our Ash Wednesday service at the church this evening. I suggest you pray each line and response, pause and think about it before moving on. If you want you can change the plural to 1^st person singular, to make it a personal prayer. God bless you on our journey through Lent.

LITANY OF PENITENCE (responsive)

L: Let us pray.

P: Holy and merciful God, we(I) confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we (I) have sinned by our (my) own fault in thought, word, and deed, by what we  (I) have done, and by what we (I) have left undone.

L: We (I) have not loved you with our (my) whole heart, and mind, and strength. We (I) have not loved our (my) neighbors as ourselves (myself).  We (I) have not forgiven others as we (I) have been forgiven.

P: Have mercy on us (me) , O God.

L: We have not listened to your call to serve as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ.  We have grieved your Holy Spirit.

P: Have mercy on us, O God.

L: We confess to you, O God, all our past unfaithfulness: The pride, hypocrisy, and impatience in our lives,

P: we confess to you, O God.

L: Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people,

P: we confess to you, O God.

L: Our anger at our own frustration and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves,

P: we confess to you, O God.

L: Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work,

P: we confess to you, O God.

L: Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us,

P: we confess to you, O God.

L: Accept our repentance, O God, for the wrongs we have done. For our neglect of human need and suffering and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,

P: accept our repentance, O God.

L: For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,

P: accept our repentance, O God.

L: For our waste and pollution of your creation and our lack of concern for those who come after us,

P: accept our repentance, O God.

L: Restore us, O God, and let your anger depart from us.

P: Favorably hear us, O God, for your mercy is great.  Amen.

Philippians 3:1-11 – 7Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

As I [...]]]> Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - Psalm 42; Proverbs 30:1-4, 24-33; Philippians 3:1-11 and John 18:28-38

Philippians 3:1-11 – ⁷Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. ⁸More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

As I think about Paul’s words about the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, a couple of Jesus’ parables come to mind; the parable of hidden treasure found and the parable of the pearl of great value.

Matthew 13:44-46 – ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Lent is often seen as a time for giving something up. I know of people who have given up chocolate, coffee, or television. Some people have chosen to fast either one day each week or changed their eating habits, giving up meat thus eating only vegetables. Whatever one gives up, the purpose should be not just the giving it up but of finding the treasure of great value, namely God. The purpose of any spiritual practice should be to open ourselves; spirit, mind and soul to the living God. In a devotional I receive daily; Daily Spiritual Seed, Philip St. Romain, Editor shared this. “The primary object of prayer is to know God better; we and our needs should come second.”    – Florence Allshorn (1887-1950) So it is with all our spiritual practices.

For the next few minutes ask God – what is keeping me from a deeper and more abiding relationship with you? What do I so value, that I don’t believe I can live without?

Then ask God – what spiritual practice am I being called to focus on throughout the 40 days of Lent (actually 47 days, the 40 days of lent doesn’t include the 7 Sundays of Lent). What am I to take on so that I may grow closer to thee? In taking something on – reading more devotional books, more Bible study, more time dedicated to prayer; one has to give something else up.

Psalm 42 – ¹   As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
²   My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?

O Lord, as I go through this day called Shrove Tuesday, may I be open to hearing your guiding words to me, as I prepare myself for the 40 days of Lent which leads me to the celebration of my Lord’s death and resurrection which comes at the end of our Lenten season. Amen.

Philippians 2:1-13 – 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking [...]]]> Monday, February 20, 2012 – Psalm 5; Proverbs 27:1-6, 10-12; Philippians 2:1-13 and John 18:15-18, 25-27

Philippians 2:1-13 – ⁵Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, ⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, ⁸he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. (NRSV)

This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Today’s reading from Philippians helps us begin thinking about Lent and our Lord’s journey to the cross. It also lifts up an important character trait that we should keep before us – humility. We should seek to be humble as our Lord Jesus Christ was humble.

Reasons to be humble:
1. God is God and we’re not.
2. We’re not lord of our life or over any others for there is only one true Lord and that is God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We’re no better than anyone else, nor are we worse than anyone else. We’re simply a servant of Christ, who exemplified servant hood in all he did, especially the giving of his life that we might have life.

Today and then throughout Lent, may we make being humble one of our goals as we journey with our Lord to the cross. Our Lord, Jesus Christ said unto his disciples and thus unto us; “

‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. – Luke 9:23b-26 – NRSV

Interesting for in the gospel reading for today, we hear Peter’s denying Christ three times. Jesus has been arrested and is being tried, and Peter is in the courtyard watching what is going on.

John 18:15-18, 25-27 – ¹⁷The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” … ²⁵Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” ²⁶One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” ²⁷Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. (NRSV)

O Lord God, may I dedicate my life to serving thee and being humble before thee, for you are God. May I also be willing to be humble before others, not putting myself above anyone else, knowing that you came for all. May I also not deny you, but lift up your name and your love for all. Amen.

Psalm 5 – ⁸   Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me. (NRSV)

Psalm 149 – 1   Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2   Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.

I am in [...]]]> Saturday, February 18, 2012 – Psalm 149; Genesis 35:1-20; 1 John 3:11-18  and John 11:1-16

Psalm 149 – ¹   Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
²   Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.

I am in a sharing group with two other pastors and in that sharing group we have been reading Isaiah and then every third day sharing a new song that relates to the texts we have read. Because our Psalm for today and many of the Psalms in fact say, “sing to the Lord a new song”, I thought I’d share the new song (at least to me) that I’ll be sharing with them. The song speaks of Jesus being our hiding place. Jesus was truly God’s new song unto us and truly was and is our hiding place.

As I have listened to this, at times is hear – face, instead of place. When heard in reference to our Lord, Jesus Christ I like the thought of Jesus’ face being a hiding face, a place where I can find safety, security, salvation.

The song, “Hiding Place” was written and composed by New Life Worship, the music ministry team of New Life Church, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdINIPKCDJA

Lyrics:

I found myself a hiding place
I found myself a secret space
In the shelter of Amighty’s love
In the safety of the Saviour’s arms

Chorus:
I will run to the hiding place
I will run to the hiding place
Draw me ever closer to look upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place

Verse2:
I found myself a hiding place
I found myself a secret space
In the refuge of the Father’s care
In the cleansing blood of Jesus there
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/n/new_life_worship/hiding_place.html ]
Chorus:
I will run to the hiding place
I will run to the hiding place
Draw me ever closer to look upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place

Bridge:
Though my fear may overwhelm me
And troubles, they surround
Though
The wind rise up to take me
My hiding place is already found

Verse3:
I found myself a hiding place
I found myself a secret space
In the shelter of Amighty’s love
In the safety of the Saviour’s arms

Oh, wanna lok upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place

Chorus

And then from 1^st John we hear something that our Lord said often, “love one another.”

1 John 3:11-18 – ¹¹For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. … ¹⁶We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. ¹⁷How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? ¹⁸Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

O Lord, thanks for being my hiding place, may my actions today help others know of your love and your call for us to abide in you and to love others. Amen.

1 John 3:1-10 – 1See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

I am a child of Lam and Audrie Winzenried. I have traits from each [...]]]> Friday, February 17, 2012 – Psalm 148; Genesis 32:22-33:17; 1 John 3:1-10 and John 10:31-42

1 John 3:1-10 – ¹See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

I am a child of Lam and Audrie Winzenried. I have traits from each of them and even though they have both died, I still want to live in ways that would make them proud and bring honor to their names.

Our text from 1^st John points out that we are also children of God; that is who we are. And as children of God, we have traits given us by God and we should strive to live to bring honor to God’s holy name.

My name could be – Dennis Dale Winzenried, Child of God. Your name could be and really is – _________________, child of God.

What difference does it make to you, knowing that you are a child of God?  What difference does it make in the way you think and act?

For me it would mean always striving to bring honor to God’s holy name.

Today, go about your day, knowing that you are a child of God, heir to all that God has given us as his children through his Son, Jesus Christ. Whatever you think, say and do; think, say and do everything to bring honor and glory to God.

Lord God; thanks for sending your Son, through whom I become a beloved child of God. Thanks for sending your Son, through whom all can become a beloved child of God. May I live to bring your name honor and may I strive to share with others how Jesus came to fling wide the doors of your household, your kingdom. Amen.

Psalm 148 – ¹   Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
²   Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!

Genesis 32:3-21 – 9And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good,’ 10I am [...]]]> Thursday, February 16, 2012 – Psalm 147:12-20; Genesis 32:3-21; 1 John 2:18-29 and John 10:19-30

Genesis 32:3-21 – ⁹And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good,’ ¹⁰I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. ¹¹Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children. ¹²Yet you have said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number.’”

If you’ve been reading the daily readings from Genesis you have been following the story of Esau and Jacob, their birth, to Esau selling his birthright for a meal and then Jacob and his mother Rebecca stealing Isaac’s final blessing from Esau. No wonder, Jacob would be concerned now that he was returning from being away for twenty years. He’s bringing his wives, the slaves of his wives, his eleven children and his many possessions and servants. But yet, he fears for his life. He fears Esau, will come out to kill him and take all that is his.

When I sense that something bad is going to happen to me; maybe someone is really angry with me, maybe a church member is mad about something that has taken place in the denomination and is coming to visit with me. Maybe a loved one finds out they have a major illness, which will require surgery and treatment. When fear overcomes me, I imagine the worst. Often the worst doesn’t occur. O, maybe some of my fear is real, but things don’t end up the way I feared.

During these times when fear overcomes us and the future looks really, really bleak may we turn to God’s words and trust in his eternal promises. Jacob recalled what God had promised; ¹²Yet you have said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number.’” And in our other readings today we hear;

1 John 2:18-29 – ²⁴Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.

And;

John 10:19-30 – ²⁷My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰The Father and I are one.”

In these texts we hear the promise of eternal life. The really good news about this is that eternal life isn’t just a promise for us that will be realized upon our death, no it is a promise that can be real for us even now; for eternal life begins the very moment you put your faith and trust in God.

What’s your greatest fear?

One of mine is the future that awaits my children and my grandchildren. They are growing up in very difficult times, and I fear for their future. Yet, looking back my grandparents had good reason to fear in the same way for me. And look at me, life is pretty good. Better than they would have expected given the great depression and two world wars. And its not about the possessions, it is about the faith we can have in God; who was, and is and will always be God. The God who has and will keep all his promises, the God who is giving us eternal life even as we trust in him because of His Son, Jesus our Christ.

Today, face your fears, trust in God and walk or run into the goodness of God.

O Lord and God, thanks for all the promises you have made with us your people. Unlike the promises we make and others make we with we can rest assured that you will do what you have said and promised – for you are the promise keeper. Thanks for the promise of eternal life, which we can enjoy even today as we seek to live for and with you this very day. Amen.

Psalm 147:12-20 – ¹²  Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!

John 10:1-18 – 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. …. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and [...]]]> Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Psalm 147:1-11; Genesis 31:25-50; 1 John 2:12-17 and John 10:1-18

John 10:1-18 – ¹¹“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. …. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.

In the Psalms we hear; “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1) and then from Jesus’ own lips we hear, “I am the good shepherd.” The image of the shepherd was and is one of the important ones given to us through God’s Holy Word. A good shepherd watches over the whole flock and will protect them when anything or anyone threatens them. A shepherd leads his flock to green pastures and to water.

The image of Jesus being the Good Shepherd is one of the reasons I chose to wear an Alb instead of a Geneva Gown when I lead worship. Early on in my ministry I saw myself more as a shepherd, a pastor than a scholar. During my time here in Forsyth as a pastor, I’ve been given a shepherd’s staff as a reminder of how I care for people in the community as well as in the church. The role as shepherd/pastor is a formative image for me.

But even more important than how Jesus’ image as the Good Shepherd informs how I see my ministry, what’s important is that I, along with you and all God’s children are part of Christ’s flock. It is Jesus who cares for us and sometimes carries us. It is Jesus who laid down his life for us and then through his resurrection was given it back so he could shepherd his flock forever.

At times as a member of his flock, I find myself abiding closely to my Lord, staying close by his side. At other times, I find myself wandering off, getting dangerously close to wandering away and maybe getting lost. In these times, it is in the reading of God’s word that I hear Jesus’ voice calling me back, saying – stay close, abide in me and you will have life and have it abundantly. Today, I give thanks for Jesus’ calm voice that is constantly calling me and all of us to abide with him and enjoy life in relationship to him as our Good Shepherd.

Today, I invite you to focus your attention upon Jesus who is our Good Shepherd. Listen for his voice calling you and guiding you. Sense how Jesus is watching over his flock, but not only his flock but watching over you. Do you find yourself abiding close by Jesus’ side or at his feet? Do you find yourself today being carried by him, maybe because of some injury to your body, mind or soul? Or do you find that you have wandered from him and are getting dangerously far away from him? Today, hear Jesus the Good Shepherd, tenderly and lovingly calling your name.

O Lord, thanks for the image of the Good Shepherd. Thanks for bringing me into your flock and for caring, watching over me. Today, guide each of your sheep to abide in you and care for others as you care for us. Amen.

Psalm 147:1-11 – ⁵   Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.

1 John 2:1-11 – 1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2and he is the [...]]]> Tuesday, February 14, 2012 – Psalm 146; Genesis 31:1-24; 1 John 2:1-11 and John 9:18-41

1 John 2:1-11 – ¹My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; ²and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

God’s word; from Genesis to Revelation has been given to us that we might not sin. Yet, even if we would memorize each word, even if we could really put it upon our hearts, we would still sin, for we fall short of God’s glory. We are constantly in need of an advocate and a counselor. We need, Jesus the Christ to advocate for us, for we do fall short of God’s glory and righteousness. We need the counselor, the Holy Spirit who reveals to us our sins and calls us back to righteousness, to an abiding relationship with God.

I give thanks daily that Jesus died for all my sins; past, present and even future and that through his great sacrifice my sins and the sins of the world can be forgiven. Thanks be to God for this great gift given to us. As we confess our sins and believe and trust in him we are forgiven and we are given new life.

In reading this passage from 1^st John, I can’t help hearing what may be the most familiar passage to many of us; John 3:16 & 17.

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”   (Common English Bible)

Thanks be to God for the gift of His Son. Thanks be to God for the gift of sins forgiven and new life given to each of us.

Today, know that in Christ your sins are forgiven and you have new life. Enjoy and share this gift from God.

What an awesome and eternal Valentine Day gift God has given unto us; his Son, Jesus Christ. In return may we give God a valentine day gift as well, our lives dedicated to glorifying him in all we think, say and do.

O Lord, what an awesome and amazing gift, all my sins forgiven. Guide me in your ways and help me share your love with others. Amen.

Psalm 146 – ⁵   Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD their God,

Psalm 145 – 1   I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. 2   Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. 3   Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; [...]]]> Monday, February 13, 2012 – Psalm 145; Genesis 30:1-24; 1 John 1:1-10 and John 9:1-17

Psalm 145 – ¹   I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
²   Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name forever and ever.
³   Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.

When someone sneezes we often say, “God bless you.” As a parting greeting I often say; “God’s blessings upon you.” Yet our text says, “bless God’s name forever and ever. Every day I will bless God.”

When we say, “God bless you” we are asking that God’s protective hands be on and over the person, that the goodness of God’s very presence be given unto that person. So, if that’s the case, what is scripture calling us to do in reference to blessing God? God is already fully good. God doesn’t need our protection. So, what is scripture leading us to do?

Part of the answer I think can be found in today’s reading from 1^st John. 1^st John 1:3b – truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. To bless God, to be a blessing unto God; our Creator, our Redeemer, the one who sustains and gives us life is to be in fellowship with God. To bless God is to acknowledge God’s goodness and be thankful for all God has done, is doing and will do. To be in fellowship with God is to have that clear sense that God is always with us and we can always be with God. It’s to pray to God and to be in a constant sense of prayer as we go about our day. It’s to know that we can share with God all aspects of our life. Nothing can be hid from God, so we might as well share with God all our feelings, all our thoughts, all our life. To bless God, is to strive to be in fellowship with God 24/7, so to speak.

Today and every day seek to be a blessing unto God who loved us enough and wanted us to be in full fellowship with him enough, that he sent his only Son, to open wide the portals of life and our hearts unto God. Today, seek to be in fellowship with God.

Here in the Ozarks today is a good day for this, for many of us will be enjoying the beauty of snow from the comforts of our homes. May God watch over and keep and bless all those who have to be out in our wintery weather.

O Lord, today I’ve heard clearly the call for me to be in fellowship with thee. In all I think, say and do this day may I sense your presence and your love, how you abide with me and how I can abide in you. May I be a blessing unto thee, for truly you have blessed me. Thank you, O God, for the out pouring of your love, your grace, your peace – your very self. Amen.

Romans 14:1-23 – 10Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

John 8:47-59 – 49Jesus answered, “I do [...]]]> Saturday, February 11, 2012 – Psalm 104; Genesis 29:1-20; Romans 14:1-23 and John 8:47-59

Romans 14:1-23 – ¹⁰Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

John 8:47-59 – ⁴⁹Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge. ⁵¹Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”

For a lot us people, a lot of us, judging others is a real problem. It’s easier to judge someone else, than get to know them. It’s easier to look at someone and find some reason to look down on them, thus making ourselves seem better than we are, when in reality we are breaking God’s holy laws even as we judge another.

Here’s a joke I’ve enjoyed in the past and still get a laugh out of. Sadly, I believe this one could really be a true story.

A man, down on his luck, went into a church which catered to the “uppity”. Spotting the man’s dirty clothes a deacon, worried about the churches image, went to the man and asked him if he needed help. The man said, “I was praying and the Lord told me to come to this church.”

The deacon suggested that the man go pray some more and possibly he might get a different answer. The next Sunday the man returned. The deacon asked, “Did you get a different answer?”

The man replied, “Yes I did. I told the Lord that they don’t want me in that church and the Lord said, ‘Don’t worry about it son; I’ve been trying to get into that church for years and haven’t made it yet.”

This past week, I saw this on the computer screen of someone who was helping me. I Liked it enough, that I’ve put it on a file on my computer desktop.

Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are. (ouch!)

I noted that I should also read often Matthew 7:1-5. It opens with these words and then speaks of trying to take the speck out of your neighbors eyes. ““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.”

Good reminders for us about our being commanded not to judge others.

And then in Romans we have a call to live unto the Lord.

Romans 14 ⁷We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. ⁸If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. ⁹For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

O Lord, as long as I live may I seek to live unto you, so that when I die I can die with a clear conscience knowing I tried to bring you glory and honor through my whole life. Thanks for dying for my sins, may I find ways to share your love with others this very day. Amen.

Psalm 104 – ¹   Bless the LORD, O my soul.
O LORD my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
²        wrapped in light as with a garment.