[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

October 17, 2005

Beware Of A Judgmental Spirit!

Read:
Matthew 7:1-5

Judge not, that you be not judged. —Matthew 7:1

Bible In One Year: Matthew 8-11

A young married man began going to a pornography store. When his parents learned of this, they gently and tactfully confronted him, but made no accusations. The son responded with anger and said that he saw no harm in what he was doing. He accused his parents of being judgmental. With broken hearts they had to stand by and watch him as he left his wife and family, lost his job, and eventually ruined his life.

Many people today would say that his parents had no right to imply that he was doing wrong. They may even quote Jesus' words: "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1).

But the Bible makes it clear that we are responsible to humbly confront fellow believers when we see them caught in sin (Galatians 6:1-2). These parents were lovingly doing just that.

Jesus wasn't saying we shouldn't confront sin. He was saying we must be very careful in making judgments. Paul wrote that love thinks no evil (1 Corinthians 13:5). We must give others the benefit of the doubt, recognizing our own limitations. And we must reject any feeling of spiritual superiority, lest we also fall into sin.

Confronting someone is a serious responsibility. Exercise it carefully, and always beware of judging. —Herb Vander Lugt

Your Word instructs us not to judge;
So, Lord, we humbly pray,
"Restrain our lips when we would speak
The things we should not say." —D. De Haan

Judge yourself before you judge another.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
When We Love Too Much

[dixie sass]

Morning Russ. I like the Pledge graphis this am.

[DollyCali]

God Bless our Military

To those who serve
To the families and friends that miss them
>

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning FR Finest.

Our Troops fight for our freedom and keep us safe.

We should thank our Troops every day and show our support for what they do,because they sacrifice everything for us.

Always remember that.......

It is the SOLDIER, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the SOLDIER, not the courts
who has given us the right to keep and bear arms
It is the SOLDIER, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the SOLDIER, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the SOLDIER, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the SOLDIER, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the SOLDIER, not the politician,
who has given us the right to vote.
It is the SOLDIER, who salutes the Flag,
and serves under the flag.

So join me in saying........

God bless our Troops and their families!

God bless the USA,the land that I love!

[LadyX]

Prayer Attributed to a Civil War Soldier

A prayer by an American Confederate soldier seriously disabled in the Civil War is a beautiful example of the depths of discovery of the gifts of suffering that a wound can bring:

===================================================

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do great things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for-but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

===================================================

Beautiful indeed, and worth savoring a second time - -

[deadhead]

Prayers for our Military

Love the Pledge graphic!

[Billie]

God bless them all and keep them safe