It is easy for anyone to want to quickly pass judgment upon someone else 
and condemn them as a sinner who has no hope of redemption. What we must
realize is that we have all fallen short at one time or another and if God
judged us in the same way that we judge others, then nobody would ever be
forgiven and be made righteous. What we must realize is that condemnation
is not ours to give. We are not in a position of authority to bring people
down and label them as unworthy. Ours is not the seat of judgment, but 
rather just as we have received mercy and grace for our past shortfalls, we
are to offer that same mercy and grace towards those who are fallen right
now. We are to use the example of love that we received from the Lord and
offer that same love and compassion to those in need of forgiveness and 
redemption. 

True love is seeing past where someone is right now and seeing them for 
where they can be. We are told throughout scripture to not judge others,
to not seek vengeance, to turn the other cheek, to bless those who curse 
us. We have not been given the authority to be someone's judge, but many
times we assume that position in error thinking we have the right to 
judge, to condemn, to label, to call someone unworthy. God is not pleased
when we judge His beloved. He loves all people unconditionally and 
whether they become justified or not is under God's authority, not ours. 
The Lord knows all things at all times in all places. He is the creator 
and not we ourselves. The Lord is the righteous judge who will give to 
each person what they rightly deserve. Whether it is mercy or judgment, 
that is God's decision and not ours to make. 

We are to offer love in place of judgment. We are to offer forgiveness in
place of condemnation. We are to offer mercy in place of calling others 
unworthy. The same love, forgiveness and mercy that we've received in 
times past for our many shortfalls should be quickly offered towards those
who have fallen short right now. By being examples of love, we are 
carrying the Gospel of Christ to a lost and hurting world. By having 
compassion upon others, we are showing them the goodness of God and the 
forgiveness that He freely offers to all who call upon His Name. The 
greatest accomplishment that we can ever possess is to be called a 
disciple of Christ and by acting as He acted multitudes will feel the same
love, mercy and compassion that Jesus preached while He was on the Earth.

I hope this message ministers to your heart to be quick to offer love and
forgiveness when you see others who have fallen short. Lead by example and
show others the same mercy that you have received from the Lord.


THROWING STONES

I had just finished getting my order at the drive-thru, and had decided to
pull over in the parking lot and eat. Nice, quiet, and a time for 
reflection. If only for a moment and a very brief moment. My state of 
silence was soon disturbed by a neighboring vehicle.

The sound of the van was distraction enough. I also observed a small child
in the passenger seat and what appeared to be her dad driving. The smoke 
from the cigarette rolled across her tiny face and no seat belt was 
holding her. The music grew louder and louder. The driver was having a 
tough time deciding on which vulgar rap music that would be most pleasing
to all in the van and within everyone's ear reach. My first feelings about
all of this were absolute disgust.

There was some irony involved in part of this encounter. I knew what song
he was playing. I was familiar with the obscene words coming from his 
speakers. In my life, before The Holy Spirit invaded my heart, the same 
type of music would flow from my stereo. It was very clear, that God had a
message for me. Before you act, remember this situation always. It used to
be you. So, leave it to Me!

I understand, God, but I never played that music around my child. I never
smoked. I never allowed her to be unbuckled in a car. You see, it is very
different. I was nothing like that man. Even at my worst, I was never as 
bad as that man. I was much better. Or was I?

Just as quickly, as this situation presented itself, it drove away. I had
imagined dragging this fellow out of his car the entire time. I doubted 
anyone else would have minded. You probably could have formed a line of 
people that would have taken a turn, as well. Jesus was tired of watching
this Kung-Fu movie in my mind and replaced it with this message:

~ Teacher, they said to Jesus, this woman was caught in the act of 
adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say? They were 
trying to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him, but 
Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with His finger. They kept 
demanding an answer, so He stood up again and said, All right, but let the
one who has never sinned throw the first stone!

Then He stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard
this they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only 
Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood
up again and said to the woman. Where are your accusers? Didn't even one 
of them condemn you? No, Lord, she said. And Jesus said, Neither do I. Go
and sin no more. John 8:4-11 NLT

By Tom Rogers


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Matthew 5:43-45 Jesus says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou 
shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love 
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, 
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye 
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His 
sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and
on the unjust.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but
ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their 
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Colossians 3:12-15 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a 
quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above 
all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let 
the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in 
one body; and be ye thankful.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, 
and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind 
one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for 
Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today's Selected Poem: START OVER...
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem96.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: A PRISONER FREED AT LAST
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony87.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry