Devotional

             The devotional book that I have been reading out of lately is from Max Lucado.  It has a morning and evening part to it, where you have a place to jot down your thoughts after you read.  Lately it has had a lot to do with judgement and community within the Christian realm.

             It has really made me think about all of those times that I have acted nasty towards someone that is a Christian because I don't think they are living the "perfect" life.  I think it is so awful how we spend so much time judging others that sometimes that we don't look inwardly at ourselves.   

            I wanted to leave you with two of my favorite parts of the devotional.  "There comes a time when the best thing you can do is accept your brother and offer him the same grace you've been given."  Wow.  Doesn't that really make you think?  For me, it's almost like a punch in the stomach.  We have been given grace for some of the most horrendous sins, yet we feel as if we can judge others.  I don't know about you, but this definitely makes me want to straighten up!  

          Also this quote really lifted me up.  "Speak words that make people stronger.  Believe in them as God has believed in you."  So.. let me get this straight.  Not only are we supposed to stop judging, but we are supposed to affirm people?  Even those people that drive you so crazy that you could spit bullets?  Yes!  God has given us this strength to forgive and want to help others that are struggling.

         Maybe next time you (or I) feel like judging someone, maybe we should stop and take the time to show them His love.  After all, isn't that what God has done for us?