Shalom,

I had so many ideas of what to share on this blog today, but after reading "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, there was only one choice! THIS has been on my heart so much lately! We hear every day of persecuted Christians in other nations, but this division is happening all over the Body of Christ and it SHOULD NOT BE SO! I will leave the rest to this:

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

Jesus’ instructions with regard to judging others is very simply put; He says, “Don’t.” The average Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The effect of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood. Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. This will not happen quickly but must be developed over a span of time. You must constantly beware of anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior person.

There is no escaping the penetrating search of my life by Jesus. If I see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of timber in my own (see Matthew 7:3-5). Every wrong thing that I see in you, God finds in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-24). Stop having a measuring stick for other people. There is always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person’s situation. The first thing God does is to give us a thorough spiritual cleaning. After that, there is no possibility of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God

There IS no qualifier for "Judge not"! There is an overabundance of "fruit inspectors" who have been bruising and beating the fruit instead of nurturing and encouraging! Do YOU remember when Jesus informed Peter what his ministry would be like and Peter turned around and asked about John's? Jesus told Peter, essentially, "Mind your own business"! Prayer is our ONLY option UNLESS we have very specific instruction from God the Holy Spirit to do otherwise! I can almost guarantee that the great majority of believers reading this blog will NEVER be asked to do anything BUT pray for them! When we do that, we allow the Holy Spirit to work HIS work in their hearts AND in ours! Because MANY times WE are wrong! We don't know what God knows about any given situation! SO, keep yourselves in the love of God which causes your faith to work and be a blessing to others! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "Unending Love":

"Unending Love"

There's no silver or gold
And no treasure untold
That could draw me away from Your heart
Neither love of myself
Or of anyone else will do

Jesus nothing compares
To this grace that rescues me
Savior now and forever
Your face is all I seek

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I'm humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love
Your love, Jesus

Letting go of my pride
I lay down my desires
Just to worship in Spirit and truth
More than all of my dreams
More than fame I will seek You Lord

Jesus nothing compares
To this grace that rescued me
Savior now and forever
Your face is all I seek

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I'm humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I'm humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Jesus nothing compares
To this grace that rescues me
Savior now and forever
Your face is all I seek

(Jesus) Jesus nothing compares
To this grace that rescued me
Savior now and forever
Your face is all I seek

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I'm humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I'm humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I'm humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Shalom in Him!