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This morning i have been thinking about the power that Abba father gives us. He has sent his only son to die the death we were suppose to die. HE then rose again to live the life we are to live. Then Jesus left and sent His Holy Spirit to be with us every single day, every moment, even when we don’t feel his presence! Today I am grateful for my relationship with the Holy Spirit! He is amazing! His love is nonjudgmental, it is unconditional. Where would I be without The cross of Jesus, the Power of forgiveness, the relationship with the Holy Spirit! Thank you today God for being to grand yet desiring to rescue me and give me the power of your presence! I am in love with you with an undying love.
If you find yourself surrounded by fear, take the time to really thank God for what he has done in your life and how he has pulled you through before he will do it again! God wants an intimate relationship with you. Talk to Him today!

What do you think a judge is?

To judge-to issue a decree, an opinion about someone or something; to decide (mentally or judicially), to try, condemn, punish, avenge, conclude, damn, determine, esteem, judge, call in question, sentence to, think, a decision.

Matthew 7:1-5

1) Quick judgment invites more judgment
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you”.

Have you ever judged someone really fast without really getting to know them? Why?

Have you ever been wrongly judged? Set on trial by someone?

2) Quick Judgment is distorted
a. And why do you look at the speck of saw dust in your brother’s eye, but you don’t consider the plank in your eye?
b. Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
c. Hypocrite! First remove the plank in your own eye, and then you will clearly see to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

When someone judges people w/o checking themselves first there judgment is distorted.

Have you ever judged someone for the same sin you struggle with?

Have you ever been judged by someone who you know has issues too? How did that make you feel? Why?

3) Careful Judgment is Necessary
“Don’t give what is holy to the dog; nor cast your pearl before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you into pieces”

Proverbs 9:7-8

I am not saying that judging others and programs, or things is wrong. Actually we are supposed to do so. But there is a difference between judging w/o discernment and judging with it. Sometimes we need to slow down and calculate, take a look at, think about it, before we do, say, or act on something. That period of calculating and looking is at is called discernment.

Two kinds of Judgment:
Condemning Judgment versus Discerning Judgment
Quick versus careful
Focused on other’s faults v.s. Examining self
Legalistic v.s. Gracious
Motives v.s. actions

When someone new comes into our cell, or circle of friends, do you focus on what is wrong with them or what is right with them?

When someone is dressed differently then most others, do you accept their style or judge them as not cool?

When a new leader arises, do you look at what is wrong with them, or do you look at what gifts they have and how they are going to bless the body of Christ?
“Discernment is a helpful skill and a positive contribution. Good Judgment is a valuable quality. But some people miss the distinction between discernment and condemnation. They elevate fault finding to a ministry-as if they were doing the church a favor, or doing society a favor, or doing their spouse a favor-by making it their goal to find out what is wrong”. –Lewis B. Bell

Are you a condemning judge or a discerning one?