Reflections

To Judge Or Not To Judge Matthew 7:1-21 Judge not, that you be not judged.(Matthew 7:1)   What better way to tell people to mind their own business than to quote Jesus? People who seldom read the Bible are quick to quote Matthew 7:1 when they want to silence someone whose opinion they don’t like. “Judge not, that you be not judged” seems like the perfect response. In context, however, the passage indicates that we are indeed to judge; we’re just supposed to avoid  faulty  judgments. Furthermore, our judgments are to begin with self: “First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye,” Jesus said (v.5). He then said, “Beware of false prophets” (v.15). This too requires judging—we need to be able to discern truth from falsehood. Jesus used the metaphor of fruit to give us the proper criteria for judging. “By their fruits you will know them” (v.20). We are to judge people (including ourselves) by the q...

The Most Depressing Day Exodus 6:1-9 Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. (Matthew 14:27) Scientists in the UK have calculated that the most depressing day of the year comes in the third week of January. Winter days are dark and cold, holiday excitement has worn off just as Christmas debts are coming due, and New Year’s resolutions have all been broken. The celebrations, gift-giving, and good intentions that once made us feel happy now press us down and leave us feeling hopeless. Long ago in Egypt, the Hebrew people had high hopes that Moses would rescue them from slavery. But their hopes were dashed when Moses’ good intentions led to worse conditions for them. Instead of gaining freedom, the people were pressed even harder by slave drivers who demanded that they produce the same amount of bricks with fewer resources. Moses cried out to the Lord, “Since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at al...

Absolute Needs John 4:7-15 My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) From our first breath until our last, we have few truly essential needs. Without oxygen, we would perish in minutes. We must have food and water. Our bodies, when exhausted, require rest. And in harsh weather, we must seek shelter. So, while we are needy creatures, our basic needs are few. When it comes to our wants, however, there seems to be no limit. Indeed, the entire advertising industry is devoted to expanding our “needs.” But what about those basic needs we overlook? What about our need for the Bread of Life and the living water of God’s truth? What about our need for spiritual fellowship that gives strength, hope, peace, and comfort? The vague dissatisfaction so many people experience is really spiritual malnutrition and thirst. Jesus told a Samaritan woman about water that would become “a fountain of water springing up into everlasting lif...

Designed By God Romans 12:3-8 We have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function. (Romans 12:4) Bison are made in such a way that their natural inclination is to look down; the design of their necks makes it difficult for them to look up. In contrast, giraffes are designed in a way that makes looking up easy; the way their necks were made makes it difficult for them to look down. Two creatures created by the same God but with distinctively different body parts and purposes. Giraffes eat leaves from branches above. Bison eat grass from the field below. God provides food for both, and neither has to become like the other to eat. As we observe the animals and people around us, we’re reminded that God made each of us unique for a purpose. One person’s natural tendency is to look up and see the “big picture,” while another looks down and focuses on details. Both are important. One is not better than the other. God gave us individual talents and spiri...

What On Earth Are We Doing? 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) “What on earth are you doing?!” You may have heard that phrase when your mom told you to clean your room and found you playing with your toys instead, or maybe when your teacher caught you passing notes in class. But if God were to ask you this question, how would you respond? Paul tells us that as followers of Jesus we have been put on this earth to bring glory to God in everything we do. So what should that look like? God’s glory is the manifestation of all that He is in His unsurpassed, stunning perfection. It is His amazing love, His wide mercy, His deep grace. His glory is seen in His truth, justice, wisdom, and power. To glorify Him means that we have the high privilege of showing Him off in a world that is totally unaware of what He is really like. Acts of mercy to the undeserving, grace to the needy, forgive...

That’s Awesome! Psalms 66:1-12 Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men. (Psalm 66:5) The word  awesome  is tossed around a lot these days. Talk about cars, movies, songs, or food—and somebody will say, “That’s awesome!” But if we call earth-side stuff awesome and then call God awesome, we diminish how truly awesome He is. A friend of mine has a rule in her house—the word  awesome  is reserved only for God. Trivializing God is no trivial matter. He is far more than a companion who will fit into our “buddy system” or a divine ATM responding to our impulses. Until we are stunned by the awesomeness of God, we will be way too impressed with ourselves and lose the joy of the privilege of belonging to an awesome God. A look at the Psalms puts it all in perspective. One psalmist declares, “For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth” (Ps. 47:2). And another psalm commands: “Say to God, ‘How aweso...

The Old And The New Galatians  5:16-23  If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)   Typical resolutions in January are to lose weight, exercise more, spend less time at work and more time with family—maybe even stop chatting on the cell phone while driving. It’s not surprising that we want to change the things in our lives that we’re unhappy about—even though most New Year’s resolutions are kept for no more than 3 weeks. What if you were to ask God what He wants you to change, improve, or begin this year? He might tell you to: Demonstrate more of the fruit of the Spirit in your life, which is “love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal.  5:22-23 ). “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who . . . persecute you” (Matt.  5:44 ). “Go into all the world ...