It happened again. It happened again today. I was pricked. I am reading in Matthew during my morning devotions. I read Matthew 7 and the words jumped right off the page. I don't know if that happens to you, but it does to me. Not everyday, but often. Off the page and right into my heart---ouch!
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in you own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7: 1- 5
I have to admit I am convicted by these words of Jesus. How easily I fall into the trap. I have by God's grace come a long way in being a 'grace giver'. Praying rather than judging. BUT---I still fall. I have a long way to go. It is so easy to see the 'speck' and ignore the 'log' in my own eye. See, it is all perspective. My log in my eye looks like a speck to someone else. To me it is a LOG! Yet, I look around it, I peer over it, under it and to the side. But it is there still! How perceptive God's Word is. How cutting right to the heart of the matter! I love how Jesus knows us so well and HE CARES! He wants me to see my hypocrisy and run to HIM with it, seeking HIS help! He wants to give me HIS eyes. To not only forgive others, but to forgive myself, humble myself, to keep going, by HIS GRACE! So often it is easier to point to someone Else's foibles, failings, or weaknesses. BUT that is wrong. We will be judged by the same measure we judge.
I don't know about you, but I NEED mercy! My weaknesses and sins are great....huge! It is because of Jesus' blood I am made white as snow. Not me, never, ever will I be good enough. It is only by HIS dying in my place I can be HIS child! Sooo.....mercy is what I long for, mercy is what I need, mercy is my only hope! Thank you JESUS! Teach me to give mercy......to commit to not judge others, those I love and those strangers who I meet. May I run to you every time I fall.
Yes Lord, thank you for the 'pricking of my heart' ! Your are sooo GOOD!
Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette
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I need to read more, so that I get pricked more...it is a wonderful means of communication that the Lord uses to grow me.....AND if I will do my part, He will surely do His !! Thanks for the reminder and admonition Lynette!!
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