Author: Dr. Mike

Are You to Judge?

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“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.   Matthew 7:1-2

Occasionally, I come across people who believe one is not to judge another. My reply always is why not? What is the basis of your conclusion? Could it be you hear sermon messages sometimes without understanding their full meaning?

When it comes to judging others, most preachers are probably referring to Matthew 7. Here Jesus did say judge not. But that is not the entire context of his statement. He also said that you will be measured by the same standards you judge others by. So if the standard is an imperfect you, than you have a problem. You may be a hypocrite. For do you live up to the same righteous standard you are judging others with?

His overall teaching is when you judge another, you better have the right standard. In fact you are to judge others based on God’s righteousness (James 2:12). But be careful. Are you being a hypocrite and not living up to God’s same standard?

The apostle Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 6:1-2 that we will judge angels and the world at the end time. Jesus tells us in John 7:24 to judge others not by their appearance (wealth, status, etc.), but with right standards. In fact, in John 12:47-48 even Jesus said at the end time HE will not judge others. But the words HE is teaching will condemn those who do not live by them. In other words, we will hang ourselves by rebelling against HIS teachings. Our own actions will judge us.

Proverbs 31:9 reminds us to judge defending the rights of the poor and needy. Even the early nation Israel was instructed to show no partiality in judging people. (Lev. 19:15). But humans are prone to evil. In the prophet Micah’s time, judges were taking bribes and corrupting society. (Micah 7:3). Evil needs to be confronted. Without wise judgement, societies will collapse.

What is reassuring about Paul’s statement (1 Corinthians 2:15) that a person in Christ judges all things? Because their discernment follows the lead of the Holy Spirit. They are not concern with people judging them. Their Judge is the Lord. They realize HE will correct them. HE will discipline them. (1 Corinthians 11:32). As stewards of His Kingdom on earth, we live under HIS authority. We need to be mindful that one day God will judge our secrets (Romans 2:16). HE is the final judge. (Isaiah 33:22).

Apostle John wrote in Revelations (5:10) that today’s saints are to reign with Jesus in the new heaven and earth. One function of a leader is making wise decisions. So to refrain from making a judgement call is failing to learn what one will be doing for eternity. Instead, we need to integrate God’s Spirit into all the decisions we make every day. We need to exercise the faith HE has given us. We need to build upon HIS Word. Then we can be train to make wise judgements now in preparation for eternity.

You are now being trained to lead and serve others on behalf of God’s Kingdom. So don’t hesitate to judge others. Instead allow God’s Spirit to lead you. Learn to exercise the fundamental teachings of the Bible. Follow the golden rule.

The real question – are you willing to accept the same standard of judgement that you give? Or do you judge others on a higher standard than you judge yourself? Let Jesus be your standard. Answer to HIM. Allow the Holy Spirit to inspire and encourage you. You will than find your judgements to be wiser and more prudent. In fact, you may even find yourself thinking of starting a new career – as a Judge.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Yes, All

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

ALL Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,   (2 Timothy 3:16)

ALL is a very large, inclusive word. The Bible (ESV) uses the word over 4,600 times. There are places when the Bible emphasizes this word in regards to the earth, time, and humanity. Other times ALL speaks about actions, responsibilities, or moral duty. ‘All’ is accentuated a lot. The challenge is determining whether ‘all’ means everyone. Or metaphorically one is only perceiving ‘all’.

This becomes even more challenging when reading the Bible. Why? Because faith-keepers adhere the Book is 100% accurately the Word of God who cannot lie.

I admit there are times I struggle with the word ‘all’. This is why I lean on God to direct my thoughts and steps and trust Him with the outcome. Like a child, I may not understand, but place trust in HIS guardianship.

So here are some of my favorite Scriptures which includes the word ALL.

– Noah did ALL the Lord had commanded him (Gn. 7:5).   

– His master saw that the Lord was with him (Joseph) and that the Lord caused ALL that he did to succeed in his hands (Gn. 39:3).

– But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul (Deut. 4:29).

– He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In ALL that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:3)

– You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put ALL things under his feet, (Psalm 8:6)

– One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord ALL the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 24:7)

– I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from ALL my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

– Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them ALL. (Psalm 34:19)

– The Lord works righteousness and justice for ALL who are oppressed. (Psalm 103:6)

– The Lord is near to ALL who call on him, to ALL who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)

– Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

– Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers ALL offenses. (Proverbs 10:12)

– In ALL toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)

– Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! ALL is vanity.   (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12:8)

– Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them ALL.   (Ecclesiastes 19:11)

– But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and ALL these things will be added to you.   (Matt. 6:33)

– and you will be hated by ALL for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matt. 10:22

– But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible.”  (Matt. 19:26)

– ALL these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”   (Mark 7:23)

– ALL things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.   (John 1:3)

– For from his fullness we have ALL received, grace upon grace.    (John 1:16)

– When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into ALL the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.   (John 16:13)

– And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on ALL flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;   (Acts 2:17)

– Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for ALL men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for ALL men.  (Romans 5:18)

– For ALL who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.   (Romans 8:14)

– And we know that for those who love God ALL things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.   (Romans 8:28)

– Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will ALL stand before the judgment seat of God;   (Romans 14:10)

– The spiritual person judges ALL things, but is himself to be judged by no one.   (1 Corinthians 2:15)

– “ALL things are lawful for me,” but not ALL things are helpful. “ALL things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.    (1 Corinthians 6:12)

– “ALL things are lawful,” but not ALL things are helpful. “ALL things are lawful,” but not ALL things build up.   (1 Corinthians 10:23)

– To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become ALL things to ALL people, that by ALL means I might save some.   (1 Corinthians 9:22)

– Love bears ALL things, believes ALL things, hopes ALL things, endures ALL things.    (1 Corinthians 13:7)

– But ALL things should be done decently and in order.    (1 Corinthians 14:40)

– And we ALL, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.    (2 Corinthians 3:18)

– For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond ALL comparison,    (2 Corinthians 4:17)

– For we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.     (2 Corinthians 5:10)

– for in Christ Jesus you are ALL sons of God, through faith.   (Galatians 3: 26)

– There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are ALL one in Christ Jesus.   (Galatians 3:28)

– For by him ALL things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—ALL things were created through him and for him.

– And he is before ALL things, and in him ALL things hold together.  For in him ALL the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,   (Colossians 1:16-17,19

– I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for ALL people; for kings and ALL who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  ,  (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

– For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL people, especially of those who believe.   (1 Timothy 4:10)

– Indeed, ALL who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,   (2 Timothy 3:12)

– To the pure, ALL things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.   (Titus 1:15)

– For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for ALL people,   (Titus 2:11)

– casting ALL your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  (1 Peter 5:7)

– For ALL that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.   (1 John 2:16)

– but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of ALL things, through whom also he created the world.    (Heb. 1:2)

These are only a few of the Scriptures which includes the word ALL. Yet they reveal a God who created ALL. A God who includes ALL. A God who desires ALL His children to accept HIS purpose and plan for humanity.

You may want to conduct your own study. For you may need to confirm what ALL means as you are also included in ALL. You may want to start with the ALL that jumped out at you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Grace Changes Everything

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”   2 Corinthians 9:8

Grace changes everything. Grace changes you. Grace changes others.  

Do you recall your first encounter with God’s unmerited favor? Did the moment make you stop, look, and grasp the meaning of being human?

You probably heard this many times before. That you are made in HIS image. You are like a god. You can imagine, create, and influence the world around you. You can analyze your situation and list options to choose. You are free to select your path. You can accept your position or make plans to change it.

Yet, there is something missing. Though you are made in HIS image, you are chemically produced. You are created from matter. You need to eat and sleep.  Chronologically your time is limited. Your body will stop functioning one day. Life as you know will come to an end. Something is missing.

If you are like me, than you know the choices you make are not always the best. Many times poor decisions come back to haunt us. We experience the pain and consequences of failure. Then there are those decisions from others which impact us. As they seek their aim in life, they ignore you. You are only a pawn or an insufficient obstacle in their way.

Yes, you are the captain of your ship. But these forces continue to bombard you with unwanted obstacles. Most of them you haven’t taken into consideration in your plans. They rob you of your dreams. They rape you of your innocence. They unfairly take away your hope for a better tomorrow.

There is much outside of our control. No matter how much we manipulate, bully, or abuse others, we start to ponder there may be a better way.

Enter Almighty God. HIS natural inclination is to share HIS way of life with HIS creation. How does HE introduce HIMSELF to us? There are many ways, but the most often way is by first experiencing HIS grace. Most often in the beginning you are totally unaware of what is happening.

Yes, those times when HE intervenes on your behalf. When HE brings people into your world that changes everything. When HE directs your steps into situations that help you become victorious. Grace begins to change you.

When HE inspires you with an idea or solution which has been hampering you for a long time. When HE opens doors for you to express your natural, God-given abilities with others. When HE gives you the internal fortitude to hang in there and keep trucking toward your destiny. When HE hugs you with HIS love that brings tears of joy into your life. HIS grace changes you.

God is generously good. HIS grace is the outer expression of HIS inner character. HE loves HIS creation. HE loves you. HE wants you to succeed in life. But like a responsible parent, HE also wants to prepare you for the future. HE wants to mature you. His desire is for you to share in HIS family business. To make wise judgements. To exercise HIS ways of fruitful living with others. HE thus may discipline you. To correct bad behavior and attitudes. But that is HIS grace changing you for the better.

Grace changes everything. You. Others. Purpose. Meaning. Fulfillment. When you are old and look back with hindsight you will align the dots and see the hand of God more clearly in your life. You will see how HIS Grace altered your life. You will see how HIS grace open the doors for you to have a relationship with HIM. Through it all, you will eventually acknowledge HIM and thank HIM for HIS Grace upon your life and the life of others.

Yes, grace changes everything.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

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