Feeling Judged

For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
John 3:20-21 NASB

Nobody likes to feel "judged" by others.  We have all met people who we feel are terribly judgmental and critical.  However, there are other times when the feeling of being judged has little or nothing to do with the person we view as "judging" us.  When we walk after the flesh the Holy Spirit convicts us, and that conviction even intensifies when we are in the presence of a fellow believer who is walking in the Light.  Rather than running from that conviction let us embrace it.  It is a wonderful opportunity to return to fellowship with the Lord.  

Trustworthy Words

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
1 Timothy 1:15

We generally consider something to be trustworthy when it is tested and tried.  Whether a tool, an idea, or a trustworthy friend we don't generally regard something as trustworthy until it has undergone testing.  While we may not doubt the gospel, that is still a far cry from trusting in Jesus and His payment for my sin.  This simple verse gives a remarkable picture of a life affected by the Good News of Jesus Christ.  First, this simple saying was familiar to Paul- readily and regularly called to mind.  He accepts this Good News and urges others to do the same.   The message is plain - Jesus Christ alone is the Savior.  The need - man's sin.  Finally, the humility of Paul which doesn't flaunt his accomplishments, but rather places himself in the same place of need as all of the rest of humanity.  That is good news for every believer, every day, and good news that everyone who does not yet know Him must also hear.

Seeking Seriously

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 NASB

I generally put my keys down in the same place, along with my wallet and my phone.  Yet it never fails that when I am in a hurry, or going somewhere important, one of these three vital items will go missing.  Then the mad search begins.  I rely upon these three items to go most anywhere - when they are missing I search with a fury and desperation virtually unknown in the rest of my life.  God tells us what He desires from mankind.  He desired it from Adam and Eve, from Abraham,from the children of Israel and He desires it from us.  That we would understand how much He loves us, how much we need Him and then seek Him accordingly.  When we know how much we are loved, and how great our need, we will seek Him with our intellect, or emotions, and our volition.