I'm The Judge

The devotion shared below is from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswalt Chambers. Conviction gripped my heart this morning for I know these words to be true. I have stood as the prosecutor sharing accusation and I have sat as a judge making a judgements against people. We criticize in others the very thing we are guilty of ourselves. As God forgives us and pours out His abundant grace, may we extend that same grace and forgiveness to others as well.
We really do not know people's hearts. Many times people are responding from hurt and not necessary from rebellion. I desire God,whose knows my heart, to be the judge, NOT people. Thank you, Lord for this devotion this morning!!

With what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you —Matthew 7:2

This statement is not some haphazard theory, but it is an eternal law of God. Whatever judgment you give will be the very way you are judged. There is a difference between retaliation and retribution. Jesus said that the basis of life is retribution— “with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” If you have been shrewd in finding out the shortcomings of others, remember that will be exactly how you will be measured. The way you pay is the way life will pay you back. This eternal law works from God’s throne down to us (see Psalm 18:25-26).
Romans 2:1 applies it in even a more definite way by saying that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act itself, but also at the possibility of committing it, which He sees by looking at our hearts. To begin with, we do not believe the statements of the Bible. For instance, do we really believe the statement that says we criticize in others the very things we are guilty of ourselves? The reason we see hypocrisy, deceit, and a lack of genuineness in others is that they are all in our own hearts. The greatest characteristic of a saint is humility, as evidenced by being able to say honestly and humbly, “Yes, all those, as well as other evils, would have been exhibited in me if it were not for the grace of God. Therefore, I have no right to judge.”
Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). He went on to say, in effect, “If you do judge, you will be judged in exactly the same way.” Who of us would dare to stand before God and say, “My God, judge me as I have judged others”? We have judged others as sinners— if God should judge us in the same way, we would be condemned to hell. Yet God judges us on the basis of the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ.

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Bebo Norman - God Of My Everything

Psalm 86

The Sovereign LORD, the Creator of the universe, the God who controls every lightning bolt, the God who stores up snow and hail for the day of battle, the God who commands the ocean to stay in its banks, the God who knows the number of stars in the sky, the Father who created me in my mother’s womb, the Father who knows the number of hairs on my head, the Father who gathers my tears in His bottle, the Father who watches over me with singing, the Father who has written my name in the palm of His hand, the Lord, the Father, the God who calls me by name will bow down His ear to hear my desperate plea of mercy and salvation.

He rejoices my soul as I turn to Him, for He is good, ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to me as I call upon Him in my desperate need.

There is no God in comparison of my God; nor are there any works that can compare to His works.  He is the Creator of all nations and all nations shall join me in worship.  All nations shall join me in glorifying His name.

My Father, God, and Lord, You are great and do wondrous things.  You give me salvation, peace, hope, strength, creativity, life, breathe, love for others, joy and the most wonderful gift-Your very intimate presence.  You alone are God.

Teach me Your ways and I will walk in Your truth.  My heart wanders in many different directions.  Unite my heart Lord to fear Your name, so I will praise You with all my heart and I will glorify Your name forever. Your mercy,that is great towards me, causes me to bow in worship before You. You have delivered my soul from being separated from You for all of eternity. 

God, the enemy rises up against me; men speak evil of me and do not worship You.  But I choose to turn my eyes and heart toward You, for You are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. 

God turn to me and have mercy on me!  Strengthen me as Your servant.  Pour Your favor upon me, that those who speak evil will be put to shame, because You LORD have helped and comforted me.

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