RULES FOR JUDGING

What measuring stick do we use to make a judgment about others? If
we are honest with ourselves we would have to say we judge others by
those very same things that lie within each and every one of our hearts.
We are just as capable of the same things we judge in others. So be careful when you judge others. God is searching the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. He will use the same measuring stick to judge us that we use to judge others.

Read Matthew 7:1,2

Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge
others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be
measured to you." (NIV)

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye
shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured
to you again." (KJV)

PRAYER SETS US FREE

Is there someone in your life that has wronged you, hurt you, betrayed
you, caused you grief? Human nature causes us to be resentful and angry toward those people. The truth is, if we are merciful to those who have wronged us and we pray for them, the Lord will show us mercy and release us from the chains of resentment and anger. His Word says He will show us mercy in the same way we have shown mercy to others.

Read Job 7:38

"After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." (NIV)

"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." (KJV)

WATER FOUNTAIN

The living water Jesus gives to us is His Holy Spirit, the promise of eternal life. When Christ's Holy Spirit is living in our hearts, this living water will flow out of us as walk, speak, work, and live. It cannot be contained. If it is there, it will flow out and others will notice it. Is that what people notice when they are around you?

Read John 7:38

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (NIV)

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (KJV)

INTENTIONS ARE WORTHLESS

We all have good and noble intentions. The problem is that intentions
are seldom accompanied by constant awareness, prayer, and action.
Intentions have no power. Our power to overcome and accomplish is
through prayer and being on guard against the enemy. We need
commitment rather than intentions to allow the Lord to give our
spirit the power to overcome our weaknesses.

Read Matthew 26:41

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit
is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV)

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is weak." (KJV)

WASHING FEET

When Jesus took of His cloak, got down on the floor, and washed
the feet of His disciples, He was setting an example for us. He was
not teaching us how to wash feet, but how to treat one another in
love and humility, no matter what position we hold in this life. No
one is high and mighty, except the Lord God Himself. We are all one
in Him, equal ground and we are to serve one another.

Read John 13:14

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also
should wash one another's feet." (NIV)

"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought
to wash one another's feet." (KJV)

ANGER CONTROL

A person given to anger means he is controlled by anger. Out of his
mouth flows all the bitterness and resentment that fills him inside. He
has no control. The wise person also experiences anger, but by God's
grace, has self control to deal with the anger in a Godly way.

Read Proverbs 29:11

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under
control." (NIV)

"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards." (KJV)

HIS LIGHT AND TRUTH

As Christians, our prayer is that the Lord will light the path of truth
so that we can follow it, no matter how difficult so that we can be
with Him. This path is rough, narrow, and lonely. But those who
follow it will never be disappointed.

Read Psalm 43:3

"Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them
bring me to your holy mountain to the place where you dwell." (NIV)

"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring
me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles." (KJV)