January 2013
Recently my mind and heart have been much exercised by the phenomenon of judgementalism in society. Here I am not so much concerned with the law and the verdicts given in courts, but more I am thinking about the kind of judgements that are voiced by a person about someone else. It is particularly sad when this happens in the Christian community. Matthew 7: 1-5 warns of the consequences of such judgementalism. More often than not when a person thinks judgementally about another, they do so on the basis of their own way of thinking, or reacting, or out of secretly held desires, similar to those they are judging others for. In psychology this is known as “projection”. Unfortunately we all do this at times. There is a great need for us to see others through the eyes of Jesus and to be forgiving in the way that Jesus is forgiving.
It is not only the criticisms and judgements which are spoken out loud. There are times when these remain unspoken. Such thoughts are just as dangerous as they affect the way we relate to those of whom we are thinking critically. They go round and round in our thoughts and in the end can make us bitter or resentful towards the other person. Recently, I have heard of Christians who have not spoken to each other for many years as a result of just such judgemental thoughts being harboured by one of the people involved.
Unfortunately this sort of thing is not a rare or isolated occurrence. Frequently it can be the product of a simple misunderstanding, which could have been put right quickly through a timely, open and frank discussion. Because this so often doesn’t happen, the matter simmers in the background and acts as a poison in the relationship. Both parties suffer, although it may well be that the one bearing the grudge is the one more negatively affected.
Some time ago while in a previous employment, as a result of complaints being made to the boss several of the staff had to leave the company. One of those who left mistakenly blamed me, although I was in no way to blame. Many years later I bumped into him on a railway station. I greeted him in a friendly fashion, only to be rebuffed and left staring at his retreating back.
From this encounter I quickly realised that his judgmental attitude and possible bitterness was having more negative effects on him than they were on me, as I had been completely unaware of his feelings and attitude towards me.
I never saw or heard from him again.
From this encounter I quickly realised that I needed to get rid of any bitterness rising from judgementalism in my thinking. I spent time before God asking Him to reveal any anger, bitterness or resentment arising from judgementalism or other wrong thinking that I was holding on to. The things that were revealed to me were sometimes painful and shocking to realise.
They had to be got rid of!
It was neither easy nor quick, but it was something I knew had to be done. The act of forgiving those that had wronged me, or that I had only imagined had wronged me took time and effort but the peace I received when I made each act of forgiveness, and there were many, grew every time. Unfortunately, it is easy to slip back into old habits and ways of thinking. So, every so often it is necessary to get before God in prayer and go through the process yet again.
When someone speaks or thinks judgementally about another person it in fact calls down judgement on the person making such judgements. Why? It is because such a way of thinking about others is often born out of the persons own way of thinking, living or acting.
Through experience as a teacher, I have noticed that people will often jump to blame some nameless person for “stealing” something when it has in fact only be mislaid. The thinking may go something like this.
“I can’t find my pen. I don’t want to admit I’ve lost it. I’ll blame someone else and I can not be blamed.”
A simplistic example to be sure, but it is often the way that those who do not respect other people’s property will be quick to accuse others of stealing. Where as a person who would never even dream of stealing will simply say “I’ve lost my pen.”
Please do not confuse this with a real victim of burglary or robbery and their reaction to the loss caused to them.
When it comes to personal relationships, one person in the relationship may often accuse the other of doing the things they secretly want to do themselves. This can have destructive consequences in the relationship.
Because judgementalism so often springs from our own ways of thinking which we then“project” on to the target of our critical thoughts. This in turn calls down judgement on ourselves because it derives from within us.
In Luke 18:10-14, Jesus tells a parable of two men who went to the temple to pray. The attitudes of the two men are in complete contrast. One sees no fault in himself but faults in others, the other sees only his own faults and begs God for forgiveness. The interesting thing is that the first man sees the faults in others, but does not see the faults and sins that he is actually guilty of, mainly those of pride, self-deception and – dare I say it – arrogance.
The publican on the other hand makes no judgements about others, but freely confesses his own sinful nature and then seeks forgiveness.
The parable ends with Jesus affirming that it is this man who receives forgiveness from God:
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:14 KJV
Many times in the New Testament believers are exhorted to encourage and build up fellow believers in Christ Jesus. If we can direct our thoughts along these paths we will be sowers of peace and harmony.
Be blessed.
Bruce
February 2013
For communication to be complete and effective a number of things have to happen. First there has to be a message, second someone to receive and understand the message as it is intended to be understood and third a medium for conveying the message. Sometimes people have spoken to me from another room or when I have been concentrating on something. Often they get annoyed when I have not heard and responded in the way they expect. Simply saying something is not communicating, the other person’s attention also has to be engaged. God uses many different ways to communicate with us. Through His prophets, through His word written in the Bible, through other people, or through events. The list is almost endless. In order for communication between us and God to work,we need to do our part. Listen, or read and then seek to understand. Silent prayer is essential in this process. “ He that hath ears, let him hear” Matt 4:9
So many times we spend our prayer time battering the ears of God with our pleas for Him to do this or that for us. I term these supermarket trolley prayers. As we continually give voice to our own requests to God, we are unable to hear, let alone listen to what God wants to say to us. Many times I have been in meetings where one or more people will pray long and amazingly fluent prayers. These prayers and the people who pray in this way may draw respect and even admiration from other Christians as it is often difficult for people to pray out loud. However this is not the only way to pray; nor is it the last word in prayer.
There are, in fact, a number of different kinds of prayer! I believe it is necessary for all Christians to practice all of them regularly. Here is a list of some of the different kinds of prayer:-
1. Praise and worship prayer
2. Supplicatory prayer
3. Intercessory prayer
4. Contemplative prayer
5. Meditative prayer
Let us now look at each in a little more detail.
1. Praise and worship prayer.
The purpose of this kind of prayer is fairly obvious from it’s name. To give God the glory and praise He so richly deserves. It can range from deeply contemplative to the ecstatic or spontaneous worship in prayer or song. To a large extent the media tends to focus on the ecstatic end of the spectrum as it is more externalised and accessible visually. However, this may give those not of the Christian faith the idea that this is how it is meant to be. Such is not the case! There is a broad spectrum of effective prayer of praise and worship.
There is a deeper and more important reason for this kind of prayer. That is to place God in the correct place in our lives, spirits, hearts and minds. When we can do this, the desires of the self become subordinated to the will of God and the Christian life takes on new meaning and becomes increasingly in line with His purpose and plans. Which is the supreme and overarching goal and purpose of the Christian life.
Be blessed
Bruce
April 2013
Easter is the most important time of the Christian calendar. By the time you read this it will have been celebrated once more. Jesus, during His time as a Man on Earth, taught God’s truth through His words, His life, and by serving His people. His greatest act was His sacrificial death on the cross at Golgotha, in complete obedience to His Father in heaven. An act of obedience and sacrifice hard to imagine. Through this act He accepted the sins of all and atoned for them. His resurrection completed the fulfilment of the law and of all prophecies concerning the Messiah and His time on Earth. His actions spoke and still speak larger than words. We can trust Him and His promises for our salvation, because He bought that salvation with His own life blood.
May our actions as His followers also speak as loud.
Be blessed
Bruce
May 2013
As I follow the news these days I am constantly reminded of two warnings in the Bible. There is a specific warning in 2 Timothy 3 about what will happen in societies all over the world and how the morals and attitudes of people will change, becoming more like the behaviour of that described in Gen. 18. God’s attitude toward this behaviour is made clear in Gen. 18:20. Much of the world is marching joyfully in the very direction that caused God to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah! As Christians we need to remain vigilant but continue to live moral lives and to place our trust in the Lord’s abiding love and gift of salvation.
Be blessed
Bruce
June 2013
In recent years many governments have enacted legislation legalising lifestyles which are unscriptural. (Read Leviticus and Romans) All of this has been done in the name of tolerance! There is constant pressure on society to be tolerant of almost everything eroding Christian values in societies which were founded on just these values. It is true that God gave each of us the right to choose between good and evil, between right and wrong. However, many do not realise that at the end of time all will stand before God and answer for the choices they have made. Also, they will be answerable for the lives of those they may have led astray. As Christians we are called by Christ to make all people aware of these facts.
Be blessed.
Bruce
July 2013
In John 10: 3-4, we read that the shepherd knows his sheep by name and calls them to follow him. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. In Biblical times the shepherd spent almost all his time with the sheep, leading them to pasture to eat, protecting them from predators, and also attending to their health. It was a 24 hour job 7 days a week. When Jesus called the men who were to become His disciples, they knew His voice through the Divine work of the Holy Spirit. They obeyed the call and left to follow Him. Today Jesus still calls His people to follow Him as members of His flock. The call comes through His word in the Bible, through a meeting with the Lord Jesus through events in our lives and in many different ways. The call to follow is not a short term one, but a lifelong one through good times and difficult ones. Let us all be followers of Christ even in our darkest hours.
Be blessed. Bruce
August 2013
Some time ago I found myself in conversation with a man who had been a shepherd most of his life. Because there were so many references made by Jesus to sheep and shepherding, I asked my companion to describe the life of a shepherd. A few things he said stand out in my memory. One was that he said,” being a shepherd is a lifetime of work, It’s not a job you can just pick up for a while and then leave.” Another thing he said was that it involves getting very, very close to each individual sheep. “You have to handle them firmly to be able to check every part of them and then work out the best way to treat them.” Then he said, “they will always resist, so you have to be firm with them.” As he got up to leave he said, “It’s true you know; ‘The good shepherd gives the whole of his life for the sheep!”” * He took a step turned back and said. “God knows His sheep can be a pretty ungrateful lot. Stubborn and obstinate. Just like my four legged ones were!” Are we willing to submit to God’s ministrations and His leading in our lives? Or are we going to be stubborn and obstinate?
Be blessed, Bruce
* Paraphrased from John 10:11
October 2013
Adult sheep have flat broad backs and short legs. If they fall on their backs, they are completely unable to get back onto their feet. It is necessary for the shepherd or sometimes a kindly stranger to lift them back onto their feet. Similarly sheep will often get their heads trapped in fences or bushes and have to be freed. Quite frequently the sheep in Jesus’ flock may find themselves spiritually flat on their backs unable to rise or spiritually trapped in circumstances from which they are unable to free themselves. It is then that Christians need direct help from Lord Jesus, who goes in search of His sheep who are in spiritual difficulties. Matt. 18:12-13, Luke 15:4
Psalm 23:2 tells us that God leads us, His sheep, by still waters. Have you ever wondered why beside still waters? Why not a clear, sweet, babbling brook? The fact is that sheep are one of the only, if not the only, animals that are unable to close their nostrils, which are always open and also situated directly above the mouth. If they were to drink from running water, the water would enter their noses and as they continued to drink, they would drown. In leading His sheep by still waters, God clearly demonstrates His caring, loving nature. Through His use of this imagery, the Psalmist, David, demonstrated his understanding of God’s nature.
Be blessed, Bruce
November 2013
Psalm 23:4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.
First: the valley the Psalmist meant here was, I think, a narrow steep sided valley like many found in the Promised Land. Dry and with a small stream running through it with rocky sides to the valley. A place where there would be plenty of shadows.
Second: It is only the shadow of death, not actual death. Shadows can not harm us. Sometimes, however people can become frightened by unexpected shadows.
Third: Shadows can only be seen when there is light. Shadows can not form in darkness.
So what is the light that shines in the valley of the shadow of death? It is the light of God’s love. His love for His creation, for His people, and for those who love Him and acknowledge His Son.
This light reveals the presence of physical death but also reveals the presence of God in our darkest most perilous times and gives us assurance of His protection. So there is no need to fear evil.
Be blessed
Bruce
December 2013
Verses 5-6 of Psalm 23 appear to be a complete change of theme. But is it? Earlier the Psalm has been about God being the source of help and courage in times of great fear. In Old Testament times when an enemy was defeated, there would be a celebratory meal for the victors. All the food, plates and cutlery provided from the stores of those who had been defeated. They were even made to serve or to watch the celebration.
The battle and victory belongs to God and His son Jesus, but he graciously shares the victory with us by providing a huge feast in plain sight of the enemy.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa. 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. “
The psalmist, David, predicts and looks forward to the final victory and the restoration of God’s kingdom on earth. Let us too rejoice.
Be blessed, Bruce.