Measuring Sticks

Purchased these at a garage sale last Friday!
A task awaits me this morning.  I agreed to it over a month ago.  But earlier this week, things changed.  I no longer am an aide in this task....I have the full responsibility for it.  Frankly, I was miffed!  This morning before Husband and I read our devotional book together, I was grousing a bit about the person who left me "holding the bag".  Then, opening the page to today's date in My Utmost for His Highest, what should we read, but this:


"...Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others...If I see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of timber in my own.  Every wrong thing that I see in you, God finds in me...Stop having a MEASURING STICK for other people.  There is always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person's situation...I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God."

I love/hate it when that happens!
How often the devotional thought for the day "FITS"!
“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."  Matthew 7:1-2
Posted on June 17, 2011 Labels , ,

15 comments:

  1. Jacquelyn StagerJune 17, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    I almost wish I hadn't read this, since nothing happens coincidentally. hummm...

    Good post Rebecca. Hope you will be unexpectedly blessed in whatever it is you are about this morning!!

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  2. Janettessage.blogspot.comJune 17, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    Oh needed this this morning...thanks! And yes how those devotionals just seem to jump from the page as if written just for the circumstances...Oswald Chambers titles lately have been "move"...can you believe that? All the boxes around me and the devotional is titled "Move". Then today in blog land God started dealing with the heart issues I am having with the move...and my attitude.

    So ouch...and Praise God at the same time...He loves me enough to correct me!

    Great post.

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  3. Lori ZehrJune 17, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Blessings to you, this morning!

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  4. Breathing In GraceJune 17, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    I read so many devotionals with a neon sign blinking over the top of them 'DEB...THIS IS JUST FOR YOU'!!! ;-) HOPE you have a great weekend!!!

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  5. DianaJune 17, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Not being judgmental is very difficult. I really try my hardest not to be. Someone I knew in my past was judgmental about everyone and it really turned me off.
    My husband has often commented on how our Pastors sermon at the present week coincides so well with whats going on in our life at that time!
    You can do it Rebecca whatever the task is!
    Love Di ♥

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  6. AngelaJune 17, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    It does happen quite often to me too...and God has definitely been working on me with "Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others.."

    It's OUCH..and Thank You Lord for loving me enough to show me my sin and helping me to let go and let You work in and through my life. Making me beautiful in Your sight..and not puffed up in my own!!!!

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  7. DeeJune 17, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Thankfully...it happens to me a lot. I like it when the Lord grabs my attention. It keeps me from getting into trouble.:)

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  8. SandyJune 17, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Happens to me all the time and I'm grateful.
    If God left me as I am I would still be the
    mess I was when He found me.
    Great word!

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  9. Leaon MaryJune 17, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    Oh what a good word you shared with us!
    That awful measurin stick. I've been guilty of that many times in my life and have felt it from others too. -- This past week when we had bible study at my house, we actually took a break and just hung out instead of studying because we started a new book: The FittinG Room by Kelly Minter to do for our summer study. Anyhow, we laughed, and chatted and I think something God's showing us fits in with what you shared today. To just love eachother. Let him do any convicting. To be honest, I haven't had many people in my life who I just feel unconditional love from... even with relatives. But God's using my Sisterchicks to teach me that we're to give grace to eachother. Those measuring sticks are painful... let's toss em! Reminds me of the story of David... that God sees our HEARTS..

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  10. Crown of BeautyJune 17, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Rebecca,
    This is indeed a timely post ANYTIME... because no matter where I am in my spiritual journey, I realize that there is always be one reason, no matter how small, to be offended and to be critical.

    It was good to be reminded again this morning. My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers is my all time favorite devotional book. And that particular line, There is always at least one more fact which we know nothing about in every person's situation... is plastered, etched, embroidered, written with indelible ink, on my heart. It helps me so much to remember to give the other person the benefit of the doubt.

    You asked up to when I will be in Manila... I will be here up to July 20.

    Thank you for this post.

    Blessings on you evening, dear Rebecca.

    Love
    Lidj

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  11. PamelaJune 18, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    I so often give in to the temptation of criticize and Chambers is right--it makes me harsh. I hate harshness for any reason. I'll remember your measuring sticks the next time I'm tempted to criticize.

    Blessings,
    Pamela

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  12. JessJune 18, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Thank you Rebecca for sharing this powerful post!
    Why is it so easy to be judgemental? Is it because deep down inside we really believe that we are "right" about everything? That "our way" is always the best way? "LORD, search out my heart and heal it please."

    Praising GOD for His patience with us, His children. And thank you for your encouraging comment on my blog. I, too, am wondering just what HE has planned for me in this small coastal town. ((HUGS))

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  13. MoJune 18, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    I love/hate it too! If I find myself with an attitude.......and a devotional thought or Bible verse matches it,,,,,it makes me want to look around to see if anybody else noticed..........

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  14. Elizabeth DianneJune 19, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Dear Rebecca,
    Thank you so much for the visit over at my place. I hope you know I was bragging on my granddaughter "tongue in cheek."

    I so wish she was taking "piano." She would be awesome at it but she is not interested.

    I love the quote by Oswald. I normally try to read him every day but must have skipped this day. I, too, needed that good word.

    God richly bless,
    Dianne

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  15. elaine @ peace for the journeyJune 20, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    All too often, Spurgeon, Chambers, are spot on with my issues, as is Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling." Like you, I love/hate that when it happens. Mostly I love it because of the strong encouragement I always receive.

    You've done as much with your words given to me, sister. Loved your study on Proverbs!

    peace~elaine

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)