Surface Judgments

SCRIPTURE

The Stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.

~Psalm 118:22

QUOTE

Examine the contents, not the bottle.

~Talmud

The only thing worse than making a surface judgment is to be the victim of one. What are we to do when we suffer from a superficial evaluations? There are times when you do nothing. Jesus never defended Himself. Although He was very misunderstood and totally rejected by many, He never made it a personal issue. Psalm 118:22 is quoted three times in the New Testament to show that human misunderstanding has no influence on the truth and certainly no power to thwart God’s purpose.

Mother’s often quoted the proverb, “You don’t judge a book by looking at the cover.” The years have taught me that mother was right about surface judgments and many other things. I have learned that first impressions mean very little. Some years ago, a friend came to me with an apology. She said, “My first impression of you was that you were an arrogant jerk but since I have gotten to know you better, you are not arrogant…. just a jerk.” Actually, she did not say it in those exact words but I read between the lines. This same thing happened to me three times in less than two years. Am I a victim or a jerk?

I’m kidding: She said, “I judged you without knowing you and I was wrong.” I thanked her for the apology and then confessed being guilty of the same transgression.

• TODAY WE PRAY FOR TEACHERS.
• Clara was praying for a flood yesterday, she didn’t want to go to school. She wanted more snow but Shohn told her that snow was probably out of the picture, so she started praying for rain. If we get a flood this week, we will know Clara caused it.
• We got enough for three more houses which leaves us needing four. Let’s get her done this Sunday!
• Haley and Charity are singing Sunday. They have yielded to the pressure. I can’t wait!
• SENIOR ADULT FELLOWSHIP March 20 {Soup, Salad, Sandwiches and Sweets}
• SPRING BREAK March 23-27 [No mid-week services]
• Next Communion Service April 12.
• New watch coming out April 24. My Garmin Vivofit does steps, miles, calories, and tracks. For $50 additional bucks, I could have gotten one that does heart rate. They have them that do BP and email now but the new one will do everything. You talk to it instead of using a key pad. I wonder if they will have one that understands red neck? The cost $1,000 so I will not be getting one.

Be Careful About Judging

SCRIPTURE

So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the LORD returns as to whether or not someone is faithful.

I Corinthians 4:5 [NLT, first edition]

QUOTE

“You can’t judge a book by looking at the cover.”

~Bo Diddley

My mother must have been a Bo Diddley fan because she used the above quote often. Paul warned the judgmental Corinthians not to jump to conclusions because the odds are not in your favor. Those who look at outward appearance and jump to conclusions, usually land on a lie. Paul said, “When Jesus returns, He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” You and I see the surface of things but it is not enough to judge motives. God has the copyright on judgment.

• Today we pray for STUDENTS
• GOLDEN GIRLS this morning at Cracker Barrel
• Deacon’s meeting at 8:15, LCBS at 9:15 and worship at 10:15 and 6:00
• The LCBS lesson preview is in yesterday’s blog. 
• Men’s Class from 2007-08.