remove the log in mine.

romans 2:1 . . . you, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

is it funny that being judgmental is a new temptation for me? in the past it's been so easy for me to love others [yet impossible to love myself]. it seems i've had a pendulum swing.

praise the Lord for a new day. for little victories.

Lord, let my heart match Yours. Lord, break me until i'm resting in Your arms. Let my words, thoughts, and actions imitate those of Your Son. humble me for Your glory.

show me Your heart. show me Your ways. show me Your glory.

what does your wake look like?

have you ever entered into a group of Christians, and rather than being encouraged, your broken down? there's something wrong with that picture, but it happens all the time.

in my own heart i'm praying to be broken down. that i would not enter in with a judgmental spirit, or a spirit of self-righteousness. i pray that the Lord uses me as an example, and that i may lead in serving and encouraging.

my heart is braking for the Christians i've been surrounded by. braking for them, and being broken by them.

i heard someone speak the other day on leadership. "it's a leader's responsibility to encourage his followers." that's the line that stuck out to me, and the line that tore at me. when i'm in a leadership position, am i encouraging those under my wing? that's what makes a true leader. like Jesus, we must come as servants. laying ourselves down.

it's sad how pride can destroy so powerfully, even in Christian circles. especially in Christian circle. i know i'm certainly victim, falling into pride and failing to serve and encourage.

paul, even in his place of wisdom beyond years had HUMILITY to match. this morning i'm encouraged by his spirit when longing to meet with fellow believers.

romans 1:11-12 . . . for i long to see you, that i may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

paul's desire matches the Lord's. his desire is to strengthen others, by the power given to him by the Father. he goes in hoping to be encouraged by others as well, not with a prideful spirit thinking only -he- will have an affect. his hope is to be affected.

i've been discouraged and broken down by my current circle. and i've allowed that to keep me from serving and encouraging my fellow believers in truth. in three days i'll be entering back into another circle, and for that, i'm blessed. i'm excited for the opportunity to bask in the Lord's grace and mercy and allow Him to shine through me.

for these last days on tour, it is my prayer than i can humble myself and serve. that i wont allow other's to control the living spirit within me.

i confess a judgmental heart, and i pray for a heart to love. a heart to love like He does. a heart to serve like He did. and wisdom and words to encourage every opportunity i get.

go out in faith!

surrender.

Psalm 25:1-11 . . . to You, o Lord, i lift up my soul. o my God, in You i trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. indeed, none who wait for You shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. make me to know Your ways, o Lord; teach me Your paths. lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You i wait all the day long. remember Your mercy, o Lord, and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, o Lord! good and upright is the Lord! therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. all the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. for Your name’s sake, o Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.

--as i wait, You make me strong
as i long, You draw me to Your arms
as i stand and sing Your praise
You come, and You fill this place