Judgement vs. Mercy

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Precious Sister Winn and Others,
My name is Lavenia.  How wonderful to read your humbling words!  I too once
was as judgemental as the worse Pharisee . . . (which He's forgiven, Praise
God)  I spent (over 25 years ago as a young Christian) my time busily judging
what people were wearing, how long their hair was, did I actually see a ring
or fancy wrist watch on that person?  Are they wearing lipstick?  Are they
watching television, if so do they do it often?  The list went on, and on.
Then I backslid (any wonder?) 

God had a lot to teach me, still does, daily. ;=) 
Now at 49, I am thankful that I can look at ANYONE and see a potiential
brother or sister, love them just as they are and pray that I might be a
standard of love and holiness for them.  (I'm still in training) Jesus loved
me, even in my sins enough to die for me, now that's love!

There was a time when my multiple sins actually kept me from praying.  I had a
severe tobacco addiction among other things.  Then one day I knelt (once more
in my life) and God told me to quit worrying about my sins, tobacco included.
All He wanted from my backslidden soul was my HEART.  I was dumbstruck!
Surely my smoking was too terrible for Him to stand.  Once more He said, "Give
me your heart, I will do all the pruning that needs to be done.  Do not worry
about your addiction or what I will remove from you or what I will allow you
to keep.  Give me your heart, that's all I want."

Ohhhhh, the Lord is so forgiving and gracious and patient!  He took this
stubborn, backslidden, head-strong daughter of His and began to remold me
according to His will.  (I quit tobacco several months later, without one day
of withdrawal!)

So, dear ones, don't ever "look" at someone and think you can judge them.
They may be closer to God than you would ever imagine, maybe closer than you.
NEVER judge another man's servant!  

One may have a good understanding of a particular Bible doctrine while another
hasn't been "shown" the revelation of that one yet, but has a firm foundation
on another Scripture.  We are ALL at different stages of Spiritual growth in
Jesus Christ.

I've been silently lurking, getting discouraged in adding, if anything, to
this list.  There's been so much negative mail.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, God dwells in our praises and rejoices in our love.
And without love of one another (Christians) can we truely call ourselves His?
Because, that's how the WORLD will know for a truth who we are, by the love
that we have one for another!

Wheeeew, guess I'd saved up a lot of talk during my "lurking" days.

Be Blessed and Loved for Jesus indeed loves YOU,
Lavenia