One of my favorite things to do is study the Bible with others.  In the first few years of my walk with the Lord, I went to three or four Bible studies at one time.  I thrived on the Word of God and I loved hearing the thoughts of others.  However, sometimes the things I read are hard to accept and apply.

From the journal . . . . October 1990

Lord, I love You.  Bible study was so nice for me last night.  All I can say to You sometimes is “I love You”.  With every revelation, I feel Your love and it always is magnified.  It delights me.

I am impacted by Ezekiel and a little upset.

Ezekiel 23:36  The Lord said to me, “Son of man, you must accuse Oholah and Oholibah of all their detestable sins. 

If I am to judge, then I am to confront?  You know that I don’t like to confront.  Lord, I confess to hypocrisy.  Particularly, I think of Darrel. I’m so disgusted with him because of his adulterous behavior, yet I will be kind to him if I see him, which is why I don’t want to see him. 

It is worse with Lottie because my irritation with her isn’t in regard to sin on her part.  Oh God, forgive my critical attitude toward her.  I know it comes from my own lack of confidence in our relationship.  It’s a defense.  God, I can’t excuse it because my confidence should rest in You and Your approval. 

Gal 1:10. Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

1Thes 2:4.  For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

Prov 29:25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

And I Believe God Said:

Diane, I made man.  He has a natural desire to be liked, accepted, and admired by his own kind.  Often you are coerced into being false because of your urge and drive for acceptance and admiration.  Give that desire to Me and I can use it for good.  Quit trying to deny it is there.  You see it in kids; their need for attention from others. It’s there.

You like to think, “I don’t need people”.  Good or bad, it’s not true for you.  You recognize your constant need for Me and that is your greatest need, but I have made My people to need each other.*

Gal 6:2. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Gen 2:18.  Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
1 Corinthians 12

I am the bread of life but man does not live by bread alone.

Lord, I love You.  Thank You.

It’s funny but as I reread this entry, I was impressed with a good reason to respect the warnings of not judging each other.  If you are going to judge, you may need to confront.  What else is your reason to judge, if not to somehow help?  Confrontation certainly can be helpful and God does ask that of us at certain times, but always done in love.