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I pray you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I feel so behind everyone else in getting my Christmas decorations up. As of yesterday, the porch was bare, we have no tree and the mantle that is usually all decked out, only has the decorative stockings hanging because it was easy to hang them and I was in search of the other “real” stockings as my family likes to say, because we celebrate St. Nicholaus Day (December 6th). Confession: I am not ready and I only have one day to figure it out.
I have been watching everyone else post pictures of their trees, some have even wrapped presents under the tree and then there’s me. I was having a little moment of feeling sorry for myself and comparing myself to others, or even comparing myself to my last year self. It reminded me of a social media post I wrote this summer, which you will read about below.
No Christmasy post this week, and I hope you are ok with that, because well, I am behind. WAY Behind!
But to make up for no Christmas post, I want to let you know about my friend Mary Geisen’s beautiful series on Advent. You can find it by clicking here or the image below. Once there make sure to sign up for her free Advent Resources too.
More than Meets the Eye
I wrote a social media post a few months ago during the summertime. Maybe you saw it? If not, no worries! I am going to share it below with the picture that was attached.
Working hard or hardly working?
That is the question.
Many will see this picture and make a judgment or assumption that this person is hardly working. What a rough life – right? Amazing view and soaking up the sun. Can it get any better than that?
However, when we make judgments and assumptions without the full picture it can be dangerous and damaging. Not just to us but to the other person too. It opens the door to accusations, jealousy, pride, offense and more. This is not of God but the way the enemy slips through an open door.
In fact, God says to leave the judgements to Him. (1 Sam 16:7) He sees the heart, He sees the bigger picture; we do not.
Confession time. I’ve been this person. I’ve been the person to look at a picture or an image and pass judgement. I have been the person to see someone and make an assumption without getting the fuller picture, and I was wrong.
So what’s the fuller picture?
This is a picture of me working hard. Computer on my lap working, taking phone calls and meetings throughout the day. Yes, the view is amazing and the sun is out. I have a desk I usually work from most of the year, but it doesn’t have this view and the sun isn’t always out where I live. So when it is, I want to work outside. Also, truth be told, my desk is a mess! Not just a small mess, a huge one. It is piled high with stacks of papers, books and stuff. Plus, my office chair is filled with a box of stuff I need to go through.
Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “there is more than meets the eye?” This is a powerful truth, we need to understand. It’s also a kingdom principle!
It is important for us to understand there is often more going on behind the scenes or under the surface than we can see in the natural. We don’t know what a person is going through, where they have been or even how far they have already come. What we see is what is presented to us, which isn’t always the entire picture. Sometimes we pass judgements or make hasty decisions based on what we see or how a person makes us feel in the natural.
Be careful to not make judgements: What we see is not always all there is to the story. Click To Tweet
God addressed this issue with Samuel when he was sent to anoint the next king. In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel wrongly made a judgement about which one of Jesse’s sons should be the next king based on appearance and stature alone. Oh boy was he ever wrong!
Jesus talked about making judgements or passing judgement on others too.
“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. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5).
Today, our culture makes it easy and seem acceptable to criticize others or pass judgement against them. Over big and small things. Their house wasn’t clean enough, their kids weren’t well behaved, or they have a bad attitude. The truth of what Jesus said is that we have no business passing judgement on anyone, instead we should deal with ourselves.
We all need to live in a #judgment free zone. Instead, #pray for the person you want to pass judgment on. - Click To Tweet
The truth of the matter is, it is never ok to pass judgement on another. When we want to pass judgement, we need to stop and pray for the person instead and let God take care of them.
Prayer:
Father God, help us to not make judgements or assessments towards another person or their actions and forgive us for when we have. We repent of the attitudes in our heart and the thoughts in our mind. Amen.
Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
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Check out the newest #Podcast from @Dare2Hear Episode 35: Angelic Encounters Story Time with Margie Moorman Click To TweetEpisode #035: Story Time: Angelic Encounters Guest Margie Moorman “Dare 2 Hear The Podcast” is now live!
Thank you to those who listened last week and have already left reviews! You have blessed us so much!
Would you please consider subscribing to my podcast on the platform of your choice, sharing it on your social media with friends and if you like what you hear, would you leave a review so others can know what you think.
For those who like to watch and not just listen, I will also be posting new episodes on my YouTube Channel. You can find it by clicking here.
New episodes will be released every Wednesday. Next week Episode #005: The Prophetic Isn’t Weird
Can I ask a HUGE Favor?
Would you Please Listen & LEAVE A REVIEW ON iTunes…
It know it may seem like a lot to ask, because it takes time. However, if you can leave an honest review after listening, it would really be a HUGE blessing. Each review helps the podcast rank higher and get more eyes. If you’re interested, here’s how you do it:
- Go to the iTunes podcast page for my show – CLICK HERE
- Click on the blue button that says “View in iTunes.” (If you are prompted to launch iTunes, you’ll need to do so)
- Listen to Episode 1 How to Hear the Voice of God
- Click on the “Subscribe” button
- Click on “Ratings & Reviews” tab (if on your computer) or “Reviews” (on your phone)
- Under the title “Customer Reviews” click “Write a Review”
- Leave a simple and honest review then click “Submit” and you’re done!
Thanks again for helping spread the news about the podcast!
With Much love and Appreciation,
Debbie
Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
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YouVersion 7-Day Devotional
I am blessed and honored to have a 7-day devotional on the YouVersion Bible App. YAY!!! It is a great way to kick start the 7- days before my on-line Bible Study starts next week. I would be so blessed if you would check it out and share it with your friends. You can find it here: Be The Gift Someone Needs Today!
Have you had the opportunity to read my new book “The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for others.” ? This book is about learning to hear the voice of God in our own life so we can respond to those God bumps and little nudges He gives us on a daily basis. God is calling us to be agents of encouragement and to be the gift the worlds needs today.
We live in a time, where those around us are in desperate need of a real encounter with Jesus and in need of encouragement. We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13), and to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). My book will teach you how to step out and do just that.
To order your copy today: You can find it at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, OR your favorite online retailer, Plus, newly added, you can now get a signed copy from me. Click Here to order yours today!
We all have the opportunity to #BeTheGift of encouragement others need today.
Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post: Adjust the Flow was featured here:
My Post: The Reluctant Encourager was featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why & Jesus in Us! were featured here:
My Post #BeTheGift was featured here:
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Posts: “Will You Sit with Me?” & New Mercies Everyday & Wait for it were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story, The Reluctant Encourager and #TeamJesus were featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
Again, I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
I am so quick to judge situations and people. God is working on me with this, and it is hard but good work. So grateful we can talk honestly about the real things we are struggling with in this space.
Rebecca, I so agree, it is hard but good work. I am so quick to judge myself lately and be hard on myself. I too am working on not judging others and their situations too. I am glad you feel this space is a place you can authentic and transparent. That is exactly what I want! Blessings.
I’m so glad Mary decided to do an Advent series this year!
And this post is tailor made for those of us with a J hanging off the end of our Myers-Briggs profile!
Michele, I am glad Mary is doing her Advent series too! Blessings and thanks for your faithfulness in being here.
Perfect. I think you are right on time! laurensparks.net
Thanks Lauren. I am working on living in the moment and being present and not stressing on how far behind I am. Blessings
Debbie, don’t feel bad. I’ve only two gifts bought so far and only hung up a Christmas banner and put a winter centerpiece on my table. You are not alone!
It’s so true we make snap judgments without finding out the whole story. This is something we all need to work on, myself included. We can’t work on it if it’s not called out, so thank you!
Thank you Jerralea! I am glad to have company and not feel so alone with my holiday shopping and Christmas decor.
I am so guilty of making snap judgements when instead I need to stop, pray and take time to see what the whole story is. Thanks for your encouragement and for sharing your thoughts. Blessings
Thank you for sharing about my Advent series. Every little word and resource is helping me with my book. 😉
Love you and your heart for others.
You are most welcome, my friend! I am glad to help promote your Advent series. It is beautiful, I am looking forward to the book too!
In a difficult season sometimes the hardest person to show grace to is ourselves. You’ve been going through a lot. You don’t have to have it all together. Praying for you to find rest and peace in Jesus in what can be a season where we are bent low with the load of expectations we place on ourselves and that others place on us.
Thank you Elizabeth! You are so right, I am good at giving grace to others, however not so good at extending it to myself. Merry Christmas
So very beautiful. I stole the last paragraph and posted it on social media becasue it is so very true and beautiful. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you Patrick! and what a huge compliment and blessing that you shared it on your social media. Thank you for doing so. Blessings