John 12:47-48 – “If anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings has one who judges him. The word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”

Have you ever felt judged?

It is incredible how Jesus explains that he did not come to judge, but to save. His words are a weapon against darkness. They are life giving and bring freedom to those who will embrace them. When we accept Him, we are blameless, guilt-free and promised an amazing future of restoration of all of the things that this life falls short of satisfying or delivering.

Romans 8:1-2 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

There is no condemnation for those who are in him, but… There is the judge!

He says His word will judge at the last day.

What I have learned from reading and studying the Bible is that God’s word is truth. It is the absolute that we can always rely on. His word/truth is His very “knowledge” that Proverbs talks about. He knows it all and nothing is hidden from Him. How beautiful that truth will be the judge and not the lies of the enemy! There is freedom in knowing the word/knowledge/truth of God. When you are His, you are covered by His promises!

He loves us and does not judge us with false accusations or guilt and shame, but with the freedom of truth! Judged in truth! His truth that says, “You are enough. You are perfect in my sight.” His Love is not conditional, based on what we do, but because we belong to him.

We are his! Daughters and sons of the most high!

• He has called me by name.

John 10:1-5 -“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a Shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger, they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

• He is working on my behalf and I am called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”

• He has given me my gift. He doesn’t change His mind about His call. He calls me to go forward, using my gift as He has purposed.

Romans 11:29 – “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

• He calls me to walk into my destiny and giftings in strength, dignity, might and power. A level that only comes from the empowerment of the spirit and with no limitations! This is when I am most fulfilled.

Romans 15:13 – “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

When you step up in strength, dignity, might and power, it will come with support and it will come with adversity.

• Religion will be threatened by it
• Religion will be offended by it
• Religion is insecure about it
• Religion is fearful of it
• Religion is uncomfortable with it

WHY? Because of FEAR!

• Fear of losing power
• Fear of losing control
• Fear of losing influence and relevance
• Fear of change and what it will bring,
• Fear of being overshadowed or outshined
• Fear of what will be lost!
• Being more concerned about the approval of man than the approval of God.

I am going to be really transparent here… (Cue the suspenseful music…) I have spent a lot of my adult life shrinking back in fear of what others think. Afraid of jealousy, afraid of false accusations, afraid of unfair or untrue judgments that I somehow, for whatever reason, think too highly of myself. Steeped in false humility that was wrapped in worry and fear. There was no freedom in that! What I’ve come to realize after all of these years, is that it doesn’t matter how much I shrink back to make my argument against pride, people will still judge me. So the enemy wins the battle and my gift is rendered powerless because I’m walking and using it in fear! Putting more weight on the judgment of lies than the judgment of truth. I refuse to shrink back in fear any longer, desiring the approval of man more than my holy God, who created me just as I am… without edits, tweaks and apologies.

God has equipped and called all of His children.

We all have a purpose and we are intended to do those things in unity, supporting and uplifting one another. Celebrating and accelerating each other for his kingdom. Don’t be threatened by someone else’s gift. Comparison is the biggest stealer of joy. Instead, encourage them, honor them and remind yourself that it is all for His glory!

The enemy would love to keep us from our calling.

• Purpose in your heart to walk in your calling with strength, dignity, might and power! Unafraid of shining in confidence, knowing who you are.
• Say to yourself, “Because He has called me by name and has called me according to his purpose, and not the purposes of man, I will walk out this calling in confidence and with humility.”

Being confident is not a bad thing. It is necessary to complete what God has called you to do. People are not drawn to insecurity, which is nothing more than false humility and fear. They are drawn to confidence. But we must walk in humility and modesty and not a prideful attitude that says “I”, but one that says “God”.

James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and he will exalt you.”

Being exalted and lifted up by our creator has to be way more fulfilling than the fleeting approval of our finicky culture! The gift is ours. He gave it to us freely, but it is our choice who we lift up when we use it. Choose to lift Him up and to constantly remind yourself where that gift comes from… The Almighty Creator who never does anything halfway, but with full power!

My deepest heartfelt longing is to fulfill His calling on me and walk in my giftings with that same power… unafraid!! It is also my desire to inspire others to do the same, while constantly reminding themselves of this… He knows me, has gifted me and sees me through His perfect son, who walked on this earth, loved without limits, was unafraid to speak truth, died a bloody death by taking on the darkness and evil of my sin and rose to life again, so that I could be free!

I am loved, called and empowered!

I am judged in truth!