Beware the “buts” of life. They are dangerous.

“You know I really love Larry, but he’s too smart for his own good.” Or…

“You know Tony is a great teacher, but he uses the NLT instead of the KJV in class.” Or…

“Jana does a great job keeping all of the records of the Institute, but she made a mistake on my grades.” Or…

“I love the ‘Seeds,’ but wish they used a different, larger sized print.” Or…

And the list goes on.

We use “buts” to hide our true feelings and intentions. We speak the truth and then try to cover it up so others will think we are tentative, thoughtful and want to give the other the benefit of the doubt. In other words, we want it both ways so we won’t be convicted of our true position or feelings.

“A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.”  In other words, the rich is unable to see himself for all the good things he is doing. He is unaware of his inadequacies, his deceit, his taking advantage of others, even his greed. Perhaps refuses to recognize might be a better way to put it than unaware.

What is more important than the words we use to describe others is the fact that we are more likely to see the faults and failures in others than the flaws and failures in ourselves. We must look inward not outward.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to look at ourselves in light of Your Word and correct ourselves before we try to correct others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 28:11 The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

Criticism can be very beneficial. It can help us correct a problem or avoid making the same mistake again and again. Or it may damage or destroy the hope that is within someone who is trying to do something good but makes a few mistakes along the way.

When the great Polish pianist, Paderewski, first chose to study the piano, his teacher embarrassed him and said, “Your hands are too small. You will never be able to master the piano.”

When the great American evangelist, Moody, closed a service, a critic said, “I counted eighteen mistakes in your grammar tonight.” Thinking for a moment, Moody graciously replied, “I am using all the grammar I know for the glory of God. Are you doing the same?”

The criticism directed at Paderewski and Moody did not cripple them, it challenged them. History records their stories and though they had their problems they went on to great things.

Criticism properly given and directed at something a person has the ability to change or improve on can be a gift from God. David wrote, “Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me - it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.”

People who love us will want the best for us. They will offer us suggestions on what we can do to improve our witness, service or testimony to the Lord. It is important to listen patiently, willingly and openly. Notice one word: “righteous.” People who are right with God want our best.

Prayer:  Lord, we ask You to bring people into our lives who will help us to become our best and become like You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:5 5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

A hitchhiker, named Reginald Campbell of Las Vegas, Nevada was on his way to visit the Death Valley National Monument. Unfortunately, he could get no one to give him a ride. Becoming angry in his misery, he decided to build a road block when the traffic became sparse. Using sticks and stones, he managed to stop traffic on one side of the road, creating a dangerous situation for himself and others.

How like many of us. Because we may not succeed in what we are doing we erect barriers of blame, to prove ourselves right and others wrong. How unfortunate. Unwilling to see ourselves as we are, and as God sees us, we try to make others responsible for our faults and failures.

God’s Word reminds us to “stop …turning critical eyes on one another. If we must be critical, let us be critical of our own conduct and see that we do nothing to make a brother stumble or fall”.

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes that we might see ourselves as You see us. May we measure ourselves against the standards of Your Word. Help us to rely on Your strength to correct our weaknesses and Your power to overcome our problems. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Romans 14:13