Consider the Plank

I believe the following statement is typical of most inhabitants in the world.  Seeing another individual’s faults, yet failing to see their own shortcomings is characteristic of humanity, generally speaking.  For some reason, prying minds are enthralled with other people’s dealings to the point of thinking they have all the answers to right the wrongs in another person’s life.  Honestly, I cannot think of anything else that comes easier than standing in judgment of others, which is frowned upon by God.

When I was a youngster, my mom told me that if I pointed my finger at someone else, three fingers were pointing back at me.  She was saying, in essence, “Don’t be so quick to judge.”  Mom made me aware that I should not criticize or challenge another person’s behavior or choices when my backyard may be full of like things as theirs or perhaps even worse.

It is an “elective duty” that people take upon themselves to straighten out another person, as it were.  It is easy to stand on the outside of someone’s house-of-affairs and think they can do things better than they.  But the critical observer may not have all of the facts nor see things from the other party’s prospective. 

Perception is something interpreted through a mental impression, which is not always as it seems.  If a “duty minded” person is not walking in the same shoes as those going through certain challenges of life, it stands to reason that it becomes easier to pick apart the other person’s motivation when all the facts are not known, especially when they themselves are blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other, figuratively speaking.

If we live in a glasshouse, we should't throw rocks.  Likewise, seeing faults in someone is not a license to act upon that observation when there is blurred vision involved.  To see clearly to assist someone else takes clear vision on our part, which involves removing the things out of our own life before trying to help those that are facing far less ordeals than we are.  Our efforts will be rejected as they exclaim, “Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?  Look at your own life!”

(Matthew 7:3-5), “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?”  vs.4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?”  vs.5 “Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Someone that is head-over-heels in debt; owing everyone under the sun, has no business giving advice to those having missed a car payment unless they themselves get their house in order by eliminating debts.  They may then be able to advise those having financial setbacks on how to manage their money.

People are quick to find fault in others even though they are a mess themselves.  We can all learn from the teaching in (Matthew 7:3-5) if we heed its message.  It will help to free us from the responsibility that we have placed upon our shoulders of living another person’s life for them.  Losing sleep when they make bad choices is not healthy. 

The Lord can make good out of bad situations when called upon in times of need.  God will never leave nor forsake His children. 

In my opinion, learning by our mistakes is sometimes the best teacher when the advice from others fails to hit home, thus, falling on deaf ears.  But there are extenuating circumstances that can certainly enter into this scenario, which should allow consideration.

A development of events beyond their control may open the door for deliberation on such matters, but wisdom should always be implemented prior to involving oneself financially or any other way if lessons need to be learned. 

People mean well when they bail another person out of their woes of which lighthearted decision-making may have created.  I believe it is an attempt by the enabler to ease the pain or burden that falling into a pit can cause, especially if they themselves stumbled, because of similar pitfalls. 

How will a person learn to stand on their own two feet and prevent from being entangled in foolish spending and wasting money if a rope is always thrown to them when they send out an SOS?  This undisciplined lifestyle of throwing money to the wind is like saying, “Live for today and let tomorrow take care of itself.” 

Who am I to tell them how they have erred if I do likewise or worse?  Time will reveal what mistakes they have made, and hopefully they won’t repeat them.  Each of us needs to consider the plank in our own eye and remove it so that we can see clearly how to remove the particle of sawdust from someone else’s eye.

Whenever I am tempted to speak my mind about what another person is doing or not doing, the Holy Spirit is quick to remind me of my shortcomings, which helps me to re-evaluate my thoughts and control my tongue.  My prayer is as follows:

(Psalm 141:3), “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

It is not fun to look inward, because of what may be revealed, but these are the moments when God can help us draw neigh to Him by helping us to behold the plank in our eye and then doing something about it.  This is the process by which Christians learn to put off the old, sin nature and put on awareness of how to become more like Christ.

I thank God for His love and patience in making me conscious of areas that need improvement.  The Lord helps me to enlarge the boarders of my understanding, while improving our relationship with one another. 

He will do the same for you if you want more of God; Who will enable you to be a true help to those around you.  Clear vision will follow when the plank has been considered and removed from your eye.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Open Door

I wonder how often a person misses out on opportunities from God, because of fear.  It is certainly intimidating at times to step through the open door in front of them to venture into uncharted waters.  But how many times have they been protected, because they called upon the name of the Lord before stepping through a door that God did not open?

As for me, I move slowly and with caution when approaching an open door of believed prospect.  My very nature is to slow things down, but some people are impulsive and go headlong into areas where angels fear to tread.  Investing time, money, or talents is indeed rewarding when it is God’s timing to step through a door of His choosing.

When I am not sure if it is God’s will for me to speculate on making a move, it is always slow going and deliberate, which I believe is prudent in this day.  Something negative could be lying in wait beyond the open door; hoping that I will blindly step through, however, it could be something good that is about to happen, but I need to prayerfully venture outside of my comfort zone to see what God has in store.  

Unscrupulous people are always trying to get into our hip pocket or purse strings  and lead us astray in some way, whereas, the continued blessings of God could be just beyond the threshold.  This is why we must always be led of the Spirit. 

There is nothing wrong with being cautious and getting all the facts before making our way through the opening.  Praying “Not my will, but Your will be done” should always be the number one priority before taking a step of faith.

I believe that my steps are ordered of the Lord as the Bible says.  When it appears that a door is open before me, I do not jump through it without first considering the full cost of the move.  I pray until I have peace in my heart that the decision I am about to make is in my best interest.  

I endeavor to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth and that the choices I make are within the realm of God’s plan for my life.  I have never been led astray when I included God in my decision making.

The natural propensity of hasty people is to sometimes act without thinking when it seems that a deal or opportunity is going to slip through their fingers unless they act quickly.  These are the times when throwing caution to the wind can be detrimental.  Weighing the pros and cons, through prayer, is in order and will certainly be to their advantage when disciplining themselves to not get caught up in the rush of things.

If a Believer is supposed to have a certain thing, God will make a way and give peace, while helping them achieve it.  If not, I believe that God will block the open door to prevent access as long as they are mindful to His warnings.  

With God on our side, whom or what shall we fear?  All power belongs to Him.  He supplies our needs according to His riches in glory; the very best for His children as they abide in His statutes and obey the Ten Commandments. 

The last statement is not to say that God does not want the best for non-Christians…He does, but it is up to each individual whether or not they give their life to God in order to receive His best.

Open doors test our ability to maintain patience, while exercising faith.  I always pray, “If it is Your will that I step through the open door, then let no man close it, but if not, close the door and let no man open it.”  This has always worked for me.

Three ways to know if an “Open Door” is from God:

1. The door that God opens will never contradict His Word.
2. The door that God opens will be accompanied by confirmation.
3. The door that God opens will require you to depend on Him.

I worked in an office where the departmental head had an “open door” policy, which made working there a delight.  He was a good boss that didn't sit behind closed doors and deny a one-on-one visit from the employees.  Communication was always encouraged and he listened to anything that was on our mind; without reproach.

Our heavenly Father is like this.  We can go to Him with all of our concerns, questions, doubts, fears, and uncertainties, because He is a good Father that does not condemn us.  We can approach Him with anything and He will take the time to listen and give direction, while stroking us in love.

Whenever I step through a door that God opens, I am amazed at the wonders and blessings that come my way, because I trusted Him.  He has always exceeded my expectations when I took a step of faith.  His resolve has been perfect in all things, but it required me to walk through the opening.

(Ephesians 3:20-21), “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” vs.21 “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.”

When we step through doors of opportunity, it can advance us monetarily, spiritually, or whatever way God chooses to bring His Word to fruition in our life.  Or perhaps God has someone in mind that He wants us to speak life into; a person that is seeking answers to feed their starving soul. 

It is remarkable how God fills my mouth with words that are not my own; just the right words to promote the “Good News” to people that need it the most. 

The power of the Holy Spirit works in and through our efforts to help non-Believers become a part of the family of God; to provide them with the direction they need in order to find salvation through Jesus Christ.  God’s Word never returns void.  It is everlasting.  The Holy Spirit will continue to draw them to the Lord, because of the words that we shared in love. 

The Good News is Jesus Christ, God’s Son.  God gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins in order that we possess the hope of eternal life in heaven and life more abundantly on earth.  Salvation is just a prayer away.  Old things (the former way of life) pass away and all things (a new beginning) become the superior mindset of a soul that has been set free from sin.  This experience is called the “new birth” or being “born-again.”

(2 Corinthians 5:17), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

When Christians give away from themselves and step through doors that God has opened, He always rewards those that give.  We do not give to get, but God’s Word declares it to be so.  He gives far more than our giving, because the Bible is truth and when truth prevails, positive things happen.  God cannot lie.

I am sure that you have read the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  This statement is so true.  Whenever a person blesses another individual, the mere act of giving brings an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement to the giver.  The following are more words spoken by Jesus.

(Luke 6:38), “Give and it will be given to you:  shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”  

The open door policy that God makes possible, allows us to come boldly to His throne and communicate with Him anytime that we want.  We can go directly to Him through Jesus Christ and know that our petitions are heard and that He will fulfill His promise to never leave or forsake us.  He will always supply our needs.

(Hebrews 4:16), “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

We have the privilege to knock at the door and know, with confidence, that God hears our knock and will open it unto us.  He wants to commune and love us with a never ending love.

(Matthew 7:7), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  vs.8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd