Today's reading

And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, “Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,” when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? –Matthew 7:3-4 NLT

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89

God Wants to Operate on You

And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, “Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,” when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? –Matthew 7:3-4 NLT

Isn’t it amazing how quick we are to pass judgment on others, pointing out their flaws or trying to fix their trouble spots, while ignoring our own shortcomings and blind spots? As in the classic game of Operation, we go around examining, poking, and probing into the lives of others for various reasons. Some are legitimate and genuinely heartfelt, yet others are wrong and ungodly.Jesus warns us in today’s Scripture that we are not to judge others. We are first to make sure that our lives are in right standing with God before trying to correct someone else’s weak spots. Our desire to correct others may stem from wrong motives. Perhaps we inwardly want to make ourselves look better. Maybe we are hoping to see co-workers fail so that we can get ahead. Or, are we distracted with the lives of others in order to avoid dealing with issues that God wants us to address in our own lives?God will not judge us according to how well we tend to everyone else’s lives while ignoring our own. Yes, He wants us to reach out and help others. But our foremost responsibility is to tend to our own thoughts, deeds, and motives first. During these operations, as we remove the logs in our own eyes, we must remember that God is the Great Physician who will surely heal and restore us.

prayer focuses

Lord, You are the Great Physician.

Search my thoughts and make me aware of anything that displeases You. Holy Spirit, create in me a healthy heart attitude so that I can be a blessing to others.

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about the

Author

Barbara Alpert

Barbara was a wife, mother, and grandma who sought to love the LORD with all her heart, soul & strength. She has authored several books for adults and children. She has enjoyed mentoring other writers and seeing them turn their manuscripts into published masterpieces for God's glory. She believed that every person has a God-story within them to be told and shared. Barbara passed away peacefully in November 2023, but Bayside continues to remember and honor her legacy by sharing devotionals written by her in order to inspire and encourage others.