You probably know some people who always have a critique or fault to find with everyone, and everything. How we react to people like this is one of the challenges of life.

There isn’t much we can do to change people’s criticism, so we should just work on handling it well.

Proverbs 17:12 says, “A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.”

As difficult as it may be to listen to criticism (rebuke) we can work on trying to learn and improve from the critic’s input. I am always incredibly impressed by people who can take criticism, whether it is fair or not, and not be defensive, but acknowledge the critique, and use it to make themselves better.

We know that God routinely disciplines and refines us, and sometimes this may come through critiques from other people. It would be great if we could work on overcoming our defensiveness, and find the lesson in the critique.

Dear Lord, it is always difficult to be criticized or rebuked, but this may be one way you are working on us to make us better. Help us have the confidence in your support, to avoid our defensive reaction and be the discerning person who learns from our critics. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

I have always read this text and thought about it in the big picture, how over the long term God is directing our steps, through our careers relationships and major parts of our lives, and I still believe this.

Recently, however, I have felt how this promise occurs in day to day life. Amidst those hectic times, trying to juggle work, chores, shuttling children around, business trips, sports, catechism, church, social events, and our finances, if we take time out to say a prayer, keep God’s will in the front of our mind, and not worry, things tend to orient themselves and work out.

I have noticed many times, things like unexpected traffic, a meeting that goes extra long, or household problem, get me way behind schedule, and would tend to be stressful and worrisome, then coincidentally the event I was racing to attend is postponed; or a business trip that frustratingly prevents me from attending a special function is coincidentally canceled.

We have to believe that God is involved in the daily events of our lives, in order to see it happen. The promise is for believers.

Dear Lord, thank you for your promise to lead us through life’s maze. Help us delight in you so that we can have the peace that trusting you provides. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many of us know the deteriorating effect of “cheating” when we are trying to give up a vice, or maintain a new positive habit. Whether it be sticking to a diet, or exercise routine, or quiting smoking, or foul language, “cheating” a little bit starts the process of breaking down our resolve, and it doesn’t take too long for us to be back at square one.

Peter writes about this in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”

He is telling us to avoid those things that we know in our hearts or conscience, are not God’s will, because giving in will open up the opportunity for sin to begin breaking down our faith.

Dear Lord, as your children, we are foreigners in this world. There are many things in this world that are acceptable to others, but are not right for us, your children. Help us avoid these things, so that we may maintain our faith and hope for your salvation. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

We all have seen people trying to find their joy in having more things, bigger parties, or more money, but I think most people would agree that what truly gives them joy, is doing something good, or doing something well. Something good, like making a positive difference in another’s life, or doing something well, like playing a great round of golf, mastering a piece of music, getting an A+, or the like.

An Indian Poet captured this idea in the following quote, “I slept and dreamt that life was joy, I woke and found that life was service, I acted, and behold, service is joy.” Rabidranath Tagore, (1861-1941)

A couple thousand years earlier, Solomon wrote, after using his unmatched resources to evaluate all possibilities, in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Here is my final conclusion; Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.”

Doing our duty to God is what brings joy. Psalm 32:11 says, “So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!”

Simple thinking would tell us that getting is what makes us happy, but if we actually try both getting and giving, we find that giving, or as Jesus instructs us, “Loving our neighbor,” is what really provides us joy.

Dear Lord, you give us so much, help us appreciate those things you provide us, but as important, give us the wisdom to see that serving is where joy truly begins. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Yesterday I encountered one of those experiences that, as citizens in America, people tend to complain about, Jury Duty. I can understand the frustration of some people, having to miss work, go downtown, pay for parking, standing in line to get through security, then sit and wait for hours before being taken to the courtroom to be considered as a juror.

The trial I was considered for was that of a young man arrested for armed robbery, and concealed weapons violations.

I have to say, that I truly felt an incredible sense of amazement in the system of justice we are privileged to have in America. The Judge, Clerk, Court Reporter, two Sheriffs, 3 attorneys, 40 prospective jurors and many others spent hours and some will spend days, of their time and energy, in order to make sure that impartial justice was provided for this young man.

Unfortunately, because the defense attorney didn’t think I was the kind of juror he wanted, I was dismissed and was not on the final jury, but I did get to experience the selection process and see the emphasis placed on impartiality and justice.

The process appropriately parallels the words in Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

I don’t expect that I will ever know the outcome of that trial, but I do know that I was proud of our system of Justice, and grateful to be born in and live in a country that governs by this lesson God placed in our hearts and gave us in the Bible.

Dear Lord, It is truly an amazing blessing to live in the present day America. Though many try to deny your influence, it is still there in our system of Justice. Help us keep your will and influence in our country and our world, so that your will may be done on earth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.