August 31 ~ Proverbs 28
19 Work your garden—you'll end up with plenty of food; play and party—you'll end up with an empty plate.
20 Committed and persistent work pays off; get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.
21 Playing favorites is always a bad thing; you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways.
22 A miser in a hurry to get rich doesn't know that he'll end up broke.
23 In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than bootlicking flattery.
24 Anyone who robs father and mother and says, "So, what's wrong with that?" is worse than a pirate.
25 A grasping person stirs up trouble, but trust in God brings a sense of well-being.
27 Be generous to the poor—you'll never go hungry; shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.
28 When corruption takes over, good people go underground, but when the crooks are thrown out, it's safe to come out. (Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
You’ve heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” The Bible is saying that in this passage. It is also telling us that “get-rich-quick” schemes are not to be pursued. It is telling us that life is not about how much money you have or the car you drive or how big your house is. The key to a life that pleases God is hard work, giving back to others, and living a life of faith in Him. The key is avoiding laziness, deceit and lies and stealing and wickedness and respecting others. Clearly the Bible tells us that those who are faithful will be rewarded with blessings and abundance, while those who are not will suffer and be cursed.
We have such a clearly defined road map for life in the Proverbs. Don’t get lost and end up on the wrong path. Pay attention to these lessons. Follow the guidelines of these verses and make God’s rewards a part of your final destination.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 30 ~ Proverbs 28
7 Practice God's law — get a reputation for wisdom; hang out with a loose crowd —embarrass your family.
8 Get as rich as you want through cheating and extortion, But eventually some friend of the poor is going to give it all back to them.
9 God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him.
10 Lead good people down a wrong path and you'll come to a bad end; do good and you'll be rewarded for it.
11 The rich think they know it all, but the poor can see right through them.
12 When good people are promoted, everything is great, but when the bad are in charge, watch out!
13 You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.
14 A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life.
15 Lions roar and bears charge — and the wicked lord it over the poor.
16 Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds, but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright.
17 A murderer haunted by guilt is doomed — there's no helping him.
18 Walk straight — live well and be saved; a devious life is a doomed life.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Verse 18 pretty well says it all, doesn’t it?! Walk straight (follow God and serve Him) and be assured a place in Heaven. Lie, cheat, steal, sneak around, sin and have no regret for it (ignore God), and you may find your eternity is a little hotter and full of agony and misery. I told you a few days ago about the death of a young woman in our community, Debbie Bly, and how she blessed so many in her brief life. At her committal service of her husband spoke and told the mourners that God had blessed his family even in this tragic event. He said he could not imagine going through something like this without God. He cautioned those who were trying to make it without God that, should tragedy come to their lives, “you will suffer greatly if you don’t have a relationship with Him.”
This is not just idle talk… this came from someone who knows firsthand what it is to serve God and to be comforted by Him in a time of great need. You can’t get a more real or powerful testimony than THAT! So what are you waiting for? Is your faith all it should be? Is your walk with God as honest and real and strong as it needs to be? Do you know Him well enough to know that He will comfort you and bless you, even in suffering, should it come? Now is the time to seek understanding and a deeper knowledge of God and faith in His power. Now is the time to get right with God and begin “walking straight.”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 29 ~ Proverbs 28
1 The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one's after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.
2 When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it — But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out.
3 The wicked who oppress the poor are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest.
4 If you desert God's law, you're free to embrace depravity; if you love God's law, you fight for it tooth and nail.
5 Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek God know it inside and out.
6 It's better to be poor and direct than rich and crooked.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever known someone who was doing something he/she shouldn’t do. Maybe it wasn’t illegal. Maybe it was immoral, deceitful, or just in poor taste. Think about how the person acted. Were they edgy, nervous, uncomfortable? Did they seem to be on the verge of “jumping out of their skin?” Maybe you even commented, to them that they seemed really nervous or jumpy – maybe even guilty?
The Bible tells us that people who are doing what they are supposed to be doing… those with a clear conscience are relaxed, comfortable and confident. Even those who are seemingly poor in material things are rich in spirit, knowing they have nothing to hide, nothing to feel ashamed about, and nothing to fear.
Where do you fit into this equation? Do you have that peace and self-assurance? Or are you jumpy and nervous because you know you are not behaving in a manner that pleases God? Remember, it is better to be poor and “upright” than to be rich and perverse. You cannot put a price tag on the blessings of God, but He DOES reward those who follow Him. So isn’t this a “no-brainer?” Choose God and choose peace and joy.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 28 ~ Proverbs 27
20 Hell has a voracious appetite, and lust just never quits.
21 The purity of silver and gold is tested by putting them in the fire; The purity of human hearts is tested by giving them a little fame.
22 Pound on a fool all you like— you can't pound out foolishness.
23-27 Know your sheep by name; carefully attend to your flocks; (Don't take them for granted; possessions don't last forever, you know.) And then, when the crops are in and the harvest is stored in the barns, You can knit sweaters from lambs' wool, and sell your goats for a profit; There will be plenty of milk and meat to last your family through the winter.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I was watching a news show on ABC, and there was a segment about a man from Puerto Rico who claims to be Jesus Christ. He has spread this message throughout South America and has a huge following in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Miami, and now Houston, Texas. People give him millions of dollars, have 666 tattooed on their bodies for him and worship him in “services” he conducts. He maintains that because Jesus died on the cross, there is no more sin, and that angels appeared to him and told him HE is the modern day Christ. The more he spoke, the more disheartened I became. I was especially sad when the reporter showed children streaming in and saluting this man and telling the reporter how he was Christ… he was Jesus.
Let me tell you something… this man is NOT Jesus! As I watched this news report, I prayed that God would convict those who are following this man of the danger of this path and of his phoniness. I prayed that God would smack him down and show him that he is just a man… and a man who is destined for a hell he doesn’t believe exists.
This passage tells us that you can tell a lot about a man by how he reacts to fame. This man’s “fame” is ill gotten, but the way he is reacting is even worse. This passage also tells us to “Know your sheep by name; carefully attend to your flocks.” I can’t personally speak to the followers of this man and try to change their minds and hearts, but I CAN pray for them and pray that God will change their hearts. I can pray for these innocent children who are being brainwashed to believe this man and his insane claims. He even refers to the children as “super raza,” or super race - pure of the stain of false religion. What does that tell you?
This passage is clear. Fools will be shown for who and what they are. God will not be mocked. We are to watch out for each other and “guard the herd” against such heretics as this man and his followers and guard ourselves against being drawn in by such nonsense as this man proclaims. Are you wise and alert? Are you up to the challenge? Are you a good shepherd of God’s gifts and the people in your “flock?”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 27 ~ Proverbs 27
17 You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.
18 If you care for your orchard, you'll enjoy its fruit; if you honor your boss, you'll be honored.
19 Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.
Our community suffered a great sadness when Debbie Bly, one of our elementary school secretaries, suddenly became ill with what was discovered to be a fast-growing brain tumor. She was diagnosed one day and died the next. At the age of 47, Debbie was also the mother of two teenage sons… Zach is 18; Ethan is 12.
Debbie’s funeral was one of the largest this town has ever seen, and the crowd spilled out of the First Baptist Church sanctuary and into two vestibule and beyond to other rooms adjoining the sanctuary. After the service, much of the crowd joined a procession of cars that snaked down Main Street to the cemetery on the outskirts of town. There the pastor read Psalm 23 and committed Debbie’s body to the ground… and her soul to God.
After the pastor had finished, Debbie’s husband, Tom, stepped out from the canopy where the family was seated and thanked everyone for coming. And then he charged the crowd with two things: 1) if you don’t have a relationship with God, you needed to develop one, and 2) love others… tell someone every day that you love them. Tom was followed by Zach, who told how much his friends had meant to him… and to Debbie. He cited several in the crowd individually whom his mother especially loved, and he mentioned things she had said to him about his friends… things they should hear. As I looked at that group of friends, I saw many teenagers I knew. Some had even been in my Sunday School classes. And I knew how many of those teens had struggled with a difficult home life and/or challenges in their school work and personal relationships. And I thought, “How wonderful to see that they were spending time in the presence of such a Christian family and a Godly mother like Debbie!” This was “steel sharpening steel” in action! How awesome to know that some of these wonderful young people – and they ARE wonderful – were the result of Debbie’s influence, at least to some degree! And I know they will continue to “sharpen” Zach and Ethan in the coming weeks, months, and years.
As Debbie’s husband Tom and the pastor both mentioned, we do not know how long we will have on this earth. Debbie’s sudden death is testament to how quickly our lives can change… or end. So I ask you… are you like the Bly family – steel sharpening steel in your relationships with your family and friends? Are you sharing your heart and your faith with others and witnessing to others? If you are not able to answer these questions with a resounding “YES!” I challenge you to get busy! Develop your relationship with God and strengthen your faith in Him, and love others. And tell at least one person “I love you” every day!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 26 ~ Proverbs 27
12 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.
13 Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger; be wary of accepting what a transient has pawned.
14 If you wake your friend in the early morning by shouting "Rise and shine!" It will sound to him more like a curse than a blessing.
15-16 A nagging spouse is like the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet; You can't turn it off, and you can't get away from it.(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Are you a “morning person?” If you are not, people who are cheerful and upbeat early in the day are probably like fingernails on a chalkboard to you. My parents used to wake my sister and me by flipping on the overhead lights in our bedroom and saying in a sing-song voice, “Rise and shine!” We were neither amused nor impressed!
I am probably more of a morning person than my husband, so by the time I have had a cup of coffee and sit down to breakfast, I’m ready to discuss articles in the morning newspaper, talk about upcoming events on our calendar, and more. He, on the other hand, would prefer to read the Sports section in peace and take a little more time greeting the morning and waking up. It took me YEARS to figure out that this was not a reflection on me – that it wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk to me or was upset about something - but rather a difference in our “morning personalities.” Once I realized he needed more morning space, I learned to go ahead with my routine and let him have his early morning space, and we both left for work a little happier.
The scripture is telling us to pay attention to our personality traits and those of others… and to give others the space they need. It may be that your cheerful, talkative morning routine is annoying and irritating to your friends and family, or theirs to you. That doesn’t make you wrong or a bad person. But it is quite another thing if you KNOWINGLY irritate or annoy others with your behavior or routine.
So look around you. Be aware of others and what their “style” is, and try to be a good friend and companion to them. It’s one thing to be friendly and cheerful, even to someone who hates early mornings. But they will be much more friendly and cheerful in return if you scale it back a notch and respect their space. And in doing so, you will be blessed.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 25 ~ Proverbs 27
8 People who won't settle down, wandering hither and yon, are like restless birds, flitting to and fro.
9 Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.
10 Don't leave your friends or your parents' friends and run home to your family when things get rough; Better a nearby friend than a distant family.
11 Become wise, dear child, and make me happy; then nothing the world throws my way will upset me.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.
I really had to do some digging to figure out what King Solomon was saying in this passage. Several years ago, I worked very hard to help plan and organize a class reunion. We had been out of high school 20 years, and since a few of my classmates and I still lived in our home town, it fell to us to do most of the planning. We worked pretty hard getting ready for the event. We met with a caterer. We rented a building and arranged for a DJ. We gathered decorations and worked on contacting classmates and gathering information for a memory book. And we got excited about the party and seeing all of our old friends.
The event was nice, but the sad fact was that, after 20 years, we had all pretty well moved on in our lives. It’s not that we weren’t glad to see our high school friends, and we did enjoy catching up and seeing pictures of children and grandchildren. It WAS fun to see who still had their hair, who had changed the most, and who still looked the same. But after a few hours, the “magic” was pretty much gone, and we were all fairly eager to get back to our own lives and routines.
I remember the next day my husband and I got on our boat to go meet our present-day friends, and we were so ready to see them again… ready to be with people who knew us NOW… people who genuinely cared about us and weren’t just shaking hands and smiling and pretending as if they wanted to know how we were doing.
And so it is in this passage. The Bible is telling us that we need to stop chasing the past. You may be closer to some of your friends with whom you spend a good portion of your time than you are your own brother or sister. And that is okay. It’s not about blood relation… it’s about the heart. And it is not about living in the sins of your past, but rather spending time in the presence of Christ and “making His heart glad.” So go to your class reunions and have fun. Remember the times you shared in high school and learn what has happened to your classmates since then. But don’t try to interject yourself back into their lives or “pick up where you left off,” so to speak. Be thankful for your old friends and the time you shared with them and thank God for the friends and events of your life, both in the past, present AND future.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 24 ~ Proverbs 27
1 Don't brashly announce what you're going to do tomorrow; you don't know the first thing about tomorrow.
2 Don't call attention to yourself; let others do that for you.
3 Carrying a log across your shoulders while you're hefting a boulder with your arms is nothing compared to the burden of putting up with a fool.
4 We're blasted by anger and swamped by rage, but who can survive jealousy?
5 A spoken reprimand is better than approval that's never expressed.
6 The wounds from a lover are worth it; kisses from an enemy do you in.
7 When you've stuffed yourself, you refuse dessert; when you're starved, you could eat a horse.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Years ago, my mother and I were sitting at her table after dinner, visiting. Suddenly, her head fell back, she knocked over her iced tea glass, and she began to talk in jibberish, looking wildly at me as if she didn’t recognize me. I called for my brother to come to the kitchen, and he helped me gather my mom into the car and get her to the ER. We thought she was having a stroke. Thankfully, she was only dehydrated and low on potassium. But it was very, very scary. One minute, everything is “normal,” and the next minute, your world is totally upside down. We truly do not know what a day may bring forth.
Armed with this information, why would we waste a second on wrath or anger. Why would we spend any time on cruel and outrageous behavior? And yet we all waste an incredible amount of time and energy being, at the very least, frustrated and irritated with someone or something. The Proverbs say that a full soul doesn’t want another bite of anything, but a hungry soul would “eat a horse and chase the rider,” as my dad used to say. How do you fill your soul? You fill it with God’s peace, with prayer, the reading of God’s word, and fellowship with other Christians.
Don’t wait for your own wake-up call – that day when something happens in a split second to shake you to your core. Start now. Release anger and wrath and even minor irritations, and bask in the grace and peace of God and His blessings. Lighten your load, drop your burdens, and fill your spirit with His joy.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 23 ~ Proverbs 26
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
You know, the thing that came to mind right away for me on this one was politicians. So many times they shake your hand and act concerned and committed to your needs and issues, and the minute they turn and walk away, they are saying something totally different. I am reminded of politicians who stood at the podium during rallies and looked out at the crowd… hands extended in a friendly wave and big grins on their faces. Not knowing their microphone was on, they uttered something ugly or derogatory to an aide or fellow politician and the crowd overheard. It’s happened more than once, sadly.
We are often like those politicians. We encounter people whom, for whatever reason, we do not enjoy, and we “make nice” to their faces, all the while wishing they would just vaporize and leave us alone! And sometimes, we say or do unkind things before they are safely out of reach or earshot, and they know our true feelings. If you have ever felt like the person to whom you were talking was just giving you “lip service” and being phony, you know how much that hurts.
This passage makes it clear that those who deceive and lie and flatter others for their own gain will be dealt with at some point. They are digging a pit and will someday fall in, so to speak. Don’t let this happen to you. Be real with others. Be polite to those who are not your favorites, but don’t lie or try to flatter them or “fake them out.” And when you are flattered by those whose reputation is questionable, do not be fooled. Their words and actions may feel good for a little while, but remember to consider the source. And finally, guard your words and actions. Don’t ever get set yourself up to be caught saying or doing something unkind... even to an “enemy.”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 22 ~ Proverbs 26
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Have you ever seen two small children fighting over a toy, and one hits the other, and when you get onto them about it, the perpetrator says, “But I didn’t mean it!” Or maybe you have been the “butt” of an unkind “joke” and the so-called comic says, “Oh, I was only kidding.” The Bible says that this is like walking away from a campfire and carelessly leaving smoking embers. The damage – or potential damage – is done. You can’t undo a forest fire, and quite often, you cannot undo the damage done by gossip, unkind jokes, meddling, rash actions, and more.
So what are we to do? The Proverbs are clear… watch what you say and do. Be thoughtful and carefully consider your comments. What you think is funny may actually be hurtful to someone else. And that “harmless information” you share with others has the potential to wound deeply. Surely nobody would knowingly “taketh a dog by the ears” and risk being bitten, so why would you do this with your words and actions?!
©2007 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotionals for August 2007 - Week 3
August 21 ~ Proverbs 26
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Laziness… the Bible has a lot to say against it, and it’s not good! You know the old phrase… “lazy, hazy days of summer.” Surely we have had some hot hazy days that beg us to be lazy. And for a few hot summer days, that’s okay. But there are people who take laziness to unbelievable heights. There are those for whom the biggest challenge is figuring out how they can do even LESS than yesterday!
Somehow, I did not get the laziness gene. I grew up surrounded by workaholics – and while that’s not necessarily good either, I pretty much became a driven person by osmosis. This is not always the case, and sometimes you will see families where everybody in the family works very hard… except for one or two people who make a career out of laziness. In other families, it seems like the whole family is miserably lazy and lets the house go, the dishes pile up, the yard grow tall with weeds, the cars fall apart, and more. They seem perfectly content to let life pass them by while they do the bare minimum to support themselves and function in life.
I have to admit, I am a stickler for neatly pressed clothes. It may say “permanent press” on the label, but it’s probably going to get a little extra help at my house, in the form of a hot iron and some spray starch! I know others who are even more obsessed with ironing than I am, but that’s another story! My husband asked me one day why I was ironing his shirts… why didn’t I just pull them out of the clothes dryer and hang them on a hanger? After all, they were “permanent press!” I told him that may be what it says on the label, but even the best no-iron shirt needs a little pressing in spots, and when he goes out in public in a shirt that has obviously not been pressed, it is a reflection on him AND me. And that’s how it is with God and laziness. When you choose to be lazy, that is a reflection on your relationship with God. After all… if you are lazy about your earthly life, you are probably lazy Spiritually as well.
God didn’t call you to be His lazy child. Remember the words of Luke 12:48… “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” I’m not saying you have to start ironing your underwear, but I am encouraging you to get up and get busy.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 20 ~ Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
There is a silly joke that circulates on e-mail that says…” If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticksdue to the warm weather and asks you to take off your clothes and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT !! THIS IS A SCAM!! They only want to see you naked. I wish I'd gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid.”
You probably know somebody who is just about this foolish. They either are so gullible and naïve that they believe everything they hear, or they are just immature and silly and desperate for any attention they can garner and will do anything to get it. Either way, people like this should be avoided. The class clown who is always making you laugh while making the teachers mad is probably not someone you need to emulate. That buddy who can’t ever pay his rent and always wants to borrow money and possessions from you and your friends is probably not someone with whom you should associate. The person who smokes or snorts his/her college scholarship away is foolish and someone you should avoid. The co-worker who spends more time trying to look busy than be busy – or who mistreats company property or their job duties or steals company property is not your friend.
The story about checking for ticks is funny, but sadly, there are a lot of foolish people out there, and the Bible is very clear that we are not to have anything to do with them. We can pray for them. We can be kind and polite, but we must not draw them into our circle of close friends and associates.
So don’t feel stupid… don’t be caught off guard. Don’t be foolish, and don’t associate with fools. Seek God’s wisdom and discernment of foolish people and behavior, and stay in His will and worthy of His rewards.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 19 ~ Proverbs 25
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and do a passage lookup.)
Self-control… just saying those words may be difficult. A friend of mine has a grandchild who is allergic to peanuts. The child knows he is not to eat peanuts, or anything with peanuts in it, but he loves peanut butter. As a small child with two siblings, he watched for any opportunity to sneak a taste of peanut butter. He knew it would make him sick, and as he grew older, he realized it could have deadly consequences. But oh… how he still wanted to taste that peanut butter!
Aren’t we like that sometimes? We know better. We know not to overeat. We know if we drink a Route 44 drink right before bed we are going to be up many times in the night for trips to the bathroom. We know how to “push buttons” and probably when we are nearing the breaking point for others. And yet we push. We eat too many cookies or the greasy, artery-clogging cheeseburgers and fries. We antagonize others and “pick fights.” We flirt too much with the cute girl/guy when our girlfriend/boyfriend isn’t looking. We wait until the last minute to study for a test and then take some OTC drug to keep us awake so we can. We “push the envelope” – a little lie here, slipping a $10 bill from our dad’s wallet there, and the next thing you know, we’ve graduated to bigger lies and forging our mom’s name to a check or “borrowing” her credit card.
I don’t know what your “peanut butter” is, but I do know that God is brokenhearted when you test Him in this way. And sometimes He is angry, and the consequences are heartbreaking for everyone. So the next time you feel your self-control being tested, think of the peanut butter. Think of the potential for disaster, and ask God to strengthen you and give you the resolve you need.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 18 ~ Proverbs 25
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When my brother was dying, a pastor and his wife came to my parents’ house to visit. They had not been to visit all through my brother’s rather lengthy illness. They had not inquired about his condition, nor had they visited my father, who was also seriously ill. They had not been involved in my family’s business at all. Yet, here they were, a day or so before my brother died, wanting to visit him. My mother did not let them past her living room. I would have to say their intrusion at that time was somewhat like “vinegar upon nitre.” In other words it was really “rubbing salt in the wound” and insulting. It is a little like the people who attend the funeral visitation of someone whom they barely knew because they want to gawk at the body. This passage warns against such behavior. It does not please God.
Likewise, a behavior that does not please God, but one of which I must admit guilt is that of not always “feeding your enemy.” I’m not saying if the chips were down that I would not help an “enemy” – or someone of whom I’m not especially fond, but I have been guilty of such things as saying, “I wouldn’t walk across the street to spit on So-and-so.” And that is wrong and un-Godly behavior, and I must stop it. See, by showing kindness and God’s love to those who are “unlovely,” we catch them off guard. We surprise them and make them stop in their tracks and go, “Wait a minute! He/she was NICE to me! I know I don’t deserve it, but they were kind anyway!” And in that moment, we have not only done a kindness toward that person, but we have pleased God. And that’s what it’s all about!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 17 ~ Proverbs 25
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Have you ever had a tube of toothpaste or something else that comes in a tube, and the tip has gotten crusted over, and you squeeze hard to make the product come out, only to get a whole lot more than you wanted or needed? Life is like that. We say things and do things “in the heat of the moment,” and words come gushing out, or we do something dumb, and then it’s too late. There is no “putting it back into the tube!”
The Bible tells us to be very careful. Pay close attention to what we are doing and saying. You know, most of the time, if we paid closer attention, we would see that the tip of whatever tube we are squeezing is clogged, and we could gently correct that issue before squeezing! So it is in life… by paying attention and guarding our hearts – and our tongues – we can gently correct many situations before they become situations! Ask God to guide you and to give you wisdom and patience in this area. Ask Him to help you to unclog the tubes in your life before you squeeze out the contents!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 16 ~ Proverbs 25
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Dorothy Duncan, the mother of one of my classmates, was our Girl Scout leader when we were young. She has been a special person in my life ever since I can remember. As our Girl Scout leader and in life in general, she taught me a lot of important lessons about how to take care of a household and a family. I laughingly tell people that “she taught me to cut up a chicken for frying!” Mrs. Duncan (Dot) is a wonderful cook, and I remember her remarking to me once about another lady who said that she never sifted her flour when baking. Dot was appalled… “Why, who ever heard of not sifting your flour?”
Now, I have to admit, I had not sifted my flour when baking for a number of years. It seemed like an unnecessary step to me. But after Dot said this to me, I started thinking about it whenever I would bake… and I began to sift! And you know what? It DOES make a difference! At the bottom of my sifter would be these little particles… chunks of flour and sugar that were too large to go through the mesh screen. So the finished product was free of lumps. It blended better, and the end result was a smoother, tastier dish!
King Solomon tells us in this scripture passage that life is like that. You have to sift out the chunks… the impurities… in order to make a “fine vessel.” He also tells us that things are not always as they seem, so don’t rush to pass judgment. See, I thought that mixing together flour and sugar spices in baking didn’t matter… if you sifted or not, you still got a cake or cookies or whatever. And that’s true. But by sifting out the impurities, the end result was better. And it’s the same for anything else… by sifting through the impurities, and the gossip, and the appearances, and whatever “chunks” are held back, you get to the real heart of the matter. And the result is smoother, finer, softer, and much improved.
So what about you? Do you use a sifter in your life? If not, don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 15 ~ Proverbs 24
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
There is a line in a song by Hootie and the Blowfish – Hold My Hand – that says, “I wanna love you the best that, the best that I can.” This should be our motto toward Christ. We should want to love HIM the best that we can. And part of loving Christ means being good stewards of His gifts for us, including our home, our personal belongings, the space around us, and our time.
My cousin is a kindergarten teacher and the mother of a four-year-old. She pretty much travels at “warp speed” most of the time as she tries to get everything done for her family, her job, and her friends. One day she told me that she could not seem to wake up. All she wanted to do that day was sleep. She had slept most of the day, and at one point, she fell asleep while playing with her daughter. It wasn’t for very long, but the little daughter woke up my cousin, and she was upset to think that the child had been playing alone while her mother napped.
The sad part of this is that many, many children are at home alone with a parent who naps much of the time… night and day. And the parents think nothing of it. In fact, they find no problem with letting their house fall down around them, their yard grow up in weeds and “thorns and nettles” and getting public assistance to keep the lights on and their family fed. You may know someone like this, or you may even have grown up in such a situation.
I am not saying that public assistance is bad, or that people are wrong for accepting it. There are legitimate cases where assistance is necessary and justly deserved. And my cousin was suffering from exhaustion. She had “burned the candle from both ends” until it met in the middle, and for one day she needed extra rest! But this scripture passage is talking about those who “rest” all the time. And the Bible tells us that those who are lazy and live like this are destined for a life of poverty. That doesn’t mean just a life with little or no money… it means a life poor in spirit, too, because most lazy people are somewhat downtrodden and depressed – or depressing to be around!
I encourage you to avoid laziness. Pay attention to the lessons of the Proverbs and do what pleases Christ. Take care of your property. Work hard at whatever you do, and use your earnings and your God-given abilities to provide for yourself and your family. Rest when you need to, but only to recharge your batteries. Remember to “Hold Christ’s Hand” and “love Him the best that, the best that you can!”
©2007 Debbie Robus
Hold My Hand – (Bryan, Felber, Rucker, Sonefeld) album: Cracked Rear View – Atlantic Records - ©1994
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Laziness… the Bible has a lot to say against it, and it’s not good! You know the old phrase… “lazy, hazy days of summer.” Surely we have had some hot hazy days that beg us to be lazy. And for a few hot summer days, that’s okay. But there are people who take laziness to unbelievable heights. There are those for whom the biggest challenge is figuring out how they can do even LESS than yesterday!
Somehow, I did not get the laziness gene. I grew up surrounded by workaholics – and while that’s not necessarily good either, I pretty much became a driven person by osmosis. This is not always the case, and sometimes you will see families where everybody in the family works very hard… except for one or two people who make a career out of laziness. In other families, it seems like the whole family is miserably lazy and lets the house go, the dishes pile up, the yard grow tall with weeds, the cars fall apart, and more. They seem perfectly content to let life pass them by while they do the bare minimum to support themselves and function in life.
I have to admit, I am a stickler for neatly pressed clothes. It may say “permanent press” on the label, but it’s probably going to get a little extra help at my house, in the form of a hot iron and some spray starch! I know others who are even more obsessed with ironing than I am, but that’s another story! My husband asked me one day why I was ironing his shirts… why didn’t I just pull them out of the clothes dryer and hang them on a hanger? After all, they were “permanent press!” I told him that may be what it says on the label, but even the best no-iron shirt needs a little pressing in spots, and when he goes out in public in a shirt that has obviously not been pressed, it is a reflection on him AND me. And that’s how it is with God and laziness. When you choose to be lazy, that is a reflection on your relationship with God. After all… if you are lazy about your earthly life, you are probably lazy Spiritually as well.
God didn’t call you to be His lazy child. Remember the words of Luke 12:48… “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” I’m not saying you have to start ironing your underwear, but I am encouraging you to get up and get busy.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 20 ~ Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
There is a silly joke that circulates on e-mail that says…” If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticksdue to the warm weather and asks you to take off your clothes and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT !! THIS IS A SCAM!! They only want to see you naked. I wish I'd gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid.”
You probably know somebody who is just about this foolish. They either are so gullible and naïve that they believe everything they hear, or they are just immature and silly and desperate for any attention they can garner and will do anything to get it. Either way, people like this should be avoided. The class clown who is always making you laugh while making the teachers mad is probably not someone you need to emulate. That buddy who can’t ever pay his rent and always wants to borrow money and possessions from you and your friends is probably not someone with whom you should associate. The person who smokes or snorts his/her college scholarship away is foolish and someone you should avoid. The co-worker who spends more time trying to look busy than be busy – or who mistreats company property or their job duties or steals company property is not your friend.
The story about checking for ticks is funny, but sadly, there are a lot of foolish people out there, and the Bible is very clear that we are not to have anything to do with them. We can pray for them. We can be kind and polite, but we must not draw them into our circle of close friends and associates.
So don’t feel stupid… don’t be caught off guard. Don’t be foolish, and don’t associate with fools. Seek God’s wisdom and discernment of foolish people and behavior, and stay in His will and worthy of His rewards.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 19 ~ Proverbs 25
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and do a passage lookup.)
Self-control… just saying those words may be difficult. A friend of mine has a grandchild who is allergic to peanuts. The child knows he is not to eat peanuts, or anything with peanuts in it, but he loves peanut butter. As a small child with two siblings, he watched for any opportunity to sneak a taste of peanut butter. He knew it would make him sick, and as he grew older, he realized it could have deadly consequences. But oh… how he still wanted to taste that peanut butter!
Aren’t we like that sometimes? We know better. We know not to overeat. We know if we drink a Route 44 drink right before bed we are going to be up many times in the night for trips to the bathroom. We know how to “push buttons” and probably when we are nearing the breaking point for others. And yet we push. We eat too many cookies or the greasy, artery-clogging cheeseburgers and fries. We antagonize others and “pick fights.” We flirt too much with the cute girl/guy when our girlfriend/boyfriend isn’t looking. We wait until the last minute to study for a test and then take some OTC drug to keep us awake so we can. We “push the envelope” – a little lie here, slipping a $10 bill from our dad’s wallet there, and the next thing you know, we’ve graduated to bigger lies and forging our mom’s name to a check or “borrowing” her credit card.
I don’t know what your “peanut butter” is, but I do know that God is brokenhearted when you test Him in this way. And sometimes He is angry, and the consequences are heartbreaking for everyone. So the next time you feel your self-control being tested, think of the peanut butter. Think of the potential for disaster, and ask God to strengthen you and give you the resolve you need.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 18 ~ Proverbs 25
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When my brother was dying, a pastor and his wife came to my parents’ house to visit. They had not been to visit all through my brother’s rather lengthy illness. They had not inquired about his condition, nor had they visited my father, who was also seriously ill. They had not been involved in my family’s business at all. Yet, here they were, a day or so before my brother died, wanting to visit him. My mother did not let them past her living room. I would have to say their intrusion at that time was somewhat like “vinegar upon nitre.” In other words it was really “rubbing salt in the wound” and insulting. It is a little like the people who attend the funeral visitation of someone whom they barely knew because they want to gawk at the body. This passage warns against such behavior. It does not please God.
Likewise, a behavior that does not please God, but one of which I must admit guilt is that of not always “feeding your enemy.” I’m not saying if the chips were down that I would not help an “enemy” – or someone of whom I’m not especially fond, but I have been guilty of such things as saying, “I wouldn’t walk across the street to spit on So-and-so.” And that is wrong and un-Godly behavior, and I must stop it. See, by showing kindness and God’s love to those who are “unlovely,” we catch them off guard. We surprise them and make them stop in their tracks and go, “Wait a minute! He/she was NICE to me! I know I don’t deserve it, but they were kind anyway!” And in that moment, we have not only done a kindness toward that person, but we have pleased God. And that’s what it’s all about!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 17 ~ Proverbs 25
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Have you ever had a tube of toothpaste or something else that comes in a tube, and the tip has gotten crusted over, and you squeeze hard to make the product come out, only to get a whole lot more than you wanted or needed? Life is like that. We say things and do things “in the heat of the moment,” and words come gushing out, or we do something dumb, and then it’s too late. There is no “putting it back into the tube!”
The Bible tells us to be very careful. Pay close attention to what we are doing and saying. You know, most of the time, if we paid closer attention, we would see that the tip of whatever tube we are squeezing is clogged, and we could gently correct that issue before squeezing! So it is in life… by paying attention and guarding our hearts – and our tongues – we can gently correct many situations before they become situations! Ask God to guide you and to give you wisdom and patience in this area. Ask Him to help you to unclog the tubes in your life before you squeeze out the contents!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 16 ~ Proverbs 25
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Dorothy Duncan, the mother of one of my classmates, was our Girl Scout leader when we were young. She has been a special person in my life ever since I can remember. As our Girl Scout leader and in life in general, she taught me a lot of important lessons about how to take care of a household and a family. I laughingly tell people that “she taught me to cut up a chicken for frying!” Mrs. Duncan (Dot) is a wonderful cook, and I remember her remarking to me once about another lady who said that she never sifted her flour when baking. Dot was appalled… “Why, who ever heard of not sifting your flour?”
Now, I have to admit, I had not sifted my flour when baking for a number of years. It seemed like an unnecessary step to me. But after Dot said this to me, I started thinking about it whenever I would bake… and I began to sift! And you know what? It DOES make a difference! At the bottom of my sifter would be these little particles… chunks of flour and sugar that were too large to go through the mesh screen. So the finished product was free of lumps. It blended better, and the end result was a smoother, tastier dish!
King Solomon tells us in this scripture passage that life is like that. You have to sift out the chunks… the impurities… in order to make a “fine vessel.” He also tells us that things are not always as they seem, so don’t rush to pass judgment. See, I thought that mixing together flour and sugar spices in baking didn’t matter… if you sifted or not, you still got a cake or cookies or whatever. And that’s true. But by sifting out the impurities, the end result was better. And it’s the same for anything else… by sifting through the impurities, and the gossip, and the appearances, and whatever “chunks” are held back, you get to the real heart of the matter. And the result is smoother, finer, softer, and much improved.
So what about you? Do you use a sifter in your life? If not, don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 15 ~ Proverbs 24
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
There is a line in a song by Hootie and the Blowfish – Hold My Hand – that says, “I wanna love you the best that, the best that I can.” This should be our motto toward Christ. We should want to love HIM the best that we can. And part of loving Christ means being good stewards of His gifts for us, including our home, our personal belongings, the space around us, and our time.
My cousin is a kindergarten teacher and the mother of a four-year-old. She pretty much travels at “warp speed” most of the time as she tries to get everything done for her family, her job, and her friends. One day she told me that she could not seem to wake up. All she wanted to do that day was sleep. She had slept most of the day, and at one point, she fell asleep while playing with her daughter. It wasn’t for very long, but the little daughter woke up my cousin, and she was upset to think that the child had been playing alone while her mother napped.
The sad part of this is that many, many children are at home alone with a parent who naps much of the time… night and day. And the parents think nothing of it. In fact, they find no problem with letting their house fall down around them, their yard grow up in weeds and “thorns and nettles” and getting public assistance to keep the lights on and their family fed. You may know someone like this, or you may even have grown up in such a situation.
I am not saying that public assistance is bad, or that people are wrong for accepting it. There are legitimate cases where assistance is necessary and justly deserved. And my cousin was suffering from exhaustion. She had “burned the candle from both ends” until it met in the middle, and for one day she needed extra rest! But this scripture passage is talking about those who “rest” all the time. And the Bible tells us that those who are lazy and live like this are destined for a life of poverty. That doesn’t mean just a life with little or no money… it means a life poor in spirit, too, because most lazy people are somewhat downtrodden and depressed – or depressing to be around!
I encourage you to avoid laziness. Pay attention to the lessons of the Proverbs and do what pleases Christ. Take care of your property. Work hard at whatever you do, and use your earnings and your God-given abilities to provide for yourself and your family. Rest when you need to, but only to recharge your batteries. Remember to “Hold Christ’s Hand” and “love Him the best that, the best that you can!”
©2007 Debbie Robus
Hold My Hand – (Bryan, Felber, Rucker, Sonefeld) album: Cracked Rear View – Atlantic Records - ©1994
Daily Devotionals for August 2007 - Week 2
August 14 ~ Proverbs 24
23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When I was teaching kindergarten, I had a little boy in my class who arrived at school one day with probably the biggest black eye I had ever seen. It must have been a Monday, because the bruise was a couple of days old and was already starting to turn yellow in places. I asked the little boy what happened, and he said he was standing near a logging truck and his uncle lowered the boom on him. If you don’t know what that means, dictionary.com describes a boom as "a spar or beam projecting from the mast of a derrick for supporting or guiding the weights to be lifted.” On this old logging truck, I am suspecting that the boom had a huge pulley and hook on the end of a chain to attach to a chain around a bundle of logs. That pulley and hook is most likely what hit my little boy.
I was more than a little upset to think that this child had been so close to such a dangerous piece of equipment. I know accidents happen, but this could easily have killed this tiny little 5-year-old. Suspecting there might even be more to this story, I requested the school nurse visit with him, and as we checked him over, we found even more bruises on his back, arms and legs. By law, I was obligated to call SCAN, which stood for Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect. Had there been no further marks, I would have been obligated to report this as potential neglect. The SCAN worker came and looked at the little boy, and a report was filed. This resulted in a home visit to determine if there was indeed abuse and/or neglect.
The next thing I knew, the little boy’s mother was at my classroom door. She was furious. SOMEONE had reported her to SCAN. Of course, SCAN could not reveal their source, and I surely didn’t own up to it, because she was ready to “whoop up on me” but good! But I did try to explain to her that the marks were there, and by law, they had to be investigated. I also tried to smooth her ruffled feathers by pointing out that someone had cared enough about her child to be concerned, and for that, she should be grateful.
I don’t know for sure whether there was abuse or neglect in that little boy’s home. I always felt like it wasn’t a totally safe environment for him, but the mother was able to satisfy the investigator who visited, and it did put her on notice that we were watching. Would I have called SCAN if I weren’t obligated by law? I don’t know, but I surely hope so. The Bible tells us that we are not to stand by and allow injustice, and abuse and neglect of children surely qualifies. Sometimes it’s hard to get involved… to step out and plant yourself in a vulnerable position for the sake of someone else. But as Christians, we must ask ourselves if we are merely minding our own business or sweeping an injustice under the rug. Ask God to help you figure out which is which!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 13 ~ Proverbs 24
13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked:
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
How many times do we turn on the television and hear about the “fall” of someone. They got caught doing something they weren’t supposed to be doing. Maybe they ran a huge business and they were caught laundering money from the business for their own purposes. Maybe they were in ministry, and they were discovered in an affair with someone in the ministry – or as we have heard in recent years – a prostitute. Maybe we learn of someone who is hiring illegal immigrants and then mistreating them in the workplace.
I am not condoning ANY of these behaviors or the many others we hear and read about in today’s society. But what I do believe is wrong is our celebration, in many instances, of these events. We have become so hungry for scandal. We watch for it with baited breath, almost. We enjoy other people’s misery – and downfall. And I’m afraid sometimes we may even help to cause it. We build things up and talk about them and make them something they are not… and people are hurt in the process. In many cases, lives are somewhat ruined by the delight others take in their misfortune – and the gossip that often surrounds it.
Here’s one example for you to consider. Night after night, late night talk show hosts make jokes in their monologue about the misdeeds of celebrities and other people in the news. Now, most of the time, you could argue that these people are getting what they deserve. At the very least, you could argue that politicians, pro athletes, and entertainment celebrities are “fair game” and knew that this comes with the territory. But it gets to be like kicking an injured animal. And in doing so, we are no better than the person or situation we are kicking! Soon, it’s a common part of our everyday practices to “beat up on” and delight in the misfortunes of those the talk show hosts berate each night.
I’m not saying the people being discussed are innocent. I’m not approving of bad behavior – by people in high positions or anyone else. But we all need to work on “taking the high road.” We all need to work on our attitude toward the “fallen.” Let’s ask God to help us to develop a more compassionate attitude of asking Him how we can help, rather than delighting in the failures and miseries of others.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 12 ~ Proverbs 24
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
There is a wonderful old hymn called Rescue the Perishing. It was written by Fanny J. Crosby, who lived from 1820-1915, with music by William H. Doane who lived from 1832-1915. The words are still worth reading today:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Refrain:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
The Proverbs tell us that we must spend our time paying attention to people who matter – avoiding evil people and helping those in need. This passage tells us to be strong – not to fall apart in adversity (hard times or trouble), but rather to pick up our bootstraps and move ahead. It also talks about not turning our back on others. If we say, “That’s not my problem.” or “That’s none of my business,” when we see someone with a need, we are not obeying God.
I’m not suggesting you become a busybody and meddle in everyone’s life. But I am suggesting that we be more attentive to others, so that we can pray for them, care about them, encourage them, and when appropriate, assist them as much as our abilities allow. “Rescue the perishing… lift up the fallen… tell them of Jesus… Jesus will save.”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 11 ~ Proverbs 23
29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. (Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
This passage deals with drinking. I encourage you to go to BibleGateway.org and read it in The Message or The Contemporary English Version to really get the full impact of what is being said. For some of us, drinking is a non-issue – we simply don’t touch alcohol – ever! For some of us, drinking means having an occasional glass of wine with our dinner or while we visit with friends. For some of us it is sharing a couple of beers and a pizza with family or friends – or one of those delicious frozen treats in the fancy glass while at a nice restaurant. Some of us drink to relax. Some of us drink until we throw up or pass out. Some of us drink to forget. Some of us drink to be popular and fit in with our crowd – to be cool. For some of us, drinking is illegal. For some of us, drinking is totally off limits, because already as teenagers, we have become addicted to alcohol. Some of us are adults who have struggled with an alcohol addiction most of our lives. Some of us smoke when we drink. Some of us change personalities – we become more talkative and “fun” – or, we may become sullen, quiet – and even belligerent or violent. Some of us can be talked into anything when we drink!
As we have seen and heard in news reports, some of us drink and drive. And we all probably know at least one person who has been affected by a drunk driver. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol and operating machinery – especially something as massive and powerful as a car, truck, or boat – is a potentially deadly combination.
I’m not going to tell you that you should never drink alcohol – IF you are of legal drinking age. I’m not going to condemn anyone who indulges too much at some point and feels a bit tipsy – or even drunk! There are some really tasty concoctions that pack a powerful wallop of alcohol, and by the time you realize how strong the delicious drink or two tasted, you are unable to walk across the room without help! Everyone tolerates alcohol differently – and in different amounts. Most likely, a next-morning hangover with splitting headache, queasy stomach and more will be lesson enough for many of you to pay closer attention to what and how much you drink!
But I AM going to tell you that you should never, ever EVER drive after drinking. You should not drive a car, a truck, a boat, a motorcycle – even a bicycle! Get someone else (who has NOT been drinking) to drive you. Designated drivers are not a joke. If you are with a group in which no one has been named as the designated driver, call someone else! It only takes a split second of inebriated thinking/reacting – or non-reacting – to cause lifelong heartache – injury, fatality, jail time, and more.
If you are of legal drinking age and you drink, I encourage you to examine your drinking behavior(s) and evaluate your motives, your patterns, and the effects it has on your life. If you discover that drinking is an issue for you, I encourage you to seek help. There are wonderful people and organizations who can assist you in finding your way out of what The Message calls “serious business.”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 10 ~ Proverbs 23
22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28 She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
We sure hear a lot about bad women and obeying our parents in The Proverbs, don’t we?! You don’t have to channel surf on the television very long before coming upon “one of those shows” where deceitful men and women are leading others down the wrong path and into a huge mess. Women lie about their past and “play nice” to snag a wealthy husband, and then they say, “oh, by the way, I have been married 4 or 5 times and I didn’t support my children and they live with foster parents now,” or worse. Men cheat on their wives and get other women pregnant, and amazingly, they come on a national TV show and have the results of a paternity test read to prove whether or not they truly are the baby’s father.
Sometimes you will see parents on these shows telling the host, “I just don’t know what to do with my child any more.” And the child is there, rolling his/her eyes and rebutting everything that is said by the parent. I recently watched the movie Facing the Giants. If you haven’t seen it, you should rent it right away. The movie is fun and entertaining, but it also tells an important story. The movie is about a high school coach in Georgia and his losing football team and how they struggle to be better in all areas – on and off the field. At one point, the coach observes a player being disrespectful to his dad. He is impolite when the dad calls him. He speaks poorly of his dad to others. In short, he just has a really bad attitude about his dad. And to be fair, the dad is not exactly “Father of the Year” material. But the coach points out that the Bible tells us to respect our parents. We aren’t called to agree with everything they say and do, but as our parents, we are to respect them and to acknowledge their authority as our parents.
There is an e-mail that is circulating with a photo of a truck that ran through a guard rail beside a highway, and the caption is something about “this is one lucky guy.” And when you scroll on down the page, you see he is lucky. There is another photo that shows that the guard rail runs along a very deep ravine. This is no ditch… it is more like a canyon! As you look at that picture, you think, “what if the truck had gone on over? How would they have ever gotten it out? And how would the driver have survived?”
God holds the power to keep us out of the ravines of life. He can keep us from falling into a pit from which we can’t seem to return. But we have to listen to His Word and follow Him. What about you? Has your “truck” run through a guardrail in life? Will you avoid the ravine?
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 9 ~ Proverbs 23
11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
It seems that lately, everywhere we turn, one of our celebrities is falling into some sort of shambles. Driving under the influence, endangering the welfare of children, sexually explicit videotapes, racial slurs… you name it and they have done it! These celebrities – “celebrated people” – are not really worthy of celebrating, are they?! So many strive to be like these people, forgetting that at the core of it, they are just human beings like you and me … and vulnerable to the same temptations and challenges and sins as we are - and then some.
Maybe you are not trying to emulate a national celebrity… maybe your “hero” is your big brother or sister… or that kid in your math class, or the quarterback on the football squad or a cheerleader. And maybe that person you idolize has a drinking problem or an eating disorder. Maybe he/she cheats on school work or shoplifts. Maybe that person is physically and/or verbally abusive. But they are popular, and that’s what draws you to them!
I would encourage you to look beyond popularity. Look at the person as a person. Remember the bully I told you about who tormented so many of my classmates and me in junior high and high school? From all I can determine, adult life has brought a lot of torment for her. Her seemingly popular life has not been so rosy. Just desserts? Maybe. But that is not for us to decide. God will have the last say. The important thing for us to remember is to choose wisely and not travel the same road as those we would idolize. Don’t let them lead you to a sad end… for as we read, “surely there is an end.” I encourage you to “be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long” and enjoy His blessings now and always.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 8 ~ Proverbs 23
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When my husband and I married, one of the meals we enjoyed was spaghetti I made from a family recipe. The recipe made a huge pot of sauce, and what we couldn’t eat in a day or two would be frozen in individual servings for later meals. We filled our plates with a big pile of cooked spaghetti noodles and topped that with sauce. To us, the spaghetti dinner was a treat… a feast.
Once while we were visiting my husband’s parents, his mother made a spaghetti dinner. She had the spaghetti noodles and the sauce in pots on her stove, along with some vegetable dishes and probably some bread (this family seemed to always serve bread with a meal!). My husband and I filled our plates with noodles, like we did at home, and topped it with sauce. When we sat down at the table with the rest of the family, there were whispers among the others that there sure wasn’t much spaghetti…there was barely enough to go around! When we looked around, we realized that nobody else had plated such a large portion of the spaghetti. They had spooned up smaller servings and rounded out their plates with the vegetables and bread. We were so embarrassed as we looked at our huge plates of spaghetti, and we offered to share our oversized portions with others. In the end, everyone laughed, but to this day, I almost never serve just spaghetti. I always prepare other dishes to complete the meal… and smaller servings of spaghetti!
Who would have thought that the Bible would address our manners and how we eat? Verses 1-3 tell us we must not stuff ourselves at a large meal. We must eat modest portions and “mind our manners.” It also tells us we must consider our dining company and behave accordingly. For instance, you may go out to eat with a tightwad who says, “It’s my treat… have anything you want!” And then he/she proceeds to order the cheapest thing on the menu. The Bible tells us to follow suit. Sure – they said to have whatever you want, but they didn’t mean it! They just wanted to impress you, and Scripture tells us not to play into their hand.
There was not any harm in us eating so much spaghetti, and surely nobody went hungry at that family dinner. And it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you ordered something really pricey when the tightwad treated you to dinner. But the next time you are invited to an all-you-can-eat buffet meal – or any meal for that matter – remember the words of Proverbs 23 and “consider diligently what is before thee.”
©2007 Debbie Robus
23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When I was teaching kindergarten, I had a little boy in my class who arrived at school one day with probably the biggest black eye I had ever seen. It must have been a Monday, because the bruise was a couple of days old and was already starting to turn yellow in places. I asked the little boy what happened, and he said he was standing near a logging truck and his uncle lowered the boom on him. If you don’t know what that means, dictionary.com describes a boom as "a spar or beam projecting from the mast of a derrick for supporting or guiding the weights to be lifted.” On this old logging truck, I am suspecting that the boom had a huge pulley and hook on the end of a chain to attach to a chain around a bundle of logs. That pulley and hook is most likely what hit my little boy.
I was more than a little upset to think that this child had been so close to such a dangerous piece of equipment. I know accidents happen, but this could easily have killed this tiny little 5-year-old. Suspecting there might even be more to this story, I requested the school nurse visit with him, and as we checked him over, we found even more bruises on his back, arms and legs. By law, I was obligated to call SCAN, which stood for Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect. Had there been no further marks, I would have been obligated to report this as potential neglect. The SCAN worker came and looked at the little boy, and a report was filed. This resulted in a home visit to determine if there was indeed abuse and/or neglect.
The next thing I knew, the little boy’s mother was at my classroom door. She was furious. SOMEONE had reported her to SCAN. Of course, SCAN could not reveal their source, and I surely didn’t own up to it, because she was ready to “whoop up on me” but good! But I did try to explain to her that the marks were there, and by law, they had to be investigated. I also tried to smooth her ruffled feathers by pointing out that someone had cared enough about her child to be concerned, and for that, she should be grateful.
I don’t know for sure whether there was abuse or neglect in that little boy’s home. I always felt like it wasn’t a totally safe environment for him, but the mother was able to satisfy the investigator who visited, and it did put her on notice that we were watching. Would I have called SCAN if I weren’t obligated by law? I don’t know, but I surely hope so. The Bible tells us that we are not to stand by and allow injustice, and abuse and neglect of children surely qualifies. Sometimes it’s hard to get involved… to step out and plant yourself in a vulnerable position for the sake of someone else. But as Christians, we must ask ourselves if we are merely minding our own business or sweeping an injustice under the rug. Ask God to help you figure out which is which!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 13 ~ Proverbs 24
13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked:
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
How many times do we turn on the television and hear about the “fall” of someone. They got caught doing something they weren’t supposed to be doing. Maybe they ran a huge business and they were caught laundering money from the business for their own purposes. Maybe they were in ministry, and they were discovered in an affair with someone in the ministry – or as we have heard in recent years – a prostitute. Maybe we learn of someone who is hiring illegal immigrants and then mistreating them in the workplace.
I am not condoning ANY of these behaviors or the many others we hear and read about in today’s society. But what I do believe is wrong is our celebration, in many instances, of these events. We have become so hungry for scandal. We watch for it with baited breath, almost. We enjoy other people’s misery – and downfall. And I’m afraid sometimes we may even help to cause it. We build things up and talk about them and make them something they are not… and people are hurt in the process. In many cases, lives are somewhat ruined by the delight others take in their misfortune – and the gossip that often surrounds it.
Here’s one example for you to consider. Night after night, late night talk show hosts make jokes in their monologue about the misdeeds of celebrities and other people in the news. Now, most of the time, you could argue that these people are getting what they deserve. At the very least, you could argue that politicians, pro athletes, and entertainment celebrities are “fair game” and knew that this comes with the territory. But it gets to be like kicking an injured animal. And in doing so, we are no better than the person or situation we are kicking! Soon, it’s a common part of our everyday practices to “beat up on” and delight in the misfortunes of those the talk show hosts berate each night.
I’m not saying the people being discussed are innocent. I’m not approving of bad behavior – by people in high positions or anyone else. But we all need to work on “taking the high road.” We all need to work on our attitude toward the “fallen.” Let’s ask God to help us to develop a more compassionate attitude of asking Him how we can help, rather than delighting in the failures and miseries of others.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 12 ~ Proverbs 24
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
There is a wonderful old hymn called Rescue the Perishing. It was written by Fanny J. Crosby, who lived from 1820-1915, with music by William H. Doane who lived from 1832-1915. The words are still worth reading today:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Refrain:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
The Proverbs tell us that we must spend our time paying attention to people who matter – avoiding evil people and helping those in need. This passage tells us to be strong – not to fall apart in adversity (hard times or trouble), but rather to pick up our bootstraps and move ahead. It also talks about not turning our back on others. If we say, “That’s not my problem.” or “That’s none of my business,” when we see someone with a need, we are not obeying God.
I’m not suggesting you become a busybody and meddle in everyone’s life. But I am suggesting that we be more attentive to others, so that we can pray for them, care about them, encourage them, and when appropriate, assist them as much as our abilities allow. “Rescue the perishing… lift up the fallen… tell them of Jesus… Jesus will save.”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 11 ~ Proverbs 23
29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. (Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
This passage deals with drinking. I encourage you to go to BibleGateway.org and read it in The Message or The Contemporary English Version to really get the full impact of what is being said. For some of us, drinking is a non-issue – we simply don’t touch alcohol – ever! For some of us, drinking means having an occasional glass of wine with our dinner or while we visit with friends. For some of us it is sharing a couple of beers and a pizza with family or friends – or one of those delicious frozen treats in the fancy glass while at a nice restaurant. Some of us drink to relax. Some of us drink until we throw up or pass out. Some of us drink to forget. Some of us drink to be popular and fit in with our crowd – to be cool. For some of us, drinking is illegal. For some of us, drinking is totally off limits, because already as teenagers, we have become addicted to alcohol. Some of us are adults who have struggled with an alcohol addiction most of our lives. Some of us smoke when we drink. Some of us change personalities – we become more talkative and “fun” – or, we may become sullen, quiet – and even belligerent or violent. Some of us can be talked into anything when we drink!
As we have seen and heard in news reports, some of us drink and drive. And we all probably know at least one person who has been affected by a drunk driver. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol and operating machinery – especially something as massive and powerful as a car, truck, or boat – is a potentially deadly combination.
I’m not going to tell you that you should never drink alcohol – IF you are of legal drinking age. I’m not going to condemn anyone who indulges too much at some point and feels a bit tipsy – or even drunk! There are some really tasty concoctions that pack a powerful wallop of alcohol, and by the time you realize how strong the delicious drink or two tasted, you are unable to walk across the room without help! Everyone tolerates alcohol differently – and in different amounts. Most likely, a next-morning hangover with splitting headache, queasy stomach and more will be lesson enough for many of you to pay closer attention to what and how much you drink!
But I AM going to tell you that you should never, ever EVER drive after drinking. You should not drive a car, a truck, a boat, a motorcycle – even a bicycle! Get someone else (who has NOT been drinking) to drive you. Designated drivers are not a joke. If you are with a group in which no one has been named as the designated driver, call someone else! It only takes a split second of inebriated thinking/reacting – or non-reacting – to cause lifelong heartache – injury, fatality, jail time, and more.
If you are of legal drinking age and you drink, I encourage you to examine your drinking behavior(s) and evaluate your motives, your patterns, and the effects it has on your life. If you discover that drinking is an issue for you, I encourage you to seek help. There are wonderful people and organizations who can assist you in finding your way out of what The Message calls “serious business.”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 10 ~ Proverbs 23
22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28 She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
We sure hear a lot about bad women and obeying our parents in The Proverbs, don’t we?! You don’t have to channel surf on the television very long before coming upon “one of those shows” where deceitful men and women are leading others down the wrong path and into a huge mess. Women lie about their past and “play nice” to snag a wealthy husband, and then they say, “oh, by the way, I have been married 4 or 5 times and I didn’t support my children and they live with foster parents now,” or worse. Men cheat on their wives and get other women pregnant, and amazingly, they come on a national TV show and have the results of a paternity test read to prove whether or not they truly are the baby’s father.
Sometimes you will see parents on these shows telling the host, “I just don’t know what to do with my child any more.” And the child is there, rolling his/her eyes and rebutting everything that is said by the parent. I recently watched the movie Facing the Giants. If you haven’t seen it, you should rent it right away. The movie is fun and entertaining, but it also tells an important story. The movie is about a high school coach in Georgia and his losing football team and how they struggle to be better in all areas – on and off the field. At one point, the coach observes a player being disrespectful to his dad. He is impolite when the dad calls him. He speaks poorly of his dad to others. In short, he just has a really bad attitude about his dad. And to be fair, the dad is not exactly “Father of the Year” material. But the coach points out that the Bible tells us to respect our parents. We aren’t called to agree with everything they say and do, but as our parents, we are to respect them and to acknowledge their authority as our parents.
There is an e-mail that is circulating with a photo of a truck that ran through a guard rail beside a highway, and the caption is something about “this is one lucky guy.” And when you scroll on down the page, you see he is lucky. There is another photo that shows that the guard rail runs along a very deep ravine. This is no ditch… it is more like a canyon! As you look at that picture, you think, “what if the truck had gone on over? How would they have ever gotten it out? And how would the driver have survived?”
God holds the power to keep us out of the ravines of life. He can keep us from falling into a pit from which we can’t seem to return. But we have to listen to His Word and follow Him. What about you? Has your “truck” run through a guardrail in life? Will you avoid the ravine?
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 9 ~ Proverbs 23
11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
It seems that lately, everywhere we turn, one of our celebrities is falling into some sort of shambles. Driving under the influence, endangering the welfare of children, sexually explicit videotapes, racial slurs… you name it and they have done it! These celebrities – “celebrated people” – are not really worthy of celebrating, are they?! So many strive to be like these people, forgetting that at the core of it, they are just human beings like you and me … and vulnerable to the same temptations and challenges and sins as we are - and then some.
Maybe you are not trying to emulate a national celebrity… maybe your “hero” is your big brother or sister… or that kid in your math class, or the quarterback on the football squad or a cheerleader. And maybe that person you idolize has a drinking problem or an eating disorder. Maybe he/she cheats on school work or shoplifts. Maybe that person is physically and/or verbally abusive. But they are popular, and that’s what draws you to them!
I would encourage you to look beyond popularity. Look at the person as a person. Remember the bully I told you about who tormented so many of my classmates and me in junior high and high school? From all I can determine, adult life has brought a lot of torment for her. Her seemingly popular life has not been so rosy. Just desserts? Maybe. But that is not for us to decide. God will have the last say. The important thing for us to remember is to choose wisely and not travel the same road as those we would idolize. Don’t let them lead you to a sad end… for as we read, “surely there is an end.” I encourage you to “be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long” and enjoy His blessings now and always.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 8 ~ Proverbs 23
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When my husband and I married, one of the meals we enjoyed was spaghetti I made from a family recipe. The recipe made a huge pot of sauce, and what we couldn’t eat in a day or two would be frozen in individual servings for later meals. We filled our plates with a big pile of cooked spaghetti noodles and topped that with sauce. To us, the spaghetti dinner was a treat… a feast.
Once while we were visiting my husband’s parents, his mother made a spaghetti dinner. She had the spaghetti noodles and the sauce in pots on her stove, along with some vegetable dishes and probably some bread (this family seemed to always serve bread with a meal!). My husband and I filled our plates with noodles, like we did at home, and topped it with sauce. When we sat down at the table with the rest of the family, there were whispers among the others that there sure wasn’t much spaghetti…there was barely enough to go around! When we looked around, we realized that nobody else had plated such a large portion of the spaghetti. They had spooned up smaller servings and rounded out their plates with the vegetables and bread. We were so embarrassed as we looked at our huge plates of spaghetti, and we offered to share our oversized portions with others. In the end, everyone laughed, but to this day, I almost never serve just spaghetti. I always prepare other dishes to complete the meal… and smaller servings of spaghetti!
Who would have thought that the Bible would address our manners and how we eat? Verses 1-3 tell us we must not stuff ourselves at a large meal. We must eat modest portions and “mind our manners.” It also tells us we must consider our dining company and behave accordingly. For instance, you may go out to eat with a tightwad who says, “It’s my treat… have anything you want!” And then he/she proceeds to order the cheapest thing on the menu. The Bible tells us to follow suit. Sure – they said to have whatever you want, but they didn’t mean it! They just wanted to impress you, and Scripture tells us not to play into their hand.
There was not any harm in us eating so much spaghetti, and surely nobody went hungry at that family dinner. And it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you ordered something really pricey when the tightwad treated you to dinner. But the next time you are invited to an all-you-can-eat buffet meal – or any meal for that matter – remember the words of Proverbs 23 and “consider diligently what is before thee.”
©2007 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotionals for August 2007 - Week 1
August 7 ~ Proverbs 22
17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Do you know somebody of whom it is said, “He/she would give you the shirt off his/her back?” I think we probably all know someone who is extremely generous. My friend Cheryl is like that. She is always willing to share her belongings with others or to give things to her friends and family members. But sometimes, this backfires on her. Because Cheryl is so generous, sometimes others take advantage of her kindness. Sometimes she loans things to people who don’t return them. While she doesn’t expect anything in turn from the people she helps, sometimes the recipients are less than kind to her. They abuse her kindness and generosity and demand more. Or they are not respectful of her property and return it in poorer condition than it was lent.
Now, I seriously doubt that Cheryl is going to stop being generous to others. And I’m not saying she should. But the Bible tells us to be cautious about our help. If it is a small loan and doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things… like an article of clothing or a book that can be replaced… it’s probably worth the risk. If it is the loan of a car, a place to stay, a large sum of money, or co-signing a bank loan for a purchase, it might be a good idea to give careful consideration to the borrower’s reputation – and the potential consequences of the loan.
God gave us The Proverbs to show us how to be good stewards of His gifts without losing our shirt! He wants us to help the poor and needy and those less fortunate than we are, but He also wants us to use good judgment and common sense and to be smart and sensible. So the next time your neighbor asks to borrow a cup of sugar, you can probably figure that one out on your own. But if your best friend wants to borrow your car, your cell phone, or that new diamond ring your mom bought you, have a little visit with God first before you decide!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 6 ~ Proverbs 22
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Suppose you owned a pharmacy, and it was the only one in your community. Everybody had to come to you for their prescriptions… rich and poor alike. You did okay in your pharmacy and made a decent profit on all of the prescriptions you dispensed. BUT… you had people over a barrel, so to speak, and you could sell the prescription drugs for more than three times what you paid for them and make a nice profit. You could have made a good living by only doubling the price over your cost, but you could make a whole lot more if you tripled it!
You weren’t hurting the rich, certainly, by overcharging. And it was surely your privilege to charge as much or as little as you wanted for your prescriptions. But by setting your prices so high, you really made it tough for the lower income customers. The poor had to eat, just the same as rich people, but because you made it so difficult for them to afford their prescriptions, they had to forego other things, and for some, that included food. Others chose to skip the medications they needed in order to be able to eat… or to feed their families.
All the while, you were driving a great little sports car and living in a big beautiful house. You wore designer-label clothing to work and a nice wristwatch and jewelry, all thanks to the fine customers who patronized your store. And you didn’t feel the least bit bad about doing so!
The Proverbs tell us that God hears our thoughts… He knows our hearts. And those of us who are deceitful and greedy – those of us who mistreat the poor in order better ourselves – will be dealt with and our efforts will be frustrated in some way. You may seem to get by with this behavior on this earth, but there will come a day when you must answer for your actions and your lack of concern for others.
So as you go about your day, ask yourself this question, “Am I pure of heart? Are my motives acceptable and honest? Am I pleasing God with my thoughts and actions?” Check your attitude and your actions at the door before you set foot out the door, and remember to give yourself a check-up often!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 5 ~ Proverbs 22
1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and do a passage lookup.)
When I was a child, I thought my paternal grandparents were rich. They lived on a farm, where they grew an abundance of food and raised cattle and chickens. They were always doing things for my sister and brother and me… and for others. It never occurred to me how hard they worked. I never realized that they went to bed before 7 p.m. because they had to be up by 3 or 4 a.m. to get to work. I never thought much about the fact they didn’t watch much TV… chalking it up to their living in a rural area where television reception was poor. My grandfather didn’t have much spare time, but when he did, I often saw him reading his Bible.
My grandparents were probably in a fairly low income bracket. Yet I still believe my grandparents were rich. Maybe they weren’t rich in money or the things it can buy, but they were rich in love, experiences, and a relationship with God. I never forgot that, and as I have aged, I have realized even more how valuable the example of their lives was for others. They served others humbly, and often, I saw them give to those who were less fortunate than they. Theirs was a legacy of sharing with others, and I hope that I have learned this lesson well and can pay it forward in my own life.
When we stand before God, He does not see cars, jewelry, houses, or things. He sees our heart. You may be standing next to the “richest man in the world” in the eyes of man, but in God’s eyes, you may be the richer one. It is up to you to choose wisely how to spend your time, talents and material wealth. You truly do reap what you sew, and I pray that your reputation will be one that is worth more than silver and gold… a treasure “rather to be chosen than great riches!”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 4 ~ Proverbs 21
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
I am a big fan of “I Love Lucy.” In fact, I love those shows so much that my husband got me flannel “I Love Lucy” pajamas and matching slippers. They feature Lucy and Ethel in their famous “chocolate factory” scene – eating the chocolates as they race down the conveyor belt because they can’t keep up with getting them wrapped and packaged! Lucy is always getting into trouble in those episodes, and quite often, it is because of something she says. Oh, she doesn’t mean to cause trouble, but she surely does. And then she incurs the wrath of Ricky!
These verses tell us to guard our hearts and our tongues against saying and doing – and thinking – things that are untrue or unkind… or evil. There is no mincing of words in these verses. To do otherwise is to bring trouble and God’s anger and punishment to our lives. On the other hand, following God’s commandments and walking in His Spirit and righteousness will bring us an abundant life - and safety in the Lord – a life that honors Him. Is there really any question which we must choose?
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 3 ~ Proverbs 21
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When I was in the first grade, President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas. I still remember hearing the news and watching all of the events of the next few days on television and seeing the accounts in the newspapers. One of the pictures that is etched in my memory is the one of Lee Harvey Oswald being shot by Jack Ruby. Apparently Mr. Ruby decided he could not wait for the wheels of justice to turn. He took matters into his own hands.
Now, many would applaud this vigilante action. But God does not approve of vigilantes. He and He alone is responsibility for addressing evil behavior. I believe that God provided us with a system of checks and balances for dealing with criminals on this earth. Our legal system may not always work as well as we would like – and some would argue whether it works at all – but the Bible tells us that courts are nothing new and offer a better shot at fairness for all than any vigilante.
If you do an internet search for “Jack Ruby,” you will learn that he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He appealed the sentence, and before a second trial could be held, he died of lung cancer. I do not know Jack Ruby’s heart nor his motives in shooting Lee Harvey Oswald. But trying to “play God” is foolish… and we see in Verse 20 that fools spend up their treasure and waste it. God WILL take care of evil people and situations. It may not happen on this earth, but it WILL happen. As faithful Christians and good stewards of God’s blessings, we must trust Him and His timing in every experience.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 2 ~ Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. (Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Let’s say you are shopping and you pick up a bag of dip for your chips and put it in your basket. You move on down a few aisles, and there on the end cap is another brand of dip – and it’s on sale. So, you take out the first jar of dip, sit it on the shelf, and grab a jar of the sale brand. OR… you are shopping and decide you don’t want something you picked up over in cosmetics, and you are already way over in the pet supplies, so you just lay the cosmetic up on the shelf. The store clerk will return it, right?
Suppose you get up late for school, and you hurry to shower and dress, and you leave your wet towel and pj’s in the floor. If your mom (spouse, roommate, sibling) doesn’t pick them up for you, you can do something with them after school… but only IF someone else hasn’t already taken care of it for you!
These are minor issues in the scheme of things, but again, if you are not faithful in small matters, you probably won’t be in the larger ones. It isn’t going to cause a breakdown of the world as we know it if you don’t return that item to its rightful place on a store shelf. But as Christians, we must be diligent in even the smallest gestures. We must be even more careful to show respect to others… to put back those items we don’t want, to pick up our belongings, to put away our dishes and be helpful to those around us. Verse 3 says doing what is right and fair is more important to God than a sacrifice.
God knows our heart. He knows that when we pick up after ourselves so others won’t have to do it… when we return the grocery cart to the cart corral at the store… when we take time to hold a door for someone or simply speak politely and respectfully to others, and we do it with a good attitude and a loving spirit, we are setting the stage and laying the foundation for honoring Him in larger things.
So the next time you are tempted to leave your cart in a parking space or you change your mind about purchasing something and set it up on a shelf where it doesn’t belong, remember Who is watching. HIS “security camera” is the one that matters most!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 1, 2007 ~ Proverbs 20
24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When I was a little girl, there was a commercial on television for a hair coloring product – Miss Clairol maybe – and the punch line to the commercial was something like “only your hairdresser knows for sure.” Harmless enough, right? Of course! Most people could care less about someone else’s hair color.
But this innocent commercial speaks to a bigger issue in our culture and in our personal lives. The Bible tells us in Luke 16:10…”He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” And that is what this passage is telling us, especially in verses 25 and 27. Often, we get into a mess, and we promise God the moon, if only He will deliver us from this trouble. We will come to church more. We will pray more often – and more fervently. We will “turn our life around” so to speak! But these verses tell us to be careful what we promise in the heat of the moment. God knows our heart AND our future. He knows when we say one thing and believe another in our heart. He knows when we are real with Him and when we are really just saying what we think He and those around us want to hear.
So go ahead and color your hair and wear fake fingernails, colored contact lenses, hair extensions, or whatever floats your boat. But don’t play loose with God! He knows the real you – your hairdresser is NOT the only One Who knows for sure!
©2007 Debbie Robus
17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Do you know somebody of whom it is said, “He/she would give you the shirt off his/her back?” I think we probably all know someone who is extremely generous. My friend Cheryl is like that. She is always willing to share her belongings with others or to give things to her friends and family members. But sometimes, this backfires on her. Because Cheryl is so generous, sometimes others take advantage of her kindness. Sometimes she loans things to people who don’t return them. While she doesn’t expect anything in turn from the people she helps, sometimes the recipients are less than kind to her. They abuse her kindness and generosity and demand more. Or they are not respectful of her property and return it in poorer condition than it was lent.
Now, I seriously doubt that Cheryl is going to stop being generous to others. And I’m not saying she should. But the Bible tells us to be cautious about our help. If it is a small loan and doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things… like an article of clothing or a book that can be replaced… it’s probably worth the risk. If it is the loan of a car, a place to stay, a large sum of money, or co-signing a bank loan for a purchase, it might be a good idea to give careful consideration to the borrower’s reputation – and the potential consequences of the loan.
God gave us The Proverbs to show us how to be good stewards of His gifts without losing our shirt! He wants us to help the poor and needy and those less fortunate than we are, but He also wants us to use good judgment and common sense and to be smart and sensible. So the next time your neighbor asks to borrow a cup of sugar, you can probably figure that one out on your own. But if your best friend wants to borrow your car, your cell phone, or that new diamond ring your mom bought you, have a little visit with God first before you decide!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 6 ~ Proverbs 22
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Suppose you owned a pharmacy, and it was the only one in your community. Everybody had to come to you for their prescriptions… rich and poor alike. You did okay in your pharmacy and made a decent profit on all of the prescriptions you dispensed. BUT… you had people over a barrel, so to speak, and you could sell the prescription drugs for more than three times what you paid for them and make a nice profit. You could have made a good living by only doubling the price over your cost, but you could make a whole lot more if you tripled it!
You weren’t hurting the rich, certainly, by overcharging. And it was surely your privilege to charge as much or as little as you wanted for your prescriptions. But by setting your prices so high, you really made it tough for the lower income customers. The poor had to eat, just the same as rich people, but because you made it so difficult for them to afford their prescriptions, they had to forego other things, and for some, that included food. Others chose to skip the medications they needed in order to be able to eat… or to feed their families.
All the while, you were driving a great little sports car and living in a big beautiful house. You wore designer-label clothing to work and a nice wristwatch and jewelry, all thanks to the fine customers who patronized your store. And you didn’t feel the least bit bad about doing so!
The Proverbs tell us that God hears our thoughts… He knows our hearts. And those of us who are deceitful and greedy – those of us who mistreat the poor in order better ourselves – will be dealt with and our efforts will be frustrated in some way. You may seem to get by with this behavior on this earth, but there will come a day when you must answer for your actions and your lack of concern for others.
So as you go about your day, ask yourself this question, “Am I pure of heart? Are my motives acceptable and honest? Am I pleasing God with my thoughts and actions?” Check your attitude and your actions at the door before you set foot out the door, and remember to give yourself a check-up often!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 5 ~ Proverbs 22
1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and do a passage lookup.)
When I was a child, I thought my paternal grandparents were rich. They lived on a farm, where they grew an abundance of food and raised cattle and chickens. They were always doing things for my sister and brother and me… and for others. It never occurred to me how hard they worked. I never realized that they went to bed before 7 p.m. because they had to be up by 3 or 4 a.m. to get to work. I never thought much about the fact they didn’t watch much TV… chalking it up to their living in a rural area where television reception was poor. My grandfather didn’t have much spare time, but when he did, I often saw him reading his Bible.
My grandparents were probably in a fairly low income bracket. Yet I still believe my grandparents were rich. Maybe they weren’t rich in money or the things it can buy, but they were rich in love, experiences, and a relationship with God. I never forgot that, and as I have aged, I have realized even more how valuable the example of their lives was for others. They served others humbly, and often, I saw them give to those who were less fortunate than they. Theirs was a legacy of sharing with others, and I hope that I have learned this lesson well and can pay it forward in my own life.
When we stand before God, He does not see cars, jewelry, houses, or things. He sees our heart. You may be standing next to the “richest man in the world” in the eyes of man, but in God’s eyes, you may be the richer one. It is up to you to choose wisely how to spend your time, talents and material wealth. You truly do reap what you sew, and I pray that your reputation will be one that is worth more than silver and gold… a treasure “rather to be chosen than great riches!”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 4 ~ Proverbs 21
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
I am a big fan of “I Love Lucy.” In fact, I love those shows so much that my husband got me flannel “I Love Lucy” pajamas and matching slippers. They feature Lucy and Ethel in their famous “chocolate factory” scene – eating the chocolates as they race down the conveyor belt because they can’t keep up with getting them wrapped and packaged! Lucy is always getting into trouble in those episodes, and quite often, it is because of something she says. Oh, she doesn’t mean to cause trouble, but she surely does. And then she incurs the wrath of Ricky!
These verses tell us to guard our hearts and our tongues against saying and doing – and thinking – things that are untrue or unkind… or evil. There is no mincing of words in these verses. To do otherwise is to bring trouble and God’s anger and punishment to our lives. On the other hand, following God’s commandments and walking in His Spirit and righteousness will bring us an abundant life - and safety in the Lord – a life that honors Him. Is there really any question which we must choose?
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 3 ~ Proverbs 21
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When I was in the first grade, President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas. I still remember hearing the news and watching all of the events of the next few days on television and seeing the accounts in the newspapers. One of the pictures that is etched in my memory is the one of Lee Harvey Oswald being shot by Jack Ruby. Apparently Mr. Ruby decided he could not wait for the wheels of justice to turn. He took matters into his own hands.
Now, many would applaud this vigilante action. But God does not approve of vigilantes. He and He alone is responsibility for addressing evil behavior. I believe that God provided us with a system of checks and balances for dealing with criminals on this earth. Our legal system may not always work as well as we would like – and some would argue whether it works at all – but the Bible tells us that courts are nothing new and offer a better shot at fairness for all than any vigilante.
If you do an internet search for “Jack Ruby,” you will learn that he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He appealed the sentence, and before a second trial could be held, he died of lung cancer. I do not know Jack Ruby’s heart nor his motives in shooting Lee Harvey Oswald. But trying to “play God” is foolish… and we see in Verse 20 that fools spend up their treasure and waste it. God WILL take care of evil people and situations. It may not happen on this earth, but it WILL happen. As faithful Christians and good stewards of God’s blessings, we must trust Him and His timing in every experience.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 2 ~ Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. (Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Let’s say you are shopping and you pick up a bag of dip for your chips and put it in your basket. You move on down a few aisles, and there on the end cap is another brand of dip – and it’s on sale. So, you take out the first jar of dip, sit it on the shelf, and grab a jar of the sale brand. OR… you are shopping and decide you don’t want something you picked up over in cosmetics, and you are already way over in the pet supplies, so you just lay the cosmetic up on the shelf. The store clerk will return it, right?
Suppose you get up late for school, and you hurry to shower and dress, and you leave your wet towel and pj’s in the floor. If your mom (spouse, roommate, sibling) doesn’t pick them up for you, you can do something with them after school… but only IF someone else hasn’t already taken care of it for you!
These are minor issues in the scheme of things, but again, if you are not faithful in small matters, you probably won’t be in the larger ones. It isn’t going to cause a breakdown of the world as we know it if you don’t return that item to its rightful place on a store shelf. But as Christians, we must be diligent in even the smallest gestures. We must be even more careful to show respect to others… to put back those items we don’t want, to pick up our belongings, to put away our dishes and be helpful to those around us. Verse 3 says doing what is right and fair is more important to God than a sacrifice.
God knows our heart. He knows that when we pick up after ourselves so others won’t have to do it… when we return the grocery cart to the cart corral at the store… when we take time to hold a door for someone or simply speak politely and respectfully to others, and we do it with a good attitude and a loving spirit, we are setting the stage and laying the foundation for honoring Him in larger things.
So the next time you are tempted to leave your cart in a parking space or you change your mind about purchasing something and set it up on a shelf where it doesn’t belong, remember Who is watching. HIS “security camera” is the one that matters most!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 1, 2007 ~ Proverbs 20
24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When I was a little girl, there was a commercial on television for a hair coloring product – Miss Clairol maybe – and the punch line to the commercial was something like “only your hairdresser knows for sure.” Harmless enough, right? Of course! Most people could care less about someone else’s hair color.
But this innocent commercial speaks to a bigger issue in our culture and in our personal lives. The Bible tells us in Luke 16:10…”He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” And that is what this passage is telling us, especially in verses 25 and 27. Often, we get into a mess, and we promise God the moon, if only He will deliver us from this trouble. We will come to church more. We will pray more often – and more fervently. We will “turn our life around” so to speak! But these verses tell us to be careful what we promise in the heat of the moment. God knows our heart AND our future. He knows when we say one thing and believe another in our heart. He knows when we are real with Him and when we are really just saying what we think He and those around us want to hear.
So go ahead and color your hair and wear fake fingernails, colored contact lenses, hair extensions, or whatever floats your boat. But don’t play loose with God! He knows the real you – your hairdresser is NOT the only One Who knows for sure!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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