December 14 ~ 1 Chronicles 29:16-17
Friends in Corinth, we are telling the truth when we say that there is room in our hearts for you. We are not holding back on our love for you, but you are holding back on your love for us. I speak to you as I would speak to my own children. Please make room in your hearts for us.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
It is easy to love someone who loves us back, isn’t it?! When someone is kind toward you, does nice things for you, and generally seems to enjoy your company, it makes you want to reciprocate. But what do you do when someone is unloving toward you – or at best, indifferent? Has it ever seemed like the more you did for someone… the more you loved them, prayed for them, cared about what was happening in their life… the more they distanced themselves from you?
The real test for Christians is to love those who are “unlovely” – and those who do not reciprocate. When someone slams a door in your face or hangs up the telephone on you, it’s hard to continue to behave in a loving manner toward them. When someone embarrasses you in public, or is rude to you (especially in front of others), it’s hard to find it in your heart to show a loving attitude toward this person – and sometimes, to even pray for them. Remember the scripture that says to pray for your enemies? That’s really a tough one!
Since we don’t know what is truly in another person’s heart - and we don’t have to know to be a loving Christian toward them - our responsibility is to keep on loving and showing kindness and a generous heart toward these people, regardless of whether they reciprocate. Over time, I have seen more than one person come to realize how much unconditional love and grace meant to them and begin to change. Whether this happens or not, we must show the same love and grace to others that God shows to us. We must make room in our hearts for others - and let God handle what is in theirs.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 13 ~ 2 Corinthians 3:3
You are like a letter written by Christ and delivered by us. But you are not written with pen and ink or on tablets made of stone. You are written in our hearts by the Spirit of the living God.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Letter writing is becoming a “lost art.” With the advances in technology and a time when we can send someone halfway around the world a message with one click of a button, the old-fashioned way of writing letters seems almost ridiculous to some! When my husband and I were dating and he was away at college, we wrote each other every week. He left home on Sunday and drove 90 miles to college, returning on Friday afternoon. Yet we both eagerly anticipated a note from the other – even about the most mundane things. This gesture said, “I’m thinking of you. You are in my heart.”
Can you imagine if you got an actual letter from Jesus Christ? Wouldn’t that be amazing and exciting? Can I tell you something? Paul is reminding us in this passage that we DO get “letters” from Jesus in the form of His love for us. When you chat on IM or another messaging service, you probably don’t capture the conversation and print it. But the exchange has meaning for you all the same. Just because we don’t get a hand-written, delivered-in-the-mail letter from Jesus doesn’t mean He doesn’t write on our heart each day. His Holy Spirit is there, “penciling away”… “I love you. I’m with you. Feel my presence… you mean the world to me.
”I love hand-written notes and letters… and I love to send them. I think people still appreciate the time, effort, and caring that it takes to do this. But I don’t have to have a hand-written note to know that certain people care about me… especially Jesus. I feel Him writing on my heart each day… do you? Doesn’t it make you feel special to know that the Holy Spirit not only dwells in you, but that He writes on your heart each and every day? Are you receiving the messages – are they making a difference in your life?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 12 ~ 2 Corinthians 2:4-7
At the time I wrote, I was suffering terribly. My eyes were full of tears, and my heart was broken. But I didn't want to make you feel bad. I only wanted to let you know how much I cared for you.
I don't want to be hard on you. But if one of you has made someone feel bad, I am not really the one who has been made to feel bad. Some of you are the ones. Most of you have already pointed out the wrong that person did, and that is punishment enough for what was done.
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up in despair. You should make them sure of your love for them.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever been like the Apostle Paul? Have you ever been “on the fringe” watching two people you know hurt one another? Maybe your friend and her boyfriend went through an ugly breakup. Maybe you know someone who is involved with someone who is an alcoholic, drug addict, abuser – or a combination… and this person won’t leave the relationship. Maybe you know of a situation where family members are not speaking, and it’s gone on so long nobody can remember what caused the riff in the first place! Maybe you know someone who is severely depressed, and this person is dragging down everyone around him/her.
Maybe you know someone who hurt another person so deeply it seems there is no way this wound will ever heal. For all of the positives of living in small towns, such communities seem to be great breeding grounds for “scandals” we think will never be forgotten – or forgiven. But Paul is telling us that we must forgive. “But you have no idea what this person did!” you may be saying. That’s true… but if we have a hard heart that won’t forgive others, how will they ever see Jesus in us? Do you want to risk that person turning away from God and missing out on His blessings – and possibly Eternity?
Whether the person deserves forgiveness is not important. We don’t deserve forgiveness, yet God grants it to us every day! Who are we to do any less toward our brothers and sisters – His children? This does not make you a doormat… in fact, it may just free you from the bondage of carrying a grudge toward someone else! This doesn’t mean you don’t feel hurt, insulted, disappointed, or heartbroken. But you can start to heal by extending your hand – or a prayer – in forgiveness and letting the other parties know that you still love and care for them. Paul goes on in verse 11 to say we should do this to keep from letting Satan get the better of us… and who among us wouldn’t want that?!
I want you to understand that this message is as much for me as anyone reading it. I have some people and situations in my own life I need to forgive and release. We all do. I’m determined to do this… I’m determined to meet these people on the street with a loving heart that reflects Jesus Christ. It may not be easy, but I know God will give me the strength and courage – and a loving heart – to do it. He’ll do the same for you – are you willing to give it a shot?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 11 ~ 1 Corinthians 4:5
So don't judge anyone until the Lord returns. He will show what is hidden in the dark and what is in everyone's heart. Then God will be the one who praises each of us.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever been talking to someone and said, “He/she is such a nice person,” and immediately the person gestured or laughed or did something that indicated that your sentiment was not shared? Or maybe someone has said unkind about another person, who happens to be a good friend of yours! In both cases, someone is passing judgment… and we all do it! And truly, we do NOT know what is in another person’s heart… or all of the dynamics of how and why they act as they do!
Sometimes, we pass the worst judgment of all… we decide for ourselves whether a person is a Christian or not – or whether his/her behavior is “Christian.” Clearly this is not our job! Only God knows for sure what is in a person’s heart. We may think we have a pretty good idea, but honestly, we need to keep our opinions to ourselves. After all… for every person we judge, someone may very well be judging us! So leave this to God… focus on being who you should be in your own Christian faith, and let God do the judging!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 10 ~ Romans 10:8-11
All who are acceptable because of their faith simply say, "The message is as near as your mouth or your heart." And this is the same message we preach about faith. So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others.
The Scriptures say that no one who has faith will be disappointed, no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. All who call out to the Lord will be saved.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
A few years ago, I knew someone who went to a Democratic primary election polling place to cast his votes. There were several Democratic candidates he wanted to elect. Trouble is, he wanted to elect the Republican candidate for one particular office… and that person’s name was NOT on his ballot. In order to vote for this person, he would have to vote in the Republican primary, which meant he could not vote for his other candidates. He had to choose one side or the other.
Thankfully, God doesn’t operate like our political system. You don’t have to be a Democrat or a Republican – or any other party faithful – to belong to the Kingdom of Heaven! ALL are welcome! The only requirement is that you love God with all your heart, believe that Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead, and tell others this Good News! Aren’t you glad that salvation is that simple? How wonderful to think there is only ONE choice… JESUS… and that He is ready to save anyone who asks. Have you chosen Jesus?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 9 ~ Romans 1:9
God has seen how I never stop praying for you, while I serve him with all my heart and tell the good news about his Son.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
A friend on Facebook asked for prayer for a family she knew who had experienced a tragedy. A woman posted a “praise” report on another church prayer list, saying, “Thank you for all of your prayers – I know that is what has made the difference.” Has it ever occurred to you that others are praying for you? When things are going well in your life… when you are healed from an illness or injury… when you find a job, or you find $5 in your coat pocket… you may think, “That was an answered prayer!” But does it ever cross your mind that it might be the answer to a prayer offered by others on your behalf?
I’m not saying God has to hear the prayers of “x” number of people before He will work in our lives. But as Christians, we are called to pray for others… and those prayers matter to God! Part of our service to Him is lifting the names and circumstances of others in prayer. Have you ever prayed for someone who was in need and later learned that the prayer had been answered? How did that make you feel? Were you blessed? Were you encouraged? Was your faith in God strengthened?
I’m so happy to think that others might be praying for me – and I am honored to pray for others. I know that God honors those prayers and blesses the people who offer them. I am encouraged to pray for others, knowing that God will work in their lives, and that He will hear MY prayer for them and answer it! The next time God answers your prayer, thank Him – for the answer – and for all who asked Him for it! And remember to pray for others – your prayers do make a difference!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 8 ~ Acts 28:27
All of you have stubborn hearts. Your ears are stopped up, and your eyes are covered. You cannot see or hear or understand. If you could, you would turn to me, and I would heal you.' "
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Some of you are too young to have seen the early episodes of Saturday Night Live, but you may have seen reruns of the show in which the late Gilda Radner played the character, Emily Litella – a little old lady who wore thick glasses and didn’t hear well. She was “invited” on the “Weekend Update” segment to offer commentary from time to time. In one skit, she asked, “What’s all this fuss about violins on television?” Another time, she asked, “What’s all this fuss I hear about the Supreme Court decision on a ‘deaf’ penalty? It's terrible! Deaf people have enough problems as it is!” When the “news anchor” corrected her and explained it was violence on television, not violins – and the death penalty and not a penalty toward hearing impaired, she would scrunch up her face and say, “Oh… that’s very different…” and then she would deliver her trademark line with a sheepish grin… “Never mind!”
“Emily Litella” had age on her side as an excuse. We Christians have none. Oh, sure… there may be a dozen reasons why our ears are stopped and our eyes are covered… and we may feel some are legitimately beyond our control – or certainly not our fault! But we know how to change this… we know WHO can heal us and restore us to clear vision, hearing and thinking! What stops us? Often, the culprit is a stubborn heart. I think sometimes even subconsciously, we enjoy having these crutches – we like playing the victim and wallowing in self-pity. Or maybe we are actually enjoying our sin.
I’m reminded of the commercial for an aid to stop smoking in which the lady, a former smoker (and success story for this product) says something to the effect of, “I loved every minute of smoking.” Even though she knew it was bad for her health, she still enjoyed it. And even though we know some things are bad for our Spiritual health, sometimes we enjoy those, also. Our hearts are stubborn!
We don’t have to walk around in a fog with unclear vision and hearing when it comes to our heart and our faith. God can heal us and fill our hearts with the truth. We just have to be willing to let Him. How stubborn is your heart these days? Are you ready to let God restore you?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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